James McConnell’s one wish is that his nine-year-old son will finally be healthy enough to play a game of catch. Then he and his wife, Emily, receive news they’ve dreaded: Aaron’s cancer has relapsed.

As the family steels themselves for a draining treatment regimen in yet another hospital, Aaron receives the gift of a lifetime—a personal visit from one of his favorite professional baseball players—and the chance to make a bold request, his wish: to see his dad play in one major league game.

A former college standout, James fears he doesn’t have the talent it takes, even for one game, and that he’ll miss what could be Aaron’s precious last weeks. Yet how can he refuse his dying son’s wish?

I picked up a copy of this book several years ago when the author held a release party at a local bookstore. I bought a copy to support the author, but didn’t think I’d actually ever read it — it’s not my preferred genre. After so many disappointing books, however, I decided to read anything I could get my hands on regardless of genre. This book was already on my shelf so I picked it up.

I’m glad I did.

It took a few chapters for me to get into the story (I’m not really the target audience), but it gently hooked me, then pulled me along for the ride. Smith’s vivid descriptions and heart-stopping moments created a unique, emotional journey that I kept thinking about hours after I’d finished the book. It’s a story of love and pain and hope and perseverance — a wonderful book that I’m happy to recommend.