Dante and Cobie struck a chord with me and had me reeling long after I got done reading.

“The world would be a lesser place without you in it.”

Dante is a broody, broken bad boy who is living a life of solitude. He is ignoring his work, family and life in general. Dante has had a horrible string of bad luck in the past couple years. This is all a burden that is pushing down on Dante’s shoulders.

“I, Dante Hail, was a coward. Lilt, my wife, was dead, and Jade and Toni, my two baby girls, had went with her. Amy, my sister who was responsible for the accident that caused the death of my family, killed herself.”

While trying to struggle through his grief, Dante had a one-night stand with a lady whom he didn’t know that much about. Her name was Marianne. Their one night together produced a sweet cherubic child, Mary. I, absolutely, adored Mary. She was so sweet, loving, trusting and innocent that it was refreshing to read. (Yes, I realize I am writing about a toddler, but she is very special and unique child that is depicted true to form). Marianne’s best friend is a wonderful woman, Cobie. Marianne had her own reasons, but she asked Dante to watch over Cobie and keep her safe.

Cobie is a thirty-year-old woman who has not had an easy life. She as well has had an enormous amount of issues/problems throughout her short life. There is one paragraph about 10% in that states how hard she’s had since the day she was born. I just felt, ‘Man, how much more can one person endure’? In Cobie’s case, a lot! She is full of grit and true determination. When faced with a life or death issue, she needs a little push from a newly found friend to re-ignite that inner strength that she does have. I will be the first to admit that I have a slight girl crush on Cobie. She wasn’t your typical heroine, physically strong, all out balls to the wall, guns blazing. She displayed inner strength, confidence, drive and independence.

Dante and Cobie were an excellent match for each other. This couple were completely the yin the other’s yang. The growth that they displayed individually and as a couple made for an excellent read. Hail Mary was a perfect read of friends to lovers, adversity into love and triumph.

“A million men can tell a woman that she’s beautiful, but the only time she will listen is when it comes from the man she loves.”-Facts of Life

Drake Jackson Garwood is another character that is highly involved within the storyline. Every good read/drama needs a villain and he is the perfect one. He is Marianne’s husband, but when she passes away, he attempts to get his hooks into Cobie.

Lani Lynn Vale is an author who is exceptional at taking real life situations, add a little drama, a little romance (ok, a lot of romance and feelings) and producing exceptional 5 star reads! HUGE BOOK HANGOVER when I got to the end. I wanted more, LLV…please? Hail Mary is a standalone read that I highly recommend 1 clicking!

For an added spot of humor, you need to read the chapter headings that Ms. Vale used. Flipping hilarious. Here are a few of my favorites:

“I don’t always pass slow drivers, but when I do I check to see if they look as stupid as they drive”.

“Stupid people are like glow sticks. I want to bend them in half until they break, and then shake the sh@t out of them until their light turns on.”

“I’ll do anything with you except downhill sports and butt stuff”.