After a tragedy nearly ripped 21 year old Madeline Darlington-Gray’s life in half, she's spent the past three years trying to put the pieces back together. But pieces never just fit back together, and when she's betrayed by those she trusts, everything crumbles. Shoving everything she owns into the trunk of her car, Maddie drives south, trying to run from her past.
Eno, North Carolina seems like the perfect place to hide. Working at a local café is light years from Maddie's Manhattan existence and for the first time in a while, she's finding her family. There's Grandma, the café owner; Samantha, the hairstylist next door with plans to make Maddie's life unsuck and Noie, the three year old girl who's stolen Maddie's heart.
And then there’s Gabriel Mendez, Noie’s single dad. He’s intrigued Maddie since the first time she met him, and while he has his own secrets, he wants more from her than just friendship. But the past never stays past, and all too soon, Maddie realizes she can't hide from hers. If she can't put the pieces of her shattered life together this time, she'll have no hope for a future.
A future she desperately wants.
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This book was a pleasure to read, and I'm not just saying that.
This is a story of how someone comes to terms with the past by means of embracing the future, and by trying to make the most out of the present.
Maddie has lost so much in her life, and it came to the point where in she doesn't have an idea about who she is anymore, and has no idea what she wants to do with her life. So she drives South, tries to find a new place for her to live in, and tries to find herself again.
One of the things I enjoyed about this book is the fact that it's set in North Carolina, which works well for me, since I'm a big Nicholas Sparks fan and most of his works are set in North Carolina, too. The imagery was so there, and all the emotions needed were played out well in this story.
Another thing I loved about this book is the fact that it's very comforting to read and it's so hard to put down. You'll really want to know why Noie is the way she is; why she's not scared of Maddie; and how the relationship between Maddie and Gab will develop. It's a story that has so many layers to it, and that's what makes it beautiful. It's also the kind of book that will tug at your heartstrings, and really put the feelings into play.
I think we can expect more from KK Hendin in the future. This book is a good debut, and it's something that you definitely have to try reading.
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DREAM CAST
Melissa Benoist as Maddie
James Lafferty as Gab
Mimi Kirkland as Noie
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
KK Hendin's real life ambition is to become a pink fluffy unicorn who dances with rainbows. But the schooling for that is all sorts of complicated, so until that gets sorted out, she'll just write. Preferably things with angst and love. And things that require chocolate.
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GIVEAWAY TIME!
Good review and dream cast. Thanks for participating!
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