A YA novel from USA Today
bestselling author Sarina Bowen.
Never ask a question unless you’re sure you want the truth.
I’ve been listening to my father sing for my whole life. I carry him in my pocket on my mp3 player. It’s just that we’ve never met face to face.
My mother would never tell me how I came to be, or why my rock star father and I have never met. I thought it was her only secret. I was wrong.
When she dies, he finally appears. Suddenly I have a first class ticket into my father’s exclusive world. A world I don’t want any part of – not at this cost.
Only three things keep me going: my a cappella singing group, a swoony blue-eyed boy named Jake, and the burning questions in my soul.
There’s a secret shame that comes from being an unwanted child. It drags me down, and puts distance between me and the boy I love.
My father is the only one alive who knows my history. I need the truth, even if it scares me.
Never ask a question unless you’re sure you want the truth.
I’ve been listening to my father sing for my whole life. I carry him in my pocket on my mp3 player. It’s just that we’ve never met face to face.
My mother would never tell me how I came to be, or why my rock star father and I have never met. I thought it was her only secret. I was wrong.
When she dies, he finally appears. Suddenly I have a first class ticket into my father’s exclusive world. A world I don’t want any part of – not at this cost.
Only three things keep me going: my a cappella singing group, a swoony blue-eyed boy named Jake, and the burning questions in my soul.
There’s a secret shame that comes from being an unwanted child. It drags me down, and puts distance between me and the boy I love.
My father is the only one alive who knows my history. I need the truth, even if it scares me.
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Accidentals
excerpt 1000 words
After
the last course—chocolate mousse—the three of us go tripping back across the
cold lawn in the dark, Aurora in the lead. I’m the tiniest bit tipsy and
wearing heels. So naturally I stumble on a frozen clod of snow and nearly fall.
But Jake catches my hand to steady me. “Thanks,” I breathe.
Curiously,
his warm fingers remain curled around mine until we reached the door of
Habernacker.
I
try not to feel ridiculously excited about it.
He
lets go when we all reach the third floor. When Aurora opens the door, he
follows us inside until we all collapse on the S.L.O., with me in the center.
“Oh!
I forgot to steal my plate,” I realize.
“Me
too.” Aurora sighs.
Jake
reaches into his jacket and pulls out a plate.
“Well
done, Mr. Jake!” Aurora laughs. “The party in the annex starts in fifteen
minutes.” She heaves herself off the squishy couch. “I have time to redo my
makeup.”
I
watch her walk over to the stereo, where my phone is already ensconced, and
turn on our Christmas playlist. Then she grabs her makeup bag off her desk and
leaves the room.
When
the door clicks shut, neither Jake nor I speak for a moment. The low chords of
a Straight No Chaser song play through our little speakers.
Suddenly,
it’s awkward. We’ve been circling each other for a while now—since the night he
was trying to be nice and I wrecked it.
“You’re
probably sick of a cappella by now,” I say, just to find something to talk
about.
But
Jake turns slowly toward me and says something unexpected. “Rachel, I need to
ask you a question.”
My
stomach does a little flip flop, and I turn to face those blue eyes I love so
much. “What?” I whisper.
“Well…”
He clears his throat. There is a very long pause, during which I hold my
breath. “Will you come skiing some time?”
I
exhale. “I guess so?” Another beat of silence passes. “That was your big
question?” I ask, feeling like I’ve missed something.
His
color deepens. “Well, no. I just…” His brow furrows, as if he’s trying to
explain some point of astronomy. I love his look of concentration. I’ve missed
it.
Jake’s
blue eyes lock on mine, and I see how our own orbits might finally collide.
This time, I will not send the moment winging back into space. Instead, I lean
an almost imperceptible degree in his direction.
And
that’s all it takes.
Reaching
up, Jake cups his hand to the side of my face. I’m still processing the sweet
touch of his fingers when he leans in farther, his lips brushing the sensitive
corner of my mouth. His eyes are tentative, seeking permission. My heart thuds
with expectation.
And
then—finally—Jake kisses me for real. We come together the way a well-timed
drummer kicks into the chorus of a song—swiftly, and without hesitation.
We
broke apart a moment later, eyeing each other while I try not to smile. “Can I
do that again?” he asks, his voice rough. “That was my real question.”
