This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Leslie Tall Manning is an award-winning novelist who writes about adults and teenagers craving independence and often stumbling into it headfirst. She especially loves digging into universal themes such as friendship, bravery, and self-forgiveness.
Her previously published books have received 5-star reviews from Publishers Weekly; Prairies Book Reviews; Midwest Book Reviews; Netgalley; Novel Gossip; YA Books Central; Readers’ Favorite; Pickled Thoughts and Pinot; and the Story Circle Network. Manning’s awards include the Sarton Women’s Literary Award; North Carolina Author Project Award; Self-e Library Journal Selection; International Book Award Finalist; Taleflick Road to Development Finalist; Indie Brag Medallion; Story Monsters Certificate of Excellence; and the Firebird Literary Fiction Award.
She spends her days writing furiously and her evenings tutoring young adults. When she isn’t crafting books, plays, or musicals, she enjoys taking care of her Victorian home and traveling with her artist husband. She is proudly represented by Uwe Stender at the TriadaUS Literary Agency.
Reviewed by Amy Powers for Readers' Favorite
Rules of Falling by Leslie Tall Manning tells the story of a teenager's unique struggles and how her entire life is defined by the one thing she can't control. Erica is a high school senior, but she hasn't had a normal high school experience ever since her chronic fainting began during freshman year. Since then, her best friend, Lindsay, has always been by her side to catch her when she falls, which is always at the most inconvenient time. When Lindsay suddenly breaks up with her boyfriend, Adam, in order to pursue a married man, Erica finds herself in a precarious position, which could potentially tear apart their friendship. Not only does she disapprove of Lindsay's affair, but Erica might be falling for Adam. On top of that, there seems to be an arsonist in town, and Erica has her suspicions about who could be behind the fires.
My summary of Rules of Falling does not do it justice. Leslie Tall Manning has pieced together a web of events and characters with a perfectly elegant flow. What seems to be a modern coming-of-age tale, mixed with a slight bit of romance, quickly turns into a suspenseful mystery filled with betrayal and deceit. Seemingly minor details come back later on to play an important role in the overall plot, and I was amazed at how smoothly everything wove together by the end. Erica is easy to love and understand, even if we can't personally relate to her experiences. I especially loved seeing a leading character with a medical condition that is rarely, if ever, represented within pop culture. I highly recommend Rules of Falling to lovers of young adult fiction, and I look forward to reading more from Leslie Tall Manning.
