The Upside of Falling

by Alex Light Narrated by Caitlin Kelly, Austin Rising

Overview

A fun, flirty teen debut from Wattpad phenom Alex Light about a fake relationship and real love.

It's been years since seventeen-year-old Becca Hart believed in true love. But when her former best friend teases her for not having had a boyfriend, Becca impulsively pretends she's been secretly seeing someone.

Brett Wells has it all. As captain of the football team and one of the most popular guys in his school, he should have no problem finding someone to date, but he's always been more focused on his future than who to bring to prom.

When he overhears Becca's lie, Brett decides to step in and be the mystery guy. It's the perfect solution: he gets people off his back for not having a meaningful relationship and she can keep up the ruse that she's got a boyfriend.

Acting like the perfect couple isn't easy, though, especially when you barely know the other person. But with Becca still picking up the pieces from when her world was blown apart years ago and Brett just barely holding his together now, they begin to realize they have more in common than they ever could have imagined.

When the line between what is pretend and what is real begins to blur, they're forced to answer the question: Is this fake romance the realest thing in either of their lives?

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

A syrupy ode to what it feels like to slowly fall for someone for the first time.” — Kirkus Reviews

"A sweet and fun debut that neatly riffs on the unrealistic expectations romance novels can set for real life." — Booklist

Kirkus Reviews

2019-11-19
High school seniors do the fake dating thing.

Brett Wells has always been focused on football. Brainy Becca Hart's faith in love was destroyed by her parents' divorce. The two have little in common other than being pestered by their friends and families about the lack of a special someone in their lives. They embark upon a "fake relationship," but, predictably, it gives way to a real one. Debut author Light sprinkles in just enough charm and good-natured romance as the narrative bounces between Brett's and Becca's perspectives to keep readers engaged but not overwhelmed by twee sentiment. Becca is a much better developed character than Brett (handsome yet doofy, he has the complexity of a golden retriever), and her chapters are the novel's highlights. Brett's whole deal is a bigger pill to swallow, but readers who go with it will find a pleasant story. The novel is a syrupy ode to what it feels like to slowly fall for someone for the first time, and that mood is captured effectively. Becca and Brett have chemistry that feels completely natural, but sadly there are some late-in-the-game plot mechanics that feel forced. Fortunately, the author seems as uninterested in these disruptions as readers will be: Things are resolved quickly, and the novel ends on a high note. Whiteness is situated as the norm; main characters are white.

A successful romantic enterprise. (Romance. 12-16)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940173701015
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	02/18/2020
Edition description:	Unabridged

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