Lessons in Falling

Savannah is a high school senior who until recently had plans on going to college on a gymnastics scholarship. But then she blew out her knee at a regional competition, needed reconstructive surgery and retired from gymnastics. She put it all behind her in order to finally pass her driver's test, spend more time with her best friend Cassie and have an awesome senior year.

However, everything comes to a standstill when Cassie attempts suicide unexpectedly, and is found by the boy she's been flirting with who might be her boyfriend. She saw no warning signs and blames herself, thinking that the should of known since she's Cassie's best friend. With Cassie in the hospital, Savannah starts hanging out more with Marcus and discovers a different side of herself.

With help from Marcus and a crumbling relationship with Cassie, Savannah returns to the gym. She tells herself she just wants a proper goodbye to gymnastics, one on her terms. But with Savannah blossoming with Marcus and away from Cassie, Savannah starts reevaluating her future. Will Savannah and Cassie's relationship survive this new life Savannah has created for herself?

I really enjoyed Lessons in Falling by Diana Gallagher, but had a few issues. For one, the topic of suicide wasn't addressed properly in my opinion. I've had friends attempt and commit suicide, and it's a lot more life changing and pervasive to one's life than Gallagher makes it out to be in the novel. It almost makes it out to be that Savannah is the villain in the story, when in fact Cassie is the one holding Savannah back and constantly putting her down. Also, as a former gymnast, the return to gymnastics isn't that realistic. I know for the story's sake it kind of had to be this way, but one can't return from reconstructive knee surgery to competing at level 10 after taking a "retirement" break doing nothing. Savannah would of never been able to return to competition that fast, regardless of how often she practiced or how hard she worked. Overall I enjoyed the novel but found too many holes to give it five stars.

Lessons in Falling by Diana Gallagher was published on February 7th and is on shelves now!