Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers

Release Date: 21st December, 2011

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Pages: 230pgs

The Story

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 is getting too close. Her need for the truth keeps her hanging on . . . but are some questions better left unanswered?

The Review

Courtney Summers became a favourite YA author of mine when I read Some Girls Are and while that book remains a top favourite, but FALL FOR ANYTHING is something a little lighter (I don't know if that's the right word for it) for readers to still enjoy. But I have to admit, her books aren't for everyone's tastes!

Like the plot mentioned above, Eddie's father committed suicide and she's left with the question of "Why?" With her family life going a bit out of control - what with her zombie mother and her crazy mother's best friend who would peeve off everyone if they met her in real life - Eddie wants to know the answers to her father's death. Wouldn't anyone? Especially since her father was so successful in his photography career and seemed pretty normal before his death. Problem is, the why question makes Eddie even more paranoid than she should be.

As we walk in Eddie's shoes, I have to admit . . . I found it hard at first as it was a slow beginning and it didn't interest me as much as Summers other books. But once you hit the halfway mark and begin to unravel some of the secrets about her father . . . it became quite an interesting read. While Eddie wasn't a favourite character of mine and the same goes for this mysterious-creepy-a-little-weird Culler, I did however LOVE Eddie's best friend, Milo. He's the best friend everyone would want to hang around with and support you. He has put up a lot with Eddie's depression but the thing I loved most about him, was that he cared for her so much! He never gave up on her whereas a lot of people would have in his position. I think he was the stronger voice than Eddie was, but maybe that's just me. Nonetheless, each and every character in this book had a purpose to the story, and I'm glad to have read this one.

Without revealing spoilers since it's a much shorter book, all I can say is that Courtney Summers is a very strong writer when it comes to emotions and real life situations. She's gets what's going inside a teenagers head and knows how to tackle the tough issues that are perhaps quite relatable to a lot of kids. Even though this may not be my favourite Summers book so far, but FALL FOR ANYTHING is definitely the book you should read if you too are a fan of her previous books. It's quite a journey of grief, questions, and answers that you didn't see coming. But most of all, like each Courtney Summers book, there's a powerful message and it's up to you to decide what that is.

The Rating

3/5 stars