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When Aubrey Jacek hits bottom, he goes all out. When he finds out his man is cheating on him, all of the trouble at home spills over into work, and Aubrey just can't keep it together. Fights break out, shots are fired, and Aubrey is pushed to his limit. He hits the bottle hard, hits other things harder, all the while spiraling out of control.
The one good thing in his life is Kelly, the kid who might just turn his life around. Aubrey meets Kelly at the worst possible time, when he can't climb out of the hole he's dug for himself, and Aubrey leaves Kelly behind, thinking he's doing what's best for both of them.
Through all of the wandering from one dead end job to another, through all of the drinking and despair, Kelly is like a shining beacon at hope, the one constant good thing Aubrey can remember. Kelly's letters brighten his day, and when they stop coming, Aubrey knows he has to find his way back. Can Aubrey clean up his act and make his way home to Kelly before it's too late to start over?
The one good thing in his life is Kelly, the kid who might just turn his life around. Aubrey meets Kelly at the worst possible time, when he can't climb out of the hole he's dug for himself, and Aubrey leaves Kelly behind, thinking he's doing what's best for both of them.
Through all of the wandering from one dead end job to another, through all of the drinking and despair, Kelly is like a shining beacon at hope, the one constant good thing Aubrey can remember. Kelly's letters brighten his day, and when they stop coming, Aubrey knows he has to find his way back. Can Aubrey clean up his act and make his way home to Kelly before it's too late to start over?
212 pages, Paperback
First published July 11, 2007
52 people want to read
About the author
Jodi Payne
90 books401 followersJODI spent too many years in New York and San Francisco stage managing classical plays, edgy fringe work, and the occasional musical. She, therefore, is overdramatic, takes herself way too seriously, and has been known to randomly break out in song. Her men are imperfect but genuine, stubborn but likable, often kinky, and frequently their own worst enemies. They are characters you can’t help but fall in love with while they stumble along the path to their happily ever after.
For those looking to get on her good side, Jodi’s addictions include nonfat lattes, Malbec and tequila however you pour it. She’s also obsessed with Shakespeare and Broadway musicals. She can be found wearing sock monkey gloves while typing when it’s cold, and on the beach enjoying the sun and the ocean when it’s hot. When she’s not writing and/or vacuuming sand out of her laptop, Jodi mentors queer youth and will drop everything for live music. Jodi lives near New York City with her beautiful wife, and together they are mothers of dragons (cleverly disguised as children) and slaves to an enormous polydactyl cat.
For those looking to get on her good side, Jodi’s addictions include nonfat lattes, Malbec and tequila however you pour it. She’s also obsessed with Shakespeare and Broadway musicals. She can be found wearing sock monkey gloves while typing when it’s cold, and on the beach enjoying the sun and the ocean when it’s hot. When she’s not writing and/or vacuuming sand out of her laptop, Jodi mentors queer youth and will drop everything for live music. Jodi lives near New York City with her beautiful wife, and together they are mothers of dragons (cleverly disguised as children) and slaves to an enormous polydactyl cat.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 24, 2014
Realistic, often gritty this story shows the ugly truth behind alcoholism.
Aubrey's a plain speaking man with simple wants and an honest companion is one. The opening event to the story sets off Aubrey's temper which cascades into a series of bad decisions and events. He receives a couple hands up, one from Kelly, but Aubrey's started his fall. And fall he does, right down the rabbit hole into the bottom of the bottle. Ain't pretty and ain't varnished here.
It's a rough read. Aubrey goes through some challenges and trials. Makes a lot of decisions which make him downright unlikeable at times. But, he perseveres, stumbles and keeps going. Hurting and being hurt until he finds his way out. Now, I liked the realism and the setting. Even if Aubrey isn't my ideal person, I like to think that people can change. I also believe it is self-determined and assisted with motivations. It wasn't fun, but I enjoyed reading it. I only have one quibble, from the beginning Kelly was heartstruck by Aubrey and I never saw the reasoning behind it. Told exclusively from Aubrey's viewpoint we never know. I want to know.
Favorite quote:
Aubrey's a plain speaking man with simple wants and an honest companion is one. The opening event to the story sets off Aubrey's temper which cascades into a series of bad decisions and events. He receives a couple hands up, one from Kelly, but Aubrey's started his fall. And fall he does, right down the rabbit hole into the bottom of the bottle. Ain't pretty and ain't varnished here.
