Book Review: We All Fall Down by Natalie D. Richards | A Memoir for Gen Z But with Ghosts and Bad Memories

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.

Discussion:

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I love him. Then. Now. Always. In a movie, it would be enough to undo every bad thing. Out here in the real world, though, love isn't enough. 

High school parties are supposed to be fun. Nights of hot cocoa topped with a gallon of marshmallows, a Harry Potter movie marathon, and frequent dance breaks to Queen songs played at reasonable volumes sound like the best parties.

However, the lives of Paige and Theo, at their last senior party, are jumbled after Theo's fight with his classmate Chase sends Paige to the emergency room. Diagnosed with ADHD and ODD, Theo has always been labeled as trouble, but his mistake of punching Paige in a jealous rage haunts him. Paige, on the other hand, has had a crush on Theo for ages but has decided to pursue someone else when her feelings for Theo are not returned. Or, so she thought?! Now, since the accident, Paige is expecting to enjoy her newfound freedom from her overbearing parents (and Theo) as she attends a summer research program at her local college; however, as the program progresses, Paige's anxiety and paranoia worsens, especially as memories of that dreadful night return. The only thing that Theo and Paige can deduce is the bad energy from the party is rooted in the history of the haunted bridge it was hosted on. Together, they recount their individual experiences on their town's bridge and set a plan to stop the hauntings before it's too late, all whilst rebuilding their friendship into possibly more.

Richard's paranormal and psychological thriller was just that: a thrilling read with self-destructive, deeply flawed characters and a plot that leads you in various directions. Both Paige and Theo have been diagnosed with mental disorders and are not the most trustworthy narrators, particularly as both of them are experiencing flashbacks and hallucinations regarding the previous party. In Paige's case, she is uncompliant with her anxiety medications and paranoid of anyone potentially communicating with her parents in regards to this. Theo, on the other hand, is taking a large number of medications to help with his insomnia, ADHD, and now his hallucinations. Although Theo is trying to resume his life by working with his uncle, I wondered periodically if Theo's perspective could be trusted or if the voices and otherworldly spirits were imagined. Richard's fast pacing moved the story along well and kept me entertained. From the alternating perspectives of Theo and Paige, each of their stories connect so well, painting each other as multifaceted people.

I especially enjoyed Richard's message, particularly as Theo and Paige support each other multiple times throughout their friendship and there is so much power in forgiveness. Although their relationship was toxic at times, Theo never intentionally meant to harm Paige; in the end, it was Paige that needed to apologize to Theo for several of her wrongdoings. They both just needed the right help, and that includes therapy. 

The ending was a cute ribbon to end the story; however, Richard leaves several plot holes scattered throughout the book. For example, Richard stations Paige at her local college's research program in which she is assigned a science project. Paige and her lab partner Melanie, while testing water samples for chemicals, detect an elevated level of arsenic from their water sample near the bridge. Paige does more testing and determines the bridge is damaged in one area, which is where arsenic may possibly be leaking into the main water supply of the town. No one alerts the town's government or a construction/architecture company to determine if the bridge is structurally sound or safe. Further testing by a professional laboratory is not conducted. Paige just goes ahead, gives her end-of-summer presentation, and sets the issue aside. If the arsenic did not serve as the solution to Paige and Theo's problem, why would Richard focus a bulk of the story on a puzzle piece that is unnecessary? (Or at least should go to another puzzle set...)

Also, throughout the novel, this bridge is in its *spooky era*.

Denny, Theo's uncle, and a town kid who helps Theo research the bridge both recount weird, spooky experiences whilst on the bridge. Denny's weird encounters are not delved into, and the town kid's family drama is brought up to only leave a trail of questions. I wish more time was spent uncovering the powers of the bridge and less of Paige's arsenic science project. 

In conclusion, Richard's caters a story for Generation Z audience and with a paranormal flair of ghosts and unknown voices. In the grand scheme, this book centers around the troubles of two codependent teenagers who are both dealing with mental illnesses and are on the verge of breaking down. So, it's definitely my type of party! 

Also, for all the great readers of young adult fiction, a breath is not the only thing you can forget to hold.

I turn as I hear his voice, my fingers uncurling from the fists I hadn't known I'd been holding.

Love, 

newbookcats

Goodreads

If you're looking for an entertaining read after watching Netflix's Wednesday, this may be your darkly-steeped cup of tea with crunchy, neon-orange cheetos, but what do you think? Which perspective do you care to read more from: a goody two shoes heroine who is iced with a delicious buttercream or an intentionally unlikeable, deeply flawed character who dresses in all black and listens to all emo music? Any other paranormal young adult books you care to recommend? Feel free to socialize with me in the comments or via my social media accounts.