Peyton and Isabelle

"A terrible secret transforms a young couple's life ... this is a thoughtful, affecting tale. A powerful, involving drama." -Kirkus Reviews

"The relationship between Peyton and Isabelle is intense, moves with lightning speed, and will keep readers turning the pages as Yearwood's story spans the course of these lovers' lives." -Booklife Review

Peyton is born to a teen mom in the hollers of West Virginia. After he lands a football scholarship to a Boston prep school, he knows this is his chance to climb out of backbreaking poverty.

Determined to make something of himself, he excels on the field and in school. No one can stop him. He falls in love with Isabelle, a fellow student, and feels like he can do anything. Surrounded by kids who are destined to rule society, he starts to see a life where he never has to want again.

But senior year, he and his prep school friends set off fireworks that spark a fire in a nearby building. Their decision to flee and cover up their involvement, even after they realize the fire killed multiple people, weighs on him.

Peyton begins to realize that all the success in the world may not make up for losing himself. As the decades pass, he and Isabelle remain at odds about his decision, and they try to hold on to one another as guilt, ambition, and fear cast shadows across their lives.