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Snow Job
Nick has created the perfect list of rules for remaking his life. His loser friends may be graduating from high school and going nowhere fast, but Nick is determined to make a fresh start. All he has to do is stick to his list.
Enter dark-eyed Dawn, tough and troubled. Meeting a girl like her is nowhere on Nick’s list. Neither is hanging out Zod, a teen thug who is back on the streets after Nick testified against him years ago. And making deliveries for the local drug lord definitely isn’t on Nick’s list.
So why is Nick caught up with these people and their dangerous schemes? No one said that changing his life would be simple, and Nick’s willing to take a few knocks—and accept a few risks—in his quest for a new beginning. As scams swirl and the stakes rise ever higher, will Nick’s list help him to be a hero—or turn him into a fall guy?
Set among the freedoms and uncertainties of the late ’70s, Charles Benoit’s newest noir masterpiece explores how small steps lead to an avalanche of consequences as one boy attempts to take charge of his destiny.
Enter dark-eyed Dawn, tough and troubled. Meeting a girl like her is nowhere on Nick’s list. Neither is hanging out Zod, a teen thug who is back on the streets after Nick testified against him years ago. And making deliveries for the local drug lord definitely isn’t on Nick’s list.
So why is Nick caught up with these people and their dangerous schemes? No one said that changing his life would be simple, and Nick’s willing to take a few knocks—and accept a few risks—in his quest for a new beginning. As scams swirl and the stakes rise ever higher, will Nick’s list help him to be a hero—or turn him into a fall guy?
Set among the freedoms and uncertainties of the late ’70s, Charles Benoit’s newest noir masterpiece explores how small steps lead to an avalanche of consequences as one boy attempts to take charge of his destiny.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2016
7 people are currently reading
529 people want to read
About the author
Charles Benoit
39 books113 followersWhen he's not traveling around the globe in the search of exotic, tax-deductible settings for his mysteries, Charles Benoit spends his days pumping out subliminal-laced advertising.
Nominated for an Edgar and a Barry, Relative Danger won the Franklin award and was the darling of fans and critics alike. Out of Order (2006) is set in modern India while Noble Lies (September 2007) takes place in Thailand.
Nominated for an Edgar and a Barry, Relative Danger won the Franklin award and was the darling of fans and critics alike. Out of Order (2006) is set in modern India while Noble Lies (September 2007) takes place in Thailand.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
March 17, 2016
It is worth mentioning that I was a little naive and did not understand the title until half the book haha.
But hey, Snow Job tells the story of Nick, who is tired of living in the same way in which he has done all his life. So but now he wants to change his life based on a list that has written with four basic things to carry out his plan. But what he did not know was going to meet some people who perhaps would ruin his attempt to change.
The story seemed very well write, since despite being subtle and not so complex you hooked from beginning to end. It is narrated by Nick, a teenager about to turn eighteen who now wants to govern his life based on a list. The concept of the list seemed a little used but the list itself was very original and promised to be effective. It takes us back to a time in which I would have liked to live honestly: 70's so while you're reading you find characters with toupees, platform shoes and personalities somewhat extravagant.
Besides Nick. one of the characters who most enjoy reading was Dawn, who turned out to be more intelligent and less innocent than it appeared, showing us how far we can get to help those we love, regardless of the consequences that may result in our actions.
I also liked Karla a lot, since it is a clear example of what many of us should do, which is not always conform with what we have when we clearly have more if you wish. What are sometimes scared of not being able to transcend so we look for new places to live, fighting for change.
A story that really liked me and kept me hooked from beginning to end. Funny, raw and fast paced, ideal for people like me who like this kind of stories that address issues of drugs, sex and drugdealers.
But hey, Snow Job tells the story of Nick, who is tired of living in the same way in which he has done all his life. So but now he wants to change his life based on a list that has written with four basic things to carry out his plan. But what he did not know was going to meet some people who perhaps would ruin his attempt to change.
The story seemed very well write, since despite being subtle and not so complex you hooked from beginning to end. It is narrated by Nick, a teenager about to turn eighteen who now wants to govern his life based on a list. The concept of the list seemed a little used but the list itself was very original and promised to be effective. It takes us back to a time in which I would have liked to live honestly: 70's so while you're reading you find characters with toupees, platform shoes and personalities somewhat extravagant.
Besides Nick. one of the characters who most enjoy reading was Dawn, who turned out to be more intelligent and less innocent than it appeared, showing us how far we can get to help those we love, regardless of the consequences that may result in our actions.
I also liked Karla a lot, since it is a clear example of what many of us should do, which is not always conform with what we have when we clearly have more if you wish. What are sometimes scared of not being able to transcend so we look for new places to live, fighting for change.
A story that really liked me and kept me hooked from beginning to end. Funny, raw and fast paced, ideal for people like me who like this kind of stories that address issues of drugs, sex and drugdealers.
March 5, 2016
Nick is trying to turn his life around senior year, but he meets a girl who's in trouble, a guy who he owes, and a drug dealer who promises cash, which could change his path around again. Anyone who has lived through an upstate NY winter will appreciate this setting, and anyone who enjoys an imperfect main character trying to make things right will appreciate this narrator. A fast-paced, crime-ridden read.
January 31, 2024
this book was ok at best at first
then towards the end it got good
then the plot twist
then towards the end it got good
then the plot twist
February 29, 2016
Nick has decided to set up new rules to change his life. He changes his style of clothes, but when he meets Dawn his next steps didn't go quite as planned. He gets involved with Zod running drugs etc., plans to leave town with Dawn, and someone tries to set him up to take the fall for some missing drug money.
Quick easy reading. Moderate to good story.
I won this book free on Goodreads.
Quick easy reading. Moderate to good story.
I won this book free on Goodreads.
June 6, 2016
YA book. Drugs and sex. High school age or older. Can Nick change his whole life by changing the clothes he wears? Seems to work -- but he gets involved with drug runners, a girl who pretends to be his girlfriend, etc.
January 6, 2017
Wow. The ending was shocking and horrible. This book was just not my type. Drinking, girls, drug dealing...It was a complete meh, boring, pathetic, annoying... I wouldn't recommend this to anyone under the age of 14.
December 8, 2015
This book is a good thriller type of book. There is language and lots of drugs throughout the book. I would say it would be good for high schoolers but I would not recommend any younger.
September 17, 2019
Well, somehow I went into this book completely oblivious to the whole cocaine thing. So that was a pleasant surprise. Everyone in the book is kind of totally a loser, but some of them are amusing losers. Dawn was nearly insufferable until the end. Nick's parents are heartless robots programmed to say the same idiotic sentences every time he interacts with them. "About time you showed up" or something. Like why do you even care? You barely even count as parents, shut up. I actually ended up kind of liking Steve by the end as much as you can like a psycho who stabs people and aspires to be a drug lord. And the more I think about it, the more I feel like I actually really liked Nick. He had actual principles and he was making an effort to be who he wanted to be and failing kind of miserably, which is so painfully realistic. But, man, his weird preoccupation with Dawn made him way dumber and more annoying. Again, that's why I liked the ending. And then Karla was sorta cool. But then she was basically nonexistent so I don't know.
Overall, the book was fine. I was halfway through when I stopped to wonder what the heck I was doing reading it. Like I could've easily put it down for good at any point and never given it a second thought. I didn't care. But it wasn't long so I finished it and I feel like it was about the same level of time-waster as re-watching episodes of a show I've already seen three times ... I don't know what that's supposed to mean but there you go.
Overall, the book was fine. I was halfway through when I stopped to wonder what the heck I was doing reading it. Like I could've easily put it down for good at any point and never given it a second thought. I didn't care. But it wasn't long so I finished it and I feel like it was about the same level of time-waster as re-watching episodes of a show I've already seen three times ... I don't know what that's supposed to mean but there you go.
March 24, 2021
The first thing I will say is I went into the book expecting one thing and got the complete opposite. I like to be completely surprised when it comes to books. I saw the title and read the little blurbs ("Can Nick dig himself out before it's too late?") and thought this would be a thriller about a kid trapped in a log cabin in a blizzard without any food or heat. So, when I started reading and realized this is NOT a thriller, I was totally shocked!
That being said, I really liked this book. It did one of the best jobs of transporting the reader into the 1970s without being blatant. Rather than simply making 70s references, the author described the clothing, environment, and pop culture of the decade when it was relevant to the story. That was crucial.
This book did rely on some overdone tropes that I didn't like. For example, Nick has a list that he made to help him navigate life. I feel like I've read a dozen books where the main teenager has a thing for lists.
My biggest complaint was Karla. She seemed to be thrown in there as a plot device and wasn't given much substance. She got Nick in trouble at the college party and moved to Florida. That's kind of it. I liked her character, but she had so much potential.
