Book Review : Falling From Grace by S.L. Naeole

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Product Details
  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Paperback: 472 pages
  • Publisher: CreateSpace (June 10, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1453626336
  • ISBN-13: 978-1453626337
Available on:
Amazon (Paperback)
Amazon (E-book)


When you wake up in the morning and your eyes take in the first hints of light that shine through your window, the dust motes catching and reflecting the sun’s rays like little diamonds, the shimmering hues of yellow and orangey gold breaking through into your room, the first thing you think about usually isn’t how you’re going to make it through the worst day of your life.

Unfortunately for Grace Shelley, that’s exactly what she’s facing as she ponders what to do now that she’s going to be starting out her last year in high school without her best friend. She’s not exactly the most popular girl in school - well, not the most popular girl in school to like, anyway - and everything seems to be hinting at another status quo year for her until she bumps into a stranger who leaves her stumbling for words and chasing after her heart.

The new guy in school is different. Robert doesn’t care about the rumors he’s heard about her or that no one else seems to see her the same way that he does; he only wants to be her friend. That’s when things get complicated. When Grace learns that he’s not your typical high school boy and that he’s actually a wingless angel who’s looking for someone to trust, she’s thrust into his world where not all angels are meant to protect human beings, and where the changes she brings into his life changes everything in hers.



Falling From Grace is the first book in the Grace Series by S.L. Naeole. This book mainly circles around a Korean-American girl called Grace Shelly, who is better known as Grace The Freak among her schoolmates. She is described to be plain-looking, not having enough confidence in herself, and taciturn in nature. She has a best friend, her only friend, in fact - that is her neighbour Graham. She seems like a pathetic creatures who lives in her own misery, not willing to mix with others for fear of being despised and shunned.

When she confesses her love - or what she thought is love - to her best friend Graham, he heartlessly rejects her, causing her to once again fall into her own pit of despair. And that's when she meets (accidentally bumps into) a gorgeous, handsome stranger called Robert N'Uriel Bellegarde at school. That proves to be the turning point in her miserable, messed-up life.

This book is quite entertaining in the sense that it has much to offer - whether it's the storyline or themes. But I felt that some parts of the story are too long and can actually be omitted without effecting the whole thing. The author seems to write in detail about Grace's every move, and I think this is a little un
necessary. However, the story itself is well-written and has quite a few ups and downs that makes readers feel like they are on a roller coaster ride - which is a score for this book.

The lines in this story are smooth and flowing, and this proves that the author has a prowess in writing. She doesn't use arduous prose and ornate language in the book, though I did observe some
decorative descriptions which are essential in giving readers an accurate and precise image of the scenes. There are no obvious typos - but I still observed a scintilla in the form of quotation marks.

Grace's character is easy-to-relate to, but I was let down by how she thinks lowly of herself, seemingly agreeing to her schoolmates' reference to her as a freak and her refusal to acknowledge the presence of those who truly want to befriend her. By this I meant her friend, Stacy, who is also of mixed parentage.

Robert is the special person who appears when Grace is in her worst moment and continues to play an important role in her life. Robert is an angel who has lived for a very long time. Although I cannot explain nor fathom why would he come to high school when he has probably gone to high school centuries ago and the current learning standards would seem like baby-talk, I know that it's indispensable to keep the story moving. Robert is charming and physically attractive, but he only pays attention to Grace, who is different from the other girls.

The moments when Robert and Grace are together are cute and romantic, even though they seem awkward and embarrassed at times. The climax of this book is quite unexpected, and the strength of Grace's love for Robert
really amazes me. OK, I'll admit it, this book is long, but it's really worth reading! Thanks, Sharon, for writing such a great book! I'm sure fans of Twilight and Hush, Hush will find this book enjoyable and interesting.

Rating: 4.000

Note: This book has some kissing scenes - nothing serious.

I'd like to thank Sharon (S.L. Naeole) for sending me a paperback copy of Falling From Grace for this review! Thank you so much!

Image of "S.L. Naeole"
S.L. Naeole has always loved the smell of books, the feel of books, and the destination that a book is guaranteed to take you. She knew from an early age that she was meant to write, to create those very same books she loved so much and vowed that one day, she would. Now, after getting married and starting a family, she has finally made her dream come true. As the author of Falling From Grace, she's found a venue with which to allow her dreams to become the reader's, and transport them to worlds and lives where fantasy and reality blend seamlessly. With several more books in the works, including two sequels to Falling From Grace, she's hoping to give to her fans the same desire and affection for the written word that she had as a child. S.L. Naeole writes from her home in Hawai'i, with her husband, four children, and cat by her side cheering her on and providing endless amounts of inspiration.

1 creative remarks:

Mithee (The Deranged Book Lovers) said...

Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I am yet to write my review for this book. I don't think I liked it as much as you did, but it was ok nonetheless. I have a like-annoy relationship with Robert, but more so with Grace.