Books I've Loved: Now is Everything

I knew nothing about this book when I picked up, but the blurb intrigued me so I decided to give it a go.  And boy am I glad I did!

The book takes place after a plane crash in which it appears Hadley is the sole survivor.  Through a series of flashbacks as she works through how she came to be there, Hadley's world comes into view.  Her ineffectual mother who drinks to escape reality.  Her overbearing bully of a father.  Her much loved little sister who Hadley will do anything to protect from living the life she has been forced to endure.

Outwardly this is a wealthy, privileged family and Hadley is not only a perfect student, but also a star athlete.  At least, that's what Charlie Simmons sees when he first meets her.  As they fall deeper and deeper in love, the cracks in Hadley's perfect life begin to show.  And she becomes increasingly reckless in defying her family in order to keep seeing the boy she loves.

This book highlights how broken families can be behind closed doors, and how much people are willing to suffer for those they care about.  It also shows what can happen when someone gets pushed one step too far...

Intriguing right up to the final page, I highly recommend this one.

But don't just listen to me.  Here's the blurb:

The McCauleys look perfect on the outside. But nothing is ever as it seems, and this family is hiding a dark secret.

Hadley McCauley will do anything to keep her sister safe from their father. But when Hadley’s forbidden relationship with Charlie Simmons deepens, the violence at home escalates, culminating in an explosive accident that will leave everyone changed.

When Hadley attempts to take her own life at the hospital post-accident, her friends, doctors, family, and the investigator on the case want to know why. Only Hadley knows what really happened that day, and she’s not talking.