The Hard Count

De: Ginger Scott

Narrado por: Kai Kennicott, Wen Ross

Nico Medina's world is 11 miles away from mine. During the day, it's a place where doors are open - where homes are lived in, and neighbors love. But when the sun sets, it becomes a place where young boys are afraid, where eyes watch from idling cars that hide in the shadows and wicked smoke flows from pipes. West End is the kind of place that people survive. It buries them - one at a time, one way or another. And when Nico was a little boy, his mom always told him to run.

I'm Reagan Prescott - coach's daughter, sister to the prodigal son, daughter in the perfect family. Life on top. Lies. My world is the ugly one. Private school politics and one of the best high school football programs in the country can break even the toughest souls. Our darkness plays out in whispers and rumors, and money and status trump all. I would know - I've watched it kill my family slowly, strangling us for years. In our twisted world, a boy from West End is the only shining light. Quarterback. Hero. Heart. Good. I hated him before I needed him. I fell for him fast. I loved him when it was almost too late. When two ugly worlds collide, even the strongest fall. But my world...it hasn't met the boy from West End.

©2016 Ginger Scott (P)2016 Ginger Scott

A amazing story that changes your life outlook

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Because it shows you how not to judge people you never know what someone is going threw. Plus just where you live doesn't mean your like your environment.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Nico the boy never gave up to prove everyone wrong and he loves his family and friends so much it made you fall in love with him too

What about Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross ’s performance did you like?

I loved it all they really brought the story to life

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I did I couldn't stop listening to it! Amazing story that makes you say Hoorah with them

Any additional comments?

Amazing book that I'll never forget that needs to be a movie

YA Sports Romance!

The Hard Count is a standalone ya romance told in first person single pov with a guaranteed hea. This author takes two poles apart class of people & artistries a melodious love saga. An enlightened exposition on class, prejudice and kin. The boy from the wrong side of the tracks gets a chance at making a name for himself & the daughter of prestigious high school football coach who Is creating a film about what role football plays in her family life & school.
A blend of melodrama, love, politics, & sports all rolled up together to create a compassionate listen.

Narated by Kai Kennicott with appearances of Wen Ross sprinkled through out the narrative. Kai Kennicott's performance was flawless. All the right sentiments are visible at the right time. Tone and pace flows through smoothly. Wen Ross never disappoints, but this one is all Kai with her perfect performance. Kai brings the character & narative to the real world.

Get ready to smile and ugly cry!

What did you love best about The Hard Count?

I love that the two main characters in this book come from the same town but are very much from two different worlds. Nico is from the "wrong side of the tracks" while Reagan is the daughter of the prestigious high school's football coach. Both have their own issues to deal with because nothing is ever what it seems to be on the outside and we get to see that. Also, if you're missing Friday Night Lights, this has that same feel to it.

Which scene was your favorite?

There is this scene toward the end of the book - the scene that made me ugly cry - and it was this extremely profound moment for one of the main characters that engulfed all of the other characters and it was such a shared exprerience that it's a scene that will stay with me for a very long time. I'm not going to give it away, but let's just say thinking about it now is still making me tear up and I listened to the book a few weeks ago.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I did listen to it all in one sitting... and it was amazing.

Any additional comments?

Nico and Reagan attend the same high school where Nico is trying to be valedictorian and get a scholarship to college and Reagan is the making a film about the role football plays in her family and school as her father is the head coach and her brother the star quarterback. Nico and Reagan have always been at odds until her brother gets injured and she sees something in Nico that makes her think that he would be the perfect fit for the team, all she has to do is convince both Nico and her father of it.

This book is so well written! It pulls you in from the start, grabs onto your heart and doesn't let go. It touches on so many different topics but the main one is the adversity that faces people and the opportunities to change lives. There's sports, politics, drama, love and an endearingness that comes across so wonderfully that it makes for a memorable story. The narration is spot on, Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross do a great job with their respective parts. I cannot recommend this book enough! It was highly engaging and entertaining, while still having that gravitas that makes a story rise above so many others. It took me by surprise how much I loved this book! You will not regret listening to this one!

Very deep, emotional read! I loved it❤️

Loved this heartwarming story about an unlikely love between two people at complete opposite sides of the track. A very deep, emotional read that I couldn’t put down! I absolutely love Nico and Reagan! This is my first read by Ginger Scott but it’s definitely not my last! She is an amazing writer and I can’t wait to read more by her! Wen and Kai did an awesome job on he narration!

Loved this deeply emotional YA sports romance!

What a fantastic YA sports romance! Ginger Scott really took the Uptown Girl/lovers from two different worlds trope and crafted an incredible love story in addition to a profound commentary on class, prejudice, and family.

The book was narrated primarily by Kai Kennicott, with a few chapters sprinkled in narrated by Wen Ross. I think this was Kai's best performance that I have listened to to date. It was emotional and captured first love and that youthful hope and innocence so well. I loved the verbal sparring and slow burn between Nico and Reagan. It was the perfect tempo and the scene on the overpass/bridge following Homecoming was so perfectly sweet and tender. Just as moving though, was the importance of family (both Reagan and Nico's) as well as community and the bonds of friendship and brotherhood. This was an emotional listen for me. It had me holding my breath and my stomach flipping and turning in knots at certain points. And yes, tears were shed as well - both happy and sad.

The Hard Count was such an unexpected and wonderful surprise! I can't recommend this book enough!