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Highfall
Librarian note: alternate-cover edition of B00CVEQXS6.
True life story - dramatic and emotional
˃˃˃ The book includes different facets of life, such as love, drugs, loss, despair and hope.
What if early on your life changed drastically several times? What if you were betrayed more than once? Would you have the courage to fall in love again? How do you choose if you love two men at the same time? Will you be able to leave the past behind?
These are the questions Annika asks herself in the novel Highfall.
Annika falls down many times but never gives up and always gets back on her feet. Her life is one long roller-coaster with the unexpected at every turn. As a result she turns from unassuming teenager into a strong woman.
True life story - dramatic and emotional
˃˃˃ The book includes different facets of life, such as love, drugs, loss, despair and hope.
What if early on your life changed drastically several times? What if you were betrayed more than once? Would you have the courage to fall in love again? How do you choose if you love two men at the same time? Will you be able to leave the past behind?
These are the questions Annika asks herself in the novel Highfall.
Annika falls down many times but never gives up and always gets back on her feet. Her life is one long roller-coaster with the unexpected at every turn. As a result she turns from unassuming teenager into a strong woman.
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
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616 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 29, 2013
Highfall is a story about a girl named Annika who desperately falls in love and her life changes drastically. After meeting a guy who nearly kills her with his car she soon leaves her house and moves to live with Stefan. At first everything was perfect but then the real drama begins.
The whole book is about making right decisions, being able to back off at the right time and never giving up hope. The story line has a constant development that urges the reader not to put the book aside but read it till the very end.
In short I would call this a beautiful novel full of emotions and lessons to be learnt!
Thank You, Ani Alexander!:)
The whole book is about making right decisions, being able to back off at the right time and never giving up hope. The story line has a constant development that urges the reader not to put the book aside but read it till the very end.
In short I would call this a beautiful novel full of emotions and lessons to be learnt!
Thank You, Ani Alexander!:)
May 28, 2013
Great story
Youth, love, drugs, broken and lost lives of a man and a woman. A child that by some providence could escape from this cruel world and was never born, not from a drug addicted father at least. A man, who wouldn’t trade you for the entire world, betrays with your best friend. Alien people, foreign country, no work, no place to live, no money to survive, a ticket to nowhere… Can a young woman bear all these?! Can you, cruel world, spot this woman living next door to you, two staircases up or three staircases down your own apartment? Can you spot her, right there in that gloomy street full of busy strangers, broken and devastated, but with a tiny little bit of hope for better future?
The book is a story of a real woman, that was strong enough to gift her story to Ani, and Ani really made it live on the book pages. Fascination, anger, despair, but above all – hope, are the feelings you will live together with her heroine. Even lying in the coffin doesn’t give you any right to give up on hope when you are young and your life is about to begin. Ani’s book is certainly about hope, hit by the circumstances, but fueling you from inside and giving strength to keep on living, loving and being optimistic. Ladies, the "Highfall" was written for you, enjoy it!
Youth, love, drugs, broken and lost lives of a man and a woman. A child that by some providence could escape from this cruel world and was never born, not from a drug addicted father at least. A man, who wouldn’t trade you for the entire world, betrays with your best friend. Alien people, foreign country, no work, no place to live, no money to survive, a ticket to nowhere… Can a young woman bear all these?! Can you, cruel world, spot this woman living next door to you, two staircases up or three staircases down your own apartment? Can you spot her, right there in that gloomy street full of busy strangers, broken and devastated, but with a tiny little bit of hope for better future?
The book is a story of a real woman, that was strong enough to gift her story to Ani, and Ani really made it live on the book pages. Fascination, anger, despair, but above all – hope, are the feelings you will live together with her heroine. Even lying in the coffin doesn’t give you any right to give up on hope when you are young and your life is about to begin. Ani’s book is certainly about hope, hit by the circumstances, but fueling you from inside and giving strength to keep on living, loving and being optimistic. Ladies, the "Highfall" was written for you, enjoy it!
