Dare to Fall by Estelle Maskame
ARC received via Edelweiss for a fair review.
Publish date: December 4, 2018
When Mackenzie’s almost boyfriend’s parents die in a car accident, she ghosts him because she can’t handle being around the grief surrounding death. A year later, she bumps into him and sparks fly. Kenzie must face the choices she made when she ditched Jaden when he needed him the most as well as deal with the grief her own family has barely been dealing with.
The Story
This is not the type of YA contemporary romance that should be shelved next to Kasie West (Don’t get me wrong, I have a love hate relationship with her books). This book doesn’t have a light bouncy feeling as you read through Kenzie’s experience of reacquainting herself with a guy she really liked but totally blew off. There are some bigger issues that are dealt with, while they aren’t all fully resolved, through the story actions are set in motion to rectify the problem.
I really liked the romance between Kenzie and Jaden as the story developed. Their misunderstandings and obvious wishes are still a struggle and it’s not a just a switch of hanging out and a great kiss or embrace that fixes it all. I love that through the story they both deal with the issues that they have been dealt in their own way.
The Characters
In the beginning I had a hard time being on Kenzie’s side, but I am glad I got to stick around to read her side of the story that explains her actions. The best thing was that, it was never used as an excuse for her actions. Just explain her really crappy way of dealing with a situation. it showed her lack of knowledge with what to do and how to handle the problems she had at home. She herself had already been grieving and just couldn’t add more. The point is she realizes that she’s a jerk and does her best to make up for it.
The Soundtrack
The Neighbourhood – Softcore
