Emily Bell believes in destiny. To her, being forced to sing a solo in the church choir--despite her average voice--is fate: because it's while she's singing that she first sees Sam. At first sight, they are connected.
Sam Border wishes he could escape, but there's nowhere for him to run. He and his little brother, Riddle, have spent their entire lives constantly uprooted by their unstable father. That is, until Sam sees Emily. That's when everything changes.
As Sam and Riddle are welcomed into the Bells' lives, they witness the warmth and protection of a family for the first time. But when tragedy strikes, they're left fighting for survival in the desolate wilderness, and wondering if they'll ever find a place where they can belong. Beautifully written and emotionally profound, I'll Be There is a gripping story that explores the complexities of teenage passions, friendships, and loyalties.I've had this book on queue for sometime now. Since I hadn't been in such a good reading mood recently, I decided to not read it until yesterday. Anyway, as soon as I finished this book earlier today, my entire body wouldn't shut down. Emotions were flooding and I was completely overwhelmed by the sadness and happiness all at the same. This book is so well-written, I could read it again and again and I wouldn't get tired or lazy. I tossed and turned all night, just thinking "how could Clarence Border do that to his own children?" and I am reminded of the personal unfortunate events I'd gone through the past years that were somehow similar to what Sam and Riddle had gone through.
Also, the fact that Emily and Sam connected through a song just made my heart melt into a puddle of love and swoons. The events following that almost got me spontaneously combusting. Riddle, too, is the most adorable, talented ever in the world of fiction.
All in all, this book (for me) is stuff of legend. Because while I read every single word, sentence, paragraph, it's as if the characters are brought to life. It was as if a movie that hadn't been directed and created was playing inside my head.
★★★★★