Falling Together: A Novel Audiobook

" The plot line itself is pretty good, but it becomes almost nauseatingly clear that the author is a poet by nature and has a PhD in creative writing. Nice things, yes, but when you just want to read a good story, such traits and academic achievements can crowd out the narrative, as the writing becomes more about "look how much I know" rather than "let me entertain you with this tale." There are places where the lofty metaphors and descriptions are overkill: "Isn't it as though that rice field satisfies some little piece of your soul that's been waiting for that specific shade of green all your life, without your knowing it?" Who talks that way? I didn't mind it so much in Love Walked In or Belong to Me, mainly because I attributed it to being a part of the main character Cornelia's personality. But it seems to be a part of most of the characters' personalities in Falling Together--three best friends who all happened to major in English--causing you to feel the author's presence (not a plus). I'm all for writing what you know, but I should not get the impression that the author is talking about her own island vacation while reading about a character's island vacation. Also, I never fully bought the characters' motives. Final peeve: the trio's names (Pen, Will, and Cat) started to drive me a little batty. Too cutesy or something, I don't know. Anyway, all harshness aside, I did enjoy much of the book, it's just not one I would care to own or reread. A solid "liked it." "

" I was so psyched to read this book. LOVED her first two books. I hate to deny it, but I didn't get as wrapped up in her characters like I thought I would. Her character development is amazing. Each character is lovable and flawed, but the story line just didn't deliver the goods. "

" I read this book in about 3 days. Part suspenseful mystery, part romance, and with great quirky dialogue between the main characters. I actually felt my skin go cold at the intense "resolution" scene. Underlying themes of presence vs. absence, friends and family, gains and losses. "

" Over-dramatic story line, but interesting, well-developed characters and witty dialogue. "

" This book, by any other author, would probably have gotten 3 stars. But because it was by Marisa de los Santos, who wrote two of my very favorite books, it had way too much to live up to. I thought it started strong but then it totally lost me in the middle. Not only did it completely stall, at that point, but I thought the relationship of the 3 friends became unbearably annoying and cliquey. Instead of loving them for how "special" their relationship was (something that was continually told to us, and not shown to us), I simply felt excluded. The last part was okay and redeemed the book a bit, but by then, I had lost interest - evidenced by how long it took me to finish this book and the resulting $1.40 library fine. "

" It's really a 3.5 but since they don't let you, I have to go to 3. She has a nice way with words, and it was a pretty good story. "

" I prefer this author's other books. Great writing, but I didn't really like the character, Cat, who the other characters went across the world to find. "

" I liked the other 2 books by this author much more than this one. I founds the characters irritating, and the book seemed like a vehicle for the author to show off her idea of snappy dialogue. Very disappointing compared to her other works. "

" I really enjoyed the book until the last 30ish pages.Took a twist that you kind of expected but was just down right odd in how the character delt with it. "

" Pretty good, but I found myself skipping through a lot of the pages with descriptions of the trip they took. I love her writing style, but I think this one had a lot more "fluff" than her others. "

" Laugh out loud funny, but very moved too. Loved this book. "

" I enjoyed this...not a five star enjoyment, but pretty good. "

" Fun novel of old trio of college friends torn apart and brought back together again. Along the way they learn about themselves their quirks and their relationships to each other and those around them. Feels like old familiar friends like each of her books. "

" not good literature, not believable, not an important book in any way. but very enjoyable reading..... "

" I so like her writing. Perhaps a bit obvious in places and too neatly wrapped up but so what? It's lovely. "

" Just couldn't get interested in it, or relate to any of the characters "

" This started slowly and didn't hold my interest for a while. It eventually improved - and the characters were good. Not quite as good as her first two books. "

" I enjoyed her other two books more and thought this didn't get going until the last few chapters "

" Loved, loved, loved this book! The character development was great and I couldn't put it down. "

" Really a perfect book. A touching, charming and often funny story about friendship, growing up, finding, losing and finding love again. "

" Loved her other books, but this one took some getting into. Too much remembering, not enough actually happening. My love for the author kept me into it until it got good--which took several hundred pages--but otherwise I probably would have given up. Last 100 or so were very good. "

" I listened to the audio book. The plot was a thin so it seemed too long. I am not sure if the storyline deserved an entire book. "

" I enjoyed the plot. I hated the way it was written. Descriptions and tangents!!! book could have been half the length "

" This was a good read, but not nearly as good as the other 2 books by this author. The use of the word 'cluck' as an alternative to a swear word was really really annoying. But other than that, it was a good book. "

" Santos uses such unique phrases in her writing. This story was not a fabulous story but the way she tells it is fabulous. Her descriptions of things - you can almost see them. Her descriptions of emotions - you can almost feel them. "

" I really enjoyed this book. I loved friendships in this book and how this book ended. "

" It took 120 pages before this book went anywhere. I found it confusing since she kept switching back from past to present. It ended up being ok! "

" I was really disappointed with this one. I was interested by the premise but found the plot dragging and the characters unlikable. There was too much going on and it was all a little far fetched for my liking. "

" I just feel like the author and I could be friends. I feel like when I am reading her books, we have the same thoughts. I really liked this one. "

" Not my favourite Marisa de los Santos book. I thought it jumped around too much and the characters were a bit two dimensional. I did however like the philosophy of the book. Live today and love with all you have, even if it isn't returned. "

" more like a 3.9. i did like it a lot and kept picking it up waiting to see what would happen, but misses a little. nothing will touch her first book, Love Walked In. "

" I was so psyched to read this book. LOVED her first two books. I hate to deny it, but I didn't get as wrapped up in her characters like I thought I would. Her character development is amazing. Each character is lovable and flawed, but the story line just didn't deliver the goods. "

" i was about halfway thru before i really felt invested in the story. "

" Not my kind of book and it was probably predictable and a bit sappy but I loved it anyway. "

" I enjoy this author. True, everything reads as if it were scripted (no one really talks the way she says people do), but they're lovely confections nonetheless. "

" I enjoyed this story. Great literature, it's not, but it kept my interest as the author explored the unique relationship of three college friends. "