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Taking cues from the tale of Beauty and the Beast, Amy Harmon creates a story about love and loss that will grab the hearts of most modern day readers.

As the popular, good-looking, and very talented guy in town, Ambrose Young has so much in life going for him. However, he is effected by September 11th attacks and decides, with his 4 closest friends, to join up and serve our country, fighting in the middle east. Ambrose returns home after nearly losing his life in a roadside attack, which leaves his face covered in scares, scarcely resembling the young man he was before he left. As prominent as the scars are, they are nothing compared to the scars inside after suffering significant loses during the war.

Fern Taylor is a girl who simply blends into the crowd - described as sweet but not overly attractive. She has loved Ambrose ever since they were children, but he never really noticed her. Upon Ambrose's return, Fern attempts to develop a friendship with him, in hopes that he will begin to heal the inner scars. In a book filled with great loss, there is hope that through our loss, we gain a deeper sense of self, of love, and of purpose.

Not all of us can say that High School is a joyous, fun ride with minor blips that can easily be overlooked. But Ambrose Young with his swoon worthy good looks, unparalleled talent at wrestling and more than an average student’s fair share of future prospects at the best colleges the country has to offer, has it made. No one doubts it, not his father, not his coach, not his friends and nor do the rest of the students at school. Students who both admire him and loathe him, for pretty much the same reason- his undeniably bright future whilst their own is anything but. However, nobody manages to stifle their gasp of surprise on finding that Ambrose, along with his four best friends intends to register in the Army. The evening before the boys are scheduled to leave town to commence their training, they decide to have one last get together with their friends from school. An extraordinary moment with Fern Taylor that evening, leaves Ambrose with a nagging question in his mind. Could the infatuation between them that he so ruthlessly dismissed have amounted to something more? Something meaningful and special? But how could it have, when all Fern Taylor can ever bring to the table is her unruly red hair, buck teeth held back by a set of braces, pale skin and tiny body that refuses to develop any curves? Or how would she ever contribute much to a relationship when half the time, her nose is immersed in whichever book she is currently reading and the rest of the time she is taking care of her disabled cousin/ best friend/ neighbour, Bailey Sheen? And not to mention, the history that he shares with Fern, the one that he would give anything to forget but despite his best efforts has never been able to completely shun from his mind? Fern and Ambrose- Bad idea, right? Right. Or is it?
This book! I for one, have made plenty of to-do lists. Lists that revolve around things I know I definitely want to do and experience before I die. The question here is, how many of them have I been able to strike off my bucket list? How many have you? Life is about living in the present and having no regrets, no matter what. I agree, it is hard. But then, no one said it would be easy. Making faces compels you to not give the fear of failure the power to stop you from achieving your goals. It inspired me, empowered my spirit and strengthen my resolve to take the steps needed to get where I want to go. A must read!