Four friends forever… But who will be there to catch them?
They were best friends at uni. But life was simpler then.
Fifteen years later Connie, a former journalist, now struggles to maintain the veneer of a perfect family life. Jonas, her lawyer husband, is feeling the pressure at work. Personal trainer JJ appears to have it all, but his past is catching up with him. Their other friend, Layla, is a psychotherapist, but her career is unravelling thanks to a difficult and ailing mother.
As the pressure builds, each in their own way must confront their demons. Sometimes things get too much. Sometimes we stumble and fall – and pray someone is there to catch us.
A truly powerful and unforgettable story of love, friendship, and real life, If I Fall is perfect for readers of Alice Peterson, Amanda Prowse and Lianne Moriarty.
A book that starts with a suicide note is always going to grab your attention, and If I Fall is no different.
4 friends, 4 interlocking lives. Connie, Jonas, JJ and Layla were best friends at University. JJ and Connie were an item, but after an abrupt ending to their romantic relationship, they both moved on and Jonas, who had always had a thing for Connie, got his girl. Fast forward 15 years or so and the four are still in touch. Connie & Jonas are married with two daughters. Layla has become a psychotherapist and is dealing with her aged Mum who is exhibiting signs of early-onset dementia, and JJ is a good-time-guy, a healthy living personal trainer who quite often likes to take his work home with him…especially if they leave without a fuss in the morning.
Through the different narratives, we learn about these four very different people and the web of deceit that is woven through their lives. It shows how the irrepressible confidence and ambition of youth can slowly dissipate without anyone really noticing. One day you have the world at your feet, the next you’re wondering where the time went. They’ve all got their problems which are growing by the day, and we are left to wonder which one of them it is that is going to fall, and when they do, if anyone will catch them.
In ‘If I fall’ Ella Harper has concocted a really interesting set of characters with intricate and difficult relationships with each other and the outside world. You build a relationship with each of the characters, although some are easier to like than others. The futility of lying to yourself is exposed – it never lasts forever. Added to the detailed character building, there are a couple of jaw dropping and raw moments which are always good to come across unexpectedly. The narrative flow felt a little stilted at times when switching back and forth between characters but that’s often the case with multiple viewpoints and it didn’t stop me easily following what was going on.
I really enjoyed getting to know Connie, Jonas, JJ and Layla and I think that fans of Lianne Moriarty & Amanda Prowse will really enjoy this book.
4/5
About the Book:
Title: If I Fall
Author Name: Ella Harper
Previous Books (if applicable): One Last Wish
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Release Date: 22nd January 2018
Publisher: Canelo
Where to buy:
About the Author
Ella Harper learned foreign languages, and imagined she might eventually get a glamorous job speaking French. After climbing her way up the banking ladder, Ella started idly mapping out the beginnings of a novel on an old laptop. When she realised her characters were more real to her than dividends and corporate actions ever could be, she left her job to become a writer.
Twitter: @Ella__Harper