Many times I get review pitches months before the actual review posts. When I get the review pitch, sometimes the book sounds interesting at that time but when it comes time to pick it up to actually read it for review months later, it might not sound as interesting.
So how do I combat this? I trust the process. I have to believe that something about the book appealed to me at one time or another enough for me to agree to review it and even if I am not 100% in the mood to read it when it’s time—I need to trust that I had good judgment.
That’s kind of what happened with this book. I have had Karen White on my radar for years. I’ve seen a number of her novels and they all sound great—though I hadn’t read anything by her, I was eager to read one of her books when it came up for review.
I got the review pitch for DREAMS OF FALLING back in March at a time when I was gearing up for my summer reading and this book cover just screamed summer to me. But before I knew it, late May was here and it was time for me to start reading this book and I just wasn’t excited.
I had just finished another summer read and I was kind of over summer reading—but again I had to trust the process. Something about this book made me want to read it at some point. In this case it was the author’s reputation.
This is the perfect example of why I trust in my process because before I knew it, I was completely engrossed in this novel and couldn’t put it down!
It’s been nine years since Larkin fled Georgetown, South Carolina, vowing never to go back. But when she finds out that her mother has disappeared, she knows she has no choice but to return to the place that she both loves and dreads–and to the family and friends who never stopped wishing for her to come home.
Ivy, Larkin’s mother, is discovered in the burned-out wreckage of her family’s ancestral rice plantation, badly injured and unconscious. No one knows why Ivy was there, but as Larkin digs for answers, she uncovers secrets kept for nearly 50 years. Secrets that lead back to the past, to the friendship between three girls on the brink of womanhood who swore that they would be friends forever, but who found that vow tested in heartbreaking ways (summary from Goodreads).
This novel wasn’t the easy beach fluff that I was expecting. The cover indicates that it’s more of a beach-y read but this wasn’t that—it was a more complex story of love and loss. It was a heavier novel than I was expecting, but I can’t say that I was bothered by that. I loved that it was more than just a light novel.
White has a great way of charming the readers with her prose. I loved her easy story telling style which highlighted the story itself rather than letting the prose be the star. I love how this novel included various plot points—romance, friendship, family—the focus wasn’t just on one thing.
This novel is set in the south and has a lot of references to southern culture. While I might not fully understand some of the references, I felt like they added so much authenticity to the novel and I think readers will appreciate the attention to details. I have read a few books set in the south over the years and I am always charmed by the location and the people. Something about the location makes a novel with family secrets a little more juicy and interesting—at least for me.
I loved the characters that White has created. I am not sure which one I liked the most as I enjoyed each of them in their own way as they were each unique and interesting. I loved watching their stories come alive through the book and I was emotional at various points which is a hallmark of a powerful connection between reader and character.
This book was a wonderful read. I can’t say enough good things! I am so happy to discover a new to me author. This book was a high point in my reading this spring. I am so glad I decided to review it and when the time came to read it, though initially I wasn’t ‘in the mood’ to read it, I am so very glad I did because it was a fantastic read and one that I won’t soon regret and I will continue to recommend to friends! I am so eager to read more of her books to see how they compare!
Challenge/Book Summary:
Book: Dreams of Falling by Karen White
- Kindle Edition, 416 pages
- Published June 5th 2018 by Berkley
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- Review copy provided by: Author/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This book counts toward: NA
- Hosted by: NA
- Books for Challenge Completed: NA
Recommendation: 5 out of 5
Genre: Women’s fiction
Memorable lines/quotes:
The Lit Bitch 
Is this book a sequel? Some of the characters sound familiar from her other books. Thanks