Falling In Line

by Kasey Stockton

RATING: 2/5

"Falling in Line" by Kasey Stockton delves into the intricacies of small-town romance, capturing the essence of southern charm and the complexities of familial bonds. At the heart of the narrative is June, a character grappling with her past and the fear of repeating it.

June's decision to leave Arcardia Creek, stemmed from a deep-seated fear of abandonment, mirroring her mother's departure years earlier. Ironically, her departure echoed the very act she sought to avoid, leaving her father and fiancé, Tucker, behind. As June's father undergoes knee surgery, she finds herself compelled to return to her hometown after four years away.

Back in the familiar embrace of her town, June's journey unfolds as she confronts her past and reconciles with her loved ones. Her return not only reignites her relationship with her father but also sparks a rekindling of feelings with Tucker, her ex-fiancé. As June navigates the intricacies of love and forgiveness, she rediscovers the profound connection she shares with her hometown, ultimately finding solace and a sense of belonging in the place she once feared to call home.

While "Falling in Line" captures the small-town romance essence, I found the narrator for Tucker's to be quite awful. His voice felt forced and dry, making it hard to connect with his character. Additionally, while the novel portrays the charm of a small southern town, I felt the innocence portrayed was overly saccharine. I wished for more depth in character interactions and dialogue befitting adults, as the novel fell short in this aspect for me.

    *** I received this book as a gift from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***

Review originally written and posted 4/5/2024