Smoke by Ellen Hopkins (Hardcover)

Pattyn Von Stratten's father is dead, and she is on the run. After enduring years of abuse at the hands of her father, and following the tragic loss of her beloved Ethan and their unborn child, Pattyn is desperate for peace. Only her sister Jackie knows what happened that night, but she is stuck at home with their mother, who clings to normalcy by allowing the truth to be covered up by their domineering community leaders. Her father might be finally gone, but without Pattyn, Jackie is desperately isolated.

Alone and in disguise, Pattyn starts a new life, but the question remains: is it even possible to rebuild a life when everything you've known has burned to ash, and lies seem far safer than the truth? The abuse she suffered at the hands of her father has left deep scars, both physical and emotional, and she is haunted by the memory of Ethan and their unborn child.

In the aftermath of her father's death, Pattyn is forced to confront the demons of her past and the uncertainty of her future. She knows that Jackie is struggling to cope with the aftermath of the tragedy, and she desperately wants to reach out to her sister, but the fear of being discovered keeps her in hiding.

As Pattyn navigates her new life, she must grapple with the question of whether it is possible to truly escape the past or if the trauma she has endured will forever shape her identity. The community leaders, who have covered up the truth, represent a formidable obstacle, and Pattyn must tread carefully to avoid being drawn back into the life she has fled.

The journey of rebuilding is a arduous one, filled with moments of hope and despair. Pattyn must learn to trust herself and her own instincts as she forges a new path, knowing that the truth she carries is both a source of strength and a heavy burden.

Throughout it all, the memory of Ethan and their unborn child remains a haunting presence, a reminder of the life she has lost and the future that will never be. Pattyn must find a way to honor their memory while also finding the courage to move forward and create a life for herself, one that is free from the shadows of the past.

As Pattyn navigates this complex and emotional journey, the reader is drawn into her story, witnessing her struggles and her triumphs, and ultimately, her search for the elusive peace that has eluded her for so long.

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