Heart on a String

Marissa tells lies. To herself, about the fact that her brother abandoned her. To her grandmother, when she says "everything's fine." To the world when she pretends her mother is at home or working late. When she doesn't tell them her mother is dead. She doesn't even question the wisdom of living in a world built on lies anymore—until she meets Brandon. Unlike Marissa, Brandon faces his grief head-on. As their relationship sweetens, Marissa realizes the value of letting someone in and not letting her grief destroy her. But when her past filled with denial catches up with her, Marissa is forced to tell Brandon her darkest secrets, or risk losing him. The only thing harder than lying about her life? Facing it. What happens when running from your past, you crash straight into your future? Running is the only way Marissa knows how to escape. With each beat of her sneakers on the pavement, Marissa runs from the pain of the death of her mother. Runs from the abandonment of her older brother. Runs from the look of pity in peoples eyes. Marissa is always running. By chance, Marissa is sidetracked by Brandon, who has suffered the loss of a younger brother. But unlike Marissa, he chooses to face his grief head-on. As their relationship deepens, Marissa realizes the value of letting someone in and not letting her grief destroy her. But when her denial-filled past catches up with her, Marissa is forced to tell Brandon her darkest secrets, or lose him forever. Can she realize the value of letting someone in before it's too late? Could Brandon be the one to stop her in her tracks? Whats the only thing scarier than running from your life? Facing it.