In this novel, readers meet Kolt, a high school student who falls in love with Madgen, a cheerleader with a complex past. Since she was six, she's been training like a professional athlete, leading to injuries and an Endone addiction. Her sister's emotional abuse has made her suicidal since age ten. Madgen appears confident and experienced despite her struggles, making Kolt feel lucky to be with her.
Kolt and Madgen have a turbulent relationship. Kolt learns of her suicidal tendencies and helps her find a reason to live. After having a child, they must return home to Madgen's family. Her sister manipulates Kolt into believing Madgen is insane, causing him to lose his love for her. Eventually, it is revealed that Madgen is telling the truth, leaving the entire family feeling guilty for never believing her.
Madgen and Kolt marry, feeling they have defeated all odds. But their joy is shattered when Madgen dies in a car accident while dropping Kolt off at the airport.
The novel ends with a teaser for the prequel, changing the scene to Kolt's perspective. He admires a woman similar to Ava. Cade wins his junior world title match and, when interviewed, remembers his mother, Madgen, saying that this victory is for her and that he loves her.
This novel is a must-read for its heart-wrenching love, loss, and resilience story. It will captivate readers with its emotional twists and turns.
In which two ex-step-siblings reconnect after just about blowing up their family the first time around...
Three years ago, Maddie fell hard for Jacob Isaacs, the smartest boy in her school. The only problem was this: Her dad had quite literally gotten engaged to his mother. The two tried to dampen the flames of their burgeoning attraction for each other but not before they got caught and were the talk of the town for months.
After the fall out, Maddie moved away to try and start her life over and not be known as the girl who got caught doing it with her 'brother' at prom. She hasn't seen her family in ages and intends to keep things that way.
Jacob, on the other hand, has worked hard to accomplish everything he's ever dreamed of. He's stayed close to home, done exceptionally well at school, and is adored by just about everyone who meets him. There's only one problem: There's a Maddie-shaped hole where his heart used to be. But no matter how hard he tries to reach out and find her, he can't. She won't let him. He let her down and gave up on them when she needed him most. And she's not ready to forgive and forget.
But then Maddie's dad passes and she's forced to come home for his funeral. It should be a quick visit. She intends to make it one. But Jacob has other plans. He let his girl slip through his fingers once and he won't let that happen again. So now he has to convince her to give him one more chance. After all, they're not related to each other anymore.