My Review: FALL FOR ANYTHING by Courtney Summers

Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads Summary:

From the author of Cracked Up to Be and Some Girls Are comes a gripping story about one girl’s search for clues into the mysterious death of her father. 

When Eddie Reeves’s father commits suicide her life is consumed by the nagging question of why? Why when he was a legendary photographer and a brilliant teacher? Why when he seemed to find inspiration in everything he saw? And, most important, why when he had a daughter who loved him more than anyone else in the world? When she meets Culler Evans, a former student of her father’s and a photographer himself, an instant and dangerous attraction begins. Culler seems to know more about her father than she does and could possibly hold the key to the mystery surrounding his death. But Eddie’s vulnerability has weakened her and Culler Evans is getting too close. Her need for the truth keeps her hanging on...but are some questions better left unanswered?

My Review:

FALL FOR ANYTHING delivers the same raw and honest writing style we're used to seeing from Courtney Summers, as she yet again tackles an intense subject that many authors tend to shy away from.

This time, our MC Eddie, has just lost her father to suicide. Her mom has succumbed to a deep bout of depression, and her mom's best friend, Beth - who Eddie can't stand - has moved in to help.

Then there's Eddie's own best friend, a boy named Milo, who's in love with another girl. And she might just be taking him away from her.

One of my favorite writing nuances of Summers', is that most all of her MC's are plagued with some tiny quirk. In CRACKED UP TO BE (probably my favorite of her novels), the MC Parker Fadley suffers from anxiety-ridden finger snapping, which was incredibly well written and such an important flaw to her character. And this time in FALL FOR ANYTHING, Eddie believes her hands are dying - and throughout the novel, constantly complains about how she can't feel her fingers, or how cold her hands are...even though she admits later on, that she knows it's all in her head.

As Eddie struggles to understand why her father would kill himself, she questions everything - including her potential role in pushing him over the edge. So much to deal with at the age of seventeen, yet nothing is held back throughout the pages.

I love reading powerful and emotional writing like this and I'm not surprised that yet again, Courtney Summers has nailed it. I highly recommend all of her books - as you can tell, I am a huge fan. And I definitely can't wait to get my hands on her upcoming release, ALL THE RAGE, when it debuts early next year.

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My Review: CRACKED UP TO BE by Courtney Summers

Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Goodreads Summary:

When "Perfect" Parker Fadley starts drinking at school and failing her classes, all of St. Peter's High goes on alert. How has the cheerleading captain, girlfriend of the most popular guy in school, consummate teacher's pet, and future valedictorian fallen so far from grace?

Parker doesn't want to talk about it. She'd just like to be left alone, to disappear, to be ignored. But her parents have placed her on suicide watch and her conselors are demanding the truth. Worse, there's a nice guy falling in love with her and he's making her feel things again when she'd really rather not be feeling anything at all.

Nobody would have guessed she'd turn out like this. But nobody knows the truth.

Something horrible has happened, and it just might be her fault.

My Review:

I was so impressed by Courtney Summers YA zombie release, THIS IS NOT A TEST, that I decided to back-track and get all of her books, starting from the beginning.

And CRACKED UP TO BE? Yeah, this one did not disappoint.

The MC Parker Fadley is insanely well written, from her anxiety-ridden finger snapping, to her issues with alcohol. The moment she stepped on the page, I knew I'd love this character.

And the supporting cast, well, they rounded out the story perfectly. The annoying wannabe Becky, so desperate to take over the pedestal of popularity that Parker has gladly jumped from. Her ex, Chris, who's still madly in love with her and quite possibly will never stop feeling that way, regardless of who else he's with. And of course, Jake - the new boy at school - who has absolutely no idea what he's just stepped into, but doesn't seem to care. Even the relationship with Bailey, Parker's newly adopted dog, played a pivotal role throughout the story - one I'll admit, I may even have shed a tear or two over.

Courtney Summers has a knack for voice, making you feel every word you're reading - and all while moving you along quickly. Each character had a reason for being there. And I loved how she injected flash-backs all along the way, which in the end, wove together and told the whole truth about what really happened.

CRACKED UP TO BE was definitely on the darker side of YA, tackling several tough subjects from start to finish. It was well written and oh-so spot on. And I loved it.

This is a definite must read if you're looking for the honest truth about some of the things that really happen in high school. I'm a fan, Ms. Summers, without a doubt.

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