About WITHIN THESE WALLS
Within these walls, he became my solace, my sanctuary and my strength.
I am not strong. I am just a survivor of circumstance.
Isn’t that what we all do? Survive?
Each of us has our own set of circumstances to muddle through. Mine are just more…complicated.
Born with a severe heart defect, I’ve seen the inside of a hospital room more than my own bedroom.
I was drowning, a prisoner to the illness that owned me, until he appeared. He thinks he’s blocked out the world with his tattoos and hard exterior, but I see the real Jude, the one he so desperately wants to forget.
But is he the answer to my prayers or will he break my already damaged heart forever?
My name is Lailah Buchanan, and this is our story of hope, redemption and sacrificing it all for the one you love.
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A portion of the sales during the first week of release will go to a children's heart charity.
REVIEWS
Review By Tatia
We all know the typical love stories. Girl meets boy at a club or in class or through a mutual friend. She's shy to begin with, luring him along, keeping him interested. They date for a while, have hot passionate sex, and eventually fall in love. They may hit a bump or two along the way, but for the most part, it's clear weather. Well, Within These Walls is not that kind of story.
This story takes place, for the most part, in the hospital. These two characters are stuck there, Lailah because of her heart defect that she was born with, Jude because he can't get his mind to leave. He doesn't have to be there, but because of a tragedy that occurred, he can't seem to stay away. Though very different circumstances, they're brought together and help each other along the way.
Lailah's mom has sheltered her her entire life. Lailah has an enlarged heart, therefore cannot experience life the way most do. Spending more time in the hospital rather than out, she's a bit naive to when it comes to most things. But she doesn't complain about it. She looks on the bright side of every situation and knows that things could always be worse. Hoping that one day she'll be able to experience the world and all that's around her, she's got a "Someday List." A long list of places she wants to see, activities to perform, and so on.
After an accident that turned Jude's world upside down, he's been in a state of mourning ever since. He's as tortured as they come. Never able to overcome what happened, he was also never able to move on. Spending so much time at the hospital, he was eventually offered a job as a janitor and has since moved up to a CNA. He was assigned to the ER before he was transferred to the cardiologist wing. This is where he meets Lailah.
This is a heart-touching story of healing, hope, blossoming friendship, and a bit of insta-love. I didn't mind it so much in this story since it wasn't immediate. It just kind of happened. The bond that Lailah has with those around her, mainly Grace, the over-bubbly nurse, and Abigail, another patient's granddaughter, is heart-warming. She makes you see things most take for granted differently. I loved it. A completely different time than what I'm used to reading. J.L. Berg did a wonderful job.
This story takes place, for the most part, in the hospital. These two characters are stuck there, Lailah because of her heart defect that she was born with, Jude because he can't get his mind to leave. He doesn't have to be there, but because of a tragedy that occurred, he can't seem to stay away. Though very different circumstances, they're brought together and help each other along the way.
Lailah's mom has sheltered her her entire life. Lailah has an enlarged heart, therefore cannot experience life the way most do. Spending more time in the hospital rather than out, she's a bit naive to when it comes to most things. But she doesn't complain about it. She looks on the bright side of every situation and knows that things could always be worse. Hoping that one day she'll be able to experience the world and all that's around her, she's got a "Someday List." A long list of places she wants to see, activities to perform, and so on.
After an accident that turned Jude's world upside down, he's been in a state of mourning ever since. He's as tortured as they come. Never able to overcome what happened, he was also never able to move on. Spending so much time at the hospital, he was eventually offered a job as a janitor and has since moved up to a CNA. He was assigned to the ER before he was transferred to the cardiologist wing. This is where he meets Lailah.
This is a heart-touching story of healing, hope, blossoming friendship, and a bit of insta-love. I didn't mind it so much in this story since it wasn't immediate. It just kind of happened. The bond that Lailah has with those around her, mainly Grace, the over-bubbly nurse, and Abigail, another patient's granddaughter, is heart-warming. She makes you see things most take for granted differently. I loved it. A completely different time than what I'm used to reading. J.L. Berg did a wonderful job.
4 Stars...Tatia
Review By Heather
Within These Walls is a story of strength, love and hope, which is ironic considering the heroine in this novel, Lailah has issues with hope. Well who wouldn’t if they were battling a heart condition since they were an infant? Lailah has been in an out of the hospital battling her illness for as long as she could remember. She did not have a normal childhood- she was home-schooled, no team sports or dance classes. The majority of her social interactions have taken place with doctors, nurses and fellow hospital patients and their visitors. Within the walls of the hospital Lailah was given some hope three years ago in the shape of a heart-m a real human one- just to have it taken away in the blink of an eye.
Within the walls of the same hospital Jude experienced a great loss that changed him in every way a man can possibly change. In fear of having to go back to his old life, Jude hangs out in the hospital wondering the halls until a sympathetic hospital worker gives Jude a job. Jude spent his years working his way from janitor to nurse’s assistant and worked mainly in the ER. Once night he is transferred to the Cardiac Care Unit which would end up being another life changing experience for him.
Jude and Lailah meet while he is working on the unit she is in and the chemistry is almost immediate. The friendship they build and the love between them is just heart-warming, however, can two people with broken hearts0one literally and one figuratively- learn to love within the walls of the hospital?
You will have to read to find out and let me say you MUST read this book! I was sucked in from the prologue, which by the way have tissues handy because this book is on my “ugly cry” shelf. The characters are totally loveable as well as relatable which is like a breath of fresh air. Lailah is such a strong woman and what makes her shine is that she doesn’t know just how strong she really is. Jude is such a broken character which I adored. The author written him in such a way that you want to pluck him from the pages and give him a hug. The secondary characters were very enjoyable especially Grace, Lailah’s nurse and best friend. The scenes between Lailah and Grace made me smile…a lot.
Within These Walls is a wonderfully written, captivating story that really got me in the heart. The pain was tangible. I could feel what these characters were going through. The happier parts really made me feel like I was experience the character’s joy. Throw in a couple of lists, a hint of mystery and a bit of family drama and you have J.L. Berg’s best work to date. Within These Walls will make you really feel and think about the things you take for granted.
5 Stars...Heather
About J.L. Berg
J.L. Berg is the USA Today bestselling author of the Ready Series. She is a California native living in the beautiful state of historic Virginia. Married to her high school sweetheart, they have two beautiful girls that drive them batty on a daily basis. When she's not writing, you will find her with her nose stuck in a romance novel, in a yoga studio or devouring anything chocolate. J.L. Berg is represented by Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, LLC.Sign up for J.L. Berg's brand-new newsletter here! Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
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