Scott S. Phillips

3-1/2 stars
An enjoyable read. Alvin is a likable guy with problems - his girlfriend of two years has left him for a new guy and Alvin's own career isn't anywhere he thought it would be by this point. Hollywood maybe a place where dreams are put on screen, but it's also a place where dreamers, even hard working ones, find themselves dragged through the muck and mire, scrambling just to find purchase. Mr. Phillips has caught this vibe quite nicely.

Alvin decides to go home and try to recapture some of his lost youth, starting with Kelli, his high school sweetheart. However, Kelli has a six year old daughter, responsibilities and a heartbreak of her own to deal with. Kelli isn't quite on board with his ideas about them getting back together. She knows Alvin well, however, and lays down a challenge which will help him find his way back to something he's lost over the years. Along the way he reconnects with old friends, makes a few new ones and even verbally (in a most satisfying way)slaps his brother upside the head [Daniel is a complete jerk].

I like the glimpses we get of Albuquerque, it's nice to see our home town in a positive light.

All in all - well worth my time!… (mehr)