HOW WE FALL, BY KATE BRAUNING. MERIT PRESS, 303 PP. $17.99
First love is a common theme in young adult literature, but debut author Kate Brauning finds a way to spin it in a way that's never been done before.
Jackie lives with her family. All of her family. She, her parents and her sister live with her aunt and uncle and their family -- which includes Marcus, his three brothers and his two sisters. Marcus and Jackie, being the oldest, are often paired for chores, and are often asked to take care of the younger kids.
This wouldn't be a problem, except Jackie is in love with Marcus.
They've been "together" for about a year, and they've managed to keep it under wraps because they haven't defined exactly what it was they were doing. Up until now, there wasn't really anything to define. But their relationship is developing further than either of them imagined, and they're coming to the point where a decision needs to be made.
Meanwhile, a new girl moves to town and starts to spend more time with Marcus. Jackie doesn't necessarily like this, but what bothers her more about Sylvia is the mystery she carries regarding a connection with Jackie's best friend, Ellie, who disappeared several months ago.
I have to be honest: Kate Brauning is a friend of mine from college. But, that being said, my knowing her had no influence on what I thought of the book. I was actually a little wary of the cousins-in-love idea before I read the book. It's not something you find in literature -- young adult or otherwise -- because it's kind of a taboo subject. It's not necessarily illegal, but it's not something we generally want to talk about.
Kate makes it work in How We Fall, though. Aside from being together, Marcus and Jackie are also really, really good friends. When their relationship starts to shake, everyone around them is concerned. They've always been close. Also, Marcus and Jackie are just good together. As a reader, you just want to root for them. If they weren't cousins you would do whatever you could to make them end up together. Kate asks the question, Does it really matter that they're related? After reading this book the answer can simply be: No.
How We Fall is Kate Brauning's debut novel, though I'm quite certain another is in the works. It is available wherever your favorite books are sold.
First love is a common theme in young adult literature, but debut author Kate Brauning finds a way to spin it in a way that's never been done before.
Jackie lives with her family. All of her family. She, her parents and her sister live with her aunt and uncle and their family -- which includes Marcus, his three brothers and his two sisters. Marcus and Jackie, being the oldest, are often paired for chores, and are often asked to take care of the younger kids.
This wouldn't be a problem, except Jackie is in love with Marcus.
They've been "together" for about a year, and they've managed to keep it under wraps because they haven't defined exactly what it was they were doing. Up until now, there wasn't really anything to define. But their relationship is developing further than either of them imagined, and they're coming to the point where a decision needs to be made.
Meanwhile, a new girl moves to town and starts to spend more time with Marcus. Jackie doesn't necessarily like this, but what bothers her more about Sylvia is the mystery she carries regarding a connection with Jackie's best friend, Ellie, who disappeared several months ago.
I have to be honest: Kate Brauning is a friend of mine from college. But, that being said, my knowing her had no influence on what I thought of the book. I was actually a little wary of the cousins-in-love idea before I read the book. It's not something you find in literature -- young adult or otherwise -- because it's kind of a taboo subject. It's not necessarily illegal, but it's not something we generally want to talk about.
Kate makes it work in How We Fall, though. Aside from being together, Marcus and Jackie are also really, really good friends. When their relationship starts to shake, everyone around them is concerned. They've always been close. Also, Marcus and Jackie are just good together. As a reader, you just want to root for them. If they weren't cousins you would do whatever you could to make them end up together. Kate asks the question, Does it really matter that they're related? After reading this book the answer can simply be: No.
How We Fall is Kate Brauning's debut novel, though I'm quite certain another is in the works. It is available wherever your favorite books are sold.
