Chasing Hope

Tomorrow's Promise Collection #6

by Kathryn Cushman

A Personal Drama of Shattered Dreams and Second Chances
A talented runner fully committed to Olympic dreams, Sabrina Rice's future was shattered by a devastating diagnosis. One forfeited scholarship and several years later, she has new goals and dreams that have nothing to do with running--something that's become far too painful to think on.
Until the day she sees Brandy Philip running across the community college campus, easily outpacing security. Sabrina immediately recognizes world-class speed, and it's all the more painful that it belongs to a teenage graffiti artist. When a chance encounter brings the two young women together, Sabrina becomes Brandy's best hope for staying out of juvenile hall. Soon, Sabrina begins to feel an uncomfortable nudge that her new life is just about to be toppled...that God may be calling her to minister to this talented but troubled girl.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Contemporary, Fiction, Christian, Young Adult, Inspirational, Realistic Fiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 2013

About the author

Author Kathryn "Katie" Cushman is a graduate of Samford University with a degree in pharmacy.

She is the author of ten novels, including the newly released, "The Plans We Made", which she co-authored with Lauren Beccue.

Kathryn and her family currently live in Santa Barbara, California.

Visit her Web site at www.kathryncushman.com

Reviews

[Jennifer Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring and Corny

When I saw the blurb for this new release, I loved the NA/YA sports angle and signed up to review it on my blog. This is a poignant story demonstrating the adage “When God closes a door, He opens a window.”

Sabrina is a college senior whose dream to run for Team USA in the Olympics fell short due to an autoimmune illness attacking her body. She is bitter about her loss, and angry with God for crashing her vaunted goal of becoming a missionary who spreads God’s word based on her running success.

Sabrina lives with her grandmother, who seems to disapprove of Sabrina’s revised plan to begin a competitive business internship. But Sabrina doesn’t want to hear it and continues with her busy life of classes and work, despite feeling tired and sick most of the time.

They encounter a family friend whose teenaged granddaughter Brandy has fallen in with the wrong crowd. Brandy gets arrested for using drugs, and the only way for her to avoid juvenile detention is for Sabrina to coach her as a runner. Sabrina’s not thrilled about working with this sullen, disrespectful teenager, but reluctantly agrees to help out her grandmother and her friend. Coaching Brandy brings on nightmares of races Sabrina no longer can run.

Brandy has natural talent but doesn’t seem to care about using it. Sabrina would give anything to run again. It’s a fiery mix of personalities that keeps the story interesting.

I haven’t read many Christian novels, so if this is your preferred genre then you may love this story. Overall I enjoyed it, but I did have some quibbles. At times I found the characterization cheesy. My biggest struggle was that the characters’ voices didn’t sound authentic for their age. I work with college students, and I can’t imagine them saying something like:

”Bless your heart, I’ll just bet she has.”

“Perhaps it is time for some new ones.”

“Sabrina Rice, would you do me the honor of accompanying me on a date this Saturday evening?”

I also found it difficult to understand why Sabrina felt so ashamed of her illness ending her running career. It was frustrating when she wouldn’t tell a potential boyfriend Koen about her background. I wonder if she felt shame because she believed God caused her illness for some reason. I disagree with that notion — my beliefs align more with the message of When Bad Things Happen to Good People : God can’t stop natural phenomena like gravity or disease, but God can be there for us to heal and recover.

I understand ARCs are not polished copies but the formatting was so jumbled that I had difficulty following who was speaking at times. And for some reason all the “ff”s were deleted, which was off-putting, or o-putting.

I do have a fondness for Brandy’s grandmother, who was there for her no matter what. Despite some aspects I didn’t enjoy, this story did bring tears to my eyes a few times — a sign of a good read, in my opinion.

This review will post on my blog as part of the blog tour hosted by I Am a Reader where you can enter a giveaway for a $25 Amazon giftcard.

[Andrea Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story quickly became a favorite. How could it not, being comparable to Katherine Reay’s Dear Mr. Knightley, which is another favorite of mine? That one is epistolary, while this one is not, but they both feature runners and deeply personal, vulnerable journeys for the leading characters and supporting cast.

Chasing Hope was wonderful on many fronts. It featured a well-written troubled teenager that I couldn’t help but grow to love. I found myself rooting for her to grow up and learn how to let people past her barricades. Yet, I also adored the other lead and her struggles with overcoming the mental aspects of life having not gone the direction she’d expected or wanted. It was easy to cheer for her to discover a fresh purpose in life and to push her own boundaries by helping someone living the life she didn’t get to have.

The faith thread was strong throughout. I really admired the way the author showed the push-pull between understanding and misunderstanding God’s call on a person’s life. It’s sometimes hard to hear His direction for a person’s life and just as difficult to discern the correct interpretation of said direction, and it was wonderful to see these things so beautifully expressed.

Something unexpected was that there was a sweet romance that was secondary to the main plot. I rather enjoyed this, because it showed how romance can sneak into our lives and simply become a part of us before we’ve even thought to focus on it.

Content: teen smoking mentioned (not shown)

[Sarita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book grabbed my attention early on - well, with the main subject being running, it could not but, since I'm a runner so I loved every scene which included running.

The character growth of both Brandi and Sabrina was well delivered throughout the story and I enjoyed that both characters was real through the challenges they faced, the mistakes they made and the insecurities they had to deal with.

The theme of finding your way and new path after the road you clearly thought was God's will closed, was strong and I loved how Sabrina's struggles with this was realistic and how the every day reader would most like also handle these type of questions.

I also loved that the spiritual thread was so strong.

*I listened to the audiobook on Scribd.*

[Kinsey Breland .: avid_midnight_reader :. · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a mom to commit to going out with her daughter every single morning, at 5 a.m., rain or shine, to go running for 6 years; that’s an incredibly supportive mother.

I had mixed feelings about Koen. I understood that he wanted to get to know Sabrina, but surely he could tell that whenever he brought up the subject of running, she would get agitated. She clearly didn’t want to talk about that part of her life yet, so why did he keep pushing? When she was ready to talk about that with him, she would. Until then, he really needed to back off of that subject. Other than that, he seemed like a good guy. Koen was always there to listen, and was very patient with Sabrina.

Sabrina’s journey with accepting her diagnosis and the changes it meant for her life was done really well. It was great to see how she grew to accept her new plan and set new goals for herself.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chasing Hope is a story about what happens when life doesn’t go the way you planned. Sabrina was sure that her destiny was to be an Olympic level runner, but her life went a different direction. When a local troubled teen requires court-ordered mentoring, Sabrina takes on the role of coaching despite the painful memories it brings up.

This story is indeed hopeful despite taking on weightier themes. Illness is a big part of the story, but Sabrina is a determiner individual who doesn’t allow herself to be defined by her physical limitations. She does, however, allow herself to be define by running, and therein lies her best character development as she works through this loss.

Brandy is not the typical teen. Her early life has shown her things can only be one way, so why bother. She’s at a crossroads of deciding what way she wants her life to go, and running (and Sabrina) are showing her there is another road possible, rather than the destructive one she currently pursues.

This isn’t a fast-moving story, but rather a character-focused one. It’s almost like a cross between women’s fiction and young adult. There is a touch of romance, but it’s not the main focus. Very clear and touching faith elements, which is always appreciated. This is my first read by this author, and I’d read more of her work in the future for sure.

[Katrina Lybbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't know what to expect when picking this book up. The author was new to me, but I had read comments from others who loved this book. Wow!! I was sucked right in to the story and by end was blown away. I loved it so much. The struggles each of the main characters went through were tough. To see them grow and change and become so much more than they were at the start of the story was inspiring. I enjoyed getting to know Sabrina and Brandy.

[Kelli Mazhar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story broke my heart, encouraged me, and moved me deeply, all at once.

Cushman has written a profound, redemptive novel that will speak to anyone who has ever struggled to find their feet after the death of a dream, anyone who has ever tried to keep going when everyone else has given up on them, and anyone who has ever lost hope when bad wins over good.

An absolute must read.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I’m relatively new to Christian fiction, I’ve read more than enough of this genre to know what exactly I want from it, and what the perfect balance should be between preachy and a subtle message. Though Chasing Hope almost tips the scale in the direction of being too preachy, it still manages to hold on to that balance where readers can walk away feeling they’ve gained something positive to take with them from this book, instead of having the author’s beliefs forced on them. It took me a long time – up to about 40% on kindle – before this story got its hooks in me. And even then I was only somewhat intrigued by the story. The biggest no-go for me was the fact that it reads like something written by a twelve-year-old for an English exam, and the only thing seeing me through to the end of the book was the story and its not-so-subtle message of trusting that things in our lives happen for a reason, even when that reason is unknown to us at that time.

I found it hard to connect with Sabrina and Brandy, but if I was compelled to choose between the two, my sympathies would be with Brandy. We don’t learn much about her background other than the fact that her mother is a drug addict, but that served as enough explanation as to why she acts out. Brandy’s character also took some time getting used to, but unlike Sabrina, Brandy changed and developed throughout the story and you can see the difference in her by the end. Sabrina’s character didn’t show any real development. It was more that her decisions changed due to her experiences and the subtle prodding by her mother and grandmother to follow a path down which she wasn’t prepared to go, and that to me doesn’t count as “character” development. By the end of the book I felt that she was still the same self-centered, aloof character she was at the start of the book, and that left Brandy to be the star of the story.

Luckily the romance was low-key and once you get past the swoony falling in love parts, the romance between Koen and Sabrina is quite sweet. The last 30% of the story builds up to a satisfying conclusion, and the book ends on a high note. I liked both Sabrina and Brandy’s grandmothers as well as Sabrina’s mom, and because these characters are so likeable, it just made Sabrina look even more ungrateful and spoiled. I think my severe dislike of her has lots to do with me detesting characters with a woe-is-me attitude, and Sabrina has this in spades.

Sometimes it happens that a book and a reader just don’t mesh, and sadly this was the case for me with Chasing Hope. I don’t highly recommend this read, but I won’t not-recommend it either. I feel this would make a great book for parents to get for their teenage daughters in the age range of thirteen to sixteen, as this is an inspiring story of hope, encouragement and second chances, and with the writing being utterly simplistic, readers in this age group will easily be able to connect with these characters.

[Christian Fiction Addiction · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Chasing Hope" is an incredible novel, one that captured me from the first page such that I found it simply impossible to put down! Sabrina Rice is a unique character who stole my heart with her determination to succeed through the challenges in her life. Her struggles to hold onto her faith in the midst of pain and trials are ones that any reader will be able to relate to. I greatly enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Sabrina and the teenage Brandy, which not only makes for some humorous moments, but provided some powerful scenes as each young women worked through the pain of their past and discovered the possibility of a new future. "Chasing Hope" celebrates the power of faith to overcome all odds, and the gift of family in our lives. I love the characters of the godly grandmothers who have such wonderful wisdom and who push their grandchildren to go beyond what they believe is possible! As with Cushman's prior novels, the writing is top-notch, with drama filled scenes, emotional depth, and characters who will soon come to feel like friends. Fans of Cushman's novels will be utterly pleased with this latest offering, and I myself am looking forward to future novels from Cushman's skilled pen.

Readers who enjoy heart-stirring contemporary fiction should plan on adding this book to their "must read" list. I highly recommend this book and award it 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Women’s fiction with a pinch of romance is my favorite genre to read. But I admit I’m a snob about it. *wink* It has to be well-written with a great balance between the romance and the deeper, women’s fiction issues. Not every book can pull this off, but I’d like to think that “Chasing Hope” did a pretty good job.

Starting off, I would have almost put this novel in the “New Adult” category of fiction that is slowly but surely making an appearance on the book market, however, reading deeper into the book I wouldn’t go so far as to try and stuff it into one particular mold. Brandy is a difficult character to like from the start, but there is potential there. A promise of something much better to come, the reader just has to be willing to wait for it.

Sabrina on the other hand, fascinated me. I wanted to see the good come blooming from her, the drive and fire return to her eyes. I honestly wasn’t sure about her romance angle. Did she want to fall in love just for the sake of love? But I loved watching her mature and change across the page...and find her perfect ending.

It’s one of those stories that is purely inspiring even though it’s only a novel. I might have to read it again someday.

This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers for my copy to review.

[Kerrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book from Goodreads First Reads competition. ...

this is not tye type of book I would normally pick up and read.. but I did enjoy reading it.... although I dont see this as a book inspired by God... its about doing what is right for you...I believe this book would of been much better if it hadnt been about faith in God

[Loretta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two women, both with a passion for running. Sabrina, in college, is dealing with crippling disease while Brandy, a high schooler, is struggling to stay out of foster care and dealing with juvenile delinquent issues. When Sabrina starts coaching Brandy as a runner there are changes in both women.
This was somewhat predictable but had a sweet ending. It was an interesting story about runners training and the drive they have to run and compete.

[Rebecca LuElla · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Story. When Sabrina Rice was twelve she knew what she wanted to do with her life. Just as Eric Liddell had, she wanted to win a gold medal and use the resulting fame as a missionary to tell others about Jesus Christ. Ten years later, she's on a different tack, heading into the corporate world. Apparently at twelve, she'd misunderstood God's call because her hope for Olympic gold is a mere memory-one she tries hard to forget.

She'd done well to move past her dreams until Brandy Philip runs into her world, both at school and at home. There's no avoiding the girl when Sabrina's Nana begs her to intervene for Brandy to help her stay out of juvenile hall.

Brandy has one talent-she can run. Fast. Sabrina knows the running world and is in a position to put in a good word for her, perhaps more. If she's willing. The question is whether or not she can deal with the memories and doubts that come along with fulfilling her Nana's requests.

Strengths. Cushman's greatest strength is delving into her characters and pushing their emotional buttons by putting them into relationship with others who expose them for what they are.

In Chasing Hope the protagonist must confront herself because of a relationship with the guy she's noticed and who's begun to notice her; with her Nana who she loves dearly; with the granddaughter of her Nana's friend who she pretty much detests; and with her parents who have differing ideas about what she should do with her life.

The result is a layered story with varied facets which make the main character seem like a real person, grappling with real doubts and questions, creating an invitation for the reader to ask them as well. As a result, the story seems almost interactive.

The details of the running world are convincing. If there are errors, I didn't pick up on them. The training regiments, the competition, the need for a runner to push herself beyond the point she thinks she can endure-the entire running milieu seemed realistic.

The story hung together beautifully, with one question after another driving the reader to keep turning pages. Why had Sabrina's hope for Olympic gold died? What would she decide to do about Brandy? Why did she keep secrets from her love interest? Why was she trying to bury her past? What would become of Brandy? On and on, the questions are all delightfully enticing because Cushman makes the reader care about these characters.

The theme of the story is equally strong, never preached, perfectly wrapped inside the character development, and thoroughly Christian. No mistaking-this is Christian fiction.

Weakness. Reviews are always better when they are balanced, and more credible when the reviewer points out flaws instead of glossing them over. I know this, and I'm trying, but I honestly can't come up with anything. Nothing pulled me from the story as I read. Nothing jumped out at me as I thought back over the story in the days after I finished reading it. And nothing comes to me now as I evaluate the elements. I'll be interested to see if other reviewers managed to come up with something I'm not seeing.

Recommendation. This book is for Christians, and it confronts a question many committed believers ask. The protagonist is a woman, but she's an athlete, so I have no doubt men can "get" this story, but I suspect women will make up the majority of the readers. Too bad. I think guys struggle with God's calling on their lives just as much as women do. I think this is a must read for Christians. People who aren't Christians can definitely enjoy the story, but the main conflict will probably seem inconsequential to them.

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher without charge with no requirement that my views would be favorable.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sabrina Rice was a runner training for the Olympics until the unthinkable happened--she was no longer able to run. Now she has to find a new direction in her life but is having a hard time finding the answer to her question of why God would allow this to happen to her. One day while talking to hunky Koen Conner, she first spots Brandy Philip who is running away from campus security and she is fast! Later, Sabrina meets Brandy and is asked to help her out but has a hard time coming to terms with the fact that someone like Brandy has so much wasted natural talent while she has desire but her body isn't cooperative. Will Sabrina be able to help Brandy? Does Brandy want Sabrina's help? Will they ever be friends?

I thought this book was fantastic!! I could vividly see this as a movie unfolding before me. Sabrina is dealing with her lost hopes and dreams and has moved on but is brought back to face what she's lost when she agrees to help Brandy. We meet Sabrina now so we get to know her life as a runner through flashbacks. Her relationship with Brandy is pretty rocky and very realistic. They are quite different from each other and have a lot to learn from each other if they'll just give each other a chance.

I also enjoyed Sabrina's relationship with Koen and it also seemed realistic to me. She was insecure with how he felt about her when there was someone else who she felt was prettier than her giving him lots of attention, but he always let her know he was interested in her.

To find answers to her questions about what to do with her life, she turns to the story of Eric Liddell in Chariots of Fire and a devotional she'd written when she was 17 about Moses and the children of Israel. She does some major soul searching and is able to figure out what she's meant to do in life.

I loved this book from beginning to end! It's a great story of redemption, forgiveness, second (and third, fourth, etc.) chances, friendship, love and finding a new purpose in life. I found it inspiring and I highly, highly recommend this book!!

Mel's Shelves

[Cara Putman · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been awhile since I've read a Kathryn Cushman novel. Her earlier novels tended toward women's fiction, and while I loved her writing, those stories don't grab me as much as others. Chasing Hope grabbed me from the first scene and didn't let go. Sabrina Rice had Olympic size running dreams, then life interrupted and crushed those hopes. Now she's a college senior looking for a job, and wondering if she can hear God since what she'd imagined for her future has been destroyed. Brandy Philip is a teen on her way to juvie unless she gets some help. When their paths cross, I wondered how two such wounded people could help each other. Sabrina has been wounded by her doubts about God, and Brandy doesn't believe anybody could care about her. What happens is a story woven between their perspectives, each seeing something -- even when it's very reluctantly -- in the other that they can't see in themselves. The ending was perfect -- happy sigh worthy. I loved this story and can't wait to read the next by this author.

[Shaun · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book aimed at teens or young adults. It didn't resonate with me. I feel the plot was very formulaic and predictable. The writing style bothered me, as the character would intentionally not tell someone what was on their mind and these issues would just drag on chapter after chapter. I only gave this book 3 stars because the book had a happy ending. It tells the story of a running star (girl) who's dream is to run in the Olympics, but has her dream dashed when she get diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis. We can relate with this situation as our son had JRA. Decent story and characters, but I didn't like how the story was organized and how it flowed.

[Natacha Ramos · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book!

It helped me a lot to understand that no matter how much you want a certain dream to come true, there must be something you want more than that: the will of God. What an amazing message!

It also teaches you that perhaps you didn't misunderstand the calling of God in your life, but assume a lot of things in the middle. You thought about how to get to the place you want and figure things out, when it didn't happen the way you planned it, you got disappointed, but the true is that maybe God wants you to fulfill that dream of yours but in a different way, through a different process.

[C.J. Darlington · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story about what to do when the dreams you feel called to do doesn't end up the way you planned. Will you trust God or yourself? Everyone will relate to her main character Sabrina's struggles with a life altering illness that snatches her hard earned goals out from under her. And we'll also relate to rebellious teenager Brandy who just needs someone to believe in her. Recommended for women's fiction fans and those who enjoy the likes of Deborah Raney and Karen Kingsbury.

[Brenda Branski · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a quick, easy read. The plot was fairly enjoyable, though predictable. However, I gave it only 2 stars because I really didn’t like the main character, Sabrina. I had a difficult time relating to her, and by the middle of the book I wasn’t even cheering for her anymore as she just bothered me too much with the constant pity party and not trusting the people around her enough to tell them what’s on her mind.

[Carole Jarvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy Katie Cushman's books, but I think this is one of her best. Well written, so relevant for us as Christians. Emotional, I was even in tears at the end, which is extremely rare for me. Highly recommended!

Full review:
http://booksmusicandlife.blogspot.com...

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was really a very good story. I like watching both Sabrina and Brandy for different reasons. I related with Sabrina in the area of lost dreams and trying to figure out what my calling is for this stage of my life.

Brandy was a kick to watch as she struggled to move forward and get her life together.

2 points with orange oak leaves

[Katie Axelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel was ok. I’m not sure if it was the plot or the characters that were flat but something about it seemed off.

[Anncleire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blog Tour sul mio blog October 8th
Review + Except + Giveaway
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“Chasing Hope” è un libro che è entrato nelle cose da leggere solo perchè mi sono lasciata fregare dalla copertina, di cui mi sono innamorata appena l’ho vista, e capitando il mio post del blog tour di martedì, è in piena linea con il mio meme, creato in collaborazione con @Ilovereading del blog Petrichor, Cover Lovers. Insomma, una storia molto interessante, di seconde possibilità, sogni spezzati e un mondo che non sempre ci lascia fare quello che vogliamo. Un libro molto interessante.



La talentuosa corritrice Sabrina Rice è completamente focalizzata sul suo sogno delle Olimpiadi ma il suo futuro viene spezzato da una diagnosi devastante. Una borsa di studio dell’ultimo minuto e alcuni anni dopo, Sabrina ha nuovi sogni e obiettivi che non hanno nulla a che vedere con la corsa – qualcosa che è diventato troppo doloroso da pensare. Fino al giorno in cui vede Brandy Philip correre attraverso il campus del college che frequenta, che sorpassa facilmente la sicurezza. Sabrina riconosce immediatamente la velocità da fuori classe, ed è ancora più doloroso scoprire che appartiene ad un’adolescente che fa graffiti sui muri. Quando un incontro casuale porta le due ragazze insieme, Sabrina diventa la speranza migliore di Brandy di rimanere fuori dal carcere minorile. Presto, Sabrina inizia a sentire che la sua nuova vita sta per essere capovolta…che Dio potrebbe chiamarla nel suo ministero per aiutare questa talentuosa ragazza piena di guai.

Questo è un libro diverso dai soliti che leggo, che esce anche un po’ dalla mia comfort zone, ma mi fregio sempre di essere contro corrente, di non adagiarmi, di qualche modo superare i limiti delle mie letture. Non solo perché io non sono un’atleta e non posso capire fino in fondo cosa significa “lavorare con il corpo”, perderne il controllo e non poterlo più utilizzare per i propri scopi, ma anche perché si parla molto di Dio, della volontà del Signore, e io in queste cose ho smesso di crederci, o perlomeno ne ho un’altra percezione. Ma quello in cui credo, sono sicuramente le seconde occasioni, il farcela con le proprie forze e lottare per ciò in cui si crede. È un libro che ha molto da dire questo, un libro che sfida noi stessi e le nostre paure. È un libro che non fa sconti, una storia brutale, che insegna molto. La vita è bastarda, sta a noi cacciarne fuori il meglio e viverla.

Le protagoniste sono due ragazze, con un background e stili di vita diversissimi, ma accumunati dalla corsa, corsa che resta focale e al centro della scena. Si corre per la speranza, per farcela nella vita, per superare i guai, per non farsi accappiare. Si corre anche quando non si può, quando si ha dolore, quando manca il fiato, quando il terreno è instabile.

Sabrina aveva un sogno, ispirato dal suo mito, quello di arrivare alle Olimpiadi e vincere la medaglia d’oro nella maratona. Sensibile, concentrata, focalizzata solo sul suo obiettivo, non si lascia demoralizzare da nulla. Quando il suo sogno viene infranto, crede di aver perso tutto, la sua speranza, ciò che rendeva la sua vita meritevole di essere vissuta. In poche parole ha perso ciò che era incredibilmente lei, lei in modi che non aveva mai perso di vista. Deve fare i conti con un’altra prospettiva…ma invece di perdersi, trova un altro scopo per la sua vita e mette tutte le sue energie in quello, sforzandosi di laurearsi magna cum laude, trovare un lavoro e andare avanti, dimenticandosi di chi era prima, prima della diagnosi, della delusione, di tutto. Quando si ritrova davanti Brandy con così tanto potenziale ma poca attitudine per seguirlo prova una rabbia intensa e rapida che la lascia senza parole, tutto quello che vorrebbe e non osa più sperare.

Brandy ha una situazione famigliare pessima alle spalle e la mancanza di supervisione l’hanno fatta scendere in una spirale di autodistruzione, delinquenza adolescenziale e un attitudine a provocare guai e che rende tutto molto più difficile. Vuole solo essere lasciata in pace o così va predicando quando in realtà cerca considerazione e amore, in un modo in cui nessuno gliel’ha mai mostrato. Perché credere in una teppista di strada senza nessuno scopo? Ma per indulgere la nonna Sabrina inizia a lavorare su Brandy, a mostrarle che se ci tiene, può fare tutto. Il loro viaggio insieme è doloroso per entrambe: per Sabrina perché deve fare i conti con il suo passato e con i suoi sogni infranti, e la sua capacità di andare come un treno fino all’esaurimento. Per Brandy perché deve fare i conti con l’avere uno scopo e con qualcuno che la spinge ad andare avanti.

Le nonne di entrambe le ragazze sono molto dolci e indispensabili alla trama regalando momenti intensi e pieni di sentimento e non posso non citare Rita Leyva, una donna che avrà un ruolo importante nella vita di Sabrina quando lei non se lo aspettava più, anche qui una seconda occasione, perché quelle sono le più intense.

Uno dei problemi del libro però, quello che in definitiva non è riuscito a trasmettermi il libro come avrei voluto è lo stile narrativo. Pur alternando senza uno scema preciso i punti di vista di Sabrina e Brandy, la narrazione in terza persona ha reso tutto molto impersonale. Io preferisco la narrazione con l’”io” al centro, ma a volte quella in terza aiuta. In questo caso, un libro molto intimo e dalla forte componente psicologica, dove connettersi con le due protagoniste era fondamentale, la narrazione in terza persona ha tolto molto, e ci si concentra più sull’azione che sui sentimenti, che è si importante, ma dovrebbe esserlo di meno rispetto alla componente emozionale, per lo meno a mio avviso.

Il particolare da non dimenticare? Un cronometro…e un lecca lecca a forma di cuore.

Un libro intenso, pieno di sentimenti altruistici e speranza che vi lascerà senza parole e che vi aiuterà a dare un’altra prospettiva alla vostra vita. Non proprio il mio genere di storia, ma è bello dare chance a nuovi libri.

Buona lettura guys!


Ringrazio Kathryn Cushman & Katie from I’m a reader not a writer per avermi concesso la straordinaria opportunità di leggere questo libro e partecipare al blog tour.

[Ian Mcnamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book based on it being recommended to me after listening to another Christian fiction book. This was a heart warming and emotional story about two young women both struggling to find there place in the world, one had all there hopes pinned on running and the other is a girl who’s got in with a bad crowd however when Sabrina sees Brandy run she starts to question the plan she thought god had for her.

As these two women start to work through there struggles and form a bond through Sabrina coaching Brandy to try and keep her out of Juvenile hall the two women start to see the power of gods work.

I found the two characters relatable Sabrina because I know what it’s like to dream of something and then find it’s not possible and Brandy because I know what it’s like to lack confidence and go down the wrong path in life. I also am a Christian which is another reason why Sabrina’s character was really relatable to me. I discovered running in 2016 and went from hating it to loving it so again I can understand the two characters battle. I loved the way the two characters grew as the story progressed through there bond and there loving families and friends.

[Sue Poole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story Line,

You never know when you start a book what journey you are beginning. This is so true of this book. The story is creative and unusual in a educational way. It does not focus on a boy meeting a girl in first chapter and live happily ever after book...my favorite kind of book. The Sabrina character takes the reader through many hurts and challenges and mentors a girl who needs her. I would love a sequel to this book that takes us ever further in to their lives.

[Paula Hein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took some time for me to embrace the younger character Brandy, but I liked her story arc from angry, rejected and rebellious to thoughtful and appreciative. I recognized the Sabrina character - the broken women who is focused on what should be the best course as determined by others' values and not on what is and what she really wants, with a complicated relationship with being honest and a frustrating resistance to being vulnerable enough to accept the good around her. Wanted to slap her! But she did have a complete and satisfying story arc in the end.

[Linda J Barnwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

I enjoyed reading this book a lot. I wanted to stay up all night and finish it. It was very interesting, encouraging, and rewarding. It is not a romantic novel if you are looking for that. I like the fact that it did include a little romance. It reminds you that God is always at work and uses you for His purpose. I didn't find anything that I did not like about the book. Gave just enough details to keep you interested in what is going to happen next. Very good read

[Joan Embola · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of my favourites mainly because I can relate so much to the story and it was a bit emotional at the end too. I would definitely be reading it again as I miss reading it already. It is a must read if you are looking for an inspiring story to remind you about why everything you go through is worth it, and how following God can lead you to the most unexpected places.

See my full review here: https://lovequalified.blogspot.com/20...

[Vicki Cottingham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Through chronic illness, Sabrina has to give up her dream of running in the Olympics. Then, a troubled teen, Brandy enters her life, and she agrees, reluctantly, to be her coach. I found it hard to like the character of Sabrina, whereas I was more able to empathise with Brandy and it was interesting to watch her growth as a person. I found Sabrina to be more annoying. This is the main reason I gave the book just 3 stars.

[Jo Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to put down

This is one of those books you don't want to put down. Ms Cushman's talent with storytelling is phenomenal. This is a story of how faith and love can help one overcome a multitude of obstacles and how, if we sit still and listen, God guides us to our purpose. Life sometimes throws things into our paths that interfere with our plans, but if we are faithful and obedient, God will use those things to help us help others. Read this. You won't be sorry