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A review by smitch29
Sweet Fall by Tillie Cole
5.0
This book was something else. I have nothing negative to say about this story. It truly felt as though it was written from Tillie Cole's heart. It was sincere and moving and an all around brilliant read.
The first book in this series, which focused on Molly and Rome's romance, was a bit clichéd and sappy at times. This book felt almost too different to really be in the same series as that other novel. This book revolved around Lexi and Austin. Both of these characters have enough problems on their own to fuel a book, so combining them really made this book full of drama. It even touched on darker emotions that really drove the plot.
Austin, the all-star wide receiver from the wrong side of the tracks, has enough baggage to load a 747. His mom is slowly losing her battle with ALS while his former gang is robbing his brothers of any real future. He's fighting hard to make it to the NFL to rescue his family from their turmoil, but throughout the story, we see how much he has to overcome before he even gets a shot at the draft.
One of his big obstacles is a girl with her own set of problems. Lexi's troubles are much more internal and are more or less hidden from the world. She battles crippling self-image issues nearly every moment. It takes Austin coming into her life for her to find any beauty within herself. She hides her true self from her friends and family, as much as she can, so they can't discover her falling down unhealthy paths.
When danger for both Lexi and Austin enter into the mix, they slowly start to realize they can lean on one another to share secrets. They can have just that one other person to lean on and vent to, someone who will know the real them. Inevitably, as they make themselves more vulnerable to each other, they get deeper feelings for one another and it only complicates their pre-existing troubles. Lexi is scared of not being enough for Austin, while Austin is terrified of pushing Lexi into harm's way or causing her to fall off her inner cliff.
The characters in this story go through more in the span of a few years than a lot of people can even fathom. It's intense and non-stop. I wouldn't call the book unpredictable, exactly, but it is dramatic. There is always a lot going on, and it never feels over done. It feels organic and real. There's a deep connection between the characters and seems tangible and human.
I thought the author did a spectacular job creating a world that was completely understandable to me. I have never seen or dealt with any of the heavy issues these characters face. I've never had to watch a parent dying; I've never knowingly had a friend debilitated by anorexia; I've never known the pressures of poverty and gang life. Despite all of that, I could still empathize and feel as though I really understand the characters of this story. This book was just that well written.
I really look forward to the next book Tillie Cole releases in this series. Her writing in this one, sealed the deal for any future books; I don't want to miss getting to read more of her work.
The first book in this series, which focused on Molly and Rome's romance, was a bit clichéd and sappy at times. This book felt almost too different to really be in the same series as that other novel. This book revolved around Lexi and Austin. Both of these characters have enough problems on their own to fuel a book, so combining them really made this book full of drama. It even touched on darker emotions that really drove the plot.
Austin, the all-star wide receiver from the wrong side of the tracks, has enough baggage to load a 747. His mom is slowly losing her battle with ALS while his former gang is robbing his brothers of any real future. He's fighting hard to make it to the NFL to rescue his family from their turmoil, but throughout the story, we see how much he has to overcome before he even gets a shot at the draft.
One of his big obstacles is a girl with her own set of problems. Lexi's troubles are much more internal and are more or less hidden from the world. She battles crippling self-image issues nearly every moment. It takes Austin coming into her life for her to find any beauty within herself. She hides her true self from her friends and family, as much as she can, so they can't discover her falling down unhealthy paths.
When danger for both Lexi and Austin enter into the mix, they slowly start to realize they can lean on one another to share secrets. They can have just that one other person to lean on and vent to, someone who will know the real them. Inevitably, as they make themselves more vulnerable to each other, they get deeper feelings for one another and it only complicates their pre-existing troubles. Lexi is scared of not being enough for Austin, while Austin is terrified of pushing Lexi into harm's way or causing her to fall off her inner cliff.
The characters in this story go through more in the span of a few years than a lot of people can even fathom. It's intense and non-stop. I wouldn't call the book unpredictable, exactly, but it is dramatic. There is always a lot going on, and it never feels over done. It feels organic and real. There's a deep connection between the characters and seems tangible and human.
I thought the author did a spectacular job creating a world that was completely understandable to me. I have never seen or dealt with any of the heavy issues these characters face. I've never had to watch a parent dying; I've never knowingly had a friend debilitated by anorexia; I've never known the pressures of poverty and gang life. Despite all of that, I could still empathize and feel as though I really understand the characters of this story. This book was just that well written.
I really look forward to the next book Tillie Cole releases in this series. Her writing in this one, sealed the deal for any future books; I don't want to miss getting to read more of her work.