Viv has grown up in the mountains of West Virginia, and the mountains and forest that surround her home have given her soul healing and solace after losing her mom at an early age and her aunt just weeks ago. She also runs to the woods when she is overwhelmed with the terrible rumors her ex-boyfriend has circulated about her get overwhelming. Now her forest is being threatened by fracking and gas pipelines, and Viv will do anything she can to protect this land she loves.
Dex has just moved to West Virginia because his mom has gotten a job with the gas pipeline that may finally secure the two of them a stable home and raise their income above the poverty line, He is determined to join the army after he graduates so that the military will pay for the education he will need to become a lawyer so he can earn enough to support himself and his mother so she never has to work multiple jobs again..
The lives of Viv and Dex collide, and they are on the way to being friends-and maybe even more-when they realize that they are on opposite sides of the pipeline debate, and each of them will fight with all of their heart as they struggle to stay true to themselves and protect their families.
Reading Fault Lines was a pleasure from start to finish, and I loved both of these characters that are genuine and flawed and passionate and wonderful. In addition to authentic characters, Carpenter's is enlightening regarding the debate over fracking and the health of the forests in West Virginia. It is clear that the author knows intimately the arguments for and against the pipelines crisscrossing the forests, and it is also clear that there is no right answer to the debate..
Fault Lines is beautifully written and engaging!

This novel gives readers an accurate and ultimately hopeful portrait of the struggles of rural communities in America. Taking on the environmental issues of fracking and conservation, Carpenter offers characters who, as teens, navigate the complicated landscape of finding their way while also attempting to secure a future for themselves, their families, and the community and land surrounding them. Viv and Dec see the world so very differently, and yet, their differences make their actions more impactful.

Fault Lines by Nora Shalaway Carpenter is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that takes a deep dive into socio-economics, gender expectations, and environmental ethics. The story follows Vivian Spry, a seventeen-year-old girl living in rural West Virginia who is struggling to find her place in the world after her aunt's death. Vivian has a unique ability to sense energy, but no one in her town seems to have the time or interest in a girl who doesn't fit in. When fracking destroys her tree stand and nearly kills her, Vivian becomes determined to take the gas company down.

Enter Dex Mathews, the new kid in town whose mom works for the pipeline company. As Vivian and Dex's worlds collide, a slow-burn romance develops, but Vivian's plan to sabotage the pipeline company could result in Dex's mom losing her job, leaving them both homeless. The two must decide what they are willing to fight for - their families, their principles, or each other.

Fault Lines is a powerful and well-written story that delves into complex issues while also offering a heartwarming romance. The characters are well-developed and realistic, and the writing is both lyrical and accessible. Overall, this is a must-read for anyone interested in social justice, environmentalism, or just a good romance.