My review of No Place to Fall

No Place to Fall by Jaye Robin Brown
Release Date: December 9, 2014
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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.

No Place to Fall is a contemporary book that doesn't follow a storyline that you'll be expecting. This is a book that isn't afraid to delve deep into different themes and issues that is told through the eyes of a selfless girl called Amber and just tries to do her best to keep everyone happy. Her family has many issues regarding money and trust, amongst many others. 

I wasn't too keen on Amber as a narrator as her actions are not justified. I found myself sitting back and thinking, "why on this holy earth would you do THAT?" I simply couldn't relate to her. However I liked how a lot of this novel is the author showing Amber's willingness to help her family and others around her, and I really admired that, but there are always people trying to take advantage of such qualities which spices up the story a bit more.

Also, there is an element of romance in the book, which plays an important role in driving the story, but it didn't really hit home for me. It felt off and not completely right. There was no build up and I couldn't understand why Amber liked the guy that she did, and none of her decisions with him made much sense either.

No Place to Fall is an enjoyable story of self discovery and making the most of the life that you have. I don't think I will revisit the book again any time soon but at the same time I didn't hate it. I didn't like the main character, but the book is still unique and the story worth your time.

Rating

A review copy was provided by the publisher