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My Inflatable Friend: The Confessions of Rollo Hemphill
Trying to make your girlfriend jealous with a life-sized rubber doll might be a bad idea.
A reformed hacker-turned-slacker, twenty-something Rollo Hemphill fantasizes about becoming a top-forty DJ. Unfortunately, he has more talent than ambition. He's settled for a menial job as a car jockey at "The Wuthering Palms," a luxury hotel in Beverly Hills.
Proximity to all that glitz and glamour soon stirs his attraction to Felicia Ferrulo, the Sicilian hottie who works in the hotel beauty shop. When Felicia doesn't give him a nod, much less a chance, Rollo devises a desperate plan. It involves dressing up a life-sized doll to look like one of the hotel's reclusive megastar residents and conspicuously driving the fake woman around town in borrowed vehicles.
Inspiring jealousy is his goal, but it quickly gets waaaaaaay out of hand. Rollo's clever scheme backfires with stunning success, causing him to fall upward with dizzying speed - as he rockets toward the stars but away from the girl of his dreams.
Rollo's fumbling attempts to undo his tangled web is, by turns, pathetic and hysterically funny. My Inflatable Friend is a witty, cautionary tale about the perils of pretending to be someone you're not - and the hazards of stroking every male's most private and vulnerable part - his swelling ego!
A reformed hacker-turned-slacker, twenty-something Rollo Hemphill fantasizes about becoming a top-forty DJ. Unfortunately, he has more talent than ambition. He's settled for a menial job as a car jockey at "The Wuthering Palms," a luxury hotel in Beverly Hills.
Proximity to all that glitz and glamour soon stirs his attraction to Felicia Ferrulo, the Sicilian hottie who works in the hotel beauty shop. When Felicia doesn't give him a nod, much less a chance, Rollo devises a desperate plan. It involves dressing up a life-sized doll to look like one of the hotel's reclusive megastar residents and conspicuously driving the fake woman around town in borrowed vehicles.
Inspiring jealousy is his goal, but it quickly gets waaaaaaay out of hand. Rollo's clever scheme backfires with stunning success, causing him to fall upward with dizzying speed - as he rockets toward the stars but away from the girl of his dreams.
Rollo's fumbling attempts to undo his tangled web is, by turns, pathetic and hysterically funny. My Inflatable Friend is a witty, cautionary tale about the perils of pretending to be someone you're not - and the hazards of stroking every male's most private and vulnerable part - his swelling ego!
- GenresFiction
206 pages, Paperback
First published February 20, 2007
46 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
About the author
Gerald Everett Jones
64 books491 followersGerald says, "I write mystery-thrillers and literary fiction for adult readers who seek insight, fascination, and delight in the adventures of their own lives."
Gerald Everett Jones is a freelance writer who lives in Santa Monica, California. Harry Harambee's Kenyan Sundowner is his eleventh and most recent novel. From 2020-21 he won ten book awards - one in business, four in literary fiction, and five in mystery-thriller. He is a member of the Writers Guild of America, the Dramatists Guild, Women's National Book Association, and Film Independent (FIND), as well as a director of the Independent Writers of Southern California (IWOSC). He holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honors from the College of Letters, Wesleyan University, where he studied under novelists Peter Boynton (Stone Island), F.D. Reeve (The Red Machines), and Jerzy Kosinski (The Painted Bird, Being There). Learn more at geraldeverettjones.com.
Gerald Everett Jones is a freelance writer who lives in Santa Monica, California. Harry Harambee's Kenyan Sundowner is his eleventh and most recent novel. From 2020-21 he won ten book awards - one in business, four in literary fiction, and five in mystery-thriller. He is a member of the Writers Guild of America, the Dramatists Guild, Women's National Book Association, and Film Independent (FIND), as well as a director of the Independent Writers of Southern California (IWOSC). He holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honors from the College of Letters, Wesleyan University, where he studied under novelists Peter Boynton (Stone Island), F.D. Reeve (The Red Machines), and Jerzy Kosinski (The Painted Bird, Being There). Learn more at geraldeverettjones.com.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 10, 2008
At first I imagined this would be about hormone-addled young men downing entire kegs of beer in some squalid frat house.
I was in for a surprise. This book recounts, in a fast-paced, comedic, tongue-in-cheek style, the adventures of Rollo Hemphill (I know, I too wondered about that, but Rollo is not into marijuana, or any other kind of illicit drugs.)
We find Rollo working - or rather not working - as a car jockey at Wuthering Palms, a luxurious Los Angeles hotel. There the love of his life, Felicia, practices the art of cosmetology. Monica LaMonica, the waning soap opera star, lives almost incognito in a bungalow on the hotel grounds and patronizes Felicia’s salon.
At first Rollo comes across as a young man without much of a past, present or future. Felicia won’t give him the time of day, the lowest-ranking of his fellow employees don’t even try to hide their contempt, and, as far as Monica is concerned, he might as well be one of the cockroaches that infest even the most palatial places in the city.
But we soon realize that there is more to Rollo than meets the eye. Rollo is the kind of young man who doesn’t hesitate to go out on a limb for the sake of love, especially when that limb is too frail to bear his weight, no matter how light. In a nutshell, Rollo has already been in some trouble, and more trouble is coming his way.
Only at that point does Rollo's inflatable friend appear in the story. Its purpose is not, contrary to what the author slyly (mis)leads the reader to expect, solitary sexual gratification. I will not reveal what it is meant to achieve: no spoilers here.
So what did I not like in this book? The title and the cover. Not only do I find them misleading, but they probably turn off many potential female readers.
And what did I like? About everything else. It is the story of a young man who is at last turning into an adult, though he is not completely there at the end of the novel. Rollo shows that he is capable of professional achievement, true love, and even integrity. I understand that Gerald has sequels coming (titled Rubber Babes and Farnworth's Revenge.) I look forward to reading them and wouldn't be surprised if this tale were ultimately one of redemption. I do hope so, because I grew very fond of Rollo, in a sort of motherly, protective way.
Also, as an Angelena, I feel that the novel captures the spirit of the city in all of its glorious and maddening shallowness and complexity: the surgically enhanced stars, the ambitious immigrants, the arrogant waiters, the palm trees swaying in the breeze... On the silver screen, this would make a delightful bittersweet romantic comedy.
I was in for a surprise. This book recounts, in a fast-paced, comedic, tongue-in-cheek style, the adventures of Rollo Hemphill (I know, I too wondered about that, but Rollo is not into marijuana, or any other kind of illicit drugs.)
We find Rollo working - or rather not working - as a car jockey at Wuthering Palms, a luxurious Los Angeles hotel. There the love of his life, Felicia, practices the art of cosmetology. Monica LaMonica, the waning soap opera star, lives almost incognito in a bungalow on the hotel grounds and patronizes Felicia’s salon.
At first Rollo comes across as a young man without much of a past, present or future. Felicia won’t give him the time of day, the lowest-ranking of his fellow employees don’t even try to hide their contempt, and, as far as Monica is concerned, he might as well be one of the cockroaches that infest even the most palatial places in the city.
But we soon realize that there is more to Rollo than meets the eye. Rollo is the kind of young man who doesn’t hesitate to go out on a limb for the sake of love, especially when that limb is too frail to bear his weight, no matter how light. In a nutshell, Rollo has already been in some trouble, and more trouble is coming his way.
Only at that point does Rollo's inflatable friend appear in the story. Its purpose is not, contrary to what the author slyly (mis)leads the reader to expect, solitary sexual gratification. I will not reveal what it is meant to achieve: no spoilers here.
So what did I not like in this book? The title and the cover. Not only do I find them misleading, but they probably turn off many potential female readers.
And what did I like? About everything else. It is the story of a young man who is at last turning into an adult, though he is not completely there at the end of the novel. Rollo shows that he is capable of professional achievement, true love, and even integrity. I understand that Gerald has sequels coming (titled Rubber Babes and Farnworth's Revenge.) I look forward to reading them and wouldn't be surprised if this tale were ultimately one of redemption. I do hope so, because I grew very fond of Rollo, in a sort of motherly, protective way.
Also, as an Angelena, I feel that the novel captures the spirit of the city in all of its glorious and maddening shallowness and complexity: the surgically enhanced stars, the ambitious immigrants, the arrogant waiters, the palm trees swaying in the breeze... On the silver screen, this would make a delightful bittersweet romantic comedy.
March 2, 2013
I thought I was twisted. This book makes me feel like Emily Post. It is hilarious. And don't let the title fool you. It's not mindless prurience, but sophisticated satire set in Beverly Hills, itself a sophisticated satire of affluence and out-of-control egos.
This book will not change your life. But it'll make the daily grind more bubbly.
This book will not change your life. But it'll make the daily grind more bubbly.
December 1, 2008
The novel is a fun read, both breezy and bawdy, a satire of celebrity culture and Hollywood, equal parts Benny Hill and Jackie Collins.
November 14, 2013
OK I wrote this one but one good reason to include it is--if you wish Peter De Vries were alive and still writing--try this and tell me whether it comes close!
The title refers as much to the main character's swelling ego as to the object(s) of his desire. If that ruins it for you, I don't know what to say...
My Inflatable Friend is the first in the three-book series of Rollo Hemphill misadventures. Farnsworth's Revenge will be published this spring - perhaps with some sneak previews. That book is written such that you can follow the plot even if you didn't read the first two books. But if you're one of those folks who binge-watches TV series like House of Cards on Netflix, you will want to begin at the beginning so you are prepared. My Inflatable Friend is available as Kindle on special for the next few days. Trade paper is available, too, for you retro readers who still have space on your bookshelves. More
The title refers as much to the main character's swelling ego as to the object(s) of his desire. If that ruins it for you, I don't know what to say...
My Inflatable Friend is the first in the three-book series of Rollo Hemphill misadventures. Farnsworth's Revenge will be published this spring - perhaps with some sneak previews. That book is written such that you can follow the plot even if you didn't read the first two books. But if you're one of those folks who binge-watches TV series like House of Cards on Netflix, you will want to begin at the beginning so you are prepared. My Inflatable Friend is available as Kindle on special for the next few days. Trade paper is available, too, for you retro readers who still have space on your bookshelves. More
March 24, 2023
Well, this was unexpected. In the first few chapters, I REALLY wasn't liking this book. The main character was such a jackass. You know what, though? Had I not pushed through and read chapter 4, I wouldn't have gotten to see that character grow and learn some things. At chapter 4, the book got going and it was really good.
I actually question if some reviewers read this book. There was zero explicit sex (and believe me, I'd notice), and the language in the book was fairly moderate. The ultimate lessons of being yourself and making good choices were what came across to me the most. But that's art for you. Subjective.
This is a slow burn book, and one that I think people will really appreciate if they take the time to push past chapter three. By no means is it without flaws, but it's pretty darn good. Heck, by biggest gripe with it (besides the first 3 chapters, which were a necessary evil, in hindsight) was how they did Merle, but even that was wonderfully resolved. (Read the book and you'll know what I mean.)
I'll put it to you this way: when I started reading this book, I was looking forward to pushing through it so that I could rip it to pieces. No joke; I was hating it that much. But from chapter 4 onward, there was a major change, not just in the overall feel of the story but in my feelings for the characters. They were no longer these idiots that I hated, but we're instead people who were just trying to be happy, ultimately. Maybe they didn't all go about it in great ways, maybe bad choices were made along the way. But isn't that what comedy is? A lot of bad choices?
I recommend this book to anyone who is open-minded and willing to be patient with a story. It really does take off, and there really are lessons to be learned and fun to be had. There's not really anything explicit, or anything that I would consider terribly offensive unless you have the sensibilities of a Victorian. And if that's the case, why the heck would you pick this book up anyway?
I actually question if some reviewers read this book. There was zero explicit sex (and believe me, I'd notice), and the language in the book was fairly moderate. The ultimate lessons of being yourself and making good choices were what came across to me the most. But that's art for you. Subjective.
This is a slow burn book, and one that I think people will really appreciate if they take the time to push past chapter three. By no means is it without flaws, but it's pretty darn good. Heck, by biggest gripe with it (besides the first 3 chapters, which were a necessary evil, in hindsight) was how they did Merle, but even that was wonderfully resolved. (Read the book and you'll know what I mean.)
I'll put it to you this way: when I started reading this book, I was looking forward to pushing through it so that I could rip it to pieces. No joke; I was hating it that much. But from chapter 4 onward, there was a major change, not just in the overall feel of the story but in my feelings for the characters. They were no longer these idiots that I hated, but we're instead people who were just trying to be happy, ultimately. Maybe they didn't all go about it in great ways, maybe bad choices were made along the way. But isn't that what comedy is? A lot of bad choices?
I recommend this book to anyone who is open-minded and willing to be patient with a story. It really does take off, and there really are lessons to be learned and fun to be had. There's not really anything explicit, or anything that I would consider terribly offensive unless you have the sensibilities of a Victorian. And if that's the case, why the heck would you pick this book up anyway?
October 13, 2020
The auther should have named his main character Rollo Humphill because he is one horny dude. Rollo is a car hop at a swanky upscale hotel. He's also a slacker as well as an ex-con and a wanna-be dee-jay. But everyone is talented in some way, even Rollo, a computer hacker of the Nth degree. One of his biggest problems and one that always gets him in big trouble-he can't say no to his friends even if he knows what he is about to do is either highly illegal or unethical.
My Inflatable Friend is loaded with inuendo, from page 1... "But trust me. Let me apply some backstory by way of lubricant and I promise you'll get the whole thing in the end." The book is riddled with funny stuff like this. You can't read it without laughing. Go ahead, give it a shot and see if I'm right or wrong.
Gerald Jones has a lot of fun with his other characters as well: Monica LaMonica, an over the hill soap star who thinks she's all that; Mr. Farnsworth, the owner of the Palms/ closet perv; the PM, a very quiet but insightful character. To level the playing field we have Rollo's true but unobtainable love, Felicia, the owner of the on site beauty parlor, the only level-headed character in the book.
Gerald Everett Jones' My Inflatable Friend is easy to read with its 6 by 9 format. Even the cover made me laugh with its balloon letters-how appropriate. I can't wait to read the other two books in the series. Please keep writing Mr. Jones. We need more comedy in the world. Someone once said: Laughter is the best medicine.
My Inflatable Friend is loaded with inuendo, from page 1... "But trust me. Let me apply some backstory by way of lubricant and I promise you'll get the whole thing in the end." The book is riddled with funny stuff like this. You can't read it without laughing. Go ahead, give it a shot and see if I'm right or wrong.
Gerald Jones has a lot of fun with his other characters as well: Monica LaMonica, an over the hill soap star who thinks she's all that; Mr. Farnsworth, the owner of the Palms/ closet perv; the PM, a very quiet but insightful character. To level the playing field we have Rollo's true but unobtainable love, Felicia, the owner of the on site beauty parlor, the only level-headed character in the book.
Gerald Everett Jones' My Inflatable Friend is easy to read with its 6 by 9 format. Even the cover made me laugh with its balloon letters-how appropriate. I can't wait to read the other two books in the series. Please keep writing Mr. Jones. We need more comedy in the world. Someone once said: Laughter is the best medicine.
August 10, 2022
When NetGalley offered this to read and review, it sounded like such a fun story. And the reviews I read did not prepare me for the very objectionable language, sex, etc.
It did have its possibilities for those who are not affected by the above. Rollo had a mad crush on Felicia, a gorgeous gal gal who works in the beauty shop of the high-falutin' Beverly Hills hotel where Rollo parks cars.
However, he cannot get Felicia to give him the attention he craves, so he tries to make her jealous by dressing up an inflatable girlfriend and driving her around town in different vehicles. Now doesn't that sound like something you'd want to read? So you can't blame me! 😁
It did have its possibilities for those who are not affected by the above. Rollo had a mad crush on Felicia, a gorgeous gal gal who works in the beauty shop of the high-falutin' Beverly Hills hotel where Rollo parks cars.
However, he cannot get Felicia to give him the attention he craves, so he tries to make her jealous by dressing up an inflatable girlfriend and driving her around town in different vehicles. Now doesn't that sound like something you'd want to read? So you can't blame me! 😁
November 24, 2024
*3.5 stars*
This will be the first comic novel I can remember reading in eons. Not my usual go to read but I saw the blurb, as well as a positive review, on Goodreads. Over the top Beverly Hills-style caper? I was intrigued…
And it was hilarious! Set in the over-the-top world of Beverly Hills and the rich that inhabit it, Rollo just didn’t fit in. And the ways he tried to, just made me laugh. A lot. Read as a confessional, but you can’t help but feel there was some serious personal growth happening as well. Combining the two, meant this novel totally worked for me.
*I happily reviewed this story
**Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial
This will be the first comic novel I can remember reading in eons. Not my usual go to read but I saw the blurb, as well as a positive review, on Goodreads. Over the top Beverly Hills-style caper? I was intrigued…
And it was hilarious! Set in the over-the-top world of Beverly Hills and the rich that inhabit it, Rollo just didn’t fit in. And the ways he tried to, just made me laugh. A lot. Read as a confessional, but you can’t help but feel there was some serious personal growth happening as well. Combining the two, meant this novel totally worked for me.
*I happily reviewed this story
**Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial
August 9, 2022
'My Inflatable Friend: The Confessions of Rollo Hemphill' is a fun read albeit a bit of a frivolous read. 'My Inflatable Friend' is also, at least in part, a parody on the self importance of Hollywood types. Many parts of this book are laugh out loud funny so I have to admit that as far as comedy goes, the author Gerald Everett Jones hit his mark perfectly. Although this book is not my cup of tea I think that it is well written. I gave this book about 3.5 stars. It is an interesting book, just not my style.
'My Inflatable Friend: The Confessions of Rollo Hemphill' by Gerald Everett Jones was given to me free of charge in exchange for an honest review. Above are my thoughts. Thank you Mr. Jones, BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to broaden my horizon.
'My Inflatable Friend: The Confessions of Rollo Hemphill' by Gerald Everett Jones was given to me free of charge in exchange for an honest review. Above are my thoughts. Thank you Mr. Jones, BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to broaden my horizon.
July 14, 2022
This is a slightly-bawdy, satirical send-up of Beverly Hills. Rollo is a car jockey at a luxurious hotel, pining away for Felicia, who works at the hotel’s on-site beauty salon. When he can’t capture her attention, he devises a wacky plan to make her jealous by parading around with a blow-up doll in various borrowed cars. Things don’t go exactly to plan… This was a pleasant surprise, lots of laugh-out-loud moments and while I have never lived in Los Angeles, its depiction felt accurate.
August 8, 2022
I am really not sure what I just read. In order to make Felicia jealous, Rollo decides to create a dummy doll with a realistic face of an actress. He is seen all over town with this dummy actress - and it appears to work. But how can Rollo back out of the deal he has gotten himself into and just go back to his simple life? What a strange book.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated above are mine without biases.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated above are mine without biases.
July 15, 2022
This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from BooksGoSocial and #NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
This one is definitely unique. It has humorous moments, questionable ones too. Take it all for what it is, comedic relief and suspend reality,
This one is definitely unique. It has humorous moments, questionable ones too. Take it all for what it is, comedic relief and suspend reality,
August 15, 2022
My inflatable friend by Gerald Everett Jones.
A reformed hacker-turned-slacker, twenty-something Rollo Hemphill fantasizes about becoming a top-forty DJ. Unfortunately, he has more talent than ambition. He's settled for a menial job as a car jockey at "The Wuthering Palms," a luxury hotel in Beverly Hills.
A brilliant read. Hilarious. Definitely recommend. 5*.
A reformed hacker-turned-slacker, twenty-something Rollo Hemphill fantasizes about becoming a top-forty DJ. Unfortunately, he has more talent than ambition. He's settled for a menial job as a car jockey at "The Wuthering Palms," a luxury hotel in Beverly Hills.
A brilliant read. Hilarious. Definitely recommend. 5*.
July 31, 2022
This book has some seriously funny moments and the author has a real knack for descriptive language. Not being American, I read it with a sense of impending doom - how much was lampoon and how much reflected reality?
March 7, 2024
I thought this was going to be a fun book and I wasn’t wrong. It had me chuckling quite often. I loved this author’s type of humour and his mention of boychik lit. Yes why not? If there’s chick lit why not boychik lit? Thoroughly enjoyed reading this little gem.
Read
August 5, 2023Dnf @21%
Read
December 13, 2022'my infatable friend' is an immediately immersive read by gerald everett jones with a descriptive and laugh-out-loud stream of consciousness style of narration and a larger-than-life protagonist with a very distinct voice. i was drawn to the book from the very first line ('My name is Rollo Hemphill and I'm no pervert.') and the chapters are just short enough not to be too overwhelming. this is where the *but* comes in. as much as i liked the very straightforward and direct storytelling, i could not really care for or remember any of the characters except for the protagonist. the storyline also made it feel to me as though too much was going on at the same time, and despite connecting to the sly, but fun and endearing rollo, i just couldn't feel that certain 'thrill' i was looking for as i kept up with his adventures. still, mr. jones is an incredible writer with a wicked sense of humor and a great grasp of humor; i just don't think this was for me. *thank you, netgalley, for the ARC!*
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews