We Could Fall

Rarely have I encountered and read a book which gets into the minds and hearts of the characters as well as this one. I am in awe of the author's skill in laying out an intricate and sensitive plot in which the characters are likable in spite of their obvious flaws.

The character of Jack, the husband, is well drawn and strangely sympathetic when the back story reveals that he and Emmy have been trapped by their circumstances when they were too young to cope.That Jacks' solution and the result forces Emmy stand up for herself and fight for her marriage made me hate Jack for bailing out in such a manner - no spoilers!

However, in spite of the bad light in which this places Jack, the situation has resolved itself by the time we meet the couple and the gorgeous, supposedly laid-back Duncan Grier. Duncan has his own demons to put to rest, not the least of which is the restriction he feels in his personal, social and professional life. Wanting to break out of the mold into which he has settled is bringing Duncan's past to light, something with which he cannot cope without help - Emmy's help.

The ending, where Emmy makes her choice, is dramatic and ultimately satisfying :)

I couldn't put this novel down and would love to read more by this author.

Congratulations, and very well done indeed!!!

This is the most useful question in the psychotherapist's toolkit and it certainly comes into its own here. Emmy's life changes when she is asked by an old friend to take on a new client, the famous movie star, Duncan Grier. Emmy's marriage is in a precarious position: years earlier, her husband had a child with another woman. They have three children of their own and Emmy has stayed with Jack for the sake of the family. Now she feels it could be time to move on. Will Duncan be the spur that's needed to finally make that decision? The chemistry between them certainly leads us to think so.

It's an interesting story line but this novel could have been much improved by reducing the length by at least a hundred pages; cutting out all the exposition would be a good place to start. Also I found that the early scenes when Emmy first starts counselling Duncan were unrealistic and unprofessional. There was an opportunity here to ratchet up their attraction to one another in a far more subtle - and therefore more thrilling - way. Kate Moschandreas would benefit from a good editor but this is a promising debut. 3.5*

*I received a free copy of this book for review*

We Could Fall is a story about a woman in transition. At 40-something years old, psychiatrist Emmy Halperin is at a crossroads. Her last child has just left for college, and Emmy is deciding if she should finally end her unfulfilling (albeit complicated) marriage to her disagreeable husband, Jack. Enter Duncan Grier, a charming and misunderstood Hollywood heartthrob who suddenly and unexpectedly requests Emmy to be his counselor for a few weeks of intensive therapy while he shoots his latest movie.

I knew I was going to like this book pretty much immediately. We Could Fall is quirky and unique, but believable. Moschandreas delivers great dialogue and interesting, complicated characters. I was especially impressed that she was able to make the "dreamy movie star" so complex and relatable. She didn't romanticize him as much as I thought she was going to, and I appreciated that. The book is a bit long, but I was never bored. There were a few scenes here and there that could have been edited, but, overall, there was a really nice pace to the story.

I do have one complaint. I am not a psychiatrist, but I do have a Master's in Social Work. I can say unequivocally that Emmy violates some MAJOR ethical rules in her relationship with Duncan Grier. I mean, we are talking "kiss my career goodbye" type violations. It is one of the first big rules that you learn in school: DO NOT act on romantic feelings for clients. If you feel yourself going somewhere emotionally that you shouldn't be, stop! Talk to a supervisor or coworker, try to process your feelings and get in a better place. And if that doesn't work, refer the client to someone else--like, STAT. The potential consequences of romanticizing the therapist-client relationship are just way too great. So while I knew I was supposed to side with Emmy and wish for her happiness, etc., etc., I just couldn't. Not completely anyway.

Regardless, I did really enjoy reading this book. If you can get past the ethical violations, We Could Fall is actually a very smart, fun read.

This was a really great book. I was contacted about reviewing it so Id likely never have found it, and that is sad!! It was really an extremely well written book. I was immediately captivated by the story and the characters in this book.

The story centers around Emmy. a psychologist / therapist who recently acquires a new patient from an old college friend. Emmy is at her own crossroads in life. With the last of her three children now out of the house and off to college, Emmy and her husband have some choices to make. They have had a plan for when all the children move out. However, they both are reluctant to take that plunge.

With Emmys new patient, Duncan a mega star actor, Emmy is forced to look more in depth at her own life and what it is that she wants from it. Duncan has long held on to a secret that has haunted him his whole life and that has made him try to escape the monster he believes himself to be.

With Emmy's help Duncan gets some closure on some of the issues that have plagued him throughout his life and kept him from moving forward yet his closeness with Emmy has sparked a desire for things he's never wanted before. But with Emmy in a committed marriage, it seems he may be setting himself up for failure.

The two of them come face to face with some issues they've long been burying and the people around them are forced to look inside their own lives...

This really was a great story, it kept my attention throughout. It wasn't what I would call a "Gripping Psychological Thriller", but it was a really great story. I def would recommend it for those looking for a good book to curl up and read!

This is a very interesting book. I'm not sure it totally convinced me in terms of the love angle. I also don't care much when the use of many point of view characters seems excessive, but that's my personal prejudice. However, the development of the family dynamics and the way the past invaded the present was fascinating, and I recommend reading this book.

This beautifully written debut novel was highly recommended by author Natasha Boyd and I'm so glad I read it. I don't want to give too much away, but I'm happy with the ending and hope to see more from this author.

This is an engrossing and empathetic book about a woman who is forced to confront the unhappiness and distance in her marriage when she finds herself falling in love with another man. It's at once a moving and passionate love story and an unflinching look at the gradual collapse of the protagonist's carefully constructed, emotionally guarded life. Moschandreas's dialogue is natural and beautifully written, and the characters are deeply relatable. I truly loved it.

Wow, what a book! And a first novel....this is one of the most comprehensive character studies you could hope to find in contemporary fiction. It moved evenly, and solidly through out the book. I never felt a lull from beginning to end. I highly recommend "We Could Fall" and I'm eagerly waiting for Moschandreas' next book.

This is simply the most romantic book I've read in years! I was hooked from the very first page -- and put aside nearly everything I had to do for the next day and a half so that I could devote myself entirely to it. The story is beautifully told; the narration so sympathetic that I really felt I could understand -- and appreciate -- each character's conflict. The author creates this really intense world full of real people and real feeling -- and so even as I wanted to rush to the conclusion, I so enjoyed living in the drama as it unfolded and in the hearts and minds of each of the characters. It's a fabulous debut! Can't wait to read the sequel????

Very thought provoking story. Tough Decisions you make for the happiness of your family but at the cost of your own happiness and sanity. Could you stay? Would you stay? I couldn't put the book down.

I first want to say I could not put this book down. I immediately identified with the main character and her indecisiveness about her marriage. To be on the fence over love is something my friends and I talk about often. At points I wished I were her! The writer had an unbelievable insight into women's struggles with balancing motherhood, work, and their love relationships. A must read!!! She's an incredible writer and I can't wait for her second book!!

This novel has it all: a compelling story that I didn't want to put down, well-developed characters I could relate to, and strong, emotionally-insightful writing. Kate Moschandreas skillfully impels readers to deeply understand and have compassion for all sides of this complicated struggle of love, obligation, commitment, and connections old and new.

Unexpectedly good read!
Received as a gift. Had no idea what to expect--a nice surprise! Interesting insights on marriage and what makes people happy in mid-life. Was really impressed by the writing of a first time author. Characters were completely engaging and complex. Enjoyed getting to know them.

Thoughtful and enjoyable. The characters are deeply real and the story is fun and keeps you on the edge of your seat. This is a light but also intelligent page-turner about finding true love and happiness!

There is something for everyone in Kate Moschandreas' wonderful book. Readers who are stuck in a loveless marriage or relationship will see themselves in the characters. Maybe they will confront their own behavior and get "unstuck." Frail readers who had a difficult childhood will relate to the characters and perhaps see that life still can be good. Readers who want a good love story with all its challenges and complexities will find it here. Readers who just want a good story will find that they care about the characters and need to read on to find out what happens to them. All readers will be impressed with the clarity and sophistication of the sentences that tell that story.

There is something for everyone in Kate Moschandreas' wonderful book. Readers who are stuck in a loveless marriage or relationship will see themselves in the characters. Maybe they will confront their own behavior and get "unstuck." Frail readers who had a difficult childhood will relate to the characters and perhaps see that life still can be good. Readers who want a good love story with all its challenges and complexities will find it here. Readers who just want a good story will find that they care about the characters and need to read on to find out what happens to them. All readers will be impressed with the clarity and sophistication of the sentences that tell that story.

Sophisticated romance meets psychologically smart writing. Loved this book! I was pulled into the story on page one, and propelled by Emmy's erotic & existential suspense till the end. Will awaken personal passion & insight in equal measure--must read!

I downloaded this free book after reading all the rave reviews. I quit for two reasons. The first is I resent too many uses of the same profanity. The second is that I could see where the storyline was headed. I believe that although Emily was unhappily married,it appears she may begin a relationship with her handsome patient. I didn't read enough to make that judgement, but again, couldn't get past the continued "bad word" to find out.