I was really drawn to the cover and title of this book and the blurb sounded really interesting.
The book is told by 3 people. Dans story goes back and forth in time, Maria's story is told through letters she writes to her daughter Sam. And Jack is suffering from amnesia and not sure if he trust the guy he is currently living with.

I liked reading Jacks chapters the most as it was a mystery what was going on. He didn't know who he was it remember anything from his past. Mikes, the guy he was staying with seemed a really shifty character and acting like there was a secret he was keeping from Jack.

I least liked reading Maria's chapters as I just didn't like the letter format they was in. We soon find out that Maria and Dan are married and have a 7 year old daughter together. They also have a 14 year old daughter, Sam, who died. I loved reading how both Maria and Dan coped with Sam's death and how they both tried to come to terms with it.

I really enjoyed reading this book and couldn't wait to get to the end to find out how Jack was tied into Maria and Dan's life and also what happened to Sam. But I felt the ending all came out at once and I had already guessed about Jack but was disappointed that it never touched further about the reasons behind Sam's death. I kept looking for an extra chapter. But saying thus, I would love to read more books by this author. I give this book 3.5 stars out of 5.

This book started off really well and I got about half way through when it just seemed to not go anywhere, I found the characterisation confusing and the story very long winded. Such a shame when it started off so well. I would still read books by this author though!

Such a good story, a sort of psychological thriller but with a difference. It is very much about love and loss, there is suspense and I found it immensely moving. Well worth reading.

A cleverly written story with two plots running parallel. First a couple who have suffered a tragedy in their lives which they are still reeling from. Then another man with serious amnesia and has no idea who he is or where he should be. He's taken in by a kindly old retired Dr but starts having doubts about his genuineness. I did find that it went on a bit too long and I tended to skip a couple of chapters but still was able to guess the relationship and the final ending was so predictable.

A very confusing story, all the jumping backwards and forwards makes for a difficult read. I don't think all the long letters to Sam actually added anything to the story other than being part of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). The conclusion was very messy with no real conclusion. Having said all that, the idea for the story was a good one.

If I Ever Fall is a book that will remain in my consciousness for some time. It's a very cleverly written story with two plots running parallel. First we meet Maria and Dan, who we know have suffered a tragedy in their lives which they are still reeling from. Then we meet another man who appears to have serious amnesia and has no idea who he is or where he should be. He's taken in by a kindly old retired Dr but starts having doubts about his genuineness. It's a twisty twirly tale in some places but a very well written and enjoyable read.

This was a real page turner from the beginning. Will definitely look for this author in future.

This is the second novel I have read by author SD Robertson. His first, Time to Say Goodbye, was a heart-wrenching, emotive read, so I was curious to find out if this one would follow the same track. I was right, and after reading the blurb I was sure it was going to be a hard-going read, and I was right. This time, the book follows the failing marriage of Dan and Maria, following a complete tragedy in their family. They've tried to work it out, but the grief is just too much, they simply can't cope with their loss. Away from this, Jack has woken up after apparently falling from a ladder, but has no idea who or where he is. He relies on a local man to look after him, but is desperate to piece his life back together and find out who he is.

The story was a very intriguing one from the beginning, with me wondering straight away who Jack was and what had happened to him. This was a slow-burning part of the story, but I did guess around halfway in exactly who he was and why he had ended up there. The other characters, Maria and Dan were in such a sad situation, my heart completely broke for them. It isn't clear for a while exactly what tragedy has befallen the couple but as things become clear, the story takes on a whole new perspective. You can understand why they are broken by what has happened, and its just a painfully awful situation.

Robertson really taps into the emotion of these situations really well. I can't imagine how hard it must have been to write about such a scenario, it isn't something I would want to think about, and it certainly made for hard reading. Reading Maria's letters, one she knew would never be answered, are heart-breaking, I couldn't help but feel so terribly sorry for her. Dan, too, struggles with comforting his grieving wife, and it was hard to read how hard he was trying, and the fact he was just getting nowhere. Add into that their young daughter and her own grief, well, it wasn't easy reading.

Jack's mystery was a bit intriguing, although I did find myself getting a bit perplexed towards the end as to how it all comes together. It felt like it all suddenly hurtled to this big conclusion, and I felt it all sort of felt a bit strange for me. The narrative of the book switches between the three main characters, so we get a good feel for all three of them, which I felt exposed their stories well enough, and gave us differing perspectives on things that were happening.

For me, this was a good read, and although it was a hard topic to read about, it was a very well written and handled book. It can't have been easy to read, yet Robertson has managed to put himself in the shoes of these grieving parents, and shows us the hard side of a tragedy like that. Jack's mystery kept me hooked, I was so keen for him to somehow escape and find out what had truly happened to him and who he was! Due to the nature of the themes in this, it won't be for everyone, but it was a good read, and I did enjoy it, even if it left me feeling a bit emotionally fragile. I will be looking for more from SD Robertson.

I read this book quickly, it is certainly a page turner and deals with some difficult and important issues. I enjoyed the honesty of the book in dealing with difficult issues but felt the characters weren't always fleshed out to support the plot. Some issues touched on are so major that I feel they should have been given more context. If they had been I would have said that this would make a good young adult/adult crossover book. It’s a quick read, there's mystery and romance, and a strange but comforting ending. Not really my thing but I enjoyed it as far as it went however I know that it will go down very well with many readers.

Beautifully written in places, but I find it difficult to get into with so many threads. A little disjointed in parts too.

Beautiful emotional story that will have you teaching for the tissues .

This review is written with thanks to Avon Books UK and Netgalley for my copy of If Ever I Fall.
When Jack comes round after an accident, he has no memory of anything that happened previously or who he is. He finds himself living with a retired doctor, Miles, but has no recollection of how he got there. His story is interspersed with the stories of Dan and Maria, a couple whose life and relationship has fallen apart. Can they find their way through the darkest time of their lives?
It is difficult for me to write about If Ever I Fall, particularly the synopsis, without giving away spoilers, as Robertson gradually gives away small details about what has happened to Jack as the novel develops. This is the aspect I enjoyed most about the novel, as Robertson gave away just enough to pique my interest and make me question what had happened without making the plot confusing. I became immersed in the plot very quickly and could not stop reading.
I also enjoyed Robertson's characterisation in If Ever I Fall. The central characters, Jack, Dan and Maria, were so believable, and the descriptions of the plight in which they found themselves so raw, that it was difficult not to sympathise with them and become emotionally involved in their stories. This was heightened by Robertson's use of a variety of narrative styles: Jack's story was written in first person and Maria's story was told through letters. This helped me to look at the narrative from different viewpoints, and question the reliability of each narrator and what had happened to them, thus maintaining my interest. The novel also has several supporting characters, such as Miles, Ruby and Maurice, and these help to add colour to an already rich narrative.
I had read reviews of If Ever I Fall prior to reading it myself, and I was challenged by these reviewers not to cry at the ending. I failed. It is very rare that a book has such a strong emotional impact on me, and the ending will stay with me for some time to come.

Thanks, NetGalley and Avon books UK or the opportunity to read this book in exchange of an honest independent review.
This is a beautifully at times emotional story a little bit of a chick lit.
The story revolves around a tragedy involving Maria Dan and Jack and is told from all three angles and how it has changed the lives of those involved forever and how they come out of it the other side.
As you read it is difficult and at times (for me) confusing to see how they are all linked.
I did find it hard to read it took me longer to read then a book of this size normally would.

I have shared this review on Facebook, Good reads, twitter and word of mouth

Sadly I did not enjoy this book. I couldn't identify with the characters and the writing style did not flow for me.

After reading this novel, I felt quite similar to a bag of liquorice all sorts; completely out of sorts. Having read multiple posts on social media in regards to the book being a real tear-jerker, I found myself wondering if I truly was an Ice Queen..

If Ever I Fall is written as though it has three separate personalities, all with their own stories to tell. The storyline switches between those three personalities multiple times, however, it isn't as straight forward as you might think.
There's Dan, a man who is very close to losing hope; Maria (his wife) who's only form of grief release is through letters, and, finally, there is Jack, a....man.

I couldn't warm to Dan as much as I would have liked as I found his character a little cold. I had my fingers crossed that that would change as the storyline progressed and it did, but only by a little bit. When the storyline changed to Maria and her letters, at first I was a little bit confused as to why she was writing letters and to whom, but sure enough, things became clear and I was quite taken aback by the emotional value those letters and her actions contained. The whole situation caught me off guard, but in a good way as it gave the storyline more of an edge. Very cleverly written.

