The Girl Who Fell

by S.M. Parker

His obsession. Her fall.

Zephyr Doyle is focused. Focused on leading her team to the field hockey state championship and attending her dream school, Boston College.

But love has a way of changing things.

Enter the new boy in school: the hockey team’s starting goaltender, Alec. He’s cute, charming, and most important, Alec doesn’t judge Zephyr. He understands her fears and insecurities—he even shares them. Soon, their relationship becomes something bigger than Zephyr, something she can’t control, something she doesn’t want to control.

Zephyr swears it must be love. Because love is powerful, and overwhelming, and…

Terrifying?

But love shouldn’t make you abandon your dreams, or push your friends away. And love shouldn’t make you feel guilty—or worse, ashamed.

So when Zephyr finally begins to see Alec for who he really is, she knows it’s time to take back control of her life.

If she waits any longer, it may be too late.

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult Contemporary, Abuse

368 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2016

About the author

Shannon Parker lives on the Atlantic coast in a house full of boys. She’s traveled to over three dozen countries and has a few dozen more to go. She works in education and can usually be found rescuing dogs, chickens, old houses and wooden boats. Shannon has a weakness for chocolate chip cookies and ridiculous laughter—ideally, at the same time. Find her at www.shannonmparker.com

Reviews

[Emily May · Rating 1 out of 5]

The saddest thing about this book is that I believe the author really did have the best intentions. Too bad none of it really worked.

I've had this book on my radar for a long time. The blurb promised a story about a girl who falls into a bad relationship of obsession, control and - eventually - fear. It seemed like the perfect YA novel to counter all the awful romances I've read where asshole boyfriends are portrayed as something sexy, and psychological abuse is portrayed as the norm. AND the perfect novel to deconstruct the assumption that abuse victims are somehow at fault for not simply leaving their abusers. It seemed not only potentially awesome, but needed.

The problem begins with the unconvincing relationship. In reality, these "intense" relationships that darken to control and abuse are gradual. Trust me, I've seen it happen. The guy (or girl, perhaps) is incredibly charming and affectionate. They don't look like psychopaths.

It's a long path of manipulation that pulls the victim away from supportive friends and family. And most of all - contrary to what many people assume - it CAN and DOES happen to strong, smart men and women.

In The Girl Who Fell, however, Zephyr and Alec have no chemistry. Alec has no charm. They simply fall into instalove from the moment he walks into class. We should have been seduced into this relationship along with Zephyr (we're inside her mind!) and yet it's hard to shake the sense that Zephyr is being unbelievably dumb. There is no gradual fall into a relationship with a charmer who turns sinister - Alec is so obviously nuts that you can see the crazy coming from a mile off. He's such a creeper!

Zephyr's behaviour is not realistic. She's immediately willing to abandon her friends and teammates for no good reason. She refuses to see the glaring red flags, blaming Gregg when it's laughably obvious that Alec is behind it all.

I wasn't sure how to write this review and was afraid it would sound like I was victim-blaming myself. But I just think that everything about this book serves to reduce complex relationship dynamics that lead to abuse into simplistic, blind idiocy. It felt like a Lifetime special, rather than an important look at the subject.

The Girl Who Fell should be deconstructing misconceptions held about abusive relationships and abuse victims, NOT portraying Zephyr as a weak fool from day one. As I said, I’m sure it wasn’t the intention, but it almost feels like the story itself places blame on Zephyr.

And, you know what? That isn't even the whole problem. The book just isn't that good at doing what it promised.

For one thing, it opens like a cheesy horror movie with the MC alone in the house. Uh oh, then the lights go out. Quick, reach for the phone! Oh crap, the line's dead... It really does feel like a cheap thrill drama. No complexity or depth.

Also, for a book trying to change the way we see women who get into abusive relationships, lots of other female stereotypes rear their heads. All the cheerleaders are airheads who only want to sleep with the sports guys. Zephyr woman-hates on Lani for having too few brain cells for Gregg. Gregg perpetuates the “friend zone” idea, that Zephyr owes him attraction for being a “good guy” all these years. Here’s the thing, though: good guys don’t try to make girls feel guilty because they don’t want to sleep with them.

And, frankly, it's really quite boring. Especially in the beginning where we're repeatedly taken through the motions of Zephyr's everyday life - she wakes up, goes to school, goes to hockey games, plays hockey, obsesses over Alec, talks about her absent father (that "moms" sentence early in the book is, sadly, a typo)... *snore*

I'm just left with the feeling that Parker unfortunately doesn't understand anything about her subject. From the silly way abusive relationships are simplified, to the way these teenagers talk with a few too many "dudes" and "obvs" thrown in, to the fact that these super smart 18 year-olds are learning about Pythagorean theorem (this is usually learned around age 10/11).

Wasted potential.

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[Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Trust me, if there is a book I wish I would have loved, it's this one. From the moment I read the synopsis, I knew that I had to read it : a different take on all the instalove bullshit YA romance is feeding us way too often? Count me in! That's why I can't even express how disappointed and sad I am after closing The Girl Who Fell. The concept is so interesting and important, but the fact that Alec and Zephyr shows not an ounce of chemistry fails the whole purpose : how am I supposed to believe in their instant attraction if I don't feel any connection with them?

But my biggest issue with The Girl Who Fell is the fact that Zephyr comes as TSTL and kind of dumb, and I'm pretty sure that it should be the opposite when dealing with someone suffering from an abusive relationship : we should see how hard it is for her to realize that she's been manipulated, that IT'S NOT HER FAULT, but that's not what I saw and it makes me so so pissed - at the book, at myself, at the way this important issue was handled. Oh, yes, of course the book tells us that it's not Zephyr's fault if she's in a relationship with a psycho. Fortunately. But what does it show us? It shows us Zephyr making poor and selfish decisions, as if it was her fault to begin with, and I, for one, can't accept that.

Look, I know that the book is supposed to describe how a relationship can escalate into unhealthy territory without the girl (or the boy, for that matter) being aware of it but honestly, there are SO MANY warnings. Every plot twist is glaringly obvious and I saw them miles away. God, Alec isn't even a master of manipulation, and could have worn a "psycho" sign that his issues wouldn't have been more blatant, even at the beginning of their relationship. The fact that he convinces her to stay with him instead celebrating her State champion victory with her team (WTF?!), his way of always being somewhere along the way (the park, for instance). I don't want to state that she's stupid to trust him, but really? She seems like it, she's portrayed as such when she doesn't notice HUGE warnings, and in my opinion it ruins the purpose of the book itself, because it doesn't deal properly with the manipulation used by abusive people. I don't want to think, Well, DUH. I want to see how hard it is to deal with that kind of manipulation. I didn't, and at some point Alec's explanations were so far-stretched and frankly unbelievable that I couldn't understand her buying them. The way he kissed another girl? His explanations do not make sense at all. I can't even count how many holes there are in them. He sees her hugging Gregg and then CONVENIENTLY finds another girl to flirt with on a blanket that appeared MAGICALLY at the SAME moment? REALLY?

This said, as someone who reacts strongly when manipulated into guilt - I try to work on that, though - I have to admit that some of his pleas seem pretty accurate. See, reading their exchange, it is obvious to me that she's being manipulated into thinking that she did something wrong, but she only sees how upset he is. I understand that, and I wish the book felt more real that way.

Last but not least, what maddened me is the underlying feeling I got that nothing would have happened if only she had accepted her best friend's advances. Ugh, NO. You don't get to imply that. It is damaging, and so untrue, it pisses me off. Perhaps I am wrong to analyze it in that way but in my opinion the book sent these vibes. Not to mention that I didn't quite get how her feelings for Gregg would be filled with confusion like that. Let me get this straight. She told us that kissing him was like kissing her brother, right? That level of gross. She stated it. Repeatedly. So how comes when he kisses her at the wedding she thinks that things would have changed if he had kissed her "like that" (understand : wonderfully) in October? Is there something I don't know? Is there a moment where your brother's kiss is not gross? I wish I could get this girl. But I can't.

Read it and tell me if I'm wrong.

Most of all the story lacked tension, making the book excruciatingly boring to me, especially in the beginning. Their everyday life just didn't hold enough sparks to make me interested, even if I know - I know - that it was written in such a way to parody regular YA romance. Well, good job : it bored me all the same, and I would have wanted to feel despair, angst, SOMETHING. No such luck. If I did like the ending, it felt rushed and didn't make up for the lack of connection I felt throughout the whole book.

Oh, and, before I forget : there's a thing called native speakers. Please use them. I do believe that, with the internet and all, they're not that hard to find. No, Google translation doesn't count. Actually, Google Translation is better than what is written in the book. What? I did my homework :



The first sentence means something, and the second one is grammatically correct at least, even if we would never use "êtes-vous bien?" but rather, "Vous allez bien?" This is still better than this :

"Bonjour mes etudiants. Es-vous bien?"

This shows a complete lack of research about French language. I could forgive the absence of accents, but really? It doesn't even make sense. Also, I speak both French and Latin, and I don't believe that knowing Latin and "educated guessing" can get someone scoring high on the placement test for AP French on Senior year of High-School.

If it is, sorry, but your language course sucks big time.

For more of my reviews, please visit:

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not the biggest romance fan, but this dark spin on a young adult love story had me interested. It’s the story of Zephyr and Alec’s relationship from the moment they meet in French class to their inevitable dark end. The prologue, of sorts, is actually an excerpt from the end of the novel with Zephyr afraid in her own house, so from the beginning we are given that intensity you find in thrillers.

The novel then goes back three months earlier to show this unhealthy relationship from the beginning. This story really shows the all consuming power that love can have on a person. Zephyr has so much going for her. She has a plan for her future that she intends on following; get out of small town Sudbury and go to Boston College. Unfortunately, Zephyr believes she is falling in love with Alec. She doesn’t realize that love shouldn’t make you feel feel scared, embarrassed, guilty, or controlled and makes all sorts of bad decisions screwing up her future.

It’s very much a story where you just watch the protagonist go down the rabbit hole, yet the entire time you’re rooting for her to make the right decisions. I already feel like I’ve ventured into dangerous spoiler territory, but all of that and more is revealed in the synopsis. I’ll let you read the book for yourself. I felt like the book was reminiscent of the movie Swimfan at times. Just swap the gender roles.

For a story that is a YA contemporary dark romance, I liked this story. I think there are great lessons to be learned for high school aged girls.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review via edelweiss.

[Trina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very hard to read. But it's so important.

If you don't know, this book is about an abusive romance. You know that going in and so it's very hard to watch the relationship progress and watch the girl fall for this jerk. But the story did a great job at showing how easy it is to fall into this trap of manipulation. Sometimes there are no warning signs.

I've been through a similar relationship and so this book had a lot of meaning for me. My experience did not match the story in this book perfectly but so much of it hit home.

There were times that I wished the book were a little more subtle. For instance, not every abusive relationships involves beating, or will play out like a horror movie. Not every victim has to have daddy issues. The real life relationships that don't play out in this way are no less harmful so part of me does wish more stories were able to emphasize what abuse is without relying on stereotypes. However, this did encompass many aspects to manipulative relationships, so on the other hand that's a good thing. It was able to explore more and give more examples. The situations presented absolutely can be real for some people.

I enjoyed the writing, I was always gripped by the story. I enjoyed the long build of getting to see this relationship from the very start. I enjoyed the friendships and parent relationships portrayed. And I loved that the main character was a jock.

If I had teenage daughters, I would want them to read this book. The only fault is that I wish more books covered this topic and also showed that it's not always the male who is the abuser, and abuse is not limited to only straight relationships. But that's not a fault of this book itself and hopefully it can be a tool in opening a larger conversation.

You will probably hate this story, but man, you should read it.

[Laurie Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me preface this by saying when I first heard about THE GIRL WHO FELL, it was the bookish equivalent to love at first sight. The concept gripped me. I knew it was the kind of book I not only wanted to read but had to read. So when an ARC arrived in the mail last week in all its gorgeous glory (seriously, have you seen that cover?), I was more than a bit excited that my time to read it was finally here.

I knew it would be an emotional book. I knew it dealt with difficult subject matter. What I didn’t know was that I’d hold my breath while turning pages, get sucker-punched in the feels over and over, and feel so attached to the characters that they were real people to me. That, everyone, is the talent of Shannon Parker.

THE GIRL WHO FELL is the story of Zephyr Doyle, a senior hell-bent on attending Boston College, which has been her dream since forever. She’s a fierce field hockey player and driven to succeed in all aspects of life. But on the inside, she’s hurting—reeling from the fact that her dad picked up and left her and her mom, and trying to deal with her feelings of being not good enough in his absence. When she is instantly attracted to new student Alec, she’s swept up in how he makes her feel—like she’s the only girl in the world, a girl worthy of his love. But when Alec starts to become more and more possessive and pull Zephyr away from her old life, she is torn between the boy who says he loves her more than anything and the things she wanted more than anything before him.

As a heroine, Zephyr is someone you’ll cheer for, laugh with, and want to hug more than once. You’ll want to point out the warning signs, the glimpses into Alec’s true nature. You’ll want to scream at her that it’s not her fault, none of it, and tell her over and over again that she’s worthy of everything good in life. But that’s what makes this book so vivid, so true. Real life isn’t like that. In real life, those warnings signs aren’t always easy to see, especially if you want to see someone for the person you think they are, the person you desperately want them to be.

The language in this book is like poetry. Shannon Parker takes risks with her writing and they pay off, big time. Her choices of words are evocative and lush, never expected, never familiar, never something you’ve read before. This story is beautiful and romantic and shocking and dangerous and sad and real and hopeful, and Shannon’s writing goes to all those places.

This is also an important book. So, so, important. Anyone who has ever been manipulated by someone they love, by someone they thought loved them, needs this book. Teens need this book. Adults need this book. Because if you’ve ever been someone like Zephyr—if you still are—you need to know that it’s not you. That you deserve better. That you deserve the world.

I could probably talk forever about THE GIRL WHO FELL. That’s how much my heart is bursting with it, how heavily my brain is still processing its pages. Once in awhile you read a book that burrows into you and fills you with a whole kaleidoscope of emotions, and that book for me is THE GIRL WHO FELL.

[Marci Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH MAN. This story totally wrecked me. Seriously, there aren't enough adjectives. I absolutely mainlined it, staying up way past my bedtime to read just... another... page. It grabbed me by the throat in the first paragraph and never let me go. The writing is absolutely STUNNING. Honest, raw, thought-provoking, The Girl Who Fell tackles a heartbreaking issue with grace and strength.

FIVE BEAUTIFUL STARS.

[Brittany (Brittany's Book Rambles) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 Stars

The most crucial thing that I need to talk about when it comes to The Girl Who Fell is the astonishing writing. Shannon M. Parker's writing style instantly grabs the reader and throws them onto the emotional roller-coaster that is this book, which I read in one sitting and only put down momentarily to literally catch my breath. Right off the bat, the prologue warns the reader to beware of Alec, but amazingly, as you watch his relationship with Zephyr develop and grow, your emotions fight against your instincts until you're as tangled up and confused as Zephyr is. This book is so incredibly important for everyone to read because it's truly eye-opening. It forces you to feel what it's like to be in an abusive relationship, and it realistically depicts how this changes your life (and even your sense of self) entirely.



Check out my full review for The Girl Who Fell Blog Tour + an interview with Shannon and a giveaway!.

[Julie Eshbaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure I breathed while I read the final third of this book. THE GIRL WHO FELL is a startling, compelling, important read. It's the kind of book that you have to put down at times, just so you can walk around and catch your breath and remind yourself that everything's okay because the things happening to Zephyr in the story are not actually happening to you. But the thing is, this book is very *REAL,* and the things that happen to Zephyr happen to real girls every day. That's the thing that will stay with you after you finish reading.

I was struck by way the author portrayed each character with so much empathy... even Alec. And even though I couldn't help but think how all young women (and even young men) should read THE GIRL WHO FELL so they would be aware of what a manipulative relationship looks like (it's so hard to see that when you're in it!) I also hesitate to say things like, "This should be required reading!" because that makes it sound like a book weighed down by a "lesson," which GIRL is definitely not. It read with the pulse and steam of a romance and the tension of a thriller. It was gripping and breathtaking and kept me turning pages long after I should have gone to sleep. It's everything a book should be. SM Parker, you have made me a lifelong fan!

I read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jen (Pop! Goes The Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did you find this review helpful? Find more of my reviews at Pop! Goes The Reader!

My love for him is a deep blue love. So blue it is black. Like an ocean under the ocean. The beginning and the end.

High school senior Zephyr Doyle had things all figured out. Namely, to help lead her field hockey team to victory and spend as much time as she can with her best friends, Lizzie and Gregg “The Slice” Slicer, before fulfilling her lifelong dream of attending Boston College and pursuing a career in marine biology in the fall. No deviations. No distractions. So, when Zephyr meets the handsome and enigmatic Alec Lord, a recent transfer student with a scandalous reputation, he seems like little more than an unwanted complication. After a few chance meetings, whispered confidences, and a shared history of parental dysfunction and insecurities, however, Alec begins to work his way into Zephyr’s life, as well as her heart. Soon, the two are inseparable. Suddenly, caught up in the thrill and exultation of her first love, the things that were once so important to Zephyr – Lizzie, Gregg, field hockey, and even Boston College – don’t seem to matter much anymore. But as their connection continues to deepen and love turns to obsession, Zephyr will learn that things – and people – are not always what they seem. Not every love story has a happy ending.

Lying on my bed, my brain cyclones with thoughts of men and boys and boys and men. All making the wrong choices.

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month and I can think of no better way to honour this important occasion than to discuss a novel that deals with the topic with as much insight, subtlety and compassion as Shannon M. Parker’s 2016 contemporary debut, The Girl Who Fell. According to Love Is Respect, “one in three teens in the U.S. will experience physical, sexual or emotional abuse by someone they are in a relationship with before they become adults.” It is for this (and many other) reasons that novels like The Girl Who Fell are so vital and important. At turns haunting and unsettling, at others provocative and pulse-pounding, Shannon M. Parker’s debut is a powerful testament to the ability of fiction to create our reality and shape our perspective in a novel about love, lies, and blurred lines.

His chest hovers over mine, our hearts building a staccato rhythm. And when he fills my mouth with his kiss, I want our heartbeats to sync. I want to forever be connected to this person. All at once he feels like my now, my future, my everything.

Zephyr Doyle’s life is that of one in transition as she struggles with the formidable prospect of entering the next phase of her life without knowing precisely what that might entail. Intelligent and driven, Zephyr is a girl who, despite a wealth of skills and accomplishments, is left emotionally devastated and insecure after her father’s sudden abandonment four months prior to the beginning of the novel. His disappearance (and the ill-thought out note he left behind) leave Zephyr all too vulnerable to Alec’s careful machinations and it isn’t long before she is careening headfirst into her first love without the objectivity to recognize how deep and dark the cave into which this maelstrom of emotion has thrust her. Despite this, however, Shannon M. Parker makes it all too easy to understand how Zephyr found herself in her present situation. The Girl Who Fell speaks volumes about the author’s mastery of the craft as Parker is able to accomplish this as adeptly as she does, transforming Zephyr into a sympathetic and accessible character in a role that might otherwise have proven grating or superficial under the direction of a less capable author. The reader is predisposed to dislike Alec, knowing the eventual, inevitable trajectory of their relationship. And yet. There is something undeniably seductive, even sexy, about Alec’s pursuit of Zephyr and the way in which he draws her in, as the author does the reader. The protagonist’s story is beautifully enhanced by that of the characters around her, as Shannon M. Parker seamlessly weaves these seemingly disparate elements into a cohesive narrative, touching upon the themes of transition, empathy and forgiveness that underscore the entirety of the novel. Zephyr’s relationship with her close friend, Lizzie, is of particular note, emphasizing the value and importance of positive female friendship and of a strong support system for victims of domestic violence.

I close my eyes and catalogue my injuries. My skull. Ribs. Places others can’t see. He was precise, and I am glad for the careful placement of my wreckages. So I don’t need to show the world my shame. My stupidity.

Visceral, intoxicating and unequivocally enthralling, Shannon M. Parker’s writing is a force of nature whose skill far exceeds that of what might be expected from a debut author. In The Girl Who Fell, the author perfectly captures the electricity of attraction, a force so strong that it both entices and repels in equal measure. This is expertly illustrated in the case of Zephyr, who is immediately drawn to Alec’s apparent quiet understanding and empathy, but is frightened by the rapidity and strength of her feelings and level of commitment a relationship with him would entail. One might mistakenly believe, as I initially did, that knowing the eventual direction of the novel beforehand – a young couple’s seemingly idyllic relationship transforming into one of terror and abuse – might detract from the tension and momentum of the narrative, but this could not be further from the truth. Instead, Parker uses this understanding to best effect as the reader becomes unintentionally complicit in the events of the novel, sure in their knowledge of the eventual direction of Zephyr and Alec’s relationship but unable to do anything to prevent it. As a result, The Girl Who Fell is nothing less than a pulse-pounding psychological thriller that shines an uncomfortable but necessary light on the intricacies of an abusive relationship and its gradual, and often insidiously subtle, evolution. The manipulation. The isolation. The control. Despite all this, however, The Girl Who Fell is far from a story of victimhood from which Zephyr must be rescued. In fact, Zephyr takes a great deal too much upon herself as Parker examines the complicated feelings of shame and culpability often experienced by victims of abuse. The author’s examination of Zephyr’s emotional state is nuanced and sensitive, and easily understood by readers otherwise entirely unfamiliar with this experience.

I think about that other girl a lot.
I wish I knew her. Now.
I wonder if she has a mark on her hip. If she’s safe. And I wonder if there were other girls before her, and if those girls had people who would listen to them the way I did.
I want to tell the girls it’s not their fault.
I want them to tell me I’m not at fault. I want them to hear me say, “I know”.
I know.

Dark and disquieting with a powerful undercurrent of empowerment that reminds readers there is hope and a chance to begin again, even in the most dire of circumstances, Shannon M. Parker’s 2016 contemporary debut is a must-read for fans of realistic fiction unafraid of exploring difficult but vitally important subject matter. Insightful and informative without ever becoming sanctimonious, insensitive, or insulting the reader’s intelligence, The Girl Who Fell should be mandatory reading for young adult audiences and those who care about them. Share this book with your daughters. Your sisters. Your friends. The Girl Who Fell holds within it the power to change – and save – lives. It has already changed mine.

Please Note: All quotations included in this review have been taken from an advanced reader copy and therefore might be subject to change.

[Ruth Lehrer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of THE GIRL WHO FELL. This book was so well written it was kind of excruciating. The pain of watching a woman destroy herself for a guy; The subtle and not so subtle manipulation of an abuser. The mental process of the woman who is first enchanted and then ensnared. The reader is stuck on the sidelines yelling, Don't do it, don't go there! but she can't hear you. Just when you think she's got a handle on everything, it gets worse. If you're up for a bit of really well written emotional torture, this is your book.

The book is written in first person, and as the reader I felt all the emotions an outsider feels when their friend makes a bad choices. You can totally see it coming. They can't.

The secondary characters are a relief from the madness. Thank goodness for women friends! As an additional perk, the field hockey scenes are so live you can hear the crack as the puck is hit, you can feel the crowd roar. Look out 2016, Shannon Parker scored a goal and won the game.

[Jeff Zentner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recently, there was a kerfuffle in the YA community over comments made disparaging YA as morally uncomplicated.

THE GIRL WHO FELL is the most perfect rejoinder imaginable to this and any future criticism of YA literature as morally uncomplex.

Morally complex, tightly paced, taut, gripping, romantic, shocking, perilous, and hopeful--this book has it all and more. As the cherry on top, the prose is luminous and elegant. The characters are fantastic--vibrant and leaping from the page. Zephyr Doyle is a YA heroine for the ages. You'll root for her even as you scream for her to look out. You can't bear to see any harm befall her.

THE GIRL WHO FELL has some very important things to say about abuse and courage. This should be required reading.


I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jamie (Books and Ladders) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
See my full review plus an interview with her author on Books and Ladders

Ask author Shannon Parker what she thinks of THE GIRL WHO FELL and she will tell you it's a dark kissing book. And boy, she's not wrong. But it also has such lightness to it that you just need to experience in order to understand what I mean.

Zephyr is on the fast track to success: good grades, amazing athlete, and the best friends anyone could ask for. But then she meets Alec and gets caught up in a whirlwind romance that takes her by surprise. Throughout the book she has to learn for herself what "true love" really means.

I went into this one knowing that it was going to be a rough go. From the synopsis I knew it was going to be a toxic, abusive romance. And THE GIRL WHO FELL didn't pull punches. And really, it shouldn't because this sort of thing happens all the time. Don't get me wrong, usually when you first get into a relationship, your new boy/girlfriend becomes the centre of your world, but if they are telling you that you can't hang out with other people that is where the issue arises.

I think what I loved (and was scared of) the most was that even though I knew what was happening and that Zephyr was spiraling downward into making bad decisions, I could understand why she was making those decisions. I could understand her wanting to forgive Alec for his behaviour and why she kept going back. The majority of this is Parker's writing. Because I knew how bad Alec was, I knew he was responsible for all these things and yet I STILL understood why Zephyr was head over heels and blind to it all.

My only complaint is that I would have liked more of the panic. The panic when you have plans with this abuser and are with another friend or family member and you think you're going to be late, so you start to panic because you HAVE to be there or else you KNOW they will be mad at you. I wanted a little bit of that. I wanted Zephyr to feel the anxiety of Alec's wrath and rage. But, everything else was depicted so perfectly that this doesn't even really matter in the grand scheme of things.

I don't have much more I can say without spoiling it for you guys, but I highly recommend this one to everyone. It is a tough one to get through, especially if you have experienced it from one end or another, but it is so important to know that if you HAVE experienced it or know someone who has, that it DOES happen to other people. It isn't just you, you are not alone and someone will be willing to help you. I know it's hard to ask for help sometimes, but if you are feeling as though you need help, you've already made one giant leap and will be to safety soon.

Pick this one up on March 1st and, as weird as this sounds, you will thoroughly enjoy the experience.
--
November 17, 2015 Thoughts:
ohmy. That was everything I needed in my life without knowing how much I needed it. You want to read a good contemporary? I am handing you this one on a silver platter. This book is just incredible and handles this issue in such a delicate but raw way. I really need everyone to read this.

But fuck, THE GIRL WHO FELL is so incredible. It is so beautifully written especially considering how dark and twisted it ends up getting. I felt so emotionally connected to Zephyr and I just, I got it. I got it all. And you will too when you read this one. I'm blown away. I'm surprised I'm coherent enough to form words about how much I loved this book. I am so thankful that Shannon shared this book with the world.

You can see my favourite quote from THE GIRL WHO FELL on Instagram!

[Kathy MacMillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This story begins with a snippet of the end - the dark place where Zephyr's relationship with handsome, brooding hockey star Alec will lead. And then we go back and see how it all started. That disturbing prologue is a necessary and brilliant touch, as it primes readers to see the oh-so-small warning signs that the relationship is not the paradise it seems. And that, of course, is the point: an abusive relationship often looks like any other in the beginning, and Zephyr, a strong-willed field hockey player who dreams of attending Boston College, gets swept up in the romance. Her friends grow concerned when Zephyr's relationship with Alec isolates her from them, and her own insecurities about her talents and her father's abandonment of her push her to see Alec as the only one who understands. Alec's manipulations pull her in ever more deeply, until he goes so far that Zephyr can't explain his behavior away anymore. But Alec, of course, can't let go, and his obsession crosses into physical abuse.

This story is honestly painful, and painfully honest. It's riveting stuff - I read the last third of the book with my heart in my throat, pulling for Zephyr to get out of the pit of abuse. Zephyr is no weakling, and this book is a powerful statement about the many forces in our society that limit girls' choices. (An early scene in which Zephyr chooses not to eat even though she's starving, because Alec isn't hungry, made my stomach clench with its verisimilitude.) It's easy to see, through this story, how anyone, no matter how strong-willed, could end up drawn into a abusive relationship. Alec is all the more frightening because of how fully realized he is as a character; he fully believes that he is working for Zephyr's good when he's "teaching her a lesson".

An important book that will launch many discussions about abuse, consent, and female empowerment. Don't miss it.

[Amber Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE GIRL WHO FELL tells a story I will not soon forget. A breathtaking, heartbreaking, and (unfortunately) extremely realistic portrayal of how easy it can be—even for a strong, smart, level-headed heroine like Zephyr Doyle—to fall under the spell of a person who is not what they seem. Parker has written so beautifully and eloquently about the blinding pain of wanting to be loved so badly, of needing to fill void so deep that it becomes possible and, in fact, effortless, to be manipulated and accept less than love. The depiction of Zephyr’s gradual fall into first love with the wrong person was handled with such sensitivity, honesty, and candor that I did not want the story to end.

I FELL in love with this book, with Zephyr, her incredible friends, and her supportive family. This is one of those stories that I know will speak to people on so many levels, as we all experience unhealthy relationships to some degree, and in one way or another. It will help readers who might be struggling through their own versions of Zephyr’s story to see in her what they might be unable to see in themselves—to find in Zephyr’s strength, their own. In short, this is one of those books that can and will be a lifesaver.

THE GIRL WHO FELL is a courageous and inspired must-read debut! (I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.)

[Shea Olsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!! This book will grab you by the throat and drag you into its pages! Two words: bold and poetic! Shannon Parker has crafted a story that feels so raw and real and gripping that it's hard to believe this was imagined solely inside her head. Her writing is atmospheric and immediate. She's found a way to combine the subtlety of poetry with the nail-biting pacing of a psychological thriller.
I loved Zephyr and ached for her and wanted to reach into the pages and tell her it would all work out in the end.
This is a much needed book, a much needed story, and is destined to be a best seller. And it left me even more excited for the next story conjured up by the talented Shannon M. Parker! She is a force in the YA book scene and I sense that she's only just getting started!
This book is a MUST read!

[Colette · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Girl Who Fell left me in a major book hangover, desperately craving more. Each heartbreaking chapter ended with me breathless and eagerly flipping the page for more. Though a heart-wrenching story, every word comes across so perfectly and the difficult subject manner is handled with grace, doing justice to the major issue at hand. Overall 5/5 stars; I cannot say enough good things about it!

[Didi · Rating 5 out of 5]

5++++++ STARS

THIS BOOK.
SO. GOOD.

This is YA at its best. And that cover? Love it. I never felt like I was reading something young. It had a weighty heaviness, a taught and gripping tension and an urgency flowing off the pages. Once I started it, let me tell you, I only put it down because I had to. It was THAT good.
Zephyr Doyle was looking forward to graduating high school and attending Boston College the following fall. Her life was mapped out and distractions were not allowed. She didn't have time for relationships and besides, her dad had recently walked out on her and her mom, leaving a gaping and open wound of vulnerability. But Zee was strong and determined. She had her best friends, Gregg and Lizzie, her field hockey team and didn't need anything else.

Until Alec. The new guy.

Well laid plans had nothing on a handsome, determined and attentive guy. Slowly, we see Zee pushed beyond her boundaries. Things she would never have done, never have attempted were happening. Then other things start happening not so slowly and everything escalates until it implodes.
I can't even say how much I loved this book. It was like watching a car wreck in slow motion. So many times, SO MANY TIMES!!! I was yelling at Zee, begging her to see the blatantly manipulative ways Alec was indulging in. He was unapologetic in his tactics, unforgiving in his harshness and I wanted to scream.
RED. FLAGS. EVERYWHERE.

This book was intensely phenomenal and deserves to be read and experienced all on its own. But the cycle of violence that's so smoothly embedded in these types of situations is alarming. A niche of vulnerability is all that's required for someone to manipulate, bully, coerce and convince an otherwise sane and intelligent person that they're not worthy, that they're not capable of existing without the other person. Close friends are abandoned, family ignored. They're left as an isolated island without any support.
As a reader, I was baffled by Zee's reactions. Her friends concerns, the situation between her parents, everything was out of focus and left her open for someone to swoop in and destroy.

You may read of a love triangle in other reviews, but it wasn't the traditional kind. I wouldn't even call it that necessarily, but the attention of two males did put things into perspective for Zee at a time where she needed it most. There really was no contest and both situations played out on their own time. The last 20% was nail-biting and excruciating to read. Gah! This book was so good!

I can't say enough about this book. About how it made me feel, how it made my heart hurt and my eyes water. I couldn't believe the transformation that happened to Zee, how things changed. The cycle of violence is real and has some very specific and very alarming indicators. It's sad to see that by the time someone figures out what's actually happening, it's almost too late to stop it. ALMOST. but never too late as long as you're still breathing. I want to mention that another book called 'INTO THE DARKEST CORNER' by Elizabeth Hayes, was similar in its intensity and cyclical nature of obsession and violence.
GAH! I freakin loved this, and highly recommend it!

[Aj the Ravenous Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

A creepy romantic YA story where the guy is afflicted with obsessive behavior much like Joe in You except the guy is a little milder because at least he didn’t resort to murder or I guess was just unsuccessful. In other words, he’s still an amateur. Lol. Why do obsessive guys in books look and appear perfect all the time? It’s hard to feel creepy around them at least until they show their true colors.

The book is a succesful attempt at portraying the makings of a guy obsessed over a girl. It’s quite realistic because it’s believable that it starts at the height of their young adulthood. It’s not easy to detect the obsession because the guy seems normal, above normal in fact that practically all girls in school pine for him. He’s a jock, good-looking, a bit shy, a gentleman, he’s well-off so in short, he basically has it all and yet he behaves badly in a relationship, his emotions easily crippled by obsessive jealousy over the smallest of things.

It’s also easy to empathize with Zephyr who for the first time falls in love and because of her overwhelming emotions, she becomes blind to the guy’s manipulation, a lesson to young girls reminding to be careful when in a relationship, careful not to give their trust fully especially when they do not know their partners completely. The Girl Who Fell is so unexpected, another psychological thriller slash romance novel that I devoured.

[Michelle Andreani · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are not enough good words to say about Shannon Parker's book. But to start with, "important" is for sure one of them. "Masterful" is another.

I am so in awe of one character in particular, how he was crafted into someone I fell for along with the main character, Zephyr. Any time there were warning signs, I was manipulated and beguiled, just as Zephyr was. The reality of that was striking for me. For anyone who's wondered, "How could she stay with him?" You will get it if you read this book. You will feel it. You will *be* that girl.

So many others have said they wish this was required reading for teens, and I very much agree. I think of who I was in high school, and how much she would have needed a book like this. I'm so glad teens have The Girl Who Fell now.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to read an ARC of THE GIRL WHO FELL and I loved every aspect of this book. Do you ever wonder how a relationship goes wrong? What signs are missed by those involved, but glaringly obvious to the rest of the world? The Girl Who Fell explores this topic with superior accuracy and honesty.

The first two pages pulled me in and left me breathless. Shortly after, I found myself becoming very involved in Zephyr Doyle’s life. She was so complex and unforgettable – a girl with real problems, emotions, and also a sharp sense of humor. I needed to know what was going to happen next and how she would handle the challenges thrown at her. From the first chapter, Shannon Parker breathes life into every character and skillfully develops a thrilling plot that will prompt you to hide from reality and keep turning pages. I finished this book in one day and was sorry to see it end.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK, so this book amazed me. THE GIRL WHO FELL by debut author Parker is simply one of the most beautifully written, achingly real, sexy...yes,sexy...(as in some of the scenes are toe-curling, H.O.T), edge of your seat thrillers that I’ve read in a long, long time. Reading it, I experienced the kind of anxiety as when I first watched old obsession movies like 'Sleeping with the Enemy' or 'Fatal Attraction.' The escalation was perfection, though I wanted to shake Zephyr till her teeth rattled. AND wanted to smack Alec in the head with a hammer for being SO. DAMN. GOOD at fooling everyone! It all felt so real I had to ask the author if this had actually happened to her (it didn’t, whew!).
It's just that real.
> Shannon Parker is a rare new talent, whose writing is exciting, but also just damn near poetic. Trust me, you want to jump on this one asap!!

[Tika · Rating 1 out of 5]

She Fell & I Didn't Bother To Help Her Up
when trying to deliver an important message goes terribly, horribly, wrong.
.

If I told you that for the first time ever I was nervous to share my thoughts on a title, would you believe me? I mean come on, this is ME we're talking about right? Tika the review slayer, the black sheep, the infamous DNF Queen who enjoys writing negative reviews. No way should I have such feelings towards posting this right? But I do . . . well, I did. I first picked up The Girl Who Fell last year in December. I was on a promotional tour for it, and because I ended up disliking the story, I was asked to postpone my rating and review until after the tour was over. When I finally decided to review it, I just couldn't. I felt not only disconnected from the story, (as if I wasn't already) and because the subject matter is important, I felt my thoughts might rub someone the wrong way.

But who am I kidding? This is my blog, my thoughts, and if I hate a book, then I just hate it.

Feel free to walk away, shit is about to get real.

Strike One: The Opener.
Not Another Teen Movie.

When the opening scene is a page ripped straight from teen horror movies such as, Friday The 13th, Scream, and I Know What You Did Last Summer, it's extremely hard to take the story seriously. Was this a tactic used to set the tone of the book? Were we supposed to be trembling under our covers, flashlight in hand, awaiting the crazed boyfriend's arrival? My guess is yes, this was the nail-biting build-up before the story started. Was I shaking in my mixed matched Spiderman socks? No, but I was surely peeing in my pajamas from laughing. I mean come on, the MC is alone in her house, the lights go out, and wait for it . . she runs to use the phone but the line is DEAD! THE HORROR! Yeah, beyond ridiculous. The last time I enjoyed such a cheap version of a lifetime drama I was like . . . I don't know . . . TWELVE? Let's just leave these cheesy scenes to the Neve Campbell's and the Jennifer Love Hewitt's of the world . . please. I'm begging at this point.

Strike Two: The Characters.
Ten Things I Hate About You.

I don't want to sound like an asshole, or be accused of victim-blaming with my following words, but I found Zephyr to be incredibly stupid, Alec to be a complete joke, and the few supporting characters to be irrelevant. First of all, Zephyr and Alec were unconvincing as hell. We're literally 2.5 seconds into the story when we're hit with the makings of insta-love. How does one become smitten with a person they haven't even made eye contact with? HOW? But oh, it gets worse. After chatting like twice around 16%, they become a couple.

Would you go out with me?
He can't even know how his words paralyze, They tie and bind with a commitment I can't give after living with the aftermath of my father bailing. Or the mess with Gregg and his kiss. I can't do complicated. " Alec, I . . . " Alec's face waits on my words, patient and forgiving even though he appears to sense what I'm going to say. A small boy scrambles into the swing near us, reprimanding his mother's offer to help. " I do it! " He shouts at her. Alec smiles at the boy's independence, his fierceness, and that is when the word slips out of me. " Yes "

What in the actual fuck?

So pacing just gets thrown out of the window? Did a strong development between these two characters get tossed out too? What about chemistry, an emotional connection? These are things that relationships consist of. Zephyr started making dumb, selfish decisions before Alec even had the chance to fully turn on his creeper switch. She was surprisingly quick to turn on her friends and family, (which wasn't quite realistic IMO) so it wasn't that he was this smooth talking, cunning, charming, manipulative mastermind, (not completely anyway) she just liked him . . and a little too soon. I understand the author wanted to get to the " toxic " part pretty quickly, but when your main characters aren't believable, especially in this type of scenario, well . . . nothing else really matters.

Strike Three: The Everything.
Cruel Intentions.

Since this book covers the tough topics of obsession, manipulation, and domestic abuse, it's automatically labeled as " an important, powerful read, " but honestly, it wasn't . . . at least not for me. Were the topics important? Of course! I've been wanting to read a YA novel that covered these aspects for quite some time, but is this a reason to give The Girl Who Fell a pass for its poor execution? No. After speaking with numerous of readers who loved the book, about 90% of them actually agreed with just about everything that I mentioned in our conversation. The lack of a connection between not only the characters but the reader, the characters themselves being undeveloped, the story lacking emotion, the pacing being far too quick, the unrealistic/ridiculous nature of the some of the scenes, the unnecessary triangle, the incredibly strange sex scenes, Zephyr and her odd behavior, I mean the list goes on. But even though we were all on the same page, they also replied with, " I agree with most of what you said, but it's important, the story was needed. " I can't say that these readers were overlooking these issues, but can we honestly say that another less " important " title with the same flaws would be slapped with as many 5 star ratings as well? I'm not too sure it would.

So what do you guys think? Do we as readers give books high ratings because of their important messages or controversial topics in spite of its execution? Are we more willing to give " passes " for subject matter?

[The Candid Cover (Olivia & Lori) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full Review on The Candid Cover

When you come across a book that is this compelling and influential, you want to hand it to everyone you know. The Girl Who Fell is a shockingly realistic story that will have its readers putting themselves right into the shoes of the highly relatable main character. It is a beautifully written novel that many will enjoy and learn from.

The Girl Who Fell is one of the most relatable and convincing books of the year. It is really admirable that Shannon M. Parker can weave a story about abuse that can speak to the reader on so many levels. This is not a topic that is new to YA, however this story is one that the reader can empathize with, as it is portrayed in a manner that is gradual and well thought out.

Zephyr is the perfect main character for The Girl Who Fell. She is smart, and has a whole future planned. One of her most notable traits is her athleticism. Zephyr plays field hockey, which is not often seen in YA books. The fact that she demonstrates so much strength and ability is very intriguing and adds to her likability. Her character is one that is relatable and the events that unfold for her in the novel really hit home as one is reading due to this fact.

Also, the writing in this novel is so impactful. Parker takes a sensitive and important storyline and really draws her readers in. While there are definitely pieces that can be taken from the story to educate and assist others, the beautiful writing and slow build up of the events really make this book an incredible resource. It is difficult to teach and entertain at the same time in a book, and this one just seems to have all of the right components to do both.

Parker gives credibility to a topic that is both necessary and essential for all to understand. Through its identifiable character and beautiful storytelling, The Girl Who Fell is definitely a book that will appeal to many. A must-read for everyone!

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very hard book to read -- in all the best ways. As a reader, you can see the red flags as they arise, but the plotting and pacing is handled so masterfully that it's completely believable the way Zephyr is drawn in to Alec's world and the many behaviours she overlooks and excuses.
In creating Zephyr's character, Shannon M. Parker gives us a complicated, intelligent and ambitious young woman who never expected to find herself in an abusive relationship. Parker challenges our ideas about abuse and victimization, and handles Zephyr's feelings of love, fear, shame and self-doubt with incredible compassion.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is pretty much the handbook tons of girls in tons of teen books (and adult romances, if we're being honest) should read before a stunningly good-looking piece of shit shows up to ruin their lives. I yelled a lot while reading this book, mostly at Zephyr. Zephyr's great. She's driven, she has everything going for her, and it's difficult to watch her screw it all up for a guy who is obviously manipulating her and putting her through all kinds of emotional abuse. He isolates her from her two best friends, makes her think all their fights are her fault, etc etc.

I was reminded a lot of the movie Fear, with Reese Witherspoon and Mark Wahlberg? Except this was better because it wasn't....Fear.

Thanks to Simon & Schuster for the e-arc!

[Stephanie Elliot · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK, so WOW! The thing about this book, well, one of the many things is the character development! So, I don't want to give too much away, but in THE GIRL WHO FELL, part of the description says this:

Zephyr swears it must be love. Because love is powerful, and overwhelming, and…terrifying?

But love shouldn’t make you abandon your dreams, or push your friends away. And love shouldn’t make you feel guilty—or worse, ashamed.

So when Zephyr finally begins to see Alec for who he really is, she knows it’s time to take back control of her life.

So I'm not giving anything away by telling you that Zephyr decides she needs to take charge of her life after falling in love with Alec right? What I love about Shannon Parker's character development is how you, the reader, will REACT to when you get to know how wonderful Alec really is in the beginning. Because, just like Z does, you will LOVE him. That's the great thing about this book! You will root for the two of them. And you will be WOWWED! I promise you! Secondary characters are equally wonderful, from Lizzie and Gregg to Z's caring and concerned Mom, to even Z's beloved dog who's got a personality of his own!

This is an extremely important story and I hope that it gets the following it deserves and that girls who are strong and confident but might doubt themselves like Z does will realize that their worth is so much greater than how a guy reacts to them, and that they are never intimidated or mentally hurt the way I fear some girls, maybe even too many girls might be these days.

Kudos to author Shannon Parker -- I'm already anticipating her next novel!

[Melissa Gorzelanczyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of THE GIRL WHO FELL in exchange for an honest review.

This is a book of my heart. According to loveisrespect.org, one in three adolescents in the U.S. is a victim of physical, sexual, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner. That's a sobering statistic. There were so many moments during Zephyr's relationship with Alec that I wanted to say, "Hey, don't you see how controlling that is!?" But I know all too well how easy it is to forgive and overlook the flaws in the guy you think you've fallen in love with.

Girls will be able to sympathize with Zephyr's confusion--after all, there are moments when Alec is sweet, adorable and likable, too.

Shannon Parker has written an honest, real depiction of what happens when we fall too hard and too deep. This story shows how the support of those who truly love us--and the belief in our own self-worth--can change our destiny.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy crap this book. I was lucky enough to read an advanced copy and I couldn't put it down. Parker's storytelling is intense and beautiful. Zephyr's romance with Alec reads so real and the changes are so quiet that you don't see the end coming at all -- even though the first page of the book is part of the last scene. Lush and gorgeous, this YA story will grip you from the beginning and leave you breathless. Yup, that good.

[Bridget Hodder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This amazing book took me places within myself--and within the minds and hearts of the characters-- that I didn't even realize existed. By the end of the story, I was trembling with emotion.

Shannon M. Parker has created an intense, remarkable, beautifully-written portrait of what it looks like when a girl--or any human being--is slowly persuaded at a vulnerable time in her life to give up everything that really matters to her...including her own true identity.

The story took my hand and guided me through a frightening spiral of attraction, manipulation, and obsession that shattered into violent pieces...but which ultimately brought me, and the main character, Zephyr, out on the other side. Shaken, scarred, scared witless, but with the truth still clutched tight in our stubborn hands: we can claim our power, no matter how far gone we think we are. No matter who has declared war on your sense of self, your right to determine who you are, and who you love, and where to go, and what to do....that person, or those people, can be defeated.

What a powerful message; a message of realistic hope.

But the book doesn't read like a "message". It feels like a story your best friend in college might tell you about what happened to her in high school. And you would look at your brilliant, field-hockey-star friend with the great smile, and think: how the hell did this happen to such a person, with everything going for her? The answer is, of course: it can happen to ANYONE. Because it starts up so slowly, so subtly...and erodes you, bit by bit, till your contours change and you can't set your own boundaries to replace the ones that have somehow disappeared.

Scary, but redemptive. With characters who stand by Zephyr and never waver in their genuine love for her, though she must try to work out her salvation for herself.

This book will stay with you. I highly recommend it.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

So when I was younger, I used to LOVE books by Joan Lowery Nixon. She wrote these thrilling, pacy mysteries that I could not get enough of. I got that same feeling reading THE GIRL WHO FELL by Shannon M. Parker. This was a super intense, captivating read that had me holding my breath through half of it. Just like Joan Lowery Nixon was an auto-buy author for me when I was younger, Shannon Parker has joined those ranks.

Zephyr Doyle has her life figured out. She's a senior in high school. A field hockey star. She's going to attend Boston College with her friend, Gregg. But things change when she meets Alec. Alec is smooth, handsome, charming. Soon, he and Zee are falling for each other. They're in love. But then Alec starts making demands. Zee starts pulling away from her friends, her family.

This isn't how love is supposed to be.

This book was absolutely brilliant and beautifully written. Not only is it a captivating thriller but it also lets the reader into the pages, the story. It says, "You are not alone." It says, "It is not your fault." It says, "There are people here to support you." For Zee, these were her parents, her friends - Gregg and Lizzie (who is possibly the world's greatest friend ever. I need another book about Lizzie).

There's darkness, but there's also hope. And Zephyr's strength.

I think this book is vital reading. I hope it makes its way into as many hands as possible. I highly, highly recommend THE GIRL WHO FELL by Shannon M. Parker.