Hallie Lee Boeken

It's the spring before high school, and Desiree (Desi) and Robin have little in common. Robin has lived in the small town of Shady Gully, Louisiana her whole life, while Desi comes from the big city of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Robin's family is devout, reserved, and dedicated to church. Desi has never been to church, her parents are divorced, and her mom, Sunny, is as flamboyant as they come. When Desi is introduced in class, Robin hates her on sight. But fate draws these two alienated girls to one another, and an alliance born of necessity soon evolves into an affection that endures. Together they become a force strong enough to overcome mean girls, weight hang-ups, and disturbing family dynamics. As their paths diverge and they raise families of their own, rumors of a shocking betrayal ignite old insecurities, and the three-strand cord of their friendship begins to unravel. Just when it seems they have lost everything, the truth brings them full circle ? to Desi's long buried trauma, and to Robin's obsessive quest for perfection. In their brokenness they come to realize there is only one true way to fill the emptiness inside, to quiet the lies, and to ultimately become? fearless.

The much-anticipated second book in The Shady Gully Series resumes five years after the events of the debut novel. A devastating storm disrupts the town, and its residents awaken to the shocking news of Peony's brutal murder. WOLFHEART, once the town's lowlife known for his misdeeds, has transformed into an upstanding citizen, a church-goer, and a caring brother and uncle. But is this change genuine? LUKE, the eldest son of Desi and Lenny, feels an immense responsibility for the town's future. Serious and determined, he strives to bring progress to Shady Gully, despite the community's skepticism about his ambitious plans. SHERIFF RICK, who inherited his position after the previous sheriff's unexpected death, grapples with the demands of his new role. Initially reluctant, he discovers a sense of purpose in his responsibilities. As the lives of these three principled men intertwine, chaos erupts when another body is found. With tensions rising, Wolfheart finds himself in handcuffs, consumed by a singular thought: how to protect his niece and her daughter from suffering the same fate as his sister.