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The Story of a Girl #1
Overcome
High school is all about tests...and some of them don't come with a grade!
This is the story of a girl, Erin Mitchell, a sophomore at Davis-Buckley High. Everything is normal... That is, until the impossible happens.
Jake Cunningham. Senior. Popularity. Parties. New and old friends. Lying to her parents...and to make matters worse, when your boyfriend is Jake Cunningham you aren't the only girl in line.
"...and he won't wait forever, Erin! So, if you want to keep him, you have to learn how to play the game."
When a family death yanks Erin from her new life, fear sets in. If she's not there to keep Jake's attention, who is? Meanwhile, in the middle of Hickville, Colorado, she's reintroduced to her cousin, Sarah, the popular, stylish, life of the party...or, at least, she used to be. Is what Sarah found out the secret that can unlock Erin's future before she's crippled by her mistakes?
This is the story of a girl, Erin Mitchell, a sophomore at Davis-Buckley High. Everything is normal... That is, until the impossible happens.
Jake Cunningham. Senior. Popularity. Parties. New and old friends. Lying to her parents...and to make matters worse, when your boyfriend is Jake Cunningham you aren't the only girl in line.
"...and he won't wait forever, Erin! So, if you want to keep him, you have to learn how to play the game."
When a family death yanks Erin from her new life, fear sets in. If she's not there to keep Jake's attention, who is? Meanwhile, in the middle of Hickville, Colorado, she's reintroduced to her cousin, Sarah, the popular, stylish, life of the party...or, at least, she used to be. Is what Sarah found out the secret that can unlock Erin's future before she's crippled by her mistakes?
312 pages, Paperback
First published June 11, 2012
3 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 1, 2012
So this book is amazing. It's funny, dramatic, romantic, ect. It focuses on A teenage girl's life in high school where she has to deal to deal with friendships, relationships, and so much more. It's just amazing and I love it, enough said.
February 17, 2025
Can't wait for the sequels.
February 23, 2018
Loved this book! It was a great read and has real relevant issues that face teens today and how faith comes into play. Read it!!!
February 24, 2018
So many Christian books try to be epic but only end up being trite and cliche. This book does not. It paints a real world canvas you can relate to instead of glossing over the demons people face in their lives with christianese. It is a testament of trials, choices, and the consequences therein. Reach uses rich characters -I felt like I went to school with Carrie, Whitney, and Kylie and my husband has a crush on Erin now. Reach's dialogue shows a depth of insight into the human psyche, as well as the female mind, which I might conjecture seem two things with passing similarities to a man's way of thinking.
Reach presents his characters with tough choices and no escape from their consequences. The reality of this story lures you in and pins you with the truth. God doesn't remove the problems we face but can equip us to walk through the fiery crucible and comforts us in our lowest points. He argues that the God he serves is not some distant uncaring force ready to strike when we stray but can be a guiding force through the tangled tatters of our lives transforming them into things of beauty for others to see. Makes me want to know a God like that and I hope it does for you as well.
Reach presents his characters with tough choices and no escape from their consequences. The reality of this story lures you in and pins you with the truth. God doesn't remove the problems we face but can equip us to walk through the fiery crucible and comforts us in our lowest points. He argues that the God he serves is not some distant uncaring force ready to strike when we stray but can be a guiding force through the tangled tatters of our lives transforming them into things of beauty for others to see. Makes me want to know a God like that and I hope it does for you as well.
February 20, 2018
Each book I have read by ME Reach has been a book I can't put down. This was no exception. This is a great read for teen girls. I have passed this book on to a few teen girls in my own life and they have each agreed it spoke to right where they are in life.
March 14, 2014
This is a terrific read for high school and middle school aged girls. I think most girls can relate to the struggles Erin goes through. I recommend it to anyone.
October 11, 2025
I didn’t expect this book to hit me the way it did. Overcome isn’t just another high school story, it’s a raw, emotional look at how easily a girl can lose herself trying to fit into someone else’s idea of love and acceptance. Erin’s journey felt so real. You can feel her confusion, her fear of losing Jake, and that constant tug of war between wanting to belong and trying to stay true to herself.
What stood out most to me was how M.E. Reach handled the contrast between Erin’s new life and her time back in Colorado. The shift felt like a wake up call not just for her, but for the reader too. Sarah’s reappearance added a whole new depth, and I loved how their stories quietly mirrored each other.
It’s rare to find a YA story that doesn’t sugarcoat the messy parts of growing up, but still leaves you with hope. By the end, I found myself really rooting for Erin, not just to get through everything, but to find herself again. M.E. Reach definitely has a gift for making teenage emotions feel layered and honest. I’ll be picking up the next book for sure.
What stood out most to me was how M.E. Reach handled the contrast between Erin’s new life and her time back in Colorado. The shift felt like a wake up call not just for her, but for the reader too. Sarah’s reappearance added a whole new depth, and I loved how their stories quietly mirrored each other.
It’s rare to find a YA story that doesn’t sugarcoat the messy parts of growing up, but still leaves you with hope. By the end, I found myself really rooting for Erin, not just to get through everything, but to find herself again. M.E. Reach definitely has a gift for making teenage emotions feel layered and honest. I’ll be picking up the next book for sure.
October 1, 2025
I wasn’t expecting to connect this deeply with Erin’s journey, but M.E. Reach captures the highs and lows of teenage life with stunning honesty. Erin isn’t a perfect protagonist, she’s real, flawed, and someone you desperately want to see find her strength. The tension between popularity, peer pressure, grief, and self worth is written so authentically that it hits hard.
What I loved most is how the story doesn’t just entertain, it speaks truth. The contrast between the chaos of Jake’s world and the quiet wisdom found with her cousin Sarah was beautifully done.
M.E. Reach, thank you for writing a story that feels like both a warning and a hug. I’m officially invested, bring on Book #2!
What I loved most is how the story doesn’t just entertain, it speaks truth. The contrast between the chaos of Jake’s world and the quiet wisdom found with her cousin Sarah was beautifully done.
M.E. Reach, thank you for writing a story that feels like both a warning and a hug. I’m officially invested, bring on Book #2!
October 1, 2025
The Story of a Girl , 1: Overcome pulled me in right away! I loved how real Erin felt, her struggles with Jake, her family, and even just being a teenager were so relatable. One scene that had me actually laughing was when Erin was caught lying to her parents, trying to sound confident, but the excuses were so hilariously bad that I could almost picture her squirming. Moments like that made her feel so real. At the same time, the story has a lot of depth, especially with the family themes and Sarah’s reintroduction. It’s both funny and heartfelt, which made it hard to put down. Great start to the series, I’m looking forward to what Erin learns next!
October 1, 2025
The Story of a Girl Overcome is a heartfelt and relatable read that beautifully captures the highs and lows of teenage life. Erin’s journey felt so real, and I found myself cheering for her through every struggle. The mix of friendship, family, and self discovery gave the story wonderful depth. M.E. Reach has created a book that is both engaging and inspiring, I can’t wait for the next in the series!
October 15, 2025
Overcome is a quiet, powerful reflection on resilience. M.E. Reach writes with honesty and grace, turning personal struggle into universal insight. It’s not about flashy triumphs, but about the quiet strength of continuing on. Thoughtful, raw, and deeply human, this book leaves a lasting impression.
October 15, 2025
Overcome by M.E. Reach is a touching coming of age story that captures the challenges and emotional highs of teenage life. Erin Mitchell’s journey from normal high school routines to facing the impossible is both gripping and inspiring. The story blends authenticity, courage, and growth, reminding readers that true strength often appears in life’s hardest moments. A powerful and relatable read for teens and young adults alike. .
October 15, 2025
I honestly didn’t expect Overcome to hit this hard. M.E. Reach has such a natural way of writing teenage life that you feel every bit of Erin’s confusion, excitement, and heartbreak. The whole dynamic with Jake felt so real, not the overdone “bad boy romance,” but that messy in between space where you’re figuring out who you are while trying to keep someone else’s attention.
When Erin had to leave because of the family loss, I actually felt her panic and guilt. And then seeing her reconnect with Sarah, that whole storyline added such unexpected depth. It wasn’t just about boys or popularity anymore; it became about family, truth, and learning from pain.
By the end, I just wanted to give Erin a hug. She’s flawed, but that’s what makes her believable. This book really captures how growing up means falling down first. Beautifully written and full of heart.
When Erin had to leave because of the family loss, I actually felt her panic and guilt. And then seeing her reconnect with Sarah, that whole storyline added such unexpected depth. It wasn’t just about boys or popularity anymore; it became about family, truth, and learning from pain.
By the end, I just wanted to give Erin a hug. She’s flawed, but that’s what makes her believable. This book really captures how growing up means falling down first. Beautifully written and full of heart.
July 29, 2025
M.E. Reach does such a great job writing books anyone and everyone can relate to, no matter how old the characters are. Overcome is about a girl who struggles through her teenage life, but no matter how hard it got, you could see how changed people around her (and eventually her) became when they found Jesus.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews