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The Finish #0.5
Whiskey and a Gun
I only meant to love her...
Tawny Owens was going to help me escape my past. She was going to change my future.
But that's not what happened.
I don't know if I can control it much longer. This insatiable need to kill the only good thing in my life.
But this isn't her story - it's mine.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A short story prequel to my upcoming novel, THE FINISH (due out in 2014)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For mature audiences only. This book contains some graphic depictions of domestic abuse.
Tawny Owens was going to help me escape my past. She was going to change my future.
But that's not what happened.
I don't know if I can control it much longer. This insatiable need to kill the only good thing in my life.
But this isn't her story - it's mine.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A short story prequel to my upcoming novel, THE FINISH (due out in 2014)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For mature audiences only. This book contains some graphic depictions of domestic abuse.
63 pages, ebook
First published November 1, 2013
9 people are currently reading
907 people want to read
About the author
Jade Eby
27 books276 followersOnce upon a time there was a little girl who fell in love with books then she grew up to write her own.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
December 4, 2013
The sky is shifting colors from a pinkish-orange to purple-black, and all I can think about is the way Tawny's head sounded against the glass. Hard enough to knock her out and yet not enough to break the window. I wonder how hard I'd have to hit her to make it shatter.
Carter is an abused teenager, it's all he knows. He vows that he'll never become like his father, and when he sees Tawny, he sees his salvation in her.
I guess the signs were all there, but the guy tried so hard!
But...
Carter is an abused teenager, it's all he knows. He vows that he'll never become like his father, and when he sees Tawny, he sees his salvation in her.
I guess the signs were all there, but the guy tried so hard!
But...
December 4, 2013
3.75 Upsetting Stars
This is a fast paced short novella which is told in the all male pov of Carter Brooks.
The story takes a teenage Carter, a victim of domestic violence through meeting and marrying Tawny Owens.
”Promise me something?” Tawny asks. Black mascara stains her freckled cheeks.
“What?”
“We’ll never be like our parents. We’re not drug addicts or alcoholics. We don’t beat each other. We are not them. Promise me: we’ll never do these things to our kids.”
Being in the head of a former abused teen who becomes an abuser was a really hard position for this reader.
”The first time I hit her hard enough to break a bone, I thought she would leave me. She didn’t. She was too weak.”
I held out hope till the very end that things would turn around.
I found the story to be well written and I am anxiously awaiting the novel which is due out 2014 called The Finish.
This is a fast paced short novella which is told in the all male pov of Carter Brooks.
The story takes a teenage Carter, a victim of domestic violence through meeting and marrying Tawny Owens.
”Promise me something?” Tawny asks. Black mascara stains her freckled cheeks.
“What?”
“We’ll never be like our parents. We’re not drug addicts or alcoholics. We don’t beat each other. We are not them. Promise me: we’ll never do these things to our kids.”
Being in the head of a former abused teen who becomes an abuser was a really hard position for this reader.
”The first time I hit her hard enough to break a bone, I thought she would leave me. She didn’t. She was too weak.”
I held out hope till the very end that things would turn around.
I found the story to be well written and I am anxiously awaiting the novel which is due out 2014 called The Finish.
September 3, 2016
"I yank her up by her hair and land a blow to her jaw."
**Deep breath**
This is a tough review to write. I'm a self proclaimed angst lover and adore reading books filled with drama, intensity and tear-jerkers. This book however is down right painful. I uttered so many oh my gods and clutched my Kindle as this agonizing story unfolded. Its about 37 degrees outside, and this book managed to make me sweat.
"I want to slap her and kiss her all at the same time. I don't know how she does it."
I'm a firm believer that love is not supposed to hurt.
Love is not supposed to leave you with broken ribs, a black eye, scratches and bruises.
Love is not supposed to slam your head into the wall, shove you to the floor, or punch you in the face.
Love is not supposed to leave you cowering in fear when you hear the key turning in the lock.
Love is not supposed to crush your hopes and dreams and call you stupid.
"Look what you made me do, you stupid, stupid girl."
This book shows how an abused little boy grew up to become the abuser. The very thing he fought against becoming has taken over his life. We witness his love turn to possession. We witness in two year increments his spiral into a monster. We see his wife withdraw from him, and their happy home turn into a house of horrors.
This book is raw and disturbing. The author does not sugar coat or hide the events that transpire with pretty words or flowery language. If you are sensitive to abuse I recommend you stay away from this. If you dislike intense emotional and physical situations this may not be the book for you. This is quite short and the author sets up the next book very nicely, ending this with a nail-biting cliffhanger. I look forward to reading more about this couple, and seeing where the author takes this story.
"I wish I could love her again. Like before."
Rating: 4 Depressing Stars
Hurt
I am beautiful, I am loved
I am ugly, I am disgrace
I am a dozen makeup roses
I am a slap across the face for looking at another man
I am “baby I’m so sorry, it won’t happen again.”
I am “whore, you left the dishes unwashed”
I am “I love you, you just infuriate me.”
I am blame the victim.
I am coming home late to be beaten for the half-hour difference.
I am waiting up until two am to make sure he gets home safely.
I am Stockholm.
I am dog toy - chewed up and spat out until each limb is holding on by a thread of twisted cotton.
I am, tonight, in his arms.
-Unknown Author
January 12, 2016
This book should definitely come with trigger warnings for anyone who is sensitive to domestic abuse.
It's no secret I love this author's writing. For a short prequel this book packed quit a punch. The story was interesting, engaging, suspenseful and definitely a page turner.
The book begins with Carter, who is an abused teenager living with an abusive father and is told from his POV. The book covers a period of 10 years as we learn about Carter and Tawny's life together from the time they meet right through to their marriage and the transformation they both endure.
In the beginning their love is idealistic and Carter feels he has found his salvation through Tawny.
"Tawny Owens, I want to take care of you and make all the bad things in your life disappear. I promise we'll never end up like our parents. We'll be so much better than them. Will you marry me?"
Their sweet perfect life is short lived as we begin to see signs of Carter's lose of self control. The rage is continually burning inside of him as he struggles to contain it until one day the inevitable happens.
"The next few minutes break down strangely. My hand—outstretched, slamming into Tawny's head—flashes by in a millisecond. The crack of her skull smacking against glass rings in my ear. But the way her head falls down, her chin resting on her chest—that moment seems to last forever."
This book does end with a shocking cliff-hanger. I will be going on to read the second book. I highly recommend this book however be warned, this is an intense and realistic look at how we can become a product of our environment!!!
It's no secret I love this author's writing. For a short prequel this book packed quit a punch. The story was interesting, engaging, suspenseful and definitely a page turner.
The book begins with Carter, who is an abused teenager living with an abusive father and is told from his POV. The book covers a period of 10 years as we learn about Carter and Tawny's life together from the time they meet right through to their marriage and the transformation they both endure.
In the beginning their love is idealistic and Carter feels he has found his salvation through Tawny.
"Tawny Owens, I want to take care of you and make all the bad things in your life disappear. I promise we'll never end up like our parents. We'll be so much better than them. Will you marry me?"
Their sweet perfect life is short lived as we begin to see signs of Carter's lose of self control. The rage is continually burning inside of him as he struggles to contain it until one day the inevitable happens.
"The next few minutes break down strangely. My hand—outstretched, slamming into Tawny's head—flashes by in a millisecond. The crack of her skull smacking against glass rings in my ear. But the way her head falls down, her chin resting on her chest—that moment seems to last forever."
This book does end with a shocking cliff-hanger. I will be going on to read the second book. I highly recommend this book however be warned, this is an intense and realistic look at how we can become a product of our environment!!!
September 10, 2016
4 stars
DAMN! Damn! damn! WTF did I just read, for a shortie this packed a BIG punch! How the hell did everything turn to shit??? I guess the whole, we are a product of our parents no matter how much we don’t want to be, rings true because the more they fought it the closer they became to being their worst enemy. The transformation of hate to understanding was very well done.
This intense novella makes you question everything that you believe in and make you thankful for what you have. I get it when the other readers say, there is a cliff hanger but this time I don’t mind much, because it def. will take me some time to put myself back together until the next one. Told in Carter’s POV, we watch as he changes through the years, highlighting on all their “best nights”… I can’t wait to get inside Tawny’s head next.
DAMN! Damn! damn! WTF did I just read, for a shortie this packed a BIG punch! How the hell did everything turn to shit??? I guess the whole, we are a product of our parents no matter how much we don’t want to be, rings true because the more they fought it the closer they became to being their worst enemy. The transformation of hate to understanding was very well done.
"We'll never be like our parents. We're not drug addicts or alcoholics. We don't beat each other. We are not them. Promise me: we'll never do these things to our kids."
This intense novella makes you question everything that you believe in and make you thankful for what you have. I get it when the other readers say, there is a cliff hanger but this time I don’t mind much, because it def. will take me some time to put myself back together until the next one. Told in Carter’s POV, we watch as he changes through the years, highlighting on all their “best nights”… I can’t wait to get inside Tawny’s head next.
November 11, 2013
My heart is broken, my brain conflicted, my mind…fucked. About to go take a nap in a dark place. Carry on…
January 12, 2014
Damn. That was...painful. I don't even know what to say. This is not a happy story. Not at all. Abuse, is such a freaking vicious cycle.
November 22, 2013
5 oh my god stars!!
What a BITCH of a fucking cliffhanger!! I can't even put into words how fucked up this book was in just the 63 pages it had. I want to kill this bastard, beat him like he feels he should beat tawny.
Full review to come i need to process this...
OK so it's been a day and im still thinking about how disturbing this book was. If u can't get what this book is about by my gifs then I'll elaborate.
Carter has had a fucked up up bringing,his father was a drunk and thought of him as a punching bag nothing more. He HATES his father and everything he represents and vows to never be like him.
Tawny is from a trailer park everyone has an opinion of her and thinks of her as a slut, except Carter.
This shows there relationship over 10 years span.
They are so in love in the beginning, he loves that
"SHE'S SO MATTER OF FACT.SO HONEST.SO. .. FEARLESS.
Then he starts showing his hard side, possessive and controlling side nothing 'too' dramatic, amd I say that lightly, until the day they leave the hospital.
"YOU HAVE NO JOB. NO FUTURE. YOU'RE WORTHLESS. A DRUNK. YOU ARE YOU'RE FATHER."-tawny
I AM NOT MY FATHER. I'M BETTER THAN MY FATHER. I ONLY HIT HER WHEN SHE DESERVES IT. MY FATHER LIKED TO HIT FOR FUN.-carter
The worst shit happened and my heart dropped the fact he did that and didn't givea SHIT I wanted to kill him! He became the same monster he feared as a child. And tawny loved him too much to leave him until. ?.. That cliffhanger will leave u speechless wanting to know what the fuck happens.
"WE'LL NEVER BE LIKE OUR PARENTS. WE'RE NOT DRUG ADDICTS OR ALCOHOLICS. WE DON'T BEAT EACH OTHER. WE ARE NOT THEM. PROMISE ME:"
What a BITCH of a fucking cliffhanger!! I can't even put into words how fucked up this book was in just the 63 pages it had. I want to kill this bastard, beat him like he feels he should beat tawny.
Full review to come i need to process this...
OK so it's been a day and im still thinking about how disturbing this book was. If u can't get what this book is about by my gifs then I'll elaborate.
Carter has had a fucked up up bringing,his father was a drunk and thought of him as a punching bag nothing more. He HATES his father and everything he represents and vows to never be like him.
Tawny is from a trailer park everyone has an opinion of her and thinks of her as a slut, except Carter.
This shows there relationship over 10 years span.
They are so in love in the beginning, he loves that
"SHE'S SO MATTER OF FACT.SO HONEST.SO. .. FEARLESS.
Then he starts showing his hard side, possessive and controlling side nothing 'too' dramatic, amd I say that lightly, until the day they leave the hospital.
"YOU HAVE NO JOB. NO FUTURE. YOU'RE WORTHLESS. A DRUNK. YOU ARE YOU'RE FATHER."-tawny
I AM NOT MY FATHER. I'M BETTER THAN MY FATHER. I ONLY HIT HER WHEN SHE DESERVES IT. MY FATHER LIKED TO HIT FOR FUN.-carter
The worst shit happened and my heart dropped the fact he did that and didn't givea SHIT I wanted to kill him! He became the same monster he feared as a child. And tawny loved him too much to leave him until. ?.. That cliffhanger will leave u speechless wanting to know what the fuck happens.
"WE'LL NEVER BE LIKE OUR PARENTS. WE'RE NOT DRUG ADDICTS OR ALCOHOLICS. WE DON'T BEAT EACH OTHER. WE ARE NOT THEM. PROMISE ME:"
November 26, 2013
3.5 Disturbing Stars...
Well written short prequel to.... The Finish
My thoughts.....
As a teenager Carters story is depressing and sad. Growing up in a family where your father terrorises you and your mother must have some kind of effect on him. For years he keeps his secrets from his friends.
Then he meets Tawny, he is so drawn to her and they fall in love.
But Carters demons keep returning to the surface...how long can he keep them under control...
This is a well written story about domestic abuse within the family.
Its not an easy read.
I have no idea where the author will be going with this story but I'm interested enough to read the follow up story....
Well written short prequel to.... The Finish
My thoughts.....
As a teenager Carters story is depressing and sad. Growing up in a family where your father terrorises you and your mother must have some kind of effect on him. For years he keeps his secrets from his friends.
Then he meets Tawny, he is so drawn to her and they fall in love.
But Carters demons keep returning to the surface...how long can he keep them under control...
This is a well written story about domestic abuse within the family.
Its not an easy read.
I have no idea where the author will be going with this story but I'm interested enough to read the follow up story....
March 26, 2020
4 Cortitas e intensas STARS
Es raro leer un libro de abuso desde la perspectiva del abusador, que a su vez también es víctima. Es complicado ya que a pesar de lo horrible que se comporta, escuchar sus pensamientos te hace entender las razones que lo hacen actuar, lo cual me llevo a justificarlo y odiarlo al mismo tiempo.
Me muero por leer la continuación.
Es raro leer un libro de abuso desde la perspectiva del abusador, que a su vez también es víctima. Es complicado ya que a pesar de lo horrible que se comporta, escuchar sus pensamientos te hace entender las razones que lo hacen actuar, lo cual me llevo a justificarlo y odiarlo al mismo tiempo.
Me muero por leer la continuación.
December 21, 2013
Oh my God what did i just read!!
This book was shocking and made me tremble, even cry a little..
So real and disturbing being in the mind of a hero who is going to do something unforgivable....
I can't believe we have to share the air we breath with people like him.. I can't comprehent it..
Tawny was strong and witty and funny, beautiful inside and out temperamental and feisty and he made her a hideous replica of her self..
Why couldn't he be happy? He had a great wife, a nice home, a fulfilling job, away from all the insecurity he had to grow up with..
Why, why, why..
I slam my hand against the steering wheel. I am not my father.
I'm better than my father. I only hit her when she deserves it.
How could his values be so deeply ruined.. Well i get the deep reasons behind his actions because that's what i study at the uni everyday but i can't sympathise..
THOUGHTS ABOUT THE BOOK
- The ending is a huge cliffhanger..
- The evolvement of the characters is really stunning..
- Tawny is messed up also but she gets to the point of no return..
- I liked Carter at the beggining.. With all the crazyness in his life.. I was rooting for him..
- But later ..ugh..!
- I almost hopped he will come to his senses at some point but it was pretty obvious he was far gone..
- I really want a better life for Tawny in the next book..
- He was such a monster..
This book was shocking and made me tremble, even cry a little..
So real and disturbing being in the mind of a hero who is going to do something unforgivable....
I can't believe we have to share the air we breath with people like him.. I can't comprehent it..
Tawny was strong and witty and funny, beautiful inside and out temperamental and feisty and he made her a hideous replica of her self..
Why couldn't he be happy? He had a great wife, a nice home, a fulfilling job, away from all the insecurity he had to grow up with..
Why, why, why..
I slam my hand against the steering wheel. I am not my father.
I'm better than my father. I only hit her when she deserves it.
How could his values be so deeply ruined.. Well i get the deep reasons behind his actions because that's what i study at the uni everyday but i can't sympathise..
THOUGHTS ABOUT THE BOOK
- The ending is a huge cliffhanger..
- The evolvement of the characters is really stunning..
- Tawny is messed up also but she gets to the point of no return..
- I liked Carter at the beggining.. With all the crazyness in his life.. I was rooting for him..
- But later ..ugh..!
- I almost hopped he will come to his senses at some point but it was pretty obvious he was far gone..
- I really want a better life for Tawny in the next book..
- He was such a monster..
November 21, 2013
Oh my God! That was one of the most disturbing things I've read in awhile. I feel sick to my stomach with how that story developed and panned out in the end... Wow! I can't even imagine what the next book must be like. The character development was absolutely insane for such a short book...
November 19, 2013
Jointly reviewed for : http://totallybookedblog.com/
Jenny: Wow! What the eff did we just read G? Didn’t this book do a number on me! Whilst this may have been a short story, it certainly packed a punch and completely knocked me sideways. I was drawn into Whiskey and a Gun from the very first paragraph and was transfixed in horror until I finished it.
We had NO idea what to expect with this one but the synopsis sounded intriguing so in we went. I have to say this is one of the most real, disturbing, sickening and brutal stories I’ve read. I read it with dread in my stomach and heaviness in my heart, never did I rest on my laurels and I had a complete hatred for some of the characters.
I’m conscious not to give too much away about this story because the shock is all part of the journey in this and Whiskey and a Gun is a prelude to The Finish, a full novel which is due for release in 2014 but what I will say is if you have an issue with reading about Domestic Abuse, please tread carefully because this book doesn’t sugar coat nor does it makes no apologies and I applaud this author for having the guts to go there. I’ve never read anything quite like it.
We were pretty stunned and speechless after this one weren’t we Gitte?
Gitte: Bloody hell yeah, even though I have read much worse I was shocked reading this story because of the intimacy of the domestic violence, if you will. I was hooked from the first page and at no time did I feel lulled into a sense of security nor could I relax whilst reading. I read it in just under an hour and I didn’t move, I couldn’t. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up and my heart was beating frantically because at no point did I feel safe. There was a malevolent simmering undercurrent that was waiting to burst and not knowing whether it would or not was enough to freak me the hell out! Being in the aggressors head was not comfortable it was highly disturbing and sinister.
“When you look at me, you see me…The real me. No one ever has before.”
Jenny: This author has written a very clever, if not extremely distressing story told through the eyes of Carter Brooks and let me tell you….being inside Carter Brooks’ head was one of the most disturbingly horrifying hours I’ve ever spent reading. There was something sinister about this man from the start though I initially felt so sorry for him and his home situation which was absolutely tragic and deplorable. My heart went out to him as a young man.
‘My house is a battlefield, and I’m the main target. I tread carefully on the stairs – too many ambushes have happened here. Where the wood steps meet the dingy white carpet is the red zone.’ – Carter
To suffer as he did at the hands of his cruel psychotic father, well, it broke my heart. In saying that, despite his suffering, I never could warm to Carter because he always felt so volatile, as if something was always simmering underneath. He made me nervous to be honest.
Tawny and Carter are two very damaged individuals and their stories saddened me greatly. What unfolded in Whiskey and a Gun certainly affected me and really did upset me but I wouldn’t have missed this reading experience for the world. I know that sounds contradictory but when an author can affect me to such a degree, to make me feel so much, well there’s nothing better as a reader. I felt sick to my stomach and cried at the end. It was so tragic wasn’t it Gitte?
Gitte: This book is tragic and disturbing for sure. However, it is not only tragic for the obvious reasons, rather it’s the sadness of losing the fight to regress to a pattern of behaviour, repeating it and getting off on it. The inability to realise the lapse in judgement, morality and humanity. The thrill of the high and justification of rightness. The belief in violence to control and conform. It broke my heart and I felt myself shrink into myself in my chair as I quietly read with a heavy heart and silent tears. The raging and distress came after I finished reading, down the phone to you Jenny, we needed a hug and comfort from each other for sure! GAH!!! Both Tawny and Carter’s stories broke my heart!
Jenny: Whiskey and a Gun unfolded in 2 year increments and initially I thought this would be too much of a jump and the story would suffer because of it but I was wrong. I don’t think I could have coped with a blow by blow build up in this story though I do hope we get to fill in a few gaps in The Finish next year. For me, what we got was enough and even though it disturbed me, I could NOT put this book down until I came to the end. Jade Eby did a stellar job of portraying the despair and pain in Tawny and Carters home lives. As a reader, taking up residence inside Carters head was shocking, I can’t imagine what it was like for Jade Eby to have his voice in her head and I applaud her for going there. She certainly put the reader left, right and centre as the horror and tragedy of this story unfolds. I’m dying to find out how where the next book takes us because I have no idea where it’s going and don’t I just LOVE that!
“You don’t want to hurt me, you just don’t know what else to do with your anger.”
I’m still sitting stunned, mouth agape at what I’ve just witnessed. This book shook me to my core and I wait, in anticipation to follow this story further. Wow! Talk about heavy going. Final thoughts G?
Gitte: The writing style is unusual but I loved it, this Author sure knows how to get emotion across to the reader as you can’t help but feel part of the story. What I did have a problem with was the jumping of years and the lack of character development as the story was so short. I know it didn’t bother you, but for me, yes I needed that bit more to understand the transgression of Tawny and Carter’s relationship and I needed more to understand Carter’s reluctant path from where he started off to where he ended up. He was on the line from the beginning that much was obvious but what made him cross it? Unless this is being explored in The Finish of course?! I just felt that being in his head, the Author made me care for him because of his fucked up life. Then….well all I’ll say is that this book completely messed with my head. I didn’t know what to think nor could I make sense of my feelings and emotions. I became another victim in this story as its reader, if that makes any sense.
“I promise we’ll never end up like our parents. We’ll be so much better than them…”
So yeah, I can’t wait to read the next book and I have to say this Author’s flawless writing excites me and leaves me wanting more!
Jenny: Wow! What the eff did we just read G? Didn’t this book do a number on me! Whilst this may have been a short story, it certainly packed a punch and completely knocked me sideways. I was drawn into Whiskey and a Gun from the very first paragraph and was transfixed in horror until I finished it.
We had NO idea what to expect with this one but the synopsis sounded intriguing so in we went. I have to say this is one of the most real, disturbing, sickening and brutal stories I’ve read. I read it with dread in my stomach and heaviness in my heart, never did I rest on my laurels and I had a complete hatred for some of the characters.
I’m conscious not to give too much away about this story because the shock is all part of the journey in this and Whiskey and a Gun is a prelude to The Finish, a full novel which is due for release in 2014 but what I will say is if you have an issue with reading about Domestic Abuse, please tread carefully because this book doesn’t sugar coat nor does it makes no apologies and I applaud this author for having the guts to go there. I’ve never read anything quite like it.
We were pretty stunned and speechless after this one weren’t we Gitte?
Gitte: Bloody hell yeah, even though I have read much worse I was shocked reading this story because of the intimacy of the domestic violence, if you will. I was hooked from the first page and at no time did I feel lulled into a sense of security nor could I relax whilst reading. I read it in just under an hour and I didn’t move, I couldn’t. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up and my heart was beating frantically because at no point did I feel safe. There was a malevolent simmering undercurrent that was waiting to burst and not knowing whether it would or not was enough to freak me the hell out! Being in the aggressors head was not comfortable it was highly disturbing and sinister.
“When you look at me, you see me…The real me. No one ever has before.”
Jenny: This author has written a very clever, if not extremely distressing story told through the eyes of Carter Brooks and let me tell you….being inside Carter Brooks’ head was one of the most disturbingly horrifying hours I’ve ever spent reading. There was something sinister about this man from the start though I initially felt so sorry for him and his home situation which was absolutely tragic and deplorable. My heart went out to him as a young man.
‘My house is a battlefield, and I’m the main target. I tread carefully on the stairs – too many ambushes have happened here. Where the wood steps meet the dingy white carpet is the red zone.’ – Carter
To suffer as he did at the hands of his cruel psychotic father, well, it broke my heart. In saying that, despite his suffering, I never could warm to Carter because he always felt so volatile, as if something was always simmering underneath. He made me nervous to be honest.
Tawny and Carter are two very damaged individuals and their stories saddened me greatly. What unfolded in Whiskey and a Gun certainly affected me and really did upset me but I wouldn’t have missed this reading experience for the world. I know that sounds contradictory but when an author can affect me to such a degree, to make me feel so much, well there’s nothing better as a reader. I felt sick to my stomach and cried at the end. It was so tragic wasn’t it Gitte?
Gitte: This book is tragic and disturbing for sure. However, it is not only tragic for the obvious reasons, rather it’s the sadness of losing the fight to regress to a pattern of behaviour, repeating it and getting off on it. The inability to realise the lapse in judgement, morality and humanity. The thrill of the high and justification of rightness. The belief in violence to control and conform. It broke my heart and I felt myself shrink into myself in my chair as I quietly read with a heavy heart and silent tears. The raging and distress came after I finished reading, down the phone to you Jenny, we needed a hug and comfort from each other for sure! GAH!!! Both Tawny and Carter’s stories broke my heart!
Jenny: Whiskey and a Gun unfolded in 2 year increments and initially I thought this would be too much of a jump and the story would suffer because of it but I was wrong. I don’t think I could have coped with a blow by blow build up in this story though I do hope we get to fill in a few gaps in The Finish next year. For me, what we got was enough and even though it disturbed me, I could NOT put this book down until I came to the end. Jade Eby did a stellar job of portraying the despair and pain in Tawny and Carters home lives. As a reader, taking up residence inside Carters head was shocking, I can’t imagine what it was like for Jade Eby to have his voice in her head and I applaud her for going there. She certainly put the reader left, right and centre as the horror and tragedy of this story unfolds. I’m dying to find out how where the next book takes us because I have no idea where it’s going and don’t I just LOVE that!
“You don’t want to hurt me, you just don’t know what else to do with your anger.”
I’m still sitting stunned, mouth agape at what I’ve just witnessed. This book shook me to my core and I wait, in anticipation to follow this story further. Wow! Talk about heavy going. Final thoughts G?
Gitte: The writing style is unusual but I loved it, this Author sure knows how to get emotion across to the reader as you can’t help but feel part of the story. What I did have a problem with was the jumping of years and the lack of character development as the story was so short. I know it didn’t bother you, but for me, yes I needed that bit more to understand the transgression of Tawny and Carter’s relationship and I needed more to understand Carter’s reluctant path from where he started off to where he ended up. He was on the line from the beginning that much was obvious but what made him cross it? Unless this is being explored in The Finish of course?! I just felt that being in his head, the Author made me care for him because of his fucked up life. Then….well all I’ll say is that this book completely messed with my head. I didn’t know what to think nor could I make sense of my feelings and emotions. I became another victim in this story as its reader, if that makes any sense.
“I promise we’ll never end up like our parents. We’ll be so much better than them…”
So yeah, I can’t wait to read the next book and I have to say this Author’s flawless writing excites me and leaves me wanting more!
November 20, 2013
Jointly Reviewed on: http://totallybookedblog.com/2013/11/...
Jenny: Wow! What the eff did we just read? Didn’t this book do a number on me! Whilst this may have been a short story, it certainly packed a punch and completely knocked me sideways. I was drawn into Whiskey and a Gun from the very first paragraph and was transfixed in horror until I finished it.
We had NO idea what to expect with this one but the synopsis sounded intriguing so in we went. I have to say this is one of the most real, disturbing, sickening and brutal stories I’ve read. I read it with dread in my stomach and heaviness in my heart, never did I rest on my laurels and I had a complete hatred for some of the characters.
I’m conscious not to give too much away about this story because the shock is all part of the journey in this and Whiskey and a Gun is a prelude to The Finish, a full novel which is due for release in 2014 but what I will say is if you have an issue with reading about Domestic Abuse, please tread carefully because this book doesn’t sugar coat nor does it makes no apologies and I applaud this author for having the guts to go there. I’ve never read anything quite like it.
We were pretty stunned and speechless after this one weren’t we Gitte?
Gitte: Bloody hell yeah, even though I have read much worse I was shocked reading this story because of the intimacy of the domestic violence, if you will. I was hooked from the first page and at no time did I feel lulled into a sense of security nor could I relax whilst reading. I read it in just under an hour and I didn’t move, I couldn’t. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up and my heart was beating frantically because at no point did I feel safe. There was a malevolent simmering undercurrent that was waiting to burst and not knowing whether it would or not was enough to freak me the hell out! Being in the aggressors head was not comfortable it was highly disturbing and sinister.
“When you look at me, you see me…The real me. No one ever has before.”
Jenny: This author has written a very clever, if not extremely distressing story told through the eyes of Carter Brooks and let me tell you….being inside Carter Brooks’ head was one of the most disturbingly horrifying hours I’ve ever spent reading. There was something sinister about this man from the start though I initially felt so sorry for him and his home situation which was absolutely tragic and deplorable. My heart went out to him as a young man.
‘My house is a battlefield, and I’m the main target. I tread carefully on the stairs – too many ambushes have happened here. Where the wood steps meet the dingy white carpet is the red zone.’ – Carter
To suffer as he did at the hands of his cruel psychotic father, well, it broke my heart. In saying that, despite his suffering, I never could warm to Carter because he always felt so volatile, as if something was always simmering underneath. He made me nervous to be honest.
Tawny and Carter are two very damaged individuals and their stories saddened me greatly. What unfolded in Whiskey and a Gun certainly affected me and really did upset me but I wouldn’t have missed this reading experience for the world. I know that sounds contradictory but when an author can affect me to such a degree, to make me feel so much, well there’s nothing better as a reader. I felt sick to my stomach and cried at the end. It was so tragic wasn’t it Gitte?
Gitte: This book is tragic and disturbing for sure. However, it is not only tragic for the obvious reasons, rather it’s the sadness of losing the fight to regress to a pattern of behaviour, repeating it and getting off on it. The inability to realise the lapse in judgement, morality and humanity. The thrill of the high and justification of rightness. The belief in violence to control and conform. It broke my heart and I felt myself shrink into myself in my chair as I quietly read with a heavy heart and silent tears. The raging and distress came after I finished reading, down the phone to you Jenny, we needed a hug and comfort from each other for sure! GAH!!! Both Tawny and Carter’s stories broke my heart!
Jenny: Whiskey and a Gun unfolded in 2 year increments and initially I thought this would be too much of a jump and the story would suffer because of it but I was wrong. I don’t think I could have coped with a blow by blow build up in this story though I do hope we get to fill in a few gaps in The Finish next year. For me, what we got was enough and even though it disturbed me, I could NOT put this book down until I came to the end. Jade Eby did a stellar job of portraying the despair and pain in Tawny and Carters home lives. As a reader, taking up residence inside Carters head was shocking, I can’t imagine what it was like for Jade Eby to have his voice in her head and I applaud her for going there. She certainly put the reader left, right and centre as the horror and tragedy of this story unfolds. I’m dying to find out how where the next book takes us because I have no idea where it’s going and don’t I just LOVE that!
“You don’t want to hurt me, you just don’t know what else to do with your anger.”
I’m still sitting stunned, mouth agape at what I’ve just witnessed. This book shook me to my core and I wait, in anticipation to follow this story further. Wow! Talk about heavy going. Final thoughts G?
Gitte: The writing style is unusual but I loved it, this Author sure knows how to get emotion across to the reader as you can’t help but feel part of the story. What I did have a problem with was the jumping of years and the lack of character development as the story was so short. I know it didn’t bother you, but for me, yes I needed that bit more to understand the transgression of Tawny and Carter’s relationship and I needed more to understand Carter’s reluctant path from where he started off to where he ended up. He was on the line from the beginning that much was obvious but what made him cross it? Unless this is being explored in The Finish of course?! I just felt that being in his head, the Author made me care for him because of his fucked up life. Then….well all I’ll say is that this book completely messed with my head. I didn’t know what to think nor could I make sense of my feelings and emotions. I became another victim in this story as its reader, if that makes any sense.
“I promise we’ll never end up like our parents. We’ll be so much better than them…”
So yeah, I can’t wait to read the next book and I have to say this Author’s flawless writing excites me and leaves me wanting more!
Jenny: Wow! What the eff did we just read? Didn’t this book do a number on me! Whilst this may have been a short story, it certainly packed a punch and completely knocked me sideways. I was drawn into Whiskey and a Gun from the very first paragraph and was transfixed in horror until I finished it.
We had NO idea what to expect with this one but the synopsis sounded intriguing so in we went. I have to say this is one of the most real, disturbing, sickening and brutal stories I’ve read. I read it with dread in my stomach and heaviness in my heart, never did I rest on my laurels and I had a complete hatred for some of the characters.
I’m conscious not to give too much away about this story because the shock is all part of the journey in this and Whiskey and a Gun is a prelude to The Finish, a full novel which is due for release in 2014 but what I will say is if you have an issue with reading about Domestic Abuse, please tread carefully because this book doesn’t sugar coat nor does it makes no apologies and I applaud this author for having the guts to go there. I’ve never read anything quite like it.
We were pretty stunned and speechless after this one weren’t we Gitte?
Gitte: Bloody hell yeah, even though I have read much worse I was shocked reading this story because of the intimacy of the domestic violence, if you will. I was hooked from the first page and at no time did I feel lulled into a sense of security nor could I relax whilst reading. I read it in just under an hour and I didn’t move, I couldn’t. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up and my heart was beating frantically because at no point did I feel safe. There was a malevolent simmering undercurrent that was waiting to burst and not knowing whether it would or not was enough to freak me the hell out! Being in the aggressors head was not comfortable it was highly disturbing and sinister.
“When you look at me, you see me…The real me. No one ever has before.”
Jenny: This author has written a very clever, if not extremely distressing story told through the eyes of Carter Brooks and let me tell you….being inside Carter Brooks’ head was one of the most disturbingly horrifying hours I’ve ever spent reading. There was something sinister about this man from the start though I initially felt so sorry for him and his home situation which was absolutely tragic and deplorable. My heart went out to him as a young man.
‘My house is a battlefield, and I’m the main target. I tread carefully on the stairs – too many ambushes have happened here. Where the wood steps meet the dingy white carpet is the red zone.’ – Carter
To suffer as he did at the hands of his cruel psychotic father, well, it broke my heart. In saying that, despite his suffering, I never could warm to Carter because he always felt so volatile, as if something was always simmering underneath. He made me nervous to be honest.
Tawny and Carter are two very damaged individuals and their stories saddened me greatly. What unfolded in Whiskey and a Gun certainly affected me and really did upset me but I wouldn’t have missed this reading experience for the world. I know that sounds contradictory but when an author can affect me to such a degree, to make me feel so much, well there’s nothing better as a reader. I felt sick to my stomach and cried at the end. It was so tragic wasn’t it Gitte?
Gitte: This book is tragic and disturbing for sure. However, it is not only tragic for the obvious reasons, rather it’s the sadness of losing the fight to regress to a pattern of behaviour, repeating it and getting off on it. The inability to realise the lapse in judgement, morality and humanity. The thrill of the high and justification of rightness. The belief in violence to control and conform. It broke my heart and I felt myself shrink into myself in my chair as I quietly read with a heavy heart and silent tears. The raging and distress came after I finished reading, down the phone to you Jenny, we needed a hug and comfort from each other for sure! GAH!!! Both Tawny and Carter’s stories broke my heart!
Jenny: Whiskey and a Gun unfolded in 2 year increments and initially I thought this would be too much of a jump and the story would suffer because of it but I was wrong. I don’t think I could have coped with a blow by blow build up in this story though I do hope we get to fill in a few gaps in The Finish next year. For me, what we got was enough and even though it disturbed me, I could NOT put this book down until I came to the end. Jade Eby did a stellar job of portraying the despair and pain in Tawny and Carters home lives. As a reader, taking up residence inside Carters head was shocking, I can’t imagine what it was like for Jade Eby to have his voice in her head and I applaud her for going there. She certainly put the reader left, right and centre as the horror and tragedy of this story unfolds. I’m dying to find out how where the next book takes us because I have no idea where it’s going and don’t I just LOVE that!
“You don’t want to hurt me, you just don’t know what else to do with your anger.”
I’m still sitting stunned, mouth agape at what I’ve just witnessed. This book shook me to my core and I wait, in anticipation to follow this story further. Wow! Talk about heavy going. Final thoughts G?
Gitte: The writing style is unusual but I loved it, this Author sure knows how to get emotion across to the reader as you can’t help but feel part of the story. What I did have a problem with was the jumping of years and the lack of character development as the story was so short. I know it didn’t bother you, but for me, yes I needed that bit more to understand the transgression of Tawny and Carter’s relationship and I needed more to understand Carter’s reluctant path from where he started off to where he ended up. He was on the line from the beginning that much was obvious but what made him cross it? Unless this is being explored in The Finish of course?! I just felt that being in his head, the Author made me care for him because of his fucked up life. Then….well all I’ll say is that this book completely messed with my head. I didn’t know what to think nor could I make sense of my feelings and emotions. I became another victim in this story as its reader, if that makes any sense.
“I promise we’ll never end up like our parents. We’ll be so much better than them…”
So yeah, I can’t wait to read the next book and I have to say this Author’s flawless writing excites me and leaves me wanting more!
November 26, 2015
No! WTF did I just read! I was so downhearted with the story of Carter and Tawny. Shocked at the way Carter behaved towards Tawny; I really did not see that coming.
I have to start reading the 2nd book, like NOW!!!
I have to start reading the 2nd book, like NOW!!!
November 23, 2013
This book took me an hour to read. 1 hour. that's all and know I have been sitting staring at my kindle so completely blown away, I am in shock.. I really think I am ....This book is violent and I mean violent but it just sucked me in I mean how can something this small effect me so much lol I know I sound crazy but it is truly how I feel about this book ....
Full review @ http://savannahs-sizzling-pages.blogs...
Full review @ http://savannahs-sizzling-pages.blogs...
August 14, 2016
WOW!
This left me shattered!
We'll never be like our parents.We're not drug addicts or alcoholics. We don't beat each other. We are not them. Promise me: we'll never do these things to our kids.
Whiskey and a gun is the prequel to The Finish, which will be published this year.
It's only 65pages long, so not even an hour to read. BUT Eby took me on a roller-coaster of emotions and left me with much to think about.
It's written from Carter's POV and gives you a good insight to him. His hopes, his views and his downfalls.
This is disturbing. It's violent and heartbreaking.
Would I have read this knowing what was coming? Probably not. I really can't stand domestic violence. I don't think there is ever an excuse. But let me tell you, I can't wait to read The Finish. Not just because this one end on a freakn' Cliffy (oh and there isn't even a release date set for the next one! HELP!!!) but because Eby got under my skin. I feel like crying, shaking Carter even smacking him!
But mostly I will have to think about all the thoughts that are swirling in my head. Are we doomed to become who our parents are? Is there a way to break that cycle of violence?
How many men argue just the same way as Carter?
Why did Tawny let it go so far?
I am still shocked that I actually liked this. As I said, would you have told me yesterday that this is about all that- I would have thankfully declined the ARC. I mean I expect broken, I like a smidgen of broken after all, just not this broken and messed up. More so I would have sworn I would hate it. BUT as you can see from my gushing it totally didnt.
Which is due to Eby's amazing writing. Her pacing is perfect. The chapters go in two years intervals. She gives just enough to finish the picture and makes you understand. She not once covers over or makes it more beautiful. No she tells an honest story and with her writing style has given Carter a voice that feel disturbingly real. I had no issues connecting with him- though he is a total idiot, no questions asked! I still wonder if he had any other chance? Was he always headed that way? And here lies the heartbreaking truth behind this, it's not black and white. Don't misunderstand me, I never would condone this behavior, but my heart aches for Carter. He is lost and broken - and I honestly don't know if there was ever hope for him.
So all I am left with is my broken, shattered heart, my contemplations and stalking the release date of The Finish
.
An author to look out for!
This left me shattered!
We'll never be like our parents.We're not drug addicts or alcoholics. We don't beat each other. We are not them. Promise me: we'll never do these things to our kids.
Whiskey and a gun is the prequel to The Finish, which will be published this year.
It's only 65pages long, so not even an hour to read. BUT Eby took me on a roller-coaster of emotions and left me with much to think about.
It's written from Carter's POV and gives you a good insight to him. His hopes, his views and his downfalls.
This is disturbing. It's violent and heartbreaking.
Would I have read this knowing what was coming? Probably not. I really can't stand domestic violence. I don't think there is ever an excuse. But let me tell you, I can't wait to read The Finish. Not just because this one end on a freakn' Cliffy (oh and there isn't even a release date set for the next one! HELP!!!) but because Eby got under my skin. I feel like crying, shaking Carter even smacking him!
But mostly I will have to think about all the thoughts that are swirling in my head. Are we doomed to become who our parents are? Is there a way to break that cycle of violence?
How many men argue just the same way as Carter?
Why did Tawny let it go so far?
I am still shocked that I actually liked this. As I said, would you have told me yesterday that this is about all that- I would have thankfully declined the ARC. I mean I expect broken, I like a smidgen of broken after all, just not this broken and messed up. More so I would have sworn I would hate it. BUT as you can see from my gushing it totally didnt.
Which is due to Eby's amazing writing. Her pacing is perfect. The chapters go in two years intervals. She gives just enough to finish the picture and makes you understand. She not once covers over or makes it more beautiful. No she tells an honest story and with her writing style has given Carter a voice that feel disturbingly real. I had no issues connecting with him- though he is a total idiot, no questions asked! I still wonder if he had any other chance? Was he always headed that way? And here lies the heartbreaking truth behind this, it's not black and white. Don't misunderstand me, I never would condone this behavior, but my heart aches for Carter. He is lost and broken - and I honestly don't know if there was ever hope for him.
So all I am left with is my broken, shattered heart, my contemplations and stalking the release date of The Finish
.
An author to look out for!
December 26, 2014
3.5-4 heart crushing stars.
I am all about the angst, the build up, the heartbreak. I love the intense feelings that transpire through the pages... but this book. FUCK! It was almost too much to handle.
Carter grows up in an abusive home. His father beats up on everyone in the house, targeting his mother. Escaping from his home for a while, he meets Tawny. Tawny's household isn't any better. Carter is drawn to her and they quickly fall in love. They promise each other they wont be like their parents. As the years go by Carter starts to change into someone he never wanted to be like... his father.
The likes:
- The author did an AMAZING job with Carter, SCARY... but good. It is horrifyingly believable transition from a abused child to heartless abuser, who not only embraced his nature, but felt his actions were justifiable. The author made me sympathize with him, and then slowly made me want to kill him. * deep breath*
- Not only did the the author do an amazing job with the characters... she did all of this in only 60 some odd pages! Just wow!
-Carter and Tawny's relationship, in the beginning of course.
Tawny Owens, I want to take care of you and make all the bad things in your life disappear. I promise we'll never end up like our parents. We'll be so much better than them." - Carter
“When you look at me, you see me…The real me. No one ever has before.” -Carter
Dislikes?
-Only 2 things really, it was super short and the effing cliffhanger!
A tragic and disturbing book for sure, be warned. I CAN NOT wait to read the full novel next year.
I am all about the angst, the build up, the heartbreak. I love the intense feelings that transpire through the pages... but this book. FUCK! It was almost too much to handle.
Carter grows up in an abusive home. His father beats up on everyone in the house, targeting his mother. Escaping from his home for a while, he meets Tawny. Tawny's household isn't any better. Carter is drawn to her and they quickly fall in love. They promise each other they wont be like their parents. As the years go by Carter starts to change into someone he never wanted to be like... his father.
The likes:
- The author did an AMAZING job with Carter, SCARY... but good. It is horrifyingly believable transition from a abused child to heartless abuser, who not only embraced his nature, but felt his actions were justifiable. The author made me sympathize with him, and then slowly made me want to kill him. * deep breath*
- Not only did the the author do an amazing job with the characters... she did all of this in only 60 some odd pages! Just wow!
-Carter and Tawny's relationship, in the beginning of course.
Tawny Owens, I want to take care of you and make all the bad things in your life disappear. I promise we'll never end up like our parents. We'll be so much better than them." - Carter
“When you look at me, you see me…The real me. No one ever has before.” