Title: Falling Between the Pages
Author: A.M. Heath
Major Themes: Writing, Comedy, Romance
Synopsis: When Wendy Sutton and Peyton Gentry, long-time enemies, are tasked with writing a serial novel together, their already tenuous relationship is stretched even thinner.
I don’t recall the last time I read a romantic comedy, but I do know I thoroughly enjoyed Falling Between the Pages. I’ve loved A.M. Heath’s books since I was first introduced to her work in Dance With Me, and I’ve read nearly all of her other releases in the years since that book was released. While Falling isn’t my favorite of her books, there were many elements I absolutely adored in the story.
Wendy Sutton loves her job as a fiction writer for a company, but she has just been given the worst assignment she could imagine—she has to work with Peyton Gentry, a coworker who somehow manages to always get on her nerves. Together, they have to write a serial novel, but there’s a problem: They will take turns writing a chapter a week, but they aren’t allowed to discuss and plan their story together. They have to wait until the last chapter was released to start planning the next installment. As a punctual perfectionist with perfect lists for everything, Wendy is certain this challenge is going to be what drives her out of a job—and very likely will cause her to end up with serious mental issues, as well.
Peyton, on the other hand, writes by the seat of his pants. He’s been wanting to spend more time with Wendy anyway, but after a nightmarish first date, he knows his chances with her are zero to none. He is thrilled by this chance to work with Wendy, and even more, is looking forward to this new challenge to his fiction writing abilities. Will he be able to get Wendy to read between the lines in the story they are writing together? Can Wendy learn to trust—even when life throws curveballs she’s unprepared to tackle?
Falling Between the Pages was a fun, fast-paced read. It was easy to identify with the main characters, and fun to watch their creative process as authors—as a writer myself, I especially loved that aspect of the story. The tension between them was also quite believable, and when they got into writing the story, I loved following along with them as they did their research. Then the story they wrote . . . suffice to say, I’ll likely never read Laura Ingalls Wilder or other novels set in the historical “out west” in the same light again. There was a particularly striking scene with bugs and another about hand washing, both of which gave me a good shudder, and made me thankful I live in the 21st century.
Though this doesn’t have an airbrushed version of history, there’s a good amount of humor brought into the story. There’s also some mystery, and, of course, sweet romance. And then there’s the surprising depth this book has, in a few discussions about trusting God vs. trying to control things ourselves…that gave me a lot to ponder after I finished reading the story! Overall, I loved this book, and I can’t wait to see what else A.M. Heath manages to come out with!
I was given a complimentary copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.
WARNING: “For the love of Pete” is used in ch. 4, 28, and 39 (twice); “for crying out loud” is used in ch. 8 and 14; “sure as shooting” is used in ch. 10; swear is used in ch. 11, 13, and 37; gee is used in ch. 13 and 32; sworn and “glory be” are used in ch. 15; “Land’s sake” is used in ch. 17; “devil-made” is used in ch. 21; “hotter than blazes” is used in ch. 30; heck is used in ch. 36 and 58; darn is used in ch. 38 and 39; “speak of the devil” referring to a person is used in ch. 38; blasted is used in ch. 40; heavens is used in ch. 41 and 49; and there is lying in ch. 31, 32, 34, 46, and 58. Someone fires a couple of shots in ch. 20. Someone is shot in the arm in ch. 40. Someone dies in ch. 57. An unmarried couple touches in nearly every chapter (usually on the arm, holding hands, a hug, etc.—nothing gross), and there are quite a few kisses in the latter part of the book. Multiple times, an unmarried couple is depicted spending the day or evening by themselves together. In the first few chapters, there are a few mentions of brothels and prostitutes (no descriptions, just mentioning the names).
Age levels:
Reading Independently—Ages 15 and Above, Adults
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