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The Whipping Boyfriend
Forty-something divorcee Dora Ashworth does not feel like a cougar and is not even sure she wants to. Truth be known, the only cubs she has room for in her life are the five who call her mama-until fate leads her to rescue a man down on his luck. After she invites Jean Claude to put his handyman skills to work to help her around her house, Dora soon discovers that he is more than just a nice guy with a troubled soul: he is someone she can trust. As Dora continues to muddle her way through the challenging middle-aged dating scene peppered with men with whom she has no chemistry, she has no idea that Jean Claude is harboring a dark secret that will change everything for both of them. The Whipping Boyfriend is a story of love, hope, and renewal as a divorced single mother attempts to move past a broken heart with help from an unlikely stranger. Edward Reed resides in North Carolina. The Whipping Boyfriend is his debut novel."
- GenresFiction
202 pages, Paperback
Published February 11, 2016
1439 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 1, 2021
"Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding."
My. Goodness. Someone pass the tissues, please!
*wipes happy tears*
I couldn’t stop thinking about The Whipping Boyfriend, even long after I finished it. Edward Reed, in just 200-something pages, weaves a beautiful story of hope that I absolutely couldn’t put down. And the last 46 words were beautiful.
Reed’s simple, warm writing style and sense of humor offers authentic, vivid and easily relatable characters. Dora is a strong, endearing heroine, and her compassionate disposition toward everyone – even her dreadful ex-husband – makes her absolutely lovable.
And Elmira! Quirky Elmira plays a small role in terms of word count but offers comic relief:
"Elmira Miller, Dora’s septuagenarian neighbor who lives a few houses up the street, claimed to be part gypsy and hence part fortune-teller. However everyone who knew Elmira knew her olive gypsylike complexion was from her tan-in-a-can lotion… Having double-dipped herself in liquid tan, Elmira looked extra gypsy."
See what I mean? How can you not crack a smile?
Then there's Jean Claude. When Dani, one of Dora’s daughters, discovered she stepped in dog poo before entering the church sanctuary, Jean Claude didn’t think twice about how to comfort her:
"Easing past Dora, Jean Claude took a seat next to Dani whose face was still in her hands. He unlaced her shoe, slipping it off her foot, and he eased out of the sanctuary through the big wooden doors, taking the stink with him… After a few minutes passed, Jean Claude slipped back through the big wooden doors and set Dani’s shoe by her foot. By then, she had stopped crying, and she slipped her foot back into her shoe."
This man, though.
While the characters are believable, the story line is nearly as so. I say "nearly" because the way Dora comes across Jean Claude is certainly unexpected and, perhaps, a bit far-fetched. At first I thought, "Really? No one would do that…" And then, "Wait, no. That's the whole point! There's healing in surprising places!"
Reed explores the heartache of divorce, the unwavering support of cherished friends, and the hope you find in unexpected places.
It was these character descriptions, these acts of compassion, these true, honest situations that kept me reading, savoring every word. And, in the end, Reed’s message was raw and true and scary and comforting all at the same time:
We should welcome our heartache, whatever the circumstance, as a remarkable force because pain is fleeting. And in pain, we often find the remedy within ourselves – and hope and peace and tranquility usually follows.
Basically: Read this book! Have I mentioned the last 46 words are absolutely perfect?!
My. Goodness. Someone pass the tissues, please!
*wipes happy tears*
I couldn’t stop thinking about The Whipping Boyfriend, even long after I finished it. Edward Reed, in just 200-something pages, weaves a beautiful story of hope that I absolutely couldn’t put down. And the last 46 words were beautiful.
Reed’s simple, warm writing style and sense of humor offers authentic, vivid and easily relatable characters. Dora is a strong, endearing heroine, and her compassionate disposition toward everyone – even her dreadful ex-husband – makes her absolutely lovable.
And Elmira! Quirky Elmira plays a small role in terms of word count but offers comic relief:
"Elmira Miller, Dora’s septuagenarian neighbor who lives a few houses up the street, claimed to be part gypsy and hence part fortune-teller. However everyone who knew Elmira knew her olive gypsylike complexion was from her tan-in-a-can lotion… Having double-dipped herself in liquid tan, Elmira looked extra gypsy."
See what I mean? How can you not crack a smile?
Then there's Jean Claude. When Dani, one of Dora’s daughters, discovered she stepped in dog poo before entering the church sanctuary, Jean Claude didn’t think twice about how to comfort her:
"Easing past Dora, Jean Claude took a seat next to Dani whose face was still in her hands. He unlaced her shoe, slipping it off her foot, and he eased out of the sanctuary through the big wooden doors, taking the stink with him… After a few minutes passed, Jean Claude slipped back through the big wooden doors and set Dani’s shoe by her foot. By then, she had stopped crying, and she slipped her foot back into her shoe."
