
Member Reviews

Have you ever started a book and thought this is going to be great read, but ended up feeling a bit meh by the end? This is how Girl Falling had me.
Firstly, I loved the concept of exploring toxic friendships, loss and grief, and also that there was a lot of emphasis on strong female characters throughout. These were the things that drew me from the beginning and my opinions didn’t change by the conclusion.
However, the lack of depth into the characters and background made this an average read for me. I couldn’t help thinking there was something missing. Perhaps I am not the intended audience and this would be suited for those who enjoy more of a YA read?
Over all, this is not a badly written book, it had intensity and a few twists, it just didn’t leave the impression on me that I was expecting.

unfortunately the only level of character development we experienced in this was how to not like them.
With not liking / caring for this characters it made the story difficult to follow, and difficult to want to continue with the book
I think that if we had had a small amount more of character development then this book would have been a completely different book

This book was not what I expected. I thought it was going one way then it would make a u turn. There are plenty of twists and turns and a surprise ending.

I'm very sorry but I only have so much time to read, and this one was lacking likeable characters and a good thriller or mystery vibe. There was a lot of talk about how much love there was between two of the characters but that's not what I hoped for in this book.
Thanks to Panmacmillan and Netgalley for this review copy. To be honest, maybe I should have read the blurb better before requesting this one.

If ever there was a toxic friendship... oh my days! But I get ahead of myself...
We first meet twenty something Finn as she is taking her girlfriend Magdu on her first rock climbing outing, accompanied by Daphne, Finn's best friend since schooldays. Then, tragedy strikes when Magdu falls to her death. We then follow the aftermath, the police investigation, in the present day, as well as going back to follow Finn meeting Daphne at school and their ongoing friendship. We also witness how Finn met Magdu and how their relationship developed.
And that's pretty much all I can really say about the inns and outs of it all as you really need to witness the whole toxicity thing for yourself. Suffice to say it's all a bit brutal and I lost count of the number of times I yelled at Finn along the way. It's pretty brutal stuff and quite nasty to read about. But also compelling and wholly credible. Up to the twist which I felt possibly needed a bit more foreshadowing... I kinda wanted the ending that I thought we were going to get... I can well understand how this book has polarised the readers judging from other reviews.
This is a new author to me and I did like her style so am definitely going to check out her previous book - Dirt Creek. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

I went into this book with high hopes, especially since the opening pulled me in right away. The premise was compelling, and the writing style initially hooked me. But as the story went on and unfolded, I found myself slowly but surely disconnecting.
Finn, our FMC, never quite resonated with me and that really made it hard to stay emotionally invested. I also found the plot too predictable, already guessing the ending 10% in. It really removed the suspense I was hoping for.
While it was well written, the pacing felt uneven and the structure a bit choppy. I needed that suspense and depth.
That said, it wasn't a bad read. While it was a manageable for me, I think some readers may still enjoy the atmosphere and the voice, but it's not a book I'd be quick to recommend. Overall a 2.5 star.

I am afraid this book was just not for me. Far too slow. All unlikable characters. Just found it a slog. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

This book pleasantly surprised me. I requested this a while ago so I went into reading it blind. I quicky realised it was sapphic so that gave it extra points, with how slowly it started I am honestly unsure I would've kept reading if it wasn't for the fact it was sapphic.
The pacing was much slower than I would've preferred, I feel like things didn't really pick up until the last 15% or so. I think it was also slightly predictable at times, but I thought I knew what was going to happen so the end was a big surprise to me. The ending made the whole book for me, I wasn't expecting it and I thought it was a great twist. I'd like to have known how everything played out after Finn got in the car, but that is just personal preference.
I didn't find most of the characters easy to connect to, but I think the point was to really focus on Finn and her emotions. I felt bad for her, the author did a good job at really expressing Finn's personality along with her thoughts and feelings. The author showcased just what grief can do to people. So many of Finn's experiences invoked a sadness in me, Scrivenor definitely knew what they were doing with the wording. I enjoyed the fact that Finn was an unreliable narrator. I have to say that the homoerotic friendship is very realistic and very relatable. This book definitely makes you question choices you've made and every relationship you've ever had.
Overall, this was a good book. it was entertaining to read, rather dark and very twisty. It is worth the read in my opinion. Whilst it didn't wow me. I still think this was very well written. The author knew how to write for impact and how to create tension. I will definitely look out for more books written by this author.

I am sorry to say that I found this book very slow. Also I didn't really like the characters, so didn't really care what happened to them. It wasn't a good read for me, but I hope other readers enjoy it more.

This is a character driven book about female friendships , sisters and lovers. Finn and Magdu are in love but Finns best school friend seems jealous and possessive. After a climbing accident, Finn tells the story of before and after, in the first person, until the end of the investigation. It's quite dark and not a 'feel.good' read but quite emotional all the same.

Quite a hard read, as I really did not like the characterization. I frankly found them all repellent. However the murder bit was reasonably interesting. I really did not feel that a lot of the questions were answered in a comprehensive way.
It is a story of relationships, love and family secrets.

Is a hiking accident where one of 3 girls a purposefully planned accident or a freak accident?
I loved how the author explores how the friendships developed between finn and her friends in the flashback scenes.
As the story progresses you see one of the characters manipulation and lies, and it provides great tension within the book.
It truly shows how a narcissist can weave a web of manipulation.
My only complaint is the ending left me wanting more.
https://www.netgalley.co.uk/catalog/book/511456

'Girl Falling' by Hayley Scrivenor focuses on a toxic friendship between Finn and Daphne. Both have lost younger sisters causing them to bond whilst at school. However, something Finn tells Daphne results in the latter being able to exert control to get her needs met and as the girls age, this control becomes more and more destructive. Then Finn gets a girlfriend - Magdu; and Daphne really isn't happy. Is a deadly fall during a climbing trip an accident, or is there more to it?
I was hugely excited to be able to review this book, due to having read Scrivenor's debut novel 'Dirt Town'. In that story the Australian location was a character in the story, the police detective was a main character, and the narrative moved between different people and a collective omnipotent narrator. Whilst this book was good, in comparison it felt a little bit thin and one dimensional. More a thriller than a mystery, the story was all told from Finn's view point, and whilst the setting was mentioned, it really could have been set anywhere with mountains. However the ending was satisfying and the writing good. I just maybe had too high expectations!

A great twist on a crime novel. Set in the Blue Mountains, Girl Falling was brilliantly twisty and kept me guessing. Loved the narration style and though I won't say more think that this choice was really different and executed spectacularly.

this is a brilliant thriller on toxic relationships. it certainly keeps you guessing whilst at the same time depicts a story of what happens when "another" comes into an already imbedded friendship. what you quickly learn is this is also a telling tale of toxic relationships.
Finn and Daphne have a extreme strong bond. forged particularly by a tragedy in their past of both losing their sisters. Finn falls for a newcomer Magdu. so what is next for the original pair? on a bonding weekend Magdu falls to her death. but was it an accident? and what happens next?
Finn and Daphne, two best friends bonded by a tragic past. When Finn falls for Magdu, a newcomer, the dynamic between the three becomes dangerous. One day, during a climbing trip, Magdu falls to her death. Was it an accident or something more sinister?

Climbing in Australia's Blue Mountains with girlfriend Magdu and best friend Daphne, Finn is devastated when Magdu falls to her death after a rope snaps. But was this just an accident... or deliberate sabotage? Marketed as a thriller, Hayley Scrivener's second novel, Girl Falling, is actually an intelligent exploration of a young woman navigating a controlling friendship and her own bisexuality. Finn's grief is rawly portrayed, as is her guilt over the earlier loss of her younger sister and her understandable inability to take charge of her own life. That's why the ending of this novel is such a shame, as it thumps us right back into thriller territory, unravelling all the careful character work that's gone before. Girl Falling is the second novel I've read in a row (the other was Mahi Cheshire's The Lying Guest) that seems like it doesn't want to be a thriller but has been forced into that mould. I wish stories like this could be given more space. 3.5 stars.

Finn and Daphne, are best friends drawn together as both having lost a loved one,When Magdu, arrives on the scene their dynamic changes and during a climbing trip, Magdu falls to her death.
I loved this book. it was really good at highlighting the relationship between Finn and Daphne and how Magdas appearance changed their feelings.
It is a gripping read and I surprised at the outcome.
It is a well told tale and I highly recommend it .

I enjoyed this one, but then I'm always a fan of toxic relationship stories.
The dreaded triangle of Magdu, Daphne and Finn has peaked when we meet them, but reading the aftermath and the build up was great.
Nicely paced, with characters I liked to mildly dislike.
Definitely worth your time.

Thank you to Pan MacMillan for providing this book for review consideration through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Girl Falling by Hayley Scrivenor follows Finn and Daphne, two best friends bonded by a tragic past. When Finn falls for Magdu, a newcomer, the dynamic between the three becomes dangerous. One day, during a climbing trip, Magdu falls to her death. Was it an accident or something more sinister?
Positives
• Well-developed characters that explore the complexity of human relationships.
• Captivating and vivid setting in the Blue Mountains.
• Deep themes of loss, jealousy, and love.
Negatives
• Some sections feel slow-paced.
• A few predictable twists make the story slightly tedious.
•I didn’t fall in love with any character. It was so difficult to finish because I hated everyone haha.
Rating: 3.5/5
Final Verdict
Girl Falling blends suspense with an in-depth exploration of human relationships and emotions. Despite its uneven pacing and occasional predictability, the richly drawn characters and evocative atmosphere make it a recommended read for fans of emotionally charged psychological thrillers.