YA Contemporary Romance (Some mature scenes)
Her heart, as delicate as glass. His love, as strong as steel. Can either survive life and death?
Hardy Bradford is an eighteen year old football phenomenon who has the girl, the school, the town and the future in the palm of his hand. His life is all mapped out for him, right down to who he’ll marry and how he’ll become a professional football player. It doesn't seem to matter that Hardy would’ve chosen a much different life if it was up to him. But it's not. At least not until his Miracle comes along.
The first time Hardy laid eyes on Miracle St. James, he didn’t know who she was, but he knew she was something different and that he’d never get her out of his head. And he didn’t. Now, months later, Hardy’s world is turned upside down when Miracle shows up in his class, stealing his heart and forever changing the course of his life.
Miracle’s sick. Very sick. And Hardy might be losing the only thing in his life that has ever mattered. How much is too much to sacrifice for the one you love? For just a little more time? For just one more chance? Can Hardy be the hero Miracle needs? Or is it Hardy that needs saving?
Source: Reviewer purchase
My Review:
The book is told in Hardy's POV. Hardy is the school's star football player and dates a shallow cheerleader named Cheyenne. At first glance, it looks as if he has everything a teenager could ever want. That is until he sees Miracle for the first time. Hardy first notices Miracle in the park with her younger sister, Mila. Hardy notices that she is bald and a bit frail, he's taken aback by her pleasant demeanor. He wonders what she has been through in her life and how she could be so peaceful. Seeing her that way makes him reevaluate his own life.
Fast forward a few months. Hardy hasn't seen Miracle since that time in the park so he was surprised to see her in class. He wants to get know her better but his girlfriend, Cheyenne, gets in the way every time. Hardy is pleased to learn that he has his favorite class with Miracle, and no Cheyenne. Miracle and Hardy are assigned to work on a photography assignment together. This gives Hardy the in to get to know her better. After spending time together, he's convinced that he has never felt so strongly about another person in his life. Someone unexpected turns back up in Miracle's life and Hardy is determined to keep her.
Will Hardy continue down the path that his father wants or choose to follow his heart? Wherever it may lead.
How do I begin to tell you how much I loved this book? Paranormal romance is usually my go-to genre. When I get to a story like this, where the issues are so real, it really gets to my heart. Hardy is a big sweetie and I loved reading the book from his point of view. He was determined to show Miracle how much he cared for her. Miracle was hesitant about being with Hardy, boys had a hard time staying when they learned their girlfriend was sick. Oh boy, the things that Hardy did for that girl...swoon! After everything Miracle went through, she still saw the good in everything. Even in the meanie, Cheyenne. This book kept me captivated from the very first page. The sacrifice he made for her was beautiful. Did I mention I cried my eyes out?! But it was a happy cry :-)
