Monday, June 2, 2014

Review: Fall From India Place

FALL FROM INDIA PLACE
On Dublin Street #4
Samantha Young
Contemporary New Adult
352 pages
NAL
Available June 3rd
Source: ARC from publisher for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
When Hannah Nichols last saw Marco D’Alessandro, five long years ago, he broke her heart. The bad boy with a hidden sweet side was the only guy Hannah ever loved—and the only man she’s ever been with. After one intense night of giving into temptation, Marco took off, leaving Scotland and Hannah behind. Shattered by the consequences of their night together, Hannah has never truly moved on.

Leaving Hannah was the biggest mistake of Marco’s life, something he has deeply regretted for years. So when fate reunites them, he refuses to let her go without a fight. Determined to make her his, Marco pursues Hannah, reminding her of all the reasons they’re meant to be together.…

But just when Marco thinks they’re committed to a future together, Hannah makes a discovery that unearths the secret pain she’s been hiding from him, a secret that could tear them apart before they have a real chance to start over again….


MY THOUGHTS
Fall from India Place skips us ahead in time five years until we’re reunited with Ellie and Braden’s little sister at age twenty-two. Though she’s young, when we meet Hannah she’s got a heart that’s been haphazardly stitched back together after being shattered years ago, but with the reappearance of a lost love those stitches begin to pop one by one. What’s so addicting about this series is Ms. Young’s ability to write emotionally gripping and intense stories; stories that have our bodies aching as we feel the phantom echoes of the characters’ pain. The way that pain spills onto the pages is where Ms. Young truly shines, each heartfelt or hurtful moment nuanced and rich with meaning and passion rather than drowning in drama just for the sake of drama.

Much like Until Fountain Bridge (Ellie and Adam’s novella), we get to know Hannah both in present day and through flashbacks of her relationship with Marco as it progressed from infatuation to love, and as a result we’re able to fully understand just how profoundly his defection after their one night together affected her. She’s not melancholic or despondent by any means though, instead she’s building a life she’s happy with, but there’s a loneliness in her that’s palpable, and we can’t help but want to wrap our arms around her and hold tight. When Marco comes back into the picture the pain we feel on her behalf is breathtaking, and though her initial attempts to avoid him are perhaps a touch juvenile, she’s the first to admit to her immaturity (even if it’s completely understandable) and make the monumental decision to let Marco back into her life.

It’s fairly easy for us as readers to figure out what Marco’s waiting to share with Hannah “until the right time” and what effect his news is going to have on her, but knowing in advance doesn’t keep the hurt from settling deep in our bones. Hannah’s reaction to Marco’s revelation and the fallout afterward should frustrate us (and to some degree), but because Hannah fully recognizes and acknowledges that he doesn’t deserve the distance she puts between them, it’s nearly impossible to hold anything against her. Her anger, fear and pain quickly become puppeteers pulling her strings and driving her every action, and unfortunately for her, Logic simply doesn’t wield a big enough blade to cut her free.

Overall, Fall from India Place is yet another beautiful addition to this series, Hannah and Marco’s story of love lost, found and then almost lost once more is hard to read in the most gorgeous way, making the two of them a couple hard to forget.

Rating: 4/5


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This book was sent to me by the publisher free of charge for the purpose of a review
I received no other compensation and the above is my honest opinion.

31 comments:

  1. It's nice to mix present and past in a book, I always like that when it's well done. I didn't know this book I confess but it sounds like a sweet romance. I need to try this author one day. Thanks for the review.

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    1. I agree! I really liked seeing how her relationship with Marco progressed when she was younger, it made me feel for Hannah all the more:)

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  2. And now I wonder what he needed to share with her

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    1. Read and you'll find out ;-) I love this series and can't recommend it enough!

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  3. I wasn't a big fan of Nate and Olivia's story, but I've really enjoyed every other installment in this series and am quite excited to see where Hannah's tale goes, not to mention the cameos from previous couples. :) Lovely review, Jenny!

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  4. I LOVE these books and can't wait to get started on this one. It's next up on my TBR. I've always liked Hannah's character so I'm looking forward to getting to know her better in this one.

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    1. YES LEANNA!!!! This is an all-time favorite series of mine:)

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  5. I love when the past and present are blended nicely as well. I really need to try this series, I have heard nothing but great things about it.

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    1. Read it Ali! I really think you'll like it. Joss and Braden are first and they're amazing:)

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  6. As I'm sure you can guess, I haven't started any of these books, but I like the sound of them. Hannah and Marco sound genuine, albeit frustrating at times, and I feel like that alone makes me want to better understand their story! Lovely review, Jenny.

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    1. There were definitely frustrating moments in this one, but what kept me from tearing my hair out was the fact that Hannah knew she was being unfair and recognized it, she just couldn't help it. That made her feel real to me, I know I've recognized flaws in myself but been unable to change them in that moment a number of times:)

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  7. I still haven't read this series, though I know you've enjoyed it and there have been a ton of good reviews. This one sounds sad, though! "Logic simply doesn’t wield a big enough blade to cut her free." I do hate when that happens.

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    1. MARY!!! This series is a must:) I hope you'll give them a try at some point!

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  8. I really like when flashbacks are added, just not too many otherwise I am easily getting lost. I loved the first book so much, and was a little shocked to see we are already at book 4 ! Must catch up!

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    1. I know, these books feel like they come out quickly and I love that. There's nothing worse than waiting. *cough* KMM *cough* ;-)

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  9. I have yet to read anything by this author, but from the sounds of it, Samantha Young is incredibly talented!

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  10. I've heard nothing but rave reviews for this series. In fact I was so curious that I already picked up the first book, but sadly haven't found time to sit down and enjoy it. I hope to fix that one soon. Glad you really enjoyed this one and that the series is staying strong!

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  11. I REALLY need to start this series. Man, I really wish I had more time! I'm glad you enjoyed it, and I hope to start this series soon. *fingers crossed*

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  12. I like Marco and despite wanting them to communicate I loved this one too Jenny!

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  13. Oh, you had me at "heartfelt or hurtful moment nuanced and rich with meaning and passion rather than drowning in drama just for the sake of drama." This sounds like a wonderful series, I'm adding it to my wish list Jenny!

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  14. I got the first book and I've been seeing reviews for this that have me eager to pick it up! Glad to hear this one was good!

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  15. I would think this one would be too much drama, but I love the way you talk about her writing. Yea, you want me to give it a go. I may get frustrated with Hannah, but Marco sounds like a character I want to meet!

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  16. Welcome back, Jenny! I can't believe this series is already on the first book, I am now three books behind. I can't wait to read this gorgeous romance even if it has its tough moments I know that Ms. Young can pull it out.

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  17. This is the same series as On Dublin Street? That's the only one I've read.

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  18. I loved how the past was "shown" in Until Fountain Bridge and here as well. Second chance romances always get to me and I loved Marco and Hannah's story. I felt Hannah's hurt profoundly even if in a few places I wanted to shake her a bit. Wonderful review, Jenny. :)

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  19. The more I read your reviews of this author the more I think I might be able to look past the NA part and read them. That you say they aren't filled with unnecessary drama leaves me with high hopes. Maybe I'll fit one in this summer. The first one of course, I have to read in order :)

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  20. I have yet to read this series. I think this is another one I have to read.

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  21. Ooh I can't wait to read this! I have enjoyed every book in this series so far, and somehow I forgot this was coming out. So happy to hear you enjoyed this. Lovely review!

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  22. It sounds like a fantastic book, but one that I cannot really read right now... My emotional distress is a bit too raw still, and I need to keep romance bits to a minimum, at least the new romances and series...
    But as always, what a fantastic review Jenny! Thank you!

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  23. Young is so good at pulling our emotions and making us care about her characters even when they do objectively annoying things. This one makes me nervous! But I'm glad you stuck through the pain and found it all worth it!

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