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Reunion: A Story: A Novella
It is June 1983. Jim Garraty is a senior at South Miami Senior High. He's a staff writer for the school paper, a college-bound scholar who plans to become a historian and author of books on military history. He's well-liked by his peers and teachers, and his future looks bright. But as commencement draws near for the Class of 1983, Jim must deal with unfinished business. The girl he loves from afar is also graduating, and rumor has it that she is going away for the summer before starting college in the fall. Worse still, Marty doesn't know how deeply Jim's feelings for her are - unless he tells her. But when an opportunity arises on the last day of classes at South Miami High, Jim hesitates...and the window of opportunity closes. Now, 15 years later, James Garraty is an up-and-coming history professor whose literary career is on the rise. Respected by his fellow faculty members, liked by his students, and recipient of popular and critical acclaim, Jim has it all. Except for one thing. True love.
- GenresRomance
57 pages, ebook
Published June 28, 2018
2 people want to read
About the author
Alex Diaz-Granados
4 books11 followersAlex Diaz-Granados (born 1963) has spent decades weaving words into stories, critiques, and screenplays, always with an eye for nuance and emotional depth. His journey began in the early 1980s as a staff writer and Entertainment Editor for his high school newspaper, later serving as Diversions Editor for Miami-Dade Community College’s South Campus student publication. Fueled by a passion for cinema, he has been sharing his thoughts on film—raving about masterpieces and ranting about misfires—since 2003, contributing reviews to platforms like Amazon, Ciao, and Epinions.
Beyond criticism, Alex has collaborated with actor-director Juan Carlos Hernandez on several screenplays, including A Simple Ad, Clown 345, Ronnie and the Pursuit of the Elusive Bliss, and Sunny in the Village of the Crickets, all of which can be seen on YouTube. His writing extends to blogging, with general-interest articles once featured on Yahoo! Voices (formerly Associated Content).
As an author, Alex is best known for the Reunion Duology—the novella Reunion: A Story and its sequel Reunion: Coda. These works explore themes of nostalgia, regret, and the enduring bonds of friendship, set against the atmospheric backdrop of Miami and New York City. With cinematic storytelling and emotionally authentic characters, his work resonates with readers seeking a blend of memory and new beginnings.
Beyond criticism, Alex has collaborated with actor-director Juan Carlos Hernandez on several screenplays, including A Simple Ad, Clown 345, Ronnie and the Pursuit of the Elusive Bliss, and Sunny in the Village of the Crickets, all of which can be seen on YouTube. His writing extends to blogging, with general-interest articles once featured on Yahoo! Voices (formerly Associated Content).
As an author, Alex is best known for the Reunion Duology—the novella Reunion: A Story and its sequel Reunion: Coda. These works explore themes of nostalgia, regret, and the enduring bonds of friendship, set against the atmospheric backdrop of Miami and New York City. With cinematic storytelling and emotionally authentic characters, his work resonates with readers seeking a blend of memory and new beginnings.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 25, 2023
A Trip Down Memory Lane
In this bittersweet story of the innocence and naivety of youth, the reader is transported back to his or her own high school days. We've all been Jim. We've all had our Marty. Wrapping the story in today while jumping back to days past is not always easy to pull off, but it works here. A recommended read.
In this bittersweet story of the innocence and naivety of youth, the reader is transported back to his or her own high school days. We've all been Jim. We've all had our Marty. Wrapping the story in today while jumping back to days past is not always easy to pull off, but it works here. A recommended read.
September 8, 2023
There are very few people in this world who don’t have a story of “the one that got away.” Whether it was a breakup, or realizing that you had something great within your grasp but not the courage to “go for it” we spend our lives wondering “what if.” Indeed, there are whole genres of books written on the “what ifs” of life. Reunion: A Story is not alternate history, though. It is simply the story of a man who is reflecting on not having the courage in high school to ask out the girl he has fallen for.
Jim Garraty is visiting the cemetery where that first love from high school is buried. He’s a divorced historian who has drifted through the world but found that Martina Elizabeth Reynaud was never far from his mind. A week before, Jim received a phone call from his high school buddy Mark telling him that Marty had died the day before in a car accident. Everything he had tried to bury from those past high school days suddenly comes flowing back, and Jim is overwhelmed by the “what ifs” and the life he never had a chance to have.
To read my full review, please go to: https://thoughtsfromthemountaintop.co...
Jim Garraty is visiting the cemetery where that first love from high school is buried. He’s a divorced historian who has drifted through the world but found that Martina Elizabeth Reynaud was never far from his mind. A week before, Jim received a phone call from his high school buddy Mark telling him that Marty had died the day before in a car accident. Everything he had tried to bury from those past high school days suddenly comes flowing back, and Jim is overwhelmed by the “what ifs” and the life he never had a chance to have.
To read my full review, please go to: https://thoughtsfromthemountaintop.co...
July 20, 2024
Jim Garraty’s dream of becoming a history professor at a prestigious university has come true. He has some well-regarded publications under his belt and is working on the next one.
However, he’s still hurting from his recent divorce. And then comes the phone call from his old high school pal. Marty—the girl he loved back in the day—has died in a car crash. One of Jim’s greatest regrets is that he never told Marty he cared for her. Would romance have come of it? Or even friendship? It’s too late to know now.
Jim’s story is told in a series of flashbacks and returns to the present. The reader follows him through the last few days of high school when he had the chance to speak to Marty— but didn’t.
It's a lyrical tale of regret for chances not taken, told in dreams and memories. It speaks to anyone who has been to high school and anyone who remembers the one who got away.
This pleasant, if bittersweet, novella is short enough to read in one sitting.
However, he’s still hurting from his recent divorce. And then comes the phone call from his old high school pal. Marty—the girl he loved back in the day—has died in a car crash. One of Jim’s greatest regrets is that he never told Marty he cared for her. Would romance have come of it? Or even friendship? It’s too late to know now.
Jim’s story is told in a series of flashbacks and returns to the present. The reader follows him through the last few days of high school when he had the chance to speak to Marty— but didn’t.
It's a lyrical tale of regret for chances not taken, told in dreams and memories. It speaks to anyone who has been to high school and anyone who remembers the one who got away.
This pleasant, if bittersweet, novella is short enough to read in one sitting.
July 13, 2018
A quick and easy read that will take you back to your youth. Very well written. I would love to see a full length novel from the author. He has wonderful writing skills and know how to capture and hold the reader's interest.
November 1, 2021
This relatively short story underscore how different a teenager and an adult views life and themselves, leading to the many “what if” scenarios in life. It is a sad love story about regret and loss as well as friendship. The author describes the feelings and the thoughts of the characters in a manner that is realistic and easy to relate to. The story has something to tell us, especially young people.
I was planning to read it over a couple of days, but after I started reading it, I couldn’t put it down, so I read it all at once. It is very well written, emotional but not too sentimental. It is an easy and quick reading and one of the best short stories I’ve ever read.
I was planning to read it over a couple of days, but after I started reading it, I couldn’t put it down, so I read it all at once. It is very well written, emotional but not too sentimental. It is an easy and quick reading and one of the best short stories I’ve ever read.
July 8, 2018
Enjoyed this book!!
I really enjoyed reading this story. The authors descriptive writing brought me back to high school . Really made me think about the what ifs in life.
I really enjoyed reading this story. The authors descriptive writing brought me back to high school . Really made me think about the what ifs in life.
August 27, 2025
In this sweet novella about teenage love, the reader is transported back to their high school days and all the feelings of awkwardness, self-doubt, and confusion. The author does an exceptional job of portraying the high school environment, teenage hopes and dreams, pubescent challenges and fears, and the complexities of interpersonal relationships. We all have memories of our first crush, that first tender kiss, and the innocence and purity of youth.
I found the story sad but endearing. Jim Garraty is a man filled with regret over his first love. When he discovers later in life that she has died in a car accident, he takes a walk down memory lane to relive the events. Written in the first person, the reader experiences firsthand all of Jim’s thoughts and inner conflict.
I enjoyed reading this heart-touching story and rate it five stars.
I found the story sad but endearing. Jim Garraty is a man filled with regret over his first love. When he discovers later in life that she has died in a car accident, he takes a walk down memory lane to relive the events. Written in the first person, the reader experiences firsthand all of Jim’s thoughts and inner conflict.
I enjoyed reading this heart-touching story and rate it five stars.
December 31, 2023
Alex Diaz-Granados has written a very enjoyable and easy to read novella, that takes you back to your own experience as a high school student. It's a story we can all relate to, about young love and the pain that comes with youth. It's a reminder of how fear can hurt not only the moment at hand but may create an umbrage that can last forever.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews