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missmary98's review
4.0
MY GOODNESS. THAT WAS A ROLLERCOASTER OF EMOTIONS. Good book. I learnt a lot about leukaemia and bone marrow transplants and what not. Also, NEW ZEALAND BOOK. YES. I really need to look at the shortlists for NZ book awards more often.
officialaelinxx's review
5.0
Since I have not personally suffered with a sickness as dire as cancer, reading about a girl who has gone through it not once but three times, has been an experience that I will never forget. Both Alex and Jamie kick off their bonding session over a book called 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami. This love for books grows into a connection over music they relate to which seems to give the book more life and beauty as the reader can search up the song and listen to it during the scene that is playing out. I found myself rooting for Alex to survive, despite the terrifying odds, and relating more-or-less to Jamie with his bipolar disorder, as it is one of the two major categories of manic depression.
Read my full review on my blog here: https://wordsofeuphoricnostalgia.blogspot.co.nz/2018/05/catch-me-when-you-fall-by-eileen.html
Read my full review on my blog here: https://wordsofeuphoricnostalgia.blogspot.co.nz/2018/05/catch-me-when-you-fall-by-eileen.html
yophiayad's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
i love it.
it’s a bit goof goof tho.
idk how to explain…
it’s a bit goof goof tho.
idk how to explain…
bella2382's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
ceridwyn's review
3.0
So. Much. Drama. Well executed teenage romance with both protagonists realistically self-centred and histrionic. Both their situations deserve the drama and it was clear to me that the author was a thoughtful medical professional. 3.5 stars rounded down for the ending.
sarahoretsev's review
3.0
A YA book set in New Zealand. I mean c'mon. This was never going to be anything but a success with me was it.
Alex was a narrator I immediately slipped into the mind of; I found Merriman's teenage narration very realistic and accessible. All of the medical descriptions made it abundantly clear Merriman has previously worked in that area, as this is one of the most medically detailed books I've ever read. Not that that's a bad or good thing, really, it's just a comment. The book this immediately reminded me of is 'The Fault In Our Stars', given the teenage cancer theme, and the medical detail in this vs TFIOS is far more recurring. As I said, that's not a 'this is good/bad' as a comment, it's just something I noticed. I think it definitely added to the novel.
I mean, it follows a very straightforward structure of two young people meet in extreme circumstances and proceed to fall in love despite those circumstances. It's a trope overdone to death yet also a trope everyone runs back to time and time again. And Merriman definitely makes it work.
However, I did have a couple of issues; and honestly, I don't actually think this is Merriman's writing so much as just my personal preferences within stories.
Alex and Jamie fell in love so so fast. Alex herself says it is four days. I am just... not a fan of instalove as a thing, at all. Not that everyone needs the Ron-Hermione long drawn out SEVEN YEARS OF WAITING thing, but at least give the characters more than a week to figure out their feelings for each other? Surely? As I said, that's a personal preference for me, but I just find it very difficult to emotionally connect to relationships if there hasn't been the time frame for me to become invested in it. To be fair, this may also be because I just... didn't connect to Jamie as a character enough to care. And whilst I understand the nickname due to the running joke of Schrodinger's cat, if my boyfriend called me puss-cat as a nickname I would simultaneously whack him and vomit in his face.
Additionally, another peeve of mine is when friends are abandoned for a relationship. Alex and Nicole's friendship is clearly something really important to Alex, and she herself comments she's abandoning Nicole somewhat, but does nothing about it? I really really felt for Nicole there. If my best friend was potentially dying and she dropped updating me or wanting to talk to me in favour of a boy who'd been around two weeks, I would be beyond frustrated. And Alex doesn't seem to get that.
The ending also felt very rushed to me. Alex's last chapter is her basically accepting she's dying, then next thing we know she's survived, and on the beach with Jamie. I was like 'what, how did that happen' and left me rifling through the chapter from Jamie's POV very very confused.
But yeah apart from that, a sweet fast read that I did enjoy.
Alex was a narrator I immediately slipped into the mind of; I found Merriman's teenage narration very realistic and accessible. All of the medical descriptions made it abundantly clear Merriman has previously worked in that area, as this is one of the most medically detailed books I've ever read. Not that that's a bad or good thing, really, it's just a comment. The book this immediately reminded me of is 'The Fault In Our Stars', given the teenage cancer theme, and the medical detail in this vs TFIOS is far more recurring. As I said, that's not a 'this is good/bad' as a comment, it's just something I noticed. I think it definitely added to the novel.
I mean, it follows a very straightforward structure of two young people meet in extreme circumstances and proceed to fall in love despite those circumstances. It's a trope overdone to death yet also a trope everyone runs back to time and time again. And Merriman definitely makes it work.
However, I did have a couple of issues; and honestly, I don't actually think this is Merriman's writing so much as just my personal preferences within stories.
Alex and Jamie fell in love so so fast. Alex herself says it is four days. I am just... not a fan of instalove as a thing, at all. Not that everyone needs the Ron-Hermione long drawn out SEVEN YEARS OF WAITING thing, but at least give the characters more than a week to figure out their feelings for each other? Surely? As I said, that's a personal preference for me, but I just find it very difficult to emotionally connect to relationships if there hasn't been the time frame for me to become invested in it. To be fair, this may also be because I just... didn't connect to Jamie as a character enough to care. And whilst I understand the nickname due to the running joke of Schrodinger's cat, if my boyfriend called me puss-cat as a nickname I would simultaneously whack him and vomit in his face.
Additionally, another peeve of mine is when friends are abandoned for a relationship. Alex and Nicole's friendship is clearly something really important to Alex, and she herself comments she's abandoning Nicole somewhat, but does nothing about it? I really really felt for Nicole there. If my best friend was potentially dying and she dropped updating me or wanting to talk to me in favour of a boy who'd been around two weeks, I would be beyond frustrated. And Alex doesn't seem to get that.
The ending also felt very rushed to me. Alex's last chapter is her basically accepting she's dying, then next thing we know she's survived, and on the beach with Jamie. I was like 'what, how did that happen' and left me rifling through the chapter from Jamie's POV very very confused.
But yeah apart from that, a sweet fast read that I did enjoy.
richellehewitt's review
5.0
Thank you Eileen Merriman for another wonderfully written book. When I heard this book had come out I was at the book store all ready to buy it.
What I love about this book (and her previous book) is that it is relatable and relevant. Everyone has known someone that has gone through something similar, Eileen helps you to understand their perspective. She has a way with words that envelops you into their lives and take you on their journey. I would definitely recommend this book! Can’t wait for the next one.
What I love about this book (and her previous book) is that it is relatable and relevant. Everyone has known someone that has gone through something similar, Eileen helps you to understand their perspective. She has a way with words that envelops you into their lives and take you on their journey. I would definitely recommend this book! Can’t wait for the next one.
readunderthestars23's review
4.0
I received a copy of Catch Me When You Fall from Penguin Random House New Zealand to review. This is the second book I've read by Merriman.
I'm going to just admit that I was expection someone to die when I started this. I have no idea why... I'm not going to spoil the book and say if I was right or not though. You'll have to read it to find out.
I did enjoy Catch Me When You Fall but there were some things, okay two things, that I found kind of weird. So Alex and Jamie became a couple pretty fast after only knowing each other like a week maybe? I think they had met in person twice? I don't know. And then there was the thing with sticking their fingers in each others belly buttons.. What the hell is that about? It was just so gross. Is it something new? No. I don't even want to know. Forget I asked. Moving on....
There was also something that started to annoy me about Alex and Jamie. The characters weren't annoying it was just the fact that they kept repeating the same things to each other. I'm not into romance and cheesy pet names which is why it probably started to get a bit much for me.
Aside from those things I did end up liking the book and I did like Alex, Jamie and their families. I also like that both Merriman's books that I've read have dealt with mental illness. I haven't read a lot of books with mental illness but I have liked the ones that I have read. I think mental health should be in more books and TV shows/movies.
Anyway, I felt really bad for Alex and Jamies and what they were both going through. And I loved that even though they had their own problems they tried their hardest to support each other. I actually liked Alex and Jamie together. Despite the weird belly button thing.
I hope Merriman is going to write more books. I'll definitely read them if she does. Plus, she's a New Zealand author and I also don't read a lot of local author's books.
I'm going to just admit that I was expection someone to die when I started this. I have no idea why... I'm not going to spoil the book and say if I was right or not though. You'll have to read it to find out.
I did enjoy Catch Me When You Fall but there were some things, okay two things, that I found kind of weird. So Alex and Jamie became a couple pretty fast after only knowing each other like a week maybe? I think they had met in person twice? I don't know. And then there was the thing with sticking their fingers in each others belly buttons.. What the hell is that about? It was just so gross. Is it something new? No. I don't even want to know. Forget I asked. Moving on....
There was also something that started to annoy me about Alex and Jamie. The characters weren't annoying it was just the fact that they kept repeating the same things to each other. I'm not into romance and cheesy pet names which is why it probably started to get a bit much for me.
Aside from those things I did end up liking the book and I did like Alex, Jamie and their families. I also like that both Merriman's books that I've read have dealt with mental illness. I haven't read a lot of books with mental illness but I have liked the ones that I have read. I think mental health should be in more books and TV shows/movies.
Anyway, I felt really bad for Alex and Jamies and what they were both going through. And I loved that even though they had their own problems they tried their hardest to support each other. I actually liked Alex and Jamie together. Despite the weird belly button thing.
I hope Merriman is going to write more books. I'll definitely read them if she does. Plus, she's a New Zealand author and I also don't read a lot of local author's books.