The main characters are Henry Kent and Daisy Langrish. The story alternates between the two so that the reader understands the plot from their two differing perspectives. The chapters headed "Henry" tell the story in the first person, whilst those headed "Daisy" are told in the third person.

Without any means of support, Henry is living rent-free in a friend's houseboat when he discovers that a cottage nearby has been bought by an author, one Daisy Langrish. He immediately determines to have her fall in love with him, so that they can marry and he will be financially set for life. Henry works on his plan to worm his way into her life and affections, and before very long, he has gone from being her gardener to her lover.

I found Falling hard to get into, and a little depressing. It was a slow starter, and the writing style did not appeal to me. This story is about a conman deceiving his way into the affections of his mark, and that made me feel very uncomfortable at times.

I took an instant dislike to Henry Kent - before I'd even finished the third paragraph in the first chapter. Throughout the book, he tells us how he is going to win Daisy's affections, and considers how his circumstances will improve once her has her ensnared. It is obvious from the outset that he cares only for himself and everyone else was of no consequence - he is a fraudster, a liar, a fantasist, a narcissist, and believes he is irresistible to the women he preys upon. Towards the end of the story, we learn that he is also violent when things don't go his way.

Daisy seemed a strong-minded, independent individual, so I was surprised when she allowed Henry to seduce and charm her so easily. She unquestioningly accepts everything he tells her, and quickly dismisses any little doubts she may have about him. I felt sorry for her, and at the same time, angry at her for being so blind to what he truly was.

The final chapters were a little disappointing, designed to tie up the story, although not very convincingly to my mind. ( )

"Give me the woman and I would fall in love with her"
By sally tarbox on 23 April 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
An unputdownable read, told in alternate chapters between Henry - poor, charming (I envisaged him as something of a Nigel Havers), living on a canal boat and desperately seeking any woman who can provide an easy life for him - and Daisy, a writer, vulnerable after two failed marriages, but with a comfortable lifestyle...

While Daisy's chapters are narrated in the third person, Henry tells his own; he's certainly rather a cad...but is he always an entirely reliable narrator? As his apparently selfless adoration of his employer (he gets taken on as her gardener) starts to break down the barriers she has built around her feelings, the reader begins to fear for her future life...

Very very compulsive writing! ( )

Story of an ageing woman who lives alone. An elderly gardener comes into her life and woos her, she falls in love with him and is hopeful of a loving relationship after a disappointing life with previous partners. He turns out to be a con man. Very plodding and a bit depressing although it was made into a television drama which was interesting to watch. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. ( )