[Review] No Place to Fall by Jaye Robin Brown

Title: No Place to Fall

Author: Jaye Robin Brown [ Facebook | Twitter | Website ]

Publisher: HarperTeen, an imprint of HarperCollins

Genre: Young Adult Fiction - Contemporary, Romance

Release Date: December 9, 2014

Source: ARC gifted by author, opinions are honest and my own. – review policy here.

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 hyper-competitive 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. - via Goodreads

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Praise the Mountains!

I can honestly say that this read is a dedication to Carolina mountain living. From the shoutout to the Appalachian Trail, banjos, and several "major cities" this made me love North Carolina even more. I'm a transplant. ;) 

Brown's prose brings the mountains alive with her rich scene setting and faithfulness to the area. 

On point and so real

One thing that ticked me about the synopsis is this idea that Amber can only be a "good" or "bad" girl. Really she's just human who is good and has some poor decision making. However, her home life is less than ideal and brings about several conflicts. Each one is handled differently but not in a cookie cutter fashion which makes it an authentic and real read. 

Amber is confident, independent and sort of the only one with any sense in her family. Her sister lives out back in a trailer with her drug dealing husband and kid, dad "works late," and mom drowns all her reality in scripture. All of this leaves Amber, growing up quickly, on the hunt for a way out and escaping via her music. 

While several issues are introduced, Brown handles each character's response with an authentic tone adding flavor to the diverse cast and depth to the story.

The Ship

Brown kept me guessing in this area as to who Amber would end up with. However, with the choices presented there's no love triangle. I do ship them and it's perfect. Integrated with the music (even if it is bluegrass or church music) makes it even more swoon-worthy! 

LOLOLOLOL

I had SEVERAL LOL moments. At one point I even had to stop to DM the author about a quote that had be laughing for a good moment. There's some awesome supporting characters that make for a good laugh and add the needed comedic relief to escape Amber's home life. 

I'm particularly fond of brother's Devon and Will who bring some light into the other characters' worlds. I need Devon in my life. 

The stakes aren't high enough...

While I enjoyed the read in the end the stakes were just not high enough for me. Amber's conflict is valid, her struggle with "doing the right thing" is solid, but the fall out is revealed and I'm ehh... life goes on. 

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Recommended for...

Lovers of contemporaries with a bright side and a good laugh, minus love triangles. Sweet Caroline... duh, duh, duh... 

3.5 Stars – I hear a banjo, paddle faster! (To read this book)