Shared blood defines a family, but spilled blood can too.Harlie Cooper raised her sister, Angel, even before their mother died. When their guardian is killed in a fire, rather than be separated by Social Services, they run. Life in off the grid in L.A. isn’t easy, but worse, there’s something wrong with Angel.Harlie walks in to find their apartment scattered with shattered glass and Angel, a … glass and Angel, a bloody rag doll in a corner. The doctor orders institutionalization in a state facility. Harlie’s not leaving her sister in that human warehouse. But something better takes money. Lots of it.
When a rep from the Pro Bull Riding Circuit suggests she train as a bullfighter, rescuing downed cowboys from their rampaging charges, she can’t let the fact that she’d be the first woman to attempt this stop her. Angel is depending on her.
It’s not just the danger and taking on a man’s career that challenges Harlie. She must learn to trust–her partner as well as herself, and learn to let go of what’s not hers to save.
A story of family and friendship, trust and truth.
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When I first heard of this book I was expecting a rodeo themed romance, boy was I wrong
This book touched me on so many levels: the strong love and support of a big sister, the struggle for a young woman determined to make it in a field, and the strength to make hard choices and just keep going to achieve your own dreams and to empower others in their journey. I will definitely be reading more from this author!
Although the backdrop for this story is professional bull riding, as with the other three books I recently read by this author, it’s not a romance. Instead, it’s a coming-of-age story for a couple of sisters who were in foster care, escaped when things went bad, and tried to make it on their own. At first I was a little reticent about reading what looked like a painful subject, but the main character, Harlie Cooper, was so engaging and special I was hooked right away. Harlie struggles to protect her sister, Angel, who is 6 years younger, but at a certain point Harlie has to hit the road and try to make some money to pay for her sister’s care. She realizes a certain amount of success and even happiness, but then it all comes crashing down. As a result, Harlie not only grows up but realizes the existential error she is making in trying to force the universe to bend to her will. At a certain point, we all hit this wall. It was both wrenching and beautiful to see the theme play out in this story. I stayed up way too late reading this one. Could not put it down. A beautiful and compelling story.
Days Made of Glass is an emotional ride, a book that captures your attention on the first page and never lets up. Harlie Cooper has been looking after her little sister, Angel, since their mother died. When they lose their home yet again, Harlie is forced to take whatever jobs she can to keep their little family together. Harlie doesn’t realize that Angel is sick, fighting demons within herself. Finally Harlie is forced to acknowledge that Angel needs help that Harlie can’t provide or afford. When Harlie is offered the chance to become a bullfighter on the rodeo circuit, she sees a way out for herself and for Angel. But Harlie is a young woman in a man’s world, and faces the closed-mindedness of the men in the arenas. She has to show tremendous courage to compete and excel, but even more than that, she must learn to trust others; mostly, she must learn to trust herself. The author does a great job describing the life of a bullfighter, so much so that we can taste the dirt and feel the sometimes violent contact with the bulls. Ultimately, though, this is more than a story about the life of a rodeo bullfighter; more importantly it is a book about familly…not just the ones we are related to by blood, but the family we choose.
I have zero interest in bull-fighting, but I consumed this book. DAYS MADE OF GLASS is a beautifully written, gut-wrenching story of sisters, mental illness, and the true meaning of family. Harlie, the feisty but vulnerable young heroine grabbed me from the first page and never let go. A unique, emotionally-layered page-turner.
Laura Drake’s prose is clear and compassionate. Days Made of Glass was a beautiful read, but more than that it gave a glimpse into the world of professional rodeo. The risks and realities of the modern-day ‘rodeo clowns’ (now professional bull-fighters) were fascinating, and I enjoyed the peek into the cowboy world. Harlie was a character I honestly rooted for as she fumbled her way through the challenges of being an adult and a guardian for her sister, despite her young age and damaged past.