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The Hard Count  By  cover art

The Hard Count

By: Ginger Scott
Narrated by: Kai Kennicott,Wen Ross
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Publisher's summary

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
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: Romance

What listeners say about The Hard Count

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Full of heart!

This was an unexpected read. I saw a few friends had read this and really liked it. Even going in thinking I'm pretty sure I'll like it too, I was surprised with the effect it had. This is one of those stories that start out kind of slow and then it builds and builds until the end you when you finish and you sit back and think man that was really good! It's the kind of story that stays on your mind long after you finish reading it.

This is YA story that deals with the struggle with quite a few issues. Our main characters is Reagan, a teenage girl from an all american family. Her dad is the private school's football coach. Her twin brother is the star quarterback and her mom is the stay at home mom who heads all the social parties.

Then you have Nico. He's a scholarship kid who lives in a bad neighborhood. His brother got mixed up with a gang, got his girl pregnant and then said girl takes off and he isn't in the picture either. I won't say where he is since it's not revealed right away. Nico's mom is already a single mom but now she takes care of the granddaughter as well. Nico's family is Mexican. That shouldn't even need to be mentioned but it plays a role in some of the issues being dealt with in the story.

With the little bit of background I gave you, you can probably already see the issues that will come up in the story. That may be predictable but there were unpredictable elements as well. I never thought about the issues the author brings to light that the teenage girl and her all american family dealt with because of her dad being a coach and the snobby women the mom has to deal with.

The story really showed that no matter the race, rich or poor, we all have issues in our life that we deal with. Issues that shape and mold each and every one of us. One of the best things I loved about this story was how much good can come from these issues.

Nico was an exceptional hero. His and Reagan's relationship was incredibly sweet and what we would want our children to experience in their lives. I've never read this author before and this book has me excited to see what else she has written.

I listened to the audiobook and highly recommend it to audio lovers. The narrators were really good and did such a wonderful job putting heart into the reading of this story. Audiobook arc provided by author.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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!

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

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.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing!!!

This was a exceptionally well-written and emotional story. I listened to this all in one sitting and didn't want the story to end. Narration was really well done!


I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good storyline

I enjoyed listening to this book and listening to the narrator. Good storyline.
I was given this book for my honest review

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

YA

The story was sweet. A quick read or listen. The female narrator had a very annoying fake chuckle throughout. Otherwise, it was ok. Definitely won't listen to it again. Would read the ebook book though.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

High School Romance Begging For More

I liked that the high school romance was kept simple, it was emotional and sweet. Loved the relationships that were built within this story.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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New Favorite!

The Hard Count, broke me in the most beautiful way. You know that feeling you get while reading an amazing scene or finishing an unforgettable movie? The one that almost seems like butterflies in your stomach. It's a type of giddiness that you wish would never go away. I had that feeling for more of this book than not and can still feel it. Yes, I finished this book about five hours ago, but can still feel that feeling! It is amazing.

Now, I generally don't have a favorite book. When people ask me to pick a favorite, I look at them dumbfounded. How in the world could I possibly pick just one amazing book when I have read so many?! Well, now I have two books and this one is my number one pick.

I just cannot begin to describe the way this book made me feel. I laughed, I was angry, I was confused, I cried, I smiled, I felt so many things throughout the course of this book.

Can I tell you what sealed the deal of how amazing this book was for me? I finished this book while walking to my first class of the semester this morning and was in awe. I could connect with so many parts and it gave me that giddiness feeling that I loved so much. I didn't really think about it in class, but as soon as I got out it was on my mind. I reread the last chapter and sighed in total contentment of finishing such an amazing book. But then, then as I was pulling into the parking lot of the mall to quickly grab my son some shin guards between classes, I started crying. And not just some tears, I was full on sobbing. Sobbing for me, sobbing for what Ginger Scott felt writing this book, sobbing for the characters, the readers, and anyone and everyone that can connect with this story.

That's how I knew this was a book I would never forget and would encourage every single person I know to read.

It broke me. It broke me hard, but it couldn't have been done in a better way. This is the type of book that makes you a better person for reading it. <3


Audio: I LOVED the audio for this book! I'm not sure it could have been done better! You could hear the emotions in the narrator's voice. You could feel the thoughts in the characters head. You could feel the story! This audio has set the bar for all audio books now and it is set high!

What are you waiting for? Get it now! http://amzn.to/2wk3dmi

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  • Overall
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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

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