My Review: CRACKED UP TO BE by Courtney Summers
Wednesday, September 19, 2012 at 12:00AM 
Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Goodreads Summary:
When "Perfect" Parker Fadley starts drinking at school and failing her classes, all of St. Peter's High goes on alert. How has the cheerleading captain, girlfriend of the most popular guy in school, consummate teacher's pet, and future valedictorian fallen so far from grace?
Parker doesn't want to talk about it. She'd just like to be left alone, to disappear, to be ignored. But her parents have placed her on suicide watch and her conselors are demanding the truth. Worse, there's a nice guy falling in love with her and he's making her feel things again when she'd really rather not be feeling anything at all.
Nobody would have guessed she'd turn out like this. But nobody knows the truth.
Something horrible has happened, and it just might be her fault.
My Review:
I was so impressed by Courtney Summers YA zombie release, THIS IS NOT A TEST, that I decided to back-track and get all of her books, starting from the beginning.
And CRACKED UP TO BE? Yeah, this one did not disappoint.
The MC Parker Fadley is insanely well written, from her anxiety-ridden finger snapping, to her issues with alcohol. The moment she stepped on the page, I knew I'd love this character.
And the supporting cast, well, they rounded out the story perfectly. The annoying wannabe Becky, so desperate to take over the pedestal of popularity that Parker has gladly jumped from. Her ex, Chris, who's still madly in love with her and quite possibly will never stop feeling that way, regardless of who else he's with. And of course, Jake - the new boy at school - who has absolutely no idea what he's just stepped into, but doesn't seem to care. Even the relationship with Bailey, Parker's newly adopted dog, played a pivotal role throughout the story - one I'll admit, I may even have shed a tear or two over.
Courtney Summers has a knack for voice, making you feel every word you're reading - and all while moving you along quickly. Each character had a reason for being there. And I loved how she injected flash-backs all along the way, which in the end, wove together and told the whole truth about what really happened.
CRACKED UP TO BE was definitely on the darker side of YA, tackling several tough subjects from start to finish. It was well written and oh-so spot on. And I loved it.
This is a definite must read if you're looking for the honest truth about some of the things that really happen in high school. I'm a fan, Ms. Summers, without a doubt.
Reader Comments (6)
I haven't read this one yet, but it sounds like something I might like. I didn't really enjoy THIS IS NOT A TEST (which is why I didn't end up reviewing it for the YA Book Club last month), and I'm not sure if it was because it was a zombie novel or what. The things that everyone raved about were things that drove me bonkers. Ah well. To each his/her own, right?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this one. I'll have to add it to my TBR list. :)
Hi Jaime!!!
So sorry THIS IS NOT A TEST wasn't your cup of tea! As I've mentioned before, I'm a huge zombie fan - so I know that's why I really enjoyed that one.
But...
I'm so glad you're adding CRACKED UP TO BE to your TBR list. This is in NO WAY zombie-esque - but instead, is a total, straight-up contemporary. The MC may still drive you bonkers, but it's because her flaws are written so well.
You'll have to let me know what you think, once you've read it...but I definitely enjoyed it. Thanks so much for stopping by!
I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH.
There are a hundred things I can say about it, but one of my very favorite things is that she keeps bringing up this "what is the worst thing you've ever done?" over and over and the whole time I'm thinking that there is no way Parker's bad thing is going to stand up to this much build-up, you know? There's no way it's going to be so bad that it pays off. BUT IT TOTALLY DOES. Man, she pulled that off so well. It really is the worst thing ever.
Love, love, love this book.
I haven't read this one, but I do adore SOME GIRLS ARE. Courtney's writing style is so gritty and realistic, I can't help but fall in love with her books. Great review as usual, Erin!
Hi Jessica! I couldn't agree with you more - the entire time I was reading, I was thinking whatever it was that Parker had done, couldn't possibly be that bad...but then I remembered how THIS IS NOT A TEST ended - and realized, yeah, it could be that bad. And then when I got there? I SO wasn't disappointed! Courtney has a way with endings, that's for sure!
Katy - Gritty and realistic are two spot on adjectives to describe Courtney's writing, without a doubt. She writes teen so well and manages to tackle some pretty impressive topics, to boot. You'll definitely have to read CRACKED UP TO BE and let me know what you think. And I'm about halfway done with SOME GIRLS ARE. Man, bullies were somewhat around when I was in high school - but if I had to deal with what kids now-a-days have to deal with (mostly thanks to technology), I don't know what I'd do. Hope you're enjoying your time home!
Thanks to you both for stopping by!
I loved CRACKED UP TO BE! The finger snapping was the BEST. I don't know how she manages to write these characters who are so awful and still make you like them. And the payoff was perfect. Loved it.