Eva and Angela must learn to live again. One step at a time. It has been fifteen months since Eva and Angela lost their thrill-seeking husbands in a scuba diving accident. Both women are trying to navigate their way through the grief, but neither one is making much progress. Angela is barely making ends meet, angry at her husband for leaving her to raise three children on her own. Meanwhile, Eva … Meanwhile, Eva is stuck, unable to move forward after losing the love of her life and her source of inspiration.
But then Eva gets a life-changing phone call. Before Brent and Wes died, they had signed up for a race of a lifetime–an ultra-marathon in beautiful New Zealand. Eva begs Angela to run the race with her in their husbands’ place, and Angela finally agrees, hoping to finally understand her husband’s choices.
Training is exhausting, and the race is even more demanding. Their journey grows more complicated by the presence of two men–Marc is Brent’s best friend who is running the race with Eva and Angela, and Simon King is a writer who is covering their inspiring story. With every step, Eva and Angela must ask themselves questions that they haven’t had the courage to ask before. As the women literally put one foot in front of the other, they wonder: Is it possible to find their way forward in hope?
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Thank you in advance to the publisher, Thomas Nelson/TNZ Fiction, and JustRead Publicity Tours for providing a complimentary UNCORRECTED advanced review copy. A positive review was not required. All words are my own.
As with most of the books here lately, Lindsay Harrel is a new-to-me author.
I was drawn to this book by not only the stunningly gorgeous scenic cover (looks like paradise), but the premise of the book. Two women – Eva and Angela – having been married to brothers, lose them in a diving accident some 15 months earlier.
Despite the fact they are sisters-in-law, they couldn’t be more different despite the shared grief. And, for most of the book, I despised Angela. While I completely felt sorry for her, I felt that her treatment of Eva was deplorable.
The idea of taking their husbands’ places in the Ultra-Marathon in New Zealand was, to me, a great idea and I wholeheartedly supported Eva. Angela’s reluctance was off-putting. I felt she was particularly selfish, which in a way affected her relationship with her 16 year old daughter, Kylee. Eva has no children because she and Brent thought they had time.
Angela had plans in college which were derailed by a pregnancy and marriage. Still, she tried to be grateful for the life she had and not the one she’d lost. At one point her aunt was going to drive her to get an abortion, which Angela refused.
Marc – Brent’s best friend – had missed that fateful diving trip, and was going to be part of the marathon. As they were going to go as a team – three have to go, or none.
Despite Eva’s offer to help, Angela turns her away. Finally, Angela gives in to do the marathon. But, her schedule doesn’t allow for training. This is where I admired Eva – she offers to pay for Angela, their mother-in-law, and Angela’s kids to move down to New Zealand to complete their training. This was something Eva didn’t have to do, and I admired her for doing it.
Angela also decides to go, hoping to understand why her husband wanted to engage in the risks – she often felt their family wasn’t “enough” for him. And, she is hoping that her mother-in-law is right in that to be a better mom for the kids, she has to heal herself. In this respect, I agree, given the issue she was having with her oldest daughter.
This novel highlights the fact that grief, even if shared, works differently. Angela was mad at Wes for “leaving” the family, where Eva feels like Brent was the world for her.
Things don’t seem to improve with the relocation – Angela is still trying to maintain control, even when Eva plans a fun outing with a zip line.
Even as of chapter 22, the two women are still a mess. Eva is starting to fall for Marc, while Angela is getting close to Simon who is covering their story.
By chapter 27, Angela starts to soften up and becomes a truly likeable character, lighter and less controlling. It is actually her strength and tenacity that pulls the team together during the marathon which is plagued by issues. She becomes the “never-give-up” fighter of the trio, even becoming a true sister to Eva. Even when Eva is injured, Angela refuses to leave the team behind, or quit. And, it is Angela who gives Eva a push towards Marc.
What starts off as a way to honor their husbands, both Eva and Angela become closer and discover that joy is found in the journey. Both women are fighting for a new life that doesn’t completely leave the past too far behind them. That is part of Eva’s problem – she doesn’t want to leave her husband behind.
“The Joy of Falling” is not about moving on from grief, but moving past it. Grief is different for everyone and it can’t be compared. The days get better and fewer sad moments are there. It explores the idea that pain and beauty can inspire us to bloom again.
The title comes from a post-marathon “bucket list” item – parachuting out of a plane. Angela begins to find the “joy in falling”, while trusting God to catch her. This is a beautiful sentiment and moment, particularly in today’s time.
Distributed by the Christian division of Harper Collins – Thomas Nelson/TNZ Fiction – this has some elements of faith. While there are no sermons, visits to church, or even biblical passages/scripture – this does have references to God and his will, trusting him. It is also a clean read – no sex, no violence, and no obscene/questionable language.
Beautiful, frustrating, cathartic, and poignant – I had a hard time putting this beautifully written novel down. As I was in the middle of CampNaNoWriMo, I have been reading slower than normal.
Such a lovely story about going on with life in the middle of grief, about moving on and looking for joy after losing a spouse.
To this point, I’ve read and thoroughly enjoyed all of Lindsay Harrel’s books.
Each one deals with grief, loss, or some kind of heartache. She has a way with words that draws me in, makes me feel what the characters are experiencing.
Various times as I was reading, I had tears running down my cheeks. Even though I haven’t experienced grief to the point that Angela, Eva, and Sherry faced, I could imagine what it must feel like, and I empathized for them, and with anyone who goes through similar hard things.
Eva learns about a major race that her husband and his brother had signed up to participate in. After her sister in law Angela begrudgingly agrees to go, the real fun begins. Training. Working together. Reaching out. Grieving. Letting go. Honesty. Love. All of these and more come together to create the lovely threads of this story.
Especially for someone who has experienced deep grief, I think this story could be very relevant. (because I haven’t been there, I don’t know exactly what to say as far as triggers…it could be there are things written here that might cause some, so just a word of caution)
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
“But when you’re worried about the future. . . trust that God has something wonderful planned, even if our definition of ‘wonderful’ might not be the same as his.”
With dual settings in New York and New Zealand, Lindsay Harrel has deftly woven an emotional, poignant, and ultimately uplifting story of overcoming and pressing on in the face of adversity and grief. Populated with realistic, emotionally layered characters, The Joy of Falling is a journey of hope, healing, and courage. Although I’ve never understood how running can be enjoyable, I did enjoy reading about Eva and Angela’s courage to tackle a grueling ultramarathon in New Zealand in honor of their deceased husbands. The growth in their relationship and in their outlooks was inspiring to see. Added to the racing mix, Eva’s friend Marc and writer Simon King are there to add a few sparks to the story.
I enjoy Harrel’s writing style. Her stories are well-written and brimming with emotion and adventure with the added bonus of uplifting inspiration woven seamlessly into them. This book has definitely earned a place on my keeper shelf with her other books. 4.5 stars
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
A book that has so much emotion…and has my mind spinning. Books that make me think about life,and how a God wants us to live it…books that make me introspective are usually the five star reads for me. This gets those stars because I’m going to be thinking about this one for a while!
The three main characters are really well done. The book goes back and forth between the two sisters-in-law’s point-of-view. I really liked that because it gives an insight into two people both experiencing the loss of a husband, but even they do not understand each other as they walk through the emotions of it.
The plot is an interesting one, and I loved running back when I could. The place is unique, and I enjoyed that. For me,though, it was the characters that kept me turning the pages.
The shared mother-in-law was a source and pretty much the source for the faith theme.There were some great quotes from her that really make the reader think about their standing before God and how we think about Him.
So in the end with my connections felt to the characters…and the faith thread that brought a lot of thought about God, His ways, and learning from them, this book makes my forever shelves. It also receives the very rare five stars from me.
I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Wow! Wow! Wow! I’m speechless and feel like my review can never do this one justice. We all grieve differently and there is no right or wrong way, but this is an eye opener to how our grief affects everyone around us. The characters are so identifiable and feel like old friends when you are finished. I loved the flow of the words and how they spoke to my soul. This shows how if we dig deep and find our inner strength that comes from God we can become stronger in our faith, our family, our friendships, and maybe open our hearts to find love again. Facing truth is hard but healing comes from being honest with ourselves and letting go of the hurts we carry deep inside. Ms. Harrell creates magic when she sets pen to paper. This is a must read and goes on my top books to read list this year.
I received a complimentary copy from the author/publisher. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
Journey around the planet sparks spiritual healing: moving tale of grief & recovery
4-4.5stars. #TheJoyOfFalling #NetGalley
I have to admit that the New Zealand setting of the bulk of this novel first attracted me. In fact, the gorgeous South Island scenery is a prominent element of Eva and Angela’s story and totally lived up to my expectations. It brought back some fond memories of my own brief summer visit to Wanaka, Arrowtown and Queenstown.
But the heart of this story was so much more. Suffering bereavement of a partner and learning to surmount the grief and find purpose in an altered existence drove Eva and eventually brought her closer to Angela, her sister-in-law and fellow widow. They began their journey from very different perspectives and, in the course of their New Zealand adventure, came together in their determination to accomplish a daunting athletic feat. Along the way they discover new romance and agonize over the fears, rights and wrongs of moving on to a future that does not center around their dead husbands and the life interrupted by their sudden demise. Heavy stuff, but told in a sensitive and realistic manner.
I am happy that the New Zealand connection drew me to Lindsay Harrel’s novel. It was not a quick read for me, but the inspirational and transformational aspects combined with a wonderfully hopeful ending made it a great read.
Thanks to publisher Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review and opinions expressed are completely my own.
With wonderful descriptive writing, Lindsay Harrel transports the reader from New York to New Zealand and back. Along the way, two young widows learn about their own grieving process and discovering their new normal. While training for and participating in an ultra-marathon, these characters learn lessons about themselves, their relationships and life in general. As they work through their questions, confusion and anger, their hearts are strengthened, as well as, their faith. With interesting characters and a moving story, this book is sure to gently encourage anyone who has to work through loss. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
This is an insightful story of how we confront grief, working through the gamut of emotions that follow, in different, personal ways.
Ms Harrel pens a beautiful story of two women who choose to run an ultra-marathon in memory of their husbands in the beautiful setting of New Zealand. I love that the author gives us two strong heroines who are so very vulnerable. As each works through their unresolved emotions, they find a buried strength that allows them to face the future. Harrel writes a story of breaking free from the past, facing fears, learning to dream and finding the joy amidst the mountains and valleys. There are so many nuggets of wisdom shared by the supporting cast of characters.
A couple of my favorite quotes:
“…happiness and joy aren’t the same thing, and that joy is found in trusting God, even when life is at its worse.”
“Is it possible to allow all the pain and the beauty in life to inspire you? To allow God to inspire you-not just to create, but to live?”
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are mine.
This is one of the best fictional books covering grief that I have ever read. By having two main characters deal with a similar loss, they did not handle their sadness in the same way. Their life circumstances had something to do with that. Actually the minor characters dealt with grief of their own too. I think what was the best part is that it was apparent that mourning takes time. This is good reminder for me as I have a few friends who are dealing with tragic circumstances. Loving them through that is not an overnight experience. While most of us may not bear loss as a result of a dramatic event, we will all go through hard times. How we handle that will look different than how others deal.
But this is NOT just a book about sadness. Instead it is a book about moving past the point of grief. The author handled that well also. Characters found redemption by working toward a goal. That event caused them both to reignite faith which is ultimately how they survived. God strengthened them and led them toward healing in their own unique ways..
Certain parts of the book are still predictable, but I found a comfort in that. I think the characters were real and convincing. While getting through this book without any tears may not happen, when you finish, you leave with a sense of hope. I do highly recommend this book. Thanks to Net Galley and HarperCollins for letting me read an advanced copy – all opinions are my own!
P.S. The setting alone makes this book a “must read!”
Trusting God to catch you . . . that’s what life was really about.
– Angela
When I started this book, I knew I would not put it down until I was done reading. 10pm to 6am the next day was how long it took me.
Lindsay Harrel captivated me with her magnificent and beautiful story telling in this book. Written from Eva and Angela’s point of view, I was drawn into their world’s of pain, grief, losses, triumphs and love and second chances. Their pathways in dealing with the grief of loosing thier husbands was similar yet unique. They needed each other and they have become my best fictional sister-in-laws.
Their individual strengths and tenacity to face each day despite all that was waring inside of them was the most admirable and enjoyable part of reading this book.
The battles they won were not external but internal battles of seeing past the grief and into the beautiful life God has for them.
I loved reading about how they conquered with God on their side and supporting each other.
This story will warm your heart and bring tears to your eyes leaving one with a message that God is never far from the brokenhearted and second chances abound in Him.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
The Joy of Falling is the story of Eva, Angela, and their families as they try and survive and eventually thrive after the loss of Eva and Angela’s husbands in a diving accident. The death of the brothers impacts Eva and Angela, their MIL, Angela’s kids, and best friend and business partner Marc. Told with remarkable insight, their stories are woven together and show some of the many ways people grieve. Grief is a journey. One must process and move through it in their own way and it is so different for each person as is shown in this book. But, this book is about so much more than just the “grief journey”! This book is about surviving, thriving, and moving forward while still honoring the past. It is inspiring showing the shear grit and determination, bravery, and strength of Eva and Angela beyond what they thought they would ever be capable of!
I love this quote, as a widow, it really spoke to my heart…
“But when you’re worried about the future…trust that God has something wonderful planned even if our definition of “wonderful” might not be the same as his.”
10ish years ago, my definition of wonderful was much different. How I envisioned my future was much different. But, even though this is not the wonderful I saw for myself, I have grown into a place of wonderful I never could have imagined. And, I am open to the wonderful changes and surprises that God has in store for me moving forward
Lindsay Harrel writes this in the author notes:
“Grief – whether the loss of a person, a dream, a relationship, or something else entirely – is extremely personal to everyone who experiences it.”
So true!
Lindsay has quickly become one of my favorite authors and I was honored to be allowed to read this book in exchange for my honest review! I’m already looking forward to her next book…whatever it is, I know I will love it!
#MakeEveryMomentCount
#MyBookishLife
What an emotional ride you will take when you open the book and find yourself drawn into the story. The author does a wonderful job of developing the characters and making you care deeply about their grief. The sisters-in-law are very different in many ways … their personalities, their individual marital relationships, the way they deal with grief, their financial situation.
So this is not only a journey in the form of an ultramarathon, but also a journey they take to honor the memory of their husbands will force them to take a hard look at what they expect from life and a self discovery of love, hope, forgiveness, and grace.
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson Publishers, and the author for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Lindsay Harrel writes a story that reaches into my soul and makes me examine emotions that touch my heart deeply.
Sometimes you wonder if a favorite author can top her last book. This author did just that. She captured the grief process for the two women, life issues and wrapped it all up with a bow of conquering something together.
I related so much to Angela in this story, especially with her early struggles with running. Romance is not the focus of this novel, but there is hints of it all throughout. The theme would be healing, forgiveness and changing oneself.
If you have been looking for a book that will touch your heart for 2020, this is the book for you. It is such a beautifully told story, plus, you can almost hear the accents as you read it since part of it is set in New Zealand.
I obtained this book from the publisher. All opinions contained herein are my own.
I absolutely loved this uplifting novel by Ms. Harrel! The Joy of Falling pretty much describes this book in as few of words as possible. The growth of the characters throughout the book was amazing and encouraging. If you are looking for a book that will uplift and inspire you, then this is the book for you. I have been reading Ms. Harrel since her debut and am loving anything she writes. In this book, two widows of brothers are finding life is difficult after the loss of their husbands. This book examines their journey as they walk through this time. Eva gets a life changing phone call about an ultra-marathon in New Zealand that her husband had signed up to compete in as a team. Due to their deaths, Eva and Angela are able to substitute in for their husbands. This story will inspire you through a story of hope and not losing sight of your true self. I highly recommend this book and know that you will not be disappointed to read it! I look forward to her next release!
***I was given a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest opinion. Even though I received this copy free, this is my own opinion.
This was a beautiful story of loss and how we move forward from it. Lindsay Harrel did a great job of showing how grief is different for each person. While the women in the story were dealing specifically with the loss of their husbands, the lessons Harrel provides can be applied to any loss (and even loss that isn’t a person… the loss of a dream for instance). I found myself cheering on Angela and Eva as they trained for their race. This book inspired me to get out there and run even though I’ve already learned from having trained for and run a half-marathon that I abhor running. LOL The setting was stunning and I felt like I was there with them. I found myself growing irritated with both women at times in how they were not opening up, but quickly realized that I was irritated because I have done the same when dealing with loss. I would recommend this to anyone who is dealing with loss and is struggling with how to move forward from it, as well as to those looking to learn how to help others in their grief.
I received a complementary copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed herein are my own.