The third personality we come across in the storyline, is Jack's, the wildcard of the book in my opinion. As soon as we were introduced to his life I wondered where on Earth did he come from? One minute I was looking at Maria's letters, and the next I was faced with a man who only knew that he was a man, because he has eyes to see the important 'clue'. It took me a while to work out where he fit in with the rest of the storyline and what his purpose was, I have to admit.

For me, the storyline went on a rollercoaster ride. It peaked at certain points and it also dipped at certain points too. S.D.Robertson most certainly has a way with words and it is evidently clear by this novel and his previous one, that he has the knack when it comes to enchanting his readers. He comes across, via his storylines, that he understands what it will take to make the reader feel some sort of emotion, whether it be positively or negatively. Even when I found the storyline dipping, the authors writing 'hugged' me into the storyline, does that make sense? Let me try to explain; when I came across moments where I felt as though there was a little puzzle piece missing from somewhere; S.D.Robertson  natural and warm storytelling made me feel warm within, enough to continue. In simple terms I was pretty mesmerised by how he wrote the novel to be honest. Really, really beautiful.

That said, for once I didn't cry yet a lot of people classed this as a tear jerker. Now, before you go all 'oh em gee' on me for not crying (believe me, I was shocked myself), my emotions shut down (no, I'm not telling you which part of the storyline that happened!). I became numb and exceptionally cold. Maybe that was because of shock, I don't know, although it's highly likely due to the fact my mouth was open and my hand was over it. I wish I could say I loved the entire storyline, but for me, there were multiple parts of the book where a question mark hovered above

Overall, 'If Ever I Fall' is a novel which will head straight for your emotions in a way that only YOU know. S.D.Robertson has written a truly lovely book which highlights the true extents of love, grief and hope.

Thank you Avon/Netgalley.

Thanks to Net Galley & Harper Collins for an ARC of this book. An excellent read. A story of a family shattered & struggling to survive following the suicide of their young teenage daughter & sister. Dan & Maria, Sam's parents & Ruby their younger daughter, all three of them missing Sam, hurting and struggling with their grief. Both parents blame themselves, Maria feels she didn't make time when her daughter wanted to talk a few days before she ended her life, she also worked full time with many late nights. Dan feels he could have gotten home soooner or went straight to Sam's room whe he did get home that fateful day. Both parents feel guilty and end up pushing each other away. Ruby is caught in the crossfire and just wants them to be a family again.
A difficult subject to write about but well done to the author.

Half way through this book I'd worked out who was who and wasn't sure from that point if this book was the type I enjoy but I throughly enjoyed most of it although there were parts I just wanted to race through but when I got to the end of it I ended up liking it more than I thought

An emotionally strong yet vulnerable story which reflects the truth behind most relationships.

Having previously read Time to Say Goodbye and sobbed like a baby, and picking up on the marketing campaign for this book I was prepared to need tissues. I’m not sure if I’m all cried out at the moment but I personally didn’t find this one particularly tear-jerking.

That’s not to say it’s not an emotional read – it absolutely is – but the clever way it is told keeps you guessing and the required thinking holds back those big ugly sobs. It’s smarter than your average sad tale.

The story is told in three voices – Maria a grieving mother, Daniel a newspaper editor and Jack an amnesiac – it’s inevitable that we try and make the connections between these narratives to bring everything together. The apparently disparate voices (told in letter format, 1st person & 3rd person) soon start to overlap as the story reaches its conclusion and the pieces come together.

I really wanted to love this but there were some clunky bits for me. In particular Jack’s chapters just didn’t connect and the spooky bits felt really out of place. Perhaps that was the writer’s intention and if so, bravo! One other tiny gripe is the title, I’ve seen it written as both “If I Ever Fall” and “If Ever I Fall” and I’ve had to check three million times before writing this post and I’m still not sure if I’ve got it right! It’s a detail, but an important one. I’m guessing that giving your book a title that no-one could possibly get wrong would be quite a good idea.

Overall, an intriguing read to cwtch up with, I’d say forget the tissues and instead pop your detective hat on. Get your copy here.

(And if it’s a tear-jerker you’re after, I’d highly recommend Time to Say Goodbye instead. Heartbreaking.)

Thanks to Netgalley & the publishers for the chance to review honestly. Four cwtches!

This book was great from the start and I could have read it in one sitting if I didn't have other things to do...