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Never Give Up
Every child deserves a loving, secure, family home but for Derwin Thomas his younger years were nothing like this.
Passed from pillar to post for reasons he couldn't understand. He learns how to stand on his own two feet.
Did he make any of the right decisions? Probably not. But, damn, he was having the time of his life trying, or so he had thought.
In walks Emily Montgomery, a young, fiesty, eager to learn apprentice. But what she learns isn't what she signed up for. A once in a life time opportunity sits in her lap. A chance to get out of the family run business once and for all, but when taking that chance her entire life changed-forever.
One soul damaged by the past, one soul trying to change the future. Will fate step in their way or will they get their happily ever after?
The only thing Derwin and Emily can be certain of is that
Time is what you make of it.
Passed from pillar to post for reasons he couldn't understand. He learns how to stand on his own two feet.
Did he make any of the right decisions? Probably not. But, damn, he was having the time of his life trying, or so he had thought.
In walks Emily Montgomery, a young, fiesty, eager to learn apprentice. But what she learns isn't what she signed up for. A once in a life time opportunity sits in her lap. A chance to get out of the family run business once and for all, but when taking that chance her entire life changed-forever.
One soul damaged by the past, one soul trying to change the future. Will fate step in their way or will they get their happily ever after?
The only thing Derwin and Emily can be certain of is that
Time is what you make of it.
ebook
First published November 5, 2014
2 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Hardy
3 books22 followersHi, I'm Sarah Hardy. The Author of When Past & Present Collide, Never Give Up and Love at the Inn. I'm 34 (shhh!), and I live in Mid Wales with my family. For me, reading was an escape from the long hours in work and being a mummy. I had always wanted to write my own book, but with working 60 hours a week, looking after house and children. Well, let's say, writing wasn't even a possibility. Just over 2 years ago I had to leave work due to heart failure and for me, what best time to write. But again, something else came up. I needed heart surgery, so my book was put on hold again. Last year I made a promise that my book would get finished and I'm so excited to say it was.
Sarah xxx
Sarah xxx
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 13, 2014
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book & my review does contain BIG spoilers so look away now...
This book left me with a genuine empty feeling in my chest, I swear that was residual pain from Emily's loss. I totally connected with this young woman, right from the first page.
Derwin's story was a total tear jerker, right from being a baby you felt for this lad. He turned out to be a selfless loving man & I'm just glad people got to see that before the inevitable. I totally understand why he did what he did, as much as I wanted to scream "No, you damn fool of a man!" I understand his logic (however regretfully screwed up it was)
Emily lives with so many regrets, yet, she doesn't regret what she experienced for a heartbeat! I'm just so damn pleased she has Owen, the eternal bond. I'm gutted things didn't turn out how I wanted (because, come on, we all want the Happily Ever After) but the author wrote this story with this ending to highlight that (true to life sometimes, real lives) things aren't always crapping rainbows and pissing glitter, shit happens!
The fact that the main subject in this book, heart disease & incurable conditions, is based on the authors life is just tear jerking, more so in the fact that Sarah is an amazing person & Im honoured to call her a friend, it only made the book more poignant & hit every raw nerve.
Yes, I cried, Kleenex alert with this book because I don't cry often at all, so if my swinging brick of a heart can be rocked by this book then it's gotta be an ultimate tear jerker. Be warned, this book will leave you thinking & thinking HARD about your life. It will also leave you full of gratitude for everything & everyone in your life, because the message is clear - time IS what you make of it!
Thank you Sarah for an amazing book xXx
This book left me with a genuine empty feeling in my chest, I swear that was residual pain from Emily's loss. I totally connected with this young woman, right from the first page.
Derwin's story was a total tear jerker, right from being a baby you felt for this lad. He turned out to be a selfless loving man & I'm just glad people got to see that before the inevitable. I totally understand why he did what he did, as much as I wanted to scream "No, you damn fool of a man!" I understand his logic (however regretfully screwed up it was)
Emily lives with so many regrets, yet, she doesn't regret what she experienced for a heartbeat! I'm just so damn pleased she has Owen, the eternal bond. I'm gutted things didn't turn out how I wanted (because, come on, we all want the Happily Ever After) but the author wrote this story with this ending to highlight that (true to life sometimes, real lives) things aren't always crapping rainbows and pissing glitter, shit happens!
The fact that the main subject in this book, heart disease & incurable conditions, is based on the authors life is just tear jerking, more so in the fact that Sarah is an amazing person & Im honoured to call her a friend, it only made the book more poignant & hit every raw nerve.
Yes, I cried, Kleenex alert with this book because I don't cry often at all, so if my swinging brick of a heart can be rocked by this book then it's gotta be an ultimate tear jerker. Be warned, this book will leave you thinking & thinking HARD about your life. It will also leave you full of gratitude for everything & everyone in your life, because the message is clear - time IS what you make of it!
Thank you Sarah for an amazing book xXx
October 14, 2014
I received an ARC copy of this book.
Honestly, I loved this book. There are times when I wanted to shout at my kindle and other times I wanted to give it a hug. This book is packed full of emotions, one minute I would be laughing and then big fat ugly tears would appear. Its a story about love, loss and survival.
When you have read it, hug your family and friends, we don't know what tomorrow will bring. This book really drives that message home.
Have some tissues handy, a couple of boxes should be enough and get comfy because once you start, you wont want to stop until you have finished.
Another great book from Sarah Hardy and well derserving of the 5 stars.
Honestly, I loved this book. There are times when I wanted to shout at my kindle and other times I wanted to give it a hug. This book is packed full of emotions, one minute I would be laughing and then big fat ugly tears would appear. Its a story about love, loss and survival.
When you have read it, hug your family and friends, we don't know what tomorrow will bring. This book really drives that message home.
Have some tissues handy, a couple of boxes should be enough and get comfy because once you start, you wont want to stop until you have finished.
Another great book from Sarah Hardy and well derserving of the 5 stars.
June 10, 2015
Reviewed on behalf of Ladies Living in Bookland
The moment you read a book so brilliant and you worry that your review won't do the book justice. That your review won't scream enough how amazing it is...that is the pressure I feel right now. Okay, here goes...
The story of Darwin Thomas, a two year old boy who had been put into care and passed around the care system. Leading to a life of trouble on the wrong side of the law. Pushing boundaries and the limits of those around him. Sounds like a child you might categorise as a "looked after child" right?! But no, we know little about Darwin, but learn over the course of this story written by Sarah Hardy...
A struggling writer, keen to make a success after previous failings finally hit the big time. With success and money coming his way he would see a side to life he never had. But he still felt loneliness. But that was about to change upon requesting the help of someone to write his biography. In the name of E. Montgomery. A truth talker, a straight up, non-filtered individual he least expected to be female, was infact the soon-to-be lady of his life...
---------
Excerpt:
Derwin - "For once in my life I want someone to see me, the real me and that someone is Emily, for once and for all I just want what we have to be real and no lies or secrets."
----------
Emily, an incredible young woman who fell head over heels for the man she worked for. In writing his story, she would learn more about him, than most....
----------
Excerpt:
Emily - "Sometimes in life we take a chance on love and life; chances we think we will never get again. A chance of happiness only happens ones. But unfortunately...our chance would never happen."
-----------
But as the pair learn to love, be loved and enjoy one another as well as writing the book she was desperate to "give his story the real justice it so deserves" and was hired to write on his behalf, we see the cracks in the foundation that all is not well. Not how it should be...that this selfless man was battling more, than just his past demons from living in care...
---------
Excerpt:
Darwin - "I will fight this with everything I have. Hold tight and be strong for us both."
---------
I don't want to say much more, other than please buy this incredible book. Learn more about Darwin and Emily. Learn their story. Learn not only of a condition that he suffers with, but that of the incredible author Sarah Hardy...her strength, commitment and sheer brilliance just shines through her writing and her view of life...
----------------
Final Excerpt:
"Life is short and time is what you make of it."
----------------
A five star rating just doesn't comprehend what I feel for this outstanding story....but please, read it. You won't regret it...just keep those tissues to hand, right until the very end.
The moment you read a book so brilliant and you worry that your review won't do the book justice. That your review won't scream enough how amazing it is...that is the pressure I feel right now. Okay, here goes...
The story of Darwin Thomas, a two year old boy who had been put into care and passed around the care system. Leading to a life of trouble on the wrong side of the law. Pushing boundaries and the limits of those around him. Sounds like a child you might categorise as a "looked after child" right?! But no, we know little about Darwin, but learn over the course of this story written by Sarah Hardy...
A struggling writer, keen to make a success after previous failings finally hit the big time. With success and money coming his way he would see a side to life he never had. But he still felt loneliness. But that was about to change upon requesting the help of someone to write his biography. In the name of E. Montgomery. A truth talker, a straight up, non-filtered individual he least expected to be female, was infact the soon-to-be lady of his life...
---------
Excerpt:
Derwin - "For once in my life I want someone to see me, the real me and that someone is Emily, for once and for all I just want what we have to be real and no lies or secrets."
----------
Emily, an incredible young woman who fell head over heels for the man she worked for. In writing his story, she would learn more about him, than most....
----------
Excerpt:
Emily - "Sometimes in life we take a chance on love and life; chances we think we will never get again. A chance of happiness only happens ones. But unfortunately...our chance would never happen."
-----------
But as the pair learn to love, be loved and enjoy one another as well as writing the book she was desperate to "give his story the real justice it so deserves" and was hired to write on his behalf, we see the cracks in the foundation that all is not well. Not how it should be...that this selfless man was battling more, than just his past demons from living in care...
---------
Excerpt:
Darwin - "I will fight this with everything I have. Hold tight and be strong for us both."
---------
I don't want to say much more, other than please buy this incredible book. Learn more about Darwin and Emily. Learn their story. Learn not only of a condition that he suffers with, but that of the incredible author Sarah Hardy...her strength, commitment and sheer brilliance just shines through her writing and her view of life...
----------------
Final Excerpt:
"Life is short and time is what you make of it."
----------------
A five star rating just doesn't comprehend what I feel for this outstanding story....but please, read it. You won't regret it...just keep those tissues to hand, right until the very end.
February 4, 2016
5 Stars!
I was given this book to read in turn for an honest review!!!
Derwin was abandoned when he was two years old. The years that followed were anything from pleasant; he was passed from home to home never receiving the love and affection every child deserves. Derwin embraced life regardless of his circumstances; he never regretted a thing.
Emily wants to get away from working in the family run business; she has a dream and wants to fulfill it. When an opportunity arises that she can’t refuse, Emily’s entire life changed forever.
Emily and Derwin never expected to fall deeply in love; will fate let them have their happy ever after? Or will time be against them?
One damaged soul, one lost soul looking for their path in life. When they discover each other they find more then they ever imagined. Time is everything to Derwin and Emily.
You will need tissues and plenty of them. I cried so hard, Sarah Hardy truly pulls at your heart with this story. Derwin may believe himself to be selfish but as you read his story he isn’t selfish at all. He is a kind man that considering his past has worked hard to change his future. There is only one decision he made that I could have kicked his ass for. After you have read this book you will count your blessings, I know for sure that life needs to be embraced because no one knows what tomorrow will hold. This book is about appreciating life and living it to the full!
If you love a contemporary romance full of emotion you will love this book.
I was given this book to read in turn for an honest review!!!
Derwin was abandoned when he was two years old. The years that followed were anything from pleasant; he was passed from home to home never receiving the love and affection every child deserves. Derwin embraced life regardless of his circumstances; he never regretted a thing.
Emily wants to get away from working in the family run business; she has a dream and wants to fulfill it. When an opportunity arises that she can’t refuse, Emily’s entire life changed forever.
Emily and Derwin never expected to fall deeply in love; will fate let them have their happy ever after? Or will time be against them?
One damaged soul, one lost soul looking for their path in life. When they discover each other they find more then they ever imagined. Time is everything to Derwin and Emily.
You will need tissues and plenty of them. I cried so hard, Sarah Hardy truly pulls at your heart with this story. Derwin may believe himself to be selfish but as you read his story he isn’t selfish at all. He is a kind man that considering his past has worked hard to change his future. There is only one decision he made that I could have kicked his ass for. After you have read this book you will count your blessings, I know for sure that life needs to be embraced because no one knows what tomorrow will hold. This book is about appreciating life and living it to the full!
If you love a contemporary romance full of emotion you will love this book.
November 4, 2014
i was one of the luck people to get this ARC to give a honest review, well here goes,
Never Give Up: OMG I'm hooked totally hooked, Derwin Thomas got right under my skin I could stop reading about his life, The way he told his story was awesome no hold barred , he was your genuine Neighbourhood boy next door bad boy that told you exactly how it was, GOD he is fabulous ,
but the poor bloke didn't have a very good up bringing, and kept his past and his personal life very close and locked away in his own mind and body,
i loved emily,the relationship she had with derwin was lovely, and the bond they made grew even bigger while she was writing his life story,
The way the author wrote this book was fantastic, it kept you totally hooked, and i couldn't put the book down,
very emotional and true to life, this book will have you laughing one minute and crying the next,
absolutely 5 amazing star,
i can't wait for more of your work sarah you are an amazing writer xx
Never Give Up: OMG I'm hooked totally hooked, Derwin Thomas got right under my skin I could stop reading about his life, The way he told his story was awesome no hold barred , he was your genuine Neighbourhood boy next door bad boy that told you exactly how it was, GOD he is fabulous ,
but the poor bloke didn't have a very good up bringing, and kept his past and his personal life very close and locked away in his own mind and body,
i loved emily,the relationship she had with derwin was lovely, and the bond they made grew even bigger while she was writing his life story,
The way the author wrote this book was fantastic, it kept you totally hooked, and i couldn't put the book down,
very emotional and true to life, this book will have you laughing one minute and crying the next,
absolutely 5 amazing star,
i can't wait for more of your work sarah you are an amazing writer xx
October 25, 2014
I was given the privilege of reading this book upon release and to give it an honest review. Well Sarah you do not disappoint, the story of Derwin and Emily damn near killed me emotionally, I was a blubbering mess by the time I finished.
Derwin had a rough start in life and made some not so great decisions along the way. I went through so many different emotions, I wanted to scream at Derwin for some of the decisions he made, I laughed at parts and cried at the rest. I had to take a breather because I couldn't read through the tears.
I'm glad that we got to see the real Derwin before it was to late. It's a shame that Emily doesn't get to spend the rest of her life with the man she loved. She does have Owen which in turn is a part of Derwin.
Thank you Sarah for sharing this amazing story with us . I do recommend that you have a box of tissues at the ready because you WILL need them.
Derwin had a rough start in life and made some not so great decisions along the way. I went through so many different emotions, I wanted to scream at Derwin for some of the decisions he made, I laughed at parts and cried at the rest. I had to take a breather because I couldn't read through the tears.
I'm glad that we got to see the real Derwin before it was to late. It's a shame that Emily doesn't get to spend the rest of her life with the man she loved. She does have Owen which in turn is a part of Derwin.
Thank you Sarah for sharing this amazing story with us . I do recommend that you have a box of tissues at the ready because you WILL need them.
