What do you think?
Love's Long Road
Glasgow, 1975. How do you cope when your boyfriend kills himself because of you?
When Bobbie Sinclair’s boyfriend commits suicide and blames her, she vows never to love again. Instead she chooses to lead a double existence, kind-hearted by day and promiscuous by night. She increasingly struggles to maintain the balance between light and dark and soon finds herself sucked into the world of a controlling and ruthless crime lord from which she must escape.
Set against a vibrant but seedy 1970s Glasgow backdrop, Love’s Long Road plots Bobbie’s desperate plight. Starting a new life but constantly afraid of her past catching up with her, she battles danger, adversity and drug addiction on the long and perilous road back to love.
Love’s Long Road is about dealing with the guilt of terrible events in your past and the risk of being corrupted by the world around you; it is a story that captures to perfection what it was like to be young and single in the 1970s.
When Bobbie Sinclair’s boyfriend commits suicide and blames her, she vows never to love again. Instead she chooses to lead a double existence, kind-hearted by day and promiscuous by night. She increasingly struggles to maintain the balance between light and dark and soon finds herself sucked into the world of a controlling and ruthless crime lord from which she must escape.
Set against a vibrant but seedy 1970s Glasgow backdrop, Love’s Long Road plots Bobbie’s desperate plight. Starting a new life but constantly afraid of her past catching up with her, she battles danger, adversity and drug addiction on the long and perilous road back to love.
Love’s Long Road is about dealing with the guilt of terrible events in your past and the risk of being corrupted by the world around you; it is a story that captures to perfection what it was like to be young and single in the 1970s.
384 pages, Paperback
Published April 28, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 4, 2016
When Bobbies boyfriend commits suicide as a result of their breakup she decides the best course of action is to have fun, sleep around and surround herself with scum. When that doesn’t work out so well Bobbie goes on the run trying to make it on her own. Will she ever find her way back home?
Oh boy. I’m one of those people who is against not completing books, especially review ones. Reading this was truly a battle with my resolve. Somehow I dragged my way through it and am now tasked with the very uneasy job of writing a review on a book that I found nothing redeemable in.
When tragedy strikes, it is not uncommon for people to go down self destructive roads but with Bobbie, she seems to take them for sheer fun, with a clear head as opposed to grief or guilt naturally taking her there. It all plays out like an average lifetime movie, where you know all the scenes ahead of time and seem more like propaganda then anything else.
The whole novel reminded me of a book I read two years ago, GroupieBy Jenny Fabian. Trashy, terribly written garbage. How hilarious it was to find the author cite that book as one of their reference points for writing their own. I feel that should be put at the beginning of the novel as a warning of whats to come. Recommended for those who love trashy, lifetime reads. Everyone else, stay away.
Thank you Cameron Publicity and Netgalley for this review copy.
Oh boy. I’m one of those people who is against not completing books, especially review ones. Reading this was truly a battle with my resolve. Somehow I dragged my way through it and am now tasked with the very uneasy job of writing a review on a book that I found nothing redeemable in.
When tragedy strikes, it is not uncommon for people to go down self destructive roads but with Bobbie, she seems to take them for sheer fun, with a clear head as opposed to grief or guilt naturally taking her there. It all plays out like an average lifetime movie, where you know all the scenes ahead of time and seem more like propaganda then anything else.
The whole novel reminded me of a book I read two years ago, GroupieBy Jenny Fabian. Trashy, terribly written garbage. How hilarious it was to find the author cite that book as one of their reference points for writing their own. I feel that should be put at the beginning of the novel as a warning of whats to come. Recommended for those who love trashy, lifetime reads. Everyone else, stay away.
Thank you Cameron Publicity and Netgalley for this review copy.
September 25, 2019
3.5☆ A Dark Drama filled read
When i first read the blurb for Love’s Long Road i was really intrigued, but unfortunately i felt something was missing for me.
I completely understand that after your boyfriend commits suicide because you split up you would blame yourself, ( and I know because it nearly happened to someone very close to me), could spiral you on a downward path. But i would of loved more of that explored.
I felt that Bobbie the main character used sex to escape her feelings vowing to never fall in love again.
Her self destruction leads her down a dangerous path, when she becomes entangled with the dark & dangerous Michael.
I think for me It was just missing something, I didn't particularly like Bobbie or Michael. At times I felt I should feel sorry for her but she didn't seem to redeem herself.
Overall Love’s Long Road is a pacy read that delves into a dark world of sex, drugs, danger, heartache, grief, self destruction and manipulation.
A great read if you are looking for a Dark Drama filled read then this is the book for you!
Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2019/0...
When i first read the blurb for Love’s Long Road i was really intrigued, but unfortunately i felt something was missing for me.
I completely understand that after your boyfriend commits suicide because you split up you would blame yourself, ( and I know because it nearly happened to someone very close to me), could spiral you on a downward path. But i would of loved more of that explored.
I felt that Bobbie the main character used sex to escape her feelings vowing to never fall in love again.
Her self destruction leads her down a dangerous path, when she becomes entangled with the dark & dangerous Michael.
I think for me It was just missing something, I didn't particularly like Bobbie or Michael. At times I felt I should feel sorry for her but she didn't seem to redeem herself.
Overall Love’s Long Road is a pacy read that delves into a dark world of sex, drugs, danger, heartache, grief, self destruction and manipulation.
A great read if you are looking for a Dark Drama filled read then this is the book for you!
Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2019/0...
March 23, 2016
Favorite Quotes:
“I was high on my audacity. I was shocked by my behavior, but boy did it feel good.”
“Sally lived in her little peace-and-love fantasy land, where the Beatles had never split up and Jim Morrison was still living incognito in Paris.”
“Two perfect Barbie Dolls, sharing a brain cell between them, gossiping away in breathy baby tones like a pair of cockney Marylyn Munroes.”
“Big Jockie is always talking to Michael about ‘smurfs’ and I don’t think he’s the sort of guy who spends his time reading obscure Belgian comics.”
“Mr. Jenkins, a weedy accountant who comes around to do the books. Nervous bloke, fiddles with his glasses a lot, had a charisma bypass as a child.”
“I had so many skeletons in my closet I could run my own ghost train.”
“I looked up into the public gallery. Maybe some of them were there out of ghoulish fascination… It was like finding out who would turn up at your funeral.”
My Review:
A new author emailed me about reading her book… I read the description and was a bit hesitant - but as I am all about helping indie authors - I signed on – but not without some trepidation. This book was so much more than the synopsis – it blew me away. One of the major reasons I was lured in to read was the stated era - as I came of age in that unique period of time known as the 70s. Reading this story was a trip in the nostalgic cultural time machine for me – I recalled with more than a few grins and grimaces that time in my life before cell phones, the internet, computers, and caller ID. The sexual revolution had exploded with the wider availability of “the pill” - yet most women (young and/or mature) were still so naïve about sex. We used words like groovy, grotty, and cool in every conversation; wore widely flared bell bottoms, satin shirts, and maxi skirts; parents were “squares;” eight track tapes, discos, and Donna Summer were “far out;” police were the “fuzz;” and young women took their gospel from Cosmo. The story brought all that back - and even made it feel tangible.
The main character of this story, Bobbie, was a rather naïve young woman of the time, but in her prime and ready for adventure. However, her psyche was irrevocably scarred by the death by suicide of her boyfriend of two years – a death that occurred shortly after she had dissolved their relationship. Devastated with guilt, she determines her course to avoid any future entanglements of love/relationships/feelings by keeping emotions in check and limiting her sexual excursions to the one-night variety to avoid future heartache. This, of course, is idealistic and sets off a period of promiscuous, reckless, and youthful impetuousness. Bobbie inevitably makes a series of bad choices and learns the hard way that she has “a tendency to get sucked into morally dubious lifestyles.”
G.D. Harper turned out a masterful story of considerable substance, pathos, and insightful and observant craftiness. The writing was smart, captivating, and emotive. Even when I was frustrated with Bobbie, she still managed to squeeze my heart. Parts of the book had me smiling, parts had me cringing, and other parts had me gasping and grabbing for a cool drink. The tale is as adventuresome as the character, highly active, full of drama and intrigue, and with hits of humor and sensuality. I was an instant fan.
“I was high on my audacity. I was shocked by my behavior, but boy did it feel good.”
“Sally lived in her little peace-and-love fantasy land, where the Beatles had never split up and Jim Morrison was still living incognito in Paris.”
“Two perfect Barbie Dolls, sharing a brain cell between them, gossiping away in breathy baby tones like a pair of cockney Marylyn Munroes.”
“Big Jockie is always talking to Michael about ‘smurfs’ and I don’t think he’s the sort of guy who spends his time reading obscure Belgian comics.”
“Mr. Jenkins, a weedy accountant who comes around to do the books. Nervous bloke, fiddles with his glasses a lot, had a charisma bypass as a child.”
“I had so many skeletons in my closet I could run my own ghost train.”
“I looked up into the public gallery. Maybe some of them were there out of ghoulish fascination… It was like finding out who would turn up at your funeral.”
My Review:
A new author emailed me about reading her book… I read the description and was a bit hesitant - but as I am all about helping indie authors - I signed on – but not without some trepidation. This book was so much more than the synopsis – it blew me away. One of the major reasons I was lured in to read was the stated era - as I came of age in that unique period of time known as the 70s. Reading this story was a trip in the nostalgic cultural time machine for me – I recalled with more than a few grins and grimaces that time in my life before cell phones, the internet, computers, and caller ID. The sexual revolution had exploded with the wider availability of “the pill” - yet most women (young and/or mature) were still so naïve about sex. We used words like groovy, grotty, and cool in every conversation; wore widely flared bell bottoms, satin shirts, and maxi skirts; parents were “squares;” eight track tapes, discos, and Donna Summer were “far out;” police were the “fuzz;” and young women took their gospel from Cosmo. The story brought all that back - and even made it feel tangible.
The main character of this story, Bobbie, was a rather naïve young woman of the time, but in her prime and ready for adventure. However, her psyche was irrevocably scarred by the death by suicide of her boyfriend of two years – a death that occurred shortly after she had dissolved their relationship. Devastated with guilt, she determines her course to avoid any future entanglements of love/relationships/feelings by keeping emotions in check and limiting her sexual excursions to the one-night variety to avoid future heartache. This, of course, is idealistic and sets off a period of promiscuous, reckless, and youthful impetuousness. Bobbie inevitably makes a series of bad choices and learns the hard way that she has “a tendency to get sucked into morally dubious lifestyles.”
G.D. Harper turned out a masterful story of considerable substance, pathos, and insightful and observant craftiness. The writing was smart, captivating, and emotive. Even when I was frustrated with Bobbie, she still managed to squeeze my heart. Parts of the book had me smiling, parts had me cringing, and other parts had me gasping and grabbing for a cool drink. The tale is as adventuresome as the character, highly active, full of drama and intrigue, and with hits of humor and sensuality. I was an instant fan.
March 27, 2020
Glasgow, June 1975. Bobbie thought she ended her relationship in a mature adult way, but Joe knew his life wasn’t worth living without Bobbie. Her words were blunt, I can’t simply make myself love you. Joe leaves a suicide note saying I told you so. Bobbie now blames herself, she believes that Joe is dead because of her. I really enjoyed reading Love’s Long Road, in how Bobbie is dealing with feelings of guilt. I would like to thank the author G. D. Harper for sending me your book to read.
August 15, 2016
The plot is set in the second half of the 1970s and is so well researched and or remembered, that it gave a really genuine feeling of realism to me, one who lived through this period and even visited some of its chosen physical spaces at a close chronological age to the main character. I short, this was read by me as accurate real-life fiction. Before reviewing I took the trouble to ask the author if he/she is a contemporary of that period. I got no answer, but I was informed that the book is ‘only’ fiction.
I am surprised by a number of negative reviews I’ve read about this book. We all have our very individual and subjective opinions. Mine is that this is an excellent read. It is very journalistic in style, deeply psychological, and is as profoundly revealing of the main character in as much that isn’t said as is. This is really strong first person writing. What are any of us prepared to reveal of ourselves, of our strongest, often unflattering, behaviours? The mixed vulnerabilities and strengths of Bobbie were totally believable to me. One of the best drawn characters was only a ghost behind the story, until the very last pages, that being the father of an early tragic boyfriend of Bobbie’s.
For me, the book is all the better as contemporary dramatic fiction for having a strong social message. In the end, it is a book of hope, harsh, brutal, real-life hope, but hope none the less. Unlike some reviewers I see this as a profoundly moral book, a morality drawn as much from the gutters of British life as from its more wholesome features.
It is my belief that this book deserves readers and perhaps especially ones that believe they have no dirt in their own souls. This book seems to hurt a range of readers. That suggests to me that Harper has hit some very rusty old nails right on the head. Please don’t leave it too long before you get your hammer out again, G.D. Harper, whoever you are.
I am surprised by a number of negative reviews I’ve read about this book. We all have our very individual and subjective opinions. Mine is that this is an excellent read. It is very journalistic in style, deeply psychological, and is as profoundly revealing of the main character in as much that isn’t said as is. This is really strong first person writing. What are any of us prepared to reveal of ourselves, of our strongest, often unflattering, behaviours? The mixed vulnerabilities and strengths of Bobbie were totally believable to me. One of the best drawn characters was only a ghost behind the story, until the very last pages, that being the father of an early tragic boyfriend of Bobbie’s.
For me, the book is all the better as contemporary dramatic fiction for having a strong social message. In the end, it is a book of hope, harsh, brutal, real-life hope, but hope none the less. Unlike some reviewers I see this as a profoundly moral book, a morality drawn as much from the gutters of British life as from its more wholesome features.
It is my belief that this book deserves readers and perhaps especially ones that believe they have no dirt in their own souls. This book seems to hurt a range of readers. That suggests to me that Harper has hit some very rusty old nails right on the head. Please don’t leave it too long before you get your hammer out again, G.D. Harper, whoever you are.
March 18, 2016
The premise of this book is interesting. Bobbie Sinclair's ex- boyfriend of two years commits suicide. The note indicates that it is because of his break up with Bobbie. How does she cope with this? She hooks up with a stranger at his funeral.
I get what the author is trying to do, the character is finding coping strategies to deal with the death of her ex. If this had a been a more prominent theme throughout the book the character would have been more appealing to me as a reader but as it is a lot of the sexual encounters Bobbie goes through are gratuitous and make her seem extremely shallow. All her feelings of guilt are dissolved after a quick bunk-up and there's little reference to these feelings after that first encounter. She's adopted this love them and leave them philosophy and what's more her friends are 100% behind her without even giving her any warnings or advice about the self-destructive lifestyle she's entering into.
It then becomes predictable when she inevitably gets involved with the wrong guy and you can't help thinking "I told you so". The first person narrative makes Bobbie come across as shallow, self-centered and slightly arrogant. She has good friends that you can't help feeling she doesn't quite deserve with this path she taken with both eyes wide open and you as a reader don't see much of the "tortured soul" she supposedly is.
In fact by the time I got halfway through the book I wanted her adventures to be over. It did feel like the author was eeking it out for as long as possible and I have to say it was a little predictable. Also, on a personal note, any character that criticises anything of David Bowie's will get a big black mark against their name regardless of whether I like them or not!
In short, this book had a lot of promise but it failed to deliver as the main protagonist was not a likeable character. This was the impression I got before the end of the last chapter and that first impression was unshaken. Her arrogance and overwhelming confidence that she can get any man she sets her sights on are not attractive qualities and the events that are meant to demonstrate her softer side failed to connect me as a reader to my narrator. 1 star with an extra one purely for the fact that I managed to finish the thing! Disappointing.
I get what the author is trying to do, the character is finding coping strategies to deal with the death of her ex. If this had a been a more prominent theme throughout the book the character would have been more appealing to me as a reader but as it is a lot of the sexual encounters Bobbie goes through are gratuitous and make her seem extremely shallow. All her feelings of guilt are dissolved after a quick bunk-up and there's little reference to these feelings after that first encounter. She's adopted this love them and leave them philosophy and what's more her friends are 100% behind her without even giving her any warnings or advice about the self-destructive lifestyle she's entering into.
It then becomes predictable when she inevitably gets involved with the wrong guy and you can't help thinking "I told you so". The first person narrative makes Bobbie come across as shallow, self-centered and slightly arrogant. She has good friends that you can't help feeling she doesn't quite deserve with this path she taken with both eyes wide open and you as a reader don't see much of the "tortured soul" she supposedly is.
In fact by the time I got halfway through the book I wanted her adventures to be over. It did feel like the author was eeking it out for as long as possible and I have to say it was a little predictable. Also, on a personal note, any character that criticises anything of David Bowie's will get a big black mark against their name regardless of whether I like them or not!
In short, this book had a lot of promise but it failed to deliver as the main protagonist was not a likeable character. This was the impression I got before the end of the last chapter and that first impression was unshaken. Her arrogance and overwhelming confidence that she can get any man she sets her sights on are not attractive qualities and the events that are meant to demonstrate her softer side failed to connect me as a reader to my narrator. 1 star with an extra one purely for the fact that I managed to finish the thing! Disappointing.
September 27, 2019
Love’s Long Road is a perfect example of why I love being a book blogger and participating in tours. While I may have come across this gem at some point, I am so glad I didn’t have to wait.
This novel is set in Glasgow, 1970s, and because of the author’s time in that area during a the same time period, it’s no wonder this feels realistic. It was as if I stepped into a time machine and was sent back to the 70s. I love when I’m immersed in a novel like this and G.D. Harper brilliantly achieved this immersion!
I felt as though Bobbie, our main character, was deeply well written and perfectly flawed. A naive woman, ready for an adventure. When her boyfriend dies by suicide shortly after her ending their relationship, she turns into a shell of what she used to be. Ridden with guilt and devastated she limits her emotions and has one night stands to avoid future relationships. She turns to bad choices and learns the hard way. I love how realistic this reaction is. Everyone would deal with a loss like this in different ways, but it felt emotionally accurate for Bobbie to act this way.
A plot full of substance and insight, Love’s Long Road took me on a journey of a woman who transformed from a naive, but determined woman to a guilt-ridden, and self-sabotaging woman. I felt this story was imaginative and managed to elicit many emotions from me. I am glad to have read this one and I definitely recommend it.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book as part of a blog tour with Rachel's Random Resources. All opinions are my own.*
Find this review and more on my blog: https://www.jessicabelmont.wordpress.com
This novel is set in Glasgow, 1970s, and because of the author’s time in that area during a the same time period, it’s no wonder this feels realistic. It was as if I stepped into a time machine and was sent back to the 70s. I love when I’m immersed in a novel like this and G.D. Harper brilliantly achieved this immersion!
I felt as though Bobbie, our main character, was deeply well written and perfectly flawed. A naive woman, ready for an adventure. When her boyfriend dies by suicide shortly after her ending their relationship, she turns into a shell of what she used to be. Ridden with guilt and devastated she limits her emotions and has one night stands to avoid future relationships. She turns to bad choices and learns the hard way. I love how realistic this reaction is. Everyone would deal with a loss like this in different ways, but it felt emotionally accurate for Bobbie to act this way.
A plot full of substance and insight, Love’s Long Road took me on a journey of a woman who transformed from a naive, but determined woman to a guilt-ridden, and self-sabotaging woman. I felt this story was imaginative and managed to elicit many emotions from me. I am glad to have read this one and I definitely recommend it.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book as part of a blog tour with Rachel's Random Resources. All opinions are my own.*
Find this review and more on my blog: https://www.jessicabelmont.wordpress.com
October 31, 2019
Book Review: Love’s Long Road by G.D. Harper
So if you read these reviews with the diligence that I hope my blog inspires in you then you’ll be familiar with this introduction, but I include it just so you are all aware. Anyway, this review is part of a blog tour for Rachel’s Random Resources. This isn’t the first time I’ve been involved in a blog tour either and if you want to read some other examples then you can do just that by clicking here, here, here, here, here and here. Anyway, even though this is part of an official blog tour you can still expect the same honest, unbiased and fair content that I aim to provide on all the content on this site.
Okay, now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s move on to the next part of this review, where I tell you a little about the author. G.D. Harper attended Glasgow University in between 1975 and 1978, and lived in the West End of Glasgow. A fact which has informed his writing, in particular this book which is set during that period. If you would like to find out a little more about the author then check out his website, and make sure and support him by following him on Facebook and Twitter.
Next, a little bit about the book itself, before we move onto the actual review, Love’s Long Road is set in 1970’s Glasgow, which is particularly cool as I don’t get to read a lot of home grown content. It follows Bobby Sinclair who following a traumatic incident straddles the line between good and bad, light and dark, and safety and danger, spiralling all the while into the seedy underbelly of ‘Glesga’.
Now, onto the actual review, as I mentioned up top I liked that this was set in Glasgow, even so called ‘Tartan Noir’ usually ends up being set in Edinburgh which might be the capital of Scotland but isn’t as populated as Glasgow. In fact, I think the last book/series I remember reading that was set in Glasgow was the Garnethill series by Denise Mina (and if you’re interested I was lucky enough to get an Interview with her). Anyway, having a book set basically just up the road is always an interesting aspect for a story, and because it’s local and familiar I feel like you can connect with it and pick up what feels real and genuine because it’s part of real life for you. So I was excited to read this once I heard about the distinctly Scottish backdrop, especially since it was set in the 70’s which gives me an insight into Scotland before I was born, to a cultural and historical period that wasn’t that long ago in the grand scheme of things but still feels like a whole world away in terms of what people were going through.
Anyway, aside from the unique insight into Glasgow in an era before I was alive, it also showed a nuanced portrayal of a person (Bobby Sinclair) dealing with the suicide of her boyfriend, and struggling with their sense of self, dealing with complicated feelings of guilt and shame that is to be expected when someone close to you takes their own life. But as well as that, in dealing with it she makes decisions that are self-destructive but understandable and human. Honestly I could talk at length about how real the story is, how one decision, one event can send a shockwave out that shakes a person to their core. In this case it took a promising young woman and led her on a path of desires and mistakes, but at her heart you still get the sense that she’s a good person, just trying to make her way in a world that isn’t always fair or easy.
I don’t tend to read this type of book, I’m pretty much just thrillers and crime fiction but I picked this one because I liked the sound of it, and because I want to explore as much and promote as much as possible on this site. However even though this is not perhaps my usual go to it was a riveting story, that was richly detailed and engaging and frankly well worth a read. I think I’ll give it a 4/5 and if you want to grab a copy for yourself then you can by heading on over to Amazon.
First Published on: https://offtherecordblog.org/
Off the Record is and always will be a free platform, but if you like what we do here and want to contribute to the production of future content then you can do so by donating to our PayPal or Ko-Fi.
So if you read these reviews with the diligence that I hope my blog inspires in you then you’ll be familiar with this introduction, but I include it just so you are all aware. Anyway, this review is part of a blog tour for Rachel’s Random Resources. This isn’t the first time I’ve been involved in a blog tour either and if you want to read some other examples then you can do just that by clicking here, here, here, here, here and here. Anyway, even though this is part of an official blog tour you can still expect the same honest, unbiased and fair content that I aim to provide on all the content on this site.
Okay, now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s move on to the next part of this review, where I tell you a little about the author. G.D. Harper attended Glasgow University in between 1975 and 1978, and lived in the West End of Glasgow. A fact which has informed his writing, in particular this book which is set during that period. If you would like to find out a little more about the author then check out his website, and make sure and support him by following him on Facebook and Twitter.
Next, a little bit about the book itself, before we move onto the actual review, Love’s Long Road is set in 1970’s Glasgow, which is particularly cool as I don’t get to read a lot of home grown content. It follows Bobby Sinclair who following a traumatic incident straddles the line between good and bad, light and dark, and safety and danger, spiralling all the while into the seedy underbelly of ‘Glesga’.
Now, onto the actual review, as I mentioned up top I liked that this was set in Glasgow, even so called ‘Tartan Noir’ usually ends up being set in Edinburgh which might be the capital of Scotland but isn’t as populated as Glasgow. In fact, I think the last book/series I remember reading that was set in Glasgow was the Garnethill series by Denise Mina (and if you’re interested I was lucky enough to get an Interview with her). Anyway, having a book set basically just up the road is always an interesting aspect for a story, and because it’s local and familiar I feel like you can connect with it and pick up what feels real and genuine because it’s part of real life for you. So I was excited to read this once I heard about the distinctly Scottish backdrop, especially since it was set in the 70’s which gives me an insight into Scotland before I was born, to a cultural and historical period that wasn’t that long ago in the grand scheme of things but still feels like a whole world away in terms of what people were going through.
Anyway, aside from the unique insight into Glasgow in an era before I was alive, it also showed a nuanced portrayal of a person (Bobby Sinclair) dealing with the suicide of her boyfriend, and struggling with their sense of self, dealing with complicated feelings of guilt and shame that is to be expected when someone close to you takes their own life. But as well as that, in dealing with it she makes decisions that are self-destructive but understandable and human. Honestly I could talk at length about how real the story is, how one decision, one event can send a shockwave out that shakes a person to their core. In this case it took a promising young woman and led her on a path of desires and mistakes, but at her heart you still get the sense that she’s a good person, just trying to make her way in a world that isn’t always fair or easy.
I don’t tend to read this type of book, I’m pretty much just thrillers and crime fiction but I picked this one because I liked the sound of it, and because I want to explore as much and promote as much as possible on this site. However even though this is not perhaps my usual go to it was a riveting story, that was richly detailed and engaging and frankly well worth a read. I think I’ll give it a 4/5 and if you want to grab a copy for yourself then you can by heading on over to Amazon.
First Published on: https://offtherecordblog.org/
Off the Record is and always will be a free platform, but if you like what we do here and want to contribute to the production of future content then you can do so by donating to our PayPal or Ko-Fi.
May 21, 2016
This is a story which has elements with which many of us can identify. The main character Bobby Sinclair, a talented actress just out of University, is devastated by the suicide of her boyfriend, Joe. She had just finished the relationship and felt his terrible end was her fault. She imagines everyone is blaming her and she also can’t come to terms with the guilt she feels so she decides that never again will she get so involved with anyone to any depth and sets out to be a ‘good time girl’, only having ‘one night stands’ and leaving them, however attracted to them she might be.
However, this rather mercenary attitude leads her into disaster when she becomes involved with a fascinating and compelling character called Michael and she realises eventually that he is actually very dangerous. However, she is now deeply involved and knows she is up to her ears in trouble. She has to get away, but how?
I don’t want to spoil anything for the readers by telling any more of the story. However, I must say that I found it riveting and very hard to put down. I loved that it was set in the 1970s as that was when I was in my twenties; I was able to enjoy the reminders of certain pop stars and other things that pertained to that era.
The author is obviously familiar with both Glasgow and London and describes those places with confidence and ease, helping the reader to ‘see’ the scenes without going into too much heavy description, which I like; I can’t bear large descriptive paragraphs when a story is so interesting – I want to get on with it! I loved Bobbie and understood her; I am sure that most of us have done some pretty stupid stuff when we have made wrong choices or something has happened that was beyond our control although hopefully most of us never found a ‘Michael’.
I also loved that Bobbie had a devoted male friend who did not judge her but was always there to do what he could, in spite of his own relationships.
This is a fast moving and absorbing book; I thoroughly recommend it.
However, this rather mercenary attitude leads her into disaster when she becomes involved with a fascinating and compelling character called Michael and she realises eventually that he is actually very dangerous. However, she is now deeply involved and knows she is up to her ears in trouble. She has to get away, but how?
I don’t want to spoil anything for the readers by telling any more of the story. However, I must say that I found it riveting and very hard to put down. I loved that it was set in the 1970s as that was when I was in my twenties; I was able to enjoy the reminders of certain pop stars and other things that pertained to that era.
The author is obviously familiar with both Glasgow and London and describes those places with confidence and ease, helping the reader to ‘see’ the scenes without going into too much heavy description, which I like; I can’t bear large descriptive paragraphs when a story is so interesting – I want to get on with it! I loved Bobbie and understood her; I am sure that most of us have done some pretty stupid stuff when we have made wrong choices or something has happened that was beyond our control although hopefully most of us never found a ‘Michael’.
I also loved that Bobbie had a devoted male friend who did not judge her but was always there to do what he could, in spite of his own relationships.
This is a fast moving and absorbing book; I thoroughly recommend it.
May 30, 2016
Bobbie Sinclair’s feeling of responsibility for her boyfriend's suicide is something she struggles to cope with, and her only way of dealing with it is to fight against everything she knows. She innocently assumes that her life can be blocked out by an unending progression of one night stands, but leading a promiscuous life, in her home town of Glasgow, brings her into contact with Michael Mitchell, an unscrupulous manipulator, who takes Bobbie by the hand and leads her, imperceptibly, into the dark and shady world Glasgow’s criminal underclass.
The dark and gritty world which Bobbie finds herself part of, both in Glasgow and later in London, evokes a realistic edge to a story which moves along at a rollicking good pace. The late 1970s, a time I know very well, comes alive, and the author's descriptions of time and place are excellent, from the wearing of bright yellow jumpsuits, mine was blue, to drinking abundant amounts of Blue Nun and cruising around the edge of a Tiffany's nightclub dance floor, the detail was absolutely perfect.
Bobbie is a feisty protagonist, the sheer strength of her personality carries the story very well, but she also has a uniquely vulnerable edge which even though there are times when she is exasperating, you can’t help but form a deep emotional attachment to her. The other characters who flit into and out, add real depth to this dark and gritty story, Michael is such a dangerous charmer, and yet he exudes a sensuous attraction which hides just how dangerous a manipulator he is, and then there’s, Daniel, Bobbie’s friend who sticks with her throughout the whole sorry story.
The drama throughout Love's Long Road is utterly believable, the attention to detail is excellent and the ending, when it comes, is entirely appropriate. I really enjoyed it - it would make a great TV drama!!
The dark and gritty world which Bobbie finds herself part of, both in Glasgow and later in London, evokes a realistic edge to a story which moves along at a rollicking good pace. The late 1970s, a time I know very well, comes alive, and the author's descriptions of time and place are excellent, from the wearing of bright yellow jumpsuits, mine was blue, to drinking abundant amounts of Blue Nun and cruising around the edge of a Tiffany's nightclub dance floor, the detail was absolutely perfect.
Bobbie is a feisty protagonist, the sheer strength of her personality carries the story very well, but she also has a uniquely vulnerable edge which even though there are times when she is exasperating, you can’t help but form a deep emotional attachment to her. The other characters who flit into and out, add real depth to this dark and gritty story, Michael is such a dangerous charmer, and yet he exudes a sensuous attraction which hides just how dangerous a manipulator he is, and then there’s, Daniel, Bobbie’s friend who sticks with her throughout the whole sorry story.
The drama throughout Love's Long Road is utterly believable, the attention to detail is excellent and the ending, when it comes, is entirely appropriate. I really enjoyed it - it would make a great TV drama!!
October 7, 2019
This is a very emotive and well written tale that explores some fairly dark topics. This is far from a fluffy romance, and has several deeper topics covered that may be uncomfortable for some readers.
The main Characters boyfriend has committed suicide, and the book follows bobbie and how she tries to cope with her her grief and move on. She doesn’t do this in ways you might expect, it’s certainly not a bump free journey, but I actually liked the fact that this character didn’t go through typical mourning processes as much of society expects.
she appears to be quite naive at times, but considering the historical context this is to be expected. Women at the time were quite sexually naive, so it is actually logical for the character to be so as well.
I loved how well the Author recreated the time and place, the attitudes, the atmosphere and even the language, it really is like being transported back in time! It’s a very rare skill to be honest, I often find that I can picture the time but much if the language remains modern, and that is something which often irritates me. It really was wonderful to find that G D Harper recreated the language as well as the societal attitudes and reactions to situations.
I didn’t always like the main Characters, their attitudes annoyed me or made me want to throw things at them in frustration, however... I figure this is a mark of the Authors talent, because despite that I still found myself enjoying the story and wanting to read more!
The story has a huge variety of emotive moments, varying in type. It’s had me smiling, cringing and sniggering along the way despite the darker aspects, 4.5 stars because although I did thoroughly enjoy the book, I did prefer the previous one! No particular reason for it though, just didn’t enjoy it quite as much!
The main Characters boyfriend has committed suicide, and the book follows bobbie and how she tries to cope with her her grief and move on. She doesn’t do this in ways you might expect, it’s certainly not a bump free journey, but I actually liked the fact that this character didn’t go through typical mourning processes as much of society expects.
she appears to be quite naive at times, but considering the historical context this is to be expected. Women at the time were quite sexually naive, so it is actually logical for the character to be so as well.
I loved how well the Author recreated the time and place, the attitudes, the atmosphere and even the language, it really is like being transported back in time! It’s a very rare skill to be honest, I often find that I can picture the time but much if the language remains modern, and that is something which often irritates me. It really was wonderful to find that G D Harper recreated the language as well as the societal attitudes and reactions to situations.
I didn’t always like the main Characters, their attitudes annoyed me or made me want to throw things at them in frustration, however... I figure this is a mark of the Authors talent, because despite that I still found myself enjoying the story and wanting to read more!
The story has a huge variety of emotive moments, varying in type. It’s had me smiling, cringing and sniggering along the way despite the darker aspects, 4.5 stars because although I did thoroughly enjoy the book, I did prefer the previous one! No particular reason for it though, just didn’t enjoy it quite as much!
September 24, 2019
Whilst this type of story is not new, it is given a unique interpretation by the author, told from Bobbie’s point of view in the first person. The reader sees the world, and the decisions she makes, through her eyes. This gives this story undeniable originality.
Bobbie is a young, naive woman, riddled with guilt when her boyfriend who she recently broke up with kills himself. She attends his funeral out of respect but feels so responsible for his death that she feels she shouldn’t be there.
What follows, is a painful journey of self-recrimination and ultimately, self-awareness. Her indiscriminate one-night stands, lead her a dangerous path, where she meets Michael, he is dangerous, but she is too naive to appreciate this until her life is irrecoverably altered.
The pacing is fast, and the story follows Bobbie’s experiences as she tries to build a new life, there are sacrifices and victories, but constant running, until a final twist, means running is not an option. At this moral crossroads, Bobbie has to decide what to do, and it here the reader witnesses her character’s maturity and you want her life to be something worthwhile.
The setting is Glasgow and London in the mid to late 1970s, the culture and ethos of the period are faithfully recreated, and gives the story its authenticity and depth.
Overall this is a well-paced journey of self-discovery, with many intense and suspenseful moments and a believable, yet hopeful conclusion,
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
Bobbie is a young, naive woman, riddled with guilt when her boyfriend who she recently broke up with kills himself. She attends his funeral out of respect but feels so responsible for his death that she feels she shouldn’t be there.
What follows, is a painful journey of self-recrimination and ultimately, self-awareness. Her indiscriminate one-night stands, lead her a dangerous path, where she meets Michael, he is dangerous, but she is too naive to appreciate this until her life is irrecoverably altered.
The pacing is fast, and the story follows Bobbie’s experiences as she tries to build a new life, there are sacrifices and victories, but constant running, until a final twist, means running is not an option. At this moral crossroads, Bobbie has to decide what to do, and it here the reader witnesses her character’s maturity and you want her life to be something worthwhile.
The setting is Glasgow and London in the mid to late 1970s, the culture and ethos of the period are faithfully recreated, and gives the story its authenticity and depth.
Overall this is a well-paced journey of self-discovery, with many intense and suspenseful moments and a believable, yet hopeful conclusion,
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
March 20, 2016
A complex character that on the one level having lost loved ones myself I could totally relate to. And yet, despite my understanding that its not unknown for people to react with self destructive behaviour at times of grief, on another level I simply didn't get Bobbie at all as she slept her way through countless number of men in her quest to find peace until, without giving too much away, she becomes involved with a man who though outwardly respectable is (shall we say) a wrong 'un.
A great premise, the whole control of a somewhat naive young women by a rich, seemingly sophisticated man fascinating and more than a little chilling. Love's Long Road had such potential and yet, one step ahead throughout, for me it didn't quite live up to this potential.
Still ....
'Glamorous halter-neck jumpsuit in bright green for disco nights, and a canary yellow trouser suit with the most amazing bell bottoms.' - Page 43
With references to the fashions (not to mention music) of the day the author certainly does a grand job of taking the reader back to the 1970's.
Copyright: Tracy Terry @ Pen and Paper
Disclaimer: Read and reviewed on behalf of the author, no financial compensation was asked for nor given.
A great premise, the whole control of a somewhat naive young women by a rich, seemingly sophisticated man fascinating and more than a little chilling. Love's Long Road had such potential and yet, one step ahead throughout, for me it didn't quite live up to this potential.
Still ....
'Glamorous halter-neck jumpsuit in bright green for disco nights, and a canary yellow trouser suit with the most amazing bell bottoms.' - Page 43
With references to the fashions (not to mention music) of the day the author certainly does a grand job of taking the reader back to the 1970's.
Copyright: Tracy Terry @ Pen and Paper
Disclaimer: Read and reviewed on behalf of the author, no financial compensation was asked for nor given.
May 23, 2016
Nothing like an old-fashioned suicide to really mess up someone's life? Am I right?
In G.D. Harper's "Love's Long Road", the suicide of Bobbie Sinclair's boyfriend leaves her in all kinds of despondency - and understandably so at that, especially given the fact that her now long-gone boyfriend blamed her for his final act. As a result, and only as a twenty-something can vow to do, Bobbie swears off love and decides to embrace a wanton lifestyle only in the PM hours. The 'Day Time' Bobbie is as boisterous and energetic as she was pre-suicide, but at night she turns into the epitome of debauchery.
As the reader continues through the book, it becomes very obvious that Bobbie cannot maintain this duality of existence, even if the book is set in the 'anything goes' sentiment of the 1970's. Along her journey, Bobbie is thrown into some colorful situations, ranging from isolation to drug addiction, but author G.D. Harper eschews any propensity to making this just another story about a wayward girl on the arduous journey towards adulthood. Instead, alongside many cool cultural references of the 70's, Harper craft a tale about the power of guilt and the long-lasting effects of young love.
Like this review? Read more like it at www.readingotherpeople.com
In G.D. Harper's "Love's Long Road", the suicide of Bobbie Sinclair's boyfriend leaves her in all kinds of despondency - and understandably so at that, especially given the fact that her now long-gone boyfriend blamed her for his final act. As a result, and only as a twenty-something can vow to do, Bobbie swears off love and decides to embrace a wanton lifestyle only in the PM hours. The 'Day Time' Bobbie is as boisterous and energetic as she was pre-suicide, but at night she turns into the epitome of debauchery.
As the reader continues through the book, it becomes very obvious that Bobbie cannot maintain this duality of existence, even if the book is set in the 'anything goes' sentiment of the 1970's. Along her journey, Bobbie is thrown into some colorful situations, ranging from isolation to drug addiction, but author G.D. Harper eschews any propensity to making this just another story about a wayward girl on the arduous journey towards adulthood. Instead, alongside many cool cultural references of the 70's, Harper craft a tale about the power of guilt and the long-lasting effects of young love.
Like this review? Read more like it at www.readingotherpeople.com
September 13, 2019
This is the first novel I've read by G D Harper but I was intrigued because it promised to open up a strange world set in 1970s Glasgow. Following a tragedy, for which she blames herself, the main character, Bobbie changes her lifestyle and makes some very risky decisions. These decisions lead her into danger that she could hardly imagine that will stalk her and keep her trapped for years. She decides she will not become involved with anyone again and from now on will only have one night stands. This rather mercenary attitude leads her into disaster when she becomes involved with a fascinating and compelling character called Michael and she realises eventually that he is actually very dangerous. However, she is now deeply involved and knows she is up to her ears in trouble. She has to get away, but how? I really enjoying reading her story, and I was thrilled by the dark experiences she had to go through.
I liked the author’s punchy lines and her vivid description of the 70s era, including the fashion and the music. Sometimes I found myself wondering if the author had actually experienced the events herself. The book begins slowly but the story builds gradually and then it gets really exciting and at times even spicy. Love the cover too!
I liked the author’s punchy lines and her vivid description of the 70s era, including the fashion and the music. Sometimes I found myself wondering if the author had actually experienced the events herself. The book begins slowly but the story builds gradually and then it gets really exciting and at times even spicy. Love the cover too!
March 9, 2020
This is a new author to me. I love reading the occasional gripping novel - most of the time they are just too much for me, but I do like a good roller coaster once and a while. This book is that in spades. The story sends us back to the 1970s in Glasgow. We have an innocent, naive woman who is changed by a tragedy of the worst sort - her boyfriend succeeds in committing suicide shortly after her ending their relationship. Of course this sends her tumbling down the rabbit hole. Ridden with guilt and devastated she limits her emotions and has one night stands to avoid future relationships. She is in for a great deal of hard learned lessons. A very realistic story that grabbed me and kept me reading. Highly emotional for those that have ever deal with suicide so be warned it can trigger. I voluntarily received an arc copy of this book from HiddenGems
March 28, 2016
I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in return for an honest review.
Bobbie's ex-boyfriend commits suicide. This begins Bobbie's spiral into one night stands, aiding and abetting a gangster, murder and drug addiction. She loses her dreams of being an actress and finds herself with no real direction, no real friends (apart from Duncan, her friend from school) and always looking over her shoulder.
This is a book about a persons's downward spiral into crime and drug addiction but their redemption and return.
This book had a good synopsis but for some reason this book did not keep my attention. Perhaps it was because I found no redeeming qualities about the character. She was shallow, weak and very self centered.
Bobbie's ex-boyfriend commits suicide. This begins Bobbie's spiral into one night stands, aiding and abetting a gangster, murder and drug addiction. She loses her dreams of being an actress and finds herself with no real direction, no real friends (apart from Duncan, her friend from school) and always looking over her shoulder.
This is a book about a persons's downward spiral into crime and drug addiction but their redemption and return.
This book had a good synopsis but for some reason this book did not keep my attention. Perhaps it was because I found no redeeming qualities about the character. She was shallow, weak and very self centered.
April 1, 2016
Bobbie Sinclair tries different ways of coping with the suicide of her boyfriend, which is something that most of us can relate......until she decides that becoming a narrow-minded whore is the solution. Love's Long Road had great potential, but it fell way short. I hate when I'm not able to finish a requested book, but I couldn't make it to the end of this one. The main character's mentality and shallow personality was just too much for me to wrap my head around.
You can find this review (along with many more) here, on the CommonBookSense blog!
You can find this review (along with many more) here, on the CommonBookSense blog!
April 11, 2019
Bobbie is basically a decent human being with a good heart, but many of her life choices had me rolling my eyes at her. Whether in terms of sex, drugs or other rock 'n' roll style choices, we do have to remember, though, that the novel is set in the 1970's, a time when women, in particular,
were getting lots more opportunities both in the workplace and also for having fun. The novel shows the tragic and far-reaching negative consequences that can spiral out of a few dodgy decisions, but Bobbie eventually sets out to make things right.
Full review on my blog : https://madhousefamilyreviews.blogspo...
were getting lots more opportunities both in the workplace and also for having fun. The novel shows the tragic and far-reaching negative consequences that can spiral out of a few dodgy decisions, but Bobbie eventually sets out to make things right.
Full review on my blog : https://madhousefamilyreviews.blogspo...
October 26, 2020
***This book may be a trigger for some people***
I’m not entirely sure how I feel after finishing this book. I loved Bobbies story, my heart ached for her and I just wanted to hug her at times BUT sometimes I just didn’t get her! She put herself into situations that made her vulnerable, and my mind reeled at what could happen. I felt sorry for her at the start of the story but some of the things she gets herself into had me shaking my head at her…. it’s as if she wants to be hurt, punished for what she felt was her fault earlier on in life or even worse!
The story is pacey, gritty and dark in parts. It has you loving some yet hating others.
I’m not entirely sure how I feel after finishing this book. I loved Bobbies story, my heart ached for her and I just wanted to hug her at times BUT sometimes I just didn’t get her! She put herself into situations that made her vulnerable, and my mind reeled at what could happen. I felt sorry for her at the start of the story but some of the things she gets herself into had me shaking my head at her…. it’s as if she wants to be hurt, punished for what she felt was her fault earlier on in life or even worse!
The story is pacey, gritty and dark in parts. It has you loving some yet hating others.
March 13, 2019
Wonderful characters
Harper pens a grand story in Love’s Long Road. I read another book of Harper's and was excited to read this one as well. I was not disappointed. There are a lot of details with characters and a great depth. Bobbie is an interesting character, with many sides, and many different behaviors. Harper is definitely a well-rounded writer, with the talents for putting a multitude of sub plots within the major story. It's a very satisfying and edgy story. I look forward to reading more by this author.
Harper pens a grand story in Love’s Long Road. I read another book of Harper's and was excited to read this one as well. I was not disappointed. There are a lot of details with characters and a great depth. Bobbie is an interesting character, with many sides, and many different behaviors. Harper is definitely a well-rounded writer, with the talents for putting a multitude of sub plots within the major story. It's a very satisfying and edgy story. I look forward to reading more by this author.
May 25, 2016
This novel is strong on plot, character and language. Even an old man like me can identify with the young female protagonist as she battles through life as her own worst enemy and scrapes by with a little help from her real friends. If you're nostalgic or curious about the 1970s, this book is for you. If you're interested in the human heart, this book is for you. If you simply like a good story well told, this book is probably also for you.
November 11, 2019
A thoroughly absorbing read that delves into Glasgow and London in the 1970’s. Although I am not familiar with the time or places the author did a great job of portraying the scene.
The story follows Bobbie as her life takes an unfortunate turn. Feeling guilty after the suicide of her ex, she makes a life changing decision which she will live to regret.
This is a dark read in places but it is such a gripping story, highly recommended.
The story follows Bobbie as her life takes an unfortunate turn. Feeling guilty after the suicide of her ex, she makes a life changing decision which she will live to regret.
This is a dark read in places but it is such a gripping story, highly recommended.
March 23, 2016
I really struggled to empathise with Bobbie, the lead character, and I almost gave up halfway through reading this book. It was a bit slow at times but on the plus side, set in Glasgow my place of birth. Thanks to Net Galley for the copy. Not on my list of favourite books. Having said that, I would probably read another by the same author.
March 28, 2016
If I am brutally honest, I struggled with this book; and this was for a number of reasons, of which I will share with you in the coming paragraphs.
Click here to read my full review of this book.
Click here to read my full review of this book.
March 8, 2020
I could not put this book down!! The way the story developes keeps you on your toes and always wondering what is going to happen next. I've never read a book like this but I am glad I have. I will be straight onto Silent Money
August 28, 2016
I loved this book, set in 1970's Glasgow. A great page turner and the main character experiences great highs and terrible lows but you're there with her on every turn of your page.
May 9, 2017
Wasn't sure at the start but kept with it as the characters life changed. Enjoyed it.
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