The Christchurch earthquake changed many lives. But it saved Alfie’s. As Christchurch rocked, Alfie’s failing heart all but gave up. He’s rushed to hospital and
receives a donor heart from someone who wasn’t so lucky. He’s been waiting for a donor and at only 17 he knows he’s been given a miraculous second chance. Still, watching his rugby team play without him, and having to take things slowly, is hard.
Dani is facing something even harder. The cancer that took her grandmother and her mum, is back. Dani’s beaten it before when she was younger, but this time it’s terminal. Only her father knows, as she needs time to come to terms with it on her own.
One day at school, Alfie sees her crying and asks if she is okay. Alfie finds her prickly but is glad to go with her that day into the Christchurch sealed-off city cordon. Dani’s favourite place is among the broken buildings and behind the fences, but they find a way in – and after a couple of times going there together, discover something incredible.
It’s a place they get to know each other, have fun and fall in love. It’s a place where time means nothing, Dani feels amazing, and Alfie knows he wants to be with her every moment. Moments are finite however, and they must find a solution to be with each other – Evermore.
Set in 2011, Christchurch NZ, Beneath Our Feet is a gorgeous love story. Alfie has got another chance at life, and Dani’s life is going to be cut short.
Jack Hartley has summoned realistic teenagers onto the page – boy banter, parties, alcohol and larks in the mix, and a staunch nearly-18-year-old woman with loss in her life, and her own mortality staring her in the face.
Told in two viewpoints, a moment of kindness brings these teens together to become something tentative, fun, and finally, beautiful. I challenge you not to have tissues nearby as you read their story.
The author was fifteen when the Feb 2011 earthquake struck, so personally knows the horror of that time, and the emotions that it triggered among the people of Christchurch. He has captured them within the struggles of two teens facing things far beyond their years.
Creating a place where they can just be together is the sunshine in this novel. The truth outside of it is well written and heart wrenching.
Time stops – to live and fall in love.
Author – Jack Hartley
Age – 14+
(2025, Scholastic NZ, First Person, New Zealand, NZ Author, Aotearoa Love, Romance, Grief, Loss, Secret, Real Life, Fantasy, Historical, Courage, Christchurch, Earthquake, Cordon, Time, Making the most of life, Heart transplant, Cancer, Friendship, Growing Up, Firsts, Two viewpoints)