One Happy Accident - by Gary Simonds

Book Synopsis

Would-be soccer star Sean McLaine knows what it's like to still inhabit a child's body in high school. Well into junior year, he remains woefully puberty-challenged, and it's messing with his soccer dreams. Ignored by his coaches, he faces daily embarrassment and bullying. Out on the pitch, he's up against practically full-grown men who don't mind greeting his undeniable talent with repeated pummeling.

At school none of the girls seem to see him at all. He's a nothing, a nonentity. But not in the eyes of brilliant, whimsical Kayleigh McLaughlin, a recent transplant from Ireland. She is hopelessly drawn to Sean's poetic nature, both in class and on the soccer pitch.

Kayleigh wants to help Sean clear the hurdles of a potentially career-ending injury and the echoes of a horrific past trauma. But will Sean's unbridled devotion to soccer doom the couple's budding relationship? He can juggle a soccer ball, but can he juggle reaching for his dreams and having a personal life too?

Review Quotes

"One Happy Accident is an inspirational story about cheering for the little guy. Literally. And believing in ourselves along the way. It's also a nice reminder that we rarely know whether events are bad or good in the moment . . . their impact on our lives takes time to understand." -Steve Schafer, author of eMortal and The Border

"Strap in for a journey of unrequited love, spurned advice from parents, and shuddering episodes of embarrassment at the hands of other adolescents-in other words, our high school

years. In One Happy Accident, Gary Simonds explores the depths and awkward antics of first love and growing up in a novel that is hard to put down. All will identify with someone from their past. The pace is spot-on, requiring us to learn, like the hard lessons of life, as his characters develop and grow to their full potential. This story is why we read and is everything we wish for, from entertainment to philosophy to nostalgia and triumph. And you may think it's about soccer, but maybe it's about life. Don't miss it!" -Brandon Currence, author of The Maine Consecration (Turtle on a Fence Post series)

"This coming-of-age tale is a must-read for anyone interested in today's dance between the genders. With rare insight into both masculine and feminine psychology, Simonds deftly crafts a tale that both entertains and informs. One Happy Accident will stand as a guide for those in need of hope beyond our contemporary popularization of toxic masculinity. This beautifully written book gives empathic voice to the inner longings and ambitions that we all share. A must read!" -Mary O. Sotile, MA and Wayne M. Sotile, PhD, cofounders, Sotile Center for Resilience