I cried so so much whilst listening to this book, in fact, if I’d been reading it I would have had to stop because of the tears. I was captivated with this story from beginning to end, this book grabbed my attention and wouldn’t let it go. Even when I wasn’t listening to the story I was thinking about it and wanting to get back to it.

This story starts with Sarah’s first day at kindergarten, she’s so young, only 5 years old yet virtually has to take care of herself, her mother is an abusive drunk who only keeps her for the money she receives from the State! When Sarah arrives in class she’s assigned a seat next to an eager Chord. Sarah has nothing, not even a pencil but Chord gives her whatever she needs. Chord and his whole family welcome Sarah into their fold and she and Chord become best friends.

As they grow, their friendship turns to love and they make plans for a future together. A few months before high school graduation, Sarah has an appointment and tells Chord that she’ll meet him at school when she’s done but she never showed. Chord goes to look for her, but she’s gone, he’s broken he can’t believe she’d leave him.

Six years later, he has never stopped looking for her but his hope is virtually gone. Then whilst he is out of town visiting a friend, he sees Sarah and his world is rocked once again.

So begins phase two of Sarah and Chord’s story – the second half of the book broke me, so much happens, so much I can’t tell you without spoiling the book. What I will say is this is one of those books which will stay with you long after you finish listening to it, it’s a story about loss, about hope and hopelessness, about friendship but most importantly it’s about love, deep abiding love, the love between a parent and a child, the love between siblings and how their love will enable them all to go forward after a devastating loss and the love between a man and a woman who have loved then lost only to find lasting love which is tested more than any love should be but it’s a love so strong it survives and thrives.

The characters are all so very well drawn, each character is there for the others, Chord’s family, and there are lots of them, are all supportive and their friends were wonderful. I can not praise this book highly enough – I loved it!

The narration by Sarah Puckett and Jarman Day could not have been improved upon they made a great team and brought this book to life for me.

I was given this audiobook as a gift and am voluntarily writing my review.