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Get Clean
Cocaine is everywhere. Young men and women sniff the 'recreational drug' as often as they spark up cigarettes or sip beer. It’s typical of a generation educated by music videos and tabloid newspapers…
I’m Jimmy Walker, a smart young man with a caring family around me. I should have the world at my feet. If only I wasn't addicted to the white powder.
A change of scenery can be a good thing, but it turns out that moving from suburban England to the south of Spain isn’t the best idea when trying to get clean. The Costa del Sol is Europe’s main point of entry for my favourite poison. Under the Marbella sun, I’m falling deeper into the darkness of drug addiction.
With pockets full of cash and bags full of Coke, I’m being led astray by a psychopath named Jason, who loves the sort of random violence I’ve only ever seen on television.
Getting high is easy, and so is hitting rock bottom… But can I Get Clean?
Based on true events - Contains adult content – Sex & Violence – 18+
I’m Jimmy Walker, a smart young man with a caring family around me. I should have the world at my feet. If only I wasn't addicted to the white powder.
A change of scenery can be a good thing, but it turns out that moving from suburban England to the south of Spain isn’t the best idea when trying to get clean. The Costa del Sol is Europe’s main point of entry for my favourite poison. Under the Marbella sun, I’m falling deeper into the darkness of drug addiction.
With pockets full of cash and bags full of Coke, I’m being led astray by a psychopath named Jason, who loves the sort of random violence I’ve only ever seen on television.
Getting high is easy, and so is hitting rock bottom… But can I Get Clean?
Based on true events - Contains adult content – Sex & Violence – 18+
186 pages, Paperback
First published January 30, 2013
6 people are currently reading
1021 people want to read
About the author
Jams N. Roses
11 books155 followersJames Ross is a father of one and grew up in Hertfordshire, England. He has spent a few years living on the Costa del Sol, Spain, and currently resides in Nice, France.
With his acknowledged individual storytelling expertise, James Ross pens psychological thrillers with a difference, that twist and turn to deliciously devious and unexpected conclusions. Discover for yourself why James Ross is also being hailed as one of the most exciting of new writers in the young adult, psychological thriller, crime and contemporary fiction genres.
Find him on Facebook here - www.facebook.com/pg/JamesRossFiction
From the author...
"I love the creation of stories, and although I spend days and weeks and months working on a plot, it's the emotions of my characters that I enjoy delving into.
My first published novel, 'Get Clean', really has my heart and soul poured into it. Although I feel a bit naked by putting a story out there that contains so much of my life, I'm happy with the book, and a little proud of my first writing achievement.
Also available is 'Son of a Serial Killer'. This story was born in my mind when I was going through a difficult phase in my life. I felt let down by the person closest to me, and I was angry and upset. What better way to expel those emotions than to throw them into a book? The story itself isn't based on my life like my previous novel, but the emotions captured within the pages are feelings I had to battle with for far too long.
My third release, 'Extremely England', is something completely different. It's a satirical comedy poking fun at society and the way it is portrayed by the media - I enjoyed writing something that wasn't so dark for a change if I'm honest!
I am a big film fan, and would have to admit that I have an eye on the 'filmability' of my stories when writing them. One day..."
With his acknowledged individual storytelling expertise, James Ross pens psychological thrillers with a difference, that twist and turn to deliciously devious and unexpected conclusions. Discover for yourself why James Ross is also being hailed as one of the most exciting of new writers in the young adult, psychological thriller, crime and contemporary fiction genres.
Find him on Facebook here - www.facebook.com/pg/JamesRossFiction
From the author...
"I love the creation of stories, and although I spend days and weeks and months working on a plot, it's the emotions of my characters that I enjoy delving into.
My first published novel, 'Get Clean', really has my heart and soul poured into it. Although I feel a bit naked by putting a story out there that contains so much of my life, I'm happy with the book, and a little proud of my first writing achievement.
Also available is 'Son of a Serial Killer'. This story was born in my mind when I was going through a difficult phase in my life. I felt let down by the person closest to me, and I was angry and upset. What better way to expel those emotions than to throw them into a book? The story itself isn't based on my life like my previous novel, but the emotions captured within the pages are feelings I had to battle with for far too long.
My third release, 'Extremely England', is something completely different. It's a satirical comedy poking fun at society and the way it is portrayed by the media - I enjoyed writing something that wasn't so dark for a change if I'm honest!
I am a big film fan, and would have to admit that I have an eye on the 'filmability' of my stories when writing them. One day..."
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 25, 2013
***I received a free copy in exchange for a book review***
I loved this 26 chapter book. It was written in Jimmy’s first person point-of-view. He went to rehab after being depressed and had an overdose. Once he got out, he planned to spend time in Spain to try and get clean, to get new scenery. His girlfriend, Colleen, had dumped him for someone else, so his friends teased that he was escaping his heartache.
He meets Jason in Spain. The job they applied for sucks, so they quit and become friends. Jimmy ends up staying with Jason and Sarah, his landlady. I thought it was cute how they both had a crush on her even though her boyfriend was a dangerous drug dealer. The whole time I kept thinking this won’t end well for one, maybe both, of them.
My favorite lines: 1) Remember I said that Jason would make a good salesman? Well, maybe if he actually gave a sh*t. 2) I didn’t think that any respectable newspaper would print a story using phrases such as ‘beats down,’ ‘bit on the side,’ or ‘English dude,’ but I got his point.
As a reader, I wished that quotation marks wouldn’t have been around Jimmy’s thoughts. Sometimes I had to go back to figure out he was just thinking something instead of speaking. There was some headhopping, but nothing distracting from the interesting story. Even though they’d be considered ‘losers’ in real life, all the characters were interesting and entertaining. They had a somewhat endearing quality, causing me to root for them to get their acts together.
The author did a fantastic job with dialogue. I loved all the conversations–all the plotting and schemes. I laughed a lot from the sarcastic humor. At times, I couldn’t tell if Jimmy was sarcastic or if he was just stating facts in a naive, innocent way. Either way, his observations were funny.
I RECOMMEND this book to read.
I loved this 26 chapter book. It was written in Jimmy’s first person point-of-view. He went to rehab after being depressed and had an overdose. Once he got out, he planned to spend time in Spain to try and get clean, to get new scenery. His girlfriend, Colleen, had dumped him for someone else, so his friends teased that he was escaping his heartache.
He meets Jason in Spain. The job they applied for sucks, so they quit and become friends. Jimmy ends up staying with Jason and Sarah, his landlady. I thought it was cute how they both had a crush on her even though her boyfriend was a dangerous drug dealer. The whole time I kept thinking this won’t end well for one, maybe both, of them.
My favorite lines: 1) Remember I said that Jason would make a good salesman? Well, maybe if he actually gave a sh*t. 2) I didn’t think that any respectable newspaper would print a story using phrases such as ‘beats down,’ ‘bit on the side,’ or ‘English dude,’ but I got his point.
As a reader, I wished that quotation marks wouldn’t have been around Jimmy’s thoughts. Sometimes I had to go back to figure out he was just thinking something instead of speaking. There was some headhopping, but nothing distracting from the interesting story. Even though they’d be considered ‘losers’ in real life, all the characters were interesting and entertaining. They had a somewhat endearing quality, causing me to root for them to get their acts together.
The author did a fantastic job with dialogue. I loved all the conversations–all the plotting and schemes. I laughed a lot from the sarcastic humor. At times, I couldn’t tell if Jimmy was sarcastic or if he was just stating facts in a naive, innocent way. Either way, his observations were funny.
I RECOMMEND this book to read.
July 13, 2013
"Get Clean - Addiction, bad decisions and terrible friends" by Jams N. Roses is a powerful novel about Jimmy Walker who leaves his hedonistic, drug-friendly friends in the UK to pursue a new career and life in Spain, selling properties.
Soon after his arrival however he finds himself drawn into similar circles, only more sinister and organised this time.
The book shows his spiral down, it shows how easy it is to get drawn into the wrong circles, from seemingly harmless fun and easy money to a downright hardcore criminal life.
The violence, the sex and coarse language seem necessary and realistic in the context of the world Roses writes about. I found Roses to be particularly brilliant in his depiction of the character changes that many cocaine addicts undergo. I lost two friends to the drug and found the parallels between them and Jimmy uncanning.
Whether you see this as a warning, a life-like portrayal of that particular scene or as action packed thriller, it is a gripping book that can serve all three of those purposes.
Roses writes uncompromising, raw and powerful, life-like prose that may offend the weak hearted but does so with a greater purpose.
Soon after his arrival however he finds himself drawn into similar circles, only more sinister and organised this time.
The book shows his spiral down, it shows how easy it is to get drawn into the wrong circles, from seemingly harmless fun and easy money to a downright hardcore criminal life.
The violence, the sex and coarse language seem necessary and realistic in the context of the world Roses writes about. I found Roses to be particularly brilliant in his depiction of the character changes that many cocaine addicts undergo. I lost two friends to the drug and found the parallels between them and Jimmy uncanning.
Whether you see this as a warning, a life-like portrayal of that particular scene or as action packed thriller, it is a gripping book that can serve all three of those purposes.
Roses writes uncompromising, raw and powerful, life-like prose that may offend the weak hearted but does so with a greater purpose.
August 10, 2013
A brilliant crime thriller set on the southern coast of Spain where the paths of bad people cross and crazy stuff happens! There are some brilliant characters in this book, although you wouldn't want to chill with them in real life, and there are some great twists in the plot that just make 'Get Clean' a must-read.
August 15, 2013
Jimmy Walker goes to Spain to try to sort his life out, but instead takes the reader on a roller-coaster ride of drugs, alcohol and lawbreaking. This story is dark and sexy, with some twists in the plot that'll keep you guessing.
I recommend it to people who like dark stories.
I recommend it to people who like dark stories.
June 9, 2013
"Excellent".....Devious Games People Play".............., May 9, 2013
By Robin Lee - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER) Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Get Clean (Kindle Edition)
When I looked at the cover and title of this book, I thought it was going to be your basic drama of drug addiction, enablers, rehab, detox, and relaspes...Instead I was quite surprised and as the saying goes, "Never Judge A Book by It's Cover", because there is no rehab here..This author wrote an excellent novel....It's dark, raw, venegeful, slow build of suspense, crime/mystery....With plenty of blood..Realistic plot, characterization, and perfect depiction of a drug addicts' world....By the time I was in the middle of the story it became so intense with a shocking, sick, twisted ending, that I was hanging on the edge of my seat..This is definitely a page turner......
This story takes quirky James, the main character, across the world to get clean and sober on his own...But we all know that never works, it's more like running away from your problems...He will make a new friend crazy Jason, an "on the edge" addict like himself at his new promising job..They both get mixed up with their gorgeous, flirty landlord Sarah, who is in love with another man...Now James' life starts spiraling out of more control then it was back in England.....He is not only high all the time, physically sicker, but is dragged into the very dangerous, murderous, depths of the drug dealing world.... He soon sobers up just enough to realize the big mistake, deceit and major trouble he has gotten into...Will he be able to get out of Spain in time.......
Now no one can be trusted in the games people play....
By Robin Lee - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER) Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Get Clean (Kindle Edition)
When I looked at the cover and title of this book, I thought it was going to be your basic drama of drug addiction, enablers, rehab, detox, and relaspes...Instead I was quite surprised and as the saying goes, "Never Judge A Book by It's Cover", because there is no rehab here..This author wrote an excellent novel....It's dark, raw, venegeful, slow build of suspense, crime/mystery....With plenty of blood..Realistic plot, characterization, and perfect depiction of a drug addicts' world....By the time I was in the middle of the story it became so intense with a shocking, sick, twisted ending, that I was hanging on the edge of my seat..This is definitely a page turner......
This story takes quirky James, the main character, across the world to get clean and sober on his own...But we all know that never works, it's more like running away from your problems...He will make a new friend crazy Jason, an "on the edge" addict like himself at his new promising job..They both get mixed up with their gorgeous, flirty landlord Sarah, who is in love with another man...Now James' life starts spiraling out of more control then it was back in England.....He is not only high all the time, physically sicker, but is dragged into the very dangerous, murderous, depths of the drug dealing world.... He soon sobers up just enough to realize the big mistake, deceit and major trouble he has gotten into...Will he be able to get out of Spain in time.......
Now no one can be trusted in the games people play....
August 12, 2013
Okay, so I’m going to be truthful… This isn’t my usual genre of preferred reads. Normally I try to avoid thrillers (and mystery), so the fact that this did entertain me enough to read slightly shocked me. I am giving it four stars out of five because of the fact that it was a little on the slow side and some things seemed stretched out.
Now the story it did leave you screaming ‘what are you doing’. Multiple times. It pulls you into a reality that can and does occur. Being a drug book, I don’t know if this was the point it was aiming for, but it really did make you hate all the characters. In a good way, not bad.
The character Jimmy is the idiot in the story, yes idiot. He’s talked into a drug business after seeming to not be interested. Jason, he’s just crazy. Loco crazy. Those are the only to characters I’m going to mention as they are in the summery. But there are two others that also lead the story on an opposite side.
There is lots of violence and dark scenes so I don’t recommended this for the light reader, but everyone else that likes violent thrillers this is your book.
July 23, 2013
Amazon reviews excerpts...
-"This author wrote an excellent novel....It's dark, raw, venegeful"
-"I loved this book - full of everything you'd expect from its summary! It made me laugh, but was gritty and the drama built to the very last line!"
-"a fantastically written book and will rate very highly with those who also 'lived the dream'"
-" Very entertaining. Laughed so much at some of the situations."
-"Really well written and kept me gripped to the end. Would definitely recommend."
-"This book had me on the edge at every turn. Would highly recommend."
-"A very well written and gripping story, I could not put it down."
-"This author wrote an excellent novel....It's dark, raw, venegeful"
-"I loved this book - full of everything you'd expect from its summary! It made me laugh, but was gritty and the drama built to the very last line!"
-"a fantastically written book and will rate very highly with those who also 'lived the dream'"
-" Very entertaining. Laughed so much at some of the situations."
-"Really well written and kept me gripped to the end. Would definitely recommend."
-"This book had me on the edge at every turn. Would highly recommend."
-"A very well written and gripping story, I could not put it down."
September 30, 2013
An intense story set in the sunny southern resorts of Spain. Jimmy Walker moves away to Spain with the intention of getting clean but soon becomes embroiled in the seedy underworld that haunts the popular Spanish resorts. A thrill ride of a story that takes you into a world filled with hardcore drugs and even harder criminals. I would love to see a director such as Guy Ritchie pick up on this book as I would make for an excellent movie. The scary thing about this book is it could so easily be true.
October 24, 2013
Why sacrifice getting freedom and high for that white stuff...
Although I am not really a fan of crime fiction, but I like the way the author illustrate the scenes so real as if I am taking it myself. There is this quote that I like... "Get clean, James. Just get clean - Jimmy's sister.
This novel happened in modern day setting with the backdrop that drug addiction, rehabs, betrayal, murder is very rampant. I like the way the author talked about these events in such vivid scenes. The author takes the readers into the world of drugs (or the dark-side of our modern day society) where the main character, Jimmy was turned from a fine young man to a drug addict. It's so real.
The main character, Jimmy Walker is a fine young man with adorable and likeable character but unfortunately lost his sense of life directions. However, Jimmy does preserved some little soul of sensibility. Jimmy is fully aware of his addictions, but he tried various efforts to jump up from the bottom. His life undergoes tremendous roller-coaster. There are lots twists and turns as he get involved into the drug dealing arena. Having said that, I am totally impressed how the author really takes great pains to illustrate this character in totality. There is another character that I like is that gorgeous, flirty landlady, Sarah. Being a man, I like the way she flirted with Jimmy and his friend, Jason. This lady is also a drug dealer like Jason. She really knows how to dress so well and really has a class of it's own. To me, she is the ultimate perfect woman to mix up with. The author does really know how to increase the sex appeal of this woman.
This is my first time reading Jams N Rose novel - Get Clean. This book is a great book with lots of surprises and twists. However, this book may not be suitable for younger audience as it does introduce them to drug. Overall, the author is very careful for not sharing too much of this trade. If you like great crime fiction, psychological thriller, you'll definitely get lots of entertainment and enjoyment out of this novel.
This is my first time reading a novel by Jams N. Roses - Get Clean. All I say is that this book is a simple to follow book with great scenes on what is actually drug addiction and how it all get started from an innocent person. This book has lots of interesting twists, surprises that will thrills most mature adult readers. However, due to it's nature, I would advised parents to be guided when introducing this book to teens and young adults. If you like what is actually the dark side of drug addiction, drug dealing, crime fiction like what I like to read, you'll definitely get enjoyment out of this novel.
If you like :
- Melissa Miller's Irreparable Harm
- Carrard Hayes's Bourbon & Blood
- Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl
I am sure you will like this novel as well!
If there's one thing I'd change about this book, it would be to create this novel to be a story with less emphasis on drug addiction, drug dealings, but focuses more on why Jimmy Walker got himself addicted to drug. I hope the author will take note of it, but overall, this novel has a good plot to educate the public... perhaps in a more subdue manner...
I am reading this novel on my iPad kindle app. The whole book has good layout and formatting. I believe it will appear great on other e-book readers.
If you found this review useful, let the community know by spreading the word about it.
Although I am not really a fan of crime fiction, but I like the way the author illustrate the scenes so real as if I am taking it myself. There is this quote that I like... "Get clean, James. Just get clean - Jimmy's sister.
This novel happened in modern day setting with the backdrop that drug addiction, rehabs, betrayal, murder is very rampant. I like the way the author talked about these events in such vivid scenes. The author takes the readers into the world of drugs (or the dark-side of our modern day society) where the main character, Jimmy was turned from a fine young man to a drug addict. It's so real.
The main character, Jimmy Walker is a fine young man with adorable and likeable character but unfortunately lost his sense of life directions. However, Jimmy does preserved some little soul of sensibility. Jimmy is fully aware of his addictions, but he tried various efforts to jump up from the bottom. His life undergoes tremendous roller-coaster. There are lots twists and turns as he get involved into the drug dealing arena. Having said that, I am totally impressed how the author really takes great pains to illustrate this character in totality. There is another character that I like is that gorgeous, flirty landlady, Sarah. Being a man, I like the way she flirted with Jimmy and his friend, Jason. This lady is also a drug dealer like Jason. She really knows how to dress so well and really has a class of it's own. To me, she is the ultimate perfect woman to mix up with. The author does really know how to increase the sex appeal of this woman.
This is my first time reading Jams N Rose novel - Get Clean. This book is a great book with lots of surprises and twists. However, this book may not be suitable for younger audience as it does introduce them to drug. Overall, the author is very careful for not sharing too much of this trade. If you like great crime fiction, psychological thriller, you'll definitely get lots of entertainment and enjoyment out of this novel.
This is my first time reading a novel by Jams N. Roses - Get Clean. All I say is that this book is a simple to follow book with great scenes on what is actually drug addiction and how it all get started from an innocent person. This book has lots of interesting twists, surprises that will thrills most mature adult readers. However, due to it's nature, I would advised parents to be guided when introducing this book to teens and young adults. If you like what is actually the dark side of drug addiction, drug dealing, crime fiction like what I like to read, you'll definitely get enjoyment out of this novel.
If you like :
- Melissa Miller's Irreparable Harm
- Carrard Hayes's Bourbon & Blood
- Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl
I am sure you will like this novel as well!
If there's one thing I'd change about this book, it would be to create this novel to be a story with less emphasis on drug addiction, drug dealings, but focuses more on why Jimmy Walker got himself addicted to drug. I hope the author will take note of it, but overall, this novel has a good plot to educate the public... perhaps in a more subdue manner...
I am reading this novel on my iPad kindle app. The whole book has good layout and formatting. I believe it will appear great on other e-book readers.
If you found this review useful, let the community know by spreading the word about it.
September 24, 2013
Oscar Wilde once wrote, “The only difference between the saint and the sinner is that every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.” Jimmy Walker, the main character of this story, is far from being a saint. At the same time, he definitely has a future – a conclusion that was far from obvious at the beginning of his quest back to himself and to normalcy.
Plagued by his addiction to cocaine, grieving a dead child but determined to make a positive change, Jimmy leaves his native England for Spain’s Costa del Sol where he is supposed to start a job. The beginning is hopeful, but things don’t work out for Jimmy, and his problems get more and more aggravated as he is immersed into the world of superficial people, faces a job too focused on materialistic possessions, and struggles to regain control of his life in the face of his own vulnerability to his darkest demon, his drug addiction. Jams N. Roses poignantly describes is as “the habit was there, it had clawed its way into my daily routine and I couldn’t shake it.”
The story is filled with insights into the psychology of an addict for whom “the drug-high can actually become the highest priority.” His life quickly descends with the loss of the job, accumulating health problems, and meeting strangers who involve him with dangerous jobs and activities that get him deeper into the cocaine habit.
In one of the many ironic twists of this psychological thriller, it is through a dangerous liaison with somebody else’s girlfriend that Jimmy rediscovers his passion for life and is “reminded that there are natural highs in life, highs that didn’t involve putting toxins in your body via smoking or injecting or sniffing synthetic drugs.”
As Jimmy is re-evaluating his definition of success, questioning the true meaning of life and searching for his true identity, he is determined to make a change. He wants to get away from pretentious clubs and pretentious people but gets himself deeper into trouble before regaining a glimmer of hope for a brighter future.
Despite the darkness and grimness of the events in the book, the story follows the classic quest structure and has an uplifting ending. Jimmy is coming back home, but he is a changed man. And this time, the change promises to be permanent. This novel provides a very interesting and insightful look into the mind of a self-aware addict attempting recovery. Yes, in Oscar Wilde’s words, Jimmy is a sinner, but a sinner with a future, and that alone is an uplifting thought.
Plagued by his addiction to cocaine, grieving a dead child but determined to make a positive change, Jimmy leaves his native England for Spain’s Costa del Sol where he is supposed to start a job. The beginning is hopeful, but things don’t work out for Jimmy, and his problems get more and more aggravated as he is immersed into the world of superficial people, faces a job too focused on materialistic possessions, and struggles to regain control of his life in the face of his own vulnerability to his darkest demon, his drug addiction. Jams N. Roses poignantly describes is as “the habit was there, it had clawed its way into my daily routine and I couldn’t shake it.”
The story is filled with insights into the psychology of an addict for whom “the drug-high can actually become the highest priority.” His life quickly descends with the loss of the job, accumulating health problems, and meeting strangers who involve him with dangerous jobs and activities that get him deeper into the cocaine habit.
In one of the many ironic twists of this psychological thriller, it is through a dangerous liaison with somebody else’s girlfriend that Jimmy rediscovers his passion for life and is “reminded that there are natural highs in life, highs that didn’t involve putting toxins in your body via smoking or injecting or sniffing synthetic drugs.”
As Jimmy is re-evaluating his definition of success, questioning the true meaning of life and searching for his true identity, he is determined to make a change. He wants to get away from pretentious clubs and pretentious people but gets himself deeper into trouble before regaining a glimmer of hope for a brighter future.
Despite the darkness and grimness of the events in the book, the story follows the classic quest structure and has an uplifting ending. Jimmy is coming back home, but he is a changed man. And this time, the change promises to be permanent. This novel provides a very interesting and insightful look into the mind of a self-aware addict attempting recovery. Yes, in Oscar Wilde’s words, Jimmy is a sinner, but a sinner with a future, and that alone is an uplifting thought.
September 15, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story was incredibly well written and very very interesting. Having said that the 'character' James was infuriating, but then he is and addict and to be honest that is pretty much realistic I think. To say the guy has no backbone is an understatement and the things he gets up to because he seems incapable of saying no is laughable. But again, he is an addict and so this fits the whole persona of an addict. I read this book in a couple of days simply because when I was home I wanted to read it.
The only bit I wasn't too keen on was the ending. I don't want to spoil it but it seemed like it cut off when it could have gone on longer. It would have been nice to discover whether James' plans worked and if he recovered. It certainly ends on a cliff hanger and a slightly amusing one, but given the nature of the book, it would have been nice to see how things panned out for him.
Certainly recommend this book, but if you don't like bad language and violence and drug use then this really isn't for you.
The only bit I wasn't too keen on was the ending. I don't want to spoil it but it seemed like it cut off when it could have gone on longer. It would have been nice to discover whether James' plans worked and if he recovered. It certainly ends on a cliff hanger and a slightly amusing one, but given the nature of the book, it would have been nice to see how things panned out for him.
Certainly recommend this book, but if you don't like bad language and violence and drug use then this really isn't for you.
October 2, 2013
This isn't my usual type of book, but what I found was that the genre didn't matter. The writing drew me in and kept me reading.
The main character, Jimmy, is struggling with his cocaine addiction, finding that recovery isn't easy. His emotions are raw and the story has scenes that are so real, I wasn't certain if it was fiction or not anymore. This sort of story is already a powerful study of the mind of an addict. When you add in that Jams N. Roses wrote the tale in first person, you are left breathless from the impact of Jimmy's thoughts and emotions on your mind.
The relationship Jimmy shares with the disturbed Jason is surreal, sometimes bordering on unbelievable, but only when you think about it later. In the heat of the narrative, it seems so real it's almost scary.
Overall, I think that this book is one that will shock and touch you as you follow along with Jimmy. The only critique I could offer is that there are a few scenes that aren't as fast-paced and intense as the rest, but even those seem to add to the realism of Jimmy's character.
The main character, Jimmy, is struggling with his cocaine addiction, finding that recovery isn't easy. His emotions are raw and the story has scenes that are so real, I wasn't certain if it was fiction or not anymore. This sort of story is already a powerful study of the mind of an addict. When you add in that Jams N. Roses wrote the tale in first person, you are left breathless from the impact of Jimmy's thoughts and emotions on your mind.
The relationship Jimmy shares with the disturbed Jason is surreal, sometimes bordering on unbelievable, but only when you think about it later. In the heat of the narrative, it seems so real it's almost scary.
Overall, I think that this book is one that will shock and touch you as you follow along with Jimmy. The only critique I could offer is that there are a few scenes that aren't as fast-paced and intense as the rest, but even those seem to add to the realism of Jimmy's character.
October 5, 2013
Get Clean is a gripping tale of a man's life spinning out of control and hitting rock bottom, yet there are shards and glimmers of the man inside fighting for hope of a better life. Drugs, dead-end jobs, illicit relationships and terrible "friends" drive the events, but the man inside still believes there can be something better.
James Ross knows how to drive the story along and suck you into the crazy upside down life of a drug addict trying to "GET CLEAN". What's it like to hit bottom, James Ross, paints the moment vividly, "What the **** was I doing hanging out in pretentious clubs, selling drugs, being friends with a psychopath , with both of us infatuated with some bird who clearly has issues, as she can't tear herself away from a man who obviously doesn't want to commit?...`This isn't my home. These aren't my friends. It's time to go.'" Highly recommended.
James Ross knows how to drive the story along and suck you into the crazy upside down life of a drug addict trying to "GET CLEAN". What's it like to hit bottom, James Ross, paints the moment vividly, "What the **** was I doing hanging out in pretentious clubs, selling drugs, being friends with a psychopath , with both of us infatuated with some bird who clearly has issues, as she can't tear herself away from a man who obviously doesn't want to commit?...`This isn't my home. These aren't my friends. It's time to go.'" Highly recommended.
October 8, 2013
There is a generous little pile of cocaine on the cover of "Get Clean" and it sucks you straight into a story you know is written from experience and from the heart.
"Get Clean" is laugh out loud funny as Jimmy Walker realizes he is slipping into addiction. He escapes grey fey England for Marbella without realizing that on what's called the Costa del Crime the young and well-heeled are snorting back lines of coke almost as often as they draw breath.
It's fun. Until it isn't. That's when the laughter dies in your throat. The intriguing-named author Jams N. Roses turns out the lights and takes us on a journey into the dark side of crime, violence and cold steel fear as he discovers his sidekick, Jason, isn't just out of control, he's a psychopath. Well-written, fast-paced, I read this book through in one sitting.
"Get Clean" is laugh out loud funny as Jimmy Walker realizes he is slipping into addiction. He escapes grey fey England for Marbella without realizing that on what's called the Costa del Crime the young and well-heeled are snorting back lines of coke almost as often as they draw breath.
It's fun. Until it isn't. That's when the laughter dies in your throat. The intriguing-named author Jams N. Roses turns out the lights and takes us on a journey into the dark side of crime, violence and cold steel fear as he discovers his sidekick, Jason, isn't just out of control, he's a psychopath. Well-written, fast-paced, I read this book through in one sitting.
October 9, 2013
This is a crime thriller that centres on Jimmy Walker, a drug addict trying to sort his life out, and "Get Clean."
He is likeable, if not a bit weak-minded, and as the story goes on, we learn a bit more as to why he is how he is. The other main character, Jason, puts a whole bunch of crazy into the story, and the naughty things these two get up to together make this book a thoroughly enjoyable read.
This book contains lots of drug and alcohol abuse, sex and violence, but if you don't mind that, you'll love this brilliantly written story.
He is likeable, if not a bit weak-minded, and as the story goes on, we learn a bit more as to why he is how he is. The other main character, Jason, puts a whole bunch of crazy into the story, and the naughty things these two get up to together make this book a thoroughly enjoyable read.
This book contains lots of drug and alcohol abuse, sex and violence, but if you don't mind that, you'll love this brilliantly written story.
September 30, 2013
Intense, gritty and authentic
This is the third book I’ve read by this author. I keep coming back because he writes the kind of realistic fiction I love. Get Clean - Adventures in Cocaine (a crime & psychological thriller) by Jams N. Roses is possibly his best work yet – intense, gritty and authentic. Not for the faint of heart – violence, sex, drugs and language abound (just like real life). It’s a fast and often wild read. Recommended.
This is the third book I’ve read by this author. I keep coming back because he writes the kind of realistic fiction I love. Get Clean - Adventures in Cocaine (a crime & psychological thriller) by Jams N. Roses is possibly his best work yet – intense, gritty and authentic. Not for the faint of heart – violence, sex, drugs and language abound (just like real life). It’s a fast and often wild read. Recommended.
September 23, 2013
Sometimes funny and at other times dark, but awesome from the very first page! Jimmy, the junkie trying to get clean, moves to Spain only to find himself in more trouble than he could have imagined. He is weak -willed, and easily led astray by his new best/worst friend Jason, a crazy Australian who needs locking up! A great adventure with laughs and "oh my god" moments scattered throughout, I can not recommend this book enough to anyone who has been/knows someone involved with drugs or alcohol!
October 4, 2013
This was a very good read, I was literally screaming at some of the things James was doing!! Extremely well written and very believable characters. With this book you get an up close and personal look into the life of a drug addict and their mind set. Some parts were a little slow but picked up fairly quick. For the most part this story was very insightful and interesting. I would recommend to an older audience being that their is foul language and adult situations throughout.
September 6, 2013
Excellent read! Wow! What a fresh style of writing and a great, wrong side of the tracks adventure! Jimmy has a good heart but bad habits, Jason is a mad man, Sarah is emotionally troubled and desperate: putting these people together made for an excellent read!
September 16, 2013
Wow! You hear about people living like this, all drugs, parties, sex and stuff, and it does make for an excellent read. How much of this story is true, I don't know, but I'm glad I stumbled across Get Clean.
November 5, 2013
Pretty good. Seemed like it would be a relatively good depiction of someone addicted to drugs. Liked that it covered so many peripheral issues with drug addiction, and not just the experience of taking the drugs, themselves.
October 14, 2013
Got this book purely based on reviews on goodreads. It did not disappoint, a contemporary story of our times. It did leave me actually caring about what happened next.
December 11, 2017
A good,swift 4 hour read :)
December 21, 2023
This book is very good, its background is interesting and quite entertaining.
November 7, 2014
Gritty, gutsy and compelling
This is a no-holds-barred thriller, mostly written from a first-person narrative, that was so authentic, at first I thought it was an autobiography. Protagonist James, a balding thirtyish guy with an ever increasing appetite for ‘nose candy’ cocaine, travels out to Spain in order to ‘get clean’. He reckons that the new job selling timeshares, the new environment, absence of coke-sniffing mates and a new challenge should be the spur that he needs to get his life on track. Unfortunately things don’t work out the way he’d planned and a raft of new acquaintances lead him into a maelstrom of trouble and criminality, the like of which he has never known before, where the stakes are life and death. He gets sucked into the depravity more and more, ducks and dives to survive, enjoys his carnal pleasures, until the climax of this story, which left me shocked and staggered. This is an easy-read thriller with the pace of an express train, where there’s plenty of action, and a truly gritty air of realism. If you like lots of action, realistic criminality in the raw and a fast-paced plot, this is a book you’ll thoroughly enjoy.
This is a no-holds-barred thriller, mostly written from a first-person narrative, that was so authentic, at first I thought it was an autobiography. Protagonist James, a balding thirtyish guy with an ever increasing appetite for ‘nose candy’ cocaine, travels out to Spain in order to ‘get clean’. He reckons that the new job selling timeshares, the new environment, absence of coke-sniffing mates and a new challenge should be the spur that he needs to get his life on track. Unfortunately things don’t work out the way he’d planned and a raft of new acquaintances lead him into a maelstrom of trouble and criminality, the like of which he has never known before, where the stakes are life and death. He gets sucked into the depravity more and more, ducks and dives to survive, enjoys his carnal pleasures, until the climax of this story, which left me shocked and staggered. This is an easy-read thriller with the pace of an express train, where there’s plenty of action, and a truly gritty air of realism. If you like lots of action, realistic criminality in the raw and a fast-paced plot, this is a book you’ll thoroughly enjoy.
August 14, 2014
We follow a bit of a predictable journey of a drug addict. I soon got to like the main guy, though I felt like shaking him a few times. He meets some not very nice people and spirals into a bit of a downhill direction. There isn't much uphill for him but, bless him, he does try. If you are lucky enough not to know any drug / alcohol addicts, this story might give you a bit of an insight into understanding their predicament in life. All in all, a good thought out plot, great character portrayal and some nice twists.
August 6, 2015
I was fortunate enough to receive this book as part of the Goodreads First Reads program. It was a little slow paced at first but once it took off - WOW! It was an action packed wild ride. Jimmy takes readers on his adventures with "Charlie" and the ups and downs of getting clean.
June 10, 2015
Good reading
I can't go into the book without saying that you will have to read more of the authors work and come to your own conclusions concerning whether or not it is the end or a new beginning.....
I can't go into the book without saying that you will have to read more of the authors work and come to your own conclusions concerning whether or not it is the end or a new beginning.....
October 26, 2013
3-1/2 stars
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