“This fabulous debut novel is written in the style of Jodi Picoult." Chicklit Club
Cheer is "a strong, well-written story with characters who deserve to be heard" and "a testament to the strength of the human condition." Chick Lit Central
"I was absolutely totally hooked by this book by the end of the first chapter….I read it in one day unable to put it down.†A Novel Review (book blogger)
“I am so curious to know what the future holds for this family. You will have to read the book to know what I mean.†Misfortune of Knowing (book blogger)
What happens when a family suffers a tragedy and everyone blames themselves?
The Dahl family is reeling from an unspeakable loss. Jenny channels her grief – and secret guilt – into an obsession. Teenager Ella, a competitive high school cheerleader, seeks to atone by being the perfect adolescent for her parents, numbing her pain in secret. Ethan, a pilot, is on a singular mission to preserve what’s left of his family – to little success.
Everything changes, though, when Ella makes a shocking decision.
An unforgettable story of redemption and hope, set in idyllic and quirky Marin County, California, Cheer is a rich exploration of a family's resilience in the wake of betrayal and tragedy. Told from three perspectives, this novel is for anyone who has been a mother or a daughter. Perfect for book clubs, the Kindle edition concludes with questions for discussion.
This emotionally riveting debut establishes longtime journalist Leslie A. Gordon as a novelist to follow.