“Maybe it doesn't matter if we fall apart, as long as we put ourselves back together again.”
— Rhiannon reflecting on her life and relationships, especially after her mother's death.
Archivist's Choice
The Falling in Love Montage
Ciara Smyth (2020)
Genre
Young Adult / Romance
Reading Time
6-7 hours
Key Themes
See below
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A cynical teen who's sworn off love because her mother has early-onset dementia agrees to a summer of rom-com dates with a charming girl, only to find that fake montages can lead to real feelings.
Synopsis
Saoirse, a cynical teen, sees love as pointless because her mother has early-onset dementia and Saoirse worries about her own genetics. She avoids serious relationships, believing any connection will inevitably fade. At a party, she meets Ruby, a charming, rom-com-obsessed girl. Ruby, unfazed by Saoirse's no-relationships rule, suggests a summer-long 'falling in love montage'—a series of rom-com dates with a plan to end things when summer and college begin. Saoirse, intrigued by Ruby, agrees. As they go on dates, from first meetings to a road trip and birthday celebrations, their connection grows. Saoirse's fears about her future and her mother's condition resurface, causing tension and an argument with Ruby. Through reflection and advice, Saoirse confronts her anxiety and her feelings for Ruby. A family revelation about her mother's past clarifies her perspective. Saoirse makes a grand gesture, confesses her feelings, and overcomes her fear of an uncertain future, starting a real relationship with Ruby.
Reading time
6-7 hours
Difficulty
Easy
Pacing
Moderate
Mood
Heartwarming, Bittersweet, Hopeful, Romantic
✓ Read this if...
You love queer rom-coms with a thoughtful emotional core, exploring themes of vulnerability and fear of the future.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer romances without significant emotional angst or characters dealing with serious family illness.
Plot Summary
The Party and the Proposal
Saoirse, a cynical teenager worried about inheriting early-onset dementia from her mother, attends an end-of-term house party. She wants to avoid romance, believing love is pointless given her potential future. At the party, she meets Ruby, a charismatic and spontaneous girl with a blue freckle. Despite Saoirse's reservations, Ruby's charm interests her. Ruby, knowing Saoirse's 'no relationships' rule, suggests a unique solution: a summer-long, rom-com style montage of dates, with a plan to end things amicably when summer concludes and Ruby leaves for film school. Saoirse, against her better judgment, agrees to this proposal, seeing it as a safe way to have fun without real heartbreak.
Montage Begins: First Dates and Shared Moments
After their agreement, Saoirse and Ruby begin their summer montage. Their dates are from rom-coms: a disastrous picnic, an awkward movie night, a coffee shop encounter, and a spontaneous road trip to the beach. Ruby plans each date to fulfill a cliché. Saoirse, initially hesitant, enjoys the experiences more and more. During these outings, they share personal stories. Saoirse, trying to keep her distance, slowly lets her guard down, revealing her fears about her mother's illness and her own future. Ruby shares her dreams of becoming a filmmaker and her family dynamics, creating intimacy despite their 'no strings attached' rule.
Deepening Connection and Underlying Fears
As summer goes on, the line between their 'fake' romance and real feelings blurs. Saoirse feels more drawn to Ruby's optimism and adventurous spirit. They spend more time together, not just on planned dates, but in casual moments that feel real. Saoirse starts to feel an unexpected happiness, which conflicts with her emotional defenses. At the same time, her anxiety about her mother's dementia grows. She notices her mother's memory loss more acutely and researches the genetic aspects of the disease, strengthening her belief that a long-term relationship would only lead to pain. This internal conflict creates tension between her feelings for Ruby and her fear-driven commitment to their summer-only pact.
The Road Trip and a Confession
Ruby suggests a road trip to a coastal town, a classic rom-com move. During the journey, they sing along to pop songs, share snacks, and have deeper conversations about their pasts and goals. Their easy friendship and laughter strengthen their bond. One evening, watching the sunset by the sea, the emotional intensity between them becomes clear. Saoirse, overwhelmed by her feelings and the impending end of their agreement, shares some of her deepest fears about her mother's illness and her own potential future. Ruby listens with empathy, offering comfort and understanding, solidifying the real emotional connection growing between them, despite Saoirse's attempts to keep it superficial.
The Birthday and the Reality Check
Saoirse's birthday arrives, and her father organizes a small celebration. Ruby is invited and fits in well, charming Saoirse's younger sister, Izzy. However, the party also highlights her mother's condition. Moments of confusion and forgetfulness from her mother are painful for Saoirse to see, reminding her of the reality she's trying to escape. This experience strengthens Saoirse's belief that she cannot truly fall in love, thinking it would be unfair to Ruby given her potential future. The joy of the day is mixed with Saoirse's internal struggle, as she tries to balance her growing affection for Ruby with her deep fears and her summer-end agreement.
The Argument and the Near Miss
As summer nears its end, the unspoken tension between Saoirse and Ruby is clear. Ruby, sensing Saoirse's emotional withdrawal and her insistence on their 'ending,' confronts her about her feelings. Saoirse, terrified of real love, deflects and insists their agreement must be honored. An argument follows, with Saoirse using her mother's illness as a shield, pushing Ruby away. The emotional distance from this conflict makes Saoirse realize how much she stands to lose. They almost stop communicating, but their strong connection pulls them back together, though the issue of their future remains unresolved and unsettling for Saoirse.
Seeking Advice and Self-Reflection
Distraught by the argument with Ruby and the impending end of summer, Saoirse talks to her best friend, Alex. Alex, seeing Saoirse's change over the summer, challenges Saoirse's self-destructive logic, pointing out that her fear of the future stops her from living in the present and being happy. Alex encourages Saoirse to consider what she truly wants, not just what she fears. This conversation prompts Saoirse to reflect deeply on her motivations and her view of love. She begins to question whether her fear of inheriting dementia should control her entire life, including her ability to love and be happy with Ruby.
The Family Revelation
Driven by her anxieties, Saoirse looks deeper into her mother's medical history. She talks with her father, who, seeing her distress, reveals a detail: her mother's specific type of early-onset dementia is not genetically predisposed in the way Saoirse had assumed. While some forms have genetic factors, her mother's case is not one of the highly inheritable types Saoirse had fixated on. This revelation removes Saoirse's main reason for avoiding love and commitment. The immense weight of fear and certainty that had controlled her life begins to lift, allowing her to see a future where love might be possible without the dread she had carried.
The Grand Gesture and Confession
With her new understanding and courage, Saoirse realizes she cannot let Ruby leave without fighting for her. Inspired by rom-coms Ruby loves, Saoirse plans a grand gesture. She finds Ruby, possibly at the train station or a significant location from their montage, and expresses her feelings. She confesses her love for Ruby, explaining her fears about her mother's illness and how the recent revelation changed her perspective. She admits she was wrong to push Ruby away and wants a real relationship, beyond the summer agreement. This emotional confession marks a turning point for Saoirse, showing her growth and willingness to embrace vulnerability and an uncertain future with Ruby.
A New Beginning
After Saoirse's heartfelt confession, Ruby, hurt but still caring for Saoirse, returns her feelings. They share an emotional reunion, acknowledging their deep connection that went beyond the 'montage' agreement. They decide to pursue a genuine relationship, knowing it will involve long-distance communication as Ruby goes to film school, but committing to making it work. Saoirse, no longer paralyzed by fear of an inevitable future, embraces the present and the love she has found. The summer that was meant to be a fleeting romance becomes the start of a real, lasting love story, with both girls ready to navigate its complexities together.
Principal Figures
Saoirse
The Protagonist
Saoirse transforms from a closed-off, fear-driven individual into someone willing to embrace love and an uncertain future.
Ruby
The Love Interest / Catalyst
Ruby remains true to her optimistic nature but also learns to navigate the complexities of Saoirse's fears and vulnerabilities, ultimately inspiring her to overcome them.
Alex
The Supporting
Alex consistently supports Saoirse, helping her gain clarity and courage.
Saoirse's Mother
The Supporting / Catalyst
Her condition remains stable but the understanding of its genetic implications evolves for Saoirse.
Saoirse's Father
The Supporting
He continues to be a pillar of support for his family, eventually providing the crucial information Saoirse needs.
Izzy
The Supporting
Izzy remains a constant, loving presence in Saoirse's life.
Themes & Insights
Fear of Inheritance and Future Uncertainty
The main theme is Saoirse's fear of inheriting early-onset dementia from her mother. This fear shapes her life, especially her avoidance of romantic relationships. She believes loving someone would be unfair, as she might forget them, causing pain. This theme appears in her initial cynicism, her 'no relationships' rule, and her emotional guardedness. The book explores how this fear stops her from living fully until she confronts it and learns important information about her mother's diagnosis, as seen when her father explains the genetic details.
“What's the point in falling in love if you're just going to forget it all anyway?”
The Power of Vulnerability and Emotional Connection
Despite Saoirse's efforts to stay emotionally detached, the story shows the power of vulnerability and genuine connection. Ruby's open and accepting nature slowly breaks down Saoirse's defenses. Through shared experiences during their 'montage' dates and deeper conversations, Saoirse learns to let her guard down, finding the joy and fulfillment of being truly seen and loved. This theme is clear in the road trip scene where Saoirse shares her deepest fears with Ruby, and in her final grand gesture where she openly confesses her love and vulnerability.
“Maybe the point isn’t about remembering everything, but about feeling it while it’s happening.”
Love vs. Fear
This theme explores the conflict between Saoirse's fear of a painful future and her growing love for Ruby. Her fear acts as a strong barrier, stopping her from embracing happiness and connection. The 'falling in love montage' initially lets her experience love without perceived risks, but as real feelings grow, the conflict intensifies. The story argues that choosing love, even with its uncertainties and potential for pain, is more fulfilling than living a life controlled by fear. This is resolved when Saoirse chooses to fight for Ruby after learning about her mother's condition, showing love overcoming fear.
“I was so busy being afraid of the future, I forgot to live in the now.”
The Reality and Idealization of Romance
The novel playfully looks at the difference between the idealized world of romantic comedies and the messy reality of falling in love. Ruby's love for rom-coms and their 'montage' agreement initially frame their relationship within these tropes. However, as their connection deepens, they move beyond movie scenes into real emotional intimacy, arguments, and vulnerability. The book suggests that while rom-coms can inspire, true love requires facing real-world challenges and embracing imperfections, proving more rewarding than any cinematic fantasy. The montage helps them discover something real.
“Turns out, falling in love isn't always a montage. Sometimes it's just... falling.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
The 'Falling in Love Montage' Agreement
A pact between Saoirse and Ruby to have a summer of cliché rom-com dates with a strict expiration date.
This agreement serves as the central structural device of the plot. It allows Saoirse, with her fear of commitment, to engage in a romantic experience she otherwise wouldn't. Initially a safeguard against heartbreak, it ironically becomes the very mechanism through which she falls in love. The 'rules' of the montage are consistently challenged by the developing genuine emotions between the characters, highlighting the ineffectiveness of trying to control love. It also provides a framework for various charming and humorous romantic scenes, while setting up the inevitable conflict when their feelings defy the agreement's terms.
Early-Onset Dementia (Saoirse's Mother's Condition)
The medical condition of Saoirse's mother that drives Saoirse's primary internal conflict.
This condition is a powerful motivating force for Saoirse's character and her emotional arc. It acts as the primary external and internal obstacle to her embracing love. The fear of genetic inheritance and the pain of witnessing her mother's decline lead Saoirse to believe she is incapable of a lasting relationship. The gradual revelation of details about the specific type of dementia, particularly the information about its non-inheritable nature in her mother's case, serves as a crucial turning point, freeing Saoirse from her self-imposed emotional prison and allowing her to pursue love.
The Blue Freckle
A distinctive physical feature of Ruby that acts as a subtle symbol of her uniqueness and Saoirse's attraction.
Ruby's blue freckle is a small but recurring detail that symbolizes her individuality and the unique impression she makes on Saoirse. It's a specific, slightly unusual trait that Saoirse notices early on, drawing her attention to Ruby. Beyond being a physical descriptor, it represents the small, perfect imperfections that make someone endearing and memorable. It's a subtle anchor for Saoirse's developing affection, a detail that makes Ruby stand out and becomes a fond, intimate identifier for Saoirse as she falls deeper in love.
Rom-Com Tropes and References
The frequent use and subversion of classic romantic comedy elements within the narrative.
The book heavily utilizes rom-com tropes, from meet-cutes and grand gestures to specific date ideas, often through Ruby's enthusiastic planning. This device serves multiple purposes: it creates a lighthearted and charming atmosphere, provides a shared interest for the characters, and allows the narrative to playfully comment on the genre itself. Crucially, it highlights the contrast between idealized movie romance and the messy reality of falling in love, ultimately showing that genuine connection transcends cinematic clichés. The 'montage' itself is a meta-reference to these tropes, which the characters consciously try to recreate.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“The thing about being lonely isn't that you're alone. It's that you're surrounded by people and you still feel alone.”
— Rhiannon's internal thoughts about her feelings of isolation despite having friends.
“Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is ask for help.”
— One of Rhiannon's friends offering advice during a difficult time.
“It's not about finding someone to complete you. It's about finding someone to accept all the incomplete parts.”
— Rhiannon's evolving understanding of love and relationships.
“We're all just figuring it out, one terrible decision at a time.”
— Rhiannon's sarcastic but honest reflection on teenage life and mistakes.
“Grief isn't a straight line. It's a tangled mess of feelings that comes and goes as it pleases.”
— Rhiannon trying to articulate her experience with grieving her mother.
“You can't live your life waiting for the worst to happen. You have to live it now.”
— Maeve encouraging Rhiannon to embrace new experiences.
“The best kind of montage isn't planned. It just happens.”
— Rhiannon realizing the beauty of spontaneous moments, contrasting with her initial 'montage' plan.
“Love isn't always fireworks and grand gestures. Sometimes it's just quiet understanding.”
— Rhiannon's mature perspective on the nature of love.
“It's okay to not be okay. And it's okay to let people see that.”
— A comforting thought shared between friends, emphasizing vulnerability.
“Being brave doesn't mean you're not scared. It means you do it anyway.”
— Rhiannon's internal monologue when facing a challenging situation.
“Sometimes the people you think are the most put-together are just the best at hiding their cracks.”
— Rhiannon observing her friends and peers, understanding inner struggles.
“You don't have to have all the answers. Just the courage to ask the questions.”
— Maeve's advice to Rhiannon about navigating uncertainty.
“The future isn't a fixed thing. It's something you build, piece by piece, with every choice you make.”
— Rhiannon contemplating her post-secondary plans and life direction.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
Saoirse avoids relationships due to her mother's early-onset dementia. She fears inheriting the condition and believes that any romantic connection would be pointless and painful if she were to eventually lose her memories and her partner. This fear drives her no-relationships rule.
