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Falling Short

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LoveReading Says

LoveReading Says

Regrets. Teacher Frances has a few. She’s 39, single, and beset by dissatisfaction with all aspects of her life - personal, professional and familial. Her dad vanished from her life when he was lost at sea when she was only five and now her mum is vanishing into the fog of Alzheimer’s. On top of this, her relationship with Jackson, fellow teacher, former best friend and one-timer lover, has taken a painful downturn following a night of wine-fuelled passion. As Frances is led to question her father’s disappearance, it becomes clear that she’s the one who’s lost in a sea of doubt. 

After a lifetime of secrets and hiding, she’s steered by the words of a blind man she guides from a station: “Sometimes you just have to feel your way”. Realising that she’s been drifting for far too long, Frances shakily decides that it’s time for her to feel her own way in the world, and so she sets off on a journey to discover the truth. 

The snappy, short-tempered exchanges between Frances and Jackson are humorously and movingly authentic, and the race-against-time climax makes for a gripping reading experience. Often funny and always tender, this accomplished debut explores the cycles of life, messing up and making amends with charm and wit.

Joanne Owen

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Reader Reviews

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A refreshingly unique style and compelling storyline makes this an excellent read.

Frances' teaching career becomes a challenge when her mother's dementia, together with her ongoing questioning over her father's disappearance when she was only 5 years old, is augmented by the apparent breakdown of her relationship with her friend and colleague, Jackson. As she discovers more about her family history, she determines to solve the mystery of her missing father whatever the consequences.
I struggled a little with the opening chapters of 'Falling Short', despite reading the blurb and deciding that the plot and school setting would make this a perfect choice. I was unsure of who the characters were and found the style difficult to get into. However, having persevered, the novel completely drew me in and I read the rest of it in two sittings.... Read Full Review

Val Rowe

A really outstanding book, a must-read!!

This book tells the story of a young single 39 year old lady, Frances Pilgrim, who is dealing with a cross roads in her life, her love-life, her career, her social life but more importantly dealing with her mum, Frances who has dementia. Eventually she meets a friend, Jackson, who is a 59 year old teacher like herself, who is also living in London.

Their relationship evolves slowly as initially the couple were not too keen on each other and Lex Coulter writes in such a manner that the reader will enjoy a good story with an excellent narrative while the two central characters, Pilgrim and Jackson try to sort out their relationship and their problems. They have their ups and downs like any other couple but the author writes in such a manner that the reader feels included in the story.... Read Full Review

Catherine Bryce

Not a bad book, worth a read

Not a bad read, however, personally I thought there was something missing but can’t quite work out what.... Read Full Review

Manisha