We All Fall Down by Natalie D. Richards Published by Sourcebooks Fire on October 3, 2017
Genres: Supernatural Thrillers, Young Adult
Pages: 342
Format: Paperback
Source: Local Library
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Theo's always been impulsive. But telling Paige how he feels? He's obsessed over that decision. And it's time. Tonight. At the party on the riverbank, under the old walking bridge, site of so many tales of love and death.
Paige has had a crush on Theo since they first met, but she knows her feelings are one-sided. She's trying to move on, to flirt. A party at the river is just what she needs. Except a fight breaks out, and when Paige tries to intervene--Theo's fist lands in her face.
All Theo and Paige want to do is forget that fateful night. But strange events keep drawing them back to the bridge. Someone, something is determined to make them remember...and pay for what they each did.
My Thoughts
This young adult thriller has a touch of the paranormal that keeps you guessing what is happening. I was immediately intrigued by the captivating storyline and atmospheric setting around a haunted bridge. The fast-paced narrative, told in alternating perspectives, added excitement and engagement to the story. I found both perspectives incredibly believable, allowing me to deeply connect with the characters and feel their raw emotions as they battled various challenges.
One of the aspects I particularly loved about this book is its exploration of teen mental health issues. The author fearlessly delves into topics such as therapy, medication, and social problems, shedding light on the complexities and struggles young individuals face daily. What impressed me even more was how the story highlighted these issues’ ripple effect on the people around them, emphasizing the importance of empathy and understanding.
In addition to its thought-provoking exploration of mental health, this novel also delivers a powerful message about embracing the past without allowing it to define us. It reminds us that while we may not control certain situations, we always have control over how we react to them. This empowering theme resonated deeply with me and left me feeling inspired and hopeful.
Overall, this young adult thriller exceeded my expectations in every way. Its blend of paranormal elements, intriguing storyline, well-developed characters, and exploration of essential themes make it a must-read for fans of the genre. I was utterly absorbed by the book from beginning to end, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an enthralling and thought-provoking reading experience.
About Natalie D. Richards
Natalie D. Richards is the author of two New York Times Bestsellers, Five Total Strangers (2020) and Seven Dirty Secrets (2021), as well as six additional novels.
Natalie writes “page-turning thrillers” (School Library Journal) for a Young Adult audience. Her first middle-grade book, through Penguin Random House imprint Delacorte, is called 15 Secrets to Survival and is due out in 2023. Four Found Dead (2023) will be Natalie’s ninth YA thriller from Sourcebooks Fire and is expected to be a bone chilling addition to her psychologically twisted work.
Natalie won her very first writing contest when she was in the second grade with a short story about Barbara Frances Bizzlefishes (who would not dare do the dishes). These days she writes about some awesome girls, broody boys, and all things that are creepy and dark. She spent many years applying her writing abilities to amazingly boring business documents. Fortunately, she realized that she is much better at making things up, and has written for teens ever since.
When she isn’t shopping a manuscript or writing, she can most likely be found wading through the huge stacks of dog-eared paperback books that have taken over her bedroom.
As a writer, she tends to write by the seat of her pants without much of a clue as to where she is going with each scene, often with the entire book as a whole. Natalie finds this helps her maintain an authentic edge of suspense in all her work because she honestly has no idea just how or even if her characters will get out of whichever mess she has wrote them into.
Natalie currently lives in Ohio with her three children and (very) large dog, Wookie.
