After the Fall

by Kate Hart

[Leah]

I have no idea where to start with this book. Honestly? It just wasn't my kind of book. The whole YA trope of the MC being irresistible to all who see her is exhausting, how convenient that Carson, Matt & Andrew all fell under Raychel's spell (and that's before we get into what Carson did which was disgusting and I kinda go back & forth how Raychel got herself into that position the second time? Even though she knew what he did the first time? But I don't want to be accused of blaming her, because I don't and I kinda wish there'd been more repercussion to it for Carson, because it was all very blase and glazed over, imo). How absolutely stupid of Raychel to fall for Andrew, and think it's okay to not tell her best friend - and Andrew's brother - that they're together because it's "not his business". Lol say what? If Raychel and Matt's friendship was as good as they both say, then you tell your best friend everything (although I do debate how real their friendship was - it seemed lopsided to me, but more on that later) and not only that, but they're brothers for Christ sake, so why keep it a secret? Why make it something bigger than it needs to be, especially considering what it lead to? You're just asking for trouble. Trouble that could have been so easily avoided.

Back to the lopsided "friendship". It was hopelessly lopsided and I kind of feel like Matt felt more for Raychel than Raychel could ever feel for Matt (although she said that if he'd confessed his feelings at 15 she'd be all for it? But that was never touched on again, that there *were* feelings there, that magically disappeared with no explanation), it was like she used him as a crutch, not a friend. You don't blow up at your friend constantly, because he might not say what you like, and Raychel blew up at Matt three or four times prior to the accident, and I never really understood why - and I felt for Matt. Was Matt perfect? No. Not at all. But Raychel treated him so poorly - as did Andrew. There wasn't any need, and here's the thing: when you have a friend and you also have a sibling, if the friend and sibling become friends, you get jealous. That's just how it works because siblings can be infuriating, and to see your friend slip away to someone else, is hard to take, and that's why I can sympathise with Matt. When you only have one real friend and you feel like you're losing them, you don't always act rationally. You get jealous, maybe a bit mean, and Raychel never even considered that. Matt was selfish absolutely, but I 100% see where he was coming from.

Honestly, the synopsis (especially this one on GoodReads "Raychel is sleeping with two brothers") really tells me that this wasn't going to be my kind of book. It's a shame, but I honestly couldn't warm to Raychel, she just had this Jekyll & Hyde personality and it was kinda like you have to walk on eggshells all the damn time, to keep her happy or she'd explode.

The only good thing in the book was Dr & Mrs R, the most awesome, kind parents you could imagine! People will love the book I'm sure, I'm just not a love triangle fan in the first place, never mind when two brothers are involved.