I must admit that it took me a while to read this book because it was a long one. And I must also confess that about the mid-point of the book, it became a chore for me to read. I was already invested in the story by then, so I plodded on, but I did not have a lot of pleasure in the undertaking. The story itself seemed to repeat details in parts; I don’t know if this was to emphasize them or what, but it was very distracting to continue to a new chapter and think that I had already read it before. I did want to read the conclusion though because the premise was a thriller, a plane with a pilot who has to crash a plane or have his family killed. Captain Bill Hoffman was an unexpected hero of sorts, but there were others who were the real heroes of the story. I thought the ending was a disappointment but that may have just been me since I was not completely enamored with the length of the book or the rambling and repetitive narration. However, I do think it would make a good movie, with some memorable heroes and some action-packed scenes. Touted as a pulse-pounding thriller, this book fell a little flat for me because of the previously mentioned reasons. Good start, but it fell short on its delivery.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Let me begin by stating I cannot believe this is a debut novel. It was so good, and I was on the edge of my seat throughout the entire story.

Bill is a pilot, who has just said goodbye to his wife and kids, has taken over a flight that was called in at the last minute. The flight plan is pretty normal until he receives contact that his wife, Carrie, and his two children have been taken hostage and he has a choice to make..........Crash the plane and let his family live, or land the plane and his family dies. What a way to start a story. This went from 0-60 from the beginning. Bill is conflicted and decides to tell his trusted friend, Jo, who is a flight attendant and his friend for many years. Her response is to implement years and years of training for this moment as she makes the tough decision to tell someone knowing it is risking the lives of Bills family. This starts a chain of events that propels this story. I love Jo. She is so strong and she trusts Bill and will do right by him. Carrie is trying to stay strong, too, but the terrorist has prepared for many scenarios with his plan and orchestrates a back-up plan that amps up the terror. I can't give any more away, but I can say that my heart was pounding out of my chest throughout the story. The detail that the author outlined made you see this play out like a movie and it was frightening. Her character development is so good. Bill is scared but he won't give this away because he knows everything is on the line and up to him. What a great character.

I loved this story and look forward to the next one from this author.

I’ve been reading blurbs saying #Falling by T.J. Newman is this year’s perfect vacation book. I beg to disagree. I think #Falling is the perfect stay at home and curl up with a book that will turn your hair prematurely grey from the suspense you’re about to subject yourself to book. Here’s what I did. First, sent my wife off for a nice long visit with her Aunt Betty. Next, fed and walked Bailey our dog and then hid a whole box of chew toys all over the house. Then I got a huge bag of Skinny Pop and a couple bottles of Coke de Mexico and brought them to my favorite chair, dimmed the lights and turned off my phone. Finally I sat down', picked up the book,stared at the cover a few seconds, cracked it open and began reading. Before long I thought I consumed too much popcorn and pop, but I realized that rumbling in my stomach was from all the tension created by #Falling. So I ask you: who needs a vacation when you can have such a thrilling trip ?

What a ride! I'll NEVER look at an airplane again without remembering this story! I may never fly again!

This book takes you by the hand and drags you kicking and screaming all the way to the end!

We are so lucky that there are everyday heroes like those in this book.

Ms. Newman - can't wait to get my hands on your next book! So glad you didn't take 41 no's as an answer!!!!

Thinks of your worst nightmare on a flight and envision the non-stop action. of piloting a plane while your family is held at gunpoint if you don't follow orders and crash the plane. Captain Bill Hoffman is given the "option" of killing his family or the 143 souls on board. Great beach reading.

Anyone who hears about publishing has heard the incredible story of this summer's big read. How T.J. Newman, a flight attendant, scribed this book at 30,000 on night flights while the passengers were dozing. How she sent it to 41 (?) agents before someone bit. And how it has turned quickly into a phenomena, and would be the perfect plot for a fast paced movie. I will state now, I'm giving this 5 stars! I may have quibbled about 4.5, but a debut this stunning deserves my unreserved recommendation!

Captain Bill Hoffman is on a seemingly routine flight from LA to NY when his world turns upside down. He is sent a message showing his wife and children being held hostage, and he is given a stark choice: Crash the plane or his family will be killed. This is really no choice at all for Captain Hoffman, a strong and moral character, and he vows that everyone will live through this ordeal.

