I am delighted to share my review today for What Beauty There Is by Cory Anderson. I do think this is a book that is more Young Adult but I have to say that this grown up reader absolutely adored this beautifully written story!

I requested and received a copy of this book via Amazon Vine.

Winter. The sky is dark. It is cold enough to crack bones.

Jack Morton has nothing left. Except his younger brother, Matty, who he’d do anything for. Even die for. Now with their mother gone, and their funds quickly dwindling, Jack needs to make a choice: lose his brother to foster care, or find the drug money that sent his father to prison. He chooses the money.

Ava Bardem lives in isolation, a life of silence. For seventeen years her father has controlled her fate. He has taught her to love no one. Trust no one. Now Victor Bardem is stalking the same money as Jack. When he picks up Jack’s trail, Ava must make her own wrenching choice: remain silent or help the brothers survive.

Choices. They come at a price.

My Review…

This is such a beautifully written story and one that I found very hard to put down even for a moment.

Jack has to make a decision, either get what meagre belongings he has left and with his brother try to make a life of their own. Their father is in prison, their mother has gone. Their father has not seen either of the boys for years, but Jack does decide to go and visit him to see if his father will finally stand up and help them. Such a simple decision but one that kickstarts events that will have the boys in danger.

Ava, a new girl at school. A loner and one who can stand up for herself. Her father has taught her survival skills, to be independent and not to fall for anyone. Keep her heart and feelings closed off. A simple act sees her start to look at things slightly differently.

This is such a beautiful story and one that is full of intrigue and danger for various reasons. The author has really captured the dangerous atmosphere in which the characters find themselves. The characters are not sure who they can trust, but they do realise the sense of doing the right thing. For Jack, his priority is his younger brother Matty, everything that Jack does is for the good of Matty and for a better future for him.

There is danger at every turn for the characters and the author does this with at times almost lyrical writing. The words just flow wonderfully and even though this is a young adult book, I, an older reader adored it.

This is a story that readers of contemporary fiction, family drama and young adult stories. It is a gorgeous story that is heartbreaking and very poignant. It is one I would definitely recommend.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx