Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers
Summary: 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: I think I have been avoiding writing this review. This book is very well-written, and very raw. Very raw – especially if you have been affected by suicide in some way. Summers does an excellent job of tapping into the feelings, the questions, the pain, the horror that all result when one is a survivor of suicide. (I believe that is what they call those left behind by someone who chooses to end their own life.) How do I know this? Someone in my family committed suicide 10 years ago. While I wasn’t as close to this person (in large part because we live 125 miles away), I still was affected more than I ever would have expected. The why, the desperation this person must have felt to do such a thing. I was haunted by this person for at least a year. Those closer to this individual were no doubt affected even more, and I can only imagine just how hard it was for them.
Anyway, the question of why. That is run over and over and over in this book, and it’s not overdone at all. That question never – NEVER – goes away. Not even when there’s a note. Not even when you know they’ve been depressed. Because if you’re close to that person – like in Eddie’s case, the child of that someone – you can’t help but wonder why you weren’t enough to live for. And beyond that is wondering if you were part of the reason. And Eddie’s inner struggle, inner turmoil, is all so well shown. I cannot say if I’d find this book so raw, so well-written, so good if I wasn’t able to relate to Eddie’s woes. That’s something that’s impossible to know, of course.
Beth. I hated her. As much as Eddie did. What a bitch! (Sorry for the language, but there really is no other word.) Now, yes, this is filtered through a teen’s perspective, but that didn’t in any way make me cut Beth any slack at all. She’s horrible, and I felt so bad for Eddie. It’s not enough that she has to struggle in the aftermath of her father’s death, watching her mother grieve, too. Oh, no, she’s got to put up with Beth, who doesn’t seem to think Eddie needs to grieve the loss of her father. I did occasionally want to slap Eddie’s mother simply for not protecting Eddie from Beth.
Beth aside, this book was excellent. The characters were (mostly) great. Although, I do have to mention Culler Evans. I think the name is just way too similar to a certain vampire, as I kept thinking the wrong name as I read – and I haven’t even read any of the Twilight books! Part of me wonders if that was even a tiny bit on purpose. Oh, and I must add that I just love the title of this book because it works on more than one level!
Will I read this again? I don’t know. As well-written as it is, I don’t know if I could emotionally go through that all again. Not even with knowing how it plays out. As I stated above, it’s raw. Very raw. I avoided writing this review because I was avoiding thinking about this. So, unless my daughters read this at some point, I just don’t think I will. But, I would recommend it for sure. Very, very good.
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: Received through Around The World Tours for review.
Read It: Get your own copy of Fall for Anything HERE.
Challenges: Counts for 100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge 2011.
FTC Disclosure: All items reviewed were either obtained by me for my own enjoyment or sent (from the author, publisher, publicist, via tour sites, etc.) in exchange for an honest review. I receive no monetary compensation for my posts. All opinions expressed are my own.
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