3.5 stars.

When We Fall by Emily Liebert is a lovely novel about relationships, friendship and healing. It is an interesting story that does not shy away from sensitive topics such as negative body image, toxic friendships and how easy it is to let misunderstandings erode the foundation of relationships.

The cast of characters in When We Fall is diverse and some of them are difficult to like or relate to. Lead protagonist Allison Parker is an absolute delight. She is down to earth, likable and her struggle to move on after losing her husband in a accident is quite poignant. Unfortunately her new friend Charlotte Crane is not as likable as Allison. She is superficial, insecure and judgmental and although she has good qualities, they are often overshadowed by her negative traits. Her sister Elizabeth is much more likable and she really hits it off with Allison, much to Charlotte's dismay. Charlotte's friend Missy and Sabrina are also shallow and their "friendship" is a toxic mess that does more harm than good.

Allison's part of the storyline is wonderful. She easily settles into her new life, her son Logan is well-adjusted and this new beginning is what she needed to move past her loss. She reconnects with an old high school classmate and she is pleasantly surprised by the direction their relationship takes. Her friendship with Charlotte adds a new dimension to her life but it is also a little complicated by her resumed acquaintance with Charlotte's husband, Charlie. Charlie is an old summer camp friend of both Allison and her deceased husband, and Charlotte is both uneasy and jealous of their easy camaraderie with one another.

Charlotte is not an easy person to get along with despite her quick friendship with Allison. Her home life is tense and her marriage is deeply troubled. Her poor self-image causes friction in her relationship with her daughter and leads to unnecessary jealous towards Allison. Her friendships with Missy and Sabrina are emotionally draining and demoralizing. Charlotte continually sabotages her relationship with her sister Elizabeth with her judgmental, trivializing attitude. All of this plays a huge role in a huge misunderstanding that threatens to destroy all of her relationships.

When We Fall by Emily Liebert is a well-written novel that is starkly honest and incredibly realistic. The storyline with Allison is superb and it is very gratifying watching her settle into and enjoy her new life. While the other characters are eventually transformed, it is difficult to overlook the petty jealousies and sometimes distasteful inner monologues that occur throughout the novel. The conclusion is heartwarming and it is nice to see that some of the various relationships not only survived but have emerged stronger and much healthier. ( )

It's a book about relationships--mostly friendships but some romantic relationships and familial relationships as well.

Allison and her son Logan move back to her childhood hometown to allow Logan to be closer to his grandparents. Allison's husband Jack died in a bus crash on the way to a ski trip many years before. Allison meets Charlotte on the first day of school for Logan. Charlotte is Gia's mom, and she happens to be married to Allison's and Jack's childhood friend Charlie. Allison and Charlotte connect as friends and Charlotte is the one who introduces Allison to Sabrina and Missy and also to Charlotte's sister Elizabeth.

Sabrina seems like she wants to be the "top dog" and to do so, she will tear down anyone. She may have an unfaithful husband. Either one could be why she seems to see an affair where there is none.

At first, Missy seems content to follow along with Sabrina--perhaps she too is insecure. By the end, she is more wiling to stand on her own and make her own judgements about people.

Charlotte blows hot and cold. OCD is mentioned with regard to her, though I'm not sure if it was truly diagnosed. She seems to feel that there is a lot on her shoulders and that she has to do it perfectly. She feels she has to bail her sister out of trouble, help her parents, raise her daughter, please her husband. But she feels few of them appreciate her efforts. Her marriage is rocky--and rather than talk to her husband, she lets it fester. Perhaps that's why she is so willing to believe Sabrina's concocted story about an affair between her husband and Allison.

Dempsey James is a unique man. One who's not afraid of being in the shadow of Allison's first husband. He's willing to acknowledge him, but also build a life with Allison post-Jack. ( )

Review
I absolutely loved this book. The characters are amazing, and you learn a lot about jumping to conclusions and forgiveness.

Allison is a strong character. She's trying to ome to terms with moving from New York. I love the support system she has with her parents. They are there for her anytime she needs them. I also love how she puts Logan first. He's her first priority, and her relationship with him is a factor in her not dating. Charlotte is okay at times, but frustrating at others. She doesn't have high self-confidence. She's constantly worrying about what her "friends" think of her. She isn't exctly proud of who she has become, and doesn't know how to fix it.

When We Fall is definitely drama-worthy. There are so many sweet times, and then there are others when you think you are back in high school. Allison doesn't realize how she behaves around other people can be construed as bad. She's never been put into the position of being friends with a couple, and she isn't sure how she is supposed to act. There are some events that happen, and they don't shed a pretty light on some characters. This is where it gets really juicy.

I don't want to give all the dynamics away because findingthem when Allison & Charlotte do is part of what makes this an amazing story. I wanted more of these characters when the book was done. It's an emotional ride at times, and I'm happy to be able to have read alongon the journey. ( )

This is profoundly a book for a female audience. It involves an attractive young widow moving back to her home town. She is embraced by her husband's best friend and his wife. This guy falls all over himself trying to help her out and guess what - his wife who is initially a saint becomes jealous. Go figure. Let me tell you this, I don't care how close I was to my best friend, my wife would never let me do what this guy does to help the widow. You will never convince me that he doesn't have a hidden agenda from the start. That said, the book is well written and moves along effortlessly. ( )

When We Fall by Emily Liebert, is a thought-provoking, complex, witty, and emotionally honest realistic account of flawed female friendships and relationships; what it is like to fall, when things get complicated, and back up--to survive, stronger than ever.

When We Fall revolves around two women in transition: one recently widowed young mother returning to her suburban hometown, and her new best friend whose life only looks perfect on the outside. Their friendship seems to be just what they both need, until it falls apart.

After the death of Allison Parker’s husband, Jack—she and her son, Logan move from Manhattan to her hometown of suburbs of Wincourt, New York. Allison feels being closer to her family, will allow her to focus on her art career, and give her time away from her memories of Jack to begin healing.

In an attempt to feel connected, Allison befriends, Logan’s classmate (Gia)’s mom, Charlotte, married to her late husband’s best friend, Charlie. Their friendship includes a lot of differences and issues began to surface, as it would appear Charlotte and Charlie’s marriage—not so perfect. Charlotte’s sister Elizabeth also befriends Allison, and silly jealousy occurs between the two sisters and things spiral out of control.

Where some things are not as they appear on the exterior, Emily explores the good, bad, bitches, nasty gossip, insecurities, name dropping, the judgmental and petty actions, misunderstandings, shallowness, jealousy, backbiting, and the all ugly truths of women, emotions, female friendships, and relationships (women are as mean as the teens in high school);as they journey to being true sisters and friends, for a heartwarming and contemporary novel of surviving loss and love.

Fans of Emily Giffin, Jane Green, and Sarah Pekkanen, will enjoy, as well as readers of chick-lit, drama, and female relationships involving wives, mothers, sisters, and friendships.

I love the reference to Canyon Ranch, (what an escape), as I love it and wish I could be there, right now! Tucson and Miami Beach. If you have not been, highly recommend!

If you have not read Emily Liebert's You Knew Me When, would highly recommend as she takes readers from New York to Vermont. A poignant story of friendship and the struggles of sacrificing yourself for your friends, or staying true to your heart to do the right thing.

Emily, in regards to your blog about female relationships: I prefer men or gay guys as friends, for a drama free zone. I always wanted to have sons, so got my wish (2 sons and 3 step-sons), thank you, God.

Now, I see why girls are so much harder to raise than boys. My grandson is five, and we get along perfectly! However, my granddaughter, seven is a total diva, and everything about her is DRAMA and complicated! (they start early these days). :)

http://www.judithdcollinsconsulting.com/#!When-We-Fall-/cmoa/21F4E5D4-E2FC-44F9-...

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