Review: The Hard Count by Ginger Scott

Title: The Hard Count
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.”