3 out of 4 stars
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Teresa Vadney has just handed in her letter of resignation. She has been an attorney for the last twelve years, completely dedicated to her career, but after her boss pressures to cancel her trip to Italy, she knows enough is enough. It’s time for a change. She leaves for Italy with her mother, for her best friend, Anna’s wedding, believing this will be the perfect time for her to clear her mind and begin anew. Unfortunately her thoughts of unemployment and uncertainty follow her the thousands of miles she has traveled to get away. Her mother’s helpful insights on life are only making things more confusing. After being defined by her career for all of her adult life, she is stressed and questioning everything she has known or believes about herself. Then she meets Alex, a young man living in Siena, Italy who helps her and her mother after they are stranded on their way to the wedding. After spending time together, she can see a life with him in Italy. There are opportunities in Italy that she has never considered. Teresa knows that this would be the chance of a lifetime and maybe the love of a lifetime as well.
Falling off the Career Ladder is a romantic fiction novel that chronicles Teresa’s journey from being a successful attorney, well on her way to a partnership, to a woman in love in Italy figuring out the next phase of her life. This novel, narrated by Teresa, is extremely personal and easy to relate to. The struggle she faces with the changes and decisions she has made is palpable and honest. Her mother, Cheryl, is the first to not only challenge Teresa but encourage her to make decisions and to trust herself. Teresa has to realize that life is meant to be lived and that no one is holding her back but herself. The relationship she establishes with Alex is a stepping stone to new things. But doubts about their relationship and her career consume her. It becomes obvious that Teresa has to decide the person she wants to be and live her life accordingly. Until she discovers who she is and who she wants to be, she will be consumed by anxiety and never allow herself to be happy.
Fox created a well written and well developed novel full of defining moments in a person’s life. Teresa was a character who was unsure of herself but not weak. She realized her strength the moment she walked away from her career to be happy. Teresa simply didn’t expect the next steps in her life to be so difficult. The cast of characters that she encountered continually changed her perspective on life and forced Teresa to dwell on herself. It’s okay to have doubts but this novel focused on the steps needed to overcome those doubts and fears to be happy.
Falling off the Career Ladder though full of self-discovery had its faults. It became repetitive in nature and stagnant at times due to Teresa’s constant habit of evaluating herself without making any changes. Certain areas of the novel seemed slightly forced, as well. It felt as if Fox wanted to include as many tourist spots as possible throughout the story, even if didn’t the benefit the plot in anyway. I found those moments unnecessary and at times, exhausting. The novel would have benefited if the focus was simply on Teresa’s growth and not the location.
I give this novel 3 out of 4 stars. Regardless of the few faults I found I still enjoyed this novel and seeing the change in Teresa throughout the year that this story takes place. Everyone has to experience change and Fox handled the narrative well, and held my interest throughout.
***
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Added bonus, she falls in love with a guy? Sounds perfect! Got my copy! Congratulations to the author for receiving such a great review and for being Book of the Day!
