Falling by Julie Cohen

Honor’s secret threatens to rob her of the independence she’s guarded ferociously for eighty years. Jo’s secret could smash apart the ‘normal’ family life she’s fought so hard to build.
Lydia’s could bring her love - or the loss of everything that matters to her.

Grandmother, mother and daughter – three women whose lives are falling apart. But one summer’s day, a single dramatic moment will force their secrets into the open.
Can they save each other from falling?

I have been eagerly awaiting the release of Falling by Julie Cohen since the cover was release and I read the synopsis I knew this was going to be a heartfelt and current read and having now just finished reading this book I can say it is well worth the wait.

The story is told from three generations of characters teenage daughter Lydia her mum Jo and Jo’s mother in-law Honor. Each chapter alternates between each of our characters which allows us to get to know each of our characters on a more personal level as we uncover their hidden secrets. There is a prickly relationship between the three characters partly as a result from their hidden secrets, lack of communication and a long felt grief. When Honor has a terrible fall she has to move in temporarily with Jo and her children much to her disappointment.

I first found Honor quite a stuck up old moo but as the book progressed I slowly began to see cracks in her hard shell to a loving and caring woman hidden away. Jo I warmed to straight away and Lydia was also a likeable character who I also found at times that I wanted to give her a clip around the ear but we soon see from a teenagers point of view how hard life seems at school and especially whilst keeping her secret which meant that she could lose everything but at the same time meant she could never be herself.

The author tackles a number of difficult issues in this book and she delivers each and every one with such sensitivity. Although the book was based around secrets, heartbreak, grief, relationship issues and health issues it also had an uplifting feel to it thanks to Jo’s positive and cheerful nature and the little touches of humour from her younger two children.

Dear Thing is my favourite book by Julie Cohen but this book came incredibly close to knocking it off the top spot so make sure to add this one to your tbr piles.

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