I was completely blown away by this novel. It is always a wonder to me how an author can continue to produce novels that completely floor the reader, book after book. I always think to myself that this novel can't POSSIBLY be better than its predecessor. With Mia I am continually proved wrong. Each and every novel she writes is completely different and undeniably a must read novel. I would go as far as to call them life changing. Her novels really force you to take a hard look at things that are often swept under the rug and not thought about.
This novel was absolutely fantastic. I am having trouble finding the right words to describe it. It is definitely a one-sitting read, so allot yourself some time and curl up with a blanket or two.
Kyland and Tenleigh are both on a path to their won freedom. They are doing everything they can to win a scholarship and get out of their mountain town. In the final stretch of their senior year, life throws them a twist neither of them saw coming. Each other.
"She looked at me as if she was working out some kind of puzzle - as if she wanted to know me. And I couldn't help wanting to know why." - Kyland
Both Tenleigh and Kyland are fighting for the same scholarship. The moment this becomes clear you know things aren't gong to go smoothly. Only one can win. Only one can escape their life and leave for college. They both know that even their friendship can only be temporary. But even if just for a short time, they won't let this be nothing. They can't, fate has already intervened.
Each and every encounter between these character gave me butterflies. Some were the anxious type, waiting for something to happen, and other, the others were THOSE kind. The kind that catch in your throat while you are reading because the words are touching you THAT much. These characters have something palpable from the very first moment you see them meet. From that moment on it only grows.
"Any control I had had a few seconds before was gone. Long gone." - Kyland
And cue the ovaries exploding. This character blew me away. Kyland was such a multi faceted individual that you are in love with him from the start, and every moment after that you are finding out about another side of him that only makes you love him that much more. When Kyland and Tenleigh's personalities become intertwined it is a sight to see. Half the time I was laughing and the other I was on the edge of my seat.
The more questions that are answered, the father we fall into this story. A story filled with hurt and struggle, shows you that even in our darkest moments, there is light. There are reasons to laugh and things to keep us fighting. Throw in the family baggage that both main characters have and you really are sucked into this novel. You can't help it. Don't try.
Fall in love with this story.
Open your heart to Tenleigh and Kyland.
Synopsis:
Dirt poor. Hillbilly. Backwoods hick. Mountain folk.
Tenleigh Falyn struggles each day to survive in a small, poverty-stricken, coal mining town where she lives with her sister and mentally ill mother. Her dream of winning the college scholarship given to one student by the local coal company and escaping the harshness of her life, keeps her going.
Kyland Barrett lives in the hills, too, and has worked tirelessly—through near starvation, through deep loneliness, against all odds—to win the Tyton Coal Scholarship and leave the town that is full of so much pain.
They're both determined not to form any attachments, but one moment changes everything. What happens when only one person gets to win? When only one person gets to leave? And what happens to the one left behind?
Kyland is a story of desperation and hope, loss and sacrifice, pain and forgiveness, but ultimately, a story of deep and unending love.
THIS IS A STAND-ALONE SIGN OF LOVE NOVEL, INSPIRED BY TAURUS. New Adult Contemporary Romance: Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.
