I received this as a ebook a long time ago and just found out I did not review it. I went back and reread it and it was just as good the second time around. I loved the characters and how their lives were affected by their past. It is a great story that we all can learn from; forgiveness, love and family. Great read ( )

I received this book free from the author through LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review. Curtis Edmonds is a very talented author. This book is unique because it is written about a man and his feelings of grief and how he feels about some very sad and tragic events that have happened in his life. Will, the main character, feels responsible for the death of his youngest daughter. Even though Will was a former NFL football player we don’t see his macho side but instead we see him suffering pain, guilt, and self loathing. He cries. He sometimes drinks too much. He has become a hermit. The story is believable and the characters are all very human with faults like all of us. We follow Will through his search for redemption and forgiveness trying to rebuild a relationship with his only living daughter and his attempt to find a way to live life again. The story does have a happy and hopeful ending. Remember the three words, “Hope, Believe, Love.” I look forward to reading the author’s next book. ( )

The contemporary time period and the South Georgia countryside make a great backdrop to this first full-length novel by Curtis Edmonds. I liked this book from the first page. The simple and straightforward story-line with its constant element of mystery surrounding not only the characters but the plot compelled me to keep reading. From the 60-something retired father named Will enduring a self-imposed seclusion in the Georgia hills to his young artistic daughter in New Jersey struggling to find her own way, Edmonds establishes the mystery of their five-year separation immediately and the hook is set for a good read. Written in the first-person and told from the father’s perspective, the reader is immediately drawn to Will’s emotionally distant life. The lack of superfluous internal reflection propels the reader to try and determine the reason for the void. The mystery unfolds gradually and the climax is completely unexpected. Although I immediately identified the literary reason for the lack of “hearing” any depth to Will’s thoughts, I was often a little frustrated with the lack of dialogue tags besides “he said, she said”.
I think Edmonds reaches audiences of all ages and genders with the themes of forgiveness, grief, and reconciliation. I appreciated the lack of overtly sexual scenes and yet was drawn to the relational kindling gently portrayed. I also appreciated the very sparse use of foul language yet understood its rare appearance. I would consider using this book as a therapeutic resource with some clients dealing with trauma and grief, but would also suggest it to friends in need of a compelling read.

This is the story of Will Morse, ex-football player and divorced father of four. Having lost three of his four children, his marriage collapsed and he took to living life as a hermit hiding away from life in a secluded cabin after suffering far too much tragedy for any one to take.

This story shows Will rebuilding his relationship with his remaining daughter, and explores him trying to find a way to live life again.

I found this book incredibly moving and could not put it down. I look forward to Mr Edmonds next book. ( )