Wednesday 30 May 2012

Review: Callum and Harper by Fisher Amelie

Title: Callum and Harper
Author: Fisher Amelie
Publication date: December 24th 2011
Age group: New Adult/Upper YA
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Thriller
Cover rating: 5/5
Content rating: 4/5
Buy: Amazon


Description:
Life sucks for orphans Callum Tate and Harper Bailey.  
Kicked out of their foster homes because they suffer the 'eighteen disease' with nothing but a hundred dollar check from the government and a pat on the back, they're forced to rely on a system that failed them miserably.  
So they sit. They sit inside Social Services, waiting for their social workers to call their names and offer them the miracle they know will never come but they sit anyway because they have nowhere else to go, no other options on their very literal and figurative empty plates. 
But as they sit, they notice the other. Although captivated, they each come to the conclusion that life is complicated enough without throwing in a boiling tension that can't ever be acted upon because they're both too busy thinking about where their next meal will come from but when their names are called and both are placed on a year long waiting list for permanent housing, suddenly relying on each other seems like a very viable plan B. 
And, oh, how lovely Plan B's can be.  
Well, except for the psycho from Harper's past that haunts her and, oh, yeah, there's the little issue that neither of them knows they're in love with the other. 
Needless to say, Callum & Harper's life just got a bit more complicated.
My thoughts:
Callum & Harper was an interesting read, to say the least. I've wanted to try it out for ages now. I adored the cover and the Kindle sample really had me hooked and eager for more. Callum and Harper's story really did end up grabbing me from the moment I met them until the moment I finished the last page. While I wouldn't say it was a perfect novel or that it would be everyone's kind of thing, I personally enjoyed it and I'm so glad I took the time out to read it. It was definitely unique and will stand out in my mind for a long time.

This novel revolves around two orphans, Callum and Harper. They've both been thrown out of their foster homes for no reason other than they've turned 18. Callum and Harper find common ground because of this and start to take care of each since they're now both homeless. At first, I was worried because it seemed like some major insta-love was in store but I was wrong! They fall for each other quickly but their journey is slow, bumpy and full of misunderstandings. This is no sweet, predictable love story. It is so much more than that.

For a while, Callum & Harper felt like a regular contemporary romance novel, albeit with some heavier themes than usual. However, the first half of the book has a totally different feel to the second half. It takes such a big turn in mood and tone. At parts of it, I actually felt like I was watching an episode of Criminal Minds or something. It gets really creepy and terrifying and a few bits were actually hard to read! It was way more intense and scary than I was expecting it to be and is certainly not all about romance at all!

My only issue was with the unpolished writing. The first half contained some typing errors and a wrong name was used once. The actual writing itself was gorgeous though and I loved how all the characters spoke and interacted. All of Callum's friends are very different people but they all love and look out for each other. Harper fits in really well with all of them. Harper and Callum make some crazy decisions but I can see why they made them. They are struggling to get by and are just trying their best to secure a future for themselves. Overall, I really liked this book and will be rushing to buy anything else Fisher Amelie publishes!

15 comments:

  1. Great review! I love how you highlight the good and the bad about the book! I love reading contemporaries so this one sounds like something I would enjoy although I have never heard of it before! The writing is also a bit of a bummer but I think I can overlook that if the storyline is good overall! Thanks for the great review:) BTW beautiful blog!!!!!!

    SeeitORreadit

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  2. Yay I'm glad you enjoyed this one! I can't wait to read it since Ash @ Bookish Brunette loves this story. I do like those lighter contemporary romance stories but I love them so much more when the characters have real issues and real problems. Don't Breathe a Word by Holly Cupala is a great example of that type of storyline.

    Thanks for the awesome review!

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  3. Love this book! So glad you liked it too!

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  4. I'm so glad to see a review for this on a blog that I trust ;) I have wondered about this book while browsing Kindle books and now I think I will buy it. The change in mood and the terror would not have been something I would have expected so thanks for the heads up!

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  5. Aw! They are supposed to help them transition from being an child to being 18! At least I hope they do that. I love intense and scary as well as surprises so I think I'll like this book. Great review :D

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  6. One of my best friends sent me this book. I've been dying to read it. I hear the subject is definitely tough. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I adore the cover, too.
    Nice review!

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  7. I was reading about this book, but unsure because of the subject matter, but since you among others like this book I think I'll check it out. I'm really interested in the second half now.

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  8. I added this to my trb as soon as I saw that you got it this week. I think the cover is amazing, if I ever saw this in a bookstore that alone would draw me to the book alone! But it's good to know it's not the usual contemporary romances we get these days! I can't wait to see why it reminds you of criminal minds! Fab review Nicola! :)

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  9. This one sounds really interesting, I think I would enjoy it. I love it when a book really grabs you & is unforgettable. Fab review Nicola. :)

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  10. I have had mixed feeling about reading this one, it's very intriguing but sounds so sad and a bit dark. Great review, I'll prob add it to my library TBR :) Thanks!

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  11. If I'm really enjoying a book I can live with some spelling mistakes and the odd grammatical error. Creepy and terrifying is not what I would have pictured this book to be at all, but I do love Criminal Minds. Glad you enjoyed it. Great review :)

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  12. I was first drawn to this book because of the original cover and then the package inside sounded so promising too. Thank you for the great review.

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  13. Love your review, Nicola! I'm so glad that this is not another case of insta-love. And I'm even more excited because they have to go through bumpy journey so they can be together! <3 The couple seems very lovely - I love characters who take care of each other! :')

    Thank you for the amazing review! Definitely adding this to my wishlist! <3

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  14. This book actually sounds really good, I'd love to read it! There aren't a lot of books about what happens to kids in care once they reach 18 so the premise of this is really intriguing - along with all the romance going on too! The relationship between Callum and Harper definitely sounds unique and I love how they have to rely on each other! That's so CUTE <3

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  15. I hadn't heard of this book before, but it sounds really interesting. And I love that cover! I may have to check it out, although the scary scenes worry me a bit (I'm a wimp!). Great review!

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So sorry about the word verification, it's the only way to stop the huge amounts of spam!

Thanks SO much for taking the time to comment, I really appreciate it.

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