No Place to Fall - Jaye Robin Brown

No Place to Fall by Jaye Robin Brown
Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication Date: December 9, 2014
Source/Format: Edelweiss (Thanks!) || e-galley
[I received this book from the publisher. This in no way influences my review.]

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.

It’s always a pleasure to be pleasantly surprised by a book! No Place to Fall is definitely a read that surprised me – in a good way. I’ll admit that I entertained some doubts about this one, based on the initial chapters. But as I got to know main character Amber and the people in her life, things got real interesting. It’s not a story where the shitty stuff is glossed over; rather, Brown exposes the reality of Amber’s world, good, bad and everything in between.

There are quite a few events in No Place to Fall that made me uncomfortable. And yet, that’s one of the book’s main strengths: an unbiased, non-judgmental telling of Amber’s story. It was hard to read about Amber’s choices at times, but it also felt true to who she was as a person. The way No Place to Fall unfolds is dramatic, mimicking the way teen TV dramas like One Tree Hill play out. There are some high stakes and some big consequences, but it never felt overdone.

Even though I enjoyed No Place to Fall, in the end, it still wound up being just an ok read. I appreciated the plot, in spite of the dramatic events that take place. But the lack of a real connection with Amber, or with any other character, is what prevents me from giving this book a higher rating overall. Brown definitely wooed me with a compelling plot though! Though it’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, I’d suggest giving No Place to Fall a shot.

What's your favorite church song?

It doesn't surprise me that I think this question is tough! My faith is something I try to be in tune with constantly, and there are certain songs that make me feel closer, and more connected, to the Lord. I think, personally, my top three would be: In Him Alone, Tanging Yaman (roughly translates to "My Only Treasure") and Oceans.