Author: Courtney Summers
Release Date: December 21, 2010 (trade paperback)
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Pages: 224
Source: Bought
Overall: 4.5 Stars
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 Thoughts:
You can really do no wrong with reading a novel by Courtney Summers. I’ve loved her first two novels, and once again, I’ve fallen in love with her latest novel, Fall for Anything. It’s a novel completely unlike her first two, yet it still retains her certain style of writing that never hesitates to show just how messed up the world – and people – can be. It’s a dark, somber contemporary novel that will play with your emotions and deals with the subject of grief in a way that I’ve never come across before.
After the recent suicide of her legendary photographer father, Eddie Reeves has only one question on her mind, “Why?” Learning the truth is the only thing she can think about and the possibility of finding an answer is the sole reason she can find the strength to even carry on. Her mother is completely grief-stricken and though Eddie’s best friend Milo is doing his best to be there for her, Eddie’s lost in her own world… thinking about the night her father ended his life and if she could have done something more to help him. Then one night, Eddie meets Culler Evans, her father’s former student, and he may be the only person able to help her. But will it be worth it to find the answer that she seeks?
Once again, Courtney Summers has created a well-developed cast of characters that continuously drive the novel forward. Eddie’s loss and grief felt so real… her pain was like your pain. It was heartbreaking to watch her struggle to search for some sort of meaning in her father's death as she hoped to find a sense of closure, but I smiled when Eddie brought out her sarcastic sense of humour that you’ll recognize from Courtney Summers’ previous novels. Oh Milo, we need to see more guys like you around. Their friendship hasn’t been the same since Eddie’s father died, but he would always have her back.
And then there’s Culler… whose sudden appearance and the knowledge he brings completely throw Eddie for a loop. There’s something comforting about Culler to Eddie because she’s found another grieving soul… someone who recognizes her pain and feels the same way. But as she becomes closer to him, the more she pushes Milo away. As soon as Culler was introduced, I couldn’t shake this wary feeling I had of him. Eddie is at her most vulnerable moment yet we don’t know too much about Culler… so I always kept my guard up whenever he appeared, even if it did really seem he had the best of intentions.
It’s just another element I love about Courtney’s writing! I can never completely predict what’s going to happen in her novels. Will she put her characters through the ringer or throw them a bone? I’m always left on edge wondering what will occur next! When I first finished the novel, I didn’t think the ending was completely satisfying but after thinking about it for awhile… I don’t think I would have wanted it any other way.
Courtney Summers has quickly fast-tracked her way to becoming one of my favourite contemporary authors, writing flawed characters whose magnetic personalities refuse to let you go until their stories are heard. You’ll be definitely falling for Fall for Anything and I’m already highly anticipating Courtney’s next novel.
**You can also read a bonus short story which Courtney Summers wrote called Awake told from Milo's perspective. It's spoiler-free and takes place before the events in Fall for Anything. If you're interested in reading it, just click here.**
**You can also read a bonus short story which Courtney Summers wrote called Awake told from Milo's perspective. It's spoiler-free and takes place before the events in Fall for Anything. If you're interested in reading it, just click here.**
