You Are My Only by Beth Kephart

Publication Date: 10-25-2011

Publisher: EgmontUSA

Pages: 256

Format: ebook

Source: netGalley

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Goodreads Summary:

Emmy Rane is married at nineteen, a mother by twenty. Trapped in a life with a husband she no longer loves, Baby is her only joy. Then one sunny day in September, Emmy takes a few fateful steps away from her baby and returns to find her missing. All that is left behind is a yellow sock.

Fourteen years later, Sophie, a homeschooled, reclusive teenage girl is forced to move frequently and abruptly from place to place, perpetually running from what her mother calls the "No Good." One afternoon, Sophie breaks the rules, ventures out, and meets Joey and his two aunts. It is this loving family that gives Sophie the courage to look into her past. What she discovers changes her world forever. . . .

The riveting stories of Emmy and Sophie—alternating narratives of loss, imprisonment, and freedom regained—escalate with breathless suspense toward an unforgettable climax.

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Beth Kephart wrote this novel in an interesting way.  The way in which she wrote Emmy Rane's part fit her perfectly.  The language and writing she used was great for the character.  It was the same with Sophie.  Kephart found a way to write in which each character had their own language and style.  It didn't feel forced, but rather so natural to read the way in which Emmy and Sophie processed their own thoughts and feelings.  

Kephart handled this delicate subject matter very well.  She didn't write with an over intensity that would have brought readers down, but rather handled it in a way that made the novel feel light and airy.  It was an easy read that dealt with a tough subject, but in a way that was easily understood.  

Emmy Rane is living with a husband that seems as though he was likely abusive to her.  She stepped away from her young child, Baby, and returned to find her missing.  This led Emmy on a fateful and frantic search for her missing child.  Emmy went through hell and back to discover where Baby was, and the unfortunate situation she found herself in was heart-breaking.  She made some bad choices that caused more harm for herself than good in terms of what law-enforcement would think.

Sophie is a teenager being homeschooled.  Her mother will not let her out of the house and expects her to do homework while she is working.  Sophie decides to venture out and meet the neighbors.  She becomes close with Joey and his aunts.  She learns more about them and enjoys the time she spends with them.  Of course, her inquisitive mind leads her to wander and discover something she never would have expected.  Since she is fearful of others it takes her a bit more time to get where she's going, but eventually we find out her story. 

Kephart made me want to keep reading this novel to discover what would happen to these two individuals, Emmy and Sophie.  They both had heartwarming and heartbreaking tales.  The characters were well described, yet we didn't learn much of their back story.

This was definitely a fun and easy read.  The subject matter was tough, but Kephart approached it without scaring her readers or making them feel down and depressed.  I felt as though I was breezing right through and couldn't wait to find out the ending.  Emmy's story was definitely heartbreaking and sad, but hearing the hope and energy inside of Sophie made up for the sadness.  This is one I suggest picking up from your local library and taking a look.