Book Review: Fall For Anything by Courtney Summers

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?




Are you longing for a good mystery wrapped up in heart wrenching emotion with a main character you want to reach out and hug and a couple of hot guys? 

Of course you are!

You need to read Fall For Anything, Courtney Summer's new release as soon as possible!

After Some Girls Are, I was itching for another Courtney Summer's book.  Fall For Anything proves once again that Summers is a shining star in the contemporary YA genre.  It's gripping, emotional and just like Courtney's past two books, Cracked Up To Be and Some Girls Are, it sticks with you after the last page. 

I will admit, the back cover blurb did me no favors because it made me distrust of one of the characters before he was ever introduced.  BUT, it didn't take away from the plot, the fabulous writing that is trademark Summer's style, and how I felt about the story in the end. 

Eddie is different from Parker and Regina, Summer's past two main characters.  She's broken, vulnerable and desperate for answers to why her dad committed suicide.  But don't let her vulnerability fool you, she's no weak character hiding under her covers crying.  Eddie searches doggedly for the reason her dad would take his life, to the point of putting her trust and faith into someone she shouldn't. 

Milo is more than a best friend, and he's as dedicated to putting her back together as she is to figuring out what happened the night her father died.  Every girl needs a Milo in her life. 

Possibly my favorite book of Summer's three - but that's a difficult distinction to make because Some Girls Are has been on my overall YA favorites list since the week it released... we'll call it a tie! 

More than worth the read!  Highly suggested by this GotYA member.

5-Minute Book Club

Our book pick this month is Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers. You seriously have to click on her name to go to her site just to see the cow. I love it!

This is what it's about:

Climbing to the top of the social ladder is hard–falling from it is even harder. Regina Afton used to be a member of the Fearsome Fivesome, an all-girl clique both feared and revered by the students at Hallowell High… until vicious rumors about her and her best friend’s boyfriend start going around. Now Regina’s been “frozen out” and her ex-best friends are out for revenge. If Regina was guilty, it would be one thing, but the rumors are far from the terrifying truth and the bullying is getting more intense by the day. She takes solace in the company of Michael Hayden, a misfit with a tragic past who she herself used to bully. Friendship doesn’t come easily for these onetime enemies, and as Regina works hard to make amends for her past, she realizes Michael could be more than just a friend… if threats from the Fearsome Foursome don’t break them both first…

This is what we have to say:

Kathleen:

At first, I was very disappointed. I made it to page 152 before realizing that there would be no werewolves in this book. Total bummer. Everyone knows that werewolves are the cherries on top of the ice cream.

Despite the disturbing lack of werewolves, Courtney Summers again manages to prove that she’s one of the most exciting contemporary YA writers in, well, ever. I loved her use of present tense, I loved her voice, I loved page 111 which had just a single sentence. And I especially loved Michael. There are three writers who make me desperately wish I wrote contemp. Courtney Summers is one of them.

Jamie:

SGA had me turning the pages at light speed, hands glued to the cover, unable to put it down until the very last word. Inside my head I kept chanting, oh no, oh no, OMG, no way! Just when I thought the last twist had come, I ran right into another one. Raw. Real. This one stays with you. You want to start all over from page one when you finish.

Jennifer:

Some Girls Are was a major wow. I don't like the perfect- pampered-rich girls and bullies and complete high school angst that has become a cliché, so I was skeptical. But this was surprisingly refreshing and not a cliché. Regina gave as good as she got. I actually found myself sympathizing with almost all of the characters. I was drawn in by the voice. And my weakness, the boy love interest, was refreshing. Michael was the absolute best. I would read this again, it was that engrossing.

PS: Werewolves make hot love interests :P

Our super-de-dooper guest blogger, Melissa Hill:

This is Mean Girls, except meaner. The story examines how girls can be so cruel to each other in a way that makes me glad I’m no longer in high school. Despite having cruel intentions, I liked Regina and wanted her to get the guy in the end. I think the biggest strength of the story was the depth of the characters and the way you were never really sure how everything was going to work out.

Debra:

This book is seriously one of my Favorite. YA Contemps. Evah. I bow to Summers' brilliance at taking a thoroughly unlikable character--Regina--and making me weep for her not once, not twice, but THREE times in the course of the novel. Genius, despite the absence of werewolves (Kath made me say that.) The first person present prose was strong, powerful, and at times, gut wrenching, and the love interest was convincing. Even given the sort of ambiguous ending with the lead Mean Girl character, I really can't recommend this book highly enough. Go. Read. And be very, very jealous that YOU didn't write it.

Sarah:

I found it very weird to cry in frustration from a book. I don't think it's ever happened before. But there I was, seriously shedding tears because I felt so much pity for mean girl Regina. Not only does Some Girls Are keep you flipping pages violently until the end, but it puts things in perspective, shining light on the brutality of high school drama and gossip. Summers pushes the limits while avoiding a soap opera slope. And although I saw Regina's flaws throughout every scene, I still rooted for her until the very last page.

What are your thoughts?