Endurance
Book One of The Endurance Series
By April Thomas

For sixteen-year-old Mei Gordon, survival is a daily battle.

Born to a lineage rich with culture—Chinese, Korean, and Trinidadian—Mei is a vibrant spirit forced to dim her light under the weight of secrets too heavy for someone her age. At home, her once-loving world has shattered. Her mother, once her safest place, has become heartbreakingly submissive to a man who has already crossed a line that should never be crossed. Mei’s pleas for help are met with silence, her suffering ignored by the very adults meant to protect her.

When fate—or perhaps something more—puts Max Martinez, a high school football star with his own wounds, in Mei’s path, everything changes. In Max, Mei sees more than just an escape. She sees someone who listens. Someone who sees her. Someone who just might help her fight back.

But escaping isn’t just about leaving—it’s about finding the courage to reclaim your voice, your future, and your power. Mei must decide if she has what it takes to endure… and finally break free.

Endurance is a gripping, emotional coming-of-age story about resilience, found strength, and the quiet bravery of a girl who refuses to be broken. Perfect for fans of Angie Thomas and Elizabeth Acevedo, this unforgettable debut marks the beginning of a series that doesn’t shy away from hard truths—and the hope that lies beyond them.