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Flynn #1
Falling Fast
This is life, not a rehearsal... When River auditions for a part in an inter-school performance of Romeo and Juliet, she finds herself smitten by Flynn, the boy playing Romeo. River believes in romantic love, and she can't wait to experience it. But Flynn comes from a damaged family - is he even capable of giving River what she wants? The path of true love never did run smooth...
247 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2012
42 people are currently reading
1278 people want to read
About the author
Sophie McKenzie
80 books1,478 followersHey there! Welcome to my Goodreads page where you can keep up with all my stories - both the ones that are already published and the works in progress!!
I write mostly teen thrillers - plus some teen romance, books for younger children and four adult psychological thrillers.
I'm really excited right now because of...
Boy, Missing, my £1 book for World Book Day and Truth or Dare, my new teen thriller. (UK)
For more info on these and my other books, check out my website: www.sophiemckenziebooks.com
I write mostly teen thrillers - plus some teen romance, books for younger children and four adult psychological thrillers.
I'm really excited right now because of...
Boy, Missing, my £1 book for World Book Day and Truth or Dare, my new teen thriller. (UK)
For more info on these and my other books, check out my website: www.sophiemckenziebooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 198 reviews
December 28, 2020
This book review is actually a reread review. I read this book back when it came out – and back then I was thirteen years old, which is where I believe this book is marketed for. I remember really enjoying it back then and finding it to be very captivating. However, I reread this one randomly and my opinion was a lot less favourable… So, let’s talk about it!
I want to begin by saying that the second half of the book is far better than the first. The main problem with that is, you have to survive through the bad to get to the good. I very much struggled with the way River talks about her friends. She is so mean to them! She stereotypes them both so much. For the first half of the book, and admittedly most of it, the friends seem like 2D cut outs of stereotypes. By the end of the book her friends do a few good deeds and I see the closeness in them, but I was not entirely convinced that is how you should think about, or talk about, your true friends.
I also was so disappointed in the way River talked about her body and face. She is constantly thinking of herself as ugly and fat. Judging from the cover and what other characters say, this is just how she perceives herself and isn’t any kind of representation. I know that a lot of teenagers (and adults) face issues with self-image but the fact that she continues to feel this way about herself and it doesn’t get directly addressed, or she has no self-epiphany – just made me feel so sad. And frustrated that this wasn’t looked at more by the author…
There were some things that made me roll my eyes. Her name is River and she talks about how no one spells it right or says it right? Her name is river. People know that word – it’s not a complex name at all. You can have far more exotic and creative names than hers. She also spends some time in the beginning harping on about how you can’t fall in love with people who are ‘nice.’ What on earth does she mean? I, for one, am definitely hoping I fall in love with someone nice. I don’t think her idea is a great one to present to teens.
I know she is a teenager and she can make mistakes and such. But while you can mistakes, I think they need to be addressed or corrected at some point. This continuously doesn’t happen throughout the books. At one point, River gets drunk simply because the guy she fancies isn’t giving her enough attention. This is harmful behaviour but the author never reflects on it and revises her actions. Her mother (rightfully) gets angry at someone who is yelling at her daughter while in their house. But River turns on her mum and calls her a ‘Nazi’ for saying anything. Again, this is not reflected on or corrected. Don’t even get me started on the way she treats her mother. The fact that River gets a free pass on all of these things comes across as overlooking or normalising this horrible behaviour.
Flynn was a redeemable aspect to this story. He is a typical teenage boy, so he doesn’t get everything correct right off the bat. I liked that he was flawed, but I also liked that he was respectful. He may want things River isn’t sure about yet, but he stops whenever River says she needs space or time. He is really caring towards her and his family. He has his own secrets. And he does have anger management problems which he is aware of and is busy trying to actively fight against.
This is a romance book. So let’s talk about the relationship. Mostly, I found the relationship to be a good thing for River. It opened her mind to class issues in a way that she wasn’t before, and I appreciated the discussions on that and how different people have different perspectives of the world because of that. Their relationship has its ups and downs as all relationships do. I really appreciated the focus on sex and pressure around sex as that’s something a lot of teenagers are either discovering, unsure about, or feel peer pressured about. I feel like this side of things was handled… reasonably well.
Other things I want to quickly mention:
x – I found it weird how they alienated Flynn for not drinking? When I was 16, I was a non-drinker and non-smoker. I was even in the Netherlands where most teenagers smoke and wasn’t treated any differently for choosing not to. I was accepted just fine. Maybe it was a bigger deal back then than when I was a teen, but it still seemed odd to me.
x – the plan though *facepalm* [this is me avoiding spoilers but still wanting to express exasperation.
x – I did like the pure Britishness of the book. It’s definitely got that British slang that made me feel right at home.
This review and more can originally be found on Olivia's Catastrophe: https://oliviascatastrophe.com/2020/1...
I want to begin by saying that the second half of the book is far better than the first. The main problem with that is, you have to survive through the bad to get to the good. I very much struggled with the way River talks about her friends. She is so mean to them! She stereotypes them both so much. For the first half of the book, and admittedly most of it, the friends seem like 2D cut outs of stereotypes. By the end of the book her friends do a few good deeds and I see the closeness in them, but I was not entirely convinced that is how you should think about, or talk about, your true friends.
I also was so disappointed in the way River talked about her body and face. She is constantly thinking of herself as ugly and fat. Judging from the cover and what other characters say, this is just how she perceives herself and isn’t any kind of representation. I know that a lot of teenagers (and adults) face issues with self-image but the fact that she continues to feel this way about herself and it doesn’t get directly addressed, or she has no self-epiphany – just made me feel so sad. And frustrated that this wasn’t looked at more by the author…
There were some things that made me roll my eyes. Her name is River and she talks about how no one spells it right or says it right? Her name is river. People know that word – it’s not a complex name at all. You can have far more exotic and creative names than hers. She also spends some time in the beginning harping on about how you can’t fall in love with people who are ‘nice.’ What on earth does she mean? I, for one, am definitely hoping I fall in love with someone nice. I don’t think her idea is a great one to present to teens.
I know she is a teenager and she can make mistakes and such. But while you can mistakes, I think they need to be addressed or corrected at some point. This continuously doesn’t happen throughout the books. At one point, River gets drunk simply because the guy she fancies isn’t giving her enough attention. This is harmful behaviour but the author never reflects on it and revises her actions. Her mother (rightfully) gets angry at someone who is yelling at her daughter while in their house. But River turns on her mum and calls her a ‘Nazi’ for saying anything. Again, this is not reflected on or corrected. Don’t even get me started on the way she treats her mother. The fact that River gets a free pass on all of these things comes across as overlooking or normalising this horrible behaviour.
Flynn was a redeemable aspect to this story. He is a typical teenage boy, so he doesn’t get everything correct right off the bat. I liked that he was flawed, but I also liked that he was respectful. He may want things River isn’t sure about yet, but he stops whenever River says she needs space or time. He is really caring towards her and his family. He has his own secrets. And he does have anger management problems which he is aware of and is busy trying to actively fight against.
This is a romance book. So let’s talk about the relationship. Mostly, I found the relationship to be a good thing for River. It opened her mind to class issues in a way that she wasn’t before, and I appreciated the discussions on that and how different people have different perspectives of the world because of that. Their relationship has its ups and downs as all relationships do. I really appreciated the focus on sex and pressure around sex as that’s something a lot of teenagers are either discovering, unsure about, or feel peer pressured about. I feel like this side of things was handled… reasonably well.
Other things I want to quickly mention:
x – I found it weird how they alienated Flynn for not drinking? When I was 16, I was a non-drinker and non-smoker. I was even in the Netherlands where most teenagers smoke and wasn’t treated any differently for choosing not to. I was accepted just fine. Maybe it was a bigger deal back then than when I was a teen, but it still seemed odd to me.
x – the plan though *facepalm* [this is me avoiding spoilers but still wanting to express exasperation.
x – I did like the pure Britishness of the book. It’s definitely got that British slang that made me feel right at home.
This review and more can originally be found on Olivia's Catastrophe: https://oliviascatastrophe.com/2020/1...
September 9, 2012
Falling Fast was a book I'd seen on a couple of lists here on GoodReads, and so when I saw it in a store I figured I would give it a shot. I disliked it. I don't think it is an appropriate novel for young adults to read: River and Flynn's relationship is a dangerous one. Flynn flies off the handle at the slightest thing, he's an angry and volatile character. He never truly redeems himself, seldom apologises for his outbursts, and is almost completely unreasonable about everything.
And yet, River forgives him and goes back to him over and over again, and doesn't learn any lessons from it all, even when she identifies that Flynn is just like his abusive alcoholic father.
I think it's a very poor example to set for teenagers potentially reading this book. Either Flynn ought to have truly identified his issues and made steps to improve and help himself, or River should have left him.
And yet, River forgives him and goes back to him over and over again, and doesn't learn any lessons from it all, even when she identifies that Flynn is just like his abusive alcoholic father.
I think it's a very poor example to set for teenagers potentially reading this book. Either Flynn ought to have truly identified his issues and made steps to improve and help himself, or River should have left him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2013
I am struggling here to find something good about this book. I finished it? With difficulty but I managed.
The characters really pissed me off. I can't even explain how much. For a start, River is obsessed with Romeo and Juliet. And not just in a "thats my favourite story" way but in a "I want to be Juliet" way. Which is wrong on so many levels. I like Romeo and Juliet, I do. But only when you don't take it as a love story. Honestly I could talk for hours about how Shakespeare is deliberately showing Romeo as fickle and weak and all the other things that make it NOT a love story. Its a tragedy. So it gets to me when people (or characters) like River start wanting Juliets (incredibly brief) life. And a "die for you" kind of love.
And then we have Flynn. Who seems to be some sort of shot at "mysterious bad boy". But what we really get is "abusive and possibly schizophrenic". One minute he is hitting the wall next to her head and she is genuinely frightened of him (newsflash: if you are frightened of your boyfriend it is NOT a good sign. ABORT) and the next he is hugging her and smiling. This is not good. And I don't understand why anyone would think it was.
Also, River seems to spend an inordinate amount of time running around after him. He gets angry and storms off. She runs off after him. He punches someone and storms off. She runs after him. I would have reached a point where I would just let him walk. Seriously. He is not a good character. And their romance is not enviable its disturbing and unstable.
If this had been a book where an insecure River (more about her insecurities later) winds up with an emotionally abusive and scary boyfriend and then eventually gets out and gets over her Juliet thing and moves on with her life- then maybe I could have got behind it. I always love a bit of character growth after all. But this is not that. This is the importance of continuing to date a guy who is violent and pressuring you for sex.
Now, as promised, River's insecurities. Now I get that normal girls have insecurities. I have plenty of them after all. But I do not understand why River had to repeatedly call herself ugly. There was literally a whole chapter where every other line was "my god my nose is hideous" or "ugh my hair is so terrible and boring" and "I am so ugly". OK, she is insecure. I get it. But could she stop mentioning it? Because after a while it becomes really genuinely worrying and I start to think she should see a counsellor. At one point she complains about guys staring at her. Which makes no sense. Like "Oh my god, I am so ugly. Ugh stop checking me out guys!" Also, this never changes. She never comes to accept herself. Or to like herself. And even though Flynn (in one of those "nice" times of his) calls her beautiful, she still comes back with "you make me FEEL beautiful". She still doesn't accept it. Honestly, this is just such a bad message *climbs onto soapbox* it should not be "I know I'm ugly but my boyfriend thinks I'm hot". Surely, it matters more what you think about yourself, and the guy liking the way you look can after.
Next, River's insane jealousy. Ok, so this bugged me. Not as much as the rest. But it bugged me. Because, despite Flynn's many, MANY faults not once does he shows signs of cheating on her. It is repeatedly mentioned that he has never really shown interest in a girl before. He has an incredibly short dating history. He never even looks at her friend Emmi and suddenly River is convinced he wants to sleep with Emmi. Which is ridiculous. And then River starts wanting him to "prove" his love for her. Which makes very little sense to me. One of the few times I agreed with Flynn was him saying "You have to have trust... faith... Thats what love is about". So very true. And a definite signal that you should break up. He has basically just said that she doesn't trust him and that there is no love without trust. And then this. This is a clear sign that there is no love there. So end it please. For all our sakes.
To end on an (almost) high note. River's mother. Seriously. So underrated. River spends all her scenes with her mother bitching about her. But I actually think her mother is fairly awesome. Firstly, she is attempting to comfort River and all River can do is moan about it and then have a rant at her Mum because her Mum says that the Nurse is a better character than Juliet and that its not a very feminist play. All very true. And aiming for a Juliet love is not exactly feminist either. Nor is River's relationship with Flynn which is not even remotely equal. By the way, River's Mum strongly disapproves of Flynn as well. Which I am fully behind. Especially since he was unbelievably rude to River's Mum the first time they met. Not exactly ideal boyfriend behaviour.
Now, I have never been in love. So maybe I don't know what I am talking about. But this just doesn't seem like a good loving relationship to me. I saw a friend of mine in a relationship like this and it ended very very badly. So I can't help really not believing in this whole thing.
Overall this book made me angry (to the point where I actually hit the book on a chair a few times), disappointed and just about ready to start crusading for women's rights and awareness that abusive scary boyfriends are not people you should stay with! I highly do not recommend this book.
Read this and other reviews at http://acasualreview.blogspot.co.uk/
The characters really pissed me off. I can't even explain how much. For a start, River is obsessed with Romeo and Juliet. And not just in a "thats my favourite story" way but in a "I want to be Juliet" way. Which is wrong on so many levels. I like Romeo and Juliet, I do. But only when you don't take it as a love story. Honestly I could talk for hours about how Shakespeare is deliberately showing Romeo as fickle and weak and all the other things that make it NOT a love story. Its a tragedy. So it gets to me when people (or characters) like River start wanting Juliets (incredibly brief) life. And a "die for you" kind of love.
And then we have Flynn. Who seems to be some sort of shot at "mysterious bad boy". But what we really get is "abusive and possibly schizophrenic". One minute he is hitting the wall next to her head and she is genuinely frightened of him (newsflash: if you are frightened of your boyfriend it is NOT a good sign. ABORT) and the next he is hugging her and smiling. This is not good. And I don't understand why anyone would think it was.
Also, River seems to spend an inordinate amount of time running around after him. He gets angry and storms off. She runs off after him. He punches someone and storms off. She runs after him. I would have reached a point where I would just let him walk. Seriously. He is not a good character. And their romance is not enviable its disturbing and unstable.
If this had been a book where an insecure River (more about her insecurities later) winds up with an emotionally abusive and scary boyfriend and then eventually gets out and gets over her Juliet thing and moves on with her life- then maybe I could have got behind it. I always love a bit of character growth after all. But this is not that. This is the importance of continuing to date a guy who is violent and pressuring you for sex.
Now, as promised, River's insecurities. Now I get that normal girls have insecurities. I have plenty of them after all. But I do not understand why River had to repeatedly call herself ugly. There was literally a whole chapter where every other line was "my god my nose is hideous" or "ugh my hair is so terrible and boring" and "I am so ugly". OK, she is insecure. I get it. But could she stop mentioning it? Because after a while it becomes really genuinely worrying and I start to think she should see a counsellor. At one point she complains about guys staring at her. Which makes no sense. Like "Oh my god, I am so ugly. Ugh stop checking me out guys!" Also, this never changes. She never comes to accept herself. Or to like herself. And even though Flynn (in one of those "nice" times of his) calls her beautiful, she still comes back with "you make me FEEL beautiful". She still doesn't accept it. Honestly, this is just such a bad message *climbs onto soapbox* it should not be "I know I'm ugly but my boyfriend thinks I'm hot". Surely, it matters more what you think about yourself, and the guy liking the way you look can after.
Next, River's insane jealousy. Ok, so this bugged me. Not as much as the rest. But it bugged me. Because, despite Flynn's many, MANY faults not once does he shows signs of cheating on her. It is repeatedly mentioned that he has never really shown interest in a girl before. He has an incredibly short dating history. He never even looks at her friend Emmi and suddenly River is convinced he wants to sleep with Emmi. Which is ridiculous. And then River starts wanting him to "prove" his love for her. Which makes very little sense to me. One of the few times I agreed with Flynn was him saying "You have to have trust... faith... Thats what love is about". So very true. And a definite signal that you should break up. He has basically just said that she doesn't trust him and that there is no love without trust. And then this. This is a clear sign that there is no love there. So end it please. For all our sakes.
To end on an (almost) high note. River's mother. Seriously. So underrated. River spends all her scenes with her mother bitching about her. But I actually think her mother is fairly awesome. Firstly, she is attempting to comfort River and all River can do is moan about it and then have a rant at her Mum because her Mum says that the Nurse is a better character than Juliet and that its not a very feminist play. All very true. And aiming for a Juliet love is not exactly feminist either. Nor is River's relationship with Flynn which is not even remotely equal. By the way, River's Mum strongly disapproves of Flynn as well. Which I am fully behind. Especially since he was unbelievably rude to River's Mum the first time they met. Not exactly ideal boyfriend behaviour.
Now, I have never been in love. So maybe I don't know what I am talking about. But this just doesn't seem like a good loving relationship to me. I saw a friend of mine in a relationship like this and it ended very very badly. So I can't help really not believing in this whole thing.
Overall this book made me angry (to the point where I actually hit the book on a chair a few times), disappointed and just about ready to start crusading for women's rights and awareness that abusive scary boyfriends are not people you should stay with! I highly do not recommend this book.
Read this and other reviews at http://acasualreview.blogspot.co.uk/
July 31, 2014
Okay, I read this book a while ago after a friend recommended it in English, and even though the blurb doesn't appeal to me, I decided to read it ironically since it's by an author I kind of enjoyed at the time (well, I've now read 4 of her books and I hated half of them), and it turns out, I hated this book even more than a normal cheesy romance.
Firstly, River spends the entire story moaning about how awful her life is because she isn't 'loved'. Her mum (who she often moans about, even though her mum seems like a brilliant mum) loves her, her dad loves her, but no, she's just too obsessed with getting a boyfriend. Even on the very first page, she starts moaning.
"Grey. Dull. Boring. Like me. Like my life."
Yes, River, you are boring me. But she has a pretty good life by the looks of it - she's good at acting, she has friends, she has a (although with divorced parents) nice family, and if she wants a less boring life, let's send her to Syria or somewhere where there's riots.
Secondly, the thing I hated most about the book was the characters. I mean, I absolutely detested River. She was extremely annoying, and spends her life moaning (as stated above) and it was to my displeasure that she was narrating the book. She's overly obsessed with getting a boyfriend (not even in the normal way...not, I wish guys would like me, but like, OH MY GOD I WANT TO GET MARRIED TO MY ROMEO NOW) and then she's even more obsessed with how much Flynn does or doesn't love her. She also constantly bashes her so-called best friends, saying that they're not good actors or they're too shy etc. etc.
My most hated quote from the book goes like this:
"Emmi was Juliet. I was the Nurse.
The Nurse. Short. Dumpy. Nice.
Nice.
My heart sank.
You can't fall in love with nice."
Well I don't know about you, River, but I'd rather have a nice boyfriend instead of a mean one. Also, shouldn't you be happy for your best friend that she got the main role? Oh no, it's all about yourself, River, isn't it? Yes, I also thought River was extremely selfish and naive. To the point where I was hitting the book against the table with frustration.
And then there was Flynn, who really has some issues. I honestly think he should see someone about his mental health condition, because one moment he's screaming at River and then the next he's hugging her and kissing her. It seems like a really dangerous and worrying relationship to me, and reading the blurb for the next one in the series (how people liked it enough to even read the next books, I don't know) River's mum was right to ban them from seeing each other because they both need to sort out themselves before trying to get into a relationship. Sophie McKenzie tried to make him look like the mysterious bad boy, but he just looks like he has problems. Also, he makes deals with everyone, like his so-called best friend is only his friend because Flynn does his homework for him and the best friend is just there for his emergencies! And the teacher had to make a deal with Flynn about getting him in the play! I mean, what?
I won't even go into other characters, but there's Emmi, who has sex with her boyfriend in the cinema toilets or something which is just plain gross, and Grace who one minute is a shy turtle hiding in her shell, and then there's a party, and BOOM she's out there flirting with everyone.
Ok, I'll give it this: it's well-written. But the plot was a straight-forward romance and it was almost as annoying as River herself. The first few chapters are just her whining about love, and then the rest are her whining about Flynn, and the only part I found vaguely interesting was Flynn's background (which River didn't seem too sympathetic about, she just continued to moan about Flynn's actual love for her) which happened to be towards the end and I was forcing myself the finish the story by then.
Unless you're a fan of soppy romance novels and don't get annoyed with whiny idiots like River, I wouldn't recommend this.
Firstly, River spends the entire story moaning about how awful her life is because she isn't 'loved'. Her mum (who she often moans about, even though her mum seems like a brilliant mum) loves her, her dad loves her, but no, she's just too obsessed with getting a boyfriend. Even on the very first page, she starts moaning.
"Grey. Dull. Boring. Like me. Like my life."
Yes, River, you are boring me. But she has a pretty good life by the looks of it - she's good at acting, she has friends, she has a (although with divorced parents) nice family, and if she wants a less boring life, let's send her to Syria or somewhere where there's riots.
Secondly, the thing I hated most about the book was the characters. I mean, I absolutely detested River. She was extremely annoying, and spends her life moaning (as stated above) and it was to my displeasure that she was narrating the book. She's overly obsessed with getting a boyfriend (not even in the normal way...not, I wish guys would like me, but like, OH MY GOD I WANT TO GET MARRIED TO MY ROMEO NOW) and then she's even more obsessed with how much Flynn does or doesn't love her. She also constantly bashes her so-called best friends, saying that they're not good actors or they're too shy etc. etc.
My most hated quote from the book goes like this:
"Emmi was Juliet. I was the Nurse.
The Nurse. Short. Dumpy. Nice.
Nice.
My heart sank.
You can't fall in love with nice."
Well I don't know about you, River, but I'd rather have a nice boyfriend instead of a mean one. Also, shouldn't you be happy for your best friend that she got the main role? Oh no, it's all about yourself, River, isn't it? Yes, I also thought River was extremely selfish and naive. To the point where I was hitting the book against the table with frustration.
And then there was Flynn, who really has some issues. I honestly think he should see someone about his mental health condition, because one moment he's screaming at River and then the next he's hugging her and kissing her. It seems like a really dangerous and worrying relationship to me, and reading the blurb for the next one in the series (how people liked it enough to even read the next books, I don't know) River's mum was right to ban them from seeing each other because they both need to sort out themselves before trying to get into a relationship. Sophie McKenzie tried to make him look like the mysterious bad boy, but he just looks like he has problems. Also, he makes deals with everyone, like his so-called best friend is only his friend because Flynn does his homework for him and the best friend is just there for his emergencies! And the teacher had to make a deal with Flynn about getting him in the play! I mean, what?
I won't even go into other characters, but there's Emmi, who has sex with her boyfriend in the cinema toilets or something which is just plain gross, and Grace who one minute is a shy turtle hiding in her shell, and then there's a party, and BOOM she's out there flirting with everyone.
Ok, I'll give it this: it's well-written. But the plot was a straight-forward romance and it was almost as annoying as River herself. The first few chapters are just her whining about love, and then the rest are her whining about Flynn, and the only part I found vaguely interesting was Flynn's background (which River didn't seem too sympathetic about, she just continued to moan about Flynn's actual love for her) which happened to be towards the end and I was forcing myself the finish the story by then.
Unless you're a fan of soppy romance novels and don't get annoyed with whiny idiots like River, I wouldn't recommend this.
September 25, 2012
Ew. This book was terrible- one of the worst reads ever...
March 17, 2012
Falling Fast is the third book by Sophie McKenzie that I have read, and while it wasn't my favourite, I did enjoy it. It was a very quick, cute read, perfect for fans of super sweet romances that you can get lost in for a couple of hours (because that's only how long it takes) and then come back into the real world feeling all warm and squishy inside :)
River wants to be in love. She wants to find a guy and be perfectly happy. When she meets Flynn, she thinks she found the one for her. But does he feel the same?
There's nothing remarkable or amazing about the plot, but I feel that with a story like this one, there doesn't need to be. I enjoyed it without having the numerous plot twists, without the exciting action scenes, without the fast paced, page turning drama. It was a great book that I could wind down with after a long and boring day at school, that I could read without having to think too much.
River was okay. I liked her, I guess, but I definitely didn't love her. She could be a little annoying at times, sometimes a bit whiny, but I think everyone's like that sometimes so I can forgive her ;P She was nice and understanding, and she didn't make a big deal of things that other people perhaps would have. She obviously loved Flynn, and she never let the things he tells her about his life get in the way of that (you'll know what I mean when you read it, I hope!).
Which brings me on to Flynn. For the most part, I couldn't stand him. It wasn't until the end that I began to like him a little bit, but for the first three quarters of the book, all I could think was why on earth is River wasting her time with this boy? He's a jerk. I mean, sure, I can (sort of) understand why he was the way he was, because of his difficult upbringing and home life, but River was only ever nice to him, and he just messed her around. And (this is my last point, I promise!) the way he was using his drama teacher to get him into a good uni/college? Not cool.
So while I don't think that Falling Fast is by any means an incredible read, it is enjoyable and worth reading if you're looking for a good, calm, relaxing story to end a long day or week with. If you're a fan of YA romance/chick-lit, this would be great for you but I think if you're looking for a romance that is deep and meaningful, this will fall a little flat.
River wants to be in love. She wants to find a guy and be perfectly happy. When she meets Flynn, she thinks she found the one for her. But does he feel the same?
There's nothing remarkable or amazing about the plot, but I feel that with a story like this one, there doesn't need to be. I enjoyed it without having the numerous plot twists, without the exciting action scenes, without the fast paced, page turning drama. It was a great book that I could wind down with after a long and boring day at school, that I could read without having to think too much.
River was okay. I liked her, I guess, but I definitely didn't love her. She could be a little annoying at times, sometimes a bit whiny, but I think everyone's like that sometimes so I can forgive her ;P She was nice and understanding, and she didn't make a big deal of things that other people perhaps would have. She obviously loved Flynn, and she never let the things he tells her about his life get in the way of that (you'll know what I mean when you read it, I hope!).
Which brings me on to Flynn. For the most part, I couldn't stand him. It wasn't until the end that I began to like him a little bit, but for the first three quarters of the book, all I could think was why on earth is River wasting her time with this boy? He's a jerk. I mean, sure, I can (sort of) understand why he was the way he was, because of his difficult upbringing and home life, but River was only ever nice to him, and he just messed her around. And (this is my last point, I promise!) the way he was using his drama teacher to get him into a good uni/college? Not cool.
So while I don't think that Falling Fast is by any means an incredible read, it is enjoyable and worth reading if you're looking for a good, calm, relaxing story to end a long day or week with. If you're a fan of YA romance/chick-lit, this would be great for you but I think if you're looking for a romance that is deep and meaningful, this will fall a little flat.
September 1, 2013
Honestly, I just wanted to drop this book even before I was in the middle of it. But I have a thing to finish all books once I started reading it, so I kept reading. And it was just so..ugh!!!
I mean, really?
Sure, the characters were okayish, they weren't too bad. But really, River just saw him once, and boom! she is in looooove. After she sees him acting! Sure, he's a good actor, but is that really enough to make you fall in love with him?
It was all just instant love.
Because Flynn had almost no reason to like River, because she's a really average girl, and sure, later on, she accepted for who he is and all that. But how, in the world, would he know that she would accept him. So like, the whole starting to liking each other was all very instant.
So, I can't say I really enjoyed it.
I mean, really?
Sure, the characters were okayish, they weren't too bad. But really, River just saw him once, and boom! she is in looooove. After she sees him acting! Sure, he's a good actor, but is that really enough to make you fall in love with him?
It was all just instant love.
Because Flynn had almost no reason to like River, because she's a really average girl, and sure, later on, she accepted for who he is and all that. But how, in the world, would he know that she would accept him. So like, the whole starting to liking each other was all very instant.
So, I can't say I really enjoyed it.
July 9, 2012
Ugh, I read about 10% of the book before skimming to the end. Too much teen angst.
July 4, 2012
Falling Fast was a quicky, semi-fluffy read. I will have to admit the thing the attracted me to it initially was its cover. And Chicklish's review "romantic and heart-wrenching" swayed me to pick it up and give it a go.
The two main characters, River and Flynn, are nothing unique. He - a brooding, intense boy from a poor family and She - a hopeless romantic. River is the exact type of character I know my sister Danny would loathe, dissolves into a pile of mush because of an undeniable attraction to a handsome stranger.
The positives: compulsively readable, quick-paced.
The negatives: An interesting, but deathly predictable premise of the Romeo and Juliet play. I didn't feel the characters were very well developed, though the names River and Flynn are quite cool, I felt like they were stereotypes. Readers don't necessarily want a character who is over the top weird, because that's not what real people are like. There are people out there like River and Flynn, but I do think there could have been more done to distinguish them from the archetypal romantic and bad boy. To an extent, some issues were too contrived and the topic of sex is dealt with rather unrealistically.
Overall, the book was pretty average. I finished it, but raced through the last third because the characters weren't compelling enough for me to get fully emotional involved.
The two main characters, River and Flynn, are nothing unique. He - a brooding, intense boy from a poor family and She - a hopeless romantic. River is the exact type of character I know my sister Danny would loathe, dissolves into a pile of mush because of an undeniable attraction to a handsome stranger.
The positives: compulsively readable, quick-paced.
The negatives: An interesting, but deathly predictable premise of the Romeo and Juliet play. I didn't feel the characters were very well developed, though the names River and Flynn are quite cool, I felt like they were stereotypes. Readers don't necessarily want a character who is over the top weird, because that's not what real people are like. There are people out there like River and Flynn, but I do think there could have been more done to distinguish them from the archetypal romantic and bad boy. To an extent, some issues were too contrived and the topic of sex is dealt with rather unrealistically.
Overall, the book was pretty average. I finished it, but raced through the last third because the characters weren't compelling enough for me to get fully emotional involved.
July 12, 2013
O primeiro amor é um livro leve, simples e agradável.
É um livro direcionado para as camadas mais jovens é certo, no entanto devo dizer que o livro acabou por me deliciar e só tenho pena de não o ter lido nos meus tempos de adolescência, tenho a certeza que o iria adorar.
É, portanto, uma história simples com um estilo de escrita bastante acessível, que narra a história de amor entre 2 jovens: a River e o Flynn.
O único senão de todo o livro são as personagens um pouco estereotipadas: a River, uma rapariga bonita com problemas de insegurança com um irmão pre-adolescente muito ranhoso; Flynn o complexo Deus Grego com olhar intenso, e com complexos relativamente à sua pobreza; as amigas Emmi (a rapariga sensual com todos os rapazes a seus pés) e a Grace (a amiguinha tímida).
Não obstante, a história é agradável e muito rápida de se ler, abordando temas como a auto-descoberta, a aceitação, a partilha, a compreensão, a confiança, o perdão e o respeito que são tão necessários e importantes para qualquer tipo de relação, nomeadamente o amor, amor esse que “é composto por muitos sentimentos: confiança, (…) arrependimento, perdão e esperança”.
Irei seguir a trilogia daqui para a frente.
August 17, 2012
Gostei muito de ler este livrinho. O título explica bem o tema do livro, é sobre o primeiro amor que todos já tivemos ou iremos ter. A leitura foi bastante rápida, é um livro muito doce, que nos deixa o coração quentinho.
Conta a história de dois jovens, River e Flynn, que não poderiam ser mais diferentes. River é sonhadora, sonha encontrar o seu primeiro amor e ser feliz para sempre, já Flynn é um adolescente difícil, que teve uma vida complicada e é visível todo o sofrimento na sua personalidade: é impulsivo e conflituoso. Mas eles apaixonam-se e apesar das várias divergências no modo como encaram o amor e a vida, eles gostam um do outro e querem ficar juntos.
O relacionamento de River e Flynn é intercalado com os ensaios de uma peça de teatro bem conhecida "Romeu e Julieta" e que forma um paralelismo com o casal protagonista.
Sem dúvida que a história é cliché mas foi uma leitura bem agradável e ficarei à espera do próximo livro da trilogia, a sair em 2013.
Conta a história de dois jovens, River e Flynn, que não poderiam ser mais diferentes. River é sonhadora, sonha encontrar o seu primeiro amor e ser feliz para sempre, já Flynn é um adolescente difícil, que teve uma vida complicada e é visível todo o sofrimento na sua personalidade: é impulsivo e conflituoso. Mas eles apaixonam-se e apesar das várias divergências no modo como encaram o amor e a vida, eles gostam um do outro e querem ficar juntos.
O relacionamento de River e Flynn é intercalado com os ensaios de uma peça de teatro bem conhecida "Romeu e Julieta" e que forma um paralelismo com o casal protagonista.
Sem dúvida que a história é cliché mas foi uma leitura bem agradável e ficarei à espera do próximo livro da trilogia, a sair em 2013.
April 2, 2021
I remember loving this book as a teenager however re-reading this as an adult has made me realise how problematic and toxic the characters are. It's worrying that teenagers have this as a basis for real love and relationships. Flynn is disrespectful, manipulative, outright rude and has impulse anger issues. It's dissapointing that River only believes she is beautiful once Flynn tells her so.
Not a great message for young girls and it is not the sort of book I'd recommend to my 13 year old sister.
Not to mention how the author describes her brown hair as "mud" and "eyes the colour of ditchwater".
I was particularly annoyed when Flynn was rude to River's mum in their first encounter in the house. Furthermore, how he thinks its okay to scream at River simply because she has a bigger house and her parents earn more. 🥱😵🤔
Not a great message for young girls and it is not the sort of book I'd recommend to my 13 year old sister.
Not to mention how the author describes her brown hair as "mud" and "eyes the colour of ditchwater".
I was particularly annoyed when Flynn was rude to River's mum in their first encounter in the house. Furthermore, how he thinks its okay to scream at River simply because she has a bigger house and her parents earn more. 🥱😵🤔
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2012
The guy here was just plain weird....yeah hot but weird. And the girl annoying with her quest to find true love. Bleh!
February 15, 2012
Believe it or not Falling Fast is actually the first book I've read by Sophie McKenzie!
And for a British, YA book blogger thats strange to say, I've seen her books almost everywhere, but for some reason just haven't ever read any of them!
I wasn't entirely sure what to think when a review copy of Falling Fast showed up at my door, I am very picky when it comes to YA contemporary books, and it's not my usual go to genre. But I thought I would give it a go anyway.
Falling Fast is a pretty short and light read, it isn't a book thats going to change your world overnight but it is enjoyable and lets you escape reality for a while.
The story follows British teenagers River and Flynn as they meet and start dating while also playing parts in a school production of Romeo and Juliet. Although it isn't always as straight forward as that in River and Flynn's world.
Flynn doesn't seem to really open up and he keeps a lot of things bottled up, throughout the book River tries her best to get him to let her in to his world and open up about things a bit more.
River is devastated when she doesn't get the lead role as Juliet but she can't show it, her best friend got the part instead. Now she has to watch her best friend and her boyfriend kiss on stage!
River's two best friends are brilliant characters, they both bring their own bit of spice and drama to the story line, as well as being there to lighten the mood during some really dramatic scenes.
River seems very innocent and immature to me, there are times in the book where she says or does something and I just cringe! Then other times she will say something very mature and witty. I guess Sophie McKenzie is trying to portray River at that awkward in-between age, which comes across well.
This is a great little book which portrays the reality of British teenagers today. I really enjoyed it and I'm glad I decided to give it a go!
And for a British, YA book blogger thats strange to say, I've seen her books almost everywhere, but for some reason just haven't ever read any of them!
I wasn't entirely sure what to think when a review copy of Falling Fast showed up at my door, I am very picky when it comes to YA contemporary books, and it's not my usual go to genre. But I thought I would give it a go anyway.
Falling Fast is a pretty short and light read, it isn't a book thats going to change your world overnight but it is enjoyable and lets you escape reality for a while.
The story follows British teenagers River and Flynn as they meet and start dating while also playing parts in a school production of Romeo and Juliet. Although it isn't always as straight forward as that in River and Flynn's world.
Flynn doesn't seem to really open up and he keeps a lot of things bottled up, throughout the book River tries her best to get him to let her in to his world and open up about things a bit more.
River is devastated when she doesn't get the lead role as Juliet but she can't show it, her best friend got the part instead. Now she has to watch her best friend and her boyfriend kiss on stage!
River's two best friends are brilliant characters, they both bring their own bit of spice and drama to the story line, as well as being there to lighten the mood during some really dramatic scenes.
River seems very innocent and immature to me, there are times in the book where she says or does something and I just cringe! Then other times she will say something very mature and witty. I guess Sophie McKenzie is trying to portray River at that awkward in-between age, which comes across well.
This is a great little book which portrays the reality of British teenagers today. I really enjoyed it and I'm glad I decided to give it a go!
May 31, 2012
Quem nunca se deixou levar pela voracidade do primeiro amor, que se acuse.
Este pode ser – e, com certeza, será – um momento extremamente complexo na vida de uma jovem mulher que sonha, a toda a hora e em todo o instante, com o rapaz perfeito que lhe arrebatará o mundo com sensações novas e palavras comuns. Alguém inteligente, doce e conhecedor. Alguém que não só a fará despertar para todo um completo e inovador universo de sentimentos, como também a embalará com conversas refinadas, gestos delicados e promessas eternas. Mas a vida não é um livro e nem sempre tem um final feliz ou se tece por caminhos regulares, e River está prestes a experienciar, em primeira mão, o quão intenso e difícil uma primeira paixão pode ser.
‹‹O Primeiro Amor›› trata-se de um romance belo e resplandecente que, mesmo abordando e estando direccionado para um público mais jovem, consegue ainda assim envolver qualquer tipo de leitor, motivando-o a permanecer presente na trama, em sintonia com as personagens e os seus lugares-comuns. Embora construído de pequenos pormenores, este é um livro leve que se centra nas consequências comportamentais, sociais e pessoais que a fogosidade de um primeiro amor tão aguardado e ansiado pode provocar em alguém.
Sophie McKenzie é, claramente, uma autora que escreve com a alma e que, sem dúvida alguma, se deixa levar pelo romantismo que rodeia um dos sentimentos mais provocadores, importantes e essenciais na vida de uma pessoa. Simples, directa e poética, McKenzie percorre os trilhos de um estilo não só agradável como também, e isso é certo, inspirador.
Opinião completa, em:
http://pedacinho-literario.blogspot.p...
Este pode ser – e, com certeza, será – um momento extremamente complexo na vida de uma jovem mulher que sonha, a toda a hora e em todo o instante, com o rapaz perfeito que lhe arrebatará o mundo com sensações novas e palavras comuns. Alguém inteligente, doce e conhecedor. Alguém que não só a fará despertar para todo um completo e inovador universo de sentimentos, como também a embalará com conversas refinadas, gestos delicados e promessas eternas. Mas a vida não é um livro e nem sempre tem um final feliz ou se tece por caminhos regulares, e River está prestes a experienciar, em primeira mão, o quão intenso e difícil uma primeira paixão pode ser.
‹‹O Primeiro Amor›› trata-se de um romance belo e resplandecente que, mesmo abordando e estando direccionado para um público mais jovem, consegue ainda assim envolver qualquer tipo de leitor, motivando-o a permanecer presente na trama, em sintonia com as personagens e os seus lugares-comuns. Embora construído de pequenos pormenores, este é um livro leve que se centra nas consequências comportamentais, sociais e pessoais que a fogosidade de um primeiro amor tão aguardado e ansiado pode provocar em alguém.
Sophie McKenzie é, claramente, uma autora que escreve com a alma e que, sem dúvida alguma, se deixa levar pelo romantismo que rodeia um dos sentimentos mais provocadores, importantes e essenciais na vida de uma pessoa. Simples, directa e poética, McKenzie percorre os trilhos de um estilo não só agradável como também, e isso é certo, inspirador.
Opinião completa, em:
http://pedacinho-literario.blogspot.p...
August 3, 2013
I gave up on this one. He's an obnoxious arsehole and she's a walking cliche. Well written obnoxious arseholes and walking cliches, but still. I read the other goodreads reviews and kept seeing all these comments about how light and fluffy the book is. Well, if by light and fluffy you mean an insipid heroine mooning about while nothing much happens, then maybe they have a point.
Moody, angry guy gets angry while girlfriend with body issues makes excuses for him. I kept waiting for this to turn into a story about violence against women, but it doesn't seem that ever happens. Nope, having glanced at the reviews for the 2.5 sequels, Flynn continues to be a moody jerk and River the drip (see what I did there?) continues mooning over him (Moon River, geddit?!?). Oh forget it.
And forget this book. Dreadful stuff.
Moody, angry guy gets angry while girlfriend with body issues makes excuses for him. I kept waiting for this to turn into a story about violence against women, but it doesn't seem that ever happens. Nope, having glanced at the reviews for the 2.5 sequels, Flynn continues to be a moody jerk and River the drip (see what I did there?) continues mooning over him (Moon River, geddit?!?). Oh forget it.
And forget this book. Dreadful stuff.
Read
July 13, 2021This is a reread from when I first read it when I was around 10 - and alot has changed! This feels like the blueprint for after and duplicity - and it also kind of worries me that young girls can be exposed to toxic relationships at such a young age. When I was younger, I definitely romanticised the main romantic relationship the story features on, which is definitely an issue considering the male partner is aggressive, rude and snarky all because of hidden background trauma. However, I do think that the main female character in the novel is not a push over - she stands up to him, and tries to help him, so I can't really claim this to be entirely bad - I suppose it definitely could be helpful to a younger (slighter smarter than I was) audience to help notify the warning signs of a toxic relationship.
July 30, 2012
Este livro deu-me umas saudades tremendas dos meus 16 anos. E deu-me uma vontade enorme de reler a peça Romeu e Julieta. Não é um livro extraordinário (provavelmente lido no original soaria melhor), não é uma obra-prima da literatura, mas é fofinho e tem toda aquela violência inerente aos primeiros amores, às primeiras paixões e aos primeiros tropeços nesse sentimento que é tão grande. Achei algumas falas, por vezes, demasiado ingénuas e infantis, para personagens que têm 17/18 anos e a personagem principal tem algumas atitudes irritantes. É bastante previsível , mas não deixa de ser giro e de me ter deixado a suspirar e a relembrar como a adolescência é um dos melhores períodos da vida do ser humano.
Obrigada à Mafi pelo empréstimo!
Obrigada à Mafi pelo empréstimo!
June 28, 2012
I couldn't really get into this book. I couldn't relate to the characters very well and didn't feel like I really got into the story. There was nothing wrong with it, I just didn't get sucked in like I usually do. Perhaps I just wasn't in the mood for this kind of story just now. It was ok, just not for me right now.
February 2, 2022
an absolutely vile book that made me want to pull my hair out and violently throw up at every word and I'm still not over the extensive trauma that i got from reading this and I will never shut up about how bad it is
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2017
I loved reading this book because I could feel the emotions as I read on I mostly felt the jealousy and I got a few watered up eyes, I would recommend this book if your into romance.
February 18, 2013
Opinião do Blogue Chaise Longue: http://girlinchaiselongue.blogspot.pt...
Londrina, Sophie McKenzie já foi jornalista e editora numa revista mas depois de fazer um curso de escrita criativa descobriu o amor pela escrita e decidiu começar a escrever romances. O seu primeiro romance, Girl, Missing conquistou a crítica e vários prémios dando a Sophie um início de carreira prometedor que já conta com vinte e três livros e duas novelas e que irá aumentar ao longo deste ano com a publicação de mais três.
O Primeiro Amor é o primeiro volume de uma nova trilogia iniciada o ano passado e que ainda só fui traduzido para o nosso país. Com a peça Romeu e Julieta como pano de fundo, este é um livro sobre primeiros amores, novas descobertas e sensações e que acaba por se destinar não só ao público juvenil como também aos leitores mais adultos. A sequela, Burning Bright, já foi publicada este ano e aguarda-se que chegue ao nosso país.
Uma história de amor intemporal que durante séculos foi revivida nos palcos por tantos Romeus e Julietas vai ser a causa da descoberta, do primeiro olhar trocado, das primeiras palavras cruzadas. River tem dezasseis anos e ansia pelo amor shakesperiano e pelo papel de Julieta mas ela não sabe que os sonhos formam-se de outra matéria e que nunca são totalmente perfeitos. Na idade das transições e asneiras, das ânsias e das dúvidas, ela finalmente apaixona-se só que, este Romeu, esconde mais do que uma família inimiga. Flynn é um Romeu perfeito no palco mas fora dele a sua intensidade arrasta River para uma mistura de novos saberes e sabores e para os caminhos tortuosos do primeiro amor.
Sophie tem uma escrita que para além de acessível e enternecedora, nos diverte e emociona em igual medida, relembrando-nos o que é ter dezasseis anos e sentir pela primeira vez emoções que fortes que não mais nos abandonarão. Amizades inseparáveis, insatisfação connosco próprios, o medo que a tal pessoa não goste de nós da mesma maneira e depois os terrores e dúvidas que advém de uma primeira relação, de gostar de alguém diferente de nós, a falta de controlo sobre as emoções, tudo isso é algo que já todos sentimos e que a autora transmite aqui com tal clareza que poderão pensar que o livro foi escrito para vocês. Apesar de ser um livro juvenil, este não é um livro delicado, é um livro que explora não só o amor como o descobrimento da sexualidade, a forma como a família nos influencia e como os amigos nos podem alterar, de como os anseios da meninice se alteram quando se descobre o verdadeiro significado de amor.
Ao explorar temas fortes com uma dose de doçura, a autora consegue transmitir realismo e juventude ao seu livro o que acaba por levar o leitor a aproximar-se mais das personagens, jovens adolescentes que cada um à sua maneira, têm uma forma de estar e viver, com diferentes personalidades e maneiras de olhar a vida. Sem serem personagens perfeitas e que muitas vezes nos vão irritar, elas também nos vão enternecer e fazer recordar, vão conquistar-nos aos poucos e poucos, vão nos fazer acreditar que o tempo é mesmo relativo.
River é uma rapariga com complexos, uma rapariga que podia ser qualquer uma de nós, uma menina que sonha com amores perfeitos e intemporais e que ao longo do livro cresce e descobre, vê o seu melhor e o seu pior, apaixona-se, teme e é feliz, tudo ao mesmo tempo. Acompanhada das melhores amigas estereotipadas, a perfeita e a tímida, duas miúdas que vão ter caminhos muito diferentes e no qual qualquer uma de nós também se podia encaixar, River vai viver a transformação, aquele momento único em que se deixa de ser uma criança para se ser algo mais. Já Flynn, o rapaz com problemas, rude e responsável, é o exemplo de quando se ama algo completamente diferente de nós, um rapaz com uma carapaça que não deixa de ter os mesmos anseios e medos de um miúdo de dezassete anos.
Numa narrativa curta na qual acaba-se por sentir mais do que se esperaria, este livro é como um livro de memórias disfarçado com candura e que não deixa de ter a mesma intensidade e dureza do primeiro amor. Um livro que recomendo aos românticos, mesmo graúdos. Um livro que mostra que Romeu e Julieta é um fraco exemplo da complexidade, profundidade e força do verdadeiro e primeiro amor.
Londrina, Sophie McKenzie já foi jornalista e editora numa revista mas depois de fazer um curso de escrita criativa descobriu o amor pela escrita e decidiu começar a escrever romances. O seu primeiro romance, Girl, Missing conquistou a crítica e vários prémios dando a Sophie um início de carreira prometedor que já conta com vinte e três livros e duas novelas e que irá aumentar ao longo deste ano com a publicação de mais três.
O Primeiro Amor é o primeiro volume de uma nova trilogia iniciada o ano passado e que ainda só fui traduzido para o nosso país. Com a peça Romeu e Julieta como pano de fundo, este é um livro sobre primeiros amores, novas descobertas e sensações e que acaba por se destinar não só ao público juvenil como também aos leitores mais adultos. A sequela, Burning Bright, já foi publicada este ano e aguarda-se que chegue ao nosso país.
Uma história de amor intemporal que durante séculos foi revivida nos palcos por tantos Romeus e Julietas vai ser a causa da descoberta, do primeiro olhar trocado, das primeiras palavras cruzadas. River tem dezasseis anos e ansia pelo amor shakesperiano e pelo papel de Julieta mas ela não sabe que os sonhos formam-se de outra matéria e que nunca são totalmente perfeitos. Na idade das transições e asneiras, das ânsias e das dúvidas, ela finalmente apaixona-se só que, este Romeu, esconde mais do que uma família inimiga. Flynn é um Romeu perfeito no palco mas fora dele a sua intensidade arrasta River para uma mistura de novos saberes e sabores e para os caminhos tortuosos do primeiro amor.
Sophie tem uma escrita que para além de acessível e enternecedora, nos diverte e emociona em igual medida, relembrando-nos o que é ter dezasseis anos e sentir pela primeira vez emoções que fortes que não mais nos abandonarão. Amizades inseparáveis, insatisfação connosco próprios, o medo que a tal pessoa não goste de nós da mesma maneira e depois os terrores e dúvidas que advém de uma primeira relação, de gostar de alguém diferente de nós, a falta de controlo sobre as emoções, tudo isso é algo que já todos sentimos e que a autora transmite aqui com tal clareza que poderão pensar que o livro foi escrito para vocês. Apesar de ser um livro juvenil, este não é um livro delicado, é um livro que explora não só o amor como o descobrimento da sexualidade, a forma como a família nos influencia e como os amigos nos podem alterar, de como os anseios da meninice se alteram quando se descobre o verdadeiro significado de amor.
Ao explorar temas fortes com uma dose de doçura, a autora consegue transmitir realismo e juventude ao seu livro o que acaba por levar o leitor a aproximar-se mais das personagens, jovens adolescentes que cada um à sua maneira, têm uma forma de estar e viver, com diferentes personalidades e maneiras de olhar a vida. Sem serem personagens perfeitas e que muitas vezes nos vão irritar, elas também nos vão enternecer e fazer recordar, vão conquistar-nos aos poucos e poucos, vão nos fazer acreditar que o tempo é mesmo relativo.
River é uma rapariga com complexos, uma rapariga que podia ser qualquer uma de nós, uma menina que sonha com amores perfeitos e intemporais e que ao longo do livro cresce e descobre, vê o seu melhor e o seu pior, apaixona-se, teme e é feliz, tudo ao mesmo tempo. Acompanhada das melhores amigas estereotipadas, a perfeita e a tímida, duas miúdas que vão ter caminhos muito diferentes e no qual qualquer uma de nós também se podia encaixar, River vai viver a transformação, aquele momento único em que se deixa de ser uma criança para se ser algo mais. Já Flynn, o rapaz com problemas, rude e responsável, é o exemplo de quando se ama algo completamente diferente de nós, um rapaz com uma carapaça que não deixa de ter os mesmos anseios e medos de um miúdo de dezassete anos.
Numa narrativa curta na qual acaba-se por sentir mais do que se esperaria, este livro é como um livro de memórias disfarçado com candura e que não deixa de ter a mesma intensidade e dureza do primeiro amor. Um livro que recomendo aos românticos, mesmo graúdos. Um livro que mostra que Romeu e Julieta é um fraco exemplo da complexidade, profundidade e força do verdadeiro e primeiro amor.
April 10, 2018
I read this in the first year of Upper School (age 12/13) and so I can't really remember much about it. However, back then I was into romance books (which I am not anymore) and I was a very immature reader. Thus, I was not critical and I just read any book and went 'Yay'.
I am contemplating reading this series again in summer time to see what it is really like as it has had a lot of bad reviews. However, I don't really want to waste my time re-reading this when there are a lot of other books I want to read.
Maybe some time in the future I shall read this series again. For now, the series gets 3 stars from 'Past Izzy'.
I am contemplating reading this series again in summer time to see what it is really like as it has had a lot of bad reviews. However, I don't really want to waste my time re-reading this when there are a lot of other books I want to read.
Maybe some time in the future I shall read this series again. For now, the series gets 3 stars from 'Past Izzy'.
April 10, 2014
FALLING FAST by Sophie McKenzie is the first book in a four book series focusing on the potential romance between River and Flynn. Shakespeare’s play ROMEO AND JULIET seems to play a large part in the first book – and potentially in the rest of the series. I got my copy of this book from Orli as part of my Valentine’s Day Ninja Book Swap gift.
FALLING FAST is, to be completely honest, not a book I would have picked to read. Contemporary and Romance books – whether aimed at young adults or adults – are a genre I approach with caution. You see, when I was younger I read A LOT of stories that fell into these two categories – particularly if they were in Woman’s Weekly which I had easy access to – so I got to know the formulas pretty well. As such, although I still enjoy reading these genres I tend to err towards books that are a little different in some way. FALLING FAST isn’t one of these books in my opinion, it sticks pretty close to the genre conventions. To be fair to FALLING FAST and McKenzie, she does know her conventions. I also think that the book is aimed at the younger end of the Young Adult market – and I think it will find a lot of fans there.
I also am not a fan of either River or Flynn, for different reasons I found them both complete turn-offs – for me there was no chemistry between the leads. River is sixteen and has never been in love, but she has pretty strong ideas of what she thinks romantic love should be – but then, most of us do at that age. I found her to be quite snobby, and she had a tendency to look down on her friends because they didn’t share her ideals. Flynn is supposed to be the romantic lead – and River seems quite determined not to see him as anything but that – but I found him to exhibit a lot of questionable behaviour and I just couldn’t see what is swoon-worthy about him.
FALLING FAST is a quick read, my copy had around two hundred and fifty pages. McKenzie does a good job at showing how complicated friendships and relationships can be – and how they can be difficult to navigate. She also does a good job with the secondary characters, although they do at times come close to seeming caricatures. ROMEO AND JULIET lies at the heart of the book – and, I suspect, the heart of the series too. It serves as a believable method to have the characters meet, and it also forms the backbone of River’s definition of love (which you’ll know is problematic if you’ve read the play). Although this book – and series – was not to my tastes (hence the one star) I can see others quite enjoying it. If you’re a fan of the romance genre and don’t mind a story that sticks to the conventions then you might want to think about giving this book a try.
Originally posted on TheFlutterbyRoom.com
FALLING FAST is, to be completely honest, not a book I would have picked to read. Contemporary and Romance books – whether aimed at young adults or adults – are a genre I approach with caution. You see, when I was younger I read A LOT of stories that fell into these two categories – particularly if they were in Woman’s Weekly which I had easy access to – so I got to know the formulas pretty well. As such, although I still enjoy reading these genres I tend to err towards books that are a little different in some way. FALLING FAST isn’t one of these books in my opinion, it sticks pretty close to the genre conventions. To be fair to FALLING FAST and McKenzie, she does know her conventions. I also think that the book is aimed at the younger end of the Young Adult market – and I think it will find a lot of fans there.
I also am not a fan of either River or Flynn, for different reasons I found them both complete turn-offs – for me there was no chemistry between the leads. River is sixteen and has never been in love, but she has pretty strong ideas of what she thinks romantic love should be – but then, most of us do at that age. I found her to be quite snobby, and she had a tendency to look down on her friends because they didn’t share her ideals. Flynn is supposed to be the romantic lead – and River seems quite determined not to see him as anything but that – but I found him to exhibit a lot of questionable behaviour and I just couldn’t see what is swoon-worthy about him.
FALLING FAST is a quick read, my copy had around two hundred and fifty pages. McKenzie does a good job at showing how complicated friendships and relationships can be – and how they can be difficult to navigate. She also does a good job with the secondary characters, although they do at times come close to seeming caricatures. ROMEO AND JULIET lies at the heart of the book – and, I suspect, the heart of the series too. It serves as a believable method to have the characters meet, and it also forms the backbone of River’s definition of love (which you’ll know is problematic if you’ve read the play). Although this book – and series – was not to my tastes (hence the one star) I can see others quite enjoying it. If you’re a fan of the romance genre and don’t mind a story that sticks to the conventions then you might want to think about giving this book a try.
Originally posted on TheFlutterbyRoom.com
August 24, 2013
I can honestly say that I dislike this book. I started reading because none of Sophie McKenzie's books have ever disappointed before; sadly this illusion was not to continue much longer.
River, the female lead, was definitely one of the most whiney characters I have ever read in a book (seriously, she's getting dangerously close to beating Daisy from The Great Gatsby, and that's never a good sign).
The book is written from her perspective and is full of lines like this...
Seriously? If she wanted to describe herself, it would have been better to put 'Whiney. Attention-seeking. Materialistic.'
The plot is based around a production of Romeo and Juliet that her school and a local boys school are putting on. River decides to audition with her two friends, Emmi and Grace. The entire first chapter is full of her slagging off her friends. Some choice insults included the implication that Emmi couldn't play Juliet because she wouldn't be able to imagine love as she can't stop flirting with every guy she meets.
This is a book aimed at young adults and she is a terrible role-model to any age group! She has bad self-esteem and constantly puts herself down, but not in an understandable way... Her inner monologue is full of bitchy comments about her 'best friends'. She has this notion that she will fall in love immediately. She believes 'You can't fall in love with nice'.
And the worst of it is that she is pathetic. Flynn, her boyfriend further into the book has serious anger-management problems. They fight regularly but nothing is ever solved because she keeps running back to him. She flings herself at him, and expects him to love her 3 weeks into their relationship. When her friend is almost raped and is comforted by Flynn, she gets angry at him. Her priorities are atrocious. She even cooks up a plot with her friend to test his 'love'. If that's not creepy, what is.
I honestly expected this book to turn around halfway; for River to realise that he isn't good, that he's borderline abusive. But then the book ended and I was left shocked.
I can't think of one character that I really liked in this book. The closest I got was feeling sorry for Grace.
Not worth reading, unless you want to release stress by throwing something out a window.
River, the female lead, was definitely one of the most whiney characters I have ever read in a book (seriously, she's getting dangerously close to beating Daisy from The Great Gatsby, and that's never a good sign).
The book is written from her perspective and is full of lines like this...
Grey. Dull. Boring. Like me. Like my life.
Seriously? If she wanted to describe herself, it would have been better to put 'Whiney. Attention-seeking. Materialistic.'
The plot is based around a production of Romeo and Juliet that her school and a local boys school are putting on. River decides to audition with her two friends, Emmi and Grace. The entire first chapter is full of her slagging off her friends. Some choice insults included the implication that Emmi couldn't play Juliet because she wouldn't be able to imagine love as she can't stop flirting with every guy she meets.
This is a book aimed at young adults and she is a terrible role-model to any age group! She has bad self-esteem and constantly puts herself down, but not in an understandable way... Her inner monologue is full of bitchy comments about her 'best friends'. She has this notion that she will fall in love immediately. She believes 'You can't fall in love with nice'.
And the worst of it is that she is pathetic. Flynn, her boyfriend further into the book has serious anger-management problems. They fight regularly but nothing is ever solved because she keeps running back to him. She flings herself at him, and expects him to love her 3 weeks into their relationship. When her friend is almost raped and is comforted by Flynn, she gets angry at him. Her priorities are atrocious. She even cooks up a plot with her friend to test his 'love'. If that's not creepy, what is.
I honestly expected this book to turn around halfway; for River to realise that he isn't good, that he's borderline abusive. But then the book ended and I was left shocked.
I can't think of one character that I really liked in this book. The closest I got was feeling sorry for Grace.
Not worth reading, unless you want to release stress by throwing something out a window.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2012
Read more of my reviews at Falling Books!
Falling Fast is a very surprising story that you wouldn't expect from a book with such a cute cover. When I picked this up I thought that it would be a light and fluffy read, I never thought that it would carry such hard-hitting situations. Sophie McKenzie has delivered a book that will make you grateful for what you have.
Falling Fast isn't a book about Romeo and Juliet meeting in a romantic place, it's a book which deals with an issue that many can relate to; money. The main characters, River and Flynn, couldn't be more different. River has a nice home and everything she needs. Flynn lives in a small apartment with his mother and two sisters, he takes any work he can get so he can help with food costs. Flynn has had a tough life and that definitely reflects in his personality. Even though he is meant to be the Romeo of the story he has a lot of imperfections. He has an extremely bad temper, but, when he is nice, he is very nice. He can be very sweet at times and you will fall in love with that side of him
The story is told from the point of view of River. She is a very paranoid sixteen-year-old. I didn't particularly like her while I was reading the book; she is incredibly winy and very nosy. She isn't considerate and I don't think she really cares about how other people feel. For me, it felt like she didn't care about anything apart from finding her 'true' love.
I might not have liked some elements of the story, but I found the overall experience of the book very enjoyable. It was definitely a surprise when I discovered what Flynn was really like. There are also some scenes in this book that I didn't really feel like they needed to happen. And by this I mean the arguments that keep occurring through out the book between Flynn and River.
Overall, Falling Fast is a very interesting book that everyone should try out. I think that Sophie McKenzie is a brave author for taking on such a serious issue. Fans of Romeo and Juliet with a twist will enjoy this addition to the young-adult genre. I can't wait to read the next books in this series.
Falling Fast is a very surprising story that you wouldn't expect from a book with such a cute cover. When I picked this up I thought that it would be a light and fluffy read, I never thought that it would carry such hard-hitting situations. Sophie McKenzie has delivered a book that will make you grateful for what you have.
Falling Fast isn't a book about Romeo and Juliet meeting in a romantic place, it's a book which deals with an issue that many can relate to; money. The main characters, River and Flynn, couldn't be more different. River has a nice home and everything she needs. Flynn lives in a small apartment with his mother and two sisters, he takes any work he can get so he can help with food costs. Flynn has had a tough life and that definitely reflects in his personality. Even though he is meant to be the Romeo of the story he has a lot of imperfections. He has an extremely bad temper, but, when he is nice, he is very nice. He can be very sweet at times and you will fall in love with that side of him
The story is told from the point of view of River. She is a very paranoid sixteen-year-old. I didn't particularly like her while I was reading the book; she is incredibly winy and very nosy. She isn't considerate and I don't think she really cares about how other people feel. For me, it felt like she didn't care about anything apart from finding her 'true' love.
I might not have liked some elements of the story, but I found the overall experience of the book very enjoyable. It was definitely a surprise when I discovered what Flynn was really like. There are also some scenes in this book that I didn't really feel like they needed to happen. And by this I mean the arguments that keep occurring through out the book between Flynn and River.
Overall, Falling Fast is a very interesting book that everyone should try out. I think that Sophie McKenzie is a brave author for taking on such a serious issue. Fans of Romeo and Juliet with a twist will enjoy this addition to the young-adult genre. I can't wait to read the next books in this series.
May 22, 2012
This book was a fun, fast read with a little bits of twists at times. I absolutely love Flynn. Although he can be moody and at times a little bit too extreme, he is still a typical Bryonic hero which I absolutely adore <3
However, I do get a little bit annoyed about Flynn getting TOO physical and sexually demanding of River's body sometimes, I mean, sure these touching and kissing scenes make me feel butterflies inside my stomach but I just think there's a need/explanation at the end of the book why he NEVER asks River if making love with him is what she wants.
Moreover, I am also a little bewildered by River's behaviour and feelings towards Flynn. He is obviously incredibly sexy and gorgeous and its completely understandable if she drools over and wants him REAL badly (which she does, by the way). So I'm a little bit confused about how she complains about Flynn not being considerate enough while she frequently says "I WANT HIM SO BADLY" LOL (if you get what I mean)
More to say that another ironic thing about this book is that the lack of stunning and outstanding personality of the female protagonist, RIVER. For me, she is just another plain girl you find casually on the street. I mean, she is not VERY gorgeous like her good friend Emmi. She has no special characters or personality either. In other words, she is lack of idiosyncrasy, which is weird as compared to secondary characters like Emmi and Grace.
I thought these two's personalities are much stronger and obvious compared to River's. I only know she dreams of falling in love like the best thing in the world and nothing more. I don't know much about her feelings/thoughts towards other things in life. It just seems kind of blank to me for this part, that's all.
Overall this is still a very GORGEOUS book and a huge part of this should give credit to Flynn. A very cute and stunning read.
However, I do get a little bit annoyed about Flynn getting TOO physical and sexually demanding of River's body sometimes, I mean, sure these touching and kissing scenes make me feel butterflies inside my stomach but I just think there's a need/explanation at the end of the book why he NEVER asks River if making love with him is what she wants.
Moreover, I am also a little bewildered by River's behaviour and feelings towards Flynn. He is obviously incredibly sexy and gorgeous and its completely understandable if she drools over and wants him REAL badly (which she does, by the way). So I'm a little bit confused about how she complains about Flynn not being considerate enough while she frequently says "I WANT HIM SO BADLY" LOL (if you get what I mean)
More to say that another ironic thing about this book is that the lack of stunning and outstanding personality of the female protagonist, RIVER. For me, she is just another plain girl you find casually on the street. I mean, she is not VERY gorgeous like her good friend Emmi. She has no special characters or personality either. In other words, she is lack of idiosyncrasy, which is weird as compared to secondary characters like Emmi and Grace.
I thought these two's personalities are much stronger and obvious compared to River's. I only know she dreams of falling in love like the best thing in the world and nothing more. I don't know much about her feelings/thoughts towards other things in life. It just seems kind of blank to me for this part, that's all.
Overall this is still a very GORGEOUS book and a huge part of this should give credit to Flynn. A very cute and stunning read.
January 27, 2015
Falling fast is a light and easy read. It follows the story of River and Flynn as their relationship develops after meeting when both take part in a school production of romeo and juilet
I found this to be fun and easy read and a nice contemporary romantic tale. Having only ever read Sophie's faster pace series this was a completely different offering for me than what I'd come to expect from her before. The characters were likable. The story was easy to follow and put quite simply it's one of those books you can read in a few hours on a Sunday afternoon and not need to think too much to lose yourself in it.
I think the thing that sets this book apart and probably the reason why it might be better for older teens rather than your tweens is that unlike a lot of other YA romantic novels it actually refers to teenage sex, lots of it in fact. I actually liked this as I thought it made it more realistic rather than shying away from it to avoid offending anyone.
I loved Flynn as a character. He is a bit too gorgeous in his 18 year old way and clearly deals with a lot taking more responbility than he should onto his young shoulders. I liked how broody and mysterious he was and enjoyed getting under his skin and finding out more about his story as the book went on.
River is a strange lead character. She is quite innocent and idealistic and in a way quite sweet which at first made her interesting to get to know but later on made her a bit irritating. Sometimes I just wanted to shake her and tell her to grow up a bit.
All in all a sweet albeit a little bit predictable book for older teens which I enjoyed.
summary
I found this to be fun and easy read and a nice contemporary romantic tale. Having only ever read Sophie's faster pace series this was a completely different offering for me than what I'd come to expect from her before. The characters were likable. The story was easy to follow and put quite simply it's one of those books you can read in a few hours on a Sunday afternoon and not need to think too much to lose yourself in it.
I think the thing that sets this book apart and probably the reason why it might be better for older teens rather than your tweens is that unlike a lot of other YA romantic novels it actually refers to teenage sex, lots of it in fact. I actually liked this as I thought it made it more realistic rather than shying away from it to avoid offending anyone.
I loved Flynn as a character. He is a bit too gorgeous in his 18 year old way and clearly deals with a lot taking more responbility than he should onto his young shoulders. I liked how broody and mysterious he was and enjoyed getting under his skin and finding out more about his story as the book went on.
River is a strange lead character. She is quite innocent and idealistic and in a way quite sweet which at first made her interesting to get to know but later on made her a bit irritating. Sometimes I just wanted to shake her and tell her to grow up a bit.
All in all a sweet albeit a little bit predictable book for older teens which I enjoyed.
summary
February 16, 2012
Falling Fast is a sweet, loveable and compelling read which is ideal for a lazy Sunday afternoon - especially if you’re looking for a quick and easy read. It follows the story of River and Flynn, who meet by starring in a school production of Romeo and Juliet and head into a whirlwind and emotional relationship.
With this being my first book by author Sophie McKenzie, I didn’t really know what to expect but I’m eager to try some of her other books now because Falling Fast really left me satisfied. From the start I immediately connected with book and the characters, and I found myself eager to finish it.
River is a really likable character, although a little naïve and doesn’t have much confidence in herself; she’s very sweet and a die hard romantic too. She’s looking for the love of her life and when she meets Flynn, she believes it’s him. Now Flynn, he’s a broody character but also very handsome. He’s sweet, kind and loveable but there is a dark side to him. He’s had a hard life and it reflects in his personality. I really do love him but I have to admit, I’m also worried about him going off the deep end. But Flynn and River together = VERY CUTE!
I'm really excited that this is going to be a series because even though the author finished the book on a good ending, I'm not ready to leave these characters behind. BUT I wish it was sooner than 2013! The wait is going to kill me!
Overall, Falling Fast is a perfect example of a young adult contemporary novel and I cannot wait to read more.
With this being my first book by author Sophie McKenzie, I didn’t really know what to expect but I’m eager to try some of her other books now because Falling Fast really left me satisfied. From the start I immediately connected with book and the characters, and I found myself eager to finish it.
River is a really likable character, although a little naïve and doesn’t have much confidence in herself; she’s very sweet and a die hard romantic too. She’s looking for the love of her life and when she meets Flynn, she believes it’s him. Now Flynn, he’s a broody character but also very handsome. He’s sweet, kind and loveable but there is a dark side to him. He’s had a hard life and it reflects in his personality. I really do love him but I have to admit, I’m also worried about him going off the deep end. But Flynn and River together = VERY CUTE!
I'm really excited that this is going to be a series because even though the author finished the book on a good ending, I'm not ready to leave these characters behind. BUT I wish it was sooner than 2013! The wait is going to kill me!
Overall, Falling Fast is a perfect example of a young adult contemporary novel and I cannot wait to read more.
June 9, 2020
The characters in this book are really weird which made the book sound weird too. First we have River and her obsession with the Romeo and Juliet story. Not even like 'that's my faveorite story' way but in the 'I want to be Juliet' way.
And then we have Flynn. Who seems to be some sort of “mysterious bad boy". But what we really get is "abusive and possibly schizophrenic". One minute he is hitting the wall next to her head and she is genuinely frightened of him (newsflash: if you are frightened of your boyfriend it is NOT a good sign. ABORT) and the next he is hugging her and smiling. This is not good. And I don't understand why anyone would think it was.
Also, River seems to spend an inordinate amount of time running around after him. He gets angry and storms off. She runs off after him. He punches someone and storms off. She runs after him. I would have reached a point where I would just let him walk. Seriously. He is not a good character. And their romance is not enviable its disturbing and unstable.
Now, I have never been in love. So maybe I don't know what I am talking about. But this just doesn't seem like a good loving relationship to me. So I can't help really not believing in this whole thing.
Overall this book is not really good and I won't recommend you coping there love cycle.
Arabelle Akinfe
And then we have Flynn. Who seems to be some sort of “mysterious bad boy". But what we really get is "abusive and possibly schizophrenic". One minute he is hitting the wall next to her head and she is genuinely frightened of him (newsflash: if you are frightened of your boyfriend it is NOT a good sign. ABORT) and the next he is hugging her and smiling. This is not good. And I don't understand why anyone would think it was.
Also, River seems to spend an inordinate amount of time running around after him. He gets angry and storms off. She runs off after him. He punches someone and storms off. She runs after him. I would have reached a point where I would just let him walk. Seriously. He is not a good character. And their romance is not enviable its disturbing and unstable.
Now, I have never been in love. So maybe I don't know what I am talking about. But this just doesn't seem like a good loving relationship to me. So I can't help really not believing in this whole thing.
Overall this book is not really good and I won't recommend you coping there love cycle.
Arabelle Akinfe
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