What do you think?
Return to Autumn
Adam Raynor and his best friends started the summer of 1992 with their usual antics. Each of them in their own way preparing for their last year of high school and the interruption of their friendship that college would bring. What they didn't know was how getting a girlfriend, using drugs and experiencing the death of someone close would turn their worlds upside down.
224 pages, Paperback
Published October 14, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 30, 2017
Beginning in the summer of 1992, Return to Autumn follows Adam and his friends, Mark and Joey, from their last day of junior high to the first months of college. Over that first summer, Adam does yard work for Mrs. Autumn and falls for her daughter, Carolyn. As Adam draws closer to Carolyn, he drifts further away from Mark and Joey, leading to some unfortunate consequences. We watch the boys grow up, as they struggle to deal with new relationships, parents' divorce, drug addiction, and even death.
The book starts of well, with humorous tales of boys drinking, swearing, pumping iron, swapping conquest stories, and smoking pot. The book later turns into something totally different, with some really confronting scenes. In essence, the genre changes from Young Adult to New Adult, so it's difficult to discern the appropriate audience. The boys' banter is realistic and believable - albeit a bit juvenile for my taste. In contrast, the adults' speech is stilted and too formal. The writing, which flows quite naturally at the beginning of the book, later becomes a series of short, choppy sentences. Numerous editing errors appear, especially in the second half of the book, including references to things that weren't current at the time. It's almost as if the book was written by two different people - or the editor (or author as editor) gave up half-way through.
This is a quick, entertaining read, that holds the reader's attention. It is, however, by no means a light book, and it ultimately left me feeling uncomfortable and grossed out (sorry, can't think of a better way of putting it).
Warnings: coarse language, sex scenes, underage drinking, drug use.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post (30 January): https://booksdirectonline.blogspot.co...
The book starts of well, with humorous tales of boys drinking, swearing, pumping iron, swapping conquest stories, and smoking pot. The book later turns into something totally different, with some really confronting scenes. In essence, the genre changes from Young Adult to New Adult, so it's difficult to discern the appropriate audience. The boys' banter is realistic and believable - albeit a bit juvenile for my taste. In contrast, the adults' speech is stilted and too formal. The writing, which flows quite naturally at the beginning of the book, later becomes a series of short, choppy sentences. Numerous editing errors appear, especially in the second half of the book, including references to things that weren't current at the time. It's almost as if the book was written by two different people - or the editor (or author as editor) gave up half-way through.
This is a quick, entertaining read, that holds the reader's attention. It is, however, by no means a light book, and it ultimately left me feeling uncomfortable and grossed out (sorry, can't think of a better way of putting it).
Warnings: coarse language, sex scenes, underage drinking, drug use.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post (30 January): https://booksdirectonline.blogspot.co...
May 11, 2017
Meh
Hmmmm... good quick read in between my usual slew of well-written novels. This was more like reading an auto biography of an advanced high school student, maybe like the narrator himself. In fact, it may be the first novel he wrote while in college. The characters were well-developed and endearing and that's what made this a pleasant 2 night book.
Hmmmm... good quick read in between my usual slew of well-written novels. This was more like reading an auto biography of an advanced high school student, maybe like the narrator himself. In fact, it may be the first novel he wrote while in college. The characters were well-developed and endearing and that's what made this a pleasant 2 night book.
January 4, 2017
I think I could easily sum up this book in just one sentence, that being “I read this book in one day”, however, even though that justifies how incredible this book is, I think I’ll swoon over it a little bit more!
Adam, Mark and Joey are the best of friends who spends most of their days talking about girls, sex and drugs. The book follows them from their last day of Junior High in to the first months of College. Throughout the Summer, Adam finds work at the Autumn’s house, which belonged to Mrs Autumn and her daughter Carolyn. As Adam and Carolyn begin to fall for each other, he gradually drifts away from Mark and Joey, leading to some unfortunate event as divorce, drug addictions, and death becomes involved.
Being as I am 19 years old, I enjoyed reading the banter between Adam and his friends, alongside all of the stories they had to share about awkward and embarrassing experiences they have gone through with a girl. Whilst this book begins incredibly light-hearted, it takes a dark turn towards the end, leaving you possibly slightly uncomfortable and you begin to see a different side to all of the characters and how they deal with certain things separately.
As I said in the first paragraph of my review, Return To Autumn took me only a day to read, it had me drawn in at all times and by the end I was fully hooked and a little tearful over the storyline. Each character is so unique and intriguing in their own ways that you see yourself loving not just one character, but all of them. I also loved the fact that it is from a guy’s perspective as I don’t read them that often and it’s rather refreshing. Couldn’t suggest this book more but please give it a read! If you’re signed up to Kindle Unlimited, you can read Return To Autumn for free, but either way, the book itself is only £2.39 so why not treat yourself to this delightful story? Congratulations John on Return To Autumn, I am so pleased I got to be a part of this book tour!
I publish my book reviews at: https://platinumdiaries.wordpress.com/
Adam, Mark and Joey are the best of friends who spends most of their days talking about girls, sex and drugs. The book follows them from their last day of Junior High in to the first months of College. Throughout the Summer, Adam finds work at the Autumn’s house, which belonged to Mrs Autumn and her daughter Carolyn. As Adam and Carolyn begin to fall for each other, he gradually drifts away from Mark and Joey, leading to some unfortunate event as divorce, drug addictions, and death becomes involved.
Being as I am 19 years old, I enjoyed reading the banter between Adam and his friends, alongside all of the stories they had to share about awkward and embarrassing experiences they have gone through with a girl. Whilst this book begins incredibly light-hearted, it takes a dark turn towards the end, leaving you possibly slightly uncomfortable and you begin to see a different side to all of the characters and how they deal with certain things separately.
As I said in the first paragraph of my review, Return To Autumn took me only a day to read, it had me drawn in at all times and by the end I was fully hooked and a little tearful over the storyline. Each character is so unique and intriguing in their own ways that you see yourself loving not just one character, but all of them. I also loved the fact that it is from a guy’s perspective as I don’t read them that often and it’s rather refreshing. Couldn’t suggest this book more but please give it a read! If you’re signed up to Kindle Unlimited, you can read Return To Autumn for free, but either way, the book itself is only £2.39 so why not treat yourself to this delightful story? Congratulations John on Return To Autumn, I am so pleased I got to be a part of this book tour!
I publish my book reviews at: https://platinumdiaries.wordpress.com/
January 31, 2017
Return to Autumn by John Richards, is a beautiful coming-of-age story rife with male camaraderie, romance and tragedy.
And I really loved it. It made me think of summer days and mischievous nights. Return to Autumn provides a wonderful male POV of first love and of first painful life experiences.
Whenever I read a really good coming-of-age story from the male perspective I can’t help but think of “Stand By Me” by Stephen King. For me, it is the quintessential “boys” story, full of adventure, danger, friendship and of course loss. That’s not to say that Return to Autumn is anything like it. For one thing, the characters are 17 and 18 years old so the POV is of course, more mature. I’m just saying I think that John Richard’s novel is that good.
I loved Adam. His character is wonderfully realistic. He is a good guy with a solid foundation. He’s generally respectful at all times except when he is with the guys, he loves his family, gets good grades but still blows off steam by sneaking beers with his friends. Just a normal, REAL teenager and that elevated the story for me.
I’m not sure where the author has drawn his inspiration for this story but everything about it is comfortably realistic and relatable. The writing is fantastic but the tone is conversational–again comfortable for the reader. As a result, I felt everything Adam did, experienced his joy and tragedy. Trust me, you will experience a whole range of emotions reading this book.
I thoroughly enjoyed Return to Autumn and would happily recommend it to anyone. My husband is reading and enjoying it right now.
Rating… A
www.readsandreels.com
And I really loved it. It made me think of summer days and mischievous nights. Return to Autumn provides a wonderful male POV of first love and of first painful life experiences.
Whenever I read a really good coming-of-age story from the male perspective I can’t help but think of “Stand By Me” by Stephen King. For me, it is the quintessential “boys” story, full of adventure, danger, friendship and of course loss. That’s not to say that Return to Autumn is anything like it. For one thing, the characters are 17 and 18 years old so the POV is of course, more mature. I’m just saying I think that John Richard’s novel is that good.
I loved Adam. His character is wonderfully realistic. He is a good guy with a solid foundation. He’s generally respectful at all times except when he is with the guys, he loves his family, gets good grades but still blows off steam by sneaking beers with his friends. Just a normal, REAL teenager and that elevated the story for me.
I’m not sure where the author has drawn his inspiration for this story but everything about it is comfortably realistic and relatable. The writing is fantastic but the tone is conversational–again comfortable for the reader. As a result, I felt everything Adam did, experienced his joy and tragedy. Trust me, you will experience a whole range of emotions reading this book.
I thoroughly enjoyed Return to Autumn and would happily recommend it to anyone. My husband is reading and enjoying it right now.
Rating… A
www.readsandreels.com
January 29, 2017
DISCLAIMER: I received a copy of this book as part of a blog tour.
First of all, how pretty is that cover?! The simplicity is so refreshing to see. Not that coves with a lot going on are bad, it's just nice to see something simple like this now and again.
This is a quickish read. If you're like me (a speed-reader), then you could finish this in one sitting. I really like that this story takes place in 1992 and some of 1993. Having been born in '93, I feel something special about that. Following Adam and his friends as they transition into adulthood was really great. You can tell that the author has put a lot of thought into writing this story. There were moments when I felt that maybe Adam could have been a bit more developed, but all in all, he is a great character and I loved reading him.
First of all, how pretty is that cover?! The simplicity is so refreshing to see. Not that coves with a lot going on are bad, it's just nice to see something simple like this now and again.
This is a quickish read. If you're like me (a speed-reader), then you could finish this in one sitting. I really like that this story takes place in 1992 and some of 1993. Having been born in '93, I feel something special about that. Following Adam and his friends as they transition into adulthood was really great. You can tell that the author has put a lot of thought into writing this story. There were moments when I felt that maybe Adam could have been a bit more developed, but all in all, he is a great character and I loved reading him.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews