What do you think?
Rate this book
The Destiny Clark Saga #1
A Braver Version of Me
Is bravery worth the trouble? I like to play it safe.
But trouble always finds me.
And so do the bullies.
Somehow, the new girl convinced me to sneak out to spy on the boys’ cabins.
And now my life is turned upside down. And my secret crush isn’t so secret anymore. He wanted me to face my biggest fear of all.
I shouldn’t have ever listened to him.
Because the more I face my fears, the more my problems crop up.
A Braver Version of Me is the first book in a nine-book rewrite of a contemporary sweet romance series called The Destiny Trilogy. In this series you can expect flirting, blushing, and kisses in the woods, but you won’t find any swearing, nudity, or sex.
But trouble always finds me.
And so do the bullies.
Somehow, the new girl convinced me to sneak out to spy on the boys’ cabins.
And now my life is turned upside down. And my secret crush isn’t so secret anymore. He wanted me to face my biggest fear of all.
I shouldn’t have ever listened to him.
Because the more I face my fears, the more my problems crop up.
A Braver Version of Me is the first book in a nine-book rewrite of a contemporary sweet romance series called The Destiny Trilogy. In this series you can expect flirting, blushing, and kisses in the woods, but you won’t find any swearing, nudity, or sex.
151 pages, ebook
Published January 31, 2019
84 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
Cindy Ray Hale
60 books566 followersCindy Ray Hale loves to write romcoms set in small towns and has been writing and publishing books since 2012, all the while, laughing at her own funny stories. She is married to the sweetest guy and has a blended family with him, consisting of seven kids.
She loves nerding out on video games, creating book covers, and drinking too much caffeine. When she can find a moment, she loves to sing and play the piano and often includes acting and singing somewhere in her stories.
She was born and raised in the hills of Tennessee in a large crazy family and as an adult, has moved all over the United States. She's finally settled down in a small town in the mountains of western Virginia where she loves to go hiking, boating, and dig in her garden.
She loves nerding out on video games, creating book covers, and drinking too much caffeine. When she can find a moment, she loves to sing and play the piano and often includes acting and singing somewhere in her stories.
She was born and raised in the hills of Tennessee in a large crazy family and as an adult, has moved all over the United States. She's finally settled down in a small town in the mountains of western Virginia where she loves to go hiking, boating, and dig in her garden.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 19, 2019
(4.5 Stars) I love the Destiny trilogy and this rewrite was fun. I loved the additional details that were added, as it gave a slightly new flavor to this Romeo and Juliet type of story.
Destiny is a Mormon who attends a Baptist school in the South and there are some conflicts with religion between her and her classmates. I love the way she's fairly confident in herself and tries new things. I especially enjoyed her friendships, both new and old, with Hannah and Megan.
Young love is always so much fun, especially a first love, and I liked watching Destiny navigate the waters of her crush. The flirting and banter are both sweet and butterfly-inducing.
Music is such a huge part of my life and I adore the way it plays such a hefty part of this story line.
My only complaint is, even though I've read this trilogy before, this story ends quite abruptly. I'm hoping the next installment is released soon, because I didn't want to stop and was left on the edge of a cliff.
Content: mild romance; moderate religion
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
Destiny is a Mormon who attends a Baptist school in the South and there are some conflicts with religion between her and her classmates. I love the way she's fairly confident in herself and tries new things. I especially enjoyed her friendships, both new and old, with Hannah and Megan.
Young love is always so much fun, especially a first love, and I liked watching Destiny navigate the waters of her crush. The flirting and banter are both sweet and butterfly-inducing.
Music is such a huge part of my life and I adore the way it plays such a hefty part of this story line.
My only complaint is, even though I've read this trilogy before, this story ends quite abruptly. I'm hoping the next installment is released soon, because I didn't want to stop and was left on the edge of a cliff.
Content: mild romance; moderate religion
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
February 5, 2019
I enjoyed this book and it was a quick read. This story makes me wish I was like this in high school. I wish I was able to stand up for myself eventually and be able to say the things that were on my mind.
A small part of me wants to give this story 3 1/2 stars instead of a full 4; I feel that way because this book pretty much centers around religion. I am not saying thats a bad thing and I have nothing against anyones religion but I don't really like being punched in the face with it without warning. No where in the synopsis does it say anything about religion or that Destiny gets made fun of because of what she believes in.
I'm not really sure what she saw in Issac besides his looks and the fact that he was nice sometimes. I'm glad things started going well for Destiny but I could definitely tell this is going to be a trilogy/saga with the way it ended. I felt it kinda ended a little abruptly so we will see what happens in the next story.
A small part of me wants to give this story 3 1/2 stars instead of a full 4; I feel that way because this book pretty much centers around religion. I am not saying thats a bad thing and I have nothing against anyones religion but I don't really like being punched in the face with it without warning. No where in the synopsis does it say anything about religion or that Destiny gets made fun of because of what she believes in.
I'm not really sure what she saw in Issac besides his looks and the fact that he was nice sometimes. I'm glad things started going well for Destiny but I could definitely tell this is going to be a trilogy/saga with the way it ended. I felt it kinda ended a little abruptly so we will see what happens in the next story.
May 8, 2019
It was sweet, and also a little like a soap opera. There were a lot of threads to follow. The abundance of religion surprised me and I really feel that could have been left out. Having said that I have not read the original Destiny series. It was a very quick read, something like two hours.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Want to read
July 30, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (7/30/2019)! 🎁
March 23, 2019
Destiny hasn't had it easy at her school the last couple of years and tries to stay invisible, so she's not really noticed. This changes when Hannah comes to her school and dares her to do new things. Hannah may not be the best influence in the beginning, but I love how supportive she is of Destiny. I think in many ways Destiny needed someone to challenge her so she could really go for her dreams.
At home she's not the oldest or youngest, so I guess it's hard at times when she accomplishes something. I love her sister though, she's funny and I love that she reads. Her brother is very smart and really cares for his family. Also, the description of their house and Destiny's hideout sound absolutely amazing!
Destiny starts to let herself be challenged and when she tries out for the choir, I was really proud of her. Isaac (Destiny's longtime crush) plays a big part in this. He is finally noticing Destiny, but isn't sure what to do about that. Isaac has a lot of responsibilities and is still struggling between doing what he wants and what is expected of him.
A Braver Version of Me is a cute and fast read that shows us we all have struggles in figuring out what we want and finding the confidence to go after our dreams. This author describes the struggles very well, but also shows how rewarding it can be with a little help from friends and family!
At home she's not the oldest or youngest, so I guess it's hard at times when she accomplishes something. I love her sister though, she's funny and I love that she reads. Her brother is very smart and really cares for his family. Also, the description of their house and Destiny's hideout sound absolutely amazing!
Destiny starts to let herself be challenged and when she tries out for the choir, I was really proud of her. Isaac (Destiny's longtime crush) plays a big part in this. He is finally noticing Destiny, but isn't sure what to do about that. Isaac has a lot of responsibilities and is still struggling between doing what he wants and what is expected of him.
A Braver Version of Me is a cute and fast read that shows us we all have struggles in figuring out what we want and finding the confidence to go after our dreams. This author describes the struggles very well, but also shows how rewarding it can be with a little help from friends and family!
August 9, 2019
For me this book was ok. I kind of felt like we didn't really get to the heart of the story. I had a really hard time connecting to the characters but it may have been that they really didn't have time to develop for me. I felt as if the author was promoting one religion over another and really " bashing" the latter. That I guess, was my biggest problem connecting with this book. For the most part every character was judgemental and created a lot of anxiety within the book. However it won't stop me from reading on in the next book and seeing how things pan out.
February 24, 2019
A Braver Version of Me is a well-written LDS young adult book. Both Isaac and Destiny show a lot of character growth. The adults seem a bit of a caricature, but they are seen through the eyes of the teenagers, so that may be a very accurate way to depict them. The plot is as expected for a YA book with the added drama of a Mormon girl attending a Baptist school. I also liked the addition of the serious music group that the main characters are trying out for. I think that this would appeal more to LDS readers than to those with a Baptist background, like myself. I received an ARC. I chose to write a review and share my opinion of this book.
March 23, 2019
I would put this book at more a 3.5-4 for me. It’s a more of a contemporary ya read so it is a little out of my normal perimeter. I also didn’t realise so much of it was going to be focused on religion.
Having said all that it was a very cute read. Also pretty easy to follow along and quick read. It brings into focus how people still judge others in religion and the biases that go into each religion.
Destiny is a sophomore at a Baptist church who, 8 years ago, converted and became Mormon. In the school year she makes a new friend, Hannah. Who pushed her to try new things. All the while she is crushing hard on the most popular boy in school, trying to get a spot on the most elite choir team and keep her grades up.
I found Hannah a fun character that livened things up-I think it would be quite lacklustre without her. Destiny clearly grows in this book and does become more confident by the end. And the rest of the cast definitely set this book up perfectly for a high school story.
There were some things I didn’t realise and it did open my eyes to another religion. I look forward to the next book so I can see where it goes from here and see what Destiny gets up too.
Having said all that it was a very cute read. Also pretty easy to follow along and quick read. It brings into focus how people still judge others in religion and the biases that go into each religion.
Destiny is a sophomore at a Baptist church who, 8 years ago, converted and became Mormon. In the school year she makes a new friend, Hannah. Who pushed her to try new things. All the while she is crushing hard on the most popular boy in school, trying to get a spot on the most elite choir team and keep her grades up.
I found Hannah a fun character that livened things up-I think it would be quite lacklustre without her. Destiny clearly grows in this book and does become more confident by the end. And the rest of the cast definitely set this book up perfectly for a high school story.
There were some things I didn’t realise and it did open my eyes to another religion. I look forward to the next book so I can see where it goes from here and see what Destiny gets up too.
July 28, 2019
Solid Christian HS Story. Hale does an excellent job here of showing the all-too-real mindset of Southern Baptist HS kids as it relates to the Church of Latter Day Saints, at minimum circa the turn of the Millenium when I was in HS myself. While I never actually went to a private school myself, growing up in Ga not far from the Tennessee regions described here, Hale paints the pictures pretty dang accurately there from both the kid and adult perspectives. Solid introduction to a much larger story, by the time of the somewhat abrupt ending to this particular tale, you'll be invested and interested enough to want to have the next one handy. Very much recommended.
(And as a postscript not overly relevant to this book perse, reading it completely on the beach was awesome, though reading it immediately after the much-more-mature-oriented book I had read earlier in the day I started this one was very interesting, to say the least. :D)
(And as a postscript not overly relevant to this book perse, reading it completely on the beach was awesome, though reading it immediately after the much-more-mature-oriented book I had read earlier in the day I started this one was very interesting, to say the least. :D)
September 21, 2019
(2.5 stars) This is a very sweet/clean YA romance. In it, we find Destiny, a Mormon girl attending a Baptist HS, who has a crush on Isaac, the headmaster's son. I liked Destiny's growth in this novella, and the friendships she develops with Hannah and Hudson. Of course, it being a YA story set in HS, one will certainly find its fair share of drama, crushes, and fights (though not all in equal parts). I also appreciated having Isaac's POV, since even though he's far from perfect, I think it helped understand things from another perspective. And while it has some of my favorite aspects to find in the YA genre (mainly music, and all the detailed information on how to audition for a select choir), I think I would have liked this book more were it not for the Mormon apologetics sprinkled throughout this story. So, if you are a Christian, and especially a Baptist, or have a Baptist background, as another reviewer has already stated, you may not enjoy it as much.
November 18, 2020
This story is cute. And as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ, I enjoyed the religious aspects of this story. The characters are so cute. There’s so many of them, sometimes it was hard to keep track of them. I don’t normally like teen novels, but this one had a different voice and such an usual premise, that the story held me captivated. The only thing is, while there was a climax and ending, it didn’t have the grand oomph it should have. It seemed the novel had been part of a longer story that was divided up, and maybe it was, since the author has a note that this was a rewrite. But still. It was very enjoyable. But in order to have a closure with the characters, because their story is clearly not over, I will have to read the next novel, and probably more than that. I’ll see how long I can hang on because I don’t really like when authors divide novels. Still, I do recommend reading the story.
February 8, 2019
The first thing to say about this book is how surprised I was that religion is a main part of the story. Nowhere does it state that in the description. Now, I don't have anything against this; it just felt strange it wasn't mentioned.
The story is sweet and the main character certainly grows throughout. She's timid in the beginning but finds her inner strength and confidence by the end. It doesn't exactly conclude the relationship with her crush, but adds more by creating another possible crush! Hannah is probably the most entertaining character and the book may have been a little boring without her.
Overall, it was a nice easy read with an alternative look at Christian schools I'm not too familiar with.
The story is sweet and the main character certainly grows throughout. She's timid in the beginning but finds her inner strength and confidence by the end. It doesn't exactly conclude the relationship with her crush, but adds more by creating another possible crush! Hannah is probably the most entertaining character and the book may have been a little boring without her.
Overall, it was a nice easy read with an alternative look at Christian schools I'm not too familiar with.
March 5, 2019
This book wasn’t what I thought it was going to be. Having religion being the core focus of this YA Book wasn’t a bad thing, but I feel like it was almost too overdone. I wanted more information, I want to know if Destiny ends up with Isaac or Preston, deep down I am hoping for Preston but the story ended so surprisingly short that you really don’t know what happens, will there be a second book? The writing was well done, I just wished there was more to the story besides religion. I want to know if Destiny ever finds out the reason behind Isaac befriending her? What happens with Aspen? Does Preston find out about the rumor? I really hope there will be a second book that answers these questions!
July 31, 2019
I didn't expect religion to play such a prominent part in this story, and, to be honest, the concept of religion (not necessarily faith) having such a strong influence on everyday life - who your friends are, who you are 'allowed' to talk to, who to like - is unfamiliar to me, to say the least.
That being said, it was interesting to get a peek behind the curtains of faiths I am not (that) familiar with.
I like Destiny as a main character, and although she seems to attract a certain amount of drama, it's rarely her own, mostly other people's.
I'm not sure if I like Isaac (yet?). I might be biased because I really don't like his folks, but in the last chapters it looks like there might be hope for him, yet. ;)
That being said, it was interesting to get a peek behind the curtains of faiths I am not (that) familiar with.
I like Destiny as a main character, and although she seems to attract a certain amount of drama, it's rarely her own, mostly other people's.
I'm not sure if I like Isaac (yet?). I might be biased because I really don't like his folks, but in the last chapters it looks like there might be hope for him, yet. ;)
March 8, 2019
I enjoyed reading the first book in the Destiny Clark Saga! I loved seeing religion being such an important part of Destiny's identity. It wasn't shoved in your face, it was ingrained as a crucial part of her character. I also liked that I didn't know how the story was going to end up. I still don't know what will happen in book two, but I can't wait to find out. I'm a huge music lover, so I was glad to go along with Destiny and her friends while they auditioned for choir, took voice lessons, and got into musical theater. Overall, a great read.
February 27, 2019
An interesting ya book. High school and being different. Even if you’re in a private school there still is bullying of people who are different. Lots of peer pressure. I see a lot of what kids are going through today. Liking somebody you’re not allowed to cause their religion is “not approved”. Even the popular kids have issues. Each person is trying to figure out who they are and do something they enjoy and good at.
July 15, 2019
Cute clean YA romance. Destiny has a crush on Isaac, one of the jocks , a jock who already has a girlfriend. He is probably not even going to give her the time of day especially as she is a Mormon. His family wouldn't approve even if he were interested. Big question mark, is Isaac interested? Maybe he is.
A modern day Romeo and Juliet. Beware does end with a sort of cliffhanger.
Hope to continue reading the next chapter soon.
A modern day Romeo and Juliet. Beware does end with a sort of cliffhanger.
Hope to continue reading the next chapter soon.
February 16, 2021
Fun and Flirty YA Romance
High school crushes. Destiny has crushed on Isaac for years. Can she ever have a chance with him, even though he's a Baptist and she's a Mormon? Why is a Mormon going to a private Baptist school anyway? Enter Isaac's cousin, Hannah. She's a rebel, but can she get Destiny out of her shell? Come along for this fabulous ride! Happy Reading!
High school crushes. Destiny has crushed on Isaac for years. Can she ever have a chance with him, even though he's a Baptist and she's a Mormon? Why is a Mormon going to a private Baptist school anyway? Enter Isaac's cousin, Hannah. She's a rebel, but can she get Destiny out of her shell? Come along for this fabulous ride! Happy Reading!
September 14, 2025
Positives
I found this to be an interesting story involving beliefs in religion and acceptance by others. Destiny is a Morman going to a Baptist church school. The other students reactions as well as their parents beliefs are enlightening when they show their lack of tolerance. I liked the way it was dealt with by Destiny.
I found this to be an interesting story involving beliefs in religion and acceptance by others. Destiny is a Morman going to a Baptist church school. The other students reactions as well as their parents beliefs are enlightening when they show their lack of tolerance. I liked the way it was dealt with by Destiny.
March 11, 2020
Choices and Challenges
It reminds me of being a shy and insecure teenager as well as the only Mormon in my school in New Jersey. How do we develope the courage and wisdom to make good choices? It helps me gain empathy for my children when I read Destiny's story.
It reminds me of being a shy and insecure teenager as well as the only Mormon in my school in New Jersey. How do we develope the courage and wisdom to make good choices? It helps me gain empathy for my children when I read Destiny's story.
June 1, 2021
I adored the theater and choir aspects of this book. It really brought me back to high school. The Mormon - Baptist tension was interesting. I’m kind of wary of where that’s going to go. These books are definitely cliff hangers.
June 25, 2024
Pretty high end for high schoolers, but this was a specialty school. Oh the ups and downs of high achievers. This group was into music, especially voice. And they did shine. Gaining confidence thru practice, goals and communication they did shine with a lot of glitter
Read
March 20, 2021Got about 24% in and wasn't feeling it...I'll try it another time.
November 6, 2022
This book was ok. But I don’t understand why she went from 3 books to rewriting 9. I may or may not read the rest but I guess it didn’t suck me in enough to say I have to read the rest.
November 30, 2024
I didn’t realize this was a saga so at the end I was so confused why it ended so abruptly 😭 but overall it was pretty good for a light hearted book
April 11, 2025
cute sweet read
February 23, 2019
Cute clean YA romance. Destiny has a crush on Isaac, one of the jocks who already has a girlfriend. He is probably not even going to give her the time of day especially as she is a Mormon. His family wouldn't approve even if he were interested. Big question mark, is Isaac interested? Maybe he is.
A modern day Romeo and Juliet. Beware does end with a sort of cliffhanger.
Hope to continue reading the next chapter soon.
A modern day Romeo and Juliet. Beware does end with a sort of cliffhanger.
Hope to continue reading the next chapter soon.
Read
February 18, 2019I enjoyed reading this rewrite of Destiny. If you loved Destiny you will love this one as well.
I liked that the book showed that high school is high school. Although the characters attend a Baptist high school they still deal with the popular group and the mean girls. Throughout the book you see Isaac battling an inner battle while Destiny is becoming a confident young lady. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
I liked that the book showed that high school is high school. Although the characters attend a Baptist high school they still deal with the popular group and the mean girls. Throughout the book you see Isaac battling an inner battle while Destiny is becoming a confident young lady. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews