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Better Together
Paul Rhoads, a successful horror novelist, has just moved back to his Pennsylvania hometown. This move is more than just returning to his roots and trying to finish his stalled novel, it's restarting a relationship with his high school sweetheart, Annie. And getting to know Annie's eight month old son, Max. But, when Annie dies in a freak car accident, Paul finds himself doing something he never could have raising Max on his own.
- GenresContemporary
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 31, 2010
1 person is currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Raymond M. Rose
4 books66 followersAuthor, Marketing Consultant, Web Designer, Husband, Father,... Lover of cereals!
From intriguing characters, breakneck plot lines, and fascinating settings, I focus on crafting stories that take readers on a ride. I want you to love or love-to-hate my characters as much as I do. For me, that's the only way to really read a book.
Growing up, I tore through Stephen King, Clive Barker, and Thomas Harris novels. Every Wednesday, I went to the comic book store to get the newest X-Men and Spider-Man. Not to mention, I wrote elaborate back stories for my Star Wars, G.I. Joe, and Transformer characters.
Today, I mash all these elements together to write the books that I want to read.
Go to www.raymondmrose.com to sign up for a free copy of my novel, The Fire Inside, the first book in the Science Fiction Thriller series, Sidekicks.
From intriguing characters, breakneck plot lines, and fascinating settings, I focus on crafting stories that take readers on a ride. I want you to love or love-to-hate my characters as much as I do. For me, that's the only way to really read a book.
Growing up, I tore through Stephen King, Clive Barker, and Thomas Harris novels. Every Wednesday, I went to the comic book store to get the newest X-Men and Spider-Man. Not to mention, I wrote elaborate back stories for my Star Wars, G.I. Joe, and Transformer characters.
Today, I mash all these elements together to write the books that I want to read.
Go to www.raymondmrose.com to sign up for a free copy of my novel, The Fire Inside, the first book in the Science Fiction Thriller series, Sidekicks.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 8, 2011
The best way to describe Better Together is sad, sweet and predictable. Well written and poignant, the male narrator was a really nice change, especially with this sort of story. Rose skillfully takes us into the life of Paul, a man who gains and loses a family in the space of a few chapters. I loved reading about all of the troubles of raising a young child, told by a slightly baffled man who had no idea what he was doing. Rose makes every stage of their adventure jump off of the page, perfectly connecting the characters to the story, and the story to the reader.
Even though it had been hinted at pretty heavily, the twist really did make the story much more interesting. Despite the fact that I knew it was coming, I was hitting that button faster and faster hoping that what I thought was going to happen, would actually happen (very vague but if you want to know, go read it!).
There were some things that came off a little weird or repetitive. The one that stands out most is ‘chocolate brown eyes’ which was used several times and, maybe it’s just me being odd, but coming from a male protagonist… I don’t know, do men describe other peoples eyes as chocolate brown?
Overall, a sweet story with an interesting but predictable twist. This book followed a precise guideline and didn’t deviate, which made it a very typical but solid read. You know what is going to happen and, for the most, it does. Better Together does manage to bring a very sweet and heartwarming element to the traditional format though, and for that I give it a very solid 3 1/2 (I round up on Goodreads).
This review was originally posted at http://baffledbooks.com
Even though it had been hinted at pretty heavily, the twist really did make the story much more interesting. Despite the fact that I knew it was coming, I was hitting that button faster and faster hoping that what I thought was going to happen, would actually happen (very vague but if you want to know, go read it!).
There were some things that came off a little weird or repetitive. The one that stands out most is ‘chocolate brown eyes’ which was used several times and, maybe it’s just me being odd, but coming from a male protagonist… I don’t know, do men describe other peoples eyes as chocolate brown?
Overall, a sweet story with an interesting but predictable twist. This book followed a precise guideline and didn’t deviate, which made it a very typical but solid read. You know what is going to happen and, for the most, it does. Better Together does manage to bring a very sweet and heartwarming element to the traditional format though, and for that I give it a very solid 3 1/2 (I round up on Goodreads).
This review was originally posted at http://baffledbooks.com
May 8, 2011
Article first published as Book Review:Better Together by Raymond Rose on Blogcritics.
Paul Rhoads is a writer, ready to return home. Beginning to miss those small things he took for granted in his youth, he is successful yet restless. Part of what drives him is Annie, his best friend. A new mother and yet recently divorced, she too is looking forward to seeing Paul again. Her angst is real and while she certainly has strong feelings for Paul, her newly divorced husband, a philanderer in his own right, uses reverse psychology on Annie, accusing her of having her friend Paul’s baby. It is with just a bit of anger and trepidation that she begins her new life, one as the mother of a baby Boy named Max.
As Paul and Annie rekindle their friendship, it grows into love. Yet Paul is concerned, can he overcome the fact that Max is not his own child? Will he resent this and allow it to color their relationship? After much thought he determines that he can accept Max, and as a part of Annie, he will be able to have a strong relationship. When Annie accepts his proposal he is ecstatic, his whole world is changing. As he comes to spend just a bit of time with Max, a small bud of love grows. Having never been around a child, the love deepens leaving no sign of his initial feeling. Taking Max with him on errands and spending quality time with him give Paul such pleasure. It only takes one instant for life to change, just one reckless mistake, for lives to be changed forever. When Annie dies in a car accident just two short weeks after their wedding, the loss is devastating.
Paul tries to do the right thing. He contacts Max’s real father Jason, who brushes him off. Paul preservers believe Max should be with his biological father and actually goes to Jason’s place of work to confront him. He finds Jason on the eve of a new marriage, and absolutely no interest in a son he wants nothing to do with. What can Paul do, while he is the guardian, he and Annie were only married a few short weeks? Can he learn to be a father to another man’s son?
In Better Together, Raymond Rose has taken a tragedy and built a story of love. Paul is a young man, left in an untenable position. He initially feels overwhelmed with life, and begins to find himself in a bit of a depression. His mother is there to help him through his new fatherhood in whatever way he feels necessary, and offers him advice when asked. However, she is there for guidance and allows him to grow into the position of fatherhood in his own way with much gentle encouragement.
Annie’s friends are also there along with an old friend of his from school, there to help him through both his grieving and his growth. When he finds himself with questions, he remembers his lessons as a writer. He can research; he can find the answers by finding the right questions. He wants so badly to be the best father and yet women who feel he should be looking for a Mother for Max often mimic his doubts. He understands the dilemma, but he is not ready, the grieving process is still painful.
Max is a joy and Rose does a wonderful job of bringing this delightful child into being. His characterizations are charming, and Max’s simple exclamations and antics bring him to life. He is precocious and precious, and even twists the wary reader around his finger. As Paul and Max build their life together and Max grows and develops into a wonderful and charismatic five year old, Paul’s life is finally beginning to come together. When Max’s father suddenly intrudes back into their life, Paul tries hard to be fair with Max’s time.
However, when Jason and his new wife kidnap Max, Paul is lost. As his father, Jason holds all the cards. What will he do, and how will he get his son back? Jason is the donor, but to Paul he is no longer the father, that is Paul’s title and he will not give it up. Can he win this battle, and get his son back?
This is a wonderful heartwarming story about fatherhood. Rose does a great job of building his characters and making you care about them. If you enjoy people and their interactions, you will love this book. It is interesting and well written with characters to care about. It would be a marvelous book for a reading club or a book club. It deals with many different, stereotypes and characterizations, which would be interesting in a discussion group.
This book was received as a free download from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.
Paul Rhoads is a writer, ready to return home. Beginning to miss those small things he took for granted in his youth, he is successful yet restless. Part of what drives him is Annie, his best friend. A new mother and yet recently divorced, she too is looking forward to seeing Paul again. Her angst is real and while she certainly has strong feelings for Paul, her newly divorced husband, a philanderer in his own right, uses reverse psychology on Annie, accusing her of having her friend Paul’s baby. It is with just a bit of anger and trepidation that she begins her new life, one as the mother of a baby Boy named Max.
As Paul and Annie rekindle their friendship, it grows into love. Yet Paul is concerned, can he overcome the fact that Max is not his own child? Will he resent this and allow it to color their relationship? After much thought he determines that he can accept Max, and as a part of Annie, he will be able to have a strong relationship. When Annie accepts his proposal he is ecstatic, his whole world is changing. As he comes to spend just a bit of time with Max, a small bud of love grows. Having never been around a child, the love deepens leaving no sign of his initial feeling. Taking Max with him on errands and spending quality time with him give Paul such pleasure. It only takes one instant for life to change, just one reckless mistake, for lives to be changed forever. When Annie dies in a car accident just two short weeks after their wedding, the loss is devastating.
Paul tries to do the right thing. He contacts Max’s real father Jason, who brushes him off. Paul preservers believe Max should be with his biological father and actually goes to Jason’s place of work to confront him. He finds Jason on the eve of a new marriage, and absolutely no interest in a son he wants nothing to do with. What can Paul do, while he is the guardian, he and Annie were only married a few short weeks? Can he learn to be a father to another man’s son?
In Better Together, Raymond Rose has taken a tragedy and built a story of love. Paul is a young man, left in an untenable position. He initially feels overwhelmed with life, and begins to find himself in a bit of a depression. His mother is there to help him through his new fatherhood in whatever way he feels necessary, and offers him advice when asked. However, she is there for guidance and allows him to grow into the position of fatherhood in his own way with much gentle encouragement.
Annie’s friends are also there along with an old friend of his from school, there to help him through both his grieving and his growth. When he finds himself with questions, he remembers his lessons as a writer. He can research; he can find the answers by finding the right questions. He wants so badly to be the best father and yet women who feel he should be looking for a Mother for Max often mimic his doubts. He understands the dilemma, but he is not ready, the grieving process is still painful.
Max is a joy and Rose does a wonderful job of bringing this delightful child into being. His characterizations are charming, and Max’s simple exclamations and antics bring him to life. He is precocious and precious, and even twists the wary reader around his finger. As Paul and Max build their life together and Max grows and develops into a wonderful and charismatic five year old, Paul’s life is finally beginning to come together. When Max’s father suddenly intrudes back into their life, Paul tries hard to be fair with Max’s time.
However, when Jason and his new wife kidnap Max, Paul is lost. As his father, Jason holds all the cards. What will he do, and how will he get his son back? Jason is the donor, but to Paul he is no longer the father, that is Paul’s title and he will not give it up. Can he win this battle, and get his son back?
This is a wonderful heartwarming story about fatherhood. Rose does a great job of building his characters and making you care about them. If you enjoy people and their interactions, you will love this book. It is interesting and well written with characters to care about. It would be a marvelous book for a reading club or a book club. It deals with many different, stereotypes and characterizations, which would be interesting in a discussion group.
This book was received as a free download from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.
April 6, 2011
When I was younger, I had this silly fear that I was just adopted. The fact that I never looked like any of my parents back then only added more to this fear. It was only when my brother was born and he was my spitting image that I was finally able to quell this insane thought.
Paul was supposed to live with Annie and her little son Max happily ever after, but Annie died and left Paul with Max just shortly after getting married. Stunned with grief by the sudden departure of his beloved wife, he becomes overwhelmed by an even bigger responsibility of raising Max as his own son. This book details the ups and downs that Paul (and every parent) encounters when dealing with raising kids and striving to be the best parent a child ever had.
Remember how you used to understand and remember stuff better when it's told through a story rather than listening to usual instructions? This book, Better Together by Raymond M. Rose is certainly a good story for parents who are tired of looking for that perfect self-help parenting book. This will not tell you everything about raising a child, not really about how hot the bath water should be but more on how to deal with the emotional side of taking care of your little one. Instead of getting all too preachy as some parenting books, this book is like a friend who tells you everything he/she experienced during his/her own time raising children and passing all the knowledge to you.
The premise is unique and the events occur in such a way that the reader gets caught off guard by the turn of events despite a small touch of predictability. Endearing and sweet, this book will completely hook any reader, especially those who have had children as they are taken back in time in the early stages of their children's lives.
But as amazing as this book may sound, I just have a few problems with how this was presented: Told from a third person perspective, the voice sometimes shift from different characters rather too quickly that sometimes, the reader gets confused as the points of view get jumbled up. One minute you were reading about Paul's thoughts, another minute you realize the narration has shifted to Annie's. But it does get better as you turn the pages and finally get a good grasp of the voices within this book. As for the text, there were a few typographical errors that was a bit distracting but once you get past that, you will definitely be in for a treat as you read this heartwarming story.
An important lesson to be gained from this book is this: Children should be loved not because they carry your blood in their veins, not because they look like you, not because they were born from you - but because they, as human beings, deserve to be loved, not matter who or what they are, or where they came from.
Paul was supposed to live with Annie and her little son Max happily ever after, but Annie died and left Paul with Max just shortly after getting married. Stunned with grief by the sudden departure of his beloved wife, he becomes overwhelmed by an even bigger responsibility of raising Max as his own son. This book details the ups and downs that Paul (and every parent) encounters when dealing with raising kids and striving to be the best parent a child ever had.
Remember how you used to understand and remember stuff better when it's told through a story rather than listening to usual instructions? This book, Better Together by Raymond M. Rose is certainly a good story for parents who are tired of looking for that perfect self-help parenting book. This will not tell you everything about raising a child, not really about how hot the bath water should be but more on how to deal with the emotional side of taking care of your little one. Instead of getting all too preachy as some parenting books, this book is like a friend who tells you everything he/she experienced during his/her own time raising children and passing all the knowledge to you.
The premise is unique and the events occur in such a way that the reader gets caught off guard by the turn of events despite a small touch of predictability. Endearing and sweet, this book will completely hook any reader, especially those who have had children as they are taken back in time in the early stages of their children's lives.
But as amazing as this book may sound, I just have a few problems with how this was presented: Told from a third person perspective, the voice sometimes shift from different characters rather too quickly that sometimes, the reader gets confused as the points of view get jumbled up. One minute you were reading about Paul's thoughts, another minute you realize the narration has shifted to Annie's. But it does get better as you turn the pages and finally get a good grasp of the voices within this book. As for the text, there were a few typographical errors that was a bit distracting but once you get past that, you will definitely be in for a treat as you read this heartwarming story.
An important lesson to be gained from this book is this: Children should be loved not because they carry your blood in their veins, not because they look like you, not because they were born from you - but because they, as human beings, deserve to be loved, not matter who or what they are, or where they came from.
May 21, 2011
From my blog: http://sarahreadstoomuch.blogspot.com
Paul Rhoads is coming home. He has had some, actually a good deal of success as a horror novel writer living in California, but it is time for him to return to his Pennsylvania hometown. He is coming home to his mother, his old friends, and Annie. Annie has been his best friend since they met in high school, and though they tried dating a few times over the years - she married someone else. But now she is divorced, and raising her little boy on her own. Tragic circumstances arise, and Paul is left alone raising this adorable little boy - and his life is changed forever.
I've not seen many books tell the story of the single dad, going it alone and dealing with, well, everything that comes along with having a child. Can a man raise a child alone? Shouldn't there be a mother (figure)? Then, in Paul's case - there are also custody issues as he is the legal guardian, but not the biological father. He's still out there.... will he change his mind and suddenly want to be a Daddy? Where does that leave Paul? Where does that leave this adorable little boy? There really is a lot there to think about and dissect without piling on crazy unrealistic plot twists or superhuman characters. I really liked Paul. He seemed like a real, normal person to me. I felt that his character reacted to his life's situations in a truthful, realistic way. Above all, every single thing in this book is believable, and that adds to its strength. Throughout the entire book, I just kept wanting things to work out for Paul. Also, well-placed snarky comments usually help win me over. This is a nice, easy read - perfect for a rainy day. You might get worked up a bit emotionally, but you will hopefully feel satisfied (and a little warm and fuzzy) by the end.
Paul Rhoads is coming home. He has had some, actually a good deal of success as a horror novel writer living in California, but it is time for him to return to his Pennsylvania hometown. He is coming home to his mother, his old friends, and Annie. Annie has been his best friend since they met in high school, and though they tried dating a few times over the years - she married someone else. But now she is divorced, and raising her little boy on her own. Tragic circumstances arise, and Paul is left alone raising this adorable little boy - and his life is changed forever.
I've not seen many books tell the story of the single dad, going it alone and dealing with, well, everything that comes along with having a child. Can a man raise a child alone? Shouldn't there be a mother (figure)? Then, in Paul's case - there are also custody issues as he is the legal guardian, but not the biological father. He's still out there.... will he change his mind and suddenly want to be a Daddy? Where does that leave Paul? Where does that leave this adorable little boy? There really is a lot there to think about and dissect without piling on crazy unrealistic plot twists or superhuman characters. I really liked Paul. He seemed like a real, normal person to me. I felt that his character reacted to his life's situations in a truthful, realistic way. Above all, every single thing in this book is believable, and that adds to its strength. Throughout the entire book, I just kept wanting things to work out for Paul. Also, well-placed snarky comments usually help win me over. This is a nice, easy read - perfect for a rainy day. You might get worked up a bit emotionally, but you will hopefully feel satisfied (and a little warm and fuzzy) by the end.
February 27, 2011
Better Together by Raymond Rose is an emotionally charged story about raising a child as a single father. I will admit this is not the type of book that I would initially pull off the shelves, but I am very glad I read it. The novel is a contemporary fiction book so it is written in a very modern style, but despite that Rose is able to draw you into the world of Paul and his son Max.
Rose has a wonderful way with creating everlasting images through his descriptions. His writing is full of details that allow you to truly sense the world he has created. My one complaint was an excessive use of metaphors, but at the same time his metaphors were often creative and did provide an insight into the story. Some of the scenes were so cleverly written that they made me laugh out loud while reading.
The characters in the story were also well developed and it was easy to be emotionally attached to each and everyone of them. This is what made the book an immense success in my mind. I was so connected with the protagonist that when things were hard for him in the book I felt tears forming in my eyes and when things were going well I found a smile on my face. Not all books are successful in this fashion and I don’t find myself tearing up very often in a book, but Better Together had me tearing up in several places. This book is an emotional roller coaster and the great affection that the reader feels for the characters makes it easy for one to find themselves laughing and crying while reading.
Overall Better Together is a great short novel. It took me only a day to read, so it is definitely worth the short amount of time to read and it’s emotionally charged writing makes it a wonderful book to spend time with.
Rose has a wonderful way with creating everlasting images through his descriptions. His writing is full of details that allow you to truly sense the world he has created. My one complaint was an excessive use of metaphors, but at the same time his metaphors were often creative and did provide an insight into the story. Some of the scenes were so cleverly written that they made me laugh out loud while reading.
The characters in the story were also well developed and it was easy to be emotionally attached to each and everyone of them. This is what made the book an immense success in my mind. I was so connected with the protagonist that when things were hard for him in the book I felt tears forming in my eyes and when things were going well I found a smile on my face. Not all books are successful in this fashion and I don’t find myself tearing up very often in a book, but Better Together had me tearing up in several places. This book is an emotional roller coaster and the great affection that the reader feels for the characters makes it easy for one to find themselves laughing and crying while reading.
Overall Better Together is a great short novel. It took me only a day to read, so it is definitely worth the short amount of time to read and it’s emotionally charged writing makes it a wonderful book to spend time with.
April 11, 2011
Successful horror novelist, Paul Rhoads, hits a stumbling block in his career when he experiences a writer’s block. He decides a trip back to his hometown in Pennsylvania would be just the thing to clear his head and help him get his career back on track. Instead, he runs into his high school sweetheart and best friend, Annie, and he discovers the chemistry is as strong as ever.
Annie is the mother of an 8 month old boy Max. Her husband walked out on both of them. They are divorced now leaving Annie as a single mother with no help from her ex-husband at all. It doesn’t take long before Annie and Paul realize they still love each other and are still the very best of friends. They marry, give Max a true family and are as happy as they’ve ever been in their lives. Then, tragedy strikes. Annie dies in a freak car accident, leaving Paul and Max to grieve and find their way.
Paul attempts to contact Max’s biological father, but he wants nothing to do with the boy. It’s then that Paul makes the decision to raise Max on his own. It doesn’t take long for him to realize just how difficult that can be.
Raymond Rose creates a group of characters that can be found in anyone’s day-to-day life. They are all realistic, experiencing everyday problems that readers can identify with. Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop. There aren’t any bullets fired or chasing bad guys, it’s the story of a man desperate to provide a good life for his son after he loses the love of his life. He has to tack problems most single parents face today.
I found using the father’s point-of-view to be quite unique and intriguing. Readers will truly care about Paul and Max. Their plight tugs at the heartstrings. This is an emotional read, fast-paced story with believable characters.
Annie is the mother of an 8 month old boy Max. Her husband walked out on both of them. They are divorced now leaving Annie as a single mother with no help from her ex-husband at all. It doesn’t take long before Annie and Paul realize they still love each other and are still the very best of friends. They marry, give Max a true family and are as happy as they’ve ever been in their lives. Then, tragedy strikes. Annie dies in a freak car accident, leaving Paul and Max to grieve and find their way.
Paul attempts to contact Max’s biological father, but he wants nothing to do with the boy. It’s then that Paul makes the decision to raise Max on his own. It doesn’t take long for him to realize just how difficult that can be.
Raymond Rose creates a group of characters that can be found in anyone’s day-to-day life. They are all realistic, experiencing everyday problems that readers can identify with. Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop. There aren’t any bullets fired or chasing bad guys, it’s the story of a man desperate to provide a good life for his son after he loses the love of his life. He has to tack problems most single parents face today.
I found using the father’s point-of-view to be quite unique and intriguing. Readers will truly care about Paul and Max. Their plight tugs at the heartstrings. This is an emotional read, fast-paced story with believable characters.
February 28, 2011
From the moment I picked up Better Together, I was hooked! A poignant tale of love and loss, the story completely pulls at the heart strings. With so many books out there that center around motherhood, it was very refreshing to read a novel that centered around fatherhood instead. Too many times, the man is portrayed as the bad guy, the bad husband, the neglectful father. The hero of this story is none of those things. Instead, he is a likeable man, a successful novelist who has moved back home in hopes of finding some much needed creative inspiration. Instead, his life takes a completely unexpected turn.
The characters are extremely well developed, making it very easy to connect to them emotionally as the story progressed. The story was definately an emotional roller coaster and I was swept away along with the characters in their ups and downs. Even the less likeable characters had the ability to draw you into their stories. Loss hits early in the story, and the pain is palpable, as is the anger. But there is also lots of happiness and humor throughout the story as Paul finds his way through the new world of unexpected single fatherhood. Rose's sense of wit was apparent all through the story, one of my favorite giggle-inducing passages being the following:
"Paul grabbed it from his hands, which sent the boy into a screaming fit as he told Paul in a language that Paul, thankfully, didn't understand what he could do with that package of uncooked chicken and what he really thought of Paul's mother."
The characters are extremely well developed, making it very easy to connect to them emotionally as the story progressed. The story was definately an emotional roller coaster and I was swept away along with the characters in their ups and downs. Even the less likeable characters had the ability to draw you into their stories. Loss hits early in the story, and the pain is palpable, as is the anger. But there is also lots of happiness and humor throughout the story as Paul finds his way through the new world of unexpected single fatherhood. Rose's sense of wit was apparent all through the story, one of my favorite giggle-inducing passages being the following:
"Paul grabbed it from his hands, which sent the boy into a screaming fit as he told Paul in a language that Paul, thankfully, didn't understand what he could do with that package of uncooked chicken and what he really thought of Paul's mother."
March 4, 2011
I loved this story! Paul is a writer who moves back to his hometown in Pennsylvania from California and marries his best friend, Annie. Annie is a package deal with an 8-month-old son, Max, from a previous marriage. His biological father, a lawyer named Jason, makes it clear that he wants nothing at all to do with Max. Paul and Annie make steps towards Paul adopting Max and he becomes a legal guardian. Tragically, Annie is killed within a few weeks of her marriage to Paul. Jason once again states that he has no interest in Max. Paul is left to raise Max on his own. He is thrown into the job of raising a child and often doubts himself at every turn. Four years later, Jason decides he wants to be a part of Max’s life, and as his legal father, Paul is left with no choice and no legal recourse. But what follows will give Paul a future he could have only dreamed of. I read the story in one sitting just to find out what was going to happen next. I expect many more great stories from author Raymond Rose!
February 27, 2011
A number of months ago I did a brief mention of an up and coming book by Raymond Rose. Since then, I’ve reviewed his first novel: The Fire Inside and now his second book has been released- Better Together. Better Together, for those of you who might not remember, is the manuscript I spoke of all those months ago.
When Paul Rhoads moves back to Pennsylvania he’s not entirely sure what is waiting for him. Being a well known author he’s met with a writers worst nightmare- ongoing writers block. With hopes of finding a level of inspiration and returning to his roots Paul isn’t expecting to end up in a relationship to boot. Annie, his High School love, is there to support and adore him as she had always been. With her infant son from a previous marriage Paul is brought into unknown territory. In a whirlwind moment Paul and Annie marry and feel they could never be happier.
Read more about Better Together here.
When Paul Rhoads moves back to Pennsylvania he’s not entirely sure what is waiting for him. Being a well known author he’s met with a writers worst nightmare- ongoing writers block. With hopes of finding a level of inspiration and returning to his roots Paul isn’t expecting to end up in a relationship to boot. Annie, his High School love, is there to support and adore him as she had always been. With her infant son from a previous marriage Paul is brought into unknown territory. In a whirlwind moment Paul and Annie marry and feel they could never be happier.
Read more about Better Together here.
April 7, 2011
This is such a sweet story, and I love the change in perspective of having a single dad!
June 18, 2011
Paul is a successful horror writer who has been living in California but has recently moved back to his hometown in Pennsylvania. He and his childhood best friend Annie (and former high school girlfriend and brief college fling) have started up a relationship again. Annie is divorced with an eight month old. Her ex-husband Jason wants nothing to do with the child, believing that it’s possible that Max might not even be his and that Annie and Paul were having an affair behind his back. They weren’t, and Max is definitely Jason’s child but Jason has never even met him.
Paul is enjoying his new-found life of domestic bliss – he and Annie are amazingly happy. They know each other so well that they slip into their new role with ease, enjoying each other and living their new life. Paul is slowly bonding with Max, although the bulk of the parenting is still left to Annie. This all changes when Annie is killed in a car accident, just after she and Paul are married.
She leaves legal guardianship of Max to Paul, given that Jason has never wanted anything to do with him but Paul still feels that he should make the effort to contact Jason and discuss what should be done. Jason rebuffs him at every stage, stating clearly that he has never met the child and doesn’t want anything to do with him and he’s Paul’s responsibility. So Paul is faced with being a widower so quickly after marrying, and also, with raising by himself, his late wife’s young son. Barely 9 months old, Max is an easy baby, a well behaved baby but it doesn’t take long before Paul is struggling to keep his head above water. He finds himself staring blankly at the television all day, almost ignoring Max other than taking care of his basic feeding, changing, putting to sleep needs and suddenly he realises that he needs to do more. He tries to join a parenting group, is rebuffed by one for being a man and when one does agree to meet him, several members immediately chastise him for attempting to raise Max alone when everyone knows that “a child needs a mother” and “mothers are more naturally equipped to parent/raise children than men”. Paul is disheartened but decides that the women are right – he needs a wife and mother for Max. So he creates a dating profile online.
Paul and Max muddle their way through together, with the support of Paul’s mother, Annie’s former boss and her husband. Their life with just the two of them moves along happily, until one day, Jason reappears. He’s had a change of heart…and he wants to get to know his son.
The author contacted me to ask if I might be interested in reviewing this book and another one and this one intrigued me right away because I thought the take on it was something fresh and original. Very often we read about single mothers of young children and babies – there are tonnes of novels out there written from that perspective. But it’s not very often that I’ve come across a single father protagonist in a book, especially a man who is left with raising a child that he didn’t father and whose life he had only been in very briefly when fate hands him sole legal guardianship.
There’s quite a bit to like about this book – Paul is an easygoing and genuine sort of guy who moves home to be with the woman he loves (and be a father to her son) only to have that woman taken from him a very short time later. He’s left raising little Max alone, well mostly alone, although there are people he can turn to for support and advice and at first, he’s just going through the motions. Barely functioning, just getting by enough to get Max’s basic needs seen to without expanding on his care any more than that. Because of this, he perhaps gets swept up into some silly ideas – namely the idea that he needs a wife/mother for Max. That part of the storyline was thankfully not a huge part because it was ludicrous and Paul’s mother stepped in to offer him some really good advice. Advice he should’ve sought in the first place.
What I feel this book lacked was what it really feels like to parent a baby, especially by yourself. I’ve watched a seventeen (now eighteen) year old girl that I’m very close to, give birth to and raise a baby alone. Her child is now 15 months old and I’ve heard about every sleepless night, every runny nose, every tooth breaking through, every raised temperature. I’ve helped her establish a routine that suited her and her baby and given that I’m a parent to a son 18 months older than hers, I’ve fielded hundreds of questions on starting formula, starting solids, teething, crawling, walking. I myself had a friend with a baby a year older than mine who probably fielded the same questions from me. I know that Max was older when Paul took custody but I expected more in this book about what life as sole parent is like. It’s exhausting work even with two parents sometimes but Max seems to be a conveniently very good baby, rarely ever crying or being out of sorts. Teething is mentioned briefly, but the novel doesn’t cover what looking after a teething and distressed child is really like. Especially when molars are arriving! The narrative also skips 4 years before Max’s first birthday, which again, just seems like a neat way of sidestepping issues that come with raising a toddler.
I also don’t know what the laws are like in America but when Max’s biological father reappeared in their lives with intent, the first thing I would’ve done was consult a very good child lawyer, if I were in Paul’s situation. That’s if I didn’t get Jason to consent to a legal adoption when Annie first died. But if he overlooked that in his grief, lawyering up should’ve been the very first thing he did when Jason reappeared when Max was 4. Instead Paul assumed things and took advice from people who probably really didn’t know. It’s possible they were all right and that he would’ve had no rights if Jason had chosen to take on full custody but I like to think that courts are a little more progressive than that these days. By the time Paul finally did snap out of it and contact a lawyer, the situation was almost over anyway and was resolved very neatly.
It also needs a more thorough editing. Couple of spelling errors (“dinning table” instead of dining, few other bits and pieces) and some formatting issues. If you’re self published, or published by a small independent ePress, then I think that the effort to make sure that the manuscript is perfect should be total. Errors are distracting, but not completely off putting. Apart from that, this novel was a quick, easy and fairly enjoyable read.
**Note: I received an eBook file from the author in exchange for a review.
Paul is enjoying his new-found life of domestic bliss – he and Annie are amazingly happy. They know each other so well that they slip into their new role with ease, enjoying each other and living their new life. Paul is slowly bonding with Max, although the bulk of the parenting is still left to Annie. This all changes when Annie is killed in a car accident, just after she and Paul are married.
She leaves legal guardianship of Max to Paul, given that Jason has never wanted anything to do with him but Paul still feels that he should make the effort to contact Jason and discuss what should be done. Jason rebuffs him at every stage, stating clearly that he has never met the child and doesn’t want anything to do with him and he’s Paul’s responsibility. So Paul is faced with being a widower so quickly after marrying, and also, with raising by himself, his late wife’s young son. Barely 9 months old, Max is an easy baby, a well behaved baby but it doesn’t take long before Paul is struggling to keep his head above water. He finds himself staring blankly at the television all day, almost ignoring Max other than taking care of his basic feeding, changing, putting to sleep needs and suddenly he realises that he needs to do more. He tries to join a parenting group, is rebuffed by one for being a man and when one does agree to meet him, several members immediately chastise him for attempting to raise Max alone when everyone knows that “a child needs a mother” and “mothers are more naturally equipped to parent/raise children than men”. Paul is disheartened but decides that the women are right – he needs a wife and mother for Max. So he creates a dating profile online.
Paul and Max muddle their way through together, with the support of Paul’s mother, Annie’s former boss and her husband. Their life with just the two of them moves along happily, until one day, Jason reappears. He’s had a change of heart…and he wants to get to know his son.
The author contacted me to ask if I might be interested in reviewing this book and another one and this one intrigued me right away because I thought the take on it was something fresh and original. Very often we read about single mothers of young children and babies – there are tonnes of novels out there written from that perspective. But it’s not very often that I’ve come across a single father protagonist in a book, especially a man who is left with raising a child that he didn’t father and whose life he had only been in very briefly when fate hands him sole legal guardianship.
There’s quite a bit to like about this book – Paul is an easygoing and genuine sort of guy who moves home to be with the woman he loves (and be a father to her son) only to have that woman taken from him a very short time later. He’s left raising little Max alone, well mostly alone, although there are people he can turn to for support and advice and at first, he’s just going through the motions. Barely functioning, just getting by enough to get Max’s basic needs seen to without expanding on his care any more than that. Because of this, he perhaps gets swept up into some silly ideas – namely the idea that he needs a wife/mother for Max. That part of the storyline was thankfully not a huge part because it was ludicrous and Paul’s mother stepped in to offer him some really good advice. Advice he should’ve sought in the first place.
What I feel this book lacked was what it really feels like to parent a baby, especially by yourself. I’ve watched a seventeen (now eighteen) year old girl that I’m very close to, give birth to and raise a baby alone. Her child is now 15 months old and I’ve heard about every sleepless night, every runny nose, every tooth breaking through, every raised temperature. I’ve helped her establish a routine that suited her and her baby and given that I’m a parent to a son 18 months older than hers, I’ve fielded hundreds of questions on starting formula, starting solids, teething, crawling, walking. I myself had a friend with a baby a year older than mine who probably fielded the same questions from me. I know that Max was older when Paul took custody but I expected more in this book about what life as sole parent is like. It’s exhausting work even with two parents sometimes but Max seems to be a conveniently very good baby, rarely ever crying or being out of sorts. Teething is mentioned briefly, but the novel doesn’t cover what looking after a teething and distressed child is really like. Especially when molars are arriving! The narrative also skips 4 years before Max’s first birthday, which again, just seems like a neat way of sidestepping issues that come with raising a toddler.
I also don’t know what the laws are like in America but when Max’s biological father reappeared in their lives with intent, the first thing I would’ve done was consult a very good child lawyer, if I were in Paul’s situation. That’s if I didn’t get Jason to consent to a legal adoption when Annie first died. But if he overlooked that in his grief, lawyering up should’ve been the very first thing he did when Jason reappeared when Max was 4. Instead Paul assumed things and took advice from people who probably really didn’t know. It’s possible they were all right and that he would’ve had no rights if Jason had chosen to take on full custody but I like to think that courts are a little more progressive than that these days. By the time Paul finally did snap out of it and contact a lawyer, the situation was almost over anyway and was resolved very neatly.
It also needs a more thorough editing. Couple of spelling errors (“dinning table” instead of dining, few other bits and pieces) and some formatting issues. If you’re self published, or published by a small independent ePress, then I think that the effort to make sure that the manuscript is perfect should be total. Errors are distracting, but not completely off putting. Apart from that, this novel was a quick, easy and fairly enjoyable read.
**Note: I received an eBook file from the author in exchange for a review.
May 18, 2011
Better Together is a book written for parents, by a parent. Never having had a child of my own; I felt that I was missing the joys and secrets of parenthood throughout the book. Rose lays everything out beautifully; though sometimes with too much simile:
"Paul bore the storm of their attacks like a weathered lighthouse, strong and proud, unmoving." "There was a smoky gray and a dark, deep blue like nighttime just after the advent of evening, after the sun has finally gone down."
"With newborns, much like an extraction, it’s about speed: get in, find the essentials, and race to the counter as fast as you can. The keys are timing and precision so you aren’t stuck in the middle of the frozen food aisle when the child goes ballistic."
In the third chapter, "Three Scenes from a Relationship," I felt like the book had so much promise and Rose was writing it with deft skill. By the fifth chapter, the book had gone down a path that I wasn't expecting. Not a bad place, but unexpected nonetheless. At every moment while reading this book I could feel that Max was loved and adored by everyone. Don’t parents ever get tired of their little ones? I don’t know. Paul's journey with Max was so admirable that I felt like Paul could do no wrong. The worst thing that we ever saw him doing was watching too much TV. Does anyone go through raising a child with that being their worse sin? Again, I don't know, but I imagine that the answer is no. His single fatherhood sometimes felt that it was leading up to his sainthood. Even once he enters into the relationship with Stacy, he turns his head so she kisses his cheek; he turns down the opportunity for a 'sleepover.' Is that really realistic after 4-5 years of no company but himself? As a lady who has never been married (but also never lost a loved one in this manner) I would probably be dry humping someone who tried to kiss me.
The foreshadowing throughout this book seemed sometimes like it wasn't so much foreshadowing as hitting me over the head with a clue bat. When Max was packing up his room to go with Jason, the line "...the thought of Clarence being shoved into the shiny canvas knapsack, his pearl black eyes looking at Paul as the rest of his [sic] was squished inside would unfortunately come back to haunt him later..." was a little too much for me. I didn't know what was going to happen until I read that sentence, but then it seemed that I could skip the next few chapters.
Sometimes Rose would write in sentence fragments, and in other sentences, I was begging for a period to end a run-on sentence. The best friend Charlie was never more than the clueless best friend, though we sort of saw another side to him with Chris. I wonder why Charlie's 'friend' Chris was ever introduced, because her character never went anywhere. Perhaps this is truly nitpicky, but I felt like Paul's "successful author" job was an easy way to get out of having to write about the everyday struggle of being a parent. The balance of having a career and a child is one of the things that is hardest about raising a child, but we are spared. Not everyone has a parent that can come over at any time to babysit, though in the world that Rose has created, they are always there. The last thing that I wanted to know was would a lawyer really kidnap a child, no matter the legal status? I know Jason was Max's biological father, but it seems ridiculous to me that he would threaten action from his judge acquaintances, while he had stolen the child from his legal guardian.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book, despite my criticism. I definitely recommend it if you are a parent, and even if you aren’t. I am reading Rose’s The Fire Inside right now, and am loving his writing and skill in a completely different genre!
"Paul bore the storm of their attacks like a weathered lighthouse, strong and proud, unmoving." "There was a smoky gray and a dark, deep blue like nighttime just after the advent of evening, after the sun has finally gone down."
"With newborns, much like an extraction, it’s about speed: get in, find the essentials, and race to the counter as fast as you can. The keys are timing and precision so you aren’t stuck in the middle of the frozen food aisle when the child goes ballistic."
In the third chapter, "Three Scenes from a Relationship," I felt like the book had so much promise and Rose was writing it with deft skill. By the fifth chapter, the book had gone down a path that I wasn't expecting. Not a bad place, but unexpected nonetheless. At every moment while reading this book I could feel that Max was loved and adored by everyone. Don’t parents ever get tired of their little ones? I don’t know. Paul's journey with Max was so admirable that I felt like Paul could do no wrong. The worst thing that we ever saw him doing was watching too much TV. Does anyone go through raising a child with that being their worse sin? Again, I don't know, but I imagine that the answer is no. His single fatherhood sometimes felt that it was leading up to his sainthood. Even once he enters into the relationship with Stacy, he turns his head so she kisses his cheek; he turns down the opportunity for a 'sleepover.' Is that really realistic after 4-5 years of no company but himself? As a lady who has never been married (but also never lost a loved one in this manner) I would probably be dry humping someone who tried to kiss me.
