'Girl Falling' by Hayley Scrivenor focuses on a toxic friendship between Finn and Daphne. Both have lost younger sisters causing them to bond whilst at school. However, something Finn tells Daphne results in the latter being able to exert control to get her needs met and as the girls age, this control becomes more and more destructive. Then Finn gets a girlfriend - Magdu; and Daphne really isn't happy. Is a deadly fall during a climbing trip an accident, or is there more to it?

I was hugely excited to be able to review this book, due to having read Scrivenor's debut novel 'Dirt Town'. In that story the Australian location was a character in the story, the police detective was a main character, and the narrative moved between different people and a collective omnipotent narrator. Whilst this book was good, in comparison it felt a little bit thin and one dimensional. More a thriller than a mystery, the story was all told from Finn's view point, and whilst the setting was mentioned, it really could have been set anywhere with mountains. However the ending was satisfying and the writing good. I just maybe had too high expectations!

A great twist on a crime novel. Set in the Blue Mountains, Girl Falling was brilliantly twisty and kept me guessing. Loved the narration style and though I won't say more think that this choice was really different and executed spectacularly.

this is a brilliant thriller on toxic relationships. it certainly keeps you guessing whilst at the same time depicts a story of what happens when "another" comes into an already imbedded friendship. what you quickly learn is this is also a telling tale of toxic relationships.
Finn and Daphne have a extreme strong bond. forged particularly by a tragedy in their past of both losing their sisters. Finn falls for a newcomer Magdu. so what is next for the original pair? on a bonding weekend Magdu falls to her death. but was it an accident? and what happens next?

Finn and Daphne, two best friends bonded by a tragic past. When Finn falls for Magdu, a newcomer, the dynamic between the three becomes dangerous. One day, during a climbing trip, Magdu falls to her death. Was it an accident or something more sinister?

Climbing in Australia's Blue Mountains with girlfriend Magdu and best friend Daphne, Finn is devastated when Magdu falls to her death after a rope snaps. But was this just an accident... or deliberate sabotage? Marketed as a thriller, Hayley Scrivener's second novel, Girl Falling, is actually an intelligent exploration of a young woman navigating a controlling friendship and her own bisexuality. Finn's grief is rawly portrayed, as is her guilt over the earlier loss of her younger sister and her understandable inability to take charge of her own life. That's why the ending of this novel is such a shame, as it thumps us right back into thriller territory, unravelling all the careful character work that's gone before. Girl Falling is the second novel I've read in a row (the other was Mahi Cheshire's The Lying Guest) that seems like it doesn't want to be a thriller but has been forced into that mould. I wish stories like this could be given more space. 3.5 stars.

Finn and Daphne, are best friends drawn together as both having lost a loved one,When Magdu, arrives on the scene their dynamic changes and during a climbing trip, Magdu falls to her death.

I loved this book. it was really good at highlighting the relationship between Finn and Daphne and how Magdas appearance changed their feelings.

It is a gripping read and I surprised at the outcome.

It is a well told tale and I highly recommend it .

I enjoyed this one, but then I'm always a fan of toxic relationship stories.
The dreaded triangle of Magdu, Daphne and Finn has peaked when we meet them, but reading the aftermath and the build up was great.
Nicely paced, with characters I liked to mildly dislike.
Definitely worth your time.

Thank you to Pan MacMillan for providing this book for review consideration through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Girl Falling by Hayley Scrivenor follows Finn and Daphne, two best friends bonded by a tragic past. When Finn falls for Magdu, a newcomer, the dynamic between the three becomes dangerous. One day, during a climbing trip, Magdu falls to her death. Was it an accident or something more sinister?

Positives
• Well-developed characters that explore the complexity of human relationships.
• Captivating and vivid setting in the Blue Mountains.
• Deep themes of loss, jealousy, and love.

Negatives
• Some sections feel slow-paced.
• A few predictable twists make the story slightly tedious.
•I didn’t fall in love with any character. It was so difficult to finish because I hated everyone haha.

Rating: 3.5/5

Final Verdict
Girl Falling blends suspense with an in-depth exploration of human relationships and emotions. Despite its uneven pacing and occasional predictability, the richly drawn characters and evocative atmosphere make it a recommended read for fans of emotionally charged psychological thrillers.