The action switches back and forth between what is happening on the ground with his family and what is happening on the airplane. Unsurprisingly, the flight crew are major stars in this drama and Ms. Newman calls on her knowledge of details from ten years work as a flight attendant to make these scenes totally realistic. These are also her most fully fleshed and believable characters. There is a strong moral thread running through this story, will goodness prevail? She also shows a lot of sympathy for what propelled her villains actions, and paints shades of gray, rather than a stark black or white picture.

This is an action packed story, and if some of the characters are not fully fleshed out, it is made up for by the quick propulsion of the story. Sort of in the same way that James Patterson's stories choose drama over drawn out characterizations. Having said that, Newman's main characters are well evolved.

If you're looking for a quick fun read or a beach read, this is it! Thanks to Avid Reader, The Author, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this book. Now go out and experience it for yourself!

Falling is the debut novel by former flight attendant TJ Newman. The author’s flying knowledge really shines in this fantastic thriller. I was on the edge of my seat devouring this great book. I was even happy to wake up in the middle of the night just to continue reading it. The story forces a pilot to chose between saving his family or the passengers on his plane. Read and enjoy!

Put your seat belt on. This novel is a suspenseful ride. Just make sure not to read it before that vacation flight, or worse, while you're flying.

Newman has crafted a tight thriller. We are provided with intense action balanced with character background and development. The combination works well. I really like how the flight personnel work together, forming ideas and taking action with what they have. The tension mounts to an incredible level as we wonder if a horrible disaster can be prevented. And, just when we think there is hope, another twist in the plot shakes our expectations.

I really like Theo. What a great FBI agent, willing to risk his career to do the right thing. I am amazed, though, at the destruction he caused while doing so. And Jo is another favorite, flight attendant willing to risk her life to save others. Bill, the pilot, while heroic, is a bit reduced in character since he is stuck in the cockpit. His strength had to be calmness in the face is potential disaster.

The only problem I had with this novel is one of my pet peeves. Newman begins the novel with a suspenseful scene which turns out to be a dream, not initially informing readers. I don't like it when authors build suspense by fooling the reader, so to speak.

Besides being a good thriller, this novel is informative about how a foreign person might feel betrayed by the U.S. This aspect of the novel will give readers much to think about regarding the U.S. involvement, or lack of it, in tragic, foreign situations.

This novel is one continuous adventure in suspense and an amazing debut effort. Don't hold your breath because, just when you think it's safe to breath, it isn't.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Wow! This book is intense in the best possible way. From the first chapter to the last word, I was completely captivated. The characters felt like people I've known for years and the pacing of the story was absolutely perfect. When I wasn't reading, I was telling my husband all about what had happened since the last time I updated him. He's not a reader, but in this case I wish he was. I know he'd absolutely love this book. Based on what I told him, he said he could totally see this as a blockbuster movie and I have to agree.

To anyone who enjoys a seriously face-paced, edge of your seat thriller.. I highly recommend picking this up. You won't want to put it down!

Buckle up for the ride! If you’re a fan of thriller/disaster movies that put the main characters in unbelievably impossible situations in order to save the day, this book is a print version of those movies. If you’re looking for in-depth character development, you won’t find it here. This is a ‘would you rather’ disaster type of thriller not a character study. This book is an exciting quick read that grabs your attention and doesn’t let up until the final page is turned. Pick this up for pure entertainment.

Falling, by T. J. Newman is already a hot topic. I read it straight through this past weekend and found myself enjoying it a lot. The concept is interesting and the main characters are too. I did wonder about those poor passengers. They are just sort of left to their fate! Then again, one of those passengers could have been me! Did I ever believe that the plane would actually crash? Well, about that...
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

If you love a good suspense thriller, then is the perfect book for you.
What would you do if you were a pilot, your family is taken hostage, and you have to decide if your family lives, or a plane full of innocent lives..

BOOK REVIEW: Falling by T.J. Newman

Buckle your seat belts for a fabulous suspense in the skies… T.I.M.E. Read In One Day Book!... ✨😎✨

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All my reviews can be seen at This Is My Everybody | Books, Lifestyle & Home Ideas for Simple Living | Denise Wilbanks at www.thisismyeverybody.com

♡ Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

When I read Falling last weekend, I felt like my nerves were going to shatter. (And having a tall drink did cross my mind). This book combines suspense and terror, with more character development than we usually experience in this genre.

What happens when a pilot’s family is taken hostage and the pilot is told to choose - save his family - by crashing the plane, or save the passengers and lose his family.

What follows is an intense blast of emotions, while you get to know a swath of characters that make you want to hug and smack, kill and save, all while biting your nails and seeking a drink (who cares if it’s 6 am).

Falling is a book worth reading, just maybe at night w a nice drink close by 😂

Falling by T. J. Newman is a very highly recommended intense and shocking thriller that will leave you frantic to reach the end. It also resulted in a personal oath to avoid flying again.

Coastal Airways captain Bill Hoffman is called in by his superior at the last minute to take over Flight 416 from LAX to JFK Airport. Soon after the plane is airborne, he gets an email from his wife, Carrie consisting of a photo showing her and their 10-year-old son, Scott, taken hostage in their living room, with their faces hooded and Carrie strapped with bombs. After this he receives a FaceTime call from Saman Khani, the kidnapper. Khani demands that Bill must make a choice between crashing the plane with 149 souls aboard or the terrorist will kill Carrie, Scott, and Elise, the Hoffmans’ 10-month-old baby. He is also instructed not to tell anyone, or his family will die. Bill's response is that he will not crash the plane and Khani will not kill his family. How Bill can manage to save his family without crashing the plane will take all his experience and intelligence, as well as that of his trusted crew to make it happen.

The diverse cast of characters are all portrayed as complicated, real, and credible people. You will care about them and be invested in their survival. The actions everyone takes to ensure no one dies and the reactions of the characters are believable. I'm sure this is due to Newman's career as a flight attendant, so she knows procedures and reactions of passengers. I can't wait for her next novel!

This is an unputdownable, shocking, frightening thriller that keeps up a lightning-fast pace throughout the whole novel. The writing was exceptional in this debut novel, providing the details while keeping the anticipation and suspense high. I was invested in the outcome and breathless as the drama kept increasing the tension. This excellent novel reads like an action movie and is a perfect summer read - although not if flights are involved. You will stay up late to finish Falling, no caffeine required.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Simon & Schuster via Netgalley.
The review will be published on Goodreads, Barnes & Noble, Google Books, and submitted to Amazon.

This was such a fun read. I never knew what was going to happen next. That’s what I enjoy about these types of books is that it can really go in any direction.

I really enjoyed the different viewpoints in the story and was enthralled the entire time.

So you know those action/suspense movies that make your jaw tense and make you realize you’re forgetting to breathe? That’s this book.

You know those nights when you’re just going to read a chapter or two and before you know it it’s 2 a.m., your eyes are drying and burning, and you still keep saying one more chapter? Also this book.

Bill is a pilot flying a commercial flight full of innocent people just like any other day until he must make an impossible decision at the demand of a terrorist. Save his family or a flight full of people?

What a debut, T.J. Newman. This was a thrill ride. But at the same time, I truly cared about these characters. Bravo. Anyone who likes suspense and a fast read will love this.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster for this advanced copy.

I had high hopes for this release. This is the second flight centered book I’ve read this summer and both have disappointed. The tension lacked due to storyline dragging. I unfortunately won’t remember this one in a few weeks or next month. By the time I finished I just didn’t care.

Don't start Falling if you only have a little time to read! As soon as you turn the first page you are absolutely hooked. Newman breathes life into her characters, makes you care about them, as you root for each one to make it through the nightmare flight. The pilots wife and children are kidnapped and they will die if he doesn't deliberately crash the plane, killing everyone on board. The wife tells the kidnappers: he won't do it. There is no way he would ever deliberately crash his plane, no matter what you do to us. She believes that, but has faith her husband will somehow figure out a way to save both his passengers and his family. This one will no doubt be made into a great movie. Can't wait to see it!

Wow wow wow! This was a wild ride! A full action packed movie turned into a book. From the very first sentences I was hooked! Although the meaning behind the attackers is sad this was an amazing debut. I honestly have nothing bad to say! Thank you for the copy!