The foreshadowing throughout this book seemed sometimes like it wasn't so much foreshadowing as hitting me over the head with a clue bat. When Max was packing up his room to go with Jason, the line "...the thought of Clarence being shoved into the shiny canvas knapsack, his pearl black eyes looking at Paul as the rest of his [sic] was squished inside would unfortunately come back to haunt him later..." was a little too much for me. I didn't know what was going to happen until I read that sentence, but then it seemed that I could skip the next few chapters.
Sometimes Rose would write in sentence fragments, and in other sentences, I was begging for a period to end a run-on sentence. The best friend Charlie was never more than the clueless best friend, though we sort of saw another side to him with Chris. I wonder why Charlie's 'friend' Chris was ever introduced, because her character never went anywhere. Perhaps this is truly nitpicky, but I felt like Paul's "successful author" job was an easy way to get out of having to write about the everyday struggle of being a parent. The balance of having a career and a child is one of the things that is hardest about raising a child, but we are spared. Not everyone has a parent that can come over at any time to babysit, though in the world that Rose has created, they are always there. The last thing that I wanted to know was would a lawyer really kidnap a child, no matter the legal status? I know Jason was Max's biological father, but it seems ridiculous to me that he would threaten action from his judge acquaintances, while he had stolen the child from his legal guardian.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book, despite my criticism. I definitely recommend it if you are a parent, and even if you aren’t. I am reading Rose’s The Fire Inside right now, and am loving his writing and skill in a completely different genre!
July 26, 2011
Paul Rhoads is devastated when his wife, Annie, is tragically killed within weeks of their wedding, leaving her infant son from a previous marriage, in Paul’s custody. Paul struggles with his sudden role as a single father, his uncertainly complicated by his grief. Yet, with the support of his mother and close friends, he builds a life for himself and Max. Four years later,Paul finds his relationship with his much loved child threatened when Max’s biological father demands the right to get to know his son.
The male perspective provides the storyline with fresh appeal as it is rarely used in this type of fiction. Paul is a sympathetic figure whose choice to raise his late wife’s son as his own, is admirable. In my experience, fathers who take on the primary child care role for whatever reason are generally encouraged, admired and supported more than any woman in a similar situation. I found it interesting that Rose chose to highlight the rhetoric Paul encountered at the mother’s group. I thought it a slightly heavy handed tactic to explore a stereotype that I would not consider prevalent in contemporary society though I concede it is still considered a social anomaly for a man to raise a child on his own, particularly one who is not biologically his. Still it is an interesting viewpoint from a masculine perspective and adds interesting personal conflict.
In general the plot is strong and the story unfolds well. I thought the only real flaw in the story was Paul’s failure to consult a lawyer as soon as Jason approached him. I felt it was out of character and a convenient, rather than credible, plot point, particularly after Jason refused to return Max. I didn’t believe Paul would make no moves to recover the boy for nearly two weeks, and not be more aware of his rights as a legal guardian.
While I thought the storyline and characterisation generally strong,it didn’t quite make up for some issues I had with the writing. I only noticed a moderate amount of spelling and grammatical errors, but there were several examples of poor sentence structure that I found distracting. The author vacillated between a third person and omniscient narrative, as well as the past and present tense, sometimes in the same sentence. The quality of the editing dropped off noticeably in the latter half of the book and for me, these rough edges took the shine off what could have been an impressive debut.
The elements of an engaging story are in place, and just a little more polish and experience could strengthen the integrity of the novel. Overall however Better Together is a poignant story of love and loss and is a pleasant read.
The male perspective provides the storyline with fresh appeal as it is rarely used in this type of fiction. Paul is a sympathetic figure whose choice to raise his late wife’s son as his own, is admirable. In my experience, fathers who take on the primary child care role for whatever reason are generally encouraged, admired and supported more than any woman in a similar situation. I found it interesting that Rose chose to highlight the rhetoric Paul encountered at the mother’s group. I thought it a slightly heavy handed tactic to explore a stereotype that I would not consider prevalent in contemporary society though I concede it is still considered a social anomaly for a man to raise a child on his own, particularly one who is not biologically his. Still it is an interesting viewpoint from a masculine perspective and adds interesting personal conflict.
In general the plot is strong and the story unfolds well. I thought the only real flaw in the story was Paul’s failure to consult a lawyer as soon as Jason approached him. I felt it was out of character and a convenient, rather than credible, plot point, particularly after Jason refused to return Max. I didn’t believe Paul would make no moves to recover the boy for nearly two weeks, and not be more aware of his rights as a legal guardian.
While I thought the storyline and characterisation generally strong,it didn’t quite make up for some issues I had with the writing. I only noticed a moderate amount of spelling and grammatical errors, but there were several examples of poor sentence structure that I found distracting. The author vacillated between a third person and omniscient narrative, as well as the past and present tense, sometimes in the same sentence. The quality of the editing dropped off noticeably in the latter half of the book and for me, these rough edges took the shine off what could have been an impressive debut.
The elements of an engaging story are in place, and just a little more polish and experience could strengthen the integrity of the novel. Overall however Better Together is a poignant story of love and loss and is a pleasant read.
June 2, 2011
Originally posted on my blog, Denim-Jacket Librarian Dishes
How can I best describe Raymond Rose's novel Better Together? It's like a warm cup of tea on a cold crisp day, a wonderful comfort, and it continually made me smile as I read through from beginning to end. Although I haven't read much in the way of cozy fiction, I'm happy to say this novel was the first one, especially with it being from a new author.
Characters can either make or break a story, and readers can usually tell when an author knows his characters. Rose certainly knows his characters and how to make them grow on his readers. There is a certain warmth present within this small-town setting, and all of the characters really help establish and maintain that presence. The only sad part is that even in the most wholesome of towns, the inevitable can and does happen. Seeing the effect of the loss of Annie through not only Paul's eyes but Sarah and Mike just made them all the more real and important to both Paul and Max. Paul's growth throughout the story was fascinating to watch as he went from single man to husband to widower and father. There were unavoidable stumbling blocks, but sometimes people have to make mistakes in order to realize what is really needed and what they really need to do for those around them. Even towards the ending, Rose still had lessons for Paul to learn, and that shows the real depth of his character.
The only issue I had with this book involved mechanics, namely the typos scattered through the book. While they didn't completely disrupt the flow of the story, they were little random bumps in the road that I felt could have been smoothed over. Beyond that, there was only a man and the boy who became his son and their story that fills the reader with warm hope that everything will turn out right in the end.
How can I best describe Raymond Rose's novel Better Together? It's like a warm cup of tea on a cold crisp day, a wonderful comfort, and it continually made me smile as I read through from beginning to end. Although I haven't read much in the way of cozy fiction, I'm happy to say this novel was the first one, especially with it being from a new author.
Characters can either make or break a story, and readers can usually tell when an author knows his characters. Rose certainly knows his characters and how to make them grow on his readers. There is a certain warmth present within this small-town setting, and all of the characters really help establish and maintain that presence. The only sad part is that even in the most wholesome of towns, the inevitable can and does happen. Seeing the effect of the loss of Annie through not only Paul's eyes but Sarah and Mike just made them all the more real and important to both Paul and Max. Paul's growth throughout the story was fascinating to watch as he went from single man to husband to widower and father. There were unavoidable stumbling blocks, but sometimes people have to make mistakes in order to realize what is really needed and what they really need to do for those around them. Even towards the ending, Rose still had lessons for Paul to learn, and that shows the real depth of his character.
The only issue I had with this book involved mechanics, namely the typos scattered through the book. While they didn't completely disrupt the flow of the story, they were little random bumps in the road that I felt could have been smoothed over. Beyond that, there was only a man and the boy who became his son and their story that fills the reader with warm hope that everything will turn out right in the end.
December 2, 2010
I started reading Better Together at the recommendation of a friend and I am so glad that I took his advice. The story grabbed my attention with Paul's cab ride and by the second scene in the chapter Three Scenes from a Relationship I was hooked.
Annie and Paul were best friends who dated and then decided they were better as friends. After an amicable breakup and stints at separate colleges during a visit they lose their virginity to each other cementing their best friend status. Eventually the best friend status interferes with Annie's marriage causing her husband to leave her and deny their child.
Annie Paul and now Max, Annie's son, become a little family for a very short time. By page thirty eight I am tearing up as their happily every after is torn away by a freak tragic accident.The story continues as Paul comes to grip with losing the love of his life, best friend, wife all in one while gaining responsibility of a small child. The Story continues as Paul deals with becoming a father of a small boy that has only him for a guardian, a parental kidnapping and a budding relationship. The story is of a man who though devastated by life he picks up and moves on the best he knows how eventually leading him to a new happily ever after.
Annie and Paul were best friends who dated and then decided they were better as friends. After an amicable breakup and stints at separate colleges during a visit they lose their virginity to each other cementing their best friend status. Eventually the best friend status interferes with Annie's marriage causing her husband to leave her and deny their child.
Annie Paul and now Max, Annie's son, become a little family for a very short time. By page thirty eight I am tearing up as their happily every after is torn away by a freak tragic accident.The story continues as Paul comes to grip with losing the love of his life, best friend, wife all in one while gaining responsibility of a small child. The Story continues as Paul deals with becoming a father of a small boy that has only him for a guardian, a parental kidnapping and a budding relationship. The story is of a man who though devastated by life he picks up and moves on the best he knows how eventually leading him to a new happily ever after.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2011
My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this read. Again, Mr. Rose takes me out of my PNR rut and sets me doBT-New-Coverwn in the middle of Pennsylvania, where author Paul Rhoads is coming home again and to his best friend and sweetheart, Annie and her 8 month old son, Max. (Max’s bio-dad is a complete and total selfish jerk, and some other creative expletives I can come up with, but I’m going to behave.) They start a life together and its abruptly ended when Annie gets into a fatal car wreck. Now, as a mother, that is one of my greatest fears – Leaving my children without me. So this book had me right off and kept my attention through the trails and oft funny tribulations of child rearing. The seat gripper comes when Max’s (be nice, Michelle) bio-dad pops back into the picture after 5 years. I’m not going to revel too much, but I had my Nook a scant inch from my face until the end.
I also found the male POV really refreshing, both for the romantic aspect in the beginning and then for the parenting side. The image of Max and Paul doing cartoons on Saturdays in their pj’s and huge bowls of cereal was so vivid and real. Raymond Rose is definitely going to be on my Authors to Watch list.
I really enjoyed this read. Again, Mr. Rose takes me out of my PNR rut and sets me doBT-New-Coverwn in the middle of Pennsylvania, where author Paul Rhoads is coming home again and to his best friend and sweetheart, Annie and her 8 month old son, Max. (Max’s bio-dad is a complete and total selfish jerk, and some other creative expletives I can come up with, but I’m going to behave.) They start a life together and its abruptly ended when Annie gets into a fatal car wreck. Now, as a mother, that is one of my greatest fears – Leaving my children without me. So this book had me right off and kept my attention through the trails and oft funny tribulations of child rearing. The seat gripper comes when Max’s (be nice, Michelle) bio-dad pops back into the picture after 5 years. I’m not going to revel too much, but I had my Nook a scant inch from my face until the end.
I also found the male POV really refreshing, both for the romantic aspect in the beginning and then for the parenting side. The image of Max and Paul doing cartoons on Saturdays in their pj’s and huge bowls of cereal was so vivid and real. Raymond Rose is definitely going to be on my Authors to Watch list.
October 9, 2012
This book is pretty far outside my usual type of book. Yet... I liked it. While there is romance, the focus is more of Paul coping with suddenly being a single dad and all the triumph and heartache that goes along with that. Which isn't to say that there isn't any romance, because there is, it just isn't the main focus.
Paul's fumbling with his new role as a parent feels very real. He second-guesses himself. He worries. His worries are more than just the usual woes of a new parent, though. He worries that Max's father will suddenly demand his fatherly rights. He worries that the little boy who he sees as his own will be taken away from him.
A slice of life that deals with the very real fears of a new parent, it as enjoyable but not necessarily what I'd consider light reading. Coming from a parent, what Paul has to deal with in terms of potentially losing the boy he has raised gives me the chills.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Paul's fumbling with his new role as a parent feels very real. He second-guesses himself. He worries. His worries are more than just the usual woes of a new parent, though. He worries that Max's father will suddenly demand his fatherly rights. He worries that the little boy who he sees as his own will be taken away from him.
A slice of life that deals with the very real fears of a new parent, it as enjoyable but not necessarily what I'd consider light reading. Coming from a parent, what Paul has to deal with in terms of potentially losing the boy he has raised gives me the chills.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Want to read
April 24, 2011I just won this as an eBook from Raymond Rose. While I do not remember entering for the contest, ALL RIGHT! :D It could be intersting. It will go on the top of my list (after Catching Fire, etc) so I can review it.
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