After dealing with the unexpected death of her beloved grandmother, Katy embarks on a journey to healing, forgiveness and self-discovery. The story opens with Katy, dealing with the unexpected death of her grandmother, around the same time as her high school graduation. She's inconsolable, hiding out in her bedroom, not wanting to deal with anyone.
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Her grandmother is the one that raised her and her brother, Collin. After her dad died of cancer, Katy's mom turned to alcohol and drugs. Child services came in and, then as young children, Katy and Collin were taken to live with their grandmother.
After days of secluding herself from everyone and everything, Katy couldn't handle being at their shared home any more. She ended up at a diner called Mel's. This is where she meets Caleb.
Caleb saw Katy sitting alone, looking like she had lost her best friend. Only he didn't know how true that was. After introducing himself, he joined her and they began talking. They talked about pain that they both had experienced—Katy losing her grandmother; Caleb losing his mother to suicide and his brother to murder. So he understands pain, but knows you can't hold onto it. You have to move on with your life and believe that there is a reason.
Ending their conversation, Caleb invites Katy to attend his self-defense class. She makes no promises and returns home.
Once home, Katy's aunt is there, sorting through paperwork. She hands Katy an envelope that is from Grandma. It's her birthday present. She finds a roundtrip ticket to New York, something that Katy and Grandma had talked about, but she never expected it. Filled with mixed emotions, Katy has to decide what's best to do.
On the day of the reading of Grandma's last Will and Testament, family members start to show up, including Katy's absent mother. Grandma left all of her property and assets to Katy and Collin and left only money to the others. Katy's mom is less than thrilled and is determined to change things.
Meanwhile, Katy decides to go to New York. She needs to get away from everything and feels it's important to follow through with her grandmother's wishes.
The trip starts out great. She is able to see a lot of sights and tourist stops. That is, until one dreadful night. Returning to her apartment after seeing a musical with a new friend, Katy is attacked by a man. If it weren't for the apartment security guard, the attack would've been a lot worse.
After the incident, Katy becomes super paranoid. She eventually decides to cut her trip short and return home. Only she returns to an empty and quiet home. And she's just as paranoid. She can't stand the thought of someone getting too close to her and flinches when anyone makes contact.
Deciding to look fear in the face, Katy decides to take Caleb up on his self-defense class. When she attends a one-on-one class with him, he immediately senses that something is different about her. She's more stand-offish, more hesitant. He works in private security and is very good at figuring people out. Watching Katy and her behavior, he can almost guess what happened to her.
He decides to help her, to be there for her. He surprises her one day and takes her to church, which she thoroughly enjoys. It actually becomes a routine for them to go to church together.
One day, Caleb takes Katy to another surprise…bungee jumping. This is the day a miracle happens. While trying to fix her own harness, the instructor starts to walk towards Katy to help her, causing her to stumble backwards. She loses her balance and steps off the edge of the bridge they are jumping from, with the harness not yet fastened. Katy thinks her life is over. Instead, by the grace of God, Caleb is right behind her and is able to catch her and hold on to her as they fall.
She doesn't freak out. No, she is thankful and relieved. And she realizes that Caleb was put in her life for a reason. The realization is shared in that special, life-saving moment and Caleb seals it with a kiss. From that moment on, Katy is able to open up to Caleb and is able to be more of her old self.
After all of the excitement of the near-death experience, Katy finds out that her mother is still in town and she's not alone. Turns out, she is with a guy that is a known criminal. And when Katy's mother shows up beaten and the police try to go after the guy, he has escaped.
While the police are out looking for him, Katy is brought into the station and gets some shocking information. The criminal that was with her mother is the same man that attacked her in New York. The coincidence is almost too much to handle.
Caleb takes Katy home. Once there, Katy goes inside while he takes a call. What no one knows is that the criminal is lurking inside, ready to attack…which he does. Katy fights him off as best as she can, but it's not enough. Thankfully, Caleb comes in at the right moment and rescues her.
The story continues two weeks later, with Katy visiting her mother. Because of the new life with Caleb, with church and new understandings of pain, Katy walks into her mother's room without anger, without doubts. Only forgiveness.
Best part of story, including ending:
I adore this story. It's such a powerful, moving and inspirational read. I believe that we can all appreciate and learn from the lessons throughout the book, like Katy does.
Best scene in story:
When Caleb takes Katy bungee jumping, Katy changes. After stumbling and almost falling to her death, Caleb saves her. Katy really awakens in the special moment they share. She is able to let go of the pain and focus on the ‘now.'
Opinion about the main character:
Katy is a real heroine. She's full of compassion and love. I enjoyed watching her develop and grow from beginning to end.
