Brooke and Heath should never have become friends, let alone fallen in love A year ago, Brooke Covington lost everything when her beloved older brother, Jason, confessed to the murder of his best friend, Calvin. Brooke and her family became social pariahs, broken and unable to console one another. Brooke’s only solace remains the ice-skating rink where she works, but she no longer lets herself … lets herself dream about a future skating professionally.
When Brooke encounters Calvin’s younger brother, Heath, on the side of the road and offers him a ride, everything changes. She needs someone to talk to…and so does Heath. No one else understands what it’s like. Her brother, alive but gone; his brother, dead but everywhere. Soon, they’re meeting in secret, despite knowing that both families would be horrified if they found out. In the place of his anger and her guilt, something frighteningly tender begins to develop, drawing them ever closer together.
But when a new secret comes out about the murder, Brooke has to choose whose pain she’s willing to live with–her family’s or Heath’s. Because she can’t heal one without hurting the other.
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This story grabbed me from the first page and never let go. Each character was unique and incredibly sympathetic. The issues they dealt with touched me deeply, and I thought about them whether I was reading or attempting to get some work done. I had difficulty setting this book down and separating myself from the story. The weight of despair doesn’t make for an easy read at times, but the subject matter is handled perfectly and the story progresses with determination and hope. I couldn’t imagine how the author would leave me feeling anything but gutted at the end and yet she managed to remain realistic and satisfy my need for HEA. I highly recommend Even If I Fall, but be prepared to sacrifice some sleep over it.
I enjoyed this heart-warming spin on the Romeo/Juliet tragedy, but this story focuses on the ones left behind: how the death of a loved one affects the family members who are left behind.
Brooke’s brother Jason is in jail for killing Heath’s brother Cal. Brooke’s and Heath’s families are still struggling to come to terms with the terrible tragedy that has changed all of their lives. When Brooke and Heath become unlikely friends, they find an outlet for their grief by talking about their difficulties in adjusting to their new reality. So much of their lives went on hold when Jason killed Cal, but both Brooke and Heath are trying to find a way forward. They learn together how to cope with the aftermath of Jason’s actions.
Their friendship slowly grows into love – a love that is not acceptable to either Brooke or Heath’s families. Obviously, this a modern take on the Shakespearean “star-crossed lovers/feuding families” storyline, but Abigail Johnson puts her own spin on the decisions these young lovers are faced with. She tones down the Bard’s melodramatic machinations and opts for a more realistic (but very satisfying!) outcome.
This is a very well-written story, full of humor as well as sadness. Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this book. As with a lot of my 2020 reads, I was nervous when getting it, but it eventually got better. This was another book I couldn’t put down. The way Abigail Johnson depicted grief was extremely accurate – at least compared to my experience with it. I found myself to be extremely excited about what would come next, both between Brooke and heath and Brooke’s investigation. The twist toward the end of the book was surprising and heartbreaking. The only issue I had with this book was how often Brooke’s heart rate was mentioned, but that was a personal problem rather than a problem with Johnson’s writing.
Read this book as part of our annual Kindle Tournament (like March Madness but with books). I was debating on whether to give the book a 4 or 5 and chose 5 because of Brooke’s character development throughout the story. Brooke had hopes and dreams. Those dreams were shattered the night her brother did the the unthinkable. Now Brooke spends her time hiding from the stares of many people, flying under the radar at work, being home-schooled because of her brother’s actions, and feeling that she has to be home for her sister, mother, and father. The Brooke at the end of the story has chosen to live her life compared to the Brooke at the beginning of the story. The road to get there was a tough one but she survived. This is the first book I have read by Abigail Johnson but will not be the last. I enjoyed her writing style and story line.
Even If I Fall is breathtaking and completely heartbreaking from beginning to end. I read a lot of emotional books and watch a lot of emotional movies..but I NEVER cry. This book got me good. When you read this book..and I do mean when..have your tissues handy from the very beginning. Abigail’s writing will leave you feeling the crushing pressure of a broken heart, the pain as the truth comes out, and the process of healing as it takes place. I was left with two immediate thoughts about the book as a whole when I finished: 1. It was too short..I need to know more and 2. I would definitely go to this movie (if it were to become one) but it had better be accurate to the book. You MUST read this book. This will be the book that stays in my heart and head for the rest of the year. In my mind, this is THE book of 2019.
This book is bloody brilliant, and so unexpectedly beautiful.
At first I was worried I wouldn’t be able to relate or enjoy this book, told from 17 year old Brooke’s perspective but I was wrong, delightfully so.
I go into all of my books 100% blind, I know what the cover looks like and the title, and that’s literally it.
I never expected to fall in love with such young characters, to feel their hurt, fear and triumphs. I never expected the relationship that blossoms in this book to give me hope for my own love story down the road.
While the two main characters (Brooke and Heath) are fantastic, the supporting characters Maggie and Lauren take this story to another level. They ad depth and dimension, a little bit of intrigue and mystery as well.
I would love love love for Maggie to get her own story