October 25, 2014
I was lucky enough to get get an arc from sarah..
wow this book had me from the start I didn't put it down until I had finshed it...I was a emotional wreck its so gripping the stroline its so good and the characters are just perfect I loved it., get some tissues Coz your going to need them. .5 stars is no where near enough for this well done sarahNever Give Up
wow this book had me from the start I didn't put it down until I had finshed it...I was a emotional wreck its so gripping the stroline its so good and the characters are just perfect I loved it., get some tissues Coz your going to need them. .5 stars is no where near enough for this well done sarahNever Give Up
October 25, 2014
Emotionally, this book nearly killed me. It is beautifully emotive: honest and raw. Being based on fact, it is informative and educating about a little known condition. A very brave thing to write about from this talented author. I really love her style of writing and shall certainly be reading more of her work. I warn you now though....you will need tissues *sniff
A five star read from me, that's for sure.
A five star read from me, that's for sure.
November 5, 2014
I loved reading Darwin & Emily love story and didn't want it to end. A highly emotional story which will have you reaching for the tissues again. I also loved this quote which Sarah wrote after the story when explaining 'Tetralogy of Fallout'
" Make every day count. Cherish every memory. Live, Laugh and Love. But most of all remember this is no dress rehearsal, you get that one shot to make it count. Life is short and time is what you make of it".
" Make every day count. Cherish every memory. Live, Laugh and Love. But most of all remember this is no dress rehearsal, you get that one shot to make it count. Life is short and time is what you make of it".
October 23, 2014
I was in tears reading most of this book it's is beautifully written from the beginning right to the end Derwin really didn't have a good start to his short life no real memories to keep until he met Emily, now Emily has to keep his memories alive for herself and Owen
Absolutely would recommend but keep the tissues handy
Absolutely would recommend but keep the tissues handy
November 8, 2014
I loved this book, I was hooked from the start. You fall in love with Derwin and Emily. I didn't want the story to end all I can say is make sure you have a box of tissues at the ready. It's a must read and I don't think 5 stars is enough for this book.
August 28, 2024
A heartbreaking and heartwarming story that pays tribute to those whose young years weren’t easy. We learn how they take care of themselves and earn a place in society. Can’t wait for more.
August 13, 2015
This is the first book I have read by Sarah Hardy, it will definitely not be my last.
This book, which is based on her own experiences, is definitely emotionally charged. The health issues faced by a young child and carried through to adult life is never an easy read, this is no exception.
Derwin Thomas, given up to the foster care system at a young age, bouncing from one family to another before finally ending up in a child detention centre, which randomly is the only place he has ever really felt safe.
Once he turns sixteen, he is on his own. He knows he wants to be a writer and is just waiting for his big break, when this finally comes, his work being read means he becomes more popular. His life is full of women, eager to please. He uses this to his full advantage, until he meets Emily.
Emily is the young apprentice sent to write the biography of this complicated man. The two spend a lot of time in close proximity, growing closer as time passes. Unfortunately, Derwin is keeping a big secret that affects both their lives, a secret which Emily only finds out too late…
Alone and with her own secret, Emily has to finish the biography and learn to move on with her life.
This is definitely a book which plays on the emotions of the reader. There were times when I really wanted to cry. Definitely worth a read.
This book, which is based on her own experiences, is definitely emotionally charged. The health issues faced by a young child and carried through to adult life is never an easy read, this is no exception.
Derwin Thomas, given up to the foster care system at a young age, bouncing from one family to another before finally ending up in a child detention centre, which randomly is the only place he has ever really felt safe.
Once he turns sixteen, he is on his own. He knows he wants to be a writer and is just waiting for his big break, when this finally comes, his work being read means he becomes more popular. His life is full of women, eager to please. He uses this to his full advantage, until he meets Emily.
Emily is the young apprentice sent to write the biography of this complicated man. The two spend a lot of time in close proximity, growing closer as time passes. Unfortunately, Derwin is keeping a big secret that affects both their lives, a secret which Emily only finds out too late…
Alone and with her own secret, Emily has to finish the biography and learn to move on with her life.
This is definitely a book which plays on the emotions of the reader. There were times when I really wanted to cry. Definitely worth a read.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews