Review: Tough Heroine
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 10, 2014
Heartbreak, tragedy, drama........Lacey is a broken girl, with a ruined reputation, living in the midst of an abusive relationship.  She had a happy life in Oregon until her father died and her mother completely lost it.  Her mother turned into a drunk and couldn't take care of Lacey and her little brother on her own anymore, so she moved them back to her hometown in Mississippi.  Lacey finds herself living in a rundown trailer with her evil grandmother, drunk mother and little brother with no way out in sight.  Everyone in her life just continues to disappoint her and treat her like crap.Something traumatic happened to Lacey in high school and she's been haunted by it ever since.  She puts up with Marcus, her abusive boyfriend, because she doesn't feel like she deserves any better.  It isn't until Marcus offers her up to all his friends, that she finally walks away.  Then she meets Everett.  She's used to guys only wanting her for one thing, so he catches her off guard when he offers to help her pass the GED test.  He doesn't push her and quickly becomes a constant in her life.  Someone she can rely on.  All she expects in return is for him to be honest.  So when she finds out he's hiding the true reason why he ended up in the small town for the summer and what he did, she can't deal.There was a lot of drama happening and the storyline wasn't the most original, but I still really enjoyed this book.  I found myself drawn to the characters.  Everett and Lacey had a strong connection and I thought some parts were really cute.  I also admired Lacey's strength and her ability to overcome everything she went through.  Especially they way her own family treated her.*Complimentary copy provided by the author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*