
By: Ginger Scott
My Copy: Ebook from Author
The BookWhisperer's Rating:
Nico
Medina’s world is eleven miles away from mine. During the day, it’s a place
where doors are open—where homes are lived in, and neighbors love. But when the
sun sets, it becomes a place where young boys are afraid, where eyes watch from
idling cars that hide in the shadows and wicked smoke flows from pipes.
West
End is the kind of place that people survive. It buries them—one at a time, one
way or another. And when Nico was a little boy, his mom always told him to run.
I’m
Reagan Prescott—coach’s daughter, sister to the prodigal son, daughter in the
perfect family.
Life
on top.
Lies.
My
world is the ugly one. Private school politics and one of the best high school
football programs in the country can break even the toughest souls. Our
darkness plays out in whispers and rumors, and money and status trump all. I
would know—I’ve watched it kill my family slowly, strangling us for years.
In
our twisted world, a boy from West End is the only shining light.
Quarterback.
Hero.
Heart.
Good.
I
hated him before I needed him.
I
fell for him fast.
I
loved him when it was almost too late.
When
two ugly worlds collide, even the strongest fall. But my world…it hasn’t met
the boy from West End.
If I had a touchdown dance, I would do one right now after
reading The Hard Count. My first book by
Ginger Scott and dare I say that I might be addicted to her; I know that I am
addicted to Nico.
This book gave me such a Friday Night Lights feel, which is
super amazing because I loved Friday Night Lights. And while the top story is about the love for
football and the pressure to win, the underlying story proves to be so much
more. This book isn’t about showing up
to the game, defeating the opponents, and going home with a “W.” It deals with the pressure for each player
and coaches to always perform the best. Told
by the character Reagan, you find yourself immersed in a story about adversity,
judgment, acceptance, brotherhood, hard work, and love with a description so
keen that you feel like you are living their world right along with the
characters.
I would have to say that Reagan and Nico are by far the best
young adult characters that I have read in a while. Each brilliant within their own rights, each
with a strong head on their shoulders, each steady and true to themselves and
their family, and each determine to make the most out of life. These two characters brought a wonderful
hatred at first, an amazing friendship, and a beautiful love. If you don’t believe me, check out the quote
below:
“Just don’t ever stop
looking at me,” he says, scooting closer, his knees touching my leg, his hand
bringing my face to his. Nico’s nose
brushes against mine, and my eyes fall shut, my lips parting, almost reaching for
him.
“Look at
me like you expect more. Look at me like
it isn’t going to be easy.” Nico breathes the words against my lips, pausing
when his bottom lip connects with my top, the faintness of the touch so much
better than any other real kiss I’ve had.
“Make me earn it,” he says, pausing again to take my top lip between
both of his. “I’ll earn it. I’ll never stop trying to earn it…to earn
you.”