The Upside of Falling (2020) Parents Guide: Is the book OK for kids?

The novel depicts the development of romantic tension between Becca and Brett, moving from staged public displays to genuine affection. Physical intimacy is mostly limited to kissing and hand-holding throughout the narrative, mirroring the typical beats of contemporary YA romance. However, the story escalates in Chapter 26 when the couple retreats to a bedroom after a period of emotional vulnerability. In this sequence, Brett removes Becca's shirt and the two lie down together on a bed; while the narrative employs…

Physical violence is entirely absent from this contemporary romance, as the narrative focuses strictly on interpersonal dynamics and emotional growth. The primary conflicts manifest as verbal sparring in school hallways or tense confrontations within the family home. Becca experiences social aggression from her former friend Jenny, which takes the form of public embarrassment rather than physical harm. The most intense scene involves a verbal altercation between Brett and his father, where the anger is palpable…

The dialogue reflects a modern teenage setting, which includes a frequent and casual use of profanity that may surprise readers of 'clean' romance. Words such as 'f*ck,' 'sh*t,' 'b*tch,' and 'ass' appear throughout the text, particularly when characters are under emotional duress. The frequency of the f-word increases during the middle and final thirds of the book as the stakes of the fake-dating ruse and the family secrets rise. While the language is not used for shock value, it serves to characterize the…

Substance use is treated as a background element of the high school experience rather than a central plot point or a source of major drama. There are references to alcohol being present at teenage parties, such as the gathering where the fake relationship is first tested by peer pressure. However, neither Becca nor Brett are depicted as having issues with drugs or alcohol, and the narrative does not focus on intoxication or the consequences of substance abuse. Brief mentions of characters holding cups or the smell…

The narrative centers on the psychological impact of parental infidelity and the resulting breakdown of the nuclear family. Becca’s cynicism regarding love is rooted in her father's departure, which has left her emotionally isolated and fearful of vulnerability. This theme is mirrored and intensified when Brett discovers his own father’s secret life, forcing him to navigate the burden of truth versus family stability. The book also explores the pressures of high school social hierarchies and the 'performance' of…