Brave Enough

Written by Kati Gardner

Narrated by Stephanie Willis

Teenager Cason Martin is the youngest ballerina in the Atlanta Ballet Conservatory. She never really had a choice of whether she learned to dance or not. Her mother, the conservatory's artistic director, has made all the decisions in Cason's life. But that's about to change. Cason has been hiding an injury, and it's much worse than anyone imagines.

Davis Channing understands all too well what it's like to give up control of your life. He's survived cancer, but his drug addiction nearly killed him. Now he's been sober for seven months and enjoying his community service at the hospital. But just when he thinks he's got it together, Davis's ex-girlfriend, who is still battling her addiction, barrels back into his life.

Cason and Davis are not friends. But, as their worlds collide, they will start to depend on one another. Can they both be brave enough to beat the odds?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Everand Productions
• Release date: Apr 27, 2021
• ISBN: 9781094416366

Kati Gardner

Kati Gardner is a recovering actor, wife, and mom. She is a childhood cancer survivor and amputee who writes books about disability and kissing. Originally from Atlanta, she now lives and writes in Raleigh, North Carolina. Brave Enough was her first novel. You can find her on Twitter at @AuthorKati, on Instagram at AuthorKatiGardner, and at katigardner.com.

Reviews for Brave Enough

[Melissa Samal · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Her books are so heartwarming and easy to read, I usually don't like cancer stories as they make me too sad, however somehow the author makes it work.

[Nicole Hattingh · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Beautiful story. A bit sad but very inspirational and moving

[jeangve · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very moving story and the narrator did a remarkable job!

[Jenna Vaughn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Well written with a decent storyline. It was about family, surviving, addiction, and triumph.

[Chris Brewsaugh · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I couldn’t stop!! What a wonderful story! Definitely recommend it!!

[Christine Rankins · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such a wonderful story showing how much doctors, nurses, helpers, and others that are going through cancer can help people doing the same. I got goose bumps at the end when the main character realized that she was Brave enough. This should be made into a movie or TV special.

[pinkpurlandprose · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My thanks to Netgalley, Flux, and Kati Gardner for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The opinions are mine and independent of receiving an advanced copy.So I don’t even know what to say. It has been few days and I thought if I had time to process maybe I would know what to write, but still, I can’t find the words. Giving it a 5 star rating should be enough of a clue because I don’t give those very often. This book hit all the right notes for me. It was truth all wrapped up in every chapter. I took my time reading it because I didn’t want to rush through anything and needed to feel the feelings as I was reading. I was taken completely by surprise. It is a fiction, young adult novel and I wasn’t expecting that much rawness and reality. After I read a book blurb and decide if I am interested in a book I put it on my TBR list. It can be months before I receive it as a giveaway or purchase it, and more months before I might read it. I never go back to the blurb, or read about the author. I just dive in. So to be fair, I didn’t know what I was getting into.Let me start off by saying that I am a cancer survivor. I am just moving into the phase of calling myself a survivor and it feel weird. I have been sick for the past few years but I am in a good place now. So, I didn’t realize that it was a book about cancer. I am sure when I read the blurb that probably interested me. But it isn’t only about cancer. It is about addiction, young love and other stuff and that is also why it interested me. I have not read much in the way of “cancer” books, fiction or non fiction. I have been “in it” and reading other people’s stories has felt too much for me. Boy, am I glad I read this. I think everyone, adult, young adult, children, should read this book because it talks about the experience in such an accessible way. It lets you look at the anger, the fear, the pain and the good that can come from the cancer “journey (uchh - I hate that word but I just can’t . I should have known that the author is also a cancer survivor. It is not her exact story but it is everyones story, in a way. There is no real way for someone to write so accurately about the experience unless you’ve walked it. It also is a story about addiction and again, how it doesn’t follow a straight line, how difficult it is, and how sometimes, you just need a miracle. Briefly, it is a story about a girl named Cason. She is a ballerina. Ballet is her life and she is just about to go professional when the pain in her leg turns out to be cancer. While going through treatment she meets a boy named Davis. He is a cancer survivor who then became a drug addict. Their love story is cute and sweet and not a straight line. When Cason gets her leg amputated she feels like she can’t be with him anymore. I understand because when you lose a body part you don’t feel like yourself. You don’t feel worthy and a relationship can be difficult. Davis has his own problems. His ex-girlfriend just overdosed and he feels responsible. The need to use again is so strong he can’t be there for Cason. Cason has a difficult relationship with her mom, who was her ballet director and drove her very hard. This is a typical storyline of tough mother who breaks down and they become closer than ever because of cancer storyline. I didn’t buy this but knew why it was there. Family relationships are tough and they don’t always survive. The story also focuses on camp for kids going through cancer and what a rewarding experience that can be. It is a unique place that is so important for many reasons and cannot be replicated. Cason does get to go and find out for herself.Lots of people have challenges that they must overcome in life. I was a musician and am no longer able to play. Losing something that is so much a part of who you are is heartbreaking. But you have to move on and find a new way of living. This book talks about hope and how important it is to have that feeling of hope. It also focuses on being brave enough to take that step towards something, towards a new life.It’s time for me to be Brave Enough. I have recently decided to change my blog to a new domain named "pink, purls and prose". This will be a place where I will not only talk about books and knitting but also about my cancer experience and what I have learned along the way. Someone I respect a great deal has encouraged me to open up and now seems like the right time for me. It will premiere September 4th. I would love for you to come and check it out and don't forget to say hello.

[lenamaybooks · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Lenamaybooks.wordpress.com

Dance is Cason's life; she eats, sleeps and breathes it. So naturally she ignores pain and pushes past it. It's part of what makes her great. Until it's what changes her life. Davis can relate to life altering circumstances. He beat cancer but his drug addiction almost beat him. Cason doesn't just walk into Davis' life, she barrels head first and at a time when they both need a friend the most. Can these two beat the odds and be just brave enough to overcome their personal and collective battles?

I generally, as a rule of thumb, steer away from anything where the "c word" is involved. Cancer is a pure evil that took my dad from me just after his 50th birthday. The wounds are still fresh, tearing away at me at unexpected moments. However, I felt ready to tackle Brave Enough. I mean, just take a look at that cover!
I took today to sit with my pain, unsure of the effect this book may have on me. Kati Gardner created a beautiful story of pain, unknowing and fear coupled with love, longing and bravery. While I didn't quite "connect" with the characters - the note the author left at the end of the book should be taken into account. "When I was a teenager and reading every book I could get my hands on, I was desperate for a girl that looked like me. For a girl who had cancer and lived. And it was really hard to come by. So, I wrote one." After reading that, I believe this book could indeed help the person who needs it most.


If you're looking for a book with inspiration to change your circumstance or in need of a bit of hope, pick up Brave Enough. It may be just the book to uplift you.



I received a copy of Brave Enough from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

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