“Well,
since you asked so nicely…”
Jake
makes a low noise of approval, then draws me closer. I reach up for the back of
his neck, my fingers grazing that golden patch of skin I’ve always wanted to
touch. He kisses me again, his arm finding the velvet waist of my dress and
encircling me.
My
heart flutters, but not from fear. Warm lips tease mine gently apart. And when
his tongue tangles with mine, I lose myself.
He
tastes like champagne. Everything is wild and sweet, until the moment Aurora’s
voice rings out. “Ay, caramba!”
I
feel an unwelcome rush of cool air between us as Jake retreats.
“I
did say I was going into the bathroom,
right? And not on a trip to Fiji?”
Neither
of us says a word; we only look sheepishly at Aurora.
“Just
to be clear, now I’m ducking into the bedroom for my coat, which only takes a
second.” She steps into the bedroom, and I hear the rustling of fabric. Then
she peers dramatically around the door frame. “Good listening! Now I’m going to
the party. Will I see you both there? Don’t answer that. We’ll speak later.”
Jake
laughs. “Sorry, Aurora.”
“I’ve
seen worse.” She departs, the door closing behind her.
And
now I’m self-conscious. Rising, I decide to fiddle with the music playlist. “Do
you want to go to the party?”
“I’ll
go. But I’m not great at parties. It’s all shouting over the music, drinking
warm beer out of a plastic cup.”
“Then
let’s not.” My fingers shake as I adjust the volume. I go back over to the sofa
and sit down.
“So.”
He clears his throat. “Where are you going for break?” As he asks, he takes one
of my hands in his, massaging my palm with his thumb.
His
light touch is so distracting that I almost forget to answer. “Kansas City,” I
manage. “To meet my grandfather for the very first time.”
“Um,
what?” He squeezes my hand.
So
I tell Jake the embarrassing highlights of my weird story—that I hadn’t met
Frederick until this past summer.
“Wow.
I’m sorry,” he says.
“Don’t
be.”
“I
guess I’m not that offended now that you wouldn’t introduce me. If the normal
waiting period is seventeen years.”
My
laugh begins with an unladylike snort. Ah, well. “With me it’s just all soap
opera, all the time. Believe it or not, a year ago I was really a boring
person.”
“I
don’t see how.” He regards me with darting eyes. “You look beautiful tonight.”
“It’s
Aurora’s dress,” I whisper.
But
Jake doesn’t seem to care. He slips his arms around my waist. Scooting closer,
he slides his lips from my forehead, down my nose and onto my mouth. And we
begin again.
I have to say I don’t read many YA books but Sarina Bowen is one of my favourite authors so I jumped at the chance to read The Accidentals and after reading this book I really don’t know why I have overlooked YA, this story drew me in and really left its handprint on my heart.
Rachel a young girl who finds herself at 17 years old facing her biological father for the first time, he is a famous rock star and she needs him to take her in and rescue her from the system after losing the only parent she has ever known her mother..........
This book is very different to any other story I have read by this author but it was still as amazing as every other book I have read of hers, it’s a sweet beautifully written emotional story about a man and his daughter getting to know each other. I loved every character in this book and I loved the plot looking forward to reading more YA from the very talented Sarina Bowen.
Rachel a young girl who finds herself at 17 years old facing her biological father for the first time, he is a famous rock star and she needs him to take her in and rescue her from the system after losing the only parent she has ever known her mother..........
This book is very different to any other story I have read by this author but it was still as amazing as every other book I have read of hers, it’s a sweet beautifully written emotional story about a man and his daughter getting to know each other. I loved every character in this book and I loved the plot looking forward to reading more YA from the very talented Sarina Bowen.
| This was an enjoyable easy to read story that really touched my heart. Spending time in a group home since her mother passed away Rachel is waiting for her 18th birthday till she can leave! When the social worker for the home asks her to come in as her “father” wants to see her, needless to say things get rather interesting after that meet! I admired Rachel and what she has been through must have been difficult but to come out with a father and the way they are together is rather endearing to see! I really liked the way the story unfolded and how things became for Rachel! I fell in love with the characters, their story and how it develops especially when Frederik is a big deal in the music world! I really loved his mum and dad, such real folks, spoke their mind! I loved hearing how the past shaped the way things are today and I wondered how everything would go with Rachel. Will she love having her Dad around? A truly great feel good story! Makes you cherish how your own life is! |
SARINA LINKS
https://www.instagram.com/sarina.bowen/
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