Meant To Be

Orthodox Jew Shani Lazar has too much going on in her life to worry about dating. Her father recently lost his job, and she had to drop out of college to help pay the bills. When her father brings home two guests for Shabbos—fourteen-year-old Pessy and her older brother, Daniel—Shani is instantly drawn to them and wants to learn the story behind their sad eyes. Throughout the next few weeks, she and Pessy form a close friendship, but it’s Daniel’s warm smile and charming personality that cause Shani’s stomach to knot. When she notices he seems interested, too, Shani decides she’s ready to date, and asks Daniel out.

She’s not prepared for his cold rejection.

Hurt and confused, Shani tells herself to forget about him and move on. But no matter how much she tries, she can’t get him out of her head. And why does he keep staring at her when he made it perfectly clear that he’s not interested in her? Or is he? Should Shani fight for a chance at happiness with the man she sees herself having a future with? Can she bear to get hurt again?