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Always Here
Miranda is an awkward teen, who dreams of musical theater stardom and following some encouragement from her eccentric best friend Christian, she decides to audition for their school's upcoming performance. It comes as no surprise when she is beat out by the most popular girl in school.
All is not lost however since Miranda is selected to understudy the girl whom everyone views as perfect. Perfect looks, perfect money, and the perfect boyfriend. Even her younger brother's goofy best friend falls prey to allure of Pam who Miranda jokingly speculates might be a vampire.
Soon after the leap of faith, Miranda and Christian uncover that someone in a seemingly perfect high school romance is hiding something. The bruises and the public displays that aren't so affectionate initiate the discovery. The secrets are well hidden behind the walls of popularity and gated communities where proper fork placement takes priority over the frivolous dreams of a teenager.
Rushing to save someone dramatically alters to the lives of six young adults when late one night on a two lane road a flickering brake light leads to the revealing of truths and the fulfillment of promises. One of those promises Miranda and Christian made in the third grade. With an auditorium fully seated on opening night, it becomes necessary for Christian to remind Miranda of a pact they made at a very young age. It came with two words "Always Here."
All is not lost however since Miranda is selected to understudy the girl whom everyone views as perfect. Perfect looks, perfect money, and the perfect boyfriend. Even her younger brother's goofy best friend falls prey to allure of Pam who Miranda jokingly speculates might be a vampire.
Soon after the leap of faith, Miranda and Christian uncover that someone in a seemingly perfect high school romance is hiding something. The bruises and the public displays that aren't so affectionate initiate the discovery. The secrets are well hidden behind the walls of popularity and gated communities where proper fork placement takes priority over the frivolous dreams of a teenager.
Rushing to save someone dramatically alters to the lives of six young adults when late one night on a two lane road a flickering brake light leads to the revealing of truths and the fulfillment of promises. One of those promises Miranda and Christian made in the third grade. With an auditorium fully seated on opening night, it becomes necessary for Christian to remind Miranda of a pact they made at a very young age. It came with two words "Always Here."
188 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 29, 2017
269 people want to read
About the author
S.L. Mauldin
2 books24 followersS. L. Mauldin was born in the suburbs of Atlanta, where he now resides and continues to write for young adults, but stories relatable to readers beyond those turbulent adolescent years.
Midwest Book Review, Critique: "Life Sliding" is a compelling read from beginning to end and clearly demonstrates author S. L. Mauldin's original and exceptionally gifted storytelling talents. While very highly recommended for school and community library YA Fiction collections.."
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 20, 2018
I enjoyed this book. Another great book by this author. I think this could be a lifetime movie. I loved to sing in school myself so I related to these characters. The story was great! I enjoyed all of it. *This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.*
May 5, 2018
Always Here, by S. L. Mauldin, is a teenage/young adult romance-drama. The principal characters are all in high school, and they each deal with common high school-related problems: class, extracurriculars, getting into the right college, relationships, and parents. In its themes, it reads similar to The Outsiders but it focuses instead on a female protagonist.
Always Here is told through a muddled, mixed form of narration. It is sometimes described from one character’s viewpoint, and other times it is narrated from a strangely insightful third-person perspective.
The story is focused around four characters: Miranda, Christian, Trent, and Pam. Miranda and Christian are long-time friends, having met in first grade. During the third grade they formed the “always here” pact. Miranda and Christian's friendship is one of endurance and self-stability -- they take turns leaning on each other in times of distress. Miranda would like for the relationship to be something different, but Christian seems completely oblivious and oblique about it. Meanwhile, Trent and Pam are the number one couple at the high school. The stereotypical star football player and rich, blonde bombshell.
There are two layers of conflict throughout the book: interpersonal and intrafamily. Interpersonal conflict arises primarily from Miranda and Pam going for the lead role in a high school musical; intrafamily conflict arises from the abusive relationships in Trent's and Pam's families which invariably bleed over into effecting their own relationship.
The relationships take place firmly within a broader context of the themes of the story: segregation, ostracization, and humiliation. The segregation in Always Here is not racial, it is by class and wealth. Unlike The Outsiders, in which the one group was practically destitute while the other was modestly well-off, Always Here appears to pit the class conflict between the middle class and the ostentatious.
Similar, however, to The Outsiders, this story still shows what happens when you focus on your possessions: you become cold, emotionally distant, and consumed by what you have. This happens in some ways with Christian and his car. It also happens with Pam's parents and their wealth and social standing. As a result of the focus on possessions over people, Pam’s parents and Christian become oddly emotionally detached from who they would otherwise love. For example, Christian is oblivious to Miranda's affections. As another example, Pam's mother is concerned not for her daughter's health after a severe beating, but instead is worried that she will have a scar that will leave her deformed.
Another prime theme of the book is universality, that tribulations are common to all people, regardless of social class. For example, while Pam and Trent are initially seen as imposing, tyrannical forces, their harsh exteriors are soon weathered away by the revelations of their abusive families. In the end, no matter the differences, or how big the gap between two people or groups of people, there is always the opportunity for peace and reconciliation because of the universal nature of people’s experiences.
Always Here was, overall, an easy read with solid and seamless pacing of the action. It is intended for a teenage/young adult audience, and as such it is full of situations that are applicable to that age group. There is alcohol use and intimate partner violence. Some people may be triggered by the personal violence, but it is not outside of the norm for such situations. It also includes some light overt sexuality.
Always Here is told through a muddled, mixed form of narration. It is sometimes described from one character’s viewpoint, and other times it is narrated from a strangely insightful third-person perspective.
The story is focused around four characters: Miranda, Christian, Trent, and Pam. Miranda and Christian are long-time friends, having met in first grade. During the third grade they formed the “always here” pact. Miranda and Christian's friendship is one of endurance and self-stability -- they take turns leaning on each other in times of distress. Miranda would like for the relationship to be something different, but Christian seems completely oblivious and oblique about it. Meanwhile, Trent and Pam are the number one couple at the high school. The stereotypical star football player and rich, blonde bombshell.
There are two layers of conflict throughout the book: interpersonal and intrafamily. Interpersonal conflict arises primarily from Miranda and Pam going for the lead role in a high school musical; intrafamily conflict arises from the abusive relationships in Trent's and Pam's families which invariably bleed over into effecting their own relationship.
The relationships take place firmly within a broader context of the themes of the story: segregation, ostracization, and humiliation. The segregation in Always Here is not racial, it is by class and wealth. Unlike The Outsiders, in which the one group was practically destitute while the other was modestly well-off, Always Here appears to pit the class conflict between the middle class and the ostentatious.
Similar, however, to The Outsiders, this story still shows what happens when you focus on your possessions: you become cold, emotionally distant, and consumed by what you have. This happens in some ways with Christian and his car. It also happens with Pam's parents and their wealth and social standing. As a result of the focus on possessions over people, Pam’s parents and Christian become oddly emotionally detached from who they would otherwise love. For example, Christian is oblivious to Miranda's affections. As another example, Pam's mother is concerned not for her daughter's health after a severe beating, but instead is worried that she will have a scar that will leave her deformed.
Another prime theme of the book is universality, that tribulations are common to all people, regardless of social class. For example, while Pam and Trent are initially seen as imposing, tyrannical forces, their harsh exteriors are soon weathered away by the revelations of their abusive families. In the end, no matter the differences, or how big the gap between two people or groups of people, there is always the opportunity for peace and reconciliation because of the universal nature of people’s experiences.
Always Here was, overall, an easy read with solid and seamless pacing of the action. It is intended for a teenage/young adult audience, and as such it is full of situations that are applicable to that age group. There is alcohol use and intimate partner violence. Some people may be triggered by the personal violence, but it is not outside of the norm for such situations. It also includes some light overt sexuality.
April 30, 2018
We’re all living our lives the best way we possibly can, given the situations many of us are born in. It still remains our choice on how we live each day, how we treat others, and how we choose the perspective we prefer to view. No one ever really knows demons others must deal with on a constant basis. In “Always Here”, author S. L. Mauldin sheds light on a handful of characters and what they’re insecurities are. Miranda Leigh Owens, a high school student dealing with the life experiences that comes her way along with her best friend Christian. These two are the epitome of inseparable, “joined at the hips” of friendship. Anyone reading this would also agree they can be compatible with a long-term romantic relationship. Although never really considered between them, their childhood best friendship developed into something many would envy to have. In the same school, you have Pamela and her boyfriend Trent, who you can automatically tell that they’re a disaster just waiting to happen. Being young, experiencing phases, mood swings, crushes, bullying, and other emotions can be overwhelming and exhausting. It leaves the answer to the question that everyone is looking for, life is definitely worth it when each day can be more exciting than the next.
Miranda is extremely talented in the music department and I like that she happily took the trait of being humble from her parents. Her Nana may remind others of a grandmother that were lively and brighten up any room with her presence, with a side of a quirky sense of humor. Christian, known for his beautiful masculine face and hairstyle, was a sweetheart and paid attention to others, especially his best friend forever. At a first glance, you would assume that Pamela was a stuck-up popular girl in school, but she was the one who surprised me the most throughout my reading experience. I felt a strong dislike towards Trent for how he treated Pamela, but then realized his reasoning from what he went home to every day, then I just felt terribly sad for him. One thing anyone reading this would learn, it’s been mentioned a few times, “therapy should be mandatory for everyone,” and I couldn’t agree more with that statement. Just because we’re experiencing hardship at home with families or amongst others, we shouldn’t assume it’s okay to make others suffer under your wrath in aiding people to feel better about themselves. The bonds of individuals are what helps us move in life, whether forward or steps back, but in the end, it’s up to us.
I felt the sadness from reading the words of the tragic accident that occurred, while at the same time understanding that one’s sacrifice hasn’t gone in vain. I am happy that there are still people who put their needs before others and protect those around them, no matter if they’re a friend, enemy, or stranger. This book demonstrated that through tough times in life, we’re still able to raise our chins high and smile at another day as a gift of life. Unfortunately, I also witnessed personality traits individuals have in real life, which are scary but on point in truth. I enjoyed and highly recommend this book to everyone who is struggling to grasp the understanding and experience of always being there for someone, and vice versa.
Miranda is extremely talented in the music department and I like that she happily took the trait of being humble from her parents. Her Nana may remind others of a grandmother that were lively and brighten up any room with her presence, with a side of a quirky sense of humor. Christian, known for his beautiful masculine face and hairstyle, was a sweetheart and paid attention to others, especially his best friend forever. At a first glance, you would assume that Pamela was a stuck-up popular girl in school, but she was the one who surprised me the most throughout my reading experience. I felt a strong dislike towards Trent for how he treated Pamela, but then realized his reasoning from what he went home to every day, then I just felt terribly sad for him. One thing anyone reading this would learn, it’s been mentioned a few times, “therapy should be mandatory for everyone,” and I couldn’t agree more with that statement. Just because we’re experiencing hardship at home with families or amongst others, we shouldn’t assume it’s okay to make others suffer under your wrath in aiding people to feel better about themselves. The bonds of individuals are what helps us move in life, whether forward or steps back, but in the end, it’s up to us.
I felt the sadness from reading the words of the tragic accident that occurred, while at the same time understanding that one’s sacrifice hasn’t gone in vain. I am happy that there are still people who put their needs before others and protect those around them, no matter if they’re a friend, enemy, or stranger. This book demonstrated that through tough times in life, we’re still able to raise our chins high and smile at another day as a gift of life. Unfortunately, I also witnessed personality traits individuals have in real life, which are scary but on point in truth. I enjoyed and highly recommend this book to everyone who is struggling to grasp the understanding and experience of always being there for someone, and vice versa.
August 20, 2019
The Review
A gripping tale that hits all of the emotional chords in perfect procession, author S.L. Mauldin does a magnificent job of creating characters readers will be able to relate to while also showcasing the everyday struggles that people don’t always think happen around them.
From Miranda’s journey to realize her dreams and escape from under the shadow of another’s popularity and her attempt to cope with a shocking loss, to Christian’s inner conflict regarding his parents reflecting the way he handles another couples violent romance and a young woman seeking to find her own way in life despite an overbearing mother and an abusive boyfriend, this novel touches on truly emotional, deep and imperative questions of not only social views, but of mastering one’s own self-worth in the process.
The Verdict
A one of a kind, passionate and emotional read, author S.L. Mauldin’s novel “Always Here” is a must read story. A fairly quick read, this YA drama never misses a beat, and creates an engaging story with a fantastic cast of characters that readers will instantly identify with. Be sure to grab your copy today!
A gripping tale that hits all of the emotional chords in perfect procession, author S.L. Mauldin does a magnificent job of creating characters readers will be able to relate to while also showcasing the everyday struggles that people don’t always think happen around them.
From Miranda’s journey to realize her dreams and escape from under the shadow of another’s popularity and her attempt to cope with a shocking loss, to Christian’s inner conflict regarding his parents reflecting the way he handles another couples violent romance and a young woman seeking to find her own way in life despite an overbearing mother and an abusive boyfriend, this novel touches on truly emotional, deep and imperative questions of not only social views, but of mastering one’s own self-worth in the process.
The Verdict
A one of a kind, passionate and emotional read, author S.L. Mauldin’s novel “Always Here” is a must read story. A fairly quick read, this YA drama never misses a beat, and creates an engaging story with a fantastic cast of characters that readers will instantly identify with. Be sure to grab your copy today!
Read
December 16, 2019Always Here is a hair standing story of Miranda who has the dream of performing one day in her life. Her best friend, Christian, is her biggest supporter. Their school is putting on a performance, and with a little encouragement from Christian, Miranda tries out for it. Miranda does not land the part, instead the most popular girl in the school lands the part, Pam. Something has always been off when it comes to Pam, but when bruises and other things become public, Miranda becomes very curious Pam. Miranda may have bit off more than she can chew, because now she has several people involved. Will this choice to become involved lead to hurt for Miranda, or will she get the answers she has been seeking about Pam? This book is perfect for teenagers and young adults. Teachers can include this book in their classroom library for students are interested in fiction.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews