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To Save One: A Story of Best Friends, Shattered Hearts, Unspoken Pain, and the Project That Gave Them Purpose
Win a free kindle copy of this book!
6 days and 07:35:36
100 copies available
U.S. only
Find solidarity in loss, friendship, and the fight to bring light into the darkest moments.
“A brave and tender story that speaks to the heart of every teenager, and every parent who loves one.”
When Evy loses her boyfriend to suicide, her life unravels in grief and unanswered questions. With the help of her best friend Henry and her classmate Chloe, who carries her own hidden struggle, Evy channels her pain into The Happy Face Project, a senior film that dares to talk openly about mental health.
What begins as a school project becomes something a mission to break the silence, to offer hope, and to save at least one life before graduation. Along the way, Evy, Henry, and Chloe discover that healing is found in music, courage, and in standing together when it matters most.
For anyone searching for connection and for every parent or educator who wants to better understand what today’s youth are facing.
A story of heartbreak and resilience, it offers both a mirror for young adult readers and a conversation starter for families, schools, and communities.
“A brave and tender story that speaks to the heart of every teenager, and every parent who loves one.”
When Evy loses her boyfriend to suicide, her life unravels in grief and unanswered questions. With the help of her best friend Henry and her classmate Chloe, who carries her own hidden struggle, Evy channels her pain into The Happy Face Project, a senior film that dares to talk openly about mental health.
What begins as a school project becomes something a mission to break the silence, to offer hope, and to save at least one life before graduation. Along the way, Evy, Henry, and Chloe discover that healing is found in music, courage, and in standing together when it matters most.
For anyone searching for connection and for every parent or educator who wants to better understand what today’s youth are facing.
A story of heartbreak and resilience, it offers both a mirror for young adult readers and a conversation starter for families, schools, and communities.
388 pages, Paperback
First published November 7, 2025
16 people are currently reading
1270 people want to read
About the author
Kimberly Fiese Yule
1 book8 followersKimberly Fiese Yule believes life is better with sand between your toes, music in your ears, and a story that makes you feel seen. A mother of three—her greatest pride and joy—she is also a former women’s health nurse practitioner and a lifelong wanderer. Depending on the day, she calls Texas, California, or the Caribbean home, always finding inspiration in sunshine, connection, and the beauty of everyday moments.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 6, 2026
To Save One is such an amazing story!! From the moment I started reading, I couldn’t put it down—I laughed, cried, and had chills within the first fifty pages.
The friendship between Evy, Chloe, and Henry is one of the most beautiful parts of the book. It’s a powerful reminder of how important connection, friendship, and support are at every stage of life, especially during the hardest moments. The duality of each character’s struggles added so much more emotional depth to the story.
What I loved most is that the book never rushes healing or tries to “fix” grief. Instead, it shows how healing often comes through friendships, shared silences, small acts of kindness, and simply choosing to keep going. The message behind The Happy Face Project is one that all of us can carry forward, and something that many educators and school systems could benefit from adopting.
I also have to mention that the way the author wrote this book almost felt like watching a movie- the sound tracks, journal entries, and flashbacks bring the story to life. Music became a powerful form of healing and connection for the characters, so the inclusion of the sound track to follow along made the story even more immersive.
I couldn’t recommend this book enough to anyone looking for a meaningful read!!!!
The friendship between Evy, Chloe, and Henry is one of the most beautiful parts of the book. It’s a powerful reminder of how important connection, friendship, and support are at every stage of life, especially during the hardest moments. The duality of each character’s struggles added so much more emotional depth to the story.
What I loved most is that the book never rushes healing or tries to “fix” grief. Instead, it shows how healing often comes through friendships, shared silences, small acts of kindness, and simply choosing to keep going. The message behind The Happy Face Project is one that all of us can carry forward, and something that many educators and school systems could benefit from adopting.
I also have to mention that the way the author wrote this book almost felt like watching a movie- the sound tracks, journal entries, and flashbacks bring the story to life. Music became a powerful form of healing and connection for the characters, so the inclusion of the sound track to follow along made the story even more immersive.
I couldn’t recommend this book enough to anyone looking for a meaningful read!!!!
January 28, 2026
The plot and the characters are fine, but maybe this book was self-published without any editors or something, because the grammar and spelling errors and general mistakes were awful and everywhere and completely took away from the story itself.
February 3, 2026
Emotional
Emotional and heavy but handled with care. Feels real without being preachy, and the friendship thread gives it warmth. Tough topic, hopeful tone, and worth reading with tissues nearby
Emotional and heavy but handled with care. Feels real without being preachy, and the friendship thread gives it warmth. Tough topic, hopeful tone, and worth reading with tissues nearby
December 9, 2025
Excellent book. if you or someone you know is struggling with depression, find a counselor, at school, your workplace, doctor, or through friends. There is always someone to help you through it
November 7, 2025
The Review
This was such a powerful and moving read. The author did an incredible job of delving into a subject that is both sensitive and heartbreaking, and did so with a reverence and care that truly resonated with readers. The powerful imagery that sets up each chapter’s scenery and tone is compelling, and the depth of world-building the author puts into the story itself speaks to the themes of this story, telling a story that weaves into the fabric of all of our lives.
Ultimately, this story served as a testament to thought-provoking themes and empathetic characters. The tragic circumstances of Briggs’s story and how his loss impacted so many people in the story were equally on par emotionally as protagonist Evy’s exploration of grief and loss, and the raw moments of her grief that pop up throughout the book are truly relatable to anyone who has ever felt grief like that before. The honest and sympathetic portrayal of mental health and those who suffer from this subject matter, including both those who have become victims of this mindset and those who have been left behind as a result, all have a voice in this story and bring the emotional resonance that makes this story so engaging.
The Verdict
A compelling, engaging, and heartfelt YA drama, author Kimberly Fiese Yule’s “To Save One” is a must-read novel. The book also touches upon other themes naturally, including overall health struggles and the impact of a support system, as well as creativity in times of grief and how music can connect people. The book can be haunting at times, and definitely heartbreaking, and yet it is with a strong and compassionate voice that the author brings this rich story to life.
This was such a powerful and moving read. The author did an incredible job of delving into a subject that is both sensitive and heartbreaking, and did so with a reverence and care that truly resonated with readers. The powerful imagery that sets up each chapter’s scenery and tone is compelling, and the depth of world-building the author puts into the story itself speaks to the themes of this story, telling a story that weaves into the fabric of all of our lives.
Ultimately, this story served as a testament to thought-provoking themes and empathetic characters. The tragic circumstances of Briggs’s story and how his loss impacted so many people in the story were equally on par emotionally as protagonist Evy’s exploration of grief and loss, and the raw moments of her grief that pop up throughout the book are truly relatable to anyone who has ever felt grief like that before. The honest and sympathetic portrayal of mental health and those who suffer from this subject matter, including both those who have become victims of this mindset and those who have been left behind as a result, all have a voice in this story and bring the emotional resonance that makes this story so engaging.
The Verdict
A compelling, engaging, and heartfelt YA drama, author Kimberly Fiese Yule’s “To Save One” is a must-read novel. The book also touches upon other themes naturally, including overall health struggles and the impact of a support system, as well as creativity in times of grief and how music can connect people. The book can be haunting at times, and definitely heartbreaking, and yet it is with a strong and compassionate voice that the author brings this rich story to life.
April 11, 2026
In a nutshell this listen is that audiobook that lingers long after it ends. It’s heartfelt, tender, and quietly inspiring—perfect for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed, unseen, or in need of hope. To Save One is not just a story—it’s a gentle reminder that even in our darkest moments, connection and purpose can lead us back to the light.
To Save One by Kimberly Fiese Yule, beautifully narrated by Laura Sherwood, is a deeply moving story that gently but powerfully explores friendship, grief, and the quiet battles so many carry within.
At its core, this audiobook is about connection the kind that forms between best friends who truly see each other, even when words fall short. The story doesn’t shy away from heavy themes like emotional pain and heartbreak, but instead leans into them with honesty and compassion. It captures that aching reality of “unspoken pain,” where silence often says more than words ever could.
What makes this story so impactful is “the project” a shared purpose that becomes a lifeline for the characters. It’s more than just an activity; it’s healing in motion. As the friends pour themselves into something meaningful, you can feel their slow, fragile transformation. It’s a reminder that sometimes, saving even one person maybe even yourself can give life a renewed sense of purpose.
Laura Sherwood’s narration adds an intimate layer to the experience. Her voice carries the emotional weight of the story with sincerity and warmth, making each moment feel personal, like you’re sitting beside a friend who’s finally opening up. She doesn’t just read the story she feels it, and that emotion reaches the listener in a powerful way.
To Save One by Kimberly Fiese Yule, beautifully narrated by Laura Sherwood, is a deeply moving story that gently but powerfully explores friendship, grief, and the quiet battles so many carry within.
At its core, this audiobook is about connection the kind that forms between best friends who truly see each other, even when words fall short. The story doesn’t shy away from heavy themes like emotional pain and heartbreak, but instead leans into them with honesty and compassion. It captures that aching reality of “unspoken pain,” where silence often says more than words ever could.
What makes this story so impactful is “the project” a shared purpose that becomes a lifeline for the characters. It’s more than just an activity; it’s healing in motion. As the friends pour themselves into something meaningful, you can feel their slow, fragile transformation. It’s a reminder that sometimes, saving even one person maybe even yourself can give life a renewed sense of purpose.
Laura Sherwood’s narration adds an intimate layer to the experience. Her voice carries the emotional weight of the story with sincerity and warmth, making each moment feel personal, like you’re sitting beside a friend who’s finally opening up. She doesn’t just read the story she feels it, and that emotion reaches the listener in a powerful way.
January 16, 2026
I came across To Save One by Kimberly Fiese Yule and decided to give it a read. The book explores how friendship can become both a refuge and a lifeline in the aftermath of a traumatic event. Centered on a group of young people grappling with loss, guilt, and emotional silence, the story unfolds with a quiet intensity. Kimberly treats heavy themes with care, never sensationalizing pain, but instead allowing it to exist as something the characters must learn to carry. Quite creative.
One of Kimberly’s greatest strengths is her ability to portray unspoken pain. The characters’ internal struggles are rendered with nuance, showing how grief and fear often manifest in withdrawal, miscommunication, or misplaced anger. Against this emotional backdrop, the evolving friendships feel authentic and moving.
By the story’s end, I was left with a profound sense of resilience that stayed with me for a long time. I recommend this story to anyone who wants a solid story that will linger long after the final page.
One of Kimberly’s greatest strengths is her ability to portray unspoken pain. The characters’ internal struggles are rendered with nuance, showing how grief and fear often manifest in withdrawal, miscommunication, or misplaced anger. Against this emotional backdrop, the evolving friendships feel authentic and moving.
By the story’s end, I was left with a profound sense of resilience that stayed with me for a long time. I recommend this story to anyone who wants a solid story that will linger long after the final page.
April 2, 2026
amazing
This book is a amazing but also a tear dropper. It’s talks about suicide and mental health. I won’t go into to much detail about the book but it about a high school girl who had a boyfriend and something happened to him. But like I said I won’t go into detail. It is a must read book for sure. It will have you in tears.
This book is a amazing but also a tear dropper. It’s talks about suicide and mental health. I won’t go into to much detail about the book but it about a high school girl who had a boyfriend and something happened to him. But like I said I won’t go into detail. It is a must read book for sure. It will have you in tears.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews