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Letting Go
Between taking care of his dying father and putting himself through college, David Mackenzie is approaching his breaking point. A twenty-year-old virgin, he doesn’t have the time or energy to date or socialize. When his father agrees to try medicinal marijuana as a treatment option, David meets an attractive, outgoing young man named Zev, who becomes the friend David never realized he needed. David’s father is nearing the end of his life, and Zev is becoming far more than a shoulder to lean on—he might be David’s first opportunity to embrace life and let go.
49 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2011
136 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 7, 2011
Wow. This is some story. Tough to read, because it deals with serious illness and death, but beautifully written and very, very intense.
David is doing all the right things when taking care of his dying father, but finds the loneliness and stress difficult to deal with. He is so absorbed in his own problems that it takes a long time for him to realize he may need help. Even then, he has a hard time accepting it. This was described in very realistic terms and in such a way I felt what David felt. It made me understand a little better what someone in his situation might be going through.
Zev is a wonderful character, seemingly totally carefree and amazingly supportive. We actually find out why at the very end, and I really liked that explanation. It added yet another layer to the story.
If you like stories with depth and background, don't mind them to be a little serious and are ready to deal with some serious questions and the emotions this book will make you feel, you will probably like it.
David is doing all the right things when taking care of his dying father, but finds the loneliness and stress difficult to deal with. He is so absorbed in his own problems that it takes a long time for him to realize he may need help. Even then, he has a hard time accepting it. This was described in very realistic terms and in such a way I felt what David felt. It made me understand a little better what someone in his situation might be going through.
Zev is a wonderful character, seemingly totally carefree and amazingly supportive. We actually find out why at the very end, and I really liked that explanation. It added yet another layer to the story.
If you like stories with depth and background, don't mind them to be a little serious and are ready to deal with some serious questions and the emotions this book will make you feel, you will probably like it.
June 25, 2011
Told in the first person POV of David, Letting Go is a bittersweet story of loss and gain. David is a pre-med student, taking care of a terminally ill father. He is also working and putting himself through college, and is barely keeping himself together. He idolizes his father, and watching this is tearing David apart. “My father was dying, and at twenty years old, I had never felt more of a child.” David says this, but his responsibility and commitment throughout prove him to be an amazing adult.
As David’s father progressively declines, the doctor brings up the idea of medicinal marijuana, which to David’s astonishment, his father (former lawyer and judge) agrees to. It is left to David to fulfill the prescription, and it is here that he meets Zev. Zev is carefree, casual, beautiful and friendly. Just what David can’t have, has no time or energy for. As they continue to get to know each other, over months of David picking up his dad’s prescription, David is given a little slice of normalcy in his life. When dad takes a turn for the worse, lashing out and shutting down are the only ways David knows to handle it.
The story is sad, yet hopeful. Seeing how David deals with his father’s illness is heartbreaking. It was easy to condemn Zev, for his seeming careless lifestyle, but it was a lesson in not judging people who’s story you don’t know. It is sadness with a big dose of hope.
As David’s father progressively declines, the doctor brings up the idea of medicinal marijuana, which to David’s astonishment, his father (former lawyer and judge) agrees to. It is left to David to fulfill the prescription, and it is here that he meets Zev. Zev is carefree, casual, beautiful and friendly. Just what David can’t have, has no time or energy for. As they continue to get to know each other, over months of David picking up his dad’s prescription, David is given a little slice of normalcy in his life. When dad takes a turn for the worse, lashing out and shutting down are the only ways David knows to handle it.
The story is sad, yet hopeful. Seeing how David deals with his father’s illness is heartbreaking. It was easy to condemn Zev, for his seeming careless lifestyle, but it was a lesson in not judging people who’s story you don’t know. It is sadness with a big dose of hope.
June 10, 2011
Young David is only twenty years old, but he is already having a baggage of taking care of his gravely ill father. His mother left the family -- and in between study, it's been tough for David. Until he sets eyes on Zev, a carefree spirited guy who sells medical marijuana. In him, David finds the friend and comfort he needs.
Letting Go is a sweet romance "surrounded" by heavy subjects: serious illness of a parent and death. It's not an easy read because at points, especially regarding David's health condition, it feels so raw and painful. I want to hug David so bad, giving him the comfort. Gosh, it must be so tough for him, being so young and alone, taking care of a parent. My heart feels heavy reading his situation. I'm happy that in this time of needs, he finds Zev. It might not be a firm HEA (with the situation and they're being so young), but I am having high hope for the two of them.
Letting Go is a sweet romance "surrounded" by heavy subjects: serious illness of a parent and death. It's not an easy read because at points, especially regarding David's health condition, it feels so raw and painful. I want to hug David so bad, giving him the comfort. Gosh, it must be so tough for him, being so young and alone, taking care of a parent. My heart feels heavy reading his situation. I'm happy that in this time of needs, he finds Zev. It might not be a firm HEA (with the situation and they're being so young), but I am having high hope for the two of them.
June 5, 2011
This was a beautifully written novella expressing themes of grief, coming of age and self-discovery. The young protagonist is dealing with the impending death of his father, while struggling to maintain some kind of normality in his life. Complicating matters is his burgeoning friendship with the young pharmacy assistant who is filling his father's prescription for medical grade marijuana. In the end David lets Zev in and discovers that he doesn't have to do everything himself. It's okay to ask for and accept help from those who care for you. Nicely done.
June 19, 2011
This story was absolutely amazing. I ran the full range of emotions while reading this story. I loved seeing how the relationship grew between Dev and David and how Dev encouraged David to continue living even though his dad was dying. The only criticism I have is that it is a short story and even though I knew that going in, I had fallen so much in love with the characters that I didn't want to let them go. In my mind I like to believe that they lived happily ever after.
June 7, 2011
This was a really good short story about a boy who is going through the hell of a parent dying of cancer. I thought the author captured well the hopelessness and the utter crushing despair that can happen to someone going through that at a young age without much support. I would love to see what happens to David and Zev in the future.
June 14, 2011
I loved this. Definitely my favorite thing I've read in the Dreamspinner Daily Dose series so far. The characters were real and well-written and the story subject was real, very emotional and sad, but still hopeful and happy at the end. Beautiful story.
June 7, 2011
Sad topic to write about. In general it was good story even if sad atmosphere.
July 6, 2011
Short & sweet m/m novel.
July 16, 2011
4.5 stars
June 11, 2011
Loved it
December 31, 2019
This is a very good book if you don’t mind a serious read. I really related to David a lot having had to take care of my dad until the end of his life.
April 24, 2014
This is a fairly short read, but with 68 pages I still think it has a good story. David has been taking care of his dying father for a long time and knows his father won't have too long to live. His dad wants to try out medicinal marijuana and David has to be the one to buy it. Behind the counter is a young man called Zev. David keeps coming back more often to meet up with Zev and the two really bond. Then things start getting worse with David's father and he starts to isolate himself and Zev doesn't hear anything from him for a couple of days.
I think this story has a positive message and that's what I liked about it. Almost all of David's teenage life has been about his father and he has never taken a moment for himself or for something like romance. At twenty he never had any real experiences with a man until Zev comes along.
A small thing that annoyed me was that after a very traumatic experience and at a moment that David was in a dark place, David and Zev decide to engage in a sexual activity and that is for me a bit unbelievable. I get that David wants to feel loved, but for a virgin to do something like that in a grim situation is just a bit outlandish, for me at least.
I think this story has a positive message and that's what I liked about it. Almost all of David's teenage life has been about his father and he has never taken a moment for himself or for something like romance. At twenty he never had any real experiences with a man until Zev comes along.
A small thing that annoyed me was that after a very traumatic experience and at a moment that David was in a dark place, David and Zev decide to engage in a sexual activity and that is for me a bit unbelievable. I get that David wants to feel loved, but for a virgin to do something like that in a grim situation is just a bit outlandish, for me at least.
June 2, 2011
This is a wonderful little love story that touched close to my heart. Having experiences very similar to David's I can relate to the main character, understanding his fears, his guilt and his motivations. Beyond those things, this is a very well written and amazingly beautiful story about love and sacrifice and living. I highly recommend it.
May 7, 2015
This was a quality read with many more positive points than negative. The negative for me was that the story seemed to dwell in sadness and took a long time before anything actually took place to move the story forward.
The positives were a fresh and original storyline, loveable M.C.'s and a beautiful resolution at the end.
Fully developed & thorough short story.
The positives were a fresh and original storyline, loveable M.C.'s and a beautiful resolution at the end.
Fully developed & thorough short story.
June 2, 2011
Really loved this.
October 14, 2011
Very nice yet bittersweet story about a young man losing a parent while discovering love for the first time.
August 27, 2016
First - I love this cover.
Second - I can't imagine going though this scenario at such a young age. Even at a much more 'mature' age it was devastatingly difficult.
Third - Well written.
Second - I can't imagine going though this scenario at such a young age. Even at a much more 'mature' age it was devastatingly difficult.
Third - Well written.
February 15, 2012
Really well written story of one man's struggle with losing a parent and finding his first love.
June 10, 2012
Sad, but touching and sweet short story that ended on a hopeful note.
March 9, 2015
Great read, really touched on a heartbreaking issue. These two were really cute together.
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January 30, 2016The writing was absolutely beautiful. I have to read the author's other work.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews