Challenge Corner discussion

There are two kinds of families: the ones we are born into and the ones we create.

Walk has never left the coastal California town where he grew up. He may have become the chief of police, but he’s still trying to heal the old wound of having given the testimony that sent his best friend, Vincent King, to prison decades before. Now, thirty years later, Vincent is being released.

Duchess is a thirteen-year-old self-proclaimed outlaw. Her mother, Star, grew up with Walk and Vincent. Walk is in overdrive trying to protect them, but Vincent and Star seem bent on sliding deeper into self-destruction. Star always burned bright, but recently that light has dimmed, leaving Duchess to parent not only her mother but her five-year-old brother. At school the other kids make fun of Duchess―her clothes are torn, her hair a mess. But let them throw their sticks, because she’ll throw stones. Rules are for other people. She’s just trying to survive and keep her family together.

A fortysomething-year-old sheriff and a thirteen-year-old girl may not seem to have a lot in common. But they both have come to expect that people will disappoint you, loved ones will leave you, and if you open your heart it will be broken. So when trouble arrives with Vincent King, Walk and Duchess find they will be unable to do anything but usher it in, arms wide closed.

Chris Whitaker has written an extraordinary novel about people who deserve so much more than life serves them. At times devastating, with flashes of humor and hope throughout, it is ultimately an inspiring tale of how the human spirit prevails and how, in the end, love―in all its different guises―wins.

I'm going to start this one after midnight tonight (so maybe tomorrow morning) so I can count it for Tower Teams and other new challenges.

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RESTARTING JUNE 30TH, 2021

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I am so so so slowly catching up
starting this one!! :)

Through Part 1

(view spoiler)[ well I don't think Vincent did it
I wonder who Duchess dad is (could it be Vincent?)
Can't help but wonder if he really did hit Sissy. I mean, I guess maybe he did but it's still fuzzy on details so far

Robin and Duchess life is awful. I wonder what's up with Darke and why he's so. . . emotionless and why he said the mom had something that could square it away?! (hide spoiler)]

Through Part 2

(view spoiler)[ wow, Darke got to Hal
I wasn't 100 % sure it was Darke, it felt like it could be the neighbor (either one really) that hurt her but I couldn't figure out how they set up King. . .
but now it looks like it might really be him. horrible

I can't believe King is going to take the hit and get the death penalty. I hope they find out what Darke has done

Now where will the kids go?!?! (hide spoiler)]

Through Part 3

oooh man (view spoiler)[ holy moly
so it was Robin. I never would have guessed that - because I believed he was locked in. Holy moly
It's amazing how much havoc and death Duchess has caused to those trying to protect her. She's the reason Milton died
she's the reason Darke even came to their house that night - and that her mom's dead
because she torched his bar - his only money maker to save his daughter. Ugh.
it's all so very very sad (hide spoiler)]

and I'm done
(view spoiler)[ wow the twists and turns were so well done
I'm glad she let Robin go, although I do think they can find a friendship later - after she's let Robin get older and find himself. Her rage was dragging him down

crazy,I still can't believe Robin is the one who killed their mom.

I'm so glad that Vincent was their dad. he was so gentle when he taught her things that I wondered but knew the timeframe didn't work and he couldn't be the dad but I'm glad she was
amazing all the secrets. If everyone had just actually talked, I wonder if this would have all turned out differently (hide spoiler)]

this one was SO good

Through Part 1

Trisha, I hadn't thought about that possibility, but since (view spoiler)[Star, Vincent, and Walk grew up together it would make sense. (hide spoiler)]

Duchess (view spoiler)[I feel bad for her and Robin too, but especially for Duchess because she's taking on such a huge role she shouldn't have to at being only 13 years old! Ugh! (hide spoiler)]

ooh I hope you love this one!!

Trisha wrote: "ooh I hope you love this one!!"

Thanks, so far I am loving it! It's Scott's day off so we've been doing stuff but now (I hope) I am going to get back to this book.

Through Part 2

I wasn't sure it was actually saying that (view spoiler)[Darke did it, just a theory right? Or did I miss something? If, however, King is innocent and I think he is, I can't figure out why he would take the blame unless he knows something and is protecting someone.

I'm thinking that maybe Darke is Duchess's dad the way he keeps asking about her. (hide spoiler)]

Trisha wrote: "Through Part 3

oooh man holy moly
so it was Robin. I never would have guessed that - because I believed he was locked in. Holy moly
It's amazing how much havoc and death Duchess has caused to tho..."

Through Part 3

OMG! I was not expecting that at all! (view spoiler)[I never would've thought Robin shot his mother...so that's why Vincent took the blame. He's a good guy! I would hope Robin never remembers that because it would be so hard to live with.

The end of this section where Duchess is crawling over her mother's grave...omg...*chokes up* (hide spoiler)]

Trisha wrote: "and I'm done
wow the twists and turns were so well done
I'm glad she let Robin go, although I do think they can find a friendship later - after she's let Robin get older and find himself. Her rage..."

Finished

I have to agree with all that you said!! (view spoiler)[I thought Vincent might be her dad but thought it might be Drake too. Those poor kids...she really was an outlaw! She showed real love for Robin by letting him go, yeah. And Vincent leaving that will...awesome. It was really good, right? I wasn't expecting most of the twists at all...especially Robin shooting his mom, poor little guy. (hide spoiler)]