Don't Fall by Rachel Schieffelbein Pages: 142
Published by Swoon Romance on May 27, 2014
Source: eARC from Publisher
In this contemporary retelling of Rapunzel, seventeen-year-old Anya leads a secluded life in a house on the edge of town with her adopted mother. She doesn't go to public school, doesn't even have a best friend. But Anya doesn't seem to mind. She has her books, her photography, and her daydreams and would do anything to please her mom.
Until one day at the library, the only place Anya is allowed to go alone, she takes a picture of a beautiful boy. Before long she's lying to her mom, and sneaking out to meet Zander. But Zander wants more than a secret romance. If Anya wants to be with the boy of her dreams, she's going to have to risk her relationship with the only other person she's ever cared about.
Don’t Fall is a completely contemporary retelling of Rapunzel. I have read 3 or 4 re-tellings of Rapunzel now to date and this was a really interesting one. I know the very first line of the summary states that it is a contemporary retelling, but even going into the book knowing that I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was reading and enjoying the story, but I kept thinking in the back of my head, “what is the twist going to be”. And while there were a few little twists and turns that I didn’t see coming, this book really is 100% a contemporary story about a girl with a very over-protective mother. It was a fresh spin on Rapunzel, very fitting for this day and age actually.
I felt for Anya. Her mom is so over the top protective. She is only allowed to venture outside of her house to go to the library. And even then, the main librarian is a friend of the mothers so she is basically a spy. The girl has no where to go. She is tutored at home, only interacts with her mom and goes to the local library two days a week. I think it was because she was so sheltered that her interactions with the cute boy, Zander were so adorable. It made me smile to see the two of them together. Everything about them was sweet and innocent. It was so cute how Zander would wait for Anya every Tuesday and Thursday.
It was so interesting seeing the split in emotions that Don’t Fall made me feel. I would go from being so happy with a goofy grin on my face watching Zander and Anya get closer and closer, to feeling so sad for Anya when I would watch her get locked away at home again. Every time she tried to speak to her mother she was met with “no’s” and stony silence. Her mother would not even discuss anything except expecting a complete devotion to her “rules”.
Don’t Fall is a standalone book that I think so many will really enjoy. The story is cute and very easy to get into. It is a super quick read; one that you can finish in an afternoon. It is my first book that I have read by Rachel Schieffelbein and I really enjoyed it.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
kindlemom1
I have only read one retelling of Rapunzel and I didn’t love it. I think I would be willing to give this one a try though, it sounds heart felt.
Michelle @ Book Briefs
Which retelling did you read? I have read a couple and they were all involving magic of some kind. This one is completely different. It really felt unique.
kindlemom1
Towering by Alex Flinn. It was okay just not what I was expecting. It could some very weird twists and turns and hardly stuck to the classic at all.
Michelle @ Book Briefs
oh, I haven’t read that one yet
Donna @ Book Passion for Life
This looks AMAZING! I’ve never even heard of it before and I can’t figure out why! Awesome post hun x
Michelle @ Book Briefs
Donna, I think you will really enjoy Don’t Fall. I loved that it was totally and completely contemporary. I thought it was perfect for our day and age and still true to Rapunzel.
Donna @ Book Passion for Life
It’s definitely the Rapunzel aspect that’s got me interested. It’s on my TBR now! =)
Rachel Schieffelbein
Thank you so much for being a part of the tour! And thanks for the review!
Michelle @ Book Briefs
Thank you for allowing me to read and review Don’t Fall. I really enjoyed it 🙂
Brit M.
It’s cool that this retelling doesn’t have any paranormal twist and it’s just a contemporary read. Great review.
Michelle @ Book Briefs
Yes, that was my favorite part of the re-telling too!
Kim { Book Swoon }
I’m aways interested in checking out an retelling, so I’m definitely interested in this one. Zander & Anya sounds sweet, and I’m curious about how the Rapunzel re-invent is done. Thanks Michelle & Happy Friday 🙂
Michelle @ Book Briefs
Yes, Zander & Anya are beyond sweet. There is such an innocence about them, that made me smile
Thanks for stopping by Kim 🙂
Candace
This one sounds very interesting. A contemporary retelling is different. But it sounds pretty good!
Michelle @ Book Briefs
It is really interesting because of how the re-telling was handled. I haven’t seen any other re-telling done in the same way. I enjoyed that about it.
Thanks for stopping by Candace 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
This sounds lighter then I expected. I am glad you enjoyed it and had no idea it was a retelling.
Andrea @ The Bookish Babe
I don’t normally love retellings, but I think a comtemporary retelling of Rapunzel sounds very cool! Thanks for bringing Don’t Fall to my attention, Michelle!
Michelle L.
I downloaded the sample from Amazon and loved it. Can’t wait to read the rest. 🙂