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After She Falls
Strong-willed Adri Rivera always dreamed of becoming a professional mixed martial artist, but then she fell in love with a man who smashed everything to pieces. When their tumultuous relationship finally comes to a head, Adri flees with their young daughter to her small hometown in the mountains of Pennsylvania. There, she must face the people she left behind and put her broken life back together as a single mother.
Adri struggles to regain her independence after so many years under the oppressive influence of her ex, but a job opportunity at a local gym gives her hope that she'll be able to stand on her own two feet. The one problem? The man who offers it to her is the handsome but hardened Max Lyons--her former best friend and training partner, whom she left heartbroken years before.
As Adri dares to pursue her dream again, training for a big tournament, can she confront her weakness and avoid the past defining her future?
Adri struggles to regain her independence after so many years under the oppressive influence of her ex, but a job opportunity at a local gym gives her hope that she'll be able to stand on her own two feet. The one problem? The man who offers it to her is the handsome but hardened Max Lyons--her former best friend and training partner, whom she left heartbroken years before.
As Adri dares to pursue her dream again, training for a big tournament, can she confront her weakness and avoid the past defining her future?
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First published November 1, 2021
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About the author
Carmen Schober
2 books220 followersCarmen Schober is a professional editor, essayist, and novelist. She's the author of After She Falls and Pretty Little Pieces, and she's a wife, mother of three, and a proud Cuban-American.
Carmen writes for the modern woman seeking beauty, humor, romance, and depth at the same time. She earned a master's degree in English literature and creative writing from Kansas State University, and she writes regularly about faith, culture, beauty, motherhood, and more.
Follow her writing adventures on Instagram at carmen_schober_writes.
Carmen writes for the modern woman seeking beauty, humor, romance, and depth at the same time. She earned a master's degree in English literature and creative writing from Kansas State University, and she writes regularly about faith, culture, beauty, motherhood, and more.
Follow her writing adventures on Instagram at carmen_schober_writes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 218 reviews
November 28, 2021
Wow.
I know it seems like such a simple word, but really that's what I've come up with. This book was just wow. It blew me away. I mean I was on the edge of my seat, heart pounding after only the first chapter. It was a difficult situation and for sure doesn’t give you the warm fuzzies. BUT it’s so well written. You feel like you’re right there with the character. And it's like this for the entire book. Honestly I couldn't put it down.
Schober tackles a rough topic, as well as brings a profession that we don't see very often in Christian Fiction. There's a couple of messages this gave me. First, who people are on the outside is not necessarily who are they are or how they feel on the inside. Our leading lady Adri is a prime example. She is this beautiful, strong willed mixed martial arts professional - on the outside. But when she is in her abusive relationship, she's not so tough. And I don't mean that she wasn't strong per say, I mean like she didn't fight back for a long time. She took it. She probably could have hurt the guy abusing her, and yet she allowed him to keep the abuse going. Doesn't seem like something a professional mixed martial artist would do, right? Take someone's crap? And yet she does. She has vulnerable moments, insecurities, and she's human after all. I guess my point is that someone can seem like such a tough guy on the outside, but you don't really know what's going on deep down on the inside. Adri had so much going on inside, she just needed some help.
The other message - there are Christian's everywhere. Now I know that probable sounds weird to you, but it's really what I walked away thinking. I think there are some parts of the world that we just don't associate with "Christians" if you will, and honestly, I fall prey to those who probably don't imagine a Christian being in the fighting world. But they are, and in so many other areas that I wouldn't normally think of, and I thank Schober for reminding me of that. We are so quick to judge and make assumptions about people, that we don't stop for a moment and really put thought or effort into who they really are.
I know these two points don't really speak of Schober's writing style, but they were just important lessons I wanted to share. So you can see the impact this book had on me. Not for one second did I ever feel like I was reading a debut novel. No, it felt more like someone who had been writing for decades, had an important message to share, and could easily weave together the most well written and beautiful story I have read this year. Even our hero Max made an imprint on my heart. He had his own growing to do, and the fact that he wasn't a Christian honestly worked great. Why? Because it's real life. Sometimes we're friends with people who aren't Christians. Sometimes we even fall for them. And do they always turn to Christ? No. But it's amazing to see the growth in those who do.
Schober is an author to watch for. I'll be stalking her social media until her next book comes out. Her faith themes are amazing, her characters are well developed, and her story lines are intriguing. I cannot wait to see what's next! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I know it seems like such a simple word, but really that's what I've come up with. This book was just wow. It blew me away. I mean I was on the edge of my seat, heart pounding after only the first chapter. It was a difficult situation and for sure doesn’t give you the warm fuzzies. BUT it’s so well written. You feel like you’re right there with the character. And it's like this for the entire book. Honestly I couldn't put it down.
Schober tackles a rough topic, as well as brings a profession that we don't see very often in Christian Fiction. There's a couple of messages this gave me. First, who people are on the outside is not necessarily who are they are or how they feel on the inside. Our leading lady Adri is a prime example. She is this beautiful, strong willed mixed martial arts professional - on the outside. But when she is in her abusive relationship, she's not so tough. And I don't mean that she wasn't strong per say, I mean like she didn't fight back for a long time. She took it. She probably could have hurt the guy abusing her, and yet she allowed him to keep the abuse going. Doesn't seem like something a professional mixed martial artist would do, right? Take someone's crap? And yet she does. She has vulnerable moments, insecurities, and she's human after all. I guess my point is that someone can seem like such a tough guy on the outside, but you don't really know what's going on deep down on the inside. Adri had so much going on inside, she just needed some help.
The other message - there are Christian's everywhere. Now I know that probable sounds weird to you, but it's really what I walked away thinking. I think there are some parts of the world that we just don't associate with "Christians" if you will, and honestly, I fall prey to those who probably don't imagine a Christian being in the fighting world. But they are, and in so many other areas that I wouldn't normally think of, and I thank Schober for reminding me of that. We are so quick to judge and make assumptions about people, that we don't stop for a moment and really put thought or effort into who they really are.
I know these two points don't really speak of Schober's writing style, but they were just important lessons I wanted to share. So you can see the impact this book had on me. Not for one second did I ever feel like I was reading a debut novel. No, it felt more like someone who had been writing for decades, had an important message to share, and could easily weave together the most well written and beautiful story I have read this year. Even our hero Max made an imprint on my heart. He had his own growing to do, and the fact that he wasn't a Christian honestly worked great. Why? Because it's real life. Sometimes we're friends with people who aren't Christians. Sometimes we even fall for them. And do they always turn to Christ? No. But it's amazing to see the growth in those who do.
Schober is an author to watch for. I'll be stalking her social media until her next book comes out. Her faith themes are amazing, her characters are well developed, and her story lines are intriguing. I cannot wait to see what's next! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 15, 2022
After She Falls by Carmen Schober is a 2021 Bethany House publication.
Adri’s life veered off course when she married the wrong guy. Her career as a mixed martial artist fell by the wayside and she found herself living in a vicious cycle of abuse. She finally wakes up and gathers up her courage to leave, returning home with her young daughter, Eva. From this time forward, Adri hopes to get her life back in order and her first order of business is getting right with God.
Along the way she reconnects with her former best friend, Max, with whom she also has romantic feelings for, and resurrects her dormant career, all while trying to cope with the ever-present threat her ex-husband might be considering.
I liked many things about this book. One, Adri gets herself and her daughter out of a bad situation which could only come to a tragic conclusion.
From there, Adri realizes her hope lies in her faith, and her spiritual growth is one of the most wonderful parts of this story.
The one thing I had mixed feelings about, though, was Adri's career as a mixed martial artist. I was intrigued by her occupation, and thought it made the premise sound a lot more intriguing- but I also don't really get the attraction of watching two people punch each other until one of them loses consciousness. But, my curiosity won out in the end.
Initially, I was a little surprised by some innuendo and actions of the characters which were not exactly the type of material, I’d have expected in a book marketed as Christian Fiction. On the other hand, as the story progressed, the messages became a little stronger, and I got a lot more about living a Christian life in this book than in my previous experiences with this genre, where the story might have been ‘clean’ but the ‘Christian’ part was barely detectable.
My one real complaint was that while categorized as a romance, I don’t think it truly fits into that category. There was the unspoken promise of relationship developments between Adri and Max, but that’s about it.
Mainly, the story is about Adri pulling her life and career back together, turning to her faith to steer her in the right direction, and committing herself fully to living a Christian life.
She still makes mistakes and errors in judgment, but eventually learns from her missteps- occasionally the hard way- but her will is strong and she triumphs in the end.
Despite my reservations about the mixed martial arts career choice, I confess to feeling the adrenaline and excitement of the matches and found myself cheering Adri on. There was a 'Rocky' like atmosphere during those passages, and the author did a great job of stirring the reader's emotions.
Overall, this is a solid debut novel from this author. I liked the characters, the mostly sound, positive spiritual messages, as well as the unique premise of the story.
4 stars
Adri’s life veered off course when she married the wrong guy. Her career as a mixed martial artist fell by the wayside and she found herself living in a vicious cycle of abuse. She finally wakes up and gathers up her courage to leave, returning home with her young daughter, Eva. From this time forward, Adri hopes to get her life back in order and her first order of business is getting right with God.
Along the way she reconnects with her former best friend, Max, with whom she also has romantic feelings for, and resurrects her dormant career, all while trying to cope with the ever-present threat her ex-husband might be considering.
I liked many things about this book. One, Adri gets herself and her daughter out of a bad situation which could only come to a tragic conclusion.
From there, Adri realizes her hope lies in her faith, and her spiritual growth is one of the most wonderful parts of this story.
The one thing I had mixed feelings about, though, was Adri's career as a mixed martial artist. I was intrigued by her occupation, and thought it made the premise sound a lot more intriguing- but I also don't really get the attraction of watching two people punch each other until one of them loses consciousness. But, my curiosity won out in the end.
Initially, I was a little surprised by some innuendo and actions of the characters which were not exactly the type of material, I’d have expected in a book marketed as Christian Fiction. On the other hand, as the story progressed, the messages became a little stronger, and I got a lot more about living a Christian life in this book than in my previous experiences with this genre, where the story might have been ‘clean’ but the ‘Christian’ part was barely detectable.
My one real complaint was that while categorized as a romance, I don’t think it truly fits into that category. There was the unspoken promise of relationship developments between Adri and Max, but that’s about it.
Mainly, the story is about Adri pulling her life and career back together, turning to her faith to steer her in the right direction, and committing herself fully to living a Christian life.
She still makes mistakes and errors in judgment, but eventually learns from her missteps- occasionally the hard way- but her will is strong and she triumphs in the end.
Despite my reservations about the mixed martial arts career choice, I confess to feeling the adrenaline and excitement of the matches and found myself cheering Adri on. There was a 'Rocky' like atmosphere during those passages, and the author did a great job of stirring the reader's emotions.
Overall, this is a solid debut novel from this author. I liked the characters, the mostly sound, positive spiritual messages, as well as the unique premise of the story.
4 stars
November 17, 2021
"Pain is just more proof that [God] exists. It means that what we're going through is temporary, and this temporary life isn't what we're made for. If death and randomness and survival is all we're about, we wouldn't love each other so much. Things would hurt so bad. Evil wouldn't matter. Good wouldn't matter either. But it does, doesn't it?"
Oh wow, there is so much to say about this book. This one is going to appeal to readers who enjoy stories about mental and physical toughness 🙋♀️ This is an incredible tale of strength, growth, and overcoming hardship by work and perseverance. I absolutely love how Carmen captured the insanity and fun of facing an opponent, not necessarily knowing what they're going to do - relying on training and in-the-moment strategy to defend and attack.
There is a beautiful love story written here - actually, two. First there is the gorgeous relationship between hotties Max and Adri. Totallyyyy here for the background, the chemistry, the growth and the dialogue! And then there is the love story of God for his children. He never gives up on us. Never! This is an honest and realistic story that will appeal to Christians like me who maybe don't have some sort of pristine past to present, but who God lovingly and graciously saved nonetheless.
What I love about Carmen and about her book is that she is absolutely 100% herself. Her beliefs, convictions, and personality shine through in Adri. It was an absolute pleasure and honor to read her story. Count on me to read whatever Carmen writes! I cannot wait to see where she goes next. I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
TW: domestic abuse (spousal), violence, fighting
💪I'll leave you with a Jocko quote: "Freedom comes from discipline and strength. Weakness is not a virtue."
Oh wow, there is so much to say about this book. This one is going to appeal to readers who enjoy stories about mental and physical toughness 🙋♀️ This is an incredible tale of strength, growth, and overcoming hardship by work and perseverance. I absolutely love how Carmen captured the insanity and fun of facing an opponent, not necessarily knowing what they're going to do - relying on training and in-the-moment strategy to defend and attack.
There is a beautiful love story written here - actually, two. First there is the gorgeous relationship between hotties Max and Adri. Totallyyyy here for the background, the chemistry, the growth and the dialogue! And then there is the love story of God for his children. He never gives up on us. Never! This is an honest and realistic story that will appeal to Christians like me who maybe don't have some sort of pristine past to present, but who God lovingly and graciously saved nonetheless.
What I love about Carmen and about her book is that she is absolutely 100% herself. Her beliefs, convictions, and personality shine through in Adri. It was an absolute pleasure and honor to read her story. Count on me to read whatever Carmen writes! I cannot wait to see where she goes next. I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
TW: domestic abuse (spousal), violence, fighting
💪I'll leave you with a Jocko quote: "Freedom comes from discipline and strength. Weakness is not a virtue."
August 25, 2021
4.5/5
Adri is a young mother with a background in MMA fighting. At the beginning of the book, she leaves an abusive relationship. She picks MMA fighting back up, and this is a wonderful way for her to heal relationships from her past and make a future for herself and her young daughter. I loved watching her gain independence and strength as she trained. She’s the underdog in the MMA world, but the story builds to a major fight in Las Vegas with the top-rated fighters in her category. I know next-to-nothing about boxing and fighting, but I felt invested in every move Adri made during her fights. As the book neared the end, my heart was beating faster and faster, hopeful for the outcome that I wanted. This is categorized as Christian romance but I would go further to call it sports romance because there is a subgroup of readers that enjoy sports-themed stories.
Another thing I loved about this book: one of the characters goes through this wonderful transformation from a non-believer to a churchgoer, then to someone who is actively growing his new faith. It is a beautiful representation of what gaining new life can be! I loved this character’s true development over the course of the story, and I loved that he asked a lot of questions and was vulnerable about his doubts as his faith began to grow. Felt very real.
There are great themes of forgiveness in here but I think the best thing about the story is watching Adri blossom into a woman with strength and self esteem. Once I started reading, I really didn't want to put this book down at all. Congratulations to the author on a wonderful debut!
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley. I wasn't required to write a positive review. Thank you, Bethany House!
Adri is a young mother with a background in MMA fighting. At the beginning of the book, she leaves an abusive relationship. She picks MMA fighting back up, and this is a wonderful way for her to heal relationships from her past and make a future for herself and her young daughter. I loved watching her gain independence and strength as she trained. She’s the underdog in the MMA world, but the story builds to a major fight in Las Vegas with the top-rated fighters in her category. I know next-to-nothing about boxing and fighting, but I felt invested in every move Adri made during her fights. As the book neared the end, my heart was beating faster and faster, hopeful for the outcome that I wanted. This is categorized as Christian romance but I would go further to call it sports romance because there is a subgroup of readers that enjoy sports-themed stories.
Another thing I loved about this book: one of the characters goes through this wonderful transformation from a non-believer to a churchgoer, then to someone who is actively growing his new faith. It is a beautiful representation of what gaining new life can be! I loved this character’s true development over the course of the story, and I loved that he asked a lot of questions and was vulnerable about his doubts as his faith began to grow. Felt very real.
There are great themes of forgiveness in here but I think the best thing about the story is watching Adri blossom into a woman with strength and self esteem. Once I started reading, I really didn't want to put this book down at all. Congratulations to the author on a wonderful debut!
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley. I wasn't required to write a positive review. Thank you, Bethany House!
November 7, 2021
In creating this exhilarating story, Carmen really understood the assignment!
I’ve always been a huge fan romance novels and fiction, but Christian fiction always tends to fall flat. Not anymore! AFTER SHE FALLS so seamlessly blends the thrill and sexiness of romance with the theme of reconciliation with God and in our relationships - no easy feat! Furthermore, I am so impressed with how the author, Carmen, was able to write this story in such a way that honors God while also being incredibly RELATABLE to how people actually experience interactions with others. Unlike so many faith-based novels, this wonderful book breaks free from the cliché traps of the genre and I found that so refreshing!
The main character, Adri, was someone I found myself truly rooting for. Her path in the story reminded me so much of my own mother’s life, and having been a little girl like Eva, I couldn’t have been more enthralled with this story. I loved the subtle nods to the classic Rocky, and the way Carmen so effortlessly weaved love and romance with the grit of fighting.
I recommend this book a hundred times over! I can’t wait for more amazing works from Carmen!
I’ve always been a huge fan romance novels and fiction, but Christian fiction always tends to fall flat. Not anymore! AFTER SHE FALLS so seamlessly blends the thrill and sexiness of romance with the theme of reconciliation with God and in our relationships - no easy feat! Furthermore, I am so impressed with how the author, Carmen, was able to write this story in such a way that honors God while also being incredibly RELATABLE to how people actually experience interactions with others. Unlike so many faith-based novels, this wonderful book breaks free from the cliché traps of the genre and I found that so refreshing!
The main character, Adri, was someone I found myself truly rooting for. Her path in the story reminded me so much of my own mother’s life, and having been a little girl like Eva, I couldn’t have been more enthralled with this story. I loved the subtle nods to the classic Rocky, and the way Carmen so effortlessly weaved love and romance with the grit of fighting.
I recommend this book a hundred times over! I can’t wait for more amazing works from Carmen!
December 10, 2021
I’m not into fighting and/or watching people fight on T.V. but I have to say I am a Rocky fan. The story of seeing an underdog work hard for the opportunity of a lifetime is fascinating. I like seeing the determination and how a person gives it their all to achieve a goal. I enjoyed the Rocky movie references throughout the book. Likewise, I also enjoyed the fact the main character Adri Rivera loves the Rocky movies too. It was fun to read. I liked this insight into the author who says before chapter one starts, “To my younger, fear-fitted self; You will fall sometimes, and it will hurt. But God is fighting alongside you. Trust Him.” This caught my attention and touched my heart. It sets the tone of the story.
I was first drawn in by the cover, and then I wanted to check out this author’s writing style. I was hooked from the first page and the first line, “Mama, why does Jesus carry the lamb around his head? Doesn’t it itch his neck?”
“I don’t know, butterfly. Maybe the lamb likes being carried like that?”
My heart melted by this interchange between mother and child. The scene quickly changes. I hoped the author didn’t stay in the unhealthy situation for too long. Readers enter the story when Adri has had enough of the abuse and is ready for a change.
This author takes readers on an incredible life-changing journey of healing, family unity, friendship, and learning to trust in God and forgive yourself. This author is a boxer, which explains the richness of the fights, training and everything in between.
I also liked the way the author naturally introduces her spiritual thread, starting with loving people where they are at. Then waiting for them to ask questions and love them through the tough times and encouraging them all the way. All the while showing love, giving grace and mercy. Loved that. It’s a heart-warming, life-changing story you don’t want to miss. This is an author to watch, and this book would work well for your book club.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org
I was first drawn in by the cover, and then I wanted to check out this author’s writing style. I was hooked from the first page and the first line, “Mama, why does Jesus carry the lamb around his head? Doesn’t it itch his neck?”
“I don’t know, butterfly. Maybe the lamb likes being carried like that?”
My heart melted by this interchange between mother and child. The scene quickly changes. I hoped the author didn’t stay in the unhealthy situation for too long. Readers enter the story when Adri has had enough of the abuse and is ready for a change.
This author takes readers on an incredible life-changing journey of healing, family unity, friendship, and learning to trust in God and forgive yourself. This author is a boxer, which explains the richness of the fights, training and everything in between.
I also liked the way the author naturally introduces her spiritual thread, starting with loving people where they are at. Then waiting for them to ask questions and love them through the tough times and encouraging them all the way. All the while showing love, giving grace and mercy. Loved that. It’s a heart-warming, life-changing story you don’t want to miss. This is an author to watch, and this book would work well for your book club.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org
October 3, 2021
After She Falls is about Adri Rivera who after leaving her abusive husband returns home to Pennslyvania, to try and pick up the pieces of her life. And one of the things she does is a return to her mixed martial arts background, namely fighting. Adri returns to training for matches when she leaves for Miami and Owen. But her friendship and relationship with Max Lyons were left open-ended. If I met someone like Max in a real-life situation, I would describe him as someone who has a serious chip on his shoulder, but his character has a wonderful depth to it, but he keeps his shield up, so his heart won’t get hurt because it was once before with Adri.
I honestly didn’t know what to expect from After She Falls because I don’t follow MMA at all, it’s just not my thing seeing other people punch others, however, I really liked all of the characters, they were all very likable and really well-drawn and fleshed out. I like being able to get to know the characters. The tension between Adri and Max was palpable, they had issues that they really needed to deal with which kept me reading to find out if they would.
The story of conversion, suffering, and forgiveness is weaved throughout After She Falls. It's not forced but only makes this story stronger and brings the reader more into what is happening because the unfairness of life happens to all of us.
My gratitude to Bethany House and Netgalley. All opinions are honest and my own.
I honestly didn’t know what to expect from After She Falls because I don’t follow MMA at all, it’s just not my thing seeing other people punch others, however, I really liked all of the characters, they were all very likable and really well-drawn and fleshed out. I like being able to get to know the characters. The tension between Adri and Max was palpable, they had issues that they really needed to deal with which kept me reading to find out if they would.
The story of conversion, suffering, and forgiveness is weaved throughout After She Falls. It's not forced but only makes this story stronger and brings the reader more into what is happening because the unfairness of life happens to all of us.
My gratitude to Bethany House and Netgalley. All opinions are honest and my own.
November 15, 2021
As an academic, I read almost solely non-fiction, but reading After She Falls reminded me how great fiction can be. The characters are extremely relatable and the plot is gripping. I found myself feeling for, relating to, and cheering for, Adri. (Also: Team Max all the way!!)
I read most of the book in a single sitting. It was hard to put down.
A lot of Christian fiction can be cheesy or boring… After She Falls is the opposite; definitely not your typical Christian fiction read.
I absolutely loved it and would recommend it to a whole host of people: Christians, athletes, those that like non-cheesy romance, and honestly anyone who is down for a great story.
10/10!
I read most of the book in a single sitting. It was hard to put down.
A lot of Christian fiction can be cheesy or boring… After She Falls is the opposite; definitely not your typical Christian fiction read.
I absolutely loved it and would recommend it to a whole host of people: Christians, athletes, those that like non-cheesy romance, and honestly anyone who is down for a great story.
10/10!
December 20, 2021
After She Falls by Carmen Schober is not the type of book to which I would normally be drawn. I’m an equestrian, not a fighter. One of my coworkers trains in mixed martial arts, but I know nothing about it, beyond the fact that people punch each other. Tackling opponents to the hard surface of the ring is a very useful tactic when you are seeking victory. But…that’s about it (sorry, coworker Mason). I may have little understanding of MMA, but my parents raised me on sports—football and baseball especially. Maybe the romance aspect of After She Falls tugged at me, but a sports-themed novel? Sign me up.
Carmen Schober’s debut novel is a pleasant and easy read. She blends romance, redemption, and second chances in a way that flows like watercolors. Red, blue, and white to create a lavender. Adri Rivera gave up her dreams when she had her daughter, fathered by an abusive man. She takes her daughter and runs, returning to her hometown of Sparta. Max, an MMA fighter himself, was her best friend, training partner, and first love. When she shows up in Sparta, he struggles to trust her—and to overcome his anger—after Adri shattered their close relationship.
But Adri needs him, as a coach and as a friend. She may be unknown in the world of professional MMA, but no one should underestimate the underdog. Max is hard-hearted and critical of her being a Christian now, because what God could put her—and him—through their lives’ hardship and heartbreak.
In a way, After She Falls by Carmen Schober reminds me of David and Goliath. Adri faces doubt, taunts, and other barriers, both literal and figurative. Max’s soul is as impenetrable as stone. But they face their respective giants and take readers along on their journeys. With that explanation, you can correctly guess where the story goes and how the novel ends. Little in After She Falls is surprising. For me, anyway, it had no shocking moments. I knew its direction from the beginning to the final page.
The predictability, however, did not take away from the novel. After She Falls isn’t about the excitement, though of course the book features fights. Schober’s book centers around perseverance and forgiveness, salvation and victory. Each and every character is developed and believable, and they make me think of people in my own life. I loved After She Falls by Carmen Schober, and I can’t wait to read more of her work in the future.
*Note: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Carmen Schober’s debut novel is a pleasant and easy read. She blends romance, redemption, and second chances in a way that flows like watercolors. Red, blue, and white to create a lavender. Adri Rivera gave up her dreams when she had her daughter, fathered by an abusive man. She takes her daughter and runs, returning to her hometown of Sparta. Max, an MMA fighter himself, was her best friend, training partner, and first love. When she shows up in Sparta, he struggles to trust her—and to overcome his anger—after Adri shattered their close relationship.
But Adri needs him, as a coach and as a friend. She may be unknown in the world of professional MMA, but no one should underestimate the underdog. Max is hard-hearted and critical of her being a Christian now, because what God could put her—and him—through their lives’ hardship and heartbreak.
In a way, After She Falls by Carmen Schober reminds me of David and Goliath. Adri faces doubt, taunts, and other barriers, both literal and figurative. Max’s soul is as impenetrable as stone. But they face their respective giants and take readers along on their journeys. With that explanation, you can correctly guess where the story goes and how the novel ends. Little in After She Falls is surprising. For me, anyway, it had no shocking moments. I knew its direction from the beginning to the final page.
The predictability, however, did not take away from the novel. After She Falls isn’t about the excitement, though of course the book features fights. Schober’s book centers around perseverance and forgiveness, salvation and victory. Each and every character is developed and believable, and they make me think of people in my own life. I loved After She Falls by Carmen Schober, and I can’t wait to read more of her work in the future.
*Note: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
December 22, 2021
*Warnings*
#1 This is a long review, so pull up a chair and grab a bowl of popcorn. You’ll be here awhile. #2 When I read a review, I want substantial information. So I will not skimp on the details. Which may mean some spoilers, so watch out.
Stars: 2
Synopsis: In a frantic escape from an abusive marriage, Adri Rivera stumbles, daughter in tow, back into her hometown, hoping for a fresh start. Will she be able to bypass the aching memories—particularly those of her childhood friend Max—to grasp a peaceful future and chase her dreams?
Favorite Quote: “Just keep the Lord in front of you, honey. Ask God what he wants you to do, then do that, one thing at a time.”
In today’s episode of Grace Unfiltered™ (which is, yes, gonna be a real thing...eventually), we’re bringing Carmen Schober’s debut novel, After She Falls, to the butchering counter - er, discussion table. This is a novel of pain. It’s a novel of healing. It’s a novel of dreams. It’s a novel of nightmares. It’s…
Really not all I’m making it out to be.
Now, After She Falls has potential. It, like, oozes potential. A novel about about a female MMA fighter? With a pinch of romance and lots of fighting? And chock-full of Rocky references?
How could it possibly fall flat?
One word: Max.
Not that I’m blaming it all on him...but it’s totally his fault. It just is.
Why, you ask? Well, it all began on a dark and stormy night…
No, not really. It actually begins once Adri returns to her hometown and instead of inviting us on her journey of healing, restoration, and finding God, we get front-row seats to watch the drama between her and Max unfold.
Y’all know I like romance. And that’s the understatement of the year. I LOVE romance, and it’s like pulling teeth to get me to read anything without romance in it.
But y’all know what hurts worse than something completely devoid of all romance?
A crappily-written romance. Some novels are simply better without any traces of it at all, instead focusing on the characters’ inner journeys, the plot, action and adventure, mystery—any of that.
This was one such novel.
Adri was in too much pain, not even divorced yet, and here she was making eyes at some dude she hasn’t seen for years. On top of that, the dude is a drunk, a fighter, and has no respect for women. HOW WAS HE ANY DIFFERENT THAN OWEN? Just because he’s never hit a woman yet doesn’t mean he won’t get drunk and ticked off at one eventually! (Because, seriously, this dude has anger issues and can hold a grudge like ain’t nobody’s business.)
I’m sorry, but Max had ZERO redeeming qualities. None. Zilch. Nada. And his “romance” with Adri was full of arguing, hating, making out, more arguing, fighting, more making out, and topped off with a hefty dose of lust. That was not what she needed after getting out of an abusive relationship, and it certainly wasn’t what I wanted to be entertained by.
There was no emotional connection between the two. No development. No real love. Maybe on Adri’s part, in her naivete, but not Max.
I just...I didn’t buy it. And I certainly didn’t like Max. Had he not existed, I might’ve liked Adri more, gotten into the story, and even given it four stars.
But, y’know, Max.
Also, his “redemption arc” was virtually nonexistent. All of a sudden, he’s reading the Bible and being nice, and Adri’s good with it. Nope. I need at least a year’s worth of total devotion to the Lord. And there’s no realistic way that the dude just up and decided to “do things right” after doing things wrong for his entire adult life. Yes, Jesus changes you. But you also have to actually accept Him, commit to Him, seek Him, and wrestle with your flesh daily. Max...I dunno...I just didn’t get to see him accept Christ and he certainly didn’t seem to do much wrestling. Not the most realistic, if you ask me.
Anyway. I think that takes care of Max.
As for Adri, believe me when I tell y’all I wanted to like her. I really did. And for a few moments, she’d start to grow on me...but then you-know-who would show up and totally ruin Adri for me. Her personality was kind of hard to pinpoint, and honestly, I couldn’t detect that “fire” Roman claimed to see in her. Selfishness, yeah. For example, in speaking of the championship match, Adri thinks: “Her dream is right in front of her, and Gemma’s just in the way.” It broke my heart to think that, after all of this, Adri’s dream wasn’t to give her daughter a better life, to find peace, to be healed, or to grow closer to God. It was to win a fight. That was the culmination of this novel—a fight.
If this were Rocky, it’d be one thing. Rocky didn’t just escape from an abusive marriage with a young daughter before meeting Apollo in the ring. Rocky’s story wasn’t rife with emotional turmoil and relationship issues. (I mean, yes, there was Adrian, but a few turns around the skating rink and a visit to the zoo was the gist of that.)
This, however, was Adri Rivera, a college-age girl who was lost and lonely and needed Jesus. Instead of seeking Him, serving Him, and relying on Him, she pinned her…everything…on herself and, of all people, the almighty Max. (Who, might I add, was even more selfish than her and wanted nothing more than for Adri to do his bidding rather than him sacrificing for her and building her up.)
I am glad that Adri did turn to God, that she established boundaries and strove to remain within them, but I feel like so much from missing from her spiritual journey (yeesh, that sounds so New Age, but you know what I mean). And it seemed like every time Yvonne and Roman (both of whom I adored, by the way) said something deep and inspiring, Adri let it go in one ear and out the other. Their advice never made much of an impact.
On top of all that, the third-person POV in present-tense was SO jarring. I’ve never read anything written like that, and it gave me a deeper connection to everything going on in the “physical realm” (i.e., the action) but distanced me so much from Adri and Max. I couldn’t connect with either of them at all, because I was held at arm’s length. And not in a delicate Jane Austen omniscient manner, but in a push-me-down-every-time-I-try-to-get-close manner.
Were it not for the third-person present-tense, Schober’s writing would’ve been fine! Everything was technically spot-on; in-scene pacing was good; and descriptions were balanced. Speaking of pacing, I really didn’t like how, from a broader perspective, the story would skip months at a time. I felt like I was missing so much.
Lastly, my final qualm was the content. I’m surprisingly very tolerant of a lot of things—alcohol/tobacco content; violence, fighting, gore; prostitution; the list goes on—however, I felt slightly disturbed by some of the content in here. Now, nothing was very graphic, but the way it was depicted was so casual and sometimes even positive. There was no guilt or shame on the main characters’ parts and no mention of God’s guidelines concerning things like drunkenness, sex outside of marriage, etc. (Which, on top of being disturbing and unbiblical, really made the romance seem dirty.) Furthermore, I didn’t like how divorce was celebrated. I know views on divorce differ, and if we wanna get into it, yes, it was a good thing that Adri escaped an abusive marriage, but…
(There’s always a but.)
The Bible makes it clear of God’s idea of marriage and divorce. Jesus stated in Matthew, chapter 19: “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” When Jesus was then asked why Moses allowed them the ability to divorce their wives, He replied, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”
Because of this, I see divorce as against God’s design and something to mourn. It is, after all, the end of a marriage and thereby a symbol of death. ‘Til death do them part, after all. Divorce on grounds of adultery is one thing—it’s quite obvious the marriage died the moment one or both spouses committed adultery—but remarriage after divorce regardless of the circumstances is basically the same thing.
See my point?
So, yes, it broke my heart to see how everyone threw divorce around so casually and almost gleefully, as if it were of no consequence.
And why do I feel like I’m critiquing this book as if it were real life instead of mere fiction?
Probably because I am, thanks to my tendency to get a little too involved in what I read.
I think I’ve finally covered all the bases, though. Long story short, once you separate the book from the characters, the plot, and the content, you’re left with a book that’s kind of a struggle to read. Had it not been for the third-person and present-tense combo and the skipping around, it would’ve been a more enjoyable read—and therefore easy to connect with the characters and become immersed in the story. Overall, it had potential. The execution was just really off.
Well, thank y’all for tuning into today’s episode of Grace Unfiltered™! Maybe my next review will be full of gushing and fangirling—I sure could use a break from all this negativity! (Y’all see now why I went so long without ever writing a negative review...I have strong opinions, folks.)
Disclaimer: A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
#1 This is a long review, so pull up a chair and grab a bowl of popcorn. You’ll be here awhile. #2 When I read a review, I want substantial information. So I will not skimp on the details. Which may mean some spoilers, so watch out.
Stars: 2
Synopsis: In a frantic escape from an abusive marriage, Adri Rivera stumbles, daughter in tow, back into her hometown, hoping for a fresh start. Will she be able to bypass the aching memories—particularly those of her childhood friend Max—to grasp a peaceful future and chase her dreams?
Favorite Quote: “Just keep the Lord in front of you, honey. Ask God what he wants you to do, then do that, one thing at a time.”
In today’s episode of Grace Unfiltered™ (which is, yes, gonna be a real thing...eventually), we’re bringing Carmen Schober’s debut novel, After She Falls, to the butchering counter - er, discussion table. This is a novel of pain. It’s a novel of healing. It’s a novel of dreams. It’s a novel of nightmares. It’s…
Really not all I’m making it out to be.
Now, After She Falls has potential. It, like, oozes potential. A novel about about a female MMA fighter? With a pinch of romance and lots of fighting? And chock-full of Rocky references?
How could it possibly fall flat?
One word: Max.
Not that I’m blaming it all on him...but it’s totally his fault. It just is.
Why, you ask? Well, it all began on a dark and stormy night…
No, not really. It actually begins once Adri returns to her hometown and instead of inviting us on her journey of healing, restoration, and finding God, we get front-row seats to watch the drama between her and Max unfold.
Y’all know I like romance. And that’s the understatement of the year. I LOVE romance, and it’s like pulling teeth to get me to read anything without romance in it.
But y’all know what hurts worse than something completely devoid of all romance?
A crappily-written romance. Some novels are simply better without any traces of it at all, instead focusing on the characters’ inner journeys, the plot, action and adventure, mystery—any of that.
This was one such novel.
Adri was in too much pain, not even divorced yet, and here she was making eyes at some dude she hasn’t seen for years. On top of that, the dude is a drunk, a fighter, and has no respect for women. HOW WAS HE ANY DIFFERENT THAN OWEN? Just because he’s never hit a woman yet doesn’t mean he won’t get drunk and ticked off at one eventually! (Because, seriously, this dude has anger issues and can hold a grudge like ain’t nobody’s business.)
I’m sorry, but Max had ZERO redeeming qualities. None. Zilch. Nada. And his “romance” with Adri was full of arguing, hating, making out, more arguing, fighting, more making out, and topped off with a hefty dose of lust. That was not what she needed after getting out of an abusive relationship, and it certainly wasn’t what I wanted to be entertained by.
There was no emotional connection between the two. No development. No real love. Maybe on Adri’s part, in her naivete, but not Max.
I just...I didn’t buy it. And I certainly didn’t like Max. Had he not existed, I might’ve liked Adri more, gotten into the story, and even given it four stars.
But, y’know, Max.
Also, his “redemption arc” was virtually nonexistent. All of a sudden, he’s reading the Bible and being nice, and Adri’s good with it. Nope. I need at least a year’s worth of total devotion to the Lord. And there’s no realistic way that the dude just up and decided to “do things right” after doing things wrong for his entire adult life. Yes, Jesus changes you. But you also have to actually accept Him, commit to Him, seek Him, and wrestle with your flesh daily. Max...I dunno...I just didn’t get to see him accept Christ and he certainly didn’t seem to do much wrestling. Not the most realistic, if you ask me.
Anyway. I think that takes care of Max.
As for Adri, believe me when I tell y’all I wanted to like her. I really did. And for a few moments, she’d start to grow on me...but then you-know-who would show up and totally ruin Adri for me. Her personality was kind of hard to pinpoint, and honestly, I couldn’t detect that “fire” Roman claimed to see in her. Selfishness, yeah. For example, in speaking of the championship match, Adri thinks: “Her dream is right in front of her, and Gemma’s just in the way.” It broke my heart to think that, after all of this, Adri’s dream wasn’t to give her daughter a better life, to find peace, to be healed, or to grow closer to God. It was to win a fight. That was the culmination of this novel—a fight.
If this were Rocky, it’d be one thing. Rocky didn’t just escape from an abusive marriage with a young daughter before meeting Apollo in the ring. Rocky’s story wasn’t rife with emotional turmoil and relationship issues. (I mean, yes, there was Adrian, but a few turns around the skating rink and a visit to the zoo was the gist of that.)
This, however, was Adri Rivera, a college-age girl who was lost and lonely and needed Jesus. Instead of seeking Him, serving Him, and relying on Him, she pinned her…everything…on herself and, of all people, the almighty Max. (Who, might I add, was even more selfish than her and wanted nothing more than for Adri to do his bidding rather than him sacrificing for her and building her up.)
I am glad that Adri did turn to God, that she established boundaries and strove to remain within them, but I feel like so much from missing from her spiritual journey (yeesh, that sounds so New Age, but you know what I mean). And it seemed like every time Yvonne and Roman (both of whom I adored, by the way) said something deep and inspiring, Adri let it go in one ear and out the other. Their advice never made much of an impact.
On top of all that, the third-person POV in present-tense was SO jarring. I’ve never read anything written like that, and it gave me a deeper connection to everything going on in the “physical realm” (i.e., the action) but distanced me so much from Adri and Max. I couldn’t connect with either of them at all, because I was held at arm’s length. And not in a delicate Jane Austen omniscient manner, but in a push-me-down-every-time-I-try-to-get-close manner.
Were it not for the third-person present-tense, Schober’s writing would’ve been fine! Everything was technically spot-on; in-scene pacing was good; and descriptions were balanced. Speaking of pacing, I really didn’t like how, from a broader perspective, the story would skip months at a time. I felt like I was missing so much.
Lastly, my final qualm was the content. I’m surprisingly very tolerant of a lot of things—alcohol/tobacco content; violence, fighting, gore; prostitution; the list goes on—however, I felt slightly disturbed by some of the content in here. Now, nothing was very graphic, but the way it was depicted was so casual and sometimes even positive. There was no guilt or shame on the main characters’ parts and no mention of God’s guidelines concerning things like drunkenness, sex outside of marriage, etc. (Which, on top of being disturbing and unbiblical, really made the romance seem dirty.) Furthermore, I didn’t like how divorce was celebrated. I know views on divorce differ, and if we wanna get into it, yes, it was a good thing that Adri escaped an abusive marriage, but…
(There’s always a but.)
The Bible makes it clear of God’s idea of marriage and divorce. Jesus stated in Matthew, chapter 19: “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” When Jesus was then asked why Moses allowed them the ability to divorce their wives, He replied, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”
Because of this, I see divorce as against God’s design and something to mourn. It is, after all, the end of a marriage and thereby a symbol of death. ‘Til death do them part, after all. Divorce on grounds of adultery is one thing—it’s quite obvious the marriage died the moment one or both spouses committed adultery—but remarriage after divorce regardless of the circumstances is basically the same thing.
See my point?
So, yes, it broke my heart to see how everyone threw divorce around so casually and almost gleefully, as if it were of no consequence.
And why do I feel like I’m critiquing this book as if it were real life instead of mere fiction?
Probably because I am, thanks to my tendency to get a little too involved in what I read.
I think I’ve finally covered all the bases, though. Long story short, once you separate the book from the characters, the plot, and the content, you’re left with a book that’s kind of a struggle to read. Had it not been for the third-person and present-tense combo and the skipping around, it would’ve been a more enjoyable read—and therefore easy to connect with the characters and become immersed in the story. Overall, it had potential. The execution was just really off.
Well, thank y’all for tuning into today’s episode of Grace Unfiltered™! Maybe my next review will be full of gushing and fangirling—I sure could use a break from all this negativity! (Y’all see now why I went so long without ever writing a negative review...I have strong opinions, folks.)
Disclaimer: A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
September 8, 2021
Adri Rivera finds herself in a church for the first time in years. Out of hope, out of the will to fight, and struggling with a mountain of regrets. A Bible verse reignites a spark of hope, lighting the way to her next step—leaving her abusive husband before he kills her.
Adri escapes to her hometown in rural Pennsylvania, where the uncle who raised her and taught her to fight welcomes her home. Adri’s dream of one day earning a championship title in mixed martial arts fighting gets reignited, too, despite her five-year leave of absence from the sport. She struggles with learning to live out her faith when dealing with her husband, the community she left behind, and especially her high-school sweetheart.
Max Lyons made a name for himself in the fight world, but after his father’s unexpected death he wants nothing more than to retreat from the glamour and glitz of the fight scene. He invests his money in rehabbing the old community center and turning it into a gym his hometown of Sparta, PA will take pride in.
When the only woman he’s ever loved shows up in town with her young daughter, Max offers her a job at the gym. After five years of silence, he doesn’t know how to pick up the friendship with Adri “La Tormenta” Rivera. If only she hadn’t rejected him, things wouldn’t feel so uncomfortable now.
But Adri’s back in town, and although clearly beaten down by life’s circumstances, Max can still see champion’s spark within her. Will she learn to believe in herself again?
What I Loved About This Book
I did love this book, even though I’m not a Rocky fan, and have never watched anyone fight (whether boxing, MMA, or wrestling) in my entire life. My previous knowledge of fighting comes from reading Louis L’Amour’s books where hardened outlaws and cowboys duke it out in the bar. Add glitz, glamour, and a fight cage, and you’ll have a fight scene from After She Falls.
But don’t let the fight scenes turn you off or turn you away. Schober builds a believable world where sin is strong, but grace is stronger. I grew up a sheltered Christian, but I loved seeing the saving power of Jesus working in people’s lives—even if they didn’t grow up just like I did.
A lot of inspirational fiction features middle-class white women like me, giving the illusion that Jesus is only for tidy, middle-class white people. Adri and Max remind me of my own sinful state (different sins, but equally sinful) and how true victory comes from surrender to the One who knows us best.
Trigger warnings: relationship abuse, near-rape, and a scene with cruelty towards an animal.
Adri escapes to her hometown in rural Pennsylvania, where the uncle who raised her and taught her to fight welcomes her home. Adri’s dream of one day earning a championship title in mixed martial arts fighting gets reignited, too, despite her five-year leave of absence from the sport. She struggles with learning to live out her faith when dealing with her husband, the community she left behind, and especially her high-school sweetheart.
Max Lyons made a name for himself in the fight world, but after his father’s unexpected death he wants nothing more than to retreat from the glamour and glitz of the fight scene. He invests his money in rehabbing the old community center and turning it into a gym his hometown of Sparta, PA will take pride in.
When the only woman he’s ever loved shows up in town with her young daughter, Max offers her a job at the gym. After five years of silence, he doesn’t know how to pick up the friendship with Adri “La Tormenta” Rivera. If only she hadn’t rejected him, things wouldn’t feel so uncomfortable now.
But Adri’s back in town, and although clearly beaten down by life’s circumstances, Max can still see champion’s spark within her. Will she learn to believe in herself again?
What I Loved About This Book
I did love this book, even though I’m not a Rocky fan, and have never watched anyone fight (whether boxing, MMA, or wrestling) in my entire life. My previous knowledge of fighting comes from reading Louis L’Amour’s books where hardened outlaws and cowboys duke it out in the bar. Add glitz, glamour, and a fight cage, and you’ll have a fight scene from After She Falls.
But don’t let the fight scenes turn you off or turn you away. Schober builds a believable world where sin is strong, but grace is stronger. I grew up a sheltered Christian, but I loved seeing the saving power of Jesus working in people’s lives—even if they didn’t grow up just like I did.
A lot of inspirational fiction features middle-class white women like me, giving the illusion that Jesus is only for tidy, middle-class white people. Adri and Max remind me of my own sinful state (different sins, but equally sinful) and how true victory comes from surrender to the One who knows us best.
Trigger warnings: relationship abuse, near-rape, and a scene with cruelty towards an animal.
December 9, 2021
Adri husband is abusing her, so finally she has enough and her and her daughter moves back with the family she thinks wouldn't want her, which is further from the truth. Going back she faces the man who loved her, Max. There she also goes back to something she thought she would never do again, professional mixed martial art. So with the help of Max she starts to train and win! Max wants her back but since he doesn't have a relationship with Jesus, Adri doesn't want to get involved. No matter how hard it is Adri goes on, and with the help of Boom, a trainer and fellow Christian she starts to win, but can forget about Max. With Boom help can Max finally start to have a relationship with the Lord? Will Adri and Max ever find true love with one another? This was a fun book to read. No I have no idea about this martial arts and the competition that they do. It was fun to learn a little bit more about this art and the work these fighters do to win. These people aren't perfect and isn't that what real life is about. You will see each character being knocked down but fighting to get back up again. Fun read!! FYI: This is the 250 book I have read this year!! I did it!!!!
November 3, 2021
We all pick books for different reasons but two things I look for my reading choices to deliver are teaching me something new whether I’m familiar with the topic or not, and presenting characters that elicit empathy.
After She Falls, Carmen Schober’s debut novel, does both. The background setting of mixed martial arts opened a world I knew nothing about but now feel I do. And as a self-described work of “Christian fiction,” the faith journeys of Schober’s characters portrayed the human search for redemption in language and experience relatable to many levels and backgrounds of believers.
After She Falls, Carmen Schober’s debut novel, does both. The background setting of mixed martial arts opened a world I knew nothing about but now feel I do. And as a self-described work of “Christian fiction,” the faith journeys of Schober’s characters portrayed the human search for redemption in language and experience relatable to many levels and backgrounds of believers.
August 23, 2021
This is a wonderful, emotional, heartfelt story. Adri is a mixed martial artist whose career got sidetracked when she got pregnant. After a few years of marriage to an abusive ex fighter she escapes to her hometown where the love of her life is running a gym where they train future athletes. I loved every bit of this story and highly recommend it.
I have one little problem with the story. All of the characters “smirked” at each other multiple times in each chapter. Other than the names of the characters I think this was the most repeated word in the text.
According to wordhippo.com these are synonyms for smirk :
“grin, simper, beam, leer, sneer, smug smile, smug look, smile, broad smile and grimace. “
I also feel like the characters could have had
a wider range of emotions and reactions than just constant smirking.
I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
I have one little problem with the story. All of the characters “smirked” at each other multiple times in each chapter. Other than the names of the characters I think this was the most repeated word in the text.
According to wordhippo.com these are synonyms for smirk :
“grin, simper, beam, leer, sneer, smug smile, smug look, smile, broad smile and grimace. “
I also feel like the characters could have had
a wider range of emotions and reactions than just constant smirking.
I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
November 2, 2021
When Adri finds herself back in the hometown town she left behind the pursue her dreams of becoming a professional mixed marital artist after fleeing from a relationship she couldn't be in any more she comes face to face with someone from her past that had meant a lot to her. Her former best friend and training partner, Max. Who is the exact person who gives her a spark of hope when he offers her a job at a local gym.
In this the mountain town of Pennsylvania Adri is forced to face the people she left behind and put her broken life back together as a single mother. Second chances don't always come around, but if they do it's always important to grab ahold of them.
I loved the romance between former friends that meet again and have a second chance to have something special, and throughout the story Adri grows and heals from the things she has endured when she had been with her ex.
Thank you NetGalley for an arc of this novel.
In this the mountain town of Pennsylvania Adri is forced to face the people she left behind and put her broken life back together as a single mother. Second chances don't always come around, but if they do it's always important to grab ahold of them.
I loved the romance between former friends that meet again and have a second chance to have something special, and throughout the story Adri grows and heals from the things she has endured when she had been with her ex.
Thank you NetGalley for an arc of this novel.
December 19, 2021
I am not much of a sports person, but I couldn't skip this debut book. I quickly became very glad I didn't! This book is amazing! Frequently, I hear it said so and so is a fresh new voice. Well, this time, that's true. This author has not whitewashed her characters. They are real, and because of their realism, I fell for this book and this author like a solid knock out. Adri is a fighter in every sense of the word, not just in a boxing ring. She's fighting for her life, her child, her goals, the relationships she needs, to get out and away from the ones that are abusive and to follow God's plan for her life.
Enter Max. Max is so real. He's away from God, but he doesn't have to stay that way! I loved reading the changes in him and how real this story is. It's almost not fiction, it's that strong. I appreciated the author using real life, that when we have to leave a marriage because we are not being treated properly, that God makes a way for new relationship and for a Christ like husband in our lives. I was just about cheering at that as I read this story. It is in third person, but I didn't mind that at all as it fit the book. I have seen the Rocky movies, long ago, so the references worked well for me in that area as well. I can easily say you should read this beautiful, faith filled story of second chances, and God's healing grace.
My copy came from Bethany House Reviewers. A positive review is never required and this review contains what I think about this book.
Enter Max. Max is so real. He's away from God, but he doesn't have to stay that way! I loved reading the changes in him and how real this story is. It's almost not fiction, it's that strong. I appreciated the author using real life, that when we have to leave a marriage because we are not being treated properly, that God makes a way for new relationship and for a Christ like husband in our lives. I was just about cheering at that as I read this story. It is in third person, but I didn't mind that at all as it fit the book. I have seen the Rocky movies, long ago, so the references worked well for me in that area as well. I can easily say you should read this beautiful, faith filled story of second chances, and God's healing grace.
My copy came from Bethany House Reviewers. A positive review is never required and this review contains what I think about this book.
October 13, 2021
So. I will start by saying I’m much more of a nonfiction reader, so even though Carmen is on my list of living heroes, I didn’t hold out much hope for this being anything I would enjoy. But you support your friends, right? And oh my soul! I’m glad I did. This book was great! This underdog trained to be the MMA fighter she was before she was beaten down by depression and an abusive husband. Were there predictable elements? Sure. Was there a handsome, distant man in the picture? Absolutely. Did she have a mentor and great friends by her side every step of the way? Yep. Does she face increasingly evil villains throughout the story? Well, duh. But you know what? That’s how a good story works and this is definitely a good story. You’ll be shouting Tormenta!along with the crowd from the first time Adri steps into the ring until....
I won’t spoil it for you. But if you like strong and brave women, you won’t go wrong with this one. It’s fast-paced and it has lots of action and a terrific heroine. It could actually be a movie I would go to see. Yes. Even in a place where there were other humans and I had to pay for the privilege of sitting there with them in the dark eating overpriced popcorn.
I won’t spoil it for you. But if you like strong and brave women, you won’t go wrong with this one. It’s fast-paced and it has lots of action and a terrific heroine. It could actually be a movie I would go to see. Yes. Even in a place where there were other humans and I had to pay for the privilege of sitting there with them in the dark eating overpriced popcorn.
September 2, 2021
One of the best books I've read this year! Adri is a MMA fighter who returns to her hometown. She's trying to keep her young daughter and herself safe from her abusive husband. She has amends to make to several people. She works hard to train for a professional career with the man she left behind. They still love each other but are cautious about a relationship. Adri needs to get her confidence back personally and professionally. Most of the story is about this process. I liked watching her gradually work things through. Very well written. Highly recommend!!!
November 30, 2021
One of the best books I have read this year! Not your ordinary Christian Fiction, so much good within these pages!
Adri Rivera had been on track to be one of the best in the world of mixed martial arts, but then she fell in love with a man that took all the fight from her. Adri gets pregnant and puts the world of fighting behind her until her husband’s abuse becomes more than she can handle. She goes back to her hometown to live with her uncle who raised her and taught her all about the world of martial arts. While she is back home, she runs into her old flame, Max Lyons. Max has opened his own gym in town and wants to help Adri, so he gives her a job as an instructor for the kid's class. It doesn’t take long for Adri to get the itch to fight again and Max agrees to coach her. The more time they spend together, the more sparks start to fly causing them to confront their past to determine if they have a future together.
When I think of Christian Fiction, particularly Contemporary Christian Fiction, a fast action, MMA fighting book is not what normally comes to mind. This story is one of the best I have read all year long. I loved the interactions between characters from beginning to end, Adri is strong but has been beaten down for so long she has forgotten her strength, until she must protect her daughter who she cares more about than her own safety. The fight scenes were written so well, I actually felt like I was in the ring with Adri fighting and felt every blow she landed and received. Her relationship with both her husband and Max are complicated but that is also what makes them believable. This book had me gripped and on the edge of my seat until the very last page. I so admired Adri as a main character and the strength she had to find for herself. This is the type of book that I think many, even those that don’t normally read Christian fiction, will greatly enjoy. It is a true underdog story with romance and drama sprinkled in at just the right places. If you are a fan of MMA and fighting give this book a chance, you won’t be disappointed.
I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.
Adri Rivera had been on track to be one of the best in the world of mixed martial arts, but then she fell in love with a man that took all the fight from her. Adri gets pregnant and puts the world of fighting behind her until her husband’s abuse becomes more than she can handle. She goes back to her hometown to live with her uncle who raised her and taught her all about the world of martial arts. While she is back home, she runs into her old flame, Max Lyons. Max has opened his own gym in town and wants to help Adri, so he gives her a job as an instructor for the kid's class. It doesn’t take long for Adri to get the itch to fight again and Max agrees to coach her. The more time they spend together, the more sparks start to fly causing them to confront their past to determine if they have a future together.
When I think of Christian Fiction, particularly Contemporary Christian Fiction, a fast action, MMA fighting book is not what normally comes to mind. This story is one of the best I have read all year long. I loved the interactions between characters from beginning to end, Adri is strong but has been beaten down for so long she has forgotten her strength, until she must protect her daughter who she cares more about than her own safety. The fight scenes were written so well, I actually felt like I was in the ring with Adri fighting and felt every blow she landed and received. Her relationship with both her husband and Max are complicated but that is also what makes them believable. This book had me gripped and on the edge of my seat until the very last page. I so admired Adri as a main character and the strength she had to find for herself. This is the type of book that I think many, even those that don’t normally read Christian fiction, will greatly enjoy. It is a true underdog story with romance and drama sprinkled in at just the right places. If you are a fan of MMA and fighting give this book a chance, you won’t be disappointed.
I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.
December 13, 2021
Wow, what an impressive debut! This cover and book description definitely piqued my interest because it seemed so different from what I had seen in the Christian fiction arena. This story is real and gritty and, at times, not pretty. Adri made some major mistakes and she's paid the price but she is trying to find her way back--emotionally, physically, and spiritually. I liked that the author includes meaningful spiritual content, not shying away from the questions and struggles that people have about Christianity. Maybe I am reading too much into this story but I thought it was about sanctification. Now that Adri is a Christian, how does she live her life, to become more like Christ in all aspects--even when she is tempted to fall back into her old patterns, makes mistakes along the way, and is reminded of her past mistakes? It doesn't help that her childhood friend, Max, is a source of constant temptation. Adri's physical training seems to parallel her spiritual one and with each winning bout, she seems to be putting off more of her old self. Max is definitely the strong, silent (and angry) type but that was why his spiritual arc was rewarding. I liked all the secondary characters, especially Boom! I wish the author would write a sweet story about him. For sensitive readers, this book includes scenes of domestic violence, description of MMA fights, drinking, and sensual content (not explicit but inferred). Some reviewers didn't like that it was written in the present tense but I didn't have a problem with it. This story surprised me, in a good way. I look forward to more from this author!
* I received a copy free of charge from Netgalley.
* I received a copy free of charge from Netgalley.
August 29, 2021
I loved this book! All Adri wanted to do since she was little is to fight in the ring. At 17 she left her small town for bigger and better things but ended up pregnant and married to a fighter. Owen becomes abusive. She decides to leave with Eva and go back to her hometown and her uncle who used to train with her. Max, her childhood friend, is a trainer. She would love to train with Max, but he is still getting over the fact that she left him for someone else. This book is about love of family, friends, and God. It is faith that carries Adri through and allows her to suffer all the punishment to her body to reach her goals. I loved her Uncle Roman, Max, and Eva. Each time she tried to give Owen the benefit of the doubt and allow her daughter to see her dad, I feared for her. As Max worked with Adri, trying to keep his distance, I hoped he would forgive her. The grueling training and boxing matches kept me glued to the pages. A very different book with wonderful characters and the will to power through to reach your goals.
November 15, 2021
4.5 stars
"God, help him forgive you . . . Help him understand . . .Help him trust you . . Help him be free."
Adri Rivera has returned to her hometown as a broken shadow of herself, carrying only a few possessions, a beautiful daughter and very few explanations. She had to leave him. She simply couldn't survive another round. However, when she comes face to face with the man she left behind, life becomes even more complicated. Then an opportunity to fight again presents itself; an answer to prayer or a fast flight to disaster . . . time always tells.
Famed title fighter Max Lyons has been out of the limelight since his father died, managing an upscale training center in Sparta, Pennsylvania and living under the radar. Seeing Adri Rivera again was a shock to his senses, one that he could have certainly lived the rest of his life without. Once considered among the most talented mixed martial arts fighters in the country . . . . and she gave it up for what? Or perhaps it was who. Personal history aside, Adri needs a job, Max needs another trainer, and the fact that she's married should keep their high octane emotions in check. Easier said than done . . . for admittedly, Adri has always been Max's weakness.
So much rumbles beneath the surface of amazing debut; raw, authentic tidal waves of double shot intensity work their way into conversations and inter-actions, driving the characters both towards and away from an outcome that Max and Adri so desperately want, but don't know how to achieve. Enter the Holy Spirit, . . . that still small voice who loves to lead a troubled soul away from self-destruction and into peaceful valleys. Becoming a new creation takes time, patience, and an hefty amount of forgiveness. Thankfully these two are ready to fight all three rounds for the victory!
Note: Due to the nature of this story, there is a certain level of violent behavior within several scenes. Alcohol also flows freely, it would be more surprising if it didn't; remembering that "greater is He that is in you, than he who is in the world".
I receive a copy of this book from the publisher. I also purchased a copy. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
"God, help him forgive you . . . Help him understand . . .Help him trust you . . Help him be free."
Adri Rivera has returned to her hometown as a broken shadow of herself, carrying only a few possessions, a beautiful daughter and very few explanations. She had to leave him. She simply couldn't survive another round. However, when she comes face to face with the man she left behind, life becomes even more complicated. Then an opportunity to fight again presents itself; an answer to prayer or a fast flight to disaster . . . time always tells.
Famed title fighter Max Lyons has been out of the limelight since his father died, managing an upscale training center in Sparta, Pennsylvania and living under the radar. Seeing Adri Rivera again was a shock to his senses, one that he could have certainly lived the rest of his life without. Once considered among the most talented mixed martial arts fighters in the country . . . . and she gave it up for what? Or perhaps it was who. Personal history aside, Adri needs a job, Max needs another trainer, and the fact that she's married should keep their high octane emotions in check. Easier said than done . . . for admittedly, Adri has always been Max's weakness.
So much rumbles beneath the surface of amazing debut; raw, authentic tidal waves of double shot intensity work their way into conversations and inter-actions, driving the characters both towards and away from an outcome that Max and Adri so desperately want, but don't know how to achieve. Enter the Holy Spirit, . . . that still small voice who loves to lead a troubled soul away from self-destruction and into peaceful valleys. Becoming a new creation takes time, patience, and an hefty amount of forgiveness. Thankfully these two are ready to fight all three rounds for the victory!
Note: Due to the nature of this story, there is a certain level of violent behavior within several scenes. Alcohol also flows freely, it would be more surprising if it didn't; remembering that "greater is He that is in you, than he who is in the world".
I receive a copy of this book from the publisher. I also purchased a copy. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
May 17, 2022
I cannot get over how much I enjoyed this book! I could not put it down! Even a week later, I keep finding myself thinking about the story!
Just a warning, this book does deal with a woman who has been in an abusive relationship.
This book has everything: second chance love, action, sports, humor, family, and faith. I absolutely loved seeing the faith and personal growth of Adri (and others!) throughout this book! I loved the mental and physical training to never give up, to fight harder, to last longer, to be better; not just inside the ring, but outside of it as well.
I loved the story of one character’s growth from a non-believer to a new Christian. It was a very realistic telling of what present day Christian living can be like, including all of the difficulties of living a new life. Forgiving yourself for things you’ve done in the past, making lifestyle changes, and being a new creation in Christ. It was a beautiful story, and one of my favorite parts of the book!
I cannot recommend this book enough! I can’t put into words how much I loved it and all that it meant to me. This is definitely one I’ll be rereading!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Just a warning, this book does deal with a woman who has been in an abusive relationship.
This book has everything: second chance love, action, sports, humor, family, and faith. I absolutely loved seeing the faith and personal growth of Adri (and others!) throughout this book! I loved the mental and physical training to never give up, to fight harder, to last longer, to be better; not just inside the ring, but outside of it as well.
I loved the story of one character’s growth from a non-believer to a new Christian. It was a very realistic telling of what present day Christian living can be like, including all of the difficulties of living a new life. Forgiving yourself for things you’ve done in the past, making lifestyle changes, and being a new creation in Christ. It was a beautiful story, and one of my favorite parts of the book!
I cannot recommend this book enough! I can’t put into words how much I loved it and all that it meant to me. This is definitely one I’ll be rereading!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
December 20, 2021
I really enjoyed this book! It reminded me of Francine Rivers in that Carmen didn't shy away from messy reality. Most "Christian" fiction is squeaky clean and not relatable to anyone who has experienced hard life events.
I recently started muay thai classes at my local MMA gym so that aspect of the book appealed to me and I wasn't disappointed. It was written well, not cliché, obviously by someone who knows something about the subject. If violence isn't your thing then you aren't going to enjoy a book about MMA. That's a matter of personal preference and has nothing at all to do with Carmen Schober's abilities as an author.
The feelings, thoughts, and actions of the characters were refreshingly realistic. Change happens slowly, people make mistakes even after they become saved. I didn't feel like any inappropriate behavior was glorified, it was simply part of the story.
I recently started muay thai classes at my local MMA gym so that aspect of the book appealed to me and I wasn't disappointed. It was written well, not cliché, obviously by someone who knows something about the subject. If violence isn't your thing then you aren't going to enjoy a book about MMA. That's a matter of personal preference and has nothing at all to do with Carmen Schober's abilities as an author.
The feelings, thoughts, and actions of the characters were refreshingly realistic. Change happens slowly, people make mistakes even after they become saved. I didn't feel like any inappropriate behavior was glorified, it was simply part of the story.
December 17, 2021
I absolutely loved After She Falls. From the moment I picked the book up I know it was going to be one of my favorites. I loved that the book was written with Christian themes woven through it without it being your classic cheesy Christian romance. I am not a big MMA person but the author did a fantastic job at making even a novice understand what was happening. I would definitely recommend. A knockout debut novel.
December 16, 2021
LOVE this book! The story instantly captivated me and it’s impossible to not instantly fall in love with the characters. This is not your average Christian novel, it’s better! I’m not into MMA fighting at all, but this book had me at the edge of my seat the whole time and through all the fight scenes. I read it with some friends and we had the best time gushing over it and discussing it. I highly recommend it!
November 30, 2021
I normally read Christian fiction but not Christian romance and certainly nothing that has anything to do with sports, so I approached this book with a bit of trepidation. I was hoping for the best but was truly surprised at the knockout that this book delivered. The first few pages dealt with a scene of domestic abuse by Owen upon Adri, which grabbed my attention and drew me in, but I struggled to stay engaged when Adri first returned to her hometown with her daughter, Eva, a darling four year old who captivates all she meets. When Max, a former MMA (mixed martial arts) champ and now a gym owner, sees Adri, a former MMA fighter, at Shades, a nightclub that hosts a fight night, long-forgotten feelings rise to the surface. This is when the book begins a slow-burn reaching to an explosive climax.
I know absolutely nothing about the MMA world, but Carmen slowly brings in the foundations of the sport to where I was able to understand and envision the fight scenes. Her words allowed me to use my imagination and see what she saw while writing the book, and after all, that’s what we all want. This is a gritty story that portrays domestic violence, brokenness, dealing with the past, and the search for God, both as a prodigal and as one desperately in need of salvation. It’s a Christian book that touches on the feelings of pain, anger, frustration, jealousy, and hope.
I know absolutely nothing about the MMA world, but Carmen slowly brings in the foundations of the sport to where I was able to understand and envision the fight scenes. Her words allowed me to use my imagination and see what she saw while writing the book, and after all, that’s what we all want. This is a gritty story that portrays domestic violence, brokenness, dealing with the past, and the search for God, both as a prodigal and as one desperately in need of salvation. It’s a Christian book that touches on the feelings of pain, anger, frustration, jealousy, and hope.
November 16, 2021
I don’t know how anyone can make Christian fiction and MMA fighting mix together, but Carmen manages to do it and do it well. I don’t really know all that much about boxing or professional fighting, but it was super cool to see it blended into the story and most of the language of that world was easy to follow and understand. It’s clear the author knows her stuff! Makes me want to go out and take a kickboxing class😂
As for the plot, I really liked seeing Adri and Max grow in their faith and their experiences throughout the book. They were both imperfect, flawed people (like all of us) and I enjoyed seeing them learn from their past and look towards their future. I am fortunate to have never been in a place like Adri was, but I feel like her story is one many women could relate to and gain confidence from.
And though the book ends in a good place, I loved seeing glimmers of hope and potential at the end, like the ending was simply a new beginning. A lot like the Christian life I suppose.
Though this genre isn’t my usual cup of tea, I throughly enjoyed it. Highly recommend if you are a fan of MMA!
I do want to add some Trigger warnings just in case: there are scenes of domestic abuse/violence but nothing too graphic and a few descriptions of the MMA fights.
As for the plot, I really liked seeing Adri and Max grow in their faith and their experiences throughout the book. They were both imperfect, flawed people (like all of us) and I enjoyed seeing them learn from their past and look towards their future. I am fortunate to have never been in a place like Adri was, but I feel like her story is one many women could relate to and gain confidence from.
And though the book ends in a good place, I loved seeing glimmers of hope and potential at the end, like the ending was simply a new beginning. A lot like the Christian life I suppose.
Though this genre isn’t my usual cup of tea, I throughly enjoyed it. Highly recommend if you are a fan of MMA!
I do want to add some Trigger warnings just in case: there are scenes of domestic abuse/violence but nothing too graphic and a few descriptions of the MMA fights.
November 20, 2021
I wasn’t sure going into After She Falls by Carmen Schober how much I was going to like the book. Sure, MMA fighting is a unique twist (especially in the Christian fiction market), but it’s not something I’m into at all.
Well, I’m happy to say that I loved this one. I even enjoyed the fights (which aren’t even in the first half of the book but by the time they arrive, you can’t help but root for Adri). I really connected with Adri as she makes the hard decision to leave her abusive relationship and put her life back together. She flees to her uncle who took her in as a daughter and the small town where she grew up.
This novel is one hundred percent Adri’s journey from a pit of despair and hopelessness to one of fulfillment, belonging, and realized dreams. There’s a lot of push and pull between Adri and Max because there’s a lot of history and hurt (past and present hurt).
I strongly recommend putting this on your Christmas wish list or your tbr because you do not want to miss Schober’s debut.
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Well, I’m happy to say that I loved this one. I even enjoyed the fights (which aren’t even in the first half of the book but by the time they arrive, you can’t help but root for Adri). I really connected with Adri as she makes the hard decision to leave her abusive relationship and put her life back together. She flees to her uncle who took her in as a daughter and the small town where she grew up.
This novel is one hundred percent Adri’s journey from a pit of despair and hopelessness to one of fulfillment, belonging, and realized dreams. There’s a lot of push and pull between Adri and Max because there’s a lot of history and hurt (past and present hurt).
I strongly recommend putting this on your Christmas wish list or your tbr because you do not want to miss Schober’s debut.
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
December 8, 2021
Unbeknownst to me when I reserved this book, this is Carmen Schober’s first novel plus a Christian MMA one at that so it was a nice surprise. She did a great job with both the love story and the MMA fighting story.
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