Book Review: No Place to Fall by Jaye Robin Brown

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No Place to Fall
Author: Jaye Robin Brown
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary
Released: December 9th 2014
Review Source: Harper Teen

Amber Vaughn is a good girl. She sings solos at church, babysits her nephew after school, and spends every Friday night hanging out at her best friend Devon’s house. It’s only when Amber goes exploring in the woods near her home, singing camp songs with the hikers she meets on the Appalachian Trail, that she feels free—and when the bigger world feels just a little bit more in reach.

When Amber learns about an audition at the North Carolina School of the Arts, she decides that her dream—to sing on bigger stages—could also be her ticket to a new life. Devon’s older (and unavailable) brother, Will, helps Amber prepare for her one chance to try out for the hypercompetitive arts school. But the more time Will and Amber spend together, the more complicated their relationship becomes . . . and Amber starts to wonder if she’s such a good girl, after all.

Then, in an afternoon, the bottom drops out of her family’s world—and Amber is faced with an impossible choice between her promise as an artist and the people she loves. Amber always thought she knew what a good girl would do. But between “right” and “wrong,” there’s a whole world of possibilities.

To live the big dreams...

I think we all go through this in life. Sometimes what we acquired is not enough and we want more out of life. Unfortunately, some of us do not accomplish it all. Sometimes it's what is meant to be.

16-year-old Amber wants the live the city life. She wants to travel the world, accomplish what her sister didn’t, and hopefully one day leave her small town. Yet, with her mother strict religious rules and her family background, Amber feels like it is a duty for her to satisfy everyone. Even if it means sacrificing her desires.

No Place to Fall was interesting. It was okay for my liking but the writing was great. At times I felt like it was too much and I felt overwhelmed. Don’t get me wrong, the storyline is very believable, Amber is likeable and I dig the romance. Yet I couldn't connect with any of the characters. At times I feel like I belong to a small town, yet when I read books like No Place to Fall, I’m glad I live in a city. Having so many people all over your business is something I cannot put up with.

Overall, I think No Place to Fall is worth the shot. The story is interesting and it deals with issues everyone goes through in life.