A Heartbeat Away from You

This young adult novel follows seventeen-year-old Ali Benton, who survives a four-minute cardiac arrest and is eager to embrace her second chance at life, despite a pacemaker and an overprotective father. Her path collides with Max Delaney, her childhood nemesis, who is secretly paid by Ali's father to watch over her and prevent her from playing baseball. The story explores themes of resilience, first love, and the complexities of trust as Ali and Max navigate their undeniable attraction amidst the secrets they keep. It's a compelling read for teenagers dealing with health challenges, parental expectations, or the exhilarating, messy journey of first relationships.

After a daredevil play on the baseball field leads to a four-minute long cardiac arrest, seventeen-year-old Ali Benton is lucky to be alive. Now she wants to make the most of her second chance--and she's not going to let a pesky little pacemaker, or her helicopter dad, slow her down.Between chairing multiple school clubs and working two jobs to help his single mother pay the bills, Max Delaney has got every second of every day planned. His childhood nemesis, Ali, doesn't figure into any of them. But when her overprotective father offers him cash to keep an eye on her and steer her away from baseball, his plans change.Ali can't figure out why Max, the condescending know-it-all, is sticking to her side like Krazy Glue, and Max can barely tolerate headstrong Ali. But opposites attract, and before long, fighting turns to kissing. Even as sparks fly, the secrets they've been keeping threaten to tear them apart. When Max learns Ali's been putting herself in harm's way and playing ball in secret, he struggles with how to tell her father. If he tattles, he'll lose her trust. If he doesn't, he may lose her heart...in more ways than one.