BoundbyWords: BLOG TOUR: Any Other Night by Ann Pfeffer

Title: Any Other Night
Author: Anne Pfeffer
Release Date: May 19/2012
Adquired: Epub copy provided for tour
Goodreads: ADD
Purchase: Amazon/Book Depository

Any other night, Ryan Mills would have driven his best friend, Michael, to Emily's sweet sixteen party at the Breakers Club. Instead, determined to win over the birthday girl, he goes to the party early and alone, setting off a chain of events that ends with a car accident in which Michael dies. Ryan blames himself for what happened to Michael. As far as he's concerned, he doesn't deserve to have love or ever be happy again. Then he learns Michael left a secret behind. Ryan feels compelled to take on his friend's unfinished business, and in the process, changes his life forever and becomes a man.

This book was published in October 2011 under the title Loving Emily. In May 2012, it was reissued with its content unchanged as Any Other Night. Many older ratings and reviews remain under the old title. Please put newer ratings and reviews here.

A NOTE ABOUT CONTENT: in this book, some characters use profanity, engage in nonexplicit sexual activity, or take illegal drugs.

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EXCERPT

It's almost four o'clock by now. The hallway's empty, except for Emily, who has followed us and sits waiting for me on the long bench across from the Admin Office door. She wears one of those short, tight skirts that all the girls have and is sitting the way all the girls do, with her knees pressed close together. Her hair's pushed off her face, which is pale and serious.

Even in my state of total misery, I think she's beautiful. I'm afraid she thinks I'm an ass, but then she pats the place next to her on the bench. Like a dog, I scramble over to sit beside her.

She puts her hand on my arm. "That was …. eventful."

"Yeah." I touch my temple, where Chase hit me and wince. "I don't usually go around jumping people."

"Just people who deserve it, right?" She leans toward me a little, and I catch the scent of lavender. Her eyes sweep my face, taking in my injuries. "You might have a black eye tomorrow."

"I feel like an idiot."

"Don't. You were amazing!"

"Really?"

Her lips are the perfect shape and color. I can't stop looking at them.
My head begins to pound, and suddenly, all I can think of is Michael, taking off on his cosmic rocket ride into death. Inside me, I feel a tearing, as if something huge and made of steel—a battleship or a skyscraper—is being pulled apart.

And Emily sees the expression on my face and doesn't ask a bunch of dumb questions about how I feel, but just looks at me, and I say "It's Michael," as the pain rips into me.

She puts her arm around me and squeezes—hard. Her hand, which grips my right shoulder, is surprisingly strong. I can almost feel strength flowing out of her fingers and into my shoulder, straightening my back. I feel myself relax.

"I miss him," I say.

The sympathy in her eyes is like a warm bath.

If girls were flames, most girls would be a single match, a mere Bic lighter.
Emily, on the other hand, would be an inferno—a raging, thousand-acre forest fire.

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Intense from the very first chapter, this book didn't have to work very hard to keep me intrigued as it played out. Books that begin with a death seem to have that effect on me-if it's done well, which this was for the most part. I enjoyed the scenery, the hints of culture, and the range of emotions that seem to implant themselves into stories of the grieving.

When I first discovered that this storyline revolved around a wealthy family, I put my guards up, especially as the author incorporated more and more cliches and stereotypes. Though, as the book progressed, and the characters had a chance to develop, I began to look past that and appreciated the way all of the elements came together to create a touching coming-of-age story.

Ryan was a very likable character, right from the start. Considering he came from a very privileged upbringing, it would have been very easy to make him an obnoxious, self-involved brat-but such was not the case. His relationship with Emily was a bit instant, but I really felt the genuineness as they began to grow as both a couple and as characters. The secondary characters were also easy to relate to-I especially liked Chrissie, her dialogue with Ryan was witty and entertaining to read.

I really sympathized with Ryan as he struggled to find a balance in his life. His actions were admirable, and I think Ann Pfeffer did a great job of making his obstacles, and ensuing reactions, ones that were easy to relate to. I found myself both wanting to yell at him, and root for his success, all in the same breathe. I think many people can relate to the relationship dynamics in this novel-obviously not in the exact same ways, but I think there is something in here for everyone.