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Hard Times: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 17 Mar 26An extraordinary crime novel from a rising star, that follows the ripple effects of a tragic shooting throughout a Chicago community from the view of the teachers, police officers, and students impacted.
Buddy Mack has been caught in the middle of two worlds at war.
As an English teacher at a South Side, Chicago, high school lauded for its football team, but at risk in every other way, he tries to instill a love of literature. While all of his students face challenges, he’s especially concerned with a trio of boys who test him to no end but are full of promise and heart: Zeke, the football star; Truth, the sweet-talking charmer; and Dontell, Buddy’s most promising student.
At home, his wife, Chrissy, a successful corporate lawyer, is ready to upgrade to a big house on the North Side and start a family, but Buddy’s torn over the implications. And the closest person he has in his life to talk to is Chrissy’s little brother, Curtis, a corrupt Chicago cop.
When the two worlds collide in a shocking moment that rocks the school, Buddy has to choose a side and fight for all he holds dear. Hard Times takes stock of what it means to be there for your people whether you want to or not and unflinchingly confronts the American Dream—a moving, engrossing, and necessary read.
Buddy Mack has been caught in the middle of two worlds at war.
As an English teacher at a South Side, Chicago, high school lauded for its football team, but at risk in every other way, he tries to instill a love of literature. While all of his students face challenges, he’s especially concerned with a trio of boys who test him to no end but are full of promise and heart: Zeke, the football star; Truth, the sweet-talking charmer; and Dontell, Buddy’s most promising student.
At home, his wife, Chrissy, a successful corporate lawyer, is ready to upgrade to a big house on the North Side and start a family, but Buddy’s torn over the implications. And the closest person he has in his life to talk to is Chrissy’s little brother, Curtis, a corrupt Chicago cop.
When the two worlds collide in a shocking moment that rocks the school, Buddy has to choose a side and fight for all he holds dear. Hard Times takes stock of what it means to be there for your people whether you want to or not and unflinchingly confronts the American Dream—a moving, engrossing, and necessary read.
352 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication March 17, 2026
2 people are currently reading
5798 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Boyd
4 books31 followersJeff is the author of The Weight. He is a former Chicago public school teacher and a graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. He lives in New York with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 11, 2026
This book was good, but a tough read. It was almost that no one ever had a chance to be good, to get out of the gang/drug activity around them, and just perpetuating the cycle. But there is hope, even just a tiny glimmer.
The characters were great and had depth.
(Thanks goodreads for the giveaway)
The characters were great and had depth.
(Thanks goodreads for the giveaway)
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Moving novel regarding an inner city teacher.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Well written heart wrenching perspectives.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews