The Falling by Anna Todd Book Review!

 

Title: The Falling (Brightest Stars #1)
Author: Anna Todd
Publish Date: July 5th, 2022
Publisher: Frayed Pages x Wattpad Books
Source: Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a review copy!

Twenty-year old Karina is proud of the independent life she is trying to create for herself in Fort Benning, Georgia. A dutiful officer’s daughter, supportive sister to a troubled twin brother, and caring friend to her roommate, Elodie, she always puts the needs of others ahead of her own, and prides herself on being a fixer of broken things―whether it’s the house she’s just bought or the fragmented family she works hard to keep intact.

Like anyone who has grown up around an army base, Karina also knows the background noise that follows men and women home from war. And when she meets Kael, a handsome soldier on the cusp of discharge, she’s immediately intrigued by his brooding presence and enigmatic silence. As their uncertain and unexpected friendship starts to turn into something more, Karina tries to piece together Kael’s story: he is emotionally closed off, recovering from wounds and other trauma in the aftermath of two deployments in Afghanistan. In her practice as a physical therapist, Karina has a strong desire to help him heal, and though it challenges her many insecurities and anxieties, she has an equally strong desire to trust him. But that trust is fragile, like the preciousness of a soldier’s life. It can be gone in an instant. Ultimately facing a crossroads, Karina and Kael find their relationship will be tested by the one thing that Karina cannot accept, forgive, or understand.

Penelope's Review

I was so excited to try Anna Todd's newest romance book, and went in not really knowing what to expect! This series is a military-ish romance, following Karina and Kael. While it was a pretty good read, it wasn't as amazing as I was hoping it would be. The pace was quite slow and I wasn't in love with the romance. It didn't seem to drive the book like I thought it would, if that makes sense.

Karina as a character was good, I liked that she was doing her best to live independently and worked hard to get where she wanted to be. Kael was stoic and silent. Definitely a man of few words and emotions, but it's intriguing to see what makes him crack that hard exterior. Separately, these were decent characters but together... I just didn't feel that spark! I wanted more - more chemistry, more tension, more angst. I suppose we'll see where things go in the next book - I just hope there's more to root for you know?

Unfortunately, I feel like not a whole lot happened plot wise. It felt like alot of the same conversations, same inner monologues, and so on. A lot about Karina's work schedule, alot about her house and the many things that need to be fixed in it, a lot about Tuesday dinners that she dreads lol... just much of the same being repeated.

Overall, I think there was just enough that I will read the second book to see what happens, but my fingers are crossed that it ends up being more along the lines of what I expect from an Anna Todd book. 

Rating: 3/5 Devils!