Customer Reviews

Falling Into Me

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

FALLING INTO ME picks up twelve years after its predecessor: A TIME BEFORE ME. In the further adventures of Mason Hamilton, our protagonist seems to have everything in his life in place...until he comes home one day to discover that everything's not as perfect as he thought. It's a well-told story about reconnecting with the past...and it's a touching love story, as well, as Mason reconnects with his old flame, Joey. It's a smooth read, and although it's a sequel to A TIME BEFORE ME, readers don't necessarily have to read this first book. Definitely a recommended read!

The third novel of Michael Holloway Perronne, Falling Into Me is the story of a gay man seeking direction in his life as he enters his thirties. His relationship with his live-in boyfriend, and his career as a photographer fall apart shortly after his old high school friend and crush drops by for a surprise visit. Returning home to New Orleans to attend his aunt's wedding, he drifts amid old friends and family, and discovers the opportunity to rekindle a forgotten lost love from his teenage years. A story of love, self-discovery, and the search to recapture the bygone days of youth. Also highly recommended is Perronne's previous novel in the series, "A Time Before Me."

I have really enjoyed all of Michael's books. This one is no exception. It brought more meaning to characters that were already real in my mind. I wished the book was longer and there was more told about the characters inbetween the time of the 1st book and this one - but the character came alive again and I really enjoyed this book. I read it in 1 sitting cover to cover and was left wanting more even though I had a few tears by the ending.
The flashbacks in the book were kind of pointless - a true fan remembers the previous book - kind of felt like padding to the already too short book.
I hope Michael keeps writing - he has a knack for moving the plot right along and drawing the reader into the characters. He's a fine writer. Everyone should read his books - they won't be disappointed.

The title of this book won me, as did the online cover graphics. Sadly, I never got to stroke its gloss or smell its ink first time round; some postman loved the cover or blurb of the novel enough to nick it! I had to settle for electronic.

Falling into Me is like a Mills & Boon with no quivering damsel in distress, one who secretly loves or plainly hates her knight until the can-cut-with-a-knife tension leaps to an explosive zenith and consummation happens. Nope, nothing like that. At first, I thought the novel was more head than heart, and then I found heart. The story is endearing and sensitive, and opens with a summer flight. Mace is making space from his hurt, Colin, and in a quest to find himself, he finds more. Only time can heal the scene Mace witnessed when he stumbled upon best bud, Billy, whaling Colin on Mace's bed. Perhaps Aunt Savannah might speed up the process of time and sort him out. But Aunt Savannah is in no form to go fixing as her own clock is ticking. Mace is cast back into shambles - until (or especially when) Joey happens.

Mace's friend Katie, a pink haired Chinese American lesbian, brings a charming character into the novel. Her conversation is natural, often amusing and sharp. I must applaud Michael Holloway Peronne for delving into this (sometimes ineffable) subject, and perhaps Falling into Me might raise awareness, perchance more acceptance. With refined dialogue and an alluring plot, not one describing how a love scene might happen but one showing the full fire of its magic, a sequel or chase novel might express much delicacy as Falling into Me, and make quite exciting a find

A Time Before Me, Perronne's previous book, was short and poorly edited, and this is one is, too. Is Mason's boss T.J. or A.J.? Both appear on several pages. Several pages of Falling Into Me are quoted verbatim from the earlier book. The font of Falling Into Me could NOT be larger or harder to read. (Headings and titles should be in sans serif, text should be in a serif font.) This book and the previous one could have been combined into one book. Both are fast reads, but $10 is way too much for either one of these.

These complaints aside, the characters are believable, at least in A Time Before Me. In Falling Into Me, Mason's boyhood heart throb, Billy Harris, becomes unbelievable in a predictable way, though everyone else holds their own. Taken together, the story is memorable beyond the errors.

If you want to read a great coming-of-age novel, however, read Bart Yates Leave Myself Behind, a brilliant book. The writing has greater depth, and there are no errors.

Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (1/07)


"Falling Into Me" follows "A Time Before Me." Having enjoyed the first book so much, I could not wait to get into the second one. The characters in both stories are so well developed that they have a family kind of feel to them and it is a pleasure to be able to "visit with them" again. I was not disappointed. "Falling Into Me" stands well upon its own, so you do not have to read the other one first, but both stories are so good, you will want to.

This story takes place over ten years after the first one ended. Mason has now moved to San Francisco and is enjoying a good life and relationship there. When his old friend from high school, Billy Harris, shows up he manages to stir things up for Mason. Mason finally seems to have gotten over his crush on Billy; however, he has to learn a hard lesson about what kind of friend Billy really is. Mason's eyes are opened right before he takes a trip to New Orleans for his Aunt Savannah's wedding. His relationship with his boyfriend ends abruptly and Mason takes his best friend Katie to New Orleans with him instead of his ex. While he is there, he re-encounters Joey who was really his first love. Mason has a chance to make amends, and when a family tragedy strikes, it brings them even closer.

"Falling Into Me" is a great book to curl up with and enjoy a good read. I just wish that it had been longer. There are some valuable points about growing up and relationships that are made in this story which could apply to all of our lives, no matter what our ethnic background or sexual orientation is. This is really a great story. I hope that there will be another one to follow!

Received book free of charge.

As a reader of numerous gay-oriented novels [..]I have been impressed with the quality of publications and the degree to which I have been engaged by the author. Falling Into Me is an exception. The depiction of a man struggling with changeable relationships -- both with heartfelt challenges and ultimate triumphs -- is both inviting and compelling. However with Falling Into Me, when 25 pages into its (fortunately brief) 135 pages, I knew that there were no resulting surprises. There is no compelling diction, no unexpected twists or uncertainties. There was nothing compelling the reader to savor reading the pages -- indeed the compelling motivation was to complete the reading as soon as practicible. And so I did. I would not recommend purchasing this book.

It seemed that Holloway was just trying to give A Time Before Me a happy ending. It was horrible! It was rushed. It was just plan FLUFF. It blew. Some where along the way, he lost the voice of the characters. It seemed that Holloway maybe felt pressure to give his readers an ending with Mason and Joey, I wanted oneas well it's why I bought this book, but seriously you are better off with your imagination. You'll only be disappointed.