Even if I Fall by Abigail Johnson is one of my favorite books this month. This is an emotional story, told from the perspective of a teenager who is clearly feeling very alone in her pain. Brooke has lost her older brother, not to death, but prison. This book is a winding tale of sadness, sorrow and coming into one’s own pretty much on her own. Her mother, father and sister are devastated by what has happened and it seems that Brooke has no one in which to turn. She cannot tell her best friend the truth and for a time, loses her too.

I read this book in less than two days and the story will stay with me for some time. I found myself wanting to help Brooke when no one else would or could – the book really drew me in. It is so well written and very descriptive on the subject of grief and how it’s handled so differently by all involved. I highly recommend this book.

This story was heartbreaking in a way I never want to experience. Two you get siblings, one whose brother was murdered, the other brother is the murderer. The book is more focused on the family of the murderer. An insight on how such a tragedy will change a family dynamic.

Even If I Fall would be a perfect young adult movie- some enemies-turned friends-turned more (?), family drama, and a grief-soaked murder that might not be as straightforward as it seems.

Through the aftermath of a shocking murder, Johnson looks at the ripples of grief as they make their way through a small community and two unfortunate families. The star-crossed younger siblings, Heath and Brooke reacquaint themselves a year after Calvin's (Heath's brother) death at Jason's (Brooke's brother) hands.

The characters are all very well-done and believable. Each different in their approach to grief, we see the full spectrum of how people can handle such a shocking and powerful event: total denial, panicked perfection, staunch avoidance, rose-tinted glasses.

Heath and Brooke don't just only grieve the loss of their brothers, they have to mourn the loss of their old ways of life. Brooke is a bit of a martyr- she's willing to give up her dream in order to stick around for her family even though it may not be what they all want her to do. Heath is trapped, having to fill his perfect older brother's shoes when he's always been content to let Calvin shine in the spotlight.

Their connection is sweet albeit understandably tense at times. I loved the dynamic that started to develop between them as they realize that they can connect with each other without lessening their families' losses.

The plot follows a few different paths- Brooke's thirst to know what really happened that life-changing night, whether Brooke will seize her dreams or sacrifice her future for her family, and Heath's journey to finally give his life a purpose.

Overall, I really enjoyed Even If I Fall. It had a smooth balance of drama, shy romance, and a little bit of mystery that kept me dedicated the entire time I was reading.

Couldn't put this book down. Was an enthralling story and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Will definitely recommend to customers at my work!

Even If I Fall tells a moving, believable story of how people deal with grief and different kinds of loss. It is not a light read by any means, but I am glad I got the chance to read it, because it is the type of book that makes you think. The story will linger with me for some time yet, I am sure.

Even If I Fall is a heartbreaking story I couldn't stop reading. Your heart will break for Brooke and Heath and their crazy messed up relationship. This story is a must read for All. GREAT GREAT BOOK

I read The First To Know by Abigail Johnson last year, absolutely fell in love, and knew immediately that I would be reading whatever book she put out next. I was a little worried that I wuld be disappointed by Even If I Fall because I had SUCH high expectations for it, but nope, it lived up to those expectations and more.
It's so weird, when I usually read contemporary books, my favorite part is always the romance, but when it comes to Abigail's books, my favorite part always seems to be the family of the main character. Not to say that I don't like the romance that is in the book, just that the family aspect is done so well that it becomes what I love about the book (which I honestly can not say about a lot of books for me). The struggle that Brooke goes through is nothing I have ever experienced, yet I was able to feel the pain and heartbreak that she went through knowing that her brother had murdered his best friend while also knowing that she still loved him because he was her brother and would always be her brother.
Speaking of family, no one in Brooke's family does well after Brooke's brother Jason goes to jail, and I liked the fact that you saw everyone dealing and grieving in different ways. Then, we also got to see a little bit from the other side of what happened when Brooke starts talking to the younger brother of the guy her brother murdered. It was so interesting to see Heath and Brooke connect over what they had both gone through; even though they are on different sides of what happened, the repercussions of what happened leave similar impacts on both of them.
This book broke my heart many times, and I loved it so so much. It is definitely one to look out for when it comes out on January 8th.

Painful and heartwrenching at times, it reminded me vaguely of Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen with a sibling who has to bear the sins of their sibling and come to terms with the way it affects them. 4.5 only because I don't love when romances are only tied together by grief and the title which I feel isn't a great representation, but overall strongly written.
I received a copy of this from Netgalley for an honest review.

I received this preview copy through NetGalley. I didn’t expect to read it in less than 2 days! While dealing with a complex and heartbreaking main storyline, this novel also managed to tell a believable love story - with two rather unlikely star crossed characters.