The Upside of Falling Down

by Rebekah Crane

Overview

For Clementine Haas, finding herself is more than a nice idea. Ever since she woke up in an Irish hospital with complete amnesia, self-discovery has become her mission.

They tell her she’s the lone survivor of a plane crash. They tell her she’s lucky to be alive. But she doesn’t feel lucky. She feels…lost.

With the relentless Irish press bearing down on her, and a father she may not even recognize on his way from America to take her home, Clementine assumes a new identity and enlists a blue-eyed Irish stranger, Kieran O’Connell, to help her escape her forgotten life…and start a new one.

Hiding out in the sleepy town of Waterville, Ireland, Clementine discovers there’s an upside to a life that’s fallen apart. But as her lies grow, so does her affection for Kieran, and the truth about her identity becomes harder and harder to reveal, forcing Clementine to decide: Can she leave her past behind for a new love she’ll never forget?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781612187228
Publisher:	Amazon Publishing
Publication date:	01/30/2018
Pages:	252
Sales rank:	413,067
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.10(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	14 - 17 Years

About the Author

Rebekah Crane is the author of The Odds of Loving Grover Cleveland and other young-adult novels. She found a passion for this genre while studying secondary English education at Ohio University. She is a former high school English teacher, a yoga instructor, and the mother of two girls. After living and teaching in six different cities, Rebekah finally settled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains to write novels and work on screenplays. She now spends her days tucked behind a laptop at seventy-five hundred feet, where the altitude only enhances the writing experience.

Editorial Reviews

11/13/2017
Clementine Haas is the sole survivor of a plane crash outside of Shannon, Ireland. Having developed amnesia, Teeny (the 18-year-old’s childhood nickname) panics when she realizes that she can’t remember anything about her life before the accident. After meeting college student and reluctant rich kid Kieran O’Connell in the hospital courtyard, she dares him to take her away for a few days, hoping to avoid the media and the father she can’t remember, who is on his way to retrieve her. Surprisingly, he agrees. Now calling herself, Jane, she moves into the home Kieran shares with his pregnant twin sister, Siobhan. Slowly, Teeny and Kieran begin to fall for each other, but she is haunted by the fragmented memories of her old life. Crane (The Odds of Loving Grover Cleveland) writes a predictable but appealing love story that provides romantics with many swoon-worthy moments. While much of the charm relies on the Irish setting and the brooding good looks and lilting brogue of leading man Kieran, impulsive and spirited Teeny is equally enjoyable. Ages 14–up. Agent: Renee Nyen, KT Literary. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

[An] appealing love story that provides romantics with many swoon-worthy moments.” —Publishers Weekly

“Using the device of Clementine’s amnesia, Crane explores themes of freedom and self-determination…Readers will respond to [Clementine’s] testing of new waters. A light exploration of existential themes.” —Kirkus Reviews

“[R]eaders glimpse a new side of Ireland. Clementine is a resilient heroine…The book ultimately rewards…” —Booklist

“This quickly paced work will be enjoyed by teens interested in independence, love, self-discovery, and drama.” —School Library Journal

“Crane’s contemporary YA offers a light take on heavy issues…a charming Irish setting with a sweet romance and brooding hero…” —RT Book Reviews

“Themes of identity, free will, and self-determination pervade the story. The setting in lush and beautiful Ireland adds charm to the tale as does the romantic brogue of the leading man. The final, unexpected plot twist also helps the story achieve its fresh and appealing quality. Teens who like romance, mystery, and a strong-willed female will like this quick, enjoyable read.” —VOYA

“The Upside of Falling Down is a sweet, funny love story that YA readers will fall for.” —HelloGiggles

“First love, starting over, finding herself—the story is hopeful and romantic.” —Denver Life

“…A short, sweet romance…The characters were fun. The pacing and writing were great. The plot was interesting, and the setting was beautiful and lush. If you’re looking for a cute romance, try this!” —Night Owl Reviews (Top Pick)

“I’m not the least surprised that Rebekah Crane has written yet another book that I’ve wholly adored, and The Upside of Falling Down may be my favorite yet. Written with Rebekah’s unstoppable mix of sharp humor, detailed characters, and all-around charm, this story delivers a fresh and enticing take on first love—and one that will leave readers swooning.” —Jessica Park, author of 180 Seconds

From the Publisher

12/01/2017
Gr 9 Up—Waking up in an Irish hospital, Clementine Haas has no idea why she's there. She is informed that she's an 18-year-old from Ohio and the lone survivor of a plane crash. Clementine has total amnesia. During her brief stay in the hospital, the protagonist meets a handsome stranger in the courtyard. Her father has come to fetch her from the hospital but Clementine, too scared to face the life she doesn't remember, convinces the handsome stranger Kieran to take her away. She needs a chance to find herself and to hopefully figure out why she has a green heart tattoo on her foot that disgusts her. The story that follows is of Clementine's slow self-discovery, Kieran's mysterious reticence, and a lot of attitude from Kieran's pregnant twin sister, Siobhan. Clementine uses this experience to teach herself and those around her to embrace the life one has. The teen doesn't want to live recklessly, but does want to live the life she chooses on her own terms. VERDICT This quickly paced work will be enjoyed by teens interested in independence, love, self-discovery, and drama. A good choice for most YA shelves.—Sara Jurek, Children's English Library, Stuttgart, Germany

School Library Journal

2017-10-30
When Clementine Haas wakes up in a hospital, she has no recollection of the past 18 years of her life, let alone why she's there. The white teenager is horrified to learn she is the lone survivor of a terrible plane crash in Ireland. When her father arrives from America, she feels nothing and runs away. She doesn't know if she's trying to find or lose Clementine, but she can't stay in that hospital any longer, disappointing everyone by not remembering. She dares 20-year-old Irishman Kieran O'Connell to get her away from the hospital, and he takes her to the small village of Waterville, where Clementine is able to relax and slowly try to figure out who she is. Clementine meets Kieran's pregnant twin sister, Siobhan, and Clive, a bisexual man with a mohawk who owns a used book and record store (and who offers the only diversity in the book other than Stephen, a gay, Jewish nurse). Unsurprisingly, she falls head over heels in love with Kieran, feeling an overpowering connection with him. Using the device of Clementine's amnesia, Crane explores themes of freedom and self-determination. Her freedom to remake herself in Waterville begins with a purple dye job and a fake name but doesn't end there; readers will respond to her testing of new waters.A light exploration of existential themes. (Fiction. 14-18)

Kirkus Reviews

Alana Kerr Collins’s narration is formal and fitting for an American who has woken up in an Irish hospital with amnesia and finds herself a stranger even to herself. Eighteen-year-old Clementine has no memory after being the sole survivor of a plane crash. She can’t fathom seeing her father, whom she can’t remember, so she assumes a new identity, fleeing the hospital with Kieran, a friendly local man. Collins transitions well between American and Irish accents, faltering only a few times near the end. The tone of Kieran’s sister is biting as she makes no attempt to hide her contempt for her new flatmate, in stark contrast to the friendly shop owner who befriends Clementine and gabs affectionately with her. A.L.C. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine

APRIL 2018 - AudioFile