Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
**2.5-stars**
Cracked Up to Be was originally published in 2008.
Early in 2020, it was reissued with a beautiful new cover matching Sadie. I fell for it like a Publisher’s Dream.
This novel follows Parker Fadley, who was once the perfect it-girl at her local high school. She has recently taken a huge swan dive from grace.
You can tell through Parker’s musings that there was a triggering incident in Parker’s which caused her sudden personality and behavioral changes.
Once cheerleading captain, she now watches from the sidelines as her frenemy, Becky, takes the reins.
Becky is also now dating Parker’s ex-boyfriend, Chris, even though Parker insists he is still in love with her.
A new boy, Jake, is definitely interested in Parker, although she doesn’t understand why. She’s certainly not giving him heavy encouragement.
Currently on academic probation, she is just taking one day at a time. She really wants to graduate and if she gets caught doing anything unseemly, she most likely won’t.
We follow Parker through the day to day, but also get flashbacks to the mysterious party that may have led to her downfall.
I got to say, I was intrigued by this.
I really wanted to know what Parker’s secret was.
Once I found out, however, I wish I hadn’t.
I don’t think I have ever instantly detested a character more.
There was also a whole plot line involving a dog that I definitely could have done without. After I was done, the more I sat with it and thought about it, the more I hated it.
I ultimately decided on a 2.5-star rating because for 3/4 of the book, I was really interested, but yeah, in the end I felt nothing but disdain for Parker.
Moving on.
