I first stumbled upon Amy Zhang's Falling into Place on Goodreads and after reading its synopsis and the reviews about it, I am a hundred percent sure that I have to get the book and read it. Unfortunately, it was just released back in September in the US thus, making it more difficult for me to get a copy of it here in the country. I tried pre-ordering them on Fully Booked but to my surprise, it will cost me more than Php 1000 to get the book! So, I immediately cancelled the order and moved on. By reading other books.

But, who would've thought that I will find a copy of Falling into Place displayed on the window of a National Book Store branch that is only kilometers away from our home?! Of course I bought the book without any hesitation.

So, what's the thing about Falling into Place that almost made me spend Php 1000?


Well, Falling into Place is Amy Zhang's first novel and it revolves around the life and (almost) death of Meridian's most popular Liz Emerson before and after she decided to crash her car and die. The entire story shows how empty and volatile one person can be. It shows how life and society can destroy even the purest and most innocent hearts. Liz is the perfect example for this. She's a great girl with the biggest heart but after suffering a great loss, the little girl which Liz once was dissolved. Forever. Or so she thought. 

Falling into Place is not cookie cutter perfect wherein you can know for yourselves that you're at the climax of the story or you're about to resolve the problem. Falling into Place is told by a mysterious narrator that is both familiar and strange to Liz but it is this particular person that definitely knows Liz inside out.


I completely recommend this book to those who are great fans of Gayle Forman's If I Stay series since it is also told in nonlinear manner. It is filled with flashbacks and memories of not only Liz's but also her friends, Julia and Kennie, her mother Monica and a special boy named Liam. These are the persons that loves Liz very much but these are also the persons that Liz destroyed. Or should I say one of  the many persons that Liz destroyed. 

Liz Emerson is definitely not the best person in the world. She may even come across as seething and loathsome but once you go deeper in her story, you will know that even the most perfect person in the world is also filled with dirt and darkness. Her own personal hell. And even yours too. 


In my opinion, Falling into Place lacks the attention that it needs to be given. It is not monotonous and definitely not predictable. It isn't one of those love story wherein the girl needs to be saving of the man she loves because in this case, Liz needs help and she knows it but the only thing getting in her way is herself. This story will show you how one can only be saved if that someone knows how to ask for help and not cry for help. There is a difference. A huge difference.