Book Review: Callum & Harper




Callum & Harper by Fisher Amelie
December 22, 2011
380 pages
Source: Personal Purchase

Goodreads Summary:

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.

“One day, you and I are gonna’ wake up and be alright. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow but one day. One day. I promise you.” - Callum Tate

MyReview:

This is such a great story about Callum and Harper. Their story is heart-breaking and hopeful at the same time. Having no physical family, and being fresh out of the foster care system, they become family to each other. They are both beautiful characters and I couldn't help but fall in love with them (and you'll swoon for Callum). I loved the story, though I certainly wanted to shake them at times out of sheer frustration. Their insecurities and assumptions hindered them and made things way more difficult than it needed to be. I also loved their commitment to each other and their unconditional love. Their integrity in their physical relationship was refreshing. It was a beautiful thing.

 

Their group of friends are lovely as well. There are some real gems of characters in there. You can see how they've created a family for each other. Fisher said she'll be writing books about all the characters, and I really, really hope that is true because I love them all. I was thoroughly engrossed in the story (even the crazy parts that I won't spoil) and have been thinking about C&H ever since. This is definite reread material.

The writing wasn't perfect and I found the verb tense changes distracting at times (could use a re-editing), but I was able to modify them in my head and work through it because I really liked Callum and Harper. I look forward to Thomas and January :)

5 STARS

(4 1/2 with the editing issues)