Catch Me When I Fall

Title: Catch Me When I Fall

Author: John Wiltshire

Publisher: MLR Press

Publisher URL: www.mlrbooks.com

ISBN/BIN: MLR-1-02014-0308

Genre: {M/M} Contemporary; Paranormal

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Rose Nymph

Jake is an ex-soldier who is trying to make a new life for himself as a forest ranger. He thought he could finally settle down and forget about his past, but when he is visited by his guardian angel, Gabriel, Jake soon realises he can’t escape who he is.

A man appearing naked in your backyard claiming to be an angel is worrying enough, but believing him and inviting him into your home? Jake swears he has gone crazy, but there is just something otherworldly and very believable about the guy. Plus, he just so happens to be extremely beautiful. After talking with Gabriel, he learns that the angel is not actually here on earth by choice, but rather, as a form of punishment. Jake is also perturbed to learn that Gabriel knows absolutely everything about him, including what went on with his friend Jono in Afghanistan and why Jake felt the need to run as far away from it all as possible.

While Jake is desperately trying to cling on to the life he had made for himself, Gabriel is being a general nuisance as he gets used to his human body and tries to figure out a way to redeem himself. So Jake is surprised at how much Gabriel means to him and how quickly the angel becomes a part of his life. When Jono appears in his life again however, Jake and Gabriel realise that there is more to this situation than they first thought. Fate is transpiring to bring these people together at just the right time, leaving Jake with the hardest decision he will ever have to make.

Catch Me When I Fall has a very inviting style of writing that made it no effort at all to read. There were a lot of interesting concepts explored – Jake’s transition from military to civilian life, as well as his denial about his feelings towards his friend Jono that has caused him so much heartache. The writer found a good balance between these human concepts and the paranormal elements of angels watching over you, and the possibility of an angel feeling human emotions, which led to a very interesting story. Jake was a likable character despite some frustrating behaviour at times. The chemistry between Jake and his angel Gabriel was very appealing to me. I love the idea of an angel and a human having such a strong bond, but I feel it will always be bittersweet – like star crossed lovers facing a huge struggle to get their happy ending. Catch Me When I Fall certainly has bittersweet moments but I would definitely recommend it to fans of the genre