Falling: Book Three of The Fragile Line Series by Sarah Dawson Powell

  Intriguing, Gripping, Intense

Genres: Contemporary Fiction/ Young Adult Fiction - Themes of violence and addiction

'Falling': Book Three of 'The Fragile Lines Series by Sarah Dawson Powell- author

The Bully, The Unstable Addict, The Tease, The Vulnerable Unfit Mother, The Exploited......

Five individuals who, between each other have built up a web of lies, deceit and heart-break, whose connections and bonds are so intricately woven and yet so delicate that it can only be a matter of time before it all comes tumbling down around them.

Sadie seemingly still feels that she is unable to survive without Ryan, even though the opposite may be nearer to the truth. However, in his absence, she demonstrates no loyalty. How will she react when she realises that her fall back plan, is no longer an option?

Jenny is unsure if she can or even should remain true to Alex; after all 'he left her, didn't he'? Whilst also knowing that stability is key in re-gaining her maternal status, she is struggling with her conscience.

Ryan, still unable to keep his temperament under control, a disturbing element now deeply rooted in him from his time in the Marines, triggered by his girlfriend's reckless and erratic behaviour and thriving on the control and empowerment it gives him. Just how far will he go if Sadie no longer cares enough to hide her misdemeanours?

Corey, normally the king of casual hook ups....has he now met the girl to change all that and does she feel the same?

And Trevor, caught in the cross fire of all the other's actions, reluctant to get involved, but finding it hard to resist, when he can foresee what could befall this fractured and easily broken dynamic of misfits.

Book Three is definitely more hard hitting than one and two.

As Sadie becomes immune to Ryan's actions, and with the loss that she experiences this time around, she starts to care less about what happens to her. Ryan therefore increases his hold on his girlfriend to terrifying levels as he realises that her apathy is not only dangerous but potentially could extinguish his control over her. For me, this development was very hard to read and I found parts quite disturbing.

Sadie and Jenny continue to frustrate me; Sadie knows the situation she is in, is every kind of wrong, but seems to see it as some form of self-atonement. She has moments of realising she can't and shouldn't stay, but then reverts back to feeling that she owes it to Ryan, and uses that as an excuse not to leave him, despite all the offers of help that she receives. Sadie frequently changes her mind about her feelings for Ryan, and in doing so, seems to find it easy to turn to other men for comfort. She manipulates her own feelings in order to justify her actions. However, the volatile pair are fighting and then acting as nothing has happened so rapidly, that it actually becomes ridiculously amusing, particularly the fight in the car. I personally find Sadie and Ryan's situation to be the most Intriguing.

I feel that Jenny desperately wants to settle down and commit to someone, but has had so many rejections & let downs over the last decade, she is fearful of doing so. She came so close with Alex, but he he had other priorities and left, and even though they remain in touch, and he promises all that she wants on his return, I think that in the back of her mind, she still feels rejected that he didn't choose to stay and therefore that is her justification in seeking solice elsewhere. She in insecure whether in or out of a relationship, and the men that she has chosen to this point, just haven't been able to fulfill that need......and in all this, is she thinking of Angel?

Corey and Trevor are characters with whom I don't feel that I've formed any kind of connection with as yet.

Corey has done the right thing for himself in terms of Sadie, but I feel his strength of feeling for Jenny may never be reciprocated in the same way. It will be interesting to see how that develops.

Trevor is far more savvy than I think the others realise and he uses this to his advantage. However, he is only human and still has his weak points and I do wonder if he will be able to keep them in check. He is only too aware of the consequences.

I am very intrigued to see where these character's stories lead, and what eventually happens with them. I may have to binge the books left at some point. Despite their frustrating, unpleasant and sometimes selfish actions, I am very fond of Sarah's cast of characters, and hope the best for them.

As with every novel, Sarah Dawson Powell presents us with a well written thoughtful novel with expressive dialogue. I love her cover designs and the layout of the beginning of each new chapters.