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Cracked Up to Be

by Courtney Summers (Goodreads Author)

3.77 of 5 stars 3.77 · rating details · 7,077 ratings · 864 reviews

When "Perfect" Parker Fadley starts drinking at school and failing her classes, all of St. Peter's High goes on alert. How has the cheerleading captain, girlfriend of the most popular guy in school, consummate teacher's pet, and future valedictorian fallen so far from grace?

Parker doesn't want to talk about it. She'd just like to be left alone, to disappear, to be ignored....more

Paperback, 214 pages

Published December 23rd 2008 by St. Martin's Griffin

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Nov 30, 2008 Kristi (The Story Siren) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-own, signed-books, favorites

This book was everything that I hoped it was going to be and then some. And I wish that I was a good writer so that I could write a review worthy of this book. Why can’t I just say that I loved it and that it was one of the most compelling books I’ve ever read and that just be enough? Because really I don’t know why I like any book, I just do. But if I must, I guess I will.

The writing. If I hadn’t known that this was Summers’ debut novel, I wouldn’t have believed it. One of my most favorite boo...more

33 likes · like · see review

Nov 10, 2011 Catie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2011, ya

So, I guess I just read these in opposite order…3…2…1. It’s hard to pick a favorite but this one definitely hits the closest to home. I don’t know why, but I had it in my head that Cracked Up to Be and Some Girls Are were going to be similar novels – like twin manifestos on the psychology of mean girls. Parker and Regina may both sort into the mean girl category, but they are completely different, as are these two novels. I think that Some Girls Are is a book about moving forward and away, but t...more

28 likes · like · see review

Nov 17, 2011 Tatiana rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: those readers who do not require their characters to be likable

Recommended to Tatiana by: Emily May, Catie

Shelves: 2011, ya, b

As seen on The Readventurer

3.5 stars

The more of Courtney Summers I read, the more her work reminds me of Sara Zarr's. They write vastly different characters - Zarr's are more subdued, quiet; Summers' are often in-your-face obnoxious and loud. But what is similar about these two authors is how well-realized their narrators' voices are. Zarr's and Summers' characters are unique and real, often unlikable, but always unforgettable.

The protagonist of Cracked Up to Be, Parker, is hard to like. She is...more

27 likes · like · see review

Mar 30, 2012 Emily May rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-na, 2011, contemporary

Based on what I've read so far, Courtney Summers is easily one of my favourite young adult authors. Her books are incredibly raw and emotional and her talent for getting inside the mind of troubled teens isn't very common in young adult literature.

I admit that I didn't like this book quite as much as Some Girls Are but that isn't saying a lot, it was still powerful and moving. I expected to not like this novel as much because of the lower average rating than Some Girls Are, but I think the main...more

18 likes · like · see review

May 23, 2009 Ash marked it as attmepted-to-read

I had very high hopes for this book. It had nothing but raving reviews and I was looking forward to reading it. I'm not saying that it disappointed me, but I guess I wasn't as prepared for it as I thought. I knew that it was a fairly raw and somewhat sad book with crude humor and some bad language but I thought I might still be able to get into the book. That I'd be able to finish it.

Parker is just a sad character. She pushes everyone away by being mean and rude any chance she gets. She doesn'...more

13 likes · like · see review

May 18, 2013 Keertana rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-that-linger, 2013-favorites

Ever since I read this novel, I've been judiciously punishing myself. I made a vow to not pick up another Courtney Summers book until I had tackled this review first and although I have sat down to type out this review on more than one occasion, the words never came. Even now, over two months since I last held this in my hands, I struggle to find the words to adequately express what an emotional wreck this book rendered me. Parker are her struggles are still as real and visceral to me today as t...more Ever since I read this novel, I've been judiciously punishing myself. I made a vow to not pick up another Courtney Summers book until I had tackled this review first and although I have sat down to type out this review on more than one occasion, the words never came. Even now, over two months since I last held this in my hands, I struggle to find the words to adequately express what an emotional wreck this book rendered me. Parker are her struggles are still as real and visceral to me today as they were two and a half months ago as my eyes read the words that conveyed her story to me. And, just as I was so many days previously, I am speechless.

Cracked Up to Be, is not a perfect Courtney Summers novel in the way This is Not a Test is. Although I find myself unprepared to talk about this novel, that doesn't prevent me from admitting that I found the ending to be too abrupt, too devoid of the emotional punch I was looking for that marked the last line of Summers latest book. And yet, Cracked Up to Be is just as strong, raw, and powerful. Parker, the protagonist of our tale, is as "unlikable" as heroines come. Not only does she exude snark, but she genuinely despises people and wants to be left alone. Parker is rude, she is cruel, she is as mean as the most despicable villains of legend. And yet, Courtney Summers makes us sympathize, empathize, and only want the best for her. Just like the majority of the characters in this novel who never give up on Parker, doing their best to break through her tough defenses, we become just as invested and curious about her sudden fall from fame, her unexpected and self-imposed wall.

It is Parker who makes Cracked Up to Be the successful novel it is. As the truth behind Parker's past slowly comes to light, the relationships with her parents and friends disintegrate and re-build only to fall apart, our hearts and brains are turned to mush and broken and stomped on and overturned again and again and again. While objectively Parker doesn't seem to be the type of protagonist we can relate to, we all have our bad days, our bad moments, and the times in our lives when we simply want to punish ourselves and reading Cracked Up to Be is a snarling reminder of the monster that lurks beneath the surface of us all. It is beautifully written and wonderfully rendered, so much so that I can only beg you to read it. Not for me, not for Parker, and not even for Courtney Summers, but for yourself. I sincerely doubt you'll regret it.

You can read this review" and more on my blog, Ivy Book Bindings.(less)

6 likes · like · see review

Mar 18, 2013 Giselle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: audiobook, contemporary

Already being a big fan of Courtney Summers since I read This Is Not a Test, I knew before going into this that it was going to be a ride with a lot of feels! So much feels!

Parker is the definition of a snarky bitch. She has an attitude you want to slap her for, but as a protagonist she's especially amusing and definitely entertaining. The used-to-be cheerleading captain turned angry emo tells us that something has happened to this girl to change her so drastically. This "something" is told to u...more Already being a big fan of Courtney Summers since I read This Is Not a Test, I knew before going into this that it was going to be a ride with a lot of feels! So much feels!

Parker is the definition of a snarky bitch. She has an attitude you want to slap her for, but as a protagonist she's especially amusing and definitely entertaining. The used-to-be cheerleading captain turned angry emo tells us that something has happened to this girl to change her so drastically. This "something" is told to us via strange behavior from Parker which seem insignificant at first, but as the book progresses the feeling gets more urgent, and is mixed with flashbacks that leaves us wondering what the heck exactly happened here. These flashbacks gets longer at each telling; every time she remembers, she gets thrown a little deeper into this blocked memory that, in the end, weaves itself together into an emotionally distressing story. We don't get to fully understand the reason behind her intense attitude until the very end. Still, you know something happened; you know she did not choose to be this way, something broke her, made her bitter. For this reason I found it easy to look past her bitchiness and feel bad for whatever it is that she is going through. It also helps that Courtney has a way of creating genuine characters. Characters that are easy to sympathize with no matter their outward personality, because it's clear this crappy attitude is only a front, something Parker is hiding behind.

I already feel like I summed up this whole book in that mere paragraph. It's a fairly short read and while the plot is compelling from start to finish with amazing characters, energy, and the feels, it's hard to get into the thick of it since it consists of layer after layer of answers that eventually come full circle for the big reveal. By far, the best part of the novel is Parker herself. Full of attitude and energy, she tells us this story in the best way she can: amidst snark and outbursts. She hardly remembers what happened herself, though she's slowly regaining her memory of this horrific event that we're in the midst of discovering alongside her. When we do finally get the whole story, I did have to go over the reveal a couple of times to get everything straight. Some of the details come out a little fuzzy at the end. This is likely due to the same memory being repeated throughout the book which ultimately connects under different circumstances than we first had imagined. We're left to mold these memories to fit a tragic event that once seemed innocent; it changes our perspective of it all. Moving on to the ending itself, I thought it was memorable, realistic, and we come to understand Parker completely. However, I did find the romantic aspect's conclusion a tad underwhelming. I expected something… different, and was more than disappointed by the unfair finality of it all. Call me a romantic at heart?

Cracked Up to Be is an emotional foray into the gritty reality that is PTSD. Parker is not here for you to like her; her arrogant personality and unabashed attitude is a way out, out of the guilt that is almost literally eating her alive. Like This Is Not a Test, this one is for the fans of sharp and unapologetic contemps! And if you love audiobooks, the narrator nailed Parker's voice!

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For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads

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14 likes · like · see review

Apr 04, 2010 jo mo rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010, reviews, young-adult, sports, school-life, call-me-crazy, 1-star

i couldn’t have cared less about any of the characters, especially our main character – parker. none of them were likeable, because there was nothing to like. i don’t think courtney summers could have done a better job at that! it probably wasn't even the point, because you were supposed to develop empathy, not sympathsize with her.

parker was nasty and only wallowed in her self-pity.
chris was pathetic,- i have this crazy feeling that when he told parker he loved her, he only meant he loved getti...more

10 likes · like · see review

Dec 24, 2008 Yan rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Definitely enjoyed the pace throughout the book; very concise, clean and well-organized.

I’m sure this has been said many times but really the mystery aspect of this book was so well done. A small bit here and a small bit there and at the end you’re like “OMG!”

I loved almost all the characters. Seriously. Parker was so three-dimensional; she had her ups and her downs. You get a definite feel as to why she's like the way she is. The rest of the side characters were as equally impressive. They each...more

9 likes · like · see review

Apr 09, 2011 Stefanie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Clarification 4.5 Stars

I really love Courtney Summers' writing. I find it to be raw and ralistic and I think she captures the emotion of her protaganists really well.
I was first introduced to her when I read FALL FOR ANYTHING with the Bookers and totally fell in love with her writing style.
In CRACKED UP TO BE, we have another "messed up" teen with angst and issues and that one big moment in her life that made her go "what's the point?" For Parker Fadley, it was, What's the point in trying to be...more Clarification 4.5 Stars

I really love Courtney Summers' writing. I find it to be raw and ralistic and I think she captures the emotion of her protaganists really well.
I was first introduced to her when I read FALL FOR ANYTHING with the Bookers and totally fell in love with her writing style.
In CRACKED UP TO BE, we have another "messed up" teen with angst and issues and that one big moment in her life that made her go "what's the point?" For Parker Fadley, it was, What's the point in trying to be perfect anymore, in trying to be anything to anyone? She's been perfect her whole life. Going above and beyond the expectations of everyone in her life. Until she reaches her breaking point, which is presented in flashbacks throughout the story. But Parker had been building up to her breakdown for quite a while, running herself ragged with perfection.
As far as characters go, I really liked them all. They all served a purpose for the most part. Chris, Parker's ex, is the guy who knew the Parker "before". He knew who she used to be, why she used to be the way she was. And he's still the guy clinging on that old Parker, thinking she's still the same person, forcing her to look at herself in the past. Then comes Jake. The new kid. He becomes pretty captivated by Parker. Finds her so different, and interesting. I usually hate cliches...but it worked here for me, because the author addresses the cliche and points out the obvious, kind of mocking it. Because she does use the like "I've never met a girl like you", lol. But it worked, IMO. Then there is Becky...who is the girl that is desparate not to be Parker, but to have everything she did. To be at the top where Parker was. There's this kind of ongoing battle between the girls of how Becky is only cheerleading captain and Chris's girlfriend because Parker gave those things to her. Becky never earned them, never would've had them if Parker hadn't let it go.

Parker is definitely a complicated character and very frustrating at times. You kind of get to a point where you're like..."I get that you have issues! But stop being such a b****." She is interesting though, because for most of the book she feels she's in control of her life and that she calls all the shots and controls the people around her, how close or not close she lets them get to her. But in reality, I don't think she had control on anybody really. Her ex, Chris points that out near the end of the book and I finally was like, Yeah.....he's totally right. Chris...for all his, mistakes, really did know her best and I think he was a crucial part of her "recovery". He kind of kept her in line. Whereas with Jake, I think he sort of enabled her to walk all over people, because she got away with it with him. Most of the time. Parker was just heartless toward everyone because she thought she was benefitting them by keeping them at a distance and not ruining their live, because she thought she'd ruin them, all the good people. But she was just doing more damage that way. She does all of this out of guilt, this huge guilt she has carried with her for so long and you can just feel the weight and the burden pressing on her through the bitter tone she has through the whole book. That's one thing I thought was done so well. The tone. It was so poignant and clear. She was so bitter and cynical and the first to critique EVERYONE. But it was all out of envy I think, and some anger. She was angry at having to carry this guilt with her while nobody knew what really happened "that night". But....she just never seemed to realize that if she had just talked to someone about it, she'd have been relieved of all this guilt. Or maybe she did realize that but was so set on "protecting" people from her that she never did. Hmm.
Anyways, the end didn't feel very complete to me at all. I think I felt that way when I finished FALL FOR ANYTHING also. I just didn't feel that Parker was all the sudden ready to face all her demons after fighting against them so hard for the entire book. And then, both the boys...who have just been there for her, through all the crap she put them through...I just feel like they didn't get anything in the end. How were they supposed to have benefited from any of it? I just felt like Summers didn't give them what they deserved. So the ending was a little disappointing, but overall I really loved the book.
And I plan to read her other book, SOME GIRLS ARE! Because I do really really enjoy her writing.
GREAT BOOK :)
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7 likes · like · see review

Dec 30, 2008 Jennifer Wardrip rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: trt-posted-reviews, fiction

Reviewed by Cana Rensberger for TeensReadToo.com

Parker Fadley was captain of the varsity cheerleading squad. She'd been on the honor roll for the first three years of high school, and Chris, the most popular guy at school, was in love with her, the most popular girl in school. Now, no matter how awful she is to him, she knows he still loves her, but she's not worth it.

Not since the party. Not since her life took a radical one-hundred-and-eighty degree turn.

Her parents have her on a tight leash...more

7 likes · like · see review

Jan 12, 2012 Jo rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, good-grief, gorgeous-prose, just-been-cutting-onions, soul-sister-heroine, ya

4.5 stars.

Slight spoilers follow…

“I’d rather be certifiable than perpetually boring.”

Initial Final Page Thoughts.
ME TOO!

High Points.
I loved everything: the writing, the characters, the emotions, the subject.
Done.
*bats off hands*

Low Points.
This book was so small it could get lost in my back teeth.
I’m just being selfish because I wanted to spend more time with this book but hey, if book reviewers can’t be selfish then who can?
That is the real question, I think.

Heroine.
You know how I really like...more

20 likes · like · see review

Nov 24, 2012 Adrienne ツ rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: meh, annoying-main-characters, ya-contemporary-romance, owned, stand-alone, mature-content

THIS BOOK SUCKED. BIG TIME. I didn't understand why Parker didn't tell anybody about her witnessing her best friend getting raped and being dragged off to die somewhere, and why she thought she was punishing herself for not telling. It was injustice. It was cruel. It was her best friend. And she didn't tell anybody. Not a single soul. WHY? Who the heck does that? She made things worse by not telling. She could've made all her problems go away if she told someone. One little spill and the whole d...more

4 likes · like · see review

Feb 19, 2012 ✌ Kaye ♡ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: older-ya-and-new-adult, a-z-challenge-2012, young-adult, family, flashing-pages, lol, girl-power

3.5- Team Chris

Sooooo I wrote this long review then pressed that back button by mistake. :-(

This will be a summary of that now. I thought it was a very good read hence the 4 star rating but I don't know if I actually personally enjoyed the story so the 3.5.

Parker was a straight b* and I sorta loved it. Maybe because I had/sometimes have that urge to say the rude things that flow through my mind, especially while I was in high school. It came out some in college, but I care about appearances and...more 3.5- Team Chris

Sooooo I wrote this long review then pressed that back button by mistake. :-(

This will be a summary of that now. I thought it was a very good read hence the 4 star rating but I don't know if I actually personally enjoyed the story so the 3.5.

Parker was a straight b* and I sorta loved it. Maybe because I had/sometimes have that urge to say the rude things that flow through my mind, especially while I was in high school. It came out some in college, but I care about appearances and people's feelings. I related to mainly the old her in a lot of aspects. I always was that perfectionist. Even cheered in school, did the popularity bit. But it does get tiring And you can't always tell people how you really feel b/c you're expected to be a certain way... Majority of me is too nice and caring to be anywhere near new Parker's level.

Parker is that eat shit and die type tough, wall/barrier 10ft deep. And it's sort of a refreshing change from all the wimpy female characters in the YA world. One where a love of "the one" will save them from a boring or cruel world. We females don't need to cry over men; we can juggle them. We're more than pretty faces and boobs. And we an be cutthroat. Parker's meanness was just really really really mean. But it could've been a lot worst if you think about it. It was tons of petty things and defense mechanisms. The people around her were extremely too kind to put up with her though and I highly doubt they'd be that persistent/observant in real life.

Though it was never really a triangle, I started and ended the story Team Chris. Maybe it's the history. But their connection seemed deeper. Jake was a cool character. Persistent. But something about them seemed lacking. And thinking about how bff him and Chris became and how well they clicked for being so similar, Parker might as well have the prototype. And the whole double date hang out thing while 2 of the party members were outside talking and the other inside laughing together had it in my head that they actually should switch... Neither boy was swoon worthy (not even close) and that made me a little sad. I enjoy fanning myself (face) due to a figment of my imagination's greatness. Ooohing and awwwing. Guess it wasn't meant to be.

The whole mystery about the past situation built well. It's definitely more than you expect. Well, at least more than I did. Probably b/c I read it throughout the night in one sitting. I did skip through most of the retelling right to the bottom of the new stuff. There's no need to re-post the entire sequence. Multiple times.

Maybe it's the crazy in me but if someone is pushing that hard to be alone, I'd like to see how they'd react with it. Parker had this big ole master plan, but I never got the feeling she'd know what to do with herself after accomplishing her goals. She'd backslide or be open too many times.

I actually wanted everyone to end up doing their own thing. They all got together because of Parker. Trying to get through to her or her get away from them, so I feel perfect end game would be everyone walking into the sunset focusing on themselves.

random rant complete... this looks longer and way more sporadic than my first review. and possibly tons of spelling/grammar mistakes that I will leave be b/c this will be the tired out of my mind while writing on your phone review. this is what reading in 1 sitting will do to you!(less)

5 likes · like · see review

Apr 12, 2011 Victoria rated it 5 of 5 stars

Holy. Effing. Wow.

Cracked Up to Be was Courtney Summer's debut novel back in 2008 and I would never have guessed if I hadn't read reviews for it first! This novel was more than what I though it would be, it was better, it was fantastic, it was one of the most compelling books I have ever read! I adore this novel, the characters, the plot, the writing, the author! Everything was perfect, down to the last word!

Parker Fadley is a total bitch! I knew this going into the book from the reviews but I w...more Holy. Effing. Wow.

Cracked Up to Be was Courtney Summer's debut novel back in 2008 and I would never have guessed if I hadn't read reviews for it first! This novel was more than what I though it would be, it was better, it was fantastic, it was one of the most compelling books I have ever read! I adore this novel, the characters, the plot, the writing, the author! Everything was perfect, down to the last word!

Parker Fadley is a total bitch! I knew this going into the book from the reviews but I was never really expecting her to be so fricking mean at times. Even though the things she said were horrible I found myself laughing a some of them, okay okay I laughed and most of it. You may think I'm a terrible person for this if you haven't read this book, but if you have or when you do you'll understand. You'll soon find out that Parker is a bitch for a reason, a weird, bizarre, complicated reason in which I totally understood. It's a sort of cover up, to hide her feelings from everyone including herself. In the end I loved her, she made this book what it is!

Chris, her ex, is amazing and sweet. Adore him! He really understood Parker and even though she was acting bitchy he still stood by her and tried to do everything he could to help her. Enter Jake. AH JAKE! I love love love Jake. Jake pushed Parker to open up and they ended up opening up to each other. Jake is exactly what Parker needed. She needed to be pushed and that's what really "made" their relationship, the fact that he didn't leave her alone and let her drown in her sufferings, in a twisted way he saved her.

The characters were extremely well fleshed out. I felt I knew them and was there! I was Parker and I felt all her pain and grief and need to be along, I felt it all! It is amazing when an author can make you connect so well with a character! The characters were just one amazing aspect in this book. I never really knew where the book was going. I would try and guess, nothing I guessed was right. Towards the end you start to see it all unravel and it was BRILLIANT!

I'm a HUGE Courtney Summers fan now. I'm so excited to read Some Girls Are, another book I have have by Summers. Incredible author. Incredible novel. I recommend this to everyone and anyone! An awe-inspiring novel!(less)

3 likes · like · see review

Aug 16, 2011 Alyssa rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Girls who read Seventeen and want to be popular one day.

Shelves: great-books, great-realistic-fiction, ya-loved, 2010-read, i-cried, favorites, oh-canada

I realize that there are some authors out there, in a booklover’s world of literature, that can surprise you constantly and sweep you off your feet. I realize that there are some authors out there that don’t really need practice to do so – many a first book is better than the author’s next works.

I also realize that there are only a limited number of these authors.

