Christian and Layla

Fourteen-year-old Christian Turner starts his new life in the small town of Almanbury. Unhappy with his father's decision to move there from South Coast, Christian's spirits reach a new low. Just when he feels like his life is going up in smoke, he meets Layla Thomas, a bubbly schoolmate, who turns out to be the love of his life. They sweep each other off their feet. It's the type of love that we all want to find; one that will scare us a little. From that day, they are Christian and Layla, Layla and Christian. Inseparable, together forever... until, after years of a perfect relationship, Layla disappears from Christian's life without a goodbye. Devastated, Christian refuses to accept that she left and struggles to move on, wanting to understand why, and hoping she will come home. Beautiful, romantic, funny and sad, this is a story of two people who are destined to be together. But will they?

Claire Merchant is the author of fiction novels set in the imaginary city of South Coast. Among her recently published works are The Mistry Trilogy, Forever Ruby, Knowing Nora, and A Lady Born, A Pirate Bred. When she’s not distracted by the voices in her head, or drinking copious amounts of black tea, you can find her by the Swan River in Fremantle, Western Australia, taking photographs.