~ Synopsis ~I’ve been cheerleader.
I’ve been study partner.
I’ve been listener.
When we’re young, we don’t realize the profound impact certain people will have on our lives. I had no idea twelve years ago I’d meet four boys who would turn out to be my best friends, my soul mates - my barmy.
Now school is almost done, our last summer together is drawing closer, and I’m trying to hold on to what we have while I still can. After this we’ll have to say goodbye to each other, as our choices will take our lives in different directions. But I don't know if our friendship can survive once secrets and surprises begin revealing themselves to us at every turn.
When it’s all said and done, will our friendships remain unbreakable? Or will our once strong bond prove to be weaker than we anticipated?
Letting go is harder than I thought, but some changes are necessary.
And finding Laila…finding myself…may be the greatest journey of all.
~ Book Links ~
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~ Review ~
5 Stars by Heather
Omg this book was so amazing. It took me on an emotional roller coaster
ride. I was happy, sad and sobbing at
different parts of this book. I have
never felt such a connection to characters as I did these five. I honestly felt like they were my best friends. I am really hoping we get more of these
amazing characters because I am not ready to say goodbye to them!
Throughout this book you learn about Laila and how she deals
with a lot of crap through high school for being best friends with four
boys. She is strong, independent and
very protective of the boys. She loves
fierce and would do anything to take pain and hurt away from the guys. She tries to be strong knowing that once they
graduate that things will change for them all.
They all want to go to different colleges. Can all the changes keep them close? Will their friendships suffer from the
distance?
This book is an absolute must read!!! One of the best books
I have ever read. The way T.K. has you
connecting with these characters is unbelievable. I did not want to put this book down once I
started and now I am sad that it's over.
This book could have been three times longer and I still don't think it
would have been enough. I seriously want
to know every detail of all of their lives.
I feel like I have lost my best friends.
This book has definitely left a lasting effect on me!!!
~ Review ~
5 Stars by Margaret
First I gotta say this book was totally different from what
I was expecting. I haven't read any of TK Rapp's work before but this book may
have just changed that. Her writing definitely makes you feel everything the
characters are going through and you feel like you are right there with them
experiencing everything as they are.
Laila, Braxton, Haden, Cole and Joey are all friends and
have been from a very early age when Laila's family moved and have had each
other's back ever since. Laila's relationship with each one is different as is
their bond to each other. As I was reading this book it took me back to my high
school days and stirred up my own memories I had with my own friends.
Laila, Haden and Braxton I feel went through the most. They
are going through real life issues that kids today are having to struggle with.
Laila finds out something on her 18th birthday and goes through a lot with
trying to figure out how to come to terms with it. Haden is dealing with issues
since his dad died and Brax has his own struggle to deal with. As the 3 of them
struggle to deal with those issues it’s the 5 of them together helping each
other through everything.
This book had me laughing and then crying like a baby. The
ending almost killed me (Be Warned--have tissues nearby) and I hope there are
more books to come with these characters. I loved this book and by far the best
YA book I have read. Looking forward to more work from this author!
~ Excerpt ~
I know they’re talking about me. They’re always talking about me. It’s been this way since I was in seventh grade, but I’ve made it my mission to ignore it.
“She certainly gets around,” another voice chimes in.
Cole is sitting to my left, Haden to my right and both guys are staring at the field, but neither is paying attention to the game. I watch out of my peripheral as Haden’s forearm muscles tense and relax while Cole bites his lip. They are intently focused on the words being thrown at me, but keep quiet for the time being.
“She must be good because they all stick around,” a guy’s voice states in salacious tone that makes me nauseous.
I don’t wait for another barb to be hurled my way, even though I know it’s coming. I throw my arm around Haden and whisper something in his ear before kissing his cheek then turning to do the same to Cole. I lean forward to see Joey, who is next to Cole and give him a wink, “I’ll get you later, Baby.”
He shakes his head and laughs, “Why must you stir the pot?”
Haden smiles - proud of my display - and it pushes me on.
I turn to look at the three classmates who have stopped chattering long enough to watch my little show, jaws hanging open. I shrug my shoulders, and answer Joey, “I’m just giving them what they want.”
One of the girls, Kasey, looks at me and raises a brow, “And what about Braxton?”
I glance over to Cole who’s listening to everything, but is still watching the game. He smirks, as if he knows what’s coming and a smile of my own begins to break.
They are gawking at me when I turn and wet my lips before winking at the girls.
“If he wins, we all win,” I say huskily.
“Touchdown!” The announcer yells and the crowd jumps to their feet to celebrate. All but the three jerks behind me.
~ Trailer ~
~ Author Bio and Social Media Links ~
T.K. Rapp is a Texas girl born and raised. She earned a B.A. in Journalism from Texas A&M and it was there that she met the love of her life. He had a contract with the U.S. Navy that would take them across both coasts, and ultimately land them back home in Texas.
Upon finally settling in Texas, T.K. worked as a graphic designer and photographer for the family business that her mom started years earlier. She was able to infuse her creativity and passion, into something she enjoyed, but something was still missing. There was a voice in the back of her head that told her to write, so write, she did. And, somewhere on an external hard drive, are several stories she started and never finished.
Now at home, raising her two daughters, T.K. has more time to do the things she loves, which includes photography and writing. When she’s not doing one of those, she can be found with her family, which keeps her busy. She enjoys watching her kids in their various sporting activities (i.e. doing the soccer mom thing), having Sunday breakfast at her parent’s house, singing out loud and out of key or dancing like a fool. She loves raunchy humor, gossip blogs and a good book.
