Strive

The Story of a Girl #2

by M.E. Reach

Erin Mitchell knew who she was, who her friends were, and she was content. Then he happened, and her whole life changed overnight. Hoisted into popularity, sex, parties and more, Erin's choices mounded until last week when they all came tumbling down in an avalanche of deception and lies. Jake Cunningham, the guy of her dreams, cheated on her with her best friend, Carrie. The best and worst four months of Erin Mitchell's life just ended with a crescendo, her heart breaking. A scenic ride into the mountains on the Yellow Brook Express, cuddled beside her cousin and mentor, Sarah, she came to realize not only the need for something more in her life, but someone. Strive begins on the next morning, Erin's first day in her new life. But the heartache is still there. Encouraged by her brother Ian and his girlfriend, Erin's friend, Whitney, she finds a shard of fun buried in the broken pieces of her heart. During a weekend outing with Sarah, the girls visit a small cafe down the street where Whitney stumbles into an invitation to an open lot snowball fight. Content to lie beneath her wet blanket of despair, Erin disregards the invitation as childish until Sarah plucks her into reluctant action. It's at the vacant snow covered lots, turned battlefield, where they're introduced to Veronica 'Roni', Angel, and her boyfriend, Clayton, who invite them to their church the following day. After a refreshing weekend, Sarah and her mother return home to northern Colorado, and Erin is forced to weather the cold hearts of former friends on Monday. But she no longer feels alone. Ian, Whitney, and Roni help her as she faces the sneers, mocking laughter, and gossip...and that's only walking into school. Suddenly suffering from social claustrophobia, Erin retreats into the Band Hall with Whitney, where she's introduced to another motley group of friends who help her navigate her way along her new Christian path. But not all navigators stay on course.

300 pages, Paperback

First published December 20, 2014

Reviews

[Lizzy Reach · Rating 5 out of 5]

No one said being a Christian in the midst of the world would be easy. Strive, according to its name, demonstrates how necessary it is for Christians to strive, by staying on course following Jesus. As Erin finds out, being different from the world is never easy, but knowing Jesus is with you wherever you go and already has a special place for you makes it worth it.

[Cassi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an amazing journey of a young woman who must continue walking in her newly chosen faith. Erin goes through many of the same things we all go through. She is striving to be who she wants to be... who she needs to be. Putting her past behind her, she begins her new life... to truly overcome. Recommended for any teens.