Courtney Summers

A reissue of New York Times bestselling author Courtney Summers's award-winning debut! The high price of perfection is one 'Perfect' Parker Fadley always believed she was willing to pay until the devastating events at a party during junior year fractures the lives of her family and friends. A terrible thing has happened and only Parker knows it's her fault. If being a perfect daughter, student, friend and girlfriend couldn't keep her from making an unforgivable mistake, Parker hopes becoming a perfect mess will at least keep her loved ones from discovering the truth--until the arrival of a curious new student and the unexpected return of an old enemy threaten her tenuous grip on control. Parker will do anything to keep her secret from surfacing . . . but this time the cost might be more than she can afford. The book featuring the unforgettable character that started it all, now with a new foreword from the author.

A Novel

Cracked Up to Be

Valeria

“But what's a nice night for Parker Fadley? Just so we're clear.”

“I won't say anything mean, you won't ask questions I don't want to answer and I might let you kiss me. You'll make me laugh at least once before the night is over, preferably by making fun of Becky. We'll dance and have punch and on Monday we won't talk about it."

"I don't like you with Becky. She's not a very nice girl." "I don't like you with Jake. He's not me.

“You've made a choice and it's so obvious. I see it; I accept it," she says. "Even if no one else can. You want to rot and I want to let you.”  ~Becky

Jake nods like he understands, but popularity is always different for guys, way less maintenance involved. It really is easier for them. And besides, I'm totally lying anyway. I didn't want to be popular because it was easier; I wanted to be popular because in high school that's the best thing you can be: perfect. Everything else is shit.

I had a hard time feeling anything while I read this (might just be my mood)

The way the plot was written and the characters, was different to what I'm used to, there was not much character development, but in a way that's what makes it realistic

Fadley Parker was unlike other characters I've read about, she didn't seem to have that soft side that most people have, even the unlikeable characters. 

Throughout the book she was often uncaring, unsympathetic and hurt others to get them to stop..

She wanted them to give up on her, because she felt like that's what she deserved

She was a character that always seemed the same, like no matter who she was with, they rarely made her feel anything, and she barely changed her behaviour around anyone

I did relate to her in some way, the boredom, the way she needed to punish herself for what she thought she did, it was understandable

Lulu Evensen

I had a hard time feeling anything while I read this (might just be my mood)

The way the plot was written and the characters, was different to what I'm used to, there was not much character development, but in a way that's what makes it realistic

Fadley Parker was unlike other characters I've read about, she didn't seem to have that soft side that most people have, even the unlikeable characters. 

Throughout the book she was often uncaring, unsympathetic and hurt others to get them to stop..

She wanted them to give up on her, because she felt like that's what she deserved

She was a character that always seemed the same, like no matter who she was with, they rarely made her feel anything, and she barely changed her behaviour around anyone

I did relate to her in some way, the boredom, the way she needed to punish herself for what she thought she did, it was understandable

Lacy W

Title: Cracked Up to Be
Author: Courtney Summers
Genre: YA Contemporary 
Format: owned paperback
Star Rating: 3.5 stars

tw: underage drinking, missing children, hospitalization, animal death, rape, death, attempted suicide, suicidal ideation, infidelity

I really thought I was going to like this book more than I did. But unfortunately, I just didn’t fall in love with this book. While I think it’s an incredibly important book, I just couldn’t bond with the main character. It’s probably because I couldn’t relate to what she was going through or who she was before everything happened.

I understand completely that Parker was a very broken individual, even before everything happened. I understand that her behavior is rooted in guilt for something she thinks is her fault. But I just had such a problem with the way Parker was to everyone. I don’t care how much you are hurting, there is no need to be so disrespectful. I am also not a fan of the trope that if something bad happens, even if it isn’t your fault, you must punish yourself. I just can’t stand that.

But despite my complaints about Parker, this book describes guilt and grief so well. I would even go so far as to say that the guilt Parker is feeling is borderline survivor’s guilt. Parker is a great example of how grief and guilt can completely change a person, to the point where they aren’t even recognizable to themselves or others. So even though I had complaints, I still enjoyed all other aspects of this book, including the complex relationship with guilt. 

Overall, I still recommend this book despite not falling in love with it. Courtney Summers certainly knows how to write hard-hitting books with characters you are either going to fall in love with or can’t stand. She also knows how to write books that touch on incredibly difficult topics that often aren’t discussed. And that’s why, even though I may not love all her books, I still highly recommend them.

High school senior Parker Fadley has quit the cheerleading squad, broken up with her popular boyfriend, and is in danger of not graduating with her class, but she refuses to tell anyone what has precipitated this sudden change in her attitude and behavior, insisting that she only wants to be left alone.

Cracked up to be

Jeannette Ordas

A pretty good read about an unlikeable character in a story that is really good with not giving it away the major plot points until the end. And the author is Canadian.

In this young adult novel debut, the story of a girl too smart for her own good who, after one tragic night, decides to reject the popular life in exchange for one of solitude. Perfect Parker Fadley isn't so perfect anymore. She's quit the cheerleading squad, she's dumped her perfect boyfriend, and she's failing school. Her parents are on a constant suicide watch and her counselors think she's playing games...but what they don't know, the real reason for this whole mess, isn't something she can say out loud. It isn't even something she can say to herself. A horrible thing has happened and it just might be her fault. If she can just remove herself from everybody--be totally alone--then everything will be okay...The problem is, nobody will let her. “Cracked Up To Be gives you Parker, her world, her friends, straight up, no chaser. You won't forget her.” —Kathe Koja author of Kissing The Bee

Annabella

"Perfect People don't break  
WELL... Daaamn

Neeky Reid

This book was the worst, half of the time I didn't know what the hell was going on and half of the time I was wondering who approved this story and why did it get this many reviews. It's long, drawn-out, boring and stupid. I started reading this book right after I finished Crowning by Lara Deloza thinking it was gonna be a fun teenage bully vs an innocent teenager. Boy was I wrong, instead, I got dark and brooding and a girl who thinks her anxiety is the reason why she's such a bitch. (view spoiler)[ Why would you not say something about a girl who got raped and ended up missing shortly after? Are we supposed to feel for her? I don't. She's a selfish, self-absorbed cruel bitch. (hide spoiler)] Plus all of the other characters seemed really pointless, just there not really serving a direct purpose.

Lauren Tabor

It’s really hard for me to review hard-hitting books like this. The main character was really unlike-able but that was kind of the whole point. Parker has a lot going on in her life so I can’t totally blame her for the way she was. I really appreciate the way we really heard her true thoughts even when she was saying or doing the exact opposite. You really got to see the constant battle she had going on in her mind and how she was dealing with it and it was hard to read. 
The way it was written was brilliant, at first it annoyed me that the flashbacks would repeat themselves and then continue on. But it actual helped me remember a little bit more and then it made me think that Parker must’ve had these thoughts on repeat in her mind 24/7 and I think that was a clever way to reinforce that in my mind as the reader. She was struggling so hard with things and it really made you feel for her even though she was completely awful to all her friends and family and teachers. 
I liked the interactions with side characters but I couldn’t help feel that they seemed a little flat. It made me want more from them, I guess. 
This was a good, hard book to read...it makes me want to keep picking up books from Courtney Summers.

Tameka Young

Courtney Summers just made my "authors to girl crush on" list. I absolutely loved Parker just because she was such a real character. She wasn't lovable or irreverent but rude, mean, and nasty for which she makes absolutely no apologies. I was so engrossed I read this in one sitting and was so interested to see how the plot finally unfolded and all of Parker's demons were revealed. Very engaging and thought provoking story.

Ana Matti

As happened with “Sadie” Courtney Summers has taken a piece of my heart.

Amy Grieve

Parker used to be the perfect girl, perfect daughter and the perfect girlfriend. Not any more. Everyone is watching each of her moves waiting for her to slip up or go under. But all she wants is to be alone because of secret that she really wants to keep.

This book dragged me through so many different emotions that afterwards my face was like :o. Courtney Summers writing is truthful and edgy, something that I'm glad to have been able to read. 

Parker spent the book blaming herself for something that only she knows happened. She has trouble accepting that people care about her and thinks that she doesn't deserve anything but despite that I 
actually really liked her and understood her struggle. Although It would have been nice to have a better ending where we could see how the characters are doing.

Jen Estrella

I was perfect... and then I wasn't.

I need a brown paper bag. Ugh. I don't even know how Courtney Summers does it. Her books make my stomach twist and turn and do flipping motions in an "I think I need to throw up but I need to keep my shit together" kind of way, and I mean that as a compliment. Well, one thing's for sure, Cracked Up to Be is darker, deeper, and more unsettling than Some Girls Are and is obviously not for anyone who'd rather have their usual YA contemporaries (ones with lovable characters and perfect romances). I honestly think her book covers are misleading in that they fail to project the oh so accurate and awful reality that her novels contain. 

As for me, well, suffice it to say that I'm getting ready to read every other book she's written. I've got Fall for Anything (the cover is oozing with darkness which is great. At least I know what to expect... hopefully) added to my book pile for this month. But oh I won't read it too soon. I think I should read a happier book this time. *Rummages through book pile*

mary

rtc.

trigger warnings: rape, mental illness, addiction, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, assault, animal death, suicide, character death, graphic violence.

Stephanie Midolo

I've heard some great things about this book, so I struggled through it, hoping it would get better. It didn't.

Anastaciya

ahh, love such books. Funny, realistic, you don't have to break your brain thinking of mysteries and all that... cool. Parker is so funny.

Melea Mullican

3.5

First let me say I enjoyed this book. Well as much as you can enjoy something of the subject matter, and with something so hard hitting, I almost feel guilty for not liking it more. My main problem was that we were given absolutely no context for Parker's attitude until 80% of the way through the book. We know something happened, but not a clue as to what. I feel like I could have understood and connected with Parker better if the author had put more of the flashback snippets at the beginning of the book. Not to say she needed to reveal all of it, but you are basically dropped into the middle of the story where everyone knows more of what's going on than you do. That works in some books, but not this one.

Trigger warnings: (view spoiler)[suicide, suicidal ideation, teenage pregnancy, abortion, missing loved one, drug use, alcohol use, rape (on-page) (hide spoiler)]

This may not be a book for everyone. I strongly suggest that you check out the trigger warnings for this book because Summers has a way of really embodying the dark nature of this story for their reader. But if you decide to go ahead, you will pick up a book that is heart-wrenching, dripping with teenaged anguish and hurt, and something that you will not quickly forget. 

This is a story with a mystery element, but it is incredibly centered on the torment of struggling with trauma on your own. The way the author pulls this off is incredibly gripping. It has been a long time since I felt so invested in a main character, as I felt with Parker Fadley. Parker is struggling and as a reader you will walk alongside her, unraveling the events that brought her to this point in her life. A gripping story that will wreck even the most strong-willed reader. 


  Note: Review copy received from NetGalley. This does not impact opinions within this review.


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Happy reading! ❤

Kourtney

Wow! Very compelling book that I had trouble putting down. I will definitely be checking out other books by Courtney Summers!

Lisa ✩ @lifeinlit

Audiobook Review:

This being my first Courtney Summers book, I went into it with an open mind, yet a bit higher than normal expectations. Anyone that has read one of her books seems to adore it. I’m often a fan of “issues” books, more gritty, not-so-sweet stories. This one hit the nail right on the head.

Parker is the epitome of a bitch. She’s snarky, sarcastic, and doesn’t give a damn about anyone else. She pushes everyone away that even attempts to get close to her. This former head cheerleader has gone through something tragic… something that is eating away at her, consuming her with guilt. Throughout the story we get little glimpses into the past, into this event that forever changed Parker into the bitch she is today. We don’t get the entire story until the bitter end, which smoothly wraps it all up.

Though Parker is horribly mean at times and rude beyond belief, I couldn’t help but feel for her. This side of her is surely just a front, forced on by the guilt that consumes her. She’s so real and honest, even where it hurts. She’s obviously suffering from PTSD, and because of this I was on her side til the bitter end. Through her tough-guy exterior I was able to see her vulnerability and pain screaming for help.

The romance here was refreshing. It added a little sweet to the sourness that was this story. Though tough girl Parker fought any attention she received with fisticuffs and snarky comebacks, there was a part of her just begging for someone to love her.

I was a bit confused with the flashbacks in this audio at first. There wasn’t any mention that they were flashbacks, so all of a sudden I would be confused on where the story was going. After a while I was able to pick up on which were flashbacks since they all told the same incident over and over again, with more detail each time it was shown to us.

The characters, the plot, and the speed at which this story read was perfect. It was a rather quick read, yet had plenty of details and background to be completely fulfilling. If you’re a fan of the more gritty contempts, you should give this story a try. I’m definitely going to check out other books by Courtney Summers… this is my kind of author! :)

Pamela Alvarado

I have conflicted emotions about this book. The first 90% was entertaining. I enjoy witty, tortured characters. But then, the reason why Parker is the way she is surfaces. And that's where I stopped giving a damn. So, minus two stars because I no longer care about Parker Fadley.

Liz Griffin

I just had to sit and savor this book and collect my thoughts for two days. I binge read it over two flights in one afternoon. Fans of Speak or Call It What You Want, take heed! Parker will linger in your mind long after the last page. Truly encapsulates what feels like to be a perfectionist, whose own high standards have crippled your ability to live (who me?).
Note: this is what I would consider a mature read. Specific warnings would be spoilers, but just be aware of that if you are sensitive to distressing topics in books.

Cracked Up to Be A Novel

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