The Upside of Falling is a Young Adult novel written by Alex Light, published February, 2020. The book tells the story of a high school senior Becca Hart, a quiet bookworm who does not believe in love. When she rashly decides to say she’s dating someone, luckily Brett Wells, the star football player, comes to the rescue. They then begin a journey of fake dating, and they both need to remind themselves that all the feelings they’re having are not real since the entire relationship is an act.

In the Upside of Falling, there are two points of view, Becca’s and Brett’s. This makes it easier to understand the characters and feel connected to their struggles as the book progresses; it also allows the reader to understand each one of their thoughts and emotions. The book keeps you hooked because you want to see how everything will play out, but there are no cliffhangers.

Alice Light strongly emphasized love, relationships, and family throughout this book. Though there have already been books on fake dating, this one has a twist of personal and family problems that make the book more than just a romance novel.
The characters were thoroughly written; they have a lot of layers and are deeper than they seem on the surface. Their thoughts are rational and complete, and even if they are incorrect and impulsive, it is clear why they chose to act the way they did.
The characters grew considerably since the beginning of the book, which made it a more enjoyable read. They learned from one another and gained wisdom on certain things they may never have thought possible. The plot progresses at a steady pace, but there are some moments in which there is a lot changing very fast.

The Upside of Falling impacted me personally. My favorite part of the book was seeing the character development as well as growing with the characters. I learned some very important things from the mistakes and progress of the characters. Understanding what you feel and telling someone about it is necessary; it will help you have no regrets and you may get what you want in the end. I also learned about the importance of forgiveness. While you do not need to forget the pain someone may have caused you, it is crucial for your mental health that you forgive and move on. If you do not forgive, you will always be stuck in the past.