"From the very first line, Reyes pulls readers into the gripping story of Carly Perez... The drama unfolds against the vivid backdrop of the city of Reu at Christmastime, which Reyes paints in gorgeous detail. Reyes’s spellbinding narrative is like being told a story by a close friend. Peppered with twists and secrets, it will hold readers’ attention to the last page." — Library Journal Review
Summary:
Some memories refuse to be buried...
On Christmas Eve, a car accident leaves Carly Perez without a mom. A year later, Carly's life is nearly back to normal -- except for the fractured images that plague her dreams.
When her father insists on spending their first Christmas alone in Guatemala with a slew of relatives Carly has never met, she is far from thrilled. But she reluctantly boards the plane anyway. That's where she first sees the man with the scarred face. She could swear she has seen him before, but when? Where?
In Guatemala, Carly meets Miguel, her attractive step-cousin, and thinks maybe her trip won't be a total waste after all. Though she is drawn to him, Carly's past holds her back -- memories that will not be forgotten, and a secret about the accident that remains hidden in her subconscious. And everywhere she turns, the man with the scarred face is there, driving that unwelcome secret to the surface.
For ages 14 & up
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** 2017 Spark Award Honor Book**
for best non-traditionally published children's book of the year
** 2017 Indie Ebook Award**
Honorable Mention - Library Journal
EXCERPT from PETALS
In sixty seconds, my mom will be dead.
We’re driving up Cuddy Valley Road, the two of us, a wrapped gift box on my lap. It’s rectangular, maybe fifteen inches tall, in red foil paper with a white bow on top. We were lucky to find the drug store still open on Christmas Eve.
Mom is pleased. She’s humming along with the radio, which is playing a lively fifties holiday song. Her thumbs tap out the tune on the steering wheel. Her car keys sway in the ignition, jingling like bells.
Outside, the sky is dark. Through the storm, the road ahead looks like a long tunnel.
Snow is falling.
It happens so fast there is no time to react. Bright lights hurtle toward us on our side of the road. Mom’s arms brace against the wheel. She thrusts her foot against the brake, but the road is slick with ice. Our car swerves.
I hear a car horn blaring. I hear the crunch of metal, the pop of shattering glass. A powerful force shoves me against the car door as everything suddenly whirls in the wrong direction.
I feel pain. I scream.
And then it’s over.
When I blink open my eyes, everything is white.
Snow is falling.