It's a rough read. Aubrey goes through some challenges and trials. Makes a lot of decisions which make him downright unlikeable at times. But, he perseveres, stumbles and keeps going. Hurting and being hurt until he finds his way out. Now, I liked the realism and the setting. Even if Aubrey isn't my ideal person, I like to think that people can change. I also believe it is self-determined and assisted with motivations. It wasn't fun, but I enjoyed reading it. I only have one quibble, from the beginning Kelly was heartstruck by Aubrey and I never saw the reasoning behind it. Told exclusively from Aubrey's viewpoint we never know. I want to know.
Favorite quote:
You talk like a tough ol' coyote, cowboy, but I see your henhouse ways. I know you care about me.
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April 1, 2009To the hell and back. This is the story of Aubrey and of his journey of discovery.
When his boyfriend cheats on him Aubrey dumps him and tryies to lose his sadness in the alcohol. When he meets Kelly he doesn't deserve this sweet and young guy and he is conscious of that and decides to leave. He thinks to never return home and instead he engages in the search of his nobility.
He changes partners and experiences and manages to not remain killed in the process. But only when he finally meets a man who really can share love and not only sex, he only could think to Kelly and works to be a better man and regain Kelly's love. But he has never lost his love...
This is a wonderful story of love and pain, of need and generosity. It's also a tale of the various shades of love, from the anonymous love of a one standing night to the deeply love of friendship. All of these shades help Aubrey to make clear in his mind and see the full color of his true love.
Aubrey is not a perfect hero, like the Marlboro Man cowboy, he has defects and merits, and for this reason he is the perfect hero for me!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1603701389/?...
When his boyfriend cheats on him Aubrey dumps him and tryies to lose his sadness in the alcohol. When he meets Kelly he doesn't deserve this sweet and young guy and he is conscious of that and decides to leave. He thinks to never return home and instead he engages in the search of his nobility.
He changes partners and experiences and manages to not remain killed in the process. But only when he finally meets a man who really can share love and not only sex, he only could think to Kelly and works to be a better man and regain Kelly's love. But he has never lost his love...
This is a wonderful story of love and pain, of need and generosity. It's also a tale of the various shades of love, from the anonymous love of a one standing night to the deeply love of friendship. All of these shades help Aubrey to make clear in his mind and see the full color of his true love.
Aubrey is not a perfect hero, like the Marlboro Man cowboy, he has defects and merits, and for this reason he is the perfect hero for me!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1603701389/?...
January 1, 2015
★★★☆☆½
Aubrey gets dumped by his cheating boyfriend and he drowns himself in alcohol and gets himself in a barfight and as he's trying to drive himself home, meets the love of his life, Kelly. Only he doesn't think he's worthy and continuously proves that until he finally leaves the only place he's felt like home, a job that he fits to a tee, and Kelly, and goes on a long drunken road trip, planning never to return.
Will Kelly still be there when he finally gets his head out of his ass? Gotta read to find out.
Aubrey is a horse whisperer and I liked the way he worked with the horses. Not so much with the people skills, though.
Aubrey gets dumped by his cheating boyfriend and he drowns himself in alcohol and gets himself in a barfight and as he's trying to drive himself home, meets the love of his life, Kelly. Only he doesn't think he's worthy and continuously proves that until he finally leaves the only place he's felt like home, a job that he fits to a tee, and Kelly, and goes on a long drunken road trip, planning never to return.
Will Kelly still be there when he finally gets his head out of his ass? Gotta read to find out.
Aubrey is a horse whisperer and I liked the way he worked with the horses. Not so much with the people skills, though.
November 18, 2015
I liked this more than I expected too. I thought it was going to be super dramatic and angsty, but it wasn't really, it was just the story of one really messed up guy on the way to rock bottom and then back up again. Despite his many bad decisions, I liked Aubrey a lot. I thought he was a strong character and I loved that he eventually found the will to fix himself. As far as his romance with Kelly, I liked Kelly fine although we didn't really get to know him or know why he liked Aubrey so much even when Aubrey was a mess. The story was really more focused on Aubrey's journey than on the romance but I didn't actually mind that and ended up enjoying the book.
November 1, 2013
4.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews