A review by pointeshoebookworm
The Falling in Love Montage by Ciara Smyth

emotional sad tense medium-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

1.5

I actually loved this first 98% of this book . . . but then that ending abosolutely destroyed it for me. And no, I'm not talking about
Ruby and Saoirse breaking up, we knew that from the beginning,
and no I don't mean that this book is just as much about dementia, instead of being a cute rom-com that it is marketed as.

Saoirse's feelings were *chef's kiss.* I could see many students (former high school teacher here), responding to major life changes the way she does. Especially if that's what your parent models.

Also, Oliver, sweet baby child. Love him, he deserves the world. 

Now be warned for an absolute rant about the Dad/Beth and
Baby
storyline below. Feel free to skip if you didn't have a strong (or visceral, as is my case) reaction towards it.

I 100% detested the absolute piece of turd that her father is. Now, a part of this could just be my effed up issues from my own childhood with my parents but,
you refuse to talk about anything serious with your child, you start dating someone, propose, get married, move and have another child with another woman less than one year after your "wife" (ex-wife) moves out. All of which, done WITHOUT discussing this with (or hell even considering) your daughter who you know is absolutely drowning in all of the major changes going on in her life in regards to her mother, your divorce, AND the possibility that she could suffer from the same disease that is taking her mother away from her . . .
And for the most part, I was okay with it, I thought it was pretty realistic, until you just bombshelled the
pregnancy in the last two chapters. And again, it could be due to my issues, but I firmly believe having a child is soley up to the decision of the person carrying said child, but the consequences (both positive and negative) are felt by multiople people. And when it comes to having another child, the (holistic) wellbeing of your LIVING child should be a factor in your decision as to what you do. Having a child is not a decision about you and your desire to have children. If Saoirse regressed in her growth, I could not blame her, because, putting myself in her shoes, it would be completely understandable for her to feel like she was bing replaced.  As what's been modeled for her is that we only sacrifice for someone we love, when it's beneficial towards you, and once it's not, we just pretend it's not there.
I'm not trying to say that her father's life should be put on hold or his life choices should be determined only by what Saoirse wants, but for god's sake, think about her for once and put her first at least once. She is your child, she should come first before yourself at all times. Or at the least, just think how she would feel or how your decisions would impact her. That's what you sign up for when you decide to have a child. End of rant.
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