This man, though.
While the characters are believable, the story line is nearly as so. I say "nearly" because the way Dora comes across Jean Claude is certainly unexpected and, perhaps, a bit far-fetched. At first I thought, "Really? No one would do that…" And then, "Wait, no. That's the whole point! There's healing in surprising places!"
Reed explores the heartache of divorce, the unwavering support of cherished friends, and the hope you find in unexpected places.
It was these character descriptions, these acts of compassion, these true, honest situations that kept me reading, savoring every word. And, in the end, Reed’s message was raw and true and scary and comforting all at the same time:
We should welcome our heartache, whatever the circumstance, as a remarkable force because pain is fleeting. And in pain, we often find the remedy within ourselves – and hope and peace and tranquility usually follows.
Basically: Read this book! Have I mentioned the last 46 words are absolutely perfect?!
February 18, 2016
The Cover along with the Title grabbed my attention. Reading the back cover made me want to read this book!
If you like Nicholas Sparks, Clyde Edgerton and or Joshilyn Jackson then you will truly enjoy Edward Reed's first novel! These authors tell stories so real...they almost feel familiar!
Once I started the book, I couldn't put it down! It made me laugh out loud, cry, think and hope. I could identify with Dora as a middle age "unattached" mother.
I highly recommend putting The Whipping Boyfriend on your Must Read List!!
If you like Nicholas Sparks, Clyde Edgerton and or Joshilyn Jackson then you will truly enjoy Edward Reed's first novel! These authors tell stories so real...they almost feel familiar!
Once I started the book, I couldn't put it down! It made me laugh out loud, cry, think and hope. I could identify with Dora as a middle age "unattached" mother.
I highly recommend putting The Whipping Boyfriend on your Must Read List!!
August 26, 2016
I received this book as an ARC.
I'll have to admit, the title completely threw me off, but after delving into it, it made perfect sense! I really enjoyed this because it's a very sweet story with characters that are not only believable, but were closer to my age and more relatable for me. The fact that it was written by a man, is great! I think the t was well written and interesting. It held my attention and I was able to finish it in one day. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes love stories. Kudos Edward!
January 4, 2017
I think I found an new author, can't believe this is a first published novel,all the characters felt so real,and everything connected so well and it was just a delicious read.
I will recommend this book to all adults who love to read romance.
I won this book from Goodreads and want to thank them very much. Also want to thank the author for the breath taking ending, thanks for wrapping it up so the feel good ending was there, but I would love this to be a series so I could read more of Dora and Jean Claude and where there lives lead them.
I will recommend this book to all adults who love to read romance.
I won this book from Goodreads and want to thank them very much. Also want to thank the author for the breath taking ending, thanks for wrapping it up so the feel good ending was there, but I would love this to be a series so I could read more of Dora and Jean Claude and where there lives lead them.
March 8, 2016
This book "had me at Hello" as the saying goes and was a quick read because I didn't want to put it down. The author's writing and humor connects you with the characters, touches the heart, makes you laugh, and makes you cry. It's a nice, clean love story worth reading and I can't wait for your next book Edward Reed! Shine on! Shine on! D Kaloz
May 14, 2016
I received this book in a Goodreads Giveaway and am really glad I was one of the two winners. A very quick read that you won't want to put down until you've finished reading the very last page - Loved it!
December 12, 2016
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
This is an entertaining story. I loved Dora with her strength and common sense. She is the epitome of the person who can make lemonade from lemons. This book is an fun story that moves right along. A good Sunday afternoon's read.
This is an entertaining story. I loved Dora with her strength and common sense. She is the epitome of the person who can make lemonade from lemons. This book is an fun story that moves right along. A good Sunday afternoon's read.
May 23, 2016
A single woman who helps a man down on his luck finds more than she expected. You won't want to stop reading.
August 15, 2016
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and may I say it was a delight. Such a nice story, made me cry, made me laugh, definitely recommend you read this one.
June 11, 2016
An engaging look into the life of a divorcee and mother. Great summer read!
September 21, 2016
I love this book!
February 25, 2018
Wow! Where do I start?!? This is by far Edward Reed's best book. I laughed. I cried. I really cried! I love North Carolina, which makes this book even more special to me. This book has love, hope and heartbreak. It perfectly describes what it is like to deal with "that ex" that traded one wife in for a younger model. It is relatable on so many levels. This is a MUST READ!!!
June 20, 2019
Edward Reed once again captured my heart with this book. I couldn’t put it down.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews