Everything I Promised You

Gr 10 Up–High school senior Lia is one year removed from the death of her soulmate, Beck. Throughout the story, readers learn about Lia and Beck, how their relationship started before they were born because their parents are best friends, and that Lia is struggling to engage with a life post-Beck. Lia begins her senior year at a new school in yet another new town thanks to her father’s career in the army. Still reeling from Beck’s death, Lia just wants to make it through the year so she can go to Commonwealth of Virginia University (CVU) to fulfill her and Beck’s lifelong dreams. As the school year progresses, Lia slowly begins to process her grief and even makes new friends. One of these new friends is Isiah, a teen with his own share of difficulties. Over time, Lia learns that Isiah’s parents are in jail for abusing him and causing the death of his baby sister. Both Lia and Isiah have trust issues and are leery of even being friends. Lia’s feelings for Isiah cause her to reevaluate her preconceived notions of Beck being her soulmate and her plan of going to CVU for college. After much turmoil, Lia comes to realize that she can love again and consider a different future path. Teen sexual encounters and underage drinking make this more suitable for older teen readers.