{"id":11981,"date":"2021-05-16T06:00:25","date_gmt":"2021-05-16T10:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/?p=11981"},"modified":"2021-05-11T16:44:21","modified_gmt":"2021-05-11T20:44:21","slug":"blog-tour-10-truths-and-a-dare-by-ashley-elston-excerpt-giveaway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/blog-tour-10-truths-and-a-dare-by-ashley-elston-excerpt-giveaway\/","title":{"rendered":"Blog Tour: 10 Truths and a Dare by Ashley Elston (Excerpt + Giveaway!)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"ubb-blog-tour-banner\"><a href=\"http:\/\/rockstarbooktours.com\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/10-TRUTHS-AND-A-DARE.jpg\" alt=\"Blog Tour: 10 Truths and a Dare by Ashley Elston (Excerpt + Giveaway!)\"><\/a><\/p><p>Happy Sunday and welcome to my stop on the blog tour for 10 TRUTHS AND A DARE! I\u2019m so excited because today I have an excerpt of the book to share with you! This book is truly amazing and I\u2019m so so excited to for you to find out more about it, PLUS enter for a chance to win a print copy!<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11090\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/003-purple-flowers-divider.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"850\" height=\"50\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/003-purple-flowers-divider.png 850w, https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/003-purple-flowers-divider-300x18.png 300w, https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/003-purple-flowers-divider-768x45.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/10-truths-and-a-dare-cover.png\" alt=\"Blog Tour: 10 Truths and a Dare by Ashley Elston (Excerpt + Giveaway!)\" title=\"Blog Tour: 10 Truths and a Dare by Ashley Elston (Excerpt + Giveaway!)\" class=\"ubb-cover-image alignleft\"><strong>10 Truths and a Dare<\/strong> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/reviews\/authors\/ashley-elston\/\">Ashley Elston<\/a> <br><strong>Published on<\/strong>  May 4, 2021 by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/reviews\/publishers\/disney-hyperion-2\/\">Disney-Hyperion<\/a> <br><strong>Genres:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/reviews\/genres\/contemporary\/\">Contemporary<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/reviews\/genres\/ya\/\">YA<\/a> <br><strong>Pages:<\/strong> 304 <br><strong>Add to <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/55277627-10-truths-and-a-dare\" target=\"_blank\">Goodreads<\/a> <br><strong>Author Links:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ashleyelston.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"\">Website<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ashley_elston\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"\">Twitter<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ashleyelstonbooks\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"\">Facebook<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/author\/show\/5317545.Ashley_Elston\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"\">Goodreads<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3t6UPQi\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"\">Amazon<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/ashleyelston\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"\">Instagram<\/a> <br><blockquote class=\"ubb-synopsis\"><p>It's Senior Week, that magical in-between time after classes have ended but before graduation, chock-full of gimmicky theme parties, last-minute bonding, and family traditions. Olivia couldn't be more ready. Class salutatorian and confident in her future at LSU, she's poised to sail through to the next phase of her life.<br \/>\nBut when the tiny hiccup of an unsigned off-campus P.E. form puts Olivia in danger of not graduating at all, she has one week to set things straight without tipping off her very big and very nosy extended family. Volunteering to help at a local golf tournament should do it, but since Olivia's mom equipped her phone with a tracking app, there'll be no hiding the fact that she's at the golf course instead of all the graduation parties happening at the same time. Unless, that is, she can convince the Fab Four--her ride-or-die cousins and best friends Sophie, Charlie, and Wes--to trade phones with her as they go through the motions of playing Olivia for the week.<br \/>\nSure, certain members of the golf team are none too pleased with Olivia's sudden \"passion\" for the game. And sure, a very cute, very off-limits boy keeps popping up in Olivia's orbit. But she is focused! She has a schedule and a plan! Nothing can possibly go wrong . . . right?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\t\t<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n\t\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n\t\"@type\":\"Review\",\n\t\"datePublished\": \"2021-05-16T10:00:25+00:00\",\n\t\"description\": \"Happy Sunday and welcome to my stop on the blog tour for 10 TRUTHS AND A DARE! I\\u2019m so excited because today I have an excerpt of the book to share with you! This book is truly amazing and I\\u2019m\",\n\t\"publisher\": {\n\t\t\"@type\": \"Organization\",\n\t\t\"name\": \"Kait Plus Books\"\t},\n\t\"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\\\/books\\\/blog-tour-10-truths-and-a-dare-by-ashley-elston-excerpt-giveaway\\\/\",\n\t\"itemReviewed\": {\n\t\t\"@type\": \"Book\",\n\t\t\"name\": \"10 Truths and a Dare\",\n\t\t\"author\": {\n\t\t\t\"@type\": \"Person\",\n\t\t\t\"name\": \"Ashley Elston\",\n\t\t\t\"sameAs\": \"https:\\\/\\\/www.ashleyelston.com\\\/\"\t\t},\n\t\t\"isbn\": \"1368062385\"\t},\n\t\"author\": {\n\t\t\"@type\": \"Person\",\n\t\t\"name\": \"Kaity\",\n\t\t\"sameAs\": \"https:\\\/\\\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\\\/books\\\/\"\t},\n\t\"reviewRating\": {\n\t\t\"@type\": \"Rating\",\n\t\t\"ratingValue\": false,\n\t\t\"bestRating\": \"5\"\n\t}\n}\n\n\n\n\t\t<\/script>\n\t\t\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11090\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/003-purple-flowers-divider.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"850\" height=\"50\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/003-purple-flowers-divider.png 850w, https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/003-purple-flowers-divider-300x18.png 300w, https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/003-purple-flowers-divider-768x45.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Read-an-Excerpt-Spring-2021.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Read-an-Excerpt-Spring-2021.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Read-an-Excerpt-Spring-2021-300x59.png 300w, https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Read-an-Excerpt-Spring-2021-768x150.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>Truth #1:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If something happens but your nonna doesn\u2019t find out about it and tell the whole family, then it didn\u2019t really happen.<\/span><\/p>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Sunday, May 8th, Afternoon<\/strong><\/h1>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Olivia<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Almost every milestone in my life is in some way attached to my grandparents\u2019 house. First steps? Four right down the main hallway. First lost tooth? Stuck in a caramel apple Nonna had waiting for us in the kitchen after trick-or-treating. First kiss? Jason McAfee, who was friends with my cousin Charlie and Wes from next door, in the attic playing spin the bottle in eighth grade.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So when it was time to fill out the senior questionnaire, there was no question where we would gather.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cOkay, does everyone have a pencil?\u201d Nonna asks from her spot at the head of the table.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next to me, Charlie pats his chest several times, then scans the floor. \u201cI\u2019ve lost mine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nonna rolls several to me. \u201cOlivia, please pass these to Charlie and anyone else who may need one.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Charlie tests each one I give him before settling on the one he wants, then puts the extras in the middle of the table.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIs it weird I\u2019m doing this?\u201d our cousin Sophie asks. \u201cI mean, I\u2019m glad I\u2019m here, but it\u2019s not like I have anyone to turn this in to.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cYou\u2019ll turn it in to me and I\u2019ll keep it with the others,\u201d Nonna answers, pointing toward the fabric-covered box sitting on the edge of the kitchen counter. Then she winks at Wes, who is sitting next to Sophie, across the table from me. \u201cI want a copy of yours, too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wes beams and scratches his full name at the top of his sheet, then sits poised and ready for Nonna to start.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Uncle Sal is leaning against the counter on the far side of the kitchen, a piece of paper, rumpled and stained, dangling from his fingers. \u201cIf the twins aren\u2019t here in the next five minutes, we\u2019re starting without them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nonna glances at the clock, then at the back door, before looking at Sal. \u201cMaggie Mae said they would be here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Uncle Sal rolls his eyes and goes back to his phone.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this family, my grandmother has the final word. And filling out the questionnaire is no different.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our high school seems to pride itself on traditions as much as she does. When this first started fifty-eight years ago, there were only a few basic questions for seniors: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Will you go to college? If so, where? What is your dream job? <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But the questionnaire has taken on a life of its own. Now the school wants to know your favorite memory and your most embarrassing one, your favorite charity and one thing about the world you wish you could change, and on and on and on. The answers are shared across the big white screen that hangs from the ceiling while we march one by one in cap and gown. Nonna has kept a copy of every sheet every member of our family has ever completed. And since all of us, except Sophie and her older sister, Margot, graduated from the same high school, she has a sheet on everyone.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And now it\u2019s A Thing. A thing that once a year becomes part of Sunday family supper. A thing where the current seniors fill it out in front of everyone and then we compare it to our parents\u2019 answers. And our aunts\u2019 and uncles\u2019 answers. And our cousins\u2019 answers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You get the point.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sophie might not have to do it for her school, but she has to do it for Nonna, just like Margot did. And since Wes is an honorary member of this family, there was no way he was getting out of it either.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not that they feel especially put out. In fact, they seem downright tickled to be here. Or maybe it\u2019s because they\u2019re always tickled to be with each other, no matter what the activity is or where we are.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While Nonna looks at Sophie and Wes as a testament to her brilliant scheming, the rest of us are terrified she\u2019ll feel the need to interfere anytime we are the least bit unsettled. I went to great lengths to hide my breakup with Drew for fear she\u2019d resurrect the dating game she played last Christmas. Uncle Michael hasn\u2019t been home for a visit since then, as he is the last unwed sibling and is horrified at the thought of what Nonna would do to find him the perfect husband.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The back door bangs open and Aunt Maggie Mae rushes through with the Evil Joes right behind her, followed by Uncle Marcus and the younger twins, Frankie and Freddie. Mary Jo and Jo Lynn are dressed in matching linen dresses, one in pale pink and the other in pale purple, their dark hair straight and slick, as if they are immune to the humidity.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Charlie does a quick sweep of the table and I can see the second it occurs to him where the only empty chairs are.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He leans close. \u201cSwitch with me.\u201d Charlie started calling our twin cousins Mary Jo and Jo Lynn the \u201cEvil Joes\u201d when we were twelve and they pulled a prank on him in Florida in front of some cute girls. Honestly, he was a little old to still be wearing <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Star Wars <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">briefs. But because he was a member of the Fab Four with Sophie, Wes, and me, we had to back him up.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And Charlie is right\u2014Evil Joes are evil.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I shake my head and grip the edges of my chair in case he decides to push me out. \u201cNot happening.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThere\u2019s a guy with them,\u201d Wes whispers from across the table.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We all swivel toward where Aunt Maggie Mae and Uncle Marcus are sitting across the room, but I can\u2019t see who is with them because Uncle Ronnie is in the way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIs it one of the boyfriends?\u201d I ask even though I know it\u2019s not, since Wes would recognize them. Aiden and Brent, the Joes\u2019 boyfriends, were invited to this but declined. That was a very stressful moment in the group text because very few people tell Nonna no.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Uncle Ronnie moves closer to Aunt Patrice, finally revealing the stranger in our midst.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The unknown guy standing next to Aunt Maggie Mae is tall with dark hair that sticks out in big, fat curls. He\u2019s wearing a faded tee and an even more faded pair of jeans that hang a little loose on his hips. He looks like he belongs hiking up a trail somewhere or maybe catching some waves or anywhere outdoors. He absolutely does not look comfortable in this crowded kitchen, wedged between my aunt and uncle.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He scans the room and I feel it when his attention lands on me. There\u2019s just a hint of a smile on his face, and I swear I know him. My mind is shuffling through the alphabet, testing out names beginning with each letter, hoping something pops.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I\u2019ve got nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mary Jo drops down beside Charlie, her paper fluttering to rest on the table, and snatches his pencil.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Charlie lets out a loud breath, then reaches for one of the pencils in the center of the table he earlier deemed inferior.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAll right, everyone is here!\u201d Nonna exclaims. \u201cAnd I think this is by far the most graduates we\u2019ve ever had at one time!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">My family is huge. And loud. My grandfather was born and raised in Sicily, but he met my grandmother while he was studying here. He was only supposed to stay in the US for a year, but they fell in love, got married, and had eight kids. He never went back to Sicily. Well, except for vacations. They celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary a few months ago. The same party where Aunt Patrice and Uncle Ronnie danced like no one was watching even though <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">everyone <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">was watching. They\u2019re both a little odd. Nonna and Papa = couple goals. Aunt Patrice and Uncle Ronnie? Not so much.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are six of us graduating this year: Charlie, Sophie, Wes, the Evil Joes, and me. I glance down the table, where Wes sticks out as the only blond in the sea of dark hair. Wes has lived next door to Nonna and Papa his entire life and grew up with us. There are also over twenty members of the Messina family packed into the kitchen\u2014aunts and uncles and cousins\u2014some who have gone through this before us and others who will follow us. Oh, and one stranger.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I take one more peek at the guy next to Aunt Maggie Mae.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He\u2019s leaning against the far wall, arms crossed in front of him. He catches me staring, so I quickly swivel back around, embarrassed I got busted.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nonna gets everyone\u2019s attention. \u201cOkay, let\u2019s get started.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jo Lynn sits up a little taller in her chair and looks toward her parents. \u201cYou want to do this with us?\u201d she asks the guy I\u2019m trying really hard not to look at. Maybe she\u2019s trying to make up for their boyfriends snubbing us?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nonna shuffles around until she\u2019s almost backward in her chair. \u201cOh! Who\u2019s this?\u201d she asks excitedly. \u201cYes, come join us!\u201d she adds without even waiting for an answer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aunt Maggie Mae throws her arm around New Guy. \u201cYou remember Leo! Caroline and Alonso Perez\u2019s oldest?\u201d Since he\u2019s now anchored to her side, it\u2019s easy for her to push him forward slightly so she can show him off to the room.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Leo Perez.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cOh,\u201d Sophie says.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Charlie mutters something under his breath that would probably make Nonna reach for the nearest bar of soap.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now the entire room has noticed him, and several family members welcome him to the chaos. The noise level inches up and up as it\u2019s prone to do when we\u2019re all crammed into one room. He\u2019s shaking hands and answering questions about his parents and what\u2019s going on with him, but I\u2019m too far away to pick up what he\u2019s saying.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of course it\u2019s Leo. But I didn\u2019t recognize him with his hair long and curly like that. He always kept it buzzed close to his head when we were kids. His face has lost its chubbiness, and he\u2019s grown at least a foot.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Perez family lived next door to the Evil Joes until Mr. Perez got transferred right before we started eighth grade. Leo\u2019s parents were really close to Aunt Maggie Mae and Uncle Marcus. Their kids were inseparable, and they vacationed together in the summer. We always knew the Evil Joes would rather be with them than with us.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cLeo,\u201d Nonna says. \u201cJo Lynn is right; would you like to join us? You\u2019re graduating this year, too! You can tell us all about your plans.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mary Jo scoots her chair over and says, \u201cYou can squeeze in right here.\u201d She nods to indicate the space between her and Jo Lynn.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For every inch Mary Jo moved closer to Charlie, Charlie has now moved closer to me.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even though Leo\u2019s been around us in the past, it\u2019s been a long time and this group can be overwhelming. From the look on his face, I\u2019m sure he doesn\u2019t remember all of our names or who goes with who, and it\u2019s easy to feel like at any moment there will be a quiz.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI, uh, no thank you,\u201d Leo finally says.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Charlie lets out a grunt.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I whisper to Charlie, \u201cIt\u2019s been years. Let it go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He gives me a funny look. \u201cI\u2019m good.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Charlie and Leo did not part on great terms. I think the last time they saw each other was at the park for the end-of-year party and Charlie was being obnoxious, just like every other seventh-grade boy. Charlie and his friend Judd were throwing a football and Charlie was running backward a little too fast trying to catch it and completely mowed over Jo Lynn. She stained her white jeans and started bawling. And because Leo was like a brother to them, he pushed Charlie before Charlie had a chance to apologize or help Jo Lynn up from the ground. So of course, Charlie pushed him back. I\u2019m sure they think they had some super-masculine brawl, but it was really just a bunch of flailing arms and legs and near misses.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They both got sent home before the party was over.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And obviously, Charlie isn\u2019t over it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIf you change your mind, feel free to jump right in,\u201d Nonna says, then spins back around in her chair. \u201cNow, where were we?\u201d Without looking behind her, she adds, \u201cDallas, if you sneak another piece of chicken from that tray, you\u2019re going to get it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He lets out a squeak when his brother, Denver, elbows him in the stomach, only because Dallas has now ruined any chance of him snatching one, too. I feel for them. The smells that waft through Nonna\u2019s kitchen are enough to tempt even the most innocent into thievery. Dallas and Denver belong to Aunt Patrice and Uncle Ronnie. Even though their parents are weird, the boys are pretty cool despite the fact they were named for the cities they were conceived in.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We all know she\u2019s bluffing, but Denver backs away from the food anyway. The only way she\u2019s been able to hold everyone hostage for this is because dinner won\u2019t be served until after we\u2019re done.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nonna slips on her reading glasses and glances at a clean copy of the questionnaire she printed for herself earlier in the week. \u201cOkay, first question. Who\u2019s going to college?\u201d She examines each of us. \u201cI think we have a full sweep this year!\u201d Her enthusiasm is the only thing keeping this Thing going year after year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We all raise a hand, then call out the letters <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LSU <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">as we write the answer on the line marked <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If yes, where? <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A loud chorus of \u201cMatch\u201d rumbles through the room.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I skim the paper and hope the food isn\u2019t cold by the time we finish. There are so many questions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cNext!\u201d Nonna says. \u201cWhat is your major?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even though I want to shout out my answer to help move this thing along, I\u2019ll have to wait my turn since Nonna starts on the opposite side of the table.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cSophie, what did you put down?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sophie clears her throat and says, \u201cNursing.\u201d Charlie\u2019s mom, Aunt Ayin, raises her hand and shouts, \u201cMatch!\u201d Sophie beams and Nonna claps.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Did I mention Nonna makes all the wives and husbands who marry into this family retroactively fill out one of these forms so they can join in the fun? Being in this family is not for the fainthearted.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next is Wes. When he calls out, \u201cBusiness,\u201d four uncles and two aunts holler, \u201cMatch!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And so it goes until we get around the table and it\u2019s Charlie\u2019s turn.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He hesitates a second and every eye in the room is on him. There is a string of 3-D geometric drawings lining the right edge of his paper that are perfection in shape and size. School is not his thing and I know he struggles with his parents\u2019 expectation that he follow in their footsteps and choose a career in medicine. But he\u2019s never going to do that; he gets squeamish at the sight of blood. Charlie is one of those people who is going to do great in the real world if only he can just get there.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cUndecided,\u201d he says, and he has, by far, the most matches in the room.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cYou have plenty of time to decide what you want to do!\u201d Nonna waves a hand toward the room. \u201cThey all seem to have figured it out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He grins, then starts scribbling a brick wall along the bottom of his page.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cOlivia\u2019s turn,\u201d Nonna says.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I\u2019m the exact opposite of Charlie. I love school. Love my classes. I\u2019ve already studied the course catalog for next fall and can\u2019t wait for orientation, when I\u2019ll make my schedule.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI\u2019m double majoring in accounting and political science with a minor in Spanish,\u201d I answer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both of my parents could have matched me with the accounting part, but they\u2019re out of town for work this week. It\u2019s hard to stand out in a family this size, so I\u2019m pleased that the room remains silent.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Until Jo Lynn says, \u201cThat\u2019s a weird combo.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cNot at all,\u201d I say. \u201cI want to go to law school and specialize in international tax law.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Evil Joes exchange a look that I decipher as them thinking I\u2019m snotty, but I just know what I want. I\u2019m driven. And I\u2019m tired of this being something that people think I need to apologize for.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nonna pats my hand. \u201cAnd you\u2019ll do great! Everyone knows how hard you work! I just can\u2019t believe someone beat you out of valedictorian.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI\u2019m happy to take the second spot,\u201d I say quickly. And mostly that\u2019s true, but a small part of me is frustrated to have come so close to graduating with the highest honor and fallen just a bit short.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nonna turns back to Sophie, moving to the next question, but I\u2019m distracted by the notification that just popped up on my phone. It\u2019s an e-mail from the vice principal of my school.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dragging the phone from the table, I settle it on my leg and slide it open.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To: Oliva Perkins<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From: Dwayne Spencer<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Subject: Off-campus PE form<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Miss Perkins,<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It has come to our attention that my office has not received the form required to show proof of completion of your off-campus PE class. I remind you that it is up to you to ensure you fulfill the necessary hours and return a completed valid form. In order to allow you to graduate with your class, we will need to have your signed form no later than 8 a.m. on Monday, May 16th.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sincerely,<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Spencer<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I read it twice to make sure I understand what it says. The coach who ran our class said he would turn all the forms into the school. I guess mine got lost somehow\u2014but is this missing form holding my degree hostage? I\u2019m the salutatorian of our class. I have taken seven AP classes. The reason I even took off-campus PE was because that was the only way I could make my schedule work with all the other classes I wanted on my transcript. My choices were golf or tennis, and even though Charlie insisted that I wasn\u2019t coordinated enough for either, I agreed with him that I would stink at tennis but I could handle golf since it involved less running.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today is May 8th, so Mr. Spencer has given me a week from tomorrow to clear this up. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s just a mistake, it\u2019s just a mistake, <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I chant in my head.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cOlivia?\u201d Nonna asks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I snap to attention.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Charlie leans in close. \u201cFavorite club,\u201d he whispers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I draw a blank. The past four years fade away now that I can\u2019t think past the email.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt\u2019s probably the same as mine,\u201d Charlie blurts out.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tilting my head toward him, I glance at his paper.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ping-Pong Club<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I didn\u2019t even know we had one of those, but I nod and say, \u201cYes, so fun.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">My eyes go back to Mr. Spencer\u2019s e-mail. My chest starts to feel tight and my breath comes a little quicker.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cNext question!\u201d Nonna announces.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWe need to speed this along,\u201d Uncle Charles says. \u201cOr we\u2019ll be eating this food for breakfast.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Uncle Marcus yells, \u201cMatch!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nonna looks at me, completely ignoring two of her sons. \u201cLet\u2019s start with Olivia and go back around the opposite way this time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I read the next question aloud. \u201cWhere do you see yourself living in ten years?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In my head, my answer is: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a cardboard box because I\u2019m jobless and homeless because I never graduated high school.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking a deep breath, I say, \u201cUndecided.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A chorus of matches echoes through the room, even though almost everyone who says that ended up right back here in Shreveport, only a few blocks from this very house.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are twenty more questions and I\u2019m not sure I can face answering them in this room.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI don\u2019t feel so good,\u201d I whisper, but it\u2019s loud enough for Nonna to hear.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Concern washes across her face. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I shrug. \u201cNot sure. I feel sick.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Grabbing my paper, I push back from the table and weave through the crowd toward the back door.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWe lost one. Does that mean we\u2019re done and can eat?\u201d Uncle Sal asks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I\u2019m racing down the driveway, but I stop short when I see someone on Nonna\u2019s front porch.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Leo.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He\u2019s sitting on the steps, looking at his phone, but stands when he sees me.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cYou okay?\u201d he asks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I\u2019m sure he can see the panic rolling off me like waves.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I shake my head and continue down the driveway. He jumps off the front steps and falls in line beside me.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI didn\u2019t know anyone was out here,\u201d I say, hoping my voice sounds even and steady.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt felt like I was intruding. I mean, I\u2019m not even sure what\u2019s going on in there, but it seems like some family thing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The two blocks of sidewalk between Nonna\u2019s house and mine feel more like a mile right now. I\u2019m an inch from freaking all the way out and I really don\u2019t want to do that in front of Leo.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWhy\u2019d you leave? It seems like there was probably another hour or so to go,\u201d Leo says, chuckling.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cNot feeling so good,\u201d I say. With my arms wrapped tightly around my waist, it\u2019s easy enough to believe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cOh,\u201d he says. \u201cDo you need anything?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I shake my head. \u201cNo. Just couldn\u2019t take the crowd.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He nods like he totally understands. Which I guess he does since he was hiding out on the front porch.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We stop in front of my house. \u201cThanks for walking me home,\u201d I say. It\u2019s been years since I\u2019ve seen him and I should make some effort to ask how he\u2019s been or what he\u2019s been up to, but my brain has that email scrolling on repeat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cSure,\u201d he says, then points back to Nonna\u2019s house. \u201cI\u2019ll just head back now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s awkward. For both of us.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I turn and walk up the front path to my house.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Leo calls out, \u201cHope you feel better,\u201d just as I\u2019m opening my front door.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I give him a small smile and wave before disappearing inside.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">My phone is buzzing with texts from Charlie, Sophie, and Wes in our group chat. I message back saying I&#8217;m fine, I just need a minute to stop them from following me here.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After I race up the stairs to my room, it only takes a few seconds to grab the blank copy of the form I gave my golf instructor at the beginning of the semester. There are boxes that Coach was supposed to check stating that either we <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">did <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">or <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">did not <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">complete the required hours of instruction. I clearly remember him stating at the beginning of the semester that he would turn in the forms to the school directly so that the students couldn\u2019t alter them in any way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pulling my phone back out, I shoot a reply to Mr. Spencer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To: Dwayne Spencer<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From: Olivia Perkins<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Subject: Re: Off-campus PE form<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mr. Spencer,<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There must be some mistake. I finished the class. Coach Cantu told us at the beginning of the semester that he turns the forms in directly to you. There shouldn\u2019t be any reason why you don\u2019t have mine.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">will contact Coach Cantu to find out what happened. In a worst-case scenario\u2014I really don\u2019t think this is possible but I\u2019m trying not to freak out\u2014what happens if he won\u2019t sign it for some insane reason? Would this really stop me from graduating?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sincerely,<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Olivia Perkins<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I refresh my email over and over. And over. It\u2019s fifteen minutes before I get his reply.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To: Oliva Perkins<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From: Dwayne Spencer<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Subject: Re: Off-campus PE form<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Miss Perkins,<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are unable to turn in a signed form stating you have met the requirements for the class, you will be short of what the state requires for you to graduate. Since we are a public institution, I would be unable to make any exceptions. This is the risk you run when you decide to take a class off-campus.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sincerely,<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Spencer<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">God, could he be any colder? And now I\u2019m really panicking. It\u2019s only seconds before I\u2019m pulling my car out into the street, headed for the public golf course nestled deep in the middle of an old neighborhood not far from mine where our class met on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the semester.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The sky is crystal blue and we\u2019re in that really small patch of time where it\u2019s warm out but the humidity doesn\u2019t feel like you\u2019ve walked into a wet, hot blanket. So it\u2019s no surprise the parking lot is completely full. For the next couple of weeks, this place will stay packed from sunup to sundown.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This course has seen better days, but it is well loved for its location. All the newer, fancier courses, especially the one that was completed last year right outside of town, require a hefty membership and certain social standing to feel comfortable.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This one is as low-key as it gets.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I pull in the back where the employees park, since I\u2019ll only be here a few minutes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s a groundskeeper in the small garage where old golf carts go to die. He\u2019s piling landscaping tools into a trailer attached to one of those side-by-side vehicles. The smell of gasoline and freshly cut grass permeates the air, and the patch on his grease-stained uniform says <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mitch<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cExcuse me, I\u2019m looking for Coach Cantu?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The man\u2019s brow creases like he doesn\u2019t know who I\u2019m asking for.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe golf pro here. Coach Cantu,\u201d I repeat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mitch\u2019s face lights up. \u201cOh, you mean John! Yeah, he\u2019s not here,\u201d he says, then turns his back to me to grab another piece of handheld equipment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I try to swallow down my frustration. \u201cDo you know when he will be back?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mitch stops and looks up as if the answer is somehow written on the cobwebbed ceiling. \u201cWell, I think he\u2019s gone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cGone? What do you mean, gone?\u201d I can\u2019t keep the panic from crawling into my voice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cHe doesn\u2019t work here anymore. We had a cake on Friday to say our good-byes. Chocolate.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The floor is sucking me in. \u201cDo you know where he went? Is he still in town?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cMaybe check with Susie. She probably knows.\u201d He tilts his head toward the front office, shrugs, and gets back to work.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I race inside and make a beeline for the woman at the counter, prepared to do whatever I have to so I can get a clear answer when I repeat the same questions to her.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Susie flinches as if in pain. \u201cI\u2019m right here. No need to yell. He\u2019s the pro at Ellerbe Hills now. Not sure when he\u2019s starting over there, though.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cCan you give me his number?\u201d It feels like my knees are about to give out.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She\u2019s shaking her head. \u201cSorry, I can\u2019t give out employees\u2019 numbers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cBut you said he\u2019s not an employee here anymore.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By her look, she doesn\u2019t appreciate the reminder. \u201cBut he <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">was<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We stare at each other long enough for it to be clear she\u2019s not budging, so I leave and walk numbly back to my car.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Copyright \u00a9 2021 by Ashley Elston<\/b><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11090\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/003-purple-flowers-divider.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"850\" height=\"50\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/003-purple-flowers-divider.png 850w, https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/003-purple-flowers-divider-300x18.png 300w, https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/003-purple-flowers-divider-768x45.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11248\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Enter-the-Giveaway-Spring-2021-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Enter-the-Giveaway-Spring-2021-1.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Enter-the-Giveaway-Spring-2021-1-300x59.png 300w, https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Enter-the-Giveaway-Spring-2021-1-768x150.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.rafflecopter.com\/rafl\/display\/e2389ba21268\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enter here to win a print copy of 10 TRUTHS AND A DARE by Ashley Elston!<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>(US Only)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11090\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/003-purple-flowers-divider.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"850\" height=\"50\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/003-purple-flowers-divider.png 850w, https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/003-purple-flowers-divider-300x18.png 300w, https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/003-purple-flowers-divider-768x45.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/About-the-Author-Spring-2021-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/About-the-Author-Spring-2021-1.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/About-the-Author-Spring-2021-1-300x59.png 300w, https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/About-the-Author-Spring-2021-1-768x150.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"ubb-about-author\"><h3>About Ashley Elston<\/h3><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Ashley-Elston-hi-res-260x350.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"alignleft ubb-about-author-photo\"><p>Ashley Elston is the author of several novels including: 10 Blind Dates (a Top Ten ALA Quick Pick and the companion to this book), The Rules for Disappearing (a finalist in the Best Young Adult Novel category of the International Thriller Writers Thriller Awards), This Is Our Story, and The Lying Woods. She has a liberal arts degree from Louisiana State University in Shreveport and worked for many years as a wedding photographer before turning her hand to writing. Ashley lives in Shreveport with her husband and three sons. For more information about Ashley and her books, please visit www.ashleyelston.com.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ubb-author-links\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ashleyelston.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"\">Website<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ashley_elston\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"\">Twitter<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ashleyelstonbooks\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"\">Facebook<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/author\/show\/5317545.Ashley_Elston\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"\">Goodreads<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3t6UPQi\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"\">Amazon<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/ashleyelston\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"\">Instagram<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11090\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/003-purple-flowers-divider.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"850\" height=\"50\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/003-purple-flowers-divider.png 850w, https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/003-purple-flowers-divider-300x18.png 300w, https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/003-purple-flowers-divider-768x45.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11252\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Follow-the-Tour-Spring-2021-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Follow-the-Tour-Spring-2021-1.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Follow-the-Tour-Spring-2021-1-300x59.png 300w, https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Follow-the-Tour-Spring-2021-1-768x150.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><strong>week one<\/strong><\/h2>\n<table style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span>5\/1\/2021<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/thebookview.com\/\"><span>The Book View<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><span>Review<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><b>Week Two<\/b><\/h2>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5\/2\/2021<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/whatanerdgirlsays.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What A Nerd Girl Says<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Excerpt<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5\/3\/2021<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"http:\/\/www.yabookscentral.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">YA Books Central<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Excerpt<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5\/4\/2021<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"http:\/\/fireandicereads.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fire and Ice<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5\/5\/2021<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bookhoundsya.net\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BookHounds YA\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Excerpt<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5\/6\/2021<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"http:\/\/yabooknerd.blogspot.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">YA Book Nerd<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5\/7\/2021<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/blessedmommysc.blogspot.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lifestyle of Me<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5\/8\/2021<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"http:\/\/www.moonlightrendezvous.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moonlight Rendezvous\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><b>Week Three<\/b><\/h2>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5\/9\/2021<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/jenguerdy\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jenguerdy<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5\/10\/2021<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/fictitiouswonderland\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ficticiouswonderland\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5\/11\/2021<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"http:\/\/hollymbryan.tumblr.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Book-Keeping<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5\/12\/2021<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/amanisreviews.wordpress.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Amani\u2019s Reviews<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5\/13\/2021<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/booksaremagictoo.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">booksaremagictoo<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5\/14\/2021<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.elisquared.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eli to the nth<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5\/15\/2021<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"http:\/\/emeliesbooks.home.blog\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Emelie&#8217;s Books<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><b>Week Four<\/b><\/h2>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>5\/16\/2021<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/kaitgoodwin.com\/books\">Kait Plus Books<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Excerpt<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5\/17\/2021<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"http:\/\/www.zaineylaney.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zainey Laney<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5\/18\/2021<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/onemused\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">onemused<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5\/19\/2021<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/midnightbooklover\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Midnightbooklover<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5\/20\/2021<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/amandainpa.wordpress.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">amandainpa<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5\/21\/2021<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/geauxgetlit.wordpress.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Geauxgetlit\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5\/22\/2021<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"http:\/\/am2cents.blogspot.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">two points of interest<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><b>Week Five<\/b><\/h2>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5\/23\/2021<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"http:\/\/bookbriefs.net\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Book Briefs<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5\/24\/2021<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/momfluenster\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Momfluenster\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5\/25\/2021<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"http:\/\/starcrossedbookblog.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Star-Crossed Book Blog<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5\/26\/2021<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"http:\/\/michellemengsbookblog4.simplesite.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">michellemengsbookblog<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5\/27\/2021<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/rajivsreviews.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rajiv&#8217;s Reviews<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5\/28\/2021<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.doyoudog-ear.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do You Dog-ear?<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5\/29\/2021<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/jypsylynn\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Books and Zebras<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><b>Week Six<\/b><\/h2>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5\/30\/2021<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"http:\/\/myfictionaloasis.wordpress.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">My Fictional Oasis<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5\/31\/2021<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"http:\/\/popthebutterfly.wordpress.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Popthebutterfly<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11090\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/003-purple-flowers-divider.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"850\" height=\"50\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/003-purple-flowers-divider.png 850w, https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/003-purple-flowers-divider-300x18.png 300w, https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/003-purple-flowers-divider-768x45.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11244\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Questions-and-Answers-Spring-2021-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Questions-and-Answers-Spring-2021-1.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Questions-and-Answers-Spring-2021-1-300x59.png 300w, https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Questions-and-Answers-Spring-2021-1-768x150.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>What do you think about <em>10 Truths and a Dare<\/em>? Have you added it to your tbr yet? Let me know in the comments and have a splendiferous day!<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11167\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Well-Wishes-Candy-Fishes-Kait-Spring-2021-001.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"320\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Well-Wishes-Candy-Fishes-Kait-Spring-2021-001.png 600w, https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Well-Wishes-Candy-Fishes-Kait-Spring-2021-001-300x160.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Happy Sunday and welcome to my stop on the blog tour for 10 TRUTHS AND A DARE! I\u2019m so excited because today I have an excerpt of the book to share with you! This book is truly amazing and I\u2019m so so excited to for you to find out more about it, PLUS enter for a chance to win a print copy!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11986,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[484,1001,27],"tags":[3003,3004,651,540,462,2750,538],"reading-challenges":[],"class_list":["post-11981","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-book-tours","category-excerpt","category-giveaways","tag-10-truths-and-a-dare","tag-ashley-elston","tag-excerpt","tag-giveaway","tag-kait-plus-books","tag-may-2021","tag-rockstar-book-tours","book-author-ashley-elston","book-publisher-disney-hyperion","book-publisher-disney-hyperion-2","book-genre-contemporary","book-genre-ya"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/10-Truths-and-a-Dare-Featured-Image.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11981","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11981"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11981\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12244,"href":"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11981\/revisions\/12244"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11986"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11981"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11981"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11981"},{"taxonomy":"reading-challenges","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kaitgoodwin.com\/books\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/reading-challenges?post=11981"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}