Formulas are very constant in literature, especially in YA. Take Sarah Dessen – an author I respect and love as both a person and wr...more

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Dec 08, 2008 Rachael rated it 5 of 5 stars

Parker Fadley used to be perfect, but now, she’s a perfect mess. She used to be captain of the cheerleading squad, the girlfriend of the hottest guy in school, and on consistently on the honor roll. But she’s traded all that popularity away for frequent visits to the school counselor, minimal privileges at home and school, and social difficulty. But why? Why would a girl who had it all do such a thing to herself? To everyone else, it’s a mystery. People think she’s just messing around, but she’s...more Parker Fadley used to be perfect, but now, she’s a perfect mess. She used to be captain of the cheerleading squad, the girlfriend of the hottest guy in school, and on consistently on the honor roll. But she’s traded all that popularity away for frequent visits to the school counselor, minimal privileges at home and school, and social difficulty. But why? Why would a girl who had it all do such a thing to herself? To everyone else, it’s a mystery. People think she’s just messing around, but she’s not. There’s a reason Parker has withdrawn from everything good, and it has everything to do with before and a series of horrible events Parker blames herself for.

Cracked Up To Be is an incredibly written and emotionally charged debut novel I seriously could not put down. It’s one of those novels that makes you think twice and not only just about he story, but your own life as well. Parker Fadley is such a complex and unforgettable character. There’s something so endearing about her brutal honesty yet at the same time, it’s so easy to hate her guts. Parker’s flashbacks to a certain night, the night everything changed for Parker, only magnify the suspense and urge the reader to flip the pages faster to discover the big secret. And it’s definitely a juicy one, a twist in the plot I never saw coming. This novel shocked me, and not just because of the well-drawn characters and masterfully written plot, but because of how relevant it was to me and other teens as well, I’m sure. Everyone faces pressure to be the best and has petty friendship disputes, but sometimes it becomes so great we crack, like Parker did. But what’s so phenomenal about this story is that it ends on a hopeful note after such an emotional roller coaster, and that makes Cracked Up To Be by such a satisfying read.

Cracked Up To Be has definitely made my favorites list, and I would even consider rereading it several times even though my schedule is busy; that’s how much I liked it. I recommend it to fans of Alyson Noël, Lisa Yee, and Aimee Friedman. Summers is an author to watch, and I enthusiastically look forward to more incredible writing from her.

reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com (less)

3 likes · like · see review

Dec 08, 2008 Runa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Runa by: LibraryThing

Shelves: runasbooks

I really loved this book. While the very beginning left me slightly queasy (the language/content really needs to be toned down), I highly enjoyed the rest. The other reviewers were right. This is one book where the ending really reverberates and it's not one you're likely to forget. I loved the big moments. There were times when I thought I knew, without a doubt, what was going to happen, but then pleasantly found out that I was completely wrong. The revelation that Jessie was her best friend wa...more

5 likes · like · see review

Mar 28, 2010 Arlene rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2010, ya-contemporary, young-adult

Cracked up to Be by Courtney Summers is probably one of the more difficult reads I’ve encountered in the YA genre. The protagonist, Parker Fadley, was flawed, damaged and on a downward spiral. In most cases, that’s enough cause to have me sympathize for a main character, but the way the story developed, she never really pulled at my heartstrings. I carried more angst for her ex-boyfriend Chris, and the new guy Jake that was dumb enough to fall for her. She really put everyone in her life through...more Cracked up to Be by Courtney Summers is probably one of the more difficult reads I’ve encountered in the YA genre. The protagonist, Parker Fadley, was flawed, damaged and on a downward spiral. In most cases, that’s enough cause to have me sympathize for a main character, but the way the story developed, she never really pulled at my heartstrings. I carried more angst for her ex-boyfriend Chris, and the new guy Jake that was dumb enough to fall for her. She really put everyone in her life through the ringer, and I know I should be compelled to give her some slack because of what she faced, but nope, I really couldn’t. Her heartlessness must have rubbed off on me.

About the story... Parker Fadley is every parent’s dream child. She is an honors student with distinction, meaning she has a perfect 4.0, she’s head cheerleader, her boyfriend is one of the most popular boys in their school, they are running champions of the winter formal king and queen, and just about everything Parker attempts, she does it with perfection. Unfortunately, all that changes one fateful night at a party Chris hosts and from that day forward, Parker is put on suicide watch, her grades fall to the point where she might not graduate, and she quits the cheer team. That’s not all that changes, she begins to push people away in a destructive manner, and it’s considered a good day if she shows up to school sober.

This story was interesting to the point that I wanted to find out what really happened that night that destroyed Parker. I was reading to hopefully come across a full conflict reveal and eventual resolution. Well, neither of that happens.

I’m removing two stars for a few reasons. One, I had a difficult time with how the back-story to Parker’s destruction was revealed. As the story progressed, a part of that fateful night was uncovered one piece at a time. But each time additional back-story was presented, the complete night was repeated. It came to be annoying after the fourth time. Another issue I had with the book had to do with Jake and Chris. They were extremely likeable characters in the book, and the ending for them was unfulfilling by more than a mile IMO. WT?? Is that all they get after everything Parker put them through? I was a little irritated to say the least. In addition, there was a major event that occurred the night Parker’s life turned upside down and when it was finally revealed the details were fuzzy and unclear. After hearing the story repeat itself over half a dozen times, you’d think the author would get the ending spot on… she really didn’t.

Overall, it’s an okay read, but I didn’t really pull any life lessons nor did I experience any significant emotional journey. Not a waste of time, just nothing to brag about.
(less)

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Dec 14, 2008 Alea rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-for-review

I have no idea how to express my feelings about this book. It's powerful, emotional, important, and really spoke to me.

The book takes place a good time after some sort of upsetting event has occurred. Everyone has gotten over it to the best they could except for Parker and that's because she finds herself guilty for some reason and no one else knows about it.

When reading this book you literally see Parker fighting with her memories. Everyday things bring up the memories of that night and we only...more

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Feb 08, 2009 Ursina rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009-read, tough-stuff, white-pine-2010

This book opened deep wounds. Had I know what it was about, I probably would not have read it. A really good book but it cut too close to home for me. Atleast Parker got help, I fought that demon alone. I highly recommend it. The problem is out there and not enough people know about it. I can really relate to Parker's dislike for her guidance counsellor. Animals do help, as do friends. A well-researched novel.

3 likes · like · see review

May 08, 2013 Monica rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya, read-in-2013, reviewed, realistic, grief-and-loss, beautiful-writing

Review can also be found here.

I had various reactions while reading this book. The one that won above the rest was the urge to stalk this author's books until I've read them all, because I keep being amazed at the way she writes. She takes a plot that might seem usual or overdone and gives it a twist and a subtleness that makes the story entirely her own. I'm overly impressed with her. She's that good. Of course, this book wasn't as breathtaking as This Is Not a Test, but considering this is her...more Review can also be found here.

I had various reactions while reading this book. The one that won above the rest was the urge to stalk this author's books until I've read them all, because I keep being amazed at the way she writes. She takes a plot that might seem usual or overdone and gives it a twist and a subtleness that makes the story entirely her own. I'm overly impressed with her. She's that good. Of course, this book wasn't as breathtaking as This Is Not a Test, but considering this is her debut novel, it's still pretty wow.

There were times I really liked and enjoyed this book and others when I got extremely annoyed and frustrated. Both of these emotions came because of the protagonist, Parker. She is so complicated and hard to figure out that even being inside her head, you can't exactly get her. Which made me be both fascinated and a bit irritated with her. I liked how she was so different from any character I've ever read. She obviously wasn't made to be a likable character. She was a bitch, with an brutal honesty that bordered on sheer nastiness and she manipulated people as easily as choosing what to wear every morning. And all these made me like her because despite everything, she didn't claim to be anyone she wasn't. She was fully aware of who she was and she didn't try to please anyone else. But of course, it was also hard to maintain a cool attitude about the way she treated people who genuinely cared about her. There were times I wanted to shake her and tell her to stop treating her parents or even poor Jake like that. But then again, that was what made her so real. Because nobody is really that sensitive to other people's feelings. Most teenagers are selfish and sometimes even mean and careless. I don't know why most books seem scared to portray the dark side every character should have. Nobody is just good and just bad. Characters should have depth and also something that can identify them among the rest.

So this is why I liked this book so much. C. Summers wasn't afraid to make the main character so ruthless and cold, but also deeply broken and scarred. If her aim was to create an utterly imperfect but memorable character, then she definitely succeeded. Even after reading this book and knowing the reasons behind Parker's change in personality, I still can't fully understand why she did what she did. But I know enough not to judge her or hate her, because if something like that had happened to me, I don't know what I would have done in her place. If it would be something worse or better. Things in real life are never black and white and easy to figure out.

I might keep writing endlessly about only Parker in this review, because her voice carried this novel and made it so special and distinctive. The rest of her characters were nice and likable enough, but with being focused solely on Parker, they weren't fully explored. I wish I'd known more about Jake especially. He was so sweet and innocent that I don't think there'd be a better character to contrast with Parker. They were night and day, but I still liked them together anyway. Parker should have been a bit less hard on him, but still. I also liked the weird relationship between Parker and Chris. He really seemed to care about her as well.
I probably would have preferred for the character of Becky to have been given more depth and personality, but maybe it doesn't really matter, because after all people with no personality do exist in real life as well.

This book was a mix of overwhelming emotions. There were a few parts in this book that almost broke my heart. Parker's odd relationship with her dog; how she grew so close to him, to her surprise, showed the sensitive part of Parker in a very subtle but meaningful way. When I found out about what had happened to her the previous summer, it really reached me. I probably wouldn't have felt the same thing if that horrible thing hadn't happened to her best friend of all people. It was just awful even considering something like that happening in reality. It makes me shudder just when I think of it.

So, overall, I can simply say that I really enjoyed this book. It had its flaws, like its main character, but they're not really worth mentioning in the bigger picture. I just really recommend this book to anyone because it's one of a kind. I should really read all of this author's books. Her writing and storytelling is effortless and simply beautiful.(less)

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Sep 04, 2012 cEe beE rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Thankfully, Cracked Up To Be is a short book. It was excruciating to follow the detailed narrative of Parker Fadley's self loathing and destructive behaviour. She remained a very unlikeable character till the end, when the reason behind her actions were finally revealed. I found it unbelievable that her family would wait so long - specially for someone supposedly on suicide watch - to have her see a medical professional. Despite her horrible attitude to her parents & school authorities, they...more

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Dec 09, 2011 Beth rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: all-shook-up, hurts-like-hell, beauty-in-words, fantastic-characters, 2011-reads, december-2011

In short, Cracked Up To Be is a fantastically written, intense novel by Courtney Summers. In fact, if I had to pick one word for Cracked Up, it would be that: intense. It's a fantastic, gritty character study of "Perfect" Parker Fadley, who's bitter and sarcastic and cruel to everyone - but especially to herself. If you want a rollercoaster ride in the head of a sometimes-unlikeable, extremely three-dimensional, complex and compelling character, Cracked Up To Be is that novel. The love triangle...more In short, Cracked Up To Be is a fantastically written, intense novel by Courtney Summers. In fact, if I had to pick one word for Cracked Up, it would be that: intense. It's a fantastic, gritty character study of "Perfect" Parker Fadley, who's bitter and sarcastic and cruel to everyone - but especially to herself. If you want a rollercoaster ride in the head of a sometimes-unlikeable, extremely three-dimensional, complex and compelling character, Cracked Up To Be is that novel. The love triangle is unique but off-kilter: Parker's ex-boyfriend, Chris, and Chris's new best friend, Jake. In fact, the romantic relationships are so slightly twisted and multidimensional that they don't deserve the cliche "love triangle." We're not sure which one of these guys Parker should be with, if either of them. Chris and Jake are characters in their own right, with strange but fascinating relationships with Parker, and there's none of that nonsense about Chris and Jake fighting over Parker or anything. Cracked Up To Be is not what you'd expect.

It also feels almost like a satire of typical YA novels - in Typical YA Novels, Parker would be the queen bee bitch who eventually got her comeuppance while someone like Becky was the lead character. But not with Courtney Summers. In Cracked Up To Be, Parker is the ex-queen bitch who is self-aware, brutally honest and so true to life. You don't get time to bitch about Parker's whinging about stuff that most of us would kill for, because you get it. You're right there along with her. While most YA heroines are softer versions of Parker - unhappy, desperate, angry, bitter about someone or something. But most of these other characters get some kind of vindication for their actions, a well-that-makes-it-okay justification. Summers never does. If most other YA girls are fluffy milkshakes, Parker is a shot of alcohol: she really hits you with it. Summers' beautiful minimalism keeps the story chugging along, but also gives us Parker's amazingly crafted voice.

I should have adored Cracked Up To Be with no reservations. I felt constantly on the cusp of it: this was going to be on of my favourite books! Yet it never really got there, although it got pretty damn close. I think that the reason for that is that while Cracked Up To Be is a sucker-punch character study of Parker Fadley, the plotting felt a little 'off' to me at times, especially when Summers tried to move away from Parker's head into The Bigger Picture, especially the bad thing that Parker did. (A side note - I loved it that Parker's Bad Thing was something she did, not something that happened to her.) (view spoiler) This was a fantastic revelation, one so much darker and edgier than most YA books are willing to go. However, I think that Summers gave this plotline short shrift in many ways in that she only viewed it through Parker's eyes. I know that it's a one-POV novel, but (view spoiler) I know that things don't wrap up in a neat bow in real life, but at least wanted to know that they didn't.I It just felt quite skimmed over and rushed to me towards the end. Some scenes were deliberately jarring and that was fantastic, but I wanted Cracked Up To Be to move out of teenage solipsism, away from Evan and Chris and Becky, and to show what had presumably been tormenting Parker the whole time: the huge ramifications of her act. The gut punches only really come from internally, not externally. I wanted some more external reaction to the situation, because, like I said, Cracked Up To Be is about something horrible that Parker does, not something that happens to her. In my mind, when something horrible happens to someone else, there's a thread missing if you get too swallowed up in your bystander's pain and suffering. Instead, Cracked Up To Be is solely about a teenage girl tormented by her own head for what she has done. And it's a solid four out of five, but I still feel a little disappointed.

But I did love the last scene, with one of the best closing lines: (view spoiler)(less)

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Oct 02, 2010 Casey (A Passion for Books) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: own

Courtney Summers is a genius!! Her writing style is brilliant and addicting, especially her talent to create realistic dialog and characterization. Parker is perhaps one of the best narrators in the YA world. Her voice is unforgettable! She's witty and sarcastic, I couldn't help but love all the snarky comments she came up with.

Parker used to be an obsessive perfectionist - popular, captain of the cheerleading team, straight-A student, winter ball queen, and had the perfect boyfriend - but all s...more

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Oct 13, 2010 Ariana rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review can be found at ReadingAfterMidnight.com

The beginning was so, so great and funny, and all. I was so happy to choose this book because it felt perfect for me.. but I don't know why my interest got lost by the middle of the story, and the ending was not better than that.

I guess it's a nice book and some people might like it more, but it didn't really work for me.

I liked Parker at the beginning (as mean as she was), and in a way I really liked the way her 'relationship' with Jake start...more

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Jun 07, 2010 Tammara added it

Shelves: favorites

WOW. This was not what I expected. The voice of Parker Fadley was so incredibly spot-on, and this novel gets superkudos for being one of the best examples of "show, not tell" writing ever. The backstory -- what happened a few months previously to turn Perfect Parker into Parker-who's-a-complete-mess -- meanders through the frustrating story of Parker's senior year. She appears to have just freaking lost it, but really, she's not lost it, she's shoving it away with everything she's got -- the onl...more

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Nov 26, 2010 Rebecca Rogers rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I've heard nothing but praise for this book...and I felt let down.

While there were some comical lines (and some did make me laugh out loud), I just couldn't connect with Parker. The only reason I continued reading this book was to find out what the big secret was, why Parker suddenly started drinking, attempted suicide, and pushed everyone away. CS drops flashback scenes here and there, but it didn't help much. I wasn't even remotely engrossed until after the first hundred pages. Then the flash...more I've heard nothing but praise for this book...and I felt let down.

While there were some comical lines (and some did make me laugh out loud), I just couldn't connect with Parker. The only reason I continued reading this book was to find out what the big secret was, why Parker suddenly started drinking, attempted suicide, and pushed everyone away. CS drops flashback scenes here and there, but it didn't help much. I wasn't even remotely engrossed until after the first hundred pages. Then the flashback scenes became more intense, so I continued reading.

Parker's friend Jessie has been missing for a year, which is the basis of Parker's problems. Even after knowing what happened the night Parker lost it (the night Jessie went missing), I still don't feel for her. Everything was blown out of proportion. Parker blabbed to Jessie that Jessie's boyfriend, Evan, was cheating on her and that's when shit hit the fan. Jessie rebounded with some college guy at the party, but they disappeared. When Parker found them in the woods, Jessie was being raped. My problem with this is: why didn't Parker stop what was happening? Why didn't she say something--anything? Better yet, why did she lie to the police by saying she didn't know where Jessie was?

Another problem that nagged at the back of my brain was the fact that Parker had an ex who still cared about her, and a guy who was falling for her. Yet she teeter-tottered between the two, like she couldn't make up her mind. Exes are exes for a reason. And the new guy couldn't be more awesome. Dude puts up with a LOT of smartass comments from Parker. So much so that I'm convinced any normal guy would've been uninterested after the basic "fuck off" hint.

I hate to see strong protagonists just stand back and not do anything, not even try to make things better, especially when Parker had an assortment of individuals who still cared about her well-being. This was well-written, and the voice was definitely there, but as a whole, the book irritated me.(less)

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Mar 31, 2013 Andrea at Reading Lark rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 4-stars, contemporary, read-in-2011, young-adult

Review Posted on Reading Lark 12/8/11: http://readinglark.blogspot.com/2011/...

My first experience with Courtney Summers' writing was Some Girls Are - a book that I didn't expect to like, but I was totally swept away by Summers' writing and her ability to shed light on tough teen issues. I truly appreciate the authors who write within this arena; I wish that books like this one and Some Girls Are had existed for me when I was a teen. It would have made life a little easier knowing that I wasn't...more Review Posted on Reading Lark 12/8/11: http://readinglark.blogspot.com/2011/...

My first experience with Courtney Summers' writing was Some Girls Are - a book that I didn't expect to like, but I was totally swept away by Summers' writing and her ability to shed light on tough teen issues. I truly appreciate the authors who write within this arena; I wish that books like this one and Some Girls Are had existed for me when I was a teen. It would have made life a little easier knowing that I wasn't the only one dealing with issues - large and small. Although both books I have read by Summers tackle some pretty rough stuff, there is something about her books that doesn't leave me with that depressed, hopeless feeling when the book is done like so many other authors who write within this framework. Summers doesn't give readers an easy out by any means and her characters are horribly flawed people, but she does at least provide a tiny glimpse of a light at the end of the tunnel. I prefer knowing that no matter how messed up these characters are they still have a chance at redemption. Summers captures you from sentence one and reminds you that for most of us high school is far from the best days of our lives.

Cracked Up to Be is Summers' first novel, which one would never know from reading it. She writes in such a way that it seems like she's been doing this for ages and this book has come at the middle of a string of YA successes. She is a master at character creation and even though Parker, the main character in Cracked Up to Be, is entirely messed up on so many levels - you can't help but love her. She's smart and snarky - two qualities that I love to see in a female protagonist. In spite of such strong characteristics working in her favor, Parker is also broken and running away from a horrible secret that she harbors in her soul, the guilt is slowly eating away at her each day. Parker chooses to push away anyone who cares about her and try to deal with her feelings all on her own, but she realizes after a failed suicide attempt and the possibility of repeating her Senior year of high school, that perhaps she can't do everything alone.

I also loved the format of this book even though it frustrated me. The story bounces back and forth between the past and the present. Parker is telling you the story of her day to day, but it is interspersed with her flashbacks to a summer party - the event that changed Parker's life forever. As a reader, you know something horrible happens to Parker that night, but Summers is stingy with the details and it honestly took me the whole book to piece together that night. The tension I felt while reading wasn't frustrating enough to ruin the read for me, but it did create a delicious touch of anxiety. I wanted to know much sooner what had happened to Parker that night so I could understand her better, but I also appreciated that Summers made me work for it. This book is a must read for contemporary YA fans and those who appreciate well developed characters. I am looking forward to reading more of Courtney Summers' work in the future.

One Last Gripe: I understand that Parker has some serious issues before the incident, but it was still really hard for me to understand her actions that night and why she kept the secret for so long. I was so angry with her.

My Favorite Things About This Book: Seeing the love that so many people had for Parker in spite of her behavior. I also loved the Parker vs. Becky showdowns - they cracked me up.

First Sentences: Imagine four years. Four years, two suicides, one death, one rape, two pregnancies (one abortion), three overdoses, countless drunken antics, pantsings, spilled food, theft, fights, broken limbs, turf wars - every day, a turf war - six months until graduation and no one gets a medal when they get out.

Favorite Character: Chris

Least Favorite Character: Becky(less)

1 like · like · see review

Mar 21, 2010 Daisy added it

Courtney Summers' debut novel “Cracked up to Be” is the reason I became a YA author. Her novel released in December 2008, but I wheedled an advance copy out of her way back in August 2008 and I devoured it. We are talking a-can’t-put-down-mystery.

“Cracked up to Be” is the story of Parker Fadley, the most popular girl in school who also happens to harbor a horrible secret. Something very bad happened and it just might be her fault. So she does what any good cheerleader would do -- quits the squad...more

1 like · like · see review

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About Courtney Summers

Courtney Summers can't wait for the zombie apocalypse. Also she is the author of CRACKED UP TO BE and SOME GIRLS ARE, FALL FOR ANYTHING and THIS IS NOT A TEST, four edgy young adult novels published by St. Martin's Press.

Visit her website or follow her on Twitter.

FYI: While I don't have time to share my thoughts on every book I've added to my GoodReads (I wish I did! I love book talk!), please be...more

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“The sooner you make a mistake and learn to live with it, the better. You're not responsible for everything. You can't control the way things end up.” — 168 people liked it

“How does it feel to know that even at my worst, you're still not good enough?” — 128 people liked it

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