Callum & Harper
by Fisher Amelie
Published: 12/24/2011
From Goodreads: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
I thought:
Oh my gosh… Okay. Okay…. I know!
Callum and Harper is told in alternating POVs of *gasp* Callum and Harper! And from the VERY very beginning, I was IN LOVE with BOTH of these characters! I’m not kidding, I think I *goofy smiled* through this entire book!
Callum and Harper are both orphans… *tears* and just after Harper’s 18th birthday her foster family tells her that it’s time to hit the road, since they’ll no longer be receiving monthly checks for housing her. I KNOW! Isn’t that horrible? But that’s how she meets Callum, in the lobby of Social Services, as he is in a similar situation and that’s where this story begins!
The way Harper needs Callum, and the way Callum NEEDS her to need him is so sweet… I felt my heart break a little with EACH PAGE. But, in that “Oh my GOD, I’m dying because this is so sweet…” way.
And before you go thinking these kids are just pathetic, homeless beggars… PLEASE. You will be routing for Callum & Harper from the VERY first PAGE. You KNOW they are going to make it. Through every single heartache, disappointment, and horrific thing that happens to them- THEY have each other. Fisher Amelie MAKES you believe in them, they WILL make it, and not because it’s fiction… because they HAVE TO.
“Commit to knowing me in two weeks, Harper. Don’t make me beg.”
_____________________________
“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.”
_____________________________
“It’s funny how this total stranger could relate to me better than anyone else I’d ever met. It was as if I’d known her my entire life.”
_____________________________
Callum and Harper dance around each other nearly the entire book, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way… I just can’t express how much I LOVED this book, these characters and this story. Sweet beyond compare, Callum & Harper will steal your heart… and you won’t get it back.
I laughed… I cried… I gave Callum and Harper it’s own theme song. Um… What? I can’t be the only one to do this?!
Buy Callum & Harper on Amazon!
Well, this sure sounds different from my normal reading fare. Do tell, will they luck out in finding housing and a job to pay for it at 18?
I’m NOT telling!!! You have to read it!
Fabulous review! I feel like I need to drop everything and read this book, like now. It sounds fantastic. I love books that make you smile when you read them!
YES! That’s exactly what you should do!!! lol
Great review! LOVE them!
*SQUEE* Right????
Loved your review…Goofy smiles and all. I clicked your link and bought a copy for three bucks and your review how can I go wrong right?
What a horrible situation – but the book sounds amazing!
Usually when characters’ dance around their feelings for each other, I tire of them easily. Glad to see that wasn’t the case here, if you wouldn’t have had it any other way! Love the cover for this one. I’ll have to add it to my list.
Oh I loved this one SOOOOO much! I really hate ‘dancing’ around too, but this was so freaking AWESOME!
Two minutes ago,. I didn’t know a thing about this book at all, but now I really want to read it!! It sounds so absolutely sweet! <3 I have the biggest soft spot for characters who don't have parents and I think my heart broke a little for Callum & Harper considering how awful their situation is along with that — you're making me fall for them both already! x)
Enthusiastically beautiful review, Ashley! Thank you so much for putting this book on my radar — I really hope I love it as much as you did!
This books sounds good.
They dance around each other the entire book? Sounds like there will be tons of tension and I love me some good tension:) Also, I kind of want to punch their foster parents in the face. Just saying.
Oh I was thinking this could end up being quite a frustrating book but your laughter and tears have convinced me otherwise. This sounds so interesting.
You! You and getting me to want a contemporary YA!
Aww.. this sounds sweet.
It soooo was!!!!
Bought it! Because I always thought Romeo and Juliet should have a happier ending! I mean what was Shakespeare thinking!
Heather
Awww I love how this book sounds and i don’t know why I haven’t heard of it before now. I love how realistic it sounds too. Great review Zombiatch!
I am ridiculously in love with your reviews! While reading this I was sitting here, nodding to my screen ( yes it does look weird!) and telling myself I need to know those two people! I need them to break my heart with their sweetness! I love heartbreaking… Soooo going to read this one! Thanks!!!
Aw, that sounds sweet. I love that you smiled all the way through.
Those books are priceless.
Never heard of this one!! Sounds like something I would like….a good ol’ rip your heart out because you know your life is better than that awesome….:)
Thats sounds bad….but true!
Look at that cover! LOOK at it! I’m happy to see some covers that look different than the traditional YA ones that are on shelves. Love the review. This baby is officially on my to-read this. Woot!
Ahh… This sounds so good. Such a great review!
Oh, my heart is on the verge of breaking for these two just by reading your emotional review.
I have never heard of this book but it reminds me just a little of the story in Don’t Breathe a Word and so I now know that I should probably give it a try.
Thanks for the great review chica!
Sounds super cute! I haven’t heard anything about this before but you’ve half convinced me
I’m wanting to be like…ehhh…because it doesn’t sound too realistic….but I mean…hey….you gave it 5 Stilettos so I have to at least give it a shot right? lol
I almost bought this then I second guessed myself and put it back. Guess I am heading back to the book store lol =D
Tristan @ Reads With Wreckless Abandon
I read this a few weeks ago and thought it was a stunning book! Not my usual kind of read but totally amazing! Everyone should totally read this book
I’ve already been dying to read this one because I fell in love with the story from reading the synopsis, but I like that you loved it as much as you did.
But seriously…THAT COVER??? Gorgeous. It had me at hello.
What a sad premise and I know this has to happen more often than I even want to think of. I am so glad that an author could take such a circumstance and make into a heart tugging story! I imagine that the multiple POVs are needed in this story