What does it take to rebuild a life when everything has been taken from you -- your home, your safety, your purpose -- even your identity?

All Jake wanted was a quiet life -- a chance to choose a future without looking over his shoulder and hiding behind a new name. After years on the run with his mother, he's learned to keep his head down and his distance.

Until he meets Brooke -- and risks trusting another survivor.

Their friendship is unexpected, profound -- the kind that makes you believe in second chances. Brooke is fierce and fragile, grieving her parents while raising her brother alone. Jake discovers he's good at being there for her, at offering the patience and compassion she desperately needs.

But when his dangerous past comes lurking, Jake does what he knows best: he runs. The distance he puts between them only opens the door for new threats to Brooke's safety, leaving Jake trapped between guilt and fear.
Their bond won't survive unless Jake faces his past to reclaim himself -- and find his best friend.

This book is perfect for readers who appreciate:
? Emotionally resonant literary fiction with character-driven depth
? Stories centered on the emotional journeys of early adulthood
? Explorations of trauma, grief, healing, and quiet resilience
? Complex interpersonal bonds that defy easy labeling
? Found family and evolving connections between broken people
? Realistic portrayals of mental health, including depression and anxiety
? The quiet strength of showing up for someone who needs you

Content notes: This story contains references to domestic abuse, child abuse, trauma, depression, and grief. These themes are explored with care and emotional authenticity.

Perfect for readers of Celeste Ng, Fredrik Backman, Ann Napolitano, Emily St. John Mandel, or Matt Haig -- authors who write with quiet intensity, deep empathy, and a focus on the unspoken threads that tie people together.

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• Literature & FictionLiterary FictionPsychological
• Literature & FictionWomen's FictionNew Adult & College
• Literature & FictionWomen's FictionPsychological

• Publication Date: July 26, 2025
• Text-to-Speech: Disabled
• Lending: Disabled
• Print Length: 331 Pages
• File Size: 27 KB