Tag: Anne-Brooke • BookLikes

review 2014-06-17 21:51

Arlena Has Read and Reviewed What Novels?

Title: A Seasonal Reunion
Author: Anne Brooke
Publisher: A.B.
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 4
Review:

"A Seasonal Reunion" by Anne Brooke....

What was this novel about?

"Danny Brigson makes a serious mistake when he sleeps with Marty, an old boyfriend at an ill-advised reunion. He tries to cover it up, but Marty tells all, and the love of Danny's life, Jake, throws him out.

Over the next year, Danny tries to sort his life out, determined to stop relying on drugs and drink to get him through. Can he even dare to hope that one day Jake might give him the chance to put things right?"

What I thought about this novel...

The author presents a short story to the reader showing what Danny had done to cause hurt from a mistake that he made while drunk. Will his partner(Jake) be able to forgive him after finding out what had gone on with Danny and his ex? This author took us on a little journey of fixing Danny and YES, this is a gay read. Thankful for Danny's friend and boss Robert, will he be able to get him on the right track that he so desperately needed? From the read you can see just how this was done and I will stop here not wanting to spoil it and say you must pick up the read to see what the outcome will be for Danny. Will Danny be able to fix his problems so he can have a lasting relationship with his partner Jake? I found "A Seasonal Reunion" was a story of what can happen in a relationship when one steps out whether it is due to drugs and or alcohol, whatever the case may be. I will say it was an interesting story seeing how this story plays out.

review 2014-01-27 05:36

The Hit List

Arlena Has Read and Reviewed What Novels?

Title: The Hit List
Author: Anne Brooke
Published: Amber Quill Press
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 4
Review:

"The Hit List" by Anne Brooke good contemporary read. You will find that this novel of the main character is trying to 'understand his sexual identity and also dealing with family crisis.' "The Hit List is a fast pace even though it is rather long. We find Jamie Chadwick is living a home taking care of his 'ill father' and also working from home. Things come to head when Jamie's friend from college announces he is gay. What all will come of this? Even though by the end of the book Jamie still hasn't told his ill father about his issues. Has Jamie really come 'out? And then we have David changing his mind about being gay. Wow, this was some read of change or was it? As I kept reading I saw that Jamie lacked 'social skills, not particularly handsome, desperately wanted to marry someone...then he writes 'The Hit List' which was people he wanted to kill. Now, why was this? I really didn't see "The Hit List" as a true romance. I felt like this was more of the 'comedy of life.' Now what does this mean? I got this from a quote: "The choices people make (or don’t make), the consequences thereof, and the inherent complications and confusions that come of relationships." To me that says it all. To get your thoughts you must pick up this read and see for yourself. It may start out somewhat slow but keep reading and you will see which way this author is leading the reader.

The characters were all pretty well drawn like Jamie, his father, David, Robert, the vicar and his daughter, the village fete, to the nosy landlord, but all in all I found most of these characters were a very interesting group of people. This story gives off the presents of being so very 'true, heartbreaking and very sentimental.' So, if you don't mind gay issues and above all 'The Hit List' then I would recommend this touching read for you.