Review: The Falling in Love Montage by Ciara Smyth

Saoirse has no desire to get into another relationship but when she meets super-cute, rom-com lover Ruby, she decides to break her number one rule: no relationships. They agree to have a summer of fun together, following all the clichés of the falling in love montages in Ruby’s favourite films. However, they both forget that at the end of every montage, the characters fall in love.

Ciara Smyth cleverly includes every ingredient of your classic rom-com while incorporating Saoirse’s family issues. Saoirse’s mother lives in a care home with dementia and, at times, it was hard to read about the reality of her illness and how it affected Saoirse. Saoirse and her father also have an interesting dynamic owing to his new relationship and the impact of her mother’s illness.

In parts, the book is serious but you’ll find yourself grinning at Saoirse’s sass and the utter adorableness of Ruby and Saoirse’s relationship. The characters were quirky in their own way but all had flaws to make them seem even more human. Saoirse was the perfect narrator with her witty and sarcastic tone, making her sound like a real teenager. She was easily likable and relatable, even when she made mistakes. It was hard not to love the heartwarming Ruby, who was such an optimistic character and wasn’t afraid to call Saoirse out. Overall, great representation, writing and characters. The book left me smiling bitter-sweetly at the end and wishing for more.

Rowan Beddows, 16