The Phoenix Rises

J. Covington 1 story

Summary

Seventeen-year-old Ryan Matthews has always known how to endure—through her mother’s bitterness, through the ache of her father’s absence, and through the weight of a future she’s fought tooth and nail to claim. But when she discovers her mother never mailed her college applications, everything unravels. Furious and heartbroken, Ryan walks away from the only home she’s ever known—with no plan, no money, and no intention of turning back. What follows is a raw and emotional journey of escape, found family, and quiet strength. Taken in by her best friend, Garfield, Ryan finds brief solace in the warmth of his apartment, the softness of old memories, and the unexpected tension with Garfield’s charismatic roommate, Mak. But leaving the past behind is never simple, especially when old wounds reopen, secrets come to light, and unspoken feelings complicate everything. As Ryan prepares to start over in Toronto, she must confront what it really means to choose herself, even if it means walking away from the people who love her most. The Phoenix Rises is a powerful coming-of-age novel about burning down what no longer serves you, and rising scarred, stronger, and wholly your own.