kellym_16829's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
dhs4au's review
4.0
I don't usually write reviews but I really hope more people will read this book! I finished it in one night and an hour this morning.
Being the daughter of a NASA engineer who helped in the "Space Race" I was naturally drawn to this time period and story line. I loved the characters and how they worked on finding their own way together. It was totally worth the price (although I wish it was KU!) Give it a whirl I don't think you will regret it.
Being the daughter of a NASA engineer who helped in the "Space Race" I was naturally drawn to this time period and story line. I loved the characters and how they worked on finding their own way together. It was totally worth the price (although I wish it was KU!) Give it a whirl I don't think you will regret it.
sungmemoonstruck's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I'm such a big fan of this series and it saddens me to know that I only have one book left. It's evident how much research goes into each one of these but it all feels very naturally woven in and there's such a great sense of time and place, as Barry and Turner show women fighting for their own kind of independence in a way that's still accurate to the early 60's. Vivy and Dean are opposites in the best way and seeing them fall for each other was a delight, from their initial flirtation to the final swooningly romantic letter.
kelleenmoriarty's review
5.0
This book is fantastic. Unique, thoughtful, and funny. And so so swoony.
Also this is a curvy heroine who worries about being “too much” and if that doesn’t hit me right my heart places…
Also this is a curvy heroine who worries about being “too much” and if that doesn’t hit me right my heart places…
briarsreviews's review
5.0
Free Fall by Emma Barry is one of the sweetest, feel good books of the year!
Thank you to Tamsen Parker who suggested I pick up books by Emma Barry! I can't thank her enough, because Emma's writing is beautiful and matches perfectly with my reading style.
Free Fall is about Dean and Vivian, an astronaut and the daughter of of a wealthy businessman, who happen to find themselves in a sticky situation. They are expecting a baby and they have to get married to "set things right". This story follows their relationship and the troubles of Dean's career.
This book really made me feel good - it's ooey gooey cute and isn't negative. It's the type of book you'd want to read when you are in a bad mood because it will pick you up. Yes, there's drama in this book (it's a romance novel, there's bound to be some kind of drama), but it doesn't make you feel bad. I love a book that lets me sink into it's words and feel great, and Emma does that perfectly.
I'm also so incredibly excited to see a book about a woman with a full figure that isn't solely about her weight. Vivy embraces her full figure, and isn't described as "fat". I can fully relate to Vivian - I've always been athletic, and as a child I was told by other kids I was "fat" because I wasn't super skinny like everybody else was in my classes. Being told to stay silent, be smaller, etc., just like Vivy was my life until I got older. It's nice to see the storyline develop with the introduction to her body type, but not revolve around her weight. Too often do we see differences (whether it's gender, sexuality, weight, etc) be used as the problem or plot line of the story, but this book embraced her as a person.
I'd like to see more of Dean and Vivian - I think they're characters are well developed and could definitely hold their own in a series! I'm not sure where we could take them, but they were very cute! These characters do develop and face issues in this story.
Now the big question - do I have any cons (since I've listed many pros). If anything, I would have liked the book to be longer! Maybe a little more drama or action between the couple themselves. That's my only suggestion to improve, because this was a really good book! It's a worth while read! The book was "long enough", but I could see this book including a few extra chapters and work just as well!
Overall, this book was truly beautiful! It's a nice read to embrace on a soft, summer day! I highly recommend this book and declare it a romance must-read! It's also not even close to an R rating (there are some sexy scenes, but nothing a PG-13 warning label won't cover). So if you love romance and a happy ending, then this book will be for you!
Five out of five stars!
I received an ARC copy from the author Emma Barry in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Tamsen Parker who suggested I pick up books by Emma Barry! I can't thank her enough, because Emma's writing is beautiful and matches perfectly with my reading style.
Free Fall is about Dean and Vivian, an astronaut and the daughter of of a wealthy businessman, who happen to find themselves in a sticky situation. They are expecting a baby and they have to get married to "set things right". This story follows their relationship and the troubles of Dean's career.
This book really made me feel good - it's ooey gooey cute and isn't negative. It's the type of book you'd want to read when you are in a bad mood because it will pick you up. Yes, there's drama in this book (it's a romance novel, there's bound to be some kind of drama), but it doesn't make you feel bad. I love a book that lets me sink into it's words and feel great, and Emma does that perfectly.
I'm also so incredibly excited to see a book about a woman with a full figure that isn't solely about her weight. Vivy embraces her full figure, and isn't described as "fat". I can fully relate to Vivian - I've always been athletic, and as a child I was told by other kids I was "fat" because I wasn't super skinny like everybody else was in my classes. Being told to stay silent, be smaller, etc., just like Vivy was my life until I got older. It's nice to see the storyline develop with the introduction to her body type, but not revolve around her weight. Too often do we see differences (whether it's gender, sexuality, weight, etc) be used as the problem or plot line of the story, but this book embraced her as a person.
I'd like to see more of Dean and Vivian - I think they're characters are well developed and could definitely hold their own in a series! I'm not sure where we could take them, but they were very cute! These characters do develop and face issues in this story.
Now the big question - do I have any cons (since I've listed many pros). If anything, I would have liked the book to be longer! Maybe a little more drama or action between the couple themselves. That's my only suggestion to improve, because this was a really good book! It's a worth while read! The book was "long enough", but I could see this book including a few extra chapters and work just as well!
Overall, this book was truly beautiful! It's a nice read to embrace on a soft, summer day! I highly recommend this book and declare it a romance must-read! It's also not even close to an R rating (there are some sexy scenes, but nothing a PG-13 warning label won't cover). So if you love romance and a happy ending, then this book will be for you!
Five out of five stars!
I received an ARC copy from the author Emma Barry in exchange for an honest review.
em_reads_books's review
3.0
Didn't quite click with me as much as the rest of the series - possibly because it had been a while since I read the others and this one seemed to rely a lot on the reader knowing past characters and events - but I loved the portrayal of two people who have absolutely no idea how to relationship. Vivy felt very realistically young and, while experienced with dating and sex, new to the hard work parts of a marriage; it was easy to see how despite her general openness and candor she fell into awkward silence with Dean.
reader_fictions's review
4.0
Looking at the description of this, I wasn't sure I was going to like it, because a hookup leading to a pregnancy and marriage of convenience is absolutely not my trope. However, this was actually really consistently adorable. Vivy's so thoroughly charming, living how she wants without regrets. It's amazing how little she judges herself for what she's done, even with the obvious consequences; she's not quite a Pollyanna, but she does always try to focus on making the best of things. Dean, meanwhile, is gruff on the surface to protect his squishy insides which is a character type I do love a lot. The whole order for the astronauts not to have sex is ridiculous, but it works for a romance novel, adding a cute tension to everything.
olive2read's review
3.0
Hmmm. Great character work, at least in terms of how they’re drawn. Vivy is as bright and vibrant as she’s described. Less so in terms of arc. Same with the central conflict. Built gorgeously but not really taken anywhere. I’m also uncomfortable with the style of resolution. Yes, they both needed to grow up some and be better communicators but the deceit was one-sided and her concerns around paternalism from the men in her life were valid. She’s working on it with her dad but her husband said I love you in a letter and therefore there’s no issues? Weak.
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