June 28, 2013
When you know the book is based on a true story it attracts you. But this book is a great fiction, love story and a thriller which could happen to anyone. When someone has a life full of such events we always say "it is like a book". About this we can say "it is like a true life". This could happen to someone you know and you think that it can never happen to you. The novel is a quick and light reading, with a quickly developing storyline and dynamic text.
The most interesting idea in the book is of the feelings of Annika, how could a girl be attracted with so different guys. But of course, while reading you understand why she finally chooses Stefan regardless all the pain she suffered of their relationship.
A great summer reading, especially for young women.
Have a nice reading!
The most interesting idea in the book is of the feelings of Annika, how could a girl be attracted with so different guys. But of course, while reading you understand why she finally chooses Stefan regardless all the pain she suffered of their relationship.
A great summer reading, especially for young women.
Have a nice reading!
June 19, 2013
This is truly a remarkable love story. Love the ending... the reader must decide what happens next for Annika and Stefan. Tough decision no matter what.
As a first book for this author, it shows she is a storyteller. I think by the time this author wrote the last half of the book, she had matured more as a writer or felt more intimately involved with the story. Those are the best chapters of the entire book. From that point on, I was totally engaged in the reading and could not put the book down. Stefan's love for Annika is so real the reader cannot help but feel for him. Annika's reactions are very real. This author describes Annika's feelings in such a way that the reader feels it and mourns for the love that could have been.
As a first book for this author, it shows she is a storyteller. I think by the time this author wrote the last half of the book, she had matured more as a writer or felt more intimately involved with the story. Those are the best chapters of the entire book. From that point on, I was totally engaged in the reading and could not put the book down. Stefan's love for Annika is so real the reader cannot help but feel for him. Annika's reactions are very real. This author describes Annika's feelings in such a way that the reader feels it and mourns for the love that could have been.
May 30, 2013
The book makes you think a lot about life, about decisions we make, about the consequences our decisions have on our lives.
A very touching story about a young lady who suffers a lot because of a man she loves. Having said that, I have to add that it's not the usual love story you would expect to read.
A very good read. I recommend it!
A very touching story about a young lady who suffers a lot because of a man she loves. Having said that, I have to add that it's not the usual love story you would expect to read.
A very good read. I recommend it!
May 29, 2013
Dramatic and emotional story.
That was an am amazing book. Based on a real story, well written, emotional, vibrant. The characters come alive. I had come to the end before I realized it.
Would recommend it to anyone, definitely worth reading.
That was an am amazing book. Based on a real story, well written, emotional, vibrant. The characters come alive. I had come to the end before I realized it.
Would recommend it to anyone, definitely worth reading.
December 4, 2013
I've always had a problem with term Chicklit. Most people think it's full of sappy love stories and hot, hunky men with long flowing hair on the cover and everyone has hot sex and passionate romance. If I had to define a category that woman should read for themselves, High Fall would be in that category. This is a gritty, hard knocks version of a really strong woman kicking life's ass, having it kick hers' and trying to hang on for the ride. The fact that this book is based on true life floored me past the point of loving of it and straight to admiration of the woman that had to go through it all. If you were to read this book without knowing anything about it, you'd say this is an action-packed roller coaster of life and loss, conflict and triumph and a girl turning woman, but knowing this was real for someone just about breaks my heart into teeny tiny pieces.
The book blurb calls this dramatic and emotional, that doesn't even come close to what I felt while reading. There were points where I could literally not go to sleep without finishing parts and it would suck getting up in the morning but it was so worth being tired. Annika is such a strong and well developed character that she instantly gets you on her side, and I know what you are thinking "Of course she is, she's real!" Well, to be honest I've read or watched boring real life accounts that try to play out all the action of experiences and they fail, miserably. This book succeeds in taking you on that journey and making you feel everything as if you were witnessing yourself right along with her. That is not easy, and I can't tell you how valuable that is for the story. I believed in her, I felt for her and I wanted to cry right along with Annika at points and that is not easily accomplished.
