New Release and Giveaway! EVERYTHING I KNEW TO BE TRUE by Rayna York

Everything I Knew to be True
by Rayna York
Genre: YA Contemporary Fiction
Release Date: May 12th 2019

It was never easy for Cassie and her mother, struggling to make ends meet in their tiny apartment in The Bronx, but they had each other and that was enough. When her mother dies suddenly from an aggressive form of cancer, Cassie is forced to finish high school in California while living with the wealthy family of her mother’s closest friend—a women she never knew existed.

Living with the Stantons is the complete opposite of what she’s used to—the massive house, a father figure, and Cody, the spoiled, insanely good-looking son with the bedroom across the hall.

Broken with grief and struggling to fit in, Cassie meets Mila, a female powerhouse that helps her cope with a hidden past, the overwhelming present, and a shared experience no one should have to endure—a nightmare they both thought was over.

Warning: Although this book is classified as Young Adult, I recommended it for mature readers due to explicit language.

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Excerpt:

I wake up for school with the sun blinding me as usual. I groan loudly and pull the pillow over my head. Another day of endless scrutiny . . . perfect.

I just finished with my breakfast when Cody stumbles in, texting someone. “Hey,” he mumbles.

“Hey,” I return.

I rinse my cereal bowl and place it in the dishwasher.

“Are you wearing a dress?” Cody asks, eyes wide open and suddenly alert.

“Yeah. So?” It’s a cute floral-print sundress—super comfortable. And since I’m all about comfort, I was okay buying it.

“So? You look hot!” He shakes his head, looking stunned. “I mean . . . uh, well . . . um.”

I tuck a rogue wave of hair behind my ear. “Pfff,” I respond, disregarding his comment, but secretly my heart’s doing a crazy little dance. Grrr!

“Well, that’s a first,” Roxanne says, walking into the kitchen. She must have overheard our conversation. “Cody’s at a loss for words, will wonders never cease?”

He narrows his eyes at her before turning back at me, all smiles. “I just meant to say, you look really nice.”

“Thanks. Your mom helped me shop.”

“Way to go, Mom. See, Cassie? Potential.”

“Oh my god!” I storm. “If I hear that word come out of your mouth one more time, I’m going to take your head off.”

“Am I missing something?” Roxanne eyes the two of us.

“It’s all good, Mom.”

No, it’s not. He’s driving me crazy!

“You two better get going. You’re going to be late for school.”

Cody shakes his head. “This could be an interesting day.”

* * *

Cody keeps glancing sideways at me as he drives.

“What!” I snap.

“Nothing! Sorry.” He returns his focus to the road.

It’s quiet for the rest of the drive—mornings on the way to school usually are. He parks and I climb out of the jeep—which is tough to do without flashing everyone—and follow Cody toward the school.

“What did you do to your hair?”

“Nothing.” I sound defensive. I don’t mean to be. He just has me all twisted up. “I got it cut.”

A guy comes out of nowhere and side checks Cody. “Hey,” he says, looking me over. “Who’s this?”

He’s stunningly good-looking—sun-bleached hair, bright blue eyes—total California hottie. Regardless, I don’t like being stared at like I’m a mouth-watering dessert.

“It’s Cassie, you ass!”

“No effin’ way!” He turns, walking backwards as he speaks. “Well, aren’t you going to introduce me?”

“Do I have to?” Cody sounds bored or annoyed. I can’t tell.

“Yes.” He grins at me with obvious intent.

This guy knows how to reel them in—a total player—probably doesn’t even have to try. Well, he can try all he wants—no way I’m interested.

“Cassie, Josh—Josh, Cassie,” Cody’s says, his voice flat.

“So, are you two hangin’?” Josh pumps his eyebrows suggestively.

Cody shoves him, making him stumble backward. “We live together.”

“So?”

“You’re a sick bastard—you know that?” Cody says.

“Cassie, if you’re not into this jackass, maybe you might wanna go out with me sometime.”

I notice Cody’s wary expression. “Sorry. Not interested.”

“Oh, I see. You’re not into guys,” he says. “That’s cool.”

“Maybe I’m just not into you,” I say and walk off, only to hear Cody laughing behind me.

Arrogant asshole!

About the author:

Rayna York grew up with hippie parents that liked to adventure, so being the new kid was always a challenge. Where change was the norm, books were her constant–a way to escape. As an adult, many careers came and went, but writing has always been her passion. Everything I knew to be true is her first published novel.

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