“I will always be there for you, Mady, always.”

One month later, I was slammed with the realization that there were some things you just can’t count on being true.

College sophomore, Madelyne Stewart, has it all—a wonderful home, a close-knit family, and great friends. But when tragedy strikes, it flips her world upside down. She struggles to deal with the chaos of her crumbling life.

On the brink of failing her classes, Mady reluctantly agrees to study with a tutor. Max Granger drifts into her life like a breath of fresh air. Not only is he intelligent and an excellent tutor, he’s funny, laid-back, and has the amazing ability to soothe her troubled soul. His striking looks top off a complete package any woman—Mady included—would want. Except, she isn’t looking to add anything else to her broken plate.

Can Mady find a way to make it though her pain and see what is in front of her? Will she take chance on Max? Or will the pieces of her heart be too broken to mend?

Review 

Making it Through is the first book I have read by Erin Cristofoli. It is a story about friendship, moving on, and finding love after a tragic loss.

A few months ago Mady had a life that seemed perfect. She had a loving family, great friends, and a new boyfriend. She was enjoying her sophmore year of college and thought things in her life were right on track. That is until tragedy strikes and turns her world upside down. Everything begins to fall apart around her and she begins to drown in her grief. Her family is fighting, her boyfriend breaks up with her, and though her friends want to be there for her she finds herself pushing them away. She doesn’t understand what went wrong and why one of the most important people in her life didn’t keep his promise to her.

“I will always be there for you, Mady, always.”

Mady’s life is in ruins as her family falls apart and her grades plummet. She feels so alone and just wants her heart to stop hurting. To try to find a small sliver of peace, she takes a walk, and when she finds herself on a bridge she meets a guy names Max who sits with her and gives her a calm moment she hasn’t had in a while. They soon part ways, never expecting to see each other again.

Returning to school is difficult and soon Mady’s adviser tells her she needs a tutor if she is going to pass her classes. Much to her surprise the tutor ends up being Max, the guy that has been on her mind the past week.

While spending time during tutor sessions, Mady and Max start to form a friendship and she begins to trust him. It is apparent that Max is interested in being more than just her freind but she refuses to acknowlege it when she feels like she doesn’t have much to bring to a relationship. As the story progresses, Max slowly begins to bring her back to life. He starts to get her to do the things she used to enjoy but shut out after the tragedy and has been too afraid to experience again. With help from Max, can Mady find herself again and move on?

I really liked Mady. I thought she was funny and I found myself giggling at all the things she said that came out the wrong way and not at all how she meant them to sound. My heart broke for her and everything she went through and I felt that Erin did a great job showing her grief. She felt so alone in her struggles and I was upset that some of the main people in her life weren’t there for her when she needed them most. Her family fell apart and nothing seemed to be able to make it better except for Max.

I loved Max! He was absolutely wonderful. He was handsome, kind, patient, swoon worthy, and said and did all the right things. He was almost too perfect and I found myself waiting for the other shoe to drop. Max was the sweetest hero and always had her best interest in mind. He constantly picked her up from her dark moments and supported her fully.

”I know you’re hurting a lot of the time, babe. But I can see you beyond all that. I see a beautiful and smart woman, who has a love for so many things. I’m not goung anywhere. I’ll be here through the dark patches when you need me, because that means I get to have you in the light, as well. You are worth it.”

Though I loved Max and Mady together, when a bit of angst appeared it did not affect me like I thought it would. I knew how it would play out and I found I was not completely invested in how things would go. My stomach wasn’t in knots and my heart wasn’t racing in this book like it has a tendency to do when the same thing happens in other books and I am not entirely sure why why that is.

Making it Through was a sweet book about moving on and finding love after a tragic loss. Though it was not my favorite take on this theme, it was still enjoyable. A bit more angst and a not so perfect hero may have been just what it needed to bump up my rating.

*ARC generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.*

Excerpt

When I next looked at my phone, two hours had passed. I put my pen down and stretched, arching my back and reaching my arms back over the chair. I looked over and noticed Max was watching me intently. “What?” I asked, embarrassed. He cleared his throat. “Nothing, sorry.” I took a quick drink of my water bottle, and again, I caught Max watching me. “Why do you keep looking at me? Do you want some water or something?” I asked, holding the bottle towards him. He licked his lips, and my eyes zoned in to his. Wow, they really were something—sensual and just a shade darker than his toffee skin. He was quite the sight. I shook my head as he grabbed the bottle from me and took a swig.