Taking it back to me chicklit point, this is the kind of story I wish was more associated with what women read because it isn't some lame, swoony, over-exaggerated nonsense. This is real. This is raw and worth every page involved. This isn't a fairy tale, this will grate on your nerves and show you something you might never have seen before. At the very least, it will take you on a road where a woman loves and losses but hands you a little hope for the future.
The book blurb calls this dramatic and emotional, that doesn't even come close to what I felt while reading. There were points where I could literally not go to sleep without finishing parts and it would suck getting up in the morning but it was so worth being tired. Annika is such a strong and well developed character that she instantly gets you on her side, and I know what you are thinking "Of course she is, she's real!" Well, to be honest I've read or watched boring real life accounts that try to play out all the action of experiences and they fail, miserably. This book succeeds in taking you on that journey and making you feel everything as if you were witnessing yourself right along with her. That is not easy, and I can't tell you how valuable that is for the story. I believed in her, I felt for her and I wanted to cry right along with Annika at points and that is not easily accomplished.
Taking it back to me chicklit point, this is the kind of story I wish was more associated with what women read because it isn't some lame, swoony, over-exaggerated nonsense. This is real. This is raw and worth every page involved. This isn't a fairy tale, this will grate on your nerves and show you something you might never have seen before. At the very least, it will take you on a road where a woman loves and losses but hands you a little hope for the future.
October 2, 2013
Highfall by Ani Alexander
Annika is just 17 and attending college for medical when she is almost run down by a black car.
The man takes her to the hospital where she's pronounced ok and they go for coffee. For hours they talk to one another and learn about each other.
She continues her classes and work after at the hospital. She sees signs of his illness and when he asks her to move in with her that is also brought up and she moves in with him.
His other friends introduce him to heroin and he loses his job at the bank shortly afterward. She feel she can't reach him.
She tries to make him see what his drug has done to them and upon learning she's pregnant she heads home to tell him but she walks in on them...
Her second boyfriend, Vasko is a financial analyst and they met via a programmer chat area online. They soon move in together.
The first and second boyfriends life's are followed as she moves onto Amsterdam for a change.
During the process she becomes mature and makes decisions that will make her happy.
I found the book hard to read because of the brutal language and sex scenes but able to get through it because of the story line.
She and Vasko make plans for the future and tragedy strikes instead...
She used to be such a dull ordinary girl, doing everyday ordinary things. She can't say that now. Not quite the ending I had pictured after all the drug use.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Annika is just 17 and attending college for medical when she is almost run down by a black car.
The man takes her to the hospital where she's pronounced ok and they go for coffee. For hours they talk to one another and learn about each other.
She continues her classes and work after at the hospital. She sees signs of his illness and when he asks her to move in with her that is also brought up and she moves in with him.
His other friends introduce him to heroin and he loses his job at the bank shortly afterward. She feel she can't reach him.
She tries to make him see what his drug has done to them and upon learning she's pregnant she heads home to tell him but she walks in on them...
Her second boyfriend, Vasko is a financial analyst and they met via a programmer chat area online. They soon move in together.
The first and second boyfriends life's are followed as she moves onto Amsterdam for a change.
During the process she becomes mature and makes decisions that will make her happy.
I found the book hard to read because of the brutal language and sex scenes but able to get through it because of the story line.
She and Vasko make plans for the future and tragedy strikes instead...
She used to be such a dull ordinary girl, doing everyday ordinary things. She can't say that now. Not quite the ending I had pictured after all the drug use.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
June 4, 2013
This book interested me because of being based on true stories.
It's a little miserably story but good one to be read. You live with Annika for about 7 years of her life. Yeah, she deserves good life, but the fate always has its own plans, it never asks whether you're a good man or whether you deserve it.
I think here-in this book, you can find a strong woman, who passes through a lot for her love.
It's a little miserably story but good one to be read. You live with Annika for about 7 years of her life. Yeah, she deserves good life, but the fate always has its own plans, it never asks whether you're a good man or whether you deserve it.
I think here-in this book, you can find a strong woman, who passes through a lot for her love.
August 18, 2013
Amazing account of a true life story personal pov. Sad, heart breaking. Story of young first love, older boy w/o the maturity of a real man, who love each other in different ways until it tears them apart. I hope there will be a book two because I did like the characters and it ended with a teaser of a possible HEA, but I'll only know if there will be or when book 2 is released. Ani that is one smoking hot male on your cover, great job!
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December 21, 2013FREE ON AMAZON..:) annemarie is not liking this. annemarie is putting this on dnf. annemarie is going to get coffee before she pokes someone in the eye..
September 27, 2013
Disclaimer: I received this as a free download from storycartel.com in return for an honest review.
First of all, I found the cover misleading. The guy on the book cover looks like someone straight out of an Austen romance, but no, this is neither the time period nor the genre.
While the writing did have its occasional nice lines, the book read as if it was written by someone not at home with the English language. There were many grammatical mistakes and spelling and usage problems. I was not surprised to learn that the author in not a native-English speaker, I was surprised that she didn't opt for a better editor.
The biggest problem with the book, however, was the total lack of interest I had in the characters. I found the opening paragraph to be grating, and the entire story was more in the mode of telling rather than showing, so that it was very hard to care about the characters. While the book was a quick read, neither the characters nor the story seemed well-developed. Dialog was stilted, sometimes incidentals were described in greater detail and emotion than more important scenes and incidents and even if the story was based on truth, some of it seemed totally unrealistic. A seventeen-year-old med student interning in wards? Maybe if we knew the country this was taking place in or had some more background that would be easier to accept, but it sounded odd. So did the printing of a book which included excerpts from a diary not written by the author. What publishing house would allow for such a thing? Seems to infringe on copyright and privacy issues...
I only finished the book because I felt obligated to read it to the end for the review. What a shame, because the story looks like something that could have been developed into a more engrossing tale. This book needed serious editing and revising before publication to be all it could have been.
First of all, I found the cover misleading. The guy on the book cover looks like someone straight out of an Austen romance, but no, this is neither the time period nor the genre.
While the writing did have its occasional nice lines, the book read as if it was written by someone not at home with the English language. There were many grammatical mistakes and spelling and usage problems. I was not surprised to learn that the author in not a native-English speaker, I was surprised that she didn't opt for a better editor.
The biggest problem with the book, however, was the total lack of interest I had in the characters. I found the opening paragraph to be grating, and the entire story was more in the mode of telling rather than showing, so that it was very hard to care about the characters. While the book was a quick read, neither the characters nor the story seemed well-developed. Dialog was stilted, sometimes incidentals were described in greater detail and emotion than more important scenes and incidents and even if the story was based on truth, some of it seemed totally unrealistic. A seventeen-year-old med student interning in wards? Maybe if we knew the country this was taking place in or had some more background that would be easier to accept, but it sounded odd. So did the printing of a book which included excerpts from a diary not written by the author. What publishing house would allow for such a thing? Seems to infringe on copyright and privacy issues...
I only finished the book because I felt obligated to read it to the end for the review. What a shame, because the story looks like something that could have been developed into a more engrossing tale. This book needed serious editing and revising before publication to be all it could have been.
October 2, 2013
I read a review that complained about the opening paragraph of this book but I thought it was rather good.
I agree with other reviewers that it does come through that the author is not a native English speaker but it isn't too distracting and feels rather like reading a translation of a French novel!
The author's writing style has something of Stephanie Meyer about it. We start with an ordinary girl (we're very clear that she's ordinary!) Annika, setting the scene to meet up with the mysterious stranger, Stefan. Like Twilight's Edward, Stefan has a slight controlling edge to his personality. This book isn't a Twilight clone, though, it's darker and more emotional. I was pleased with the ending - it's what I hoped for.
I'm looking forward to the author's next book. I think she has a lot more to offer, going by this debut novel.
I agree with other reviewers that it does come through that the author is not a native English speaker but it isn't too distracting and feels rather like reading a translation of a French novel!
The author's writing style has something of Stephanie Meyer about it. We start with an ordinary girl (we're very clear that she's ordinary!) Annika, setting the scene to meet up with the mysterious stranger, Stefan. Like Twilight's Edward, Stefan has a slight controlling edge to his personality. This book isn't a Twilight clone, though, it's darker and more emotional. I was pleased with the ending - it's what I hoped for.
I'm looking forward to the author's next book. I think she has a lot more to offer, going by this debut novel.
October 24, 2013
I read this book, start to finish, in three hours one evening when I couldn't sleep. That was a bad idea! I couldn't get to sleep then! The book left me wanting more! I couldn't get enough!
In this novel, which is based on a true story, you will first meet Annika. Other characters you will get to know is Stefan, Flame, Vasko, and Monica. The book starts out in third person, as Annika is speaking. Throughout the book, many of the characters will be speaking third person. The book isn't hard to follow at all.
I agree with other reviewers about the cover! That is so Stefan! That is what I pictured him to look like.
I'm hoping there is a sequel! There are SO many questions!!
Thank you to the author for providing me with a complimentary copy for an honest review.
August 13, 2013
"This is one of those books that you just have to finish once you get started! It's a testament to Ani's writing that stayed up until 2am to finish reading this book on my Kindle.
I am a die-hard romantic through and through and the ending of this story didn't disappoint me - and yet the ending is open to your own interpretation.
Having previously come across Ani's work as a blogger, I am so pleased she has found her niche and her calling as a writer. I can't wait for her next book - and in the meantime get this book!
I am a die-hard romantic through and through and the ending of this story didn't disappoint me - and yet the ending is open to your own interpretation.
Having previously come across Ani's work as a blogger, I am so pleased she has found her niche and her calling as a writer. I can't wait for her next book - and in the meantime get this book!
April 26, 2014
I read this book and turned around and read it again. Unheard of for me. I'm still not sure what it was yet it was something. It is one of my favorites by far. It was so riveting for me and I suppose it was because it is a true story and in part due to be being able to relate. (my brother had drug issues at a time in his life yet not comparable.) I love the cover. I just loved everything about this story. I don't know what else to say. I haven't been able to send this book to the Cloud on my Kindle I just keep it in the Carousel. Thank you for writing this story.
August 28, 2013
This book was a brilliant read and when you know that it is based on a true story you can really appreciate this book for what it is. This book shows how quick decisions can be the best or even the worst. I could not put this book down and before I knew it I was at the end and wanting more.
Ani Alexander is an amazing writer that knows how to keep her audience entertained and keeping them wanting more. I would recommend this book to everyone.
Ani Alexander is an amazing writer that knows how to keep her audience entertained and keeping them wanting more. I would recommend this book to everyone.
August 29, 2013
aninta almost faced an accident and it changed her life. As matter of time she thought she regained a new chapter in her llife, she realized she was wrong.
The author assumed it has a true story. but those characters and events felt unrealistic.
Thanks for free Kindle copy, Ani. best of luck for future works
The author assumed it has a true story. but those characters and events felt unrealistic.
Thanks for free Kindle copy, Ani. best of luck for future works
October 3, 2013
DNF, for now. I'm not that interested in continuing with the rest of the story from the first few chapters alone. I had a hard time focusing on the story and the characters were not that relatable. Maybe I'll pick it up again someday but for now I'm tagging it as DNF.
November 13, 2014
Highfall is a story of endless endurance, strength and heartache. Annika is put through test after test and she is frequently put through on going trials through her life. Readers get to follow along as she discovers her own way of coping and getting through.
November 8, 2014
At first the way it was written threw me off, I am not a huge fan of third person point if view. But I was sucked in by Annika's story. Drug addiction is horrible for the addict and people around, everyone's road is different. Coming out on the other side is a beautiful thing.
September 9, 2013
This was a good story, but was a little disjointed. Would've been nice to know what the character's "home country" was, besides Eastern Europe.
July 22, 2014
Loved it. Dramatic, touching, I need more.
August 28, 2015
Words cannot begin to explain how much i DESPISE the ending of this novel.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews