The Other Side of Lost

Mari Turner’s life is perfect. That is, at least, to her thousands of followers who have helped her become an internet starlet.

But when she breaks down and posts a video confessing she’s been living a lie—that she isn’t the happy, in love, inspirational online personality she’s been trying so hard to portray—it goes viral and she receives a major backlash.

To get away from it all, she makes an impulsive decision: to hike the entire John Muir Trail. Mari and her late cousin Bri were supposed to do it together, to celebrate their shared eighteenth birthday. But that was before Mari got so wrapped up in her online world that she shut anyone out who questioned its worth—like Bri.

With Bri’s boots and trail diary, a heart full of regret, and a group of strangers that she meets along the way, Mari tries to navigate the difficult terrain of the hike. But the true challenge lies within, as she searches for the way back from to the girl she fears may be too lost to find: herself.

Can a grueling physical journey heal a broken spirit and prove what’s real in a world of filters?

• Digital Detox Adventure: Trading likes and followers for grueling miles, Mari unplugs from her curated online life to face the wild reality of the John Muir Trail.
• A Story of Grief and Healing: Hiking in her late cousin Bri’s boots and carrying her trail diary, Mari must confront a heart full of regret and find a way to honor the girl she pushed away.
• Found Family on the Trail: A group of strangers becomes an unlikely lifeline in the vast wilderness, teaching Mari about the power of real-world connection when she needs it most.
• An Emotional Journey of Self-Discovery: More than a survival story, this is an inspiring and heartfelt trek about finding yourself, perfect for readers who love contemporary YA fiction.