By the end of the book, I was left wondering what Nick was going to do next. It ended with him going back to that list he made but we don't get to see what happens to him. He was a fantastic character with plenty of heart. I wanted more, though.
That being said, I really liked this book. It did one of the best jobs of transporting the reader into the 1970s without being blatant. Rather than simply making 70s references, the author described the clothing, environment, and pop culture of the decade when it was relevant to the story. That was crucial.
This book did rely on some overdone tropes that I didn't like. For example, Nick has a list that he made to help him navigate life. I feel like I've read a dozen books where the main teenager has a thing for lists.
My biggest complaint was Karla. She seemed to be thrown in there as a plot device and wasn't given much substance. She got Nick in trouble at the college party and moved to Florida. That's kind of it. I liked her character, but she had so much potential.
By the end of the book, I was left wondering what Nick was going to do next. It ended with him going back to that list he made but we don't get to see what happens to him. He was a fantastic character with plenty of heart. I wanted more, though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2018
It was only a few years ago that Nick testified against his junior high classmate Zod, a kid who sunk a knife into an acquaintance. It is now the year 1977 and Nick is going to be a Senior in high school. His friend Zod was sent to prison 2 years before the current date. He was convicted of stabbing his friend with a knife. The relationship between Nick and Zod drops very rapidly. Nick is very exasperated with his parents because they will not let him leave the town. Then Nick very irritated gets a job to get enough funds to leave his town after graduation. Zod then threatens to kill Nick like he did with his other acquaintance. Nicks life is all down in the shambles. The surprising twist is that Zod dropped his grudge over Nick. He seemed to have dropped it over a football bet that Nick made very drunk at a college party. What Nick does not know is that Zod is very high on drugs and making deals with a local drug dealer. The person who he gets his drugs from is the same person Dawn sells pictures of herself to get money for her disabled sister. Zod then calls in a favor. He asks Nick to run drugs to his clients and then to get out of town with Dawn and her sister. I would recommend this book to people who like drama and mystery. The author of the book is able to use personification in the book by saying “ That damn snow is smiling at me and it mocks me.” He also uses a Metaphor and a simile in the book for example “that Zod is like a snake with 5 heads.” and “the snow is a white blanket over my driveway in the morning.” These literary techniques gibe a lot to the story by describing the scene of the story and the mood of some of the characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2020
I too admit that the cover had me scratching my head until after I finished the book. Ha!
I loved the story. Every word. Quirky, without being hard to follow. That might be a slogan for the 70's as a whole. Or a 17 year old's thought pattern. It felt relatable even if you weren't exactly there in your life. I loved the main protagonist and enjoyed the multiple antagonists, and not once did it bog down or go off on a tangent. I suppose I can see moms keeping this away from kids under 14, but as a boy in the 70's I say they're hysterical and all the more reason for the 8th grader [maybe 7th grader] to sneak read a copy. It's not that shocking [it's not blood and gore fantasy] except for the truth in the matter. It's real; all the chaos and fun [drugs and dudes] adolescent wishes and tenuous goals. Five thumbs up for a solidly written, enjoyable story. _________Daniel
I loved the story. Every word. Quirky, without being hard to follow. That might be a slogan for the 70's as a whole. Or a 17 year old's thought pattern. It felt relatable even if you weren't exactly there in your life. I loved the main protagonist and enjoyed the multiple antagonists, and not once did it bog down or go off on a tangent. I suppose I can see moms keeping this away from kids under 14, but as a boy in the 70's I say they're hysterical and all the more reason for the 8th grader [maybe 7th grader] to sneak read a copy. It's not that shocking [it's not blood and gore fantasy] except for the truth in the matter. It's real; all the chaos and fun [drugs and dudes] adolescent wishes and tenuous goals. Five thumbs up for a solidly written, enjoyable story. _________Daniel
March 21, 2017
|4.5 Stars|
This was fun. That's probably one of the best ways to describe this - it was just. Fun. I enjoyed it. I didn't like it as much as I normally like Benoit's books, but it was still really good, just not good enough for the full five stars - I still really enjoyed it. The characters were good, the '70s setting was REALLY well done (seriously - you can tell that Benoit grew up in the '70s), and overall, I really enjoyed it.
This was fun. That's probably one of the best ways to describe this - it was just. Fun. I enjoyed it. I didn't like it as much as I normally like Benoit's books, but it was still really good, just not good enough for the full five stars - I still really enjoyed it. The characters were good, the '70s setting was REALLY well done (seriously - you can tell that Benoit grew up in the '70s), and overall, I really enjoyed it.
June 19, 2017
Just when you think you have it all planned out and in order, life happens!
I won an advanced uncorrected proof copy of this book during a Goodreads giveaway. I am under no obligation to leave a review or rating and do so voluntarily. So that others may also enjoy this book, I am donating it to a senior assisted living facility.
I won an advanced uncorrected proof copy of this book during a Goodreads giveaway. I am under no obligation to leave a review or rating and do so voluntarily. So that others may also enjoy this book, I am donating it to a senior assisted living facility.
January 3, 2025
I read this book in ninth grade after winning a contest at school and a signed copy of this book was my prize. Is it my nostalgia writing this review or is it me? Who’s to say. It’s a very insightful look into drug culture, especially in our youth, and how people can very easily get mixed up in the wrong crowd if they aren’t careful. All in all, it’s a good time.
December 31, 2017
dnf @ p123
December 12, 2019
I enjoyed this until the ending, it was a fun series of events for me. Kid trying to be a different person gets caught up distributing weed and working selling cocaine. I found the main character fairly like able and entertaining.
I did however call the ending, and was hoping that wasn’t actually the case since I didn’t like where it was going. But that was how it ended and I am giving it 3 stars for that since it really kind of ruined it for me.
I did however call the ending, and was hoping that wasn’t actually the case since I didn’t like where it was going. But that was how it ended and I am giving it 3 stars for that since it really kind of ruined it for me.
December 9, 2023
The cover is terrible and I don't know that it's YA, but if I hadn't had these preconceived notions from the ARC (12+ my ASS), I would've enjoyed it for what it was, I think. Maybe.
October 28, 2021
Even though it is easy to read, I did not enjoy this book. The start of the story is slow and dull. The plot only really starts towards the second half of the book. The overall writing style and the word choice could be improved. The lack of figurative language does not draw the reader into the book. I would not recommend this book for readers younger than 14 because of the recurrent drugs theme and the intimate behavior of a girl.
January 2, 2017
Benoit, Charles Snow Job, 274 pages. Clarion (Houghton Mifflin), 2016. $18. Language: R (50+ swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: R (drinking, weed, drug dealing); Violence: G.
Nick is a senior in high school and it looks like his life is going absolutely nowhere. Just as he tries to change things for the better, or at least a different nothing, he gets lured into running drugs for an old adversary. Not only is his life looking worse – he could also be looking at dead.
This book says that it is set in the late 1970’s, and there are a few references to the time period, but the year has no actual bearing or effect on the action or plot of the book – like someone had a list of things that were around in 1977, so they should refer to them. I am mystified by this book it terms of its appeal or its actual plot– why do I want to read about a high school kid who is going absolutely nowhere with his life and the trouble he gets into while running drugs? I wouldn’t. And if I really did want a plotless book with drugs in it, then I would choose John Green’s Looking for Alaska instead.
NOT RECOMMENDED. Cindy, Library Teacher
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2016/...
Nick is a senior in high school and it looks like his life is going absolutely nowhere. Just as he tries to change things for the better, or at least a different nothing, he gets lured into running drugs for an old adversary. Not only is his life looking worse – he could also be looking at dead.
This book says that it is set in the late 1970’s, and there are a few references to the time period, but the year has no actual bearing or effect on the action or plot of the book – like someone had a list of things that were around in 1977, so they should refer to them. I am mystified by this book it terms of its appeal or its actual plot– why do I want to read about a high school kid who is going absolutely nowhere with his life and the trouble he gets into while running drugs? I wouldn’t. And if I really did want a plotless book with drugs in it, then I would choose John Green’s Looking for Alaska instead.
NOT RECOMMENDED. Cindy, Library Teacher
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2016/...
June 23, 2016
Nick is tired of living the life he's expected to, so he decides to redefine himself. His new mantra: Stand out, Stand up, Stand by, Stand fast. So when a pretty girl walks into his job at the Stop'N'Go and cons him out of $10, and a guy Nick once testified against in court gets out of jail, he knows his life is in for a change. Suddenly thrown in with drug dealers, Nick must make a choice. Will he follow his mantra and get himself out clean, or will he give in to temptation?
I don't tend to like books (or anything, really) about drugs, so this book had an uphill battle for me, and it ended up not being too bad. While drugs are a major aspect of the plot, Nick's attitude towards them made them bearable for me. On the other hand, I never really felt fear for Nick or the other characters when they were confronted with the perils of drug running. Nick plays everything with such cool, calm confidence that these things felt almost like a non-issue, even though they were discussed.
I don't tend to like books (or anything, really) about drugs, so this book had an uphill battle for me, and it ended up not being too bad. While drugs are a major aspect of the plot, Nick's attitude towards them made them bearable for me. On the other hand, I never really felt fear for Nick or the other characters when they were confronted with the perils of drug running. Nick plays everything with such cool, calm confidence that these things felt almost like a non-issue, even though they were discussed.
December 12, 2016
Young Adult
This story has the following: life revelations, dysfunctional families, miserable jobs, and relatable characters. Overall, if you have a quick moment then this is an enjoyable junk food read.
Spoilers
When I first picked up this novel, I truly didn't know what to expect. At first I thought this was about a kid messing up and having to shovel snow to make money and a bunch of hi-jinks thrown in. Nope, I was absolutely wrong. Snow Job meant cocaine job. Which seems obvious after the fact. The love interest that occurs was dumb from a readers perspective, but it was explained in such a way that it was dumb because the protagonist is a dumb teenager.
Charles Benoit, the author, didn't push his luck in writing some scenes that would have ruined the authenticity of his story and instead left these moments for the reader to imagine. Solid YA author for males.
This story has the following: life revelations, dysfunctional families, miserable jobs, and relatable characters. Overall, if you have a quick moment then this is an enjoyable junk food read.
Spoilers
When I first picked up this novel, I truly didn't know what to expect. At first I thought this was about a kid messing up and having to shovel snow to make money and a bunch of hi-jinks thrown in. Nope, I was absolutely wrong. Snow Job meant cocaine job. Which seems obvious after the fact. The love interest that occurs was dumb from a readers perspective, but it was explained in such a way that it was dumb because the protagonist is a dumb teenager.
Charles Benoit, the author, didn't push his luck in writing some scenes that would have ruined the authenticity of his story and instead left these moments for the reader to imagine. Solid YA author for males.
May 16, 2016
Nick is a guy's guy and an inwardly secure guy growing into his ideals and his goals. He might remind you a little of Lloyd Dobbler in "Say Anything". Nick's parents fail him, Nick's sisters fail him, Nick's friends fail him and yet Nick finds love, which also can somewhat fail him. Caught in a spiraling web of deceit and danger, Nick holds on to his convictions and fights for his true love. He learns some valuable lessons. Set in the late 1970s, this story has character, excellent dialog and a convincing plot. There's also a good amount of testosterone that doesn't make the book machismo, but keeps it realistic and fresh. Good one, C. Benoit. :)
April 13, 2016
I was the lucky winner of a copy of this book from a Goodreads Giveaway. I really enjoyed this book. It reminded me that no matter what year it is, past, or present, kids will always be kids. Every generation faces the same set of problems. It brought back memories of high school. Ugg. If only I could have been as smart as Nick. Nick had a list though. The LIST. Following it was the key to helping him map a path that leads him through a series of dead ends and false starts. Did he get there in the end? I am not going to tell you. You will have to read this gem for yourself.
September 22, 2015
I think I need to be in the right mood to read noir and when I read Snow Job I wasn't in that mood. I've read all of Mr. Benoit's previous books and thoroughly enjoyed them. I've recommended them to my students and his book You is even one of the books I use in my book club. Snow Job just didn't spark my interest or draw me in.
June 7, 2016
I won this book in a giveaway. This book is easy to read, and from the beginning you find yourself rooting for the main character. His intelligence is unappreciated by family and friends, and the reader comes along for the ride as he grows in maturity. Slightly suspenseful, contains a surprising twist that caught me completely off guard. I highly recommend this book for readers ages 16+.
August 19, 2016
It's the late 1970's and Nick, in his senior year, has decided to reinvent himself. Nick has developed four statements to change his life. But is crushing on a drug dealer's girl friend and planning a double-cross part of the plan?
Reviewer 17
Reviewer 17
April 21, 2016
A noirish not-quite-a-thriller set in late 1970's upstate New York. Good evocation of time and place, with smart lead characters. See my full review here.
February 28, 2016
At Reading Rants: http://www.readingrants.org/2016/02/2...
April 28, 2016
Snow Job is an easy read, taking me only a few hours. I admit I was intrigued and didn't expect anything that happened. I would recommend this book only for mature audiences.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews