Fill the Stadium

I was given a copy of Fill the Stadium from NetGalley for an honest review and this is my review.
Be sure to have a bunch of tissues beside you when you read this book is the first thing I am going to say. I don't think a book has made me cry like this is quite awhile. This is one of those books that from the start you know what you are in for but you can't stop yourself for reading the book and you get exactly what you were expecting a bit more.
The book did move slowly in some spots and it was written a bit choppy in others. I would have liked Ram and Nikki's relationship to be explored a bit more so there could have been a bit less doom and gloom in that women's poor life. That part was really rushed and I think it could have made the book a bit better if it that wasn't glossed over.
Overall, the book was pretty good just extremely sad. I am giving it four out of five stars.

Wow! If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would. I absolutely loved this story. I laid in my bed sobbing toward the end of the book and I don't normally get that emotionally involved in a book, but this one definitely tugged at my heartstrings.

Nikki was a woman who had just had the most horrible day of her life . . . her young son, Jack, had been diagnosed with ALD, a rare genetic disease that would take his life and that night her husband commits suicide leaving her to cope with all the challenges of raising two young boys, one of whom had a fatal degenerative disease.

Ramsey, aka Ram, was a successful NFL quarterback who had been injured and was recovering. Nikki's sons, Jack and Rocky, are enrolled eat the Good Sports Club, a community center type program that Ram has created for young people to be involved in sports. As Jack's disease progresses and he begins to show signs of his disease, the flag football coach expresses concern about Jack to Ram and his assistant. Jack is barred from participating in the center's activities without Ram's knowledge. Nikki becomes Mama Bear and really lets Ram have it when she confronts him about why he barred Jack. Ram is smitten by this petite woman who is so protective of her son.

Jack wanted to change the world and as he prepares for his premature death, he plans things with minute detail so he can leave his mark and help to save those suffering from ALD.

This is an amazing, heartfelt journey of a family dealing with so much crisis and tragedy. We learn more about what ALD is and what a horrible and cruel disease it is. I absolutely loved this story and would and have recommended it to others. I also think this story would make a great movie.

Keep the kleenex handy while reading this one. My only criticism of the book is that there is some language, although minimal, that doesn't really add to the story, in my opinion.

I was given this book in exchange for an honest review and I look forward to reading many more books by these authors.

3.5 stars -
copy received from Netgalley for review
It took me a long time to read this book. It was just too sad for me. I appreciate the author(s) bringing attention to the deadly disease, ALD, but it was too much for me. The writing was pretty good. and we see some character growth with Ram which is always a plus. And the ending did not leave me with a warm fuzzy.

This is a real emotional heart breaker which will have you reaching for the tissues.
Unless of course you don't have a heart.
Brilliant.