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Closure #1
Closure
Ben Morgan thought he had it all - fame, fortune, a beloved wife, and a loving family. His work kept him out of the country for long stretches at a time, but he did his best to provide for those he loved. He never imagined that his being away so much would have severe repercussions. When his life starts to shatter and his wife walks away without another glance, he's left to deal with the pain and sorrow of the choices that he's made in the past.
21 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 15, 2011
217 people want to read
About the author
Lissette E. Manning
27 books104 followersA native from New Britain, Connecticut, Lissette E. Manning has been writing since she was six-years-old. She spends most of her time placing her thoughts into order and giving life to the stories that are always brewing inside her head.
Lissette enjoys reading, listening to music, playing the occasional video game, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family. She’s also a bit of a computer geek.
Her writing genres of choice are science fiction, fantasy, romance, paranormal, short stories, and poetry. Lissette is currently working on several projects, such as Initiation: The Beginning, Forbidden Desires, Closure, The Errant Princess, and many more.
Lissette enjoys reading, listening to music, playing the occasional video game, watching movies, and spending time with friends and family. She’s also a bit of a computer geek.
Her writing genres of choice are science fiction, fantasy, romance, paranormal, short stories, and poetry. Lissette is currently working on several projects, such as Initiation: The Beginning, Forbidden Desires, Closure, The Errant Princess, and many more.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 17, 2011
I gotta admit that I'm a little biased when it comes to Lizzie's writing. I've known her for so long that it's kinda second nature not to like the stuff that she dishes out. But that's how friends usually are, right? We tend to like whatever a friend throws our way.
Anyway, enough of that rambling. When Liz first gave me this book to read, it actually took me awhile before actually sitting down to read it. But in the long run, it was worth reading. Yea, she modeled the MC's features around Ben Barnes. He's good looking, why would she not? A lot of people based characters around what he looks like.
As the story unfolded, I started to picture Ben's world - the book Ben, not Ben Barnes. I began to wonder why his wife really wanted to leave him. Why she'd suddenly decided, out of the blue, because that is what it felt like, that she just didn't want to deal with their way of life anymore. I started feeling Ben's heartache, his indecisions and his worries, and I wondered if he'd ever make it out of the hole that he felt he'd dug himself into.
Some of the writing language that Liz uses is a bit archaic, but I got through that and really became engrossed in the tale she had to tell. A lot of us can relate to the pain and heartache that comes with losing someone you love. Most especially when they walk out on you and leave you with a bunch of questions as you wonder where you went wrong.
Liz captured that essence and weaved a tale that I think many of us will enjoy reading and relate to it. I hope that there's more to this story, as I'm very anxious to know what happens next with Ben. I'm sure others would be, too.
Anyway, enough of that rambling. When Liz first gave me this book to read, it actually took me awhile before actually sitting down to read it. But in the long run, it was worth reading. Yea, she modeled the MC's features around Ben Barnes. He's good looking, why would she not? A lot of people based characters around what he looks like.
As the story unfolded, I started to picture Ben's world - the book Ben, not Ben Barnes. I began to wonder why his wife really wanted to leave him. Why she'd suddenly decided, out of the blue, because that is what it felt like, that she just didn't want to deal with their way of life anymore. I started feeling Ben's heartache, his indecisions and his worries, and I wondered if he'd ever make it out of the hole that he felt he'd dug himself into.
Some of the writing language that Liz uses is a bit archaic, but I got through that and really became engrossed in the tale she had to tell. A lot of us can relate to the pain and heartache that comes with losing someone you love. Most especially when they walk out on you and leave you with a bunch of questions as you wonder where you went wrong.
Liz captured that essence and weaved a tale that I think many of us will enjoy reading and relate to it. I hope that there's more to this story, as I'm very anxious to know what happens next with Ben. I'm sure others would be, too.
October 2, 2012
Closure was an okay short story. At 15 pages, it only took a few minutes to read. My main problem with the story was that Ben’s wife, Ellie, was a complete jerk. She didn’t participate with his family. She was rude to his mother just because his mother didn’t like her. When she left Ben after being married to him for six years, she used half assed non-specific reasons for leaving. She didn’t even give Ben a chance to try to change. She just assumed he wouldn’t and left. Poor Ben was standing there shocked. He didn’t even know that his marriage was that bad off. Ellie waited until she got fed up with him then blew up and left. He was putting effort into the marriage by taking time off work to spend with her. Meanwhile, she was acting like an ungrateful stuck up bitch. I think this book would have been better with a different female main character.
July 31, 2011
“Closure” was so sad! The story begins with Ben just after his wife leaves him. He’s trying to adjust to not having her around anymore. He thinks back to the last day he spent with his wife, Ellie. She acted fine around his family and her announcement that she was leaving came suddenly. You could tell how much Ben really loved Ellie. He had planned their whole future and it’s understandable why he had a hard time dealing with her leaving. By the end of the story, I found myself really disliking Ellie. I really hope there will be more to Ben’s story one day. I felt sorry for him and I’d love to see how he puts his life back together.
I have to add that I also really loved the story’s dedication. I’m a Ben Barnes fan myself, and the dedication made me laugh.
I have to add that I also really loved the story’s dedication. I’m a Ben Barnes fan myself, and the dedication made me laugh.
May 31, 2012
This is a very short story that touched me. Ben is happily married (or so he thinks) when his world is completely shattered.
This story is very well written, but it was so short that I finished it in about 10-15 minutes! Mind you, I'm a fast reader and I'm used to reading a 500 page book in a day or two, so it seemed to be over in a flash! The author has managed to pack a huge emotional punch into her short story. I will be looking out for more of her books in the future. I recommend this book if you are looking for a fantastic short story to read when you haven't got a lot of spare time, or if you are in between books and you are looking for a quick read.
This story is very well written, but it was so short that I finished it in about 10-15 minutes! Mind you, I'm a fast reader and I'm used to reading a 500 page book in a day or two, so it seemed to be over in a flash! The author has managed to pack a huge emotional punch into her short story. I will be looking out for more of her books in the future. I recommend this book if you are looking for a fantastic short story to read when you haven't got a lot of spare time, or if you are in between books and you are looking for a quick read.
March 21, 2012
I thought this was a really good thought provoking book, with a realistic and emotional story-line. I really enjoyed this short story, with the in depth emotions and the realistic characters. A definite good short story read.
February 4, 2013
This was a really short story that packed a lot in fifteen pages. It made me so many emotions I was actually drained when I finished. I wish the author would take this idea and make it into a longer novel.
October 20, 2011
Firstly I would like to thank the author for the opportunity to read and review this book, as I won it as part of First Reads.
As a short story, it's quite beautifully written, apart from what I would call the "Americanisms" in some of the language - specifically the insertion of "of" where it is not required (eg "got off of the bed" - if you don't get "on of" the bed, then why would you get "off of" the bed??) and also the omission of "of" in other places (eg "couple times" - as a non-American, I originally read this as meaning "times spent as a couple" which didn't make sense in the context of the sentence, until I realised what it actually meant!). Maybe it's just me, as I used to be an editor, but perhaps because I've become conditioned to notice these things it halts the beautiful flow of the language in this story for me.
Considering this is a short story, I thought the emotions were captured quite well. A longer story would obviously give more background and therefore further understanding of the characters, however for what it is, Closure is very nicely done.
As a short story, it's quite beautifully written, apart from what I would call the "Americanisms" in some of the language - specifically the insertion of "of" where it is not required (eg "got off of the bed" - if you don't get "on of" the bed, then why would you get "off of" the bed??) and also the omission of "of" in other places (eg "couple times" - as a non-American, I originally read this as meaning "times spent as a couple" which didn't make sense in the context of the sentence, until I realised what it actually meant!). Maybe it's just me, as I used to be an editor, but perhaps because I've become conditioned to notice these things it halts the beautiful flow of the language in this story for me.
Considering this is a short story, I thought the emotions were captured quite well. A longer story would obviously give more background and therefore further understanding of the characters, however for what it is, Closure is very nicely done.
November 29, 2011
I was sad when this story ended. I wanted more closure (geddit?)!
Seriously though, it was beautifully written and you get to know the characters intimately over the course of this short story. I turned the last page and was like - dammit! I actually went back and read it a second time — just so I could spend more time with the characters, especially the protagonist, Ben. He was tragically heartbroken about his wife leaving him (I know, what a b***h).
The author Lissette has managed to pack a thousand emotions in a few thousand words. I love her descriptions too, i.e. 'small puffs of cotton that seemed to bloom right before your eyes.' I would highly recommend this to those who enjoy stories that tug on the heartstrings.
Seriously though, it was beautifully written and you get to know the characters intimately over the course of this short story. I turned the last page and was like - dammit! I actually went back and read it a second time — just so I could spend more time with the characters, especially the protagonist, Ben. He was tragically heartbroken about his wife leaving him (I know, what a b***h).
The author Lissette has managed to pack a thousand emotions in a few thousand words. I love her descriptions too, i.e. 'small puffs of cotton that seemed to bloom right before your eyes.' I would highly recommend this to those who enjoy stories that tug on the heartstrings.
July 13, 2012
Heartfelt short story about Ben, who works in movies and spends lots of time abroad with his work. His wife Ellie is the love of his life. He thinks all is well, but one fateful day, the world crumbles his perfect vision of it.
I enjoyed this story very much. Very descriptive and you get to feel Ben’s emotions and thoughts throughout. I felt so bad for him. To be in his own bubble in his mind to have it popped suddenly was shocking.
I felt his pain alongside him and hoped for some sort of redemption.
This short story ended right at the right place but I still was left curious to see what happens to Ben after the implosion of his life. Great Read!
I enjoyed this story very much. Very descriptive and you get to feel Ben’s emotions and thoughts throughout. I felt so bad for him. To be in his own bubble in his mind to have it popped suddenly was shocking.
I felt his pain alongside him and hoped for some sort of redemption.
This short story ended right at the right place but I still was left curious to see what happens to Ben after the implosion of his life. Great Read!
March 29, 2012
Anyone who has been in a long term relationship and has to end it because it just isn't working can definitely relate and understand this story.
This is the second book I've read by this author and I'm still impressed with the visual she insights in my mind. Her writing is lovely and her word usage is just as lovely. Her short stories are very good and very intriguing. I'm hoping she will expand her writing and give us a novella or a much grander scale and a full length novel.
This is the second book I've read by this author and I'm still impressed with the visual she insights in my mind. Her writing is lovely and her word usage is just as lovely. Her short stories are very good and very intriguing. I'm hoping she will expand her writing and give us a novella or a much grander scale and a full length novel.
June 13, 2012
I’m afraid I was disappointed as I hadn’t realised this was a short story, I enjoyed what I did read - then it ended abruptly. The author gave us an insight into the sadness of a marriage breakup and it was a sad, interesting take on the husband’s emotions dealing with the breakup.
May 15, 2012
A short story about the saddness a man experiences after his wife leaves him. He is left to deal with the pain of his choice of spending too much time away from his home. I recieved this book through Goodreads First Reads.
Read
January 23, 2012This book, even though is short, illustrates each emotion very nicely. The only problem was that at times it was a bit hard to follow the flow of the story because of the language/word choice.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews