Review: Fall For Anything by Courtney Summers

Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers

Release date: December 21, 2010

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin/ 224 Pages/ Young Adult

Source: Publisher/Author (ARC)

Other books by this author: Cracked Up to Be, Some Girls Are

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?

Review:

Fall for Anything was, amazingly, my first novel by Courtney Summers. I have Cracked Up to Be and Some Girls Are on my TBR but I just haven’t had a chance to read them yet. After finishing the beautifully written and intense Fall for Anything I will be reading both of them as soon as I can!

To begin with, Eddie was a great main character. She wasn’t always likable, but my heart went out to her. She was dealing with so much pain and just didn’t know where to turn. After her father commits suicide, Eddie’s mother basically shuts herself off from the world. I truly felt for Mrs. Reeves, but I wish she was there for Eddie as well. I couldn’t relate to what Eddie was going through, but the pain and heartbreak of losing a loved one, especially a father, is terrible no matter what. Not only did Mr. Reeves commit suicide, but also he didn’t tell anyone why. No one knew, not Eddie, not Mrs. Reeves, and not Culler Evans, his ex-student.

Culler Evans was the one character that truly understood Eddie’s grief better than anyone. They set out on a road trip to visit the places in the photographs Mr. Reeves left behind for Eddie. As Eddie learns more and more about Culler she discovers he may not be what she seems. In addition to Culler, there were two other characters in this book that added so much to the story. Beth, Mrs. Reeves’s best friend and resident-in-control. It was great to watch Eddie’s relationship with both her mother and Beth change over the course of the story. Another character with a large part in the book was Milo. Milo was Eddie’s best friend since childhood and a truly sweet and understanding guy.

There was a lot of mystery and uncertainty concerning the suicide of Eddie’s father and Fall for Anything was packed with emotions. With a single phrase or statement Courtney could have me laughing or crying. This is one novel that I highly recommend picking up, especially since it released in paperback. Courtney Summers truly knows how to write a novel that will have readers gripping the pages and experiencing the emotions and ups and downs of each character. I am beyond anxious to read her previous two novels and to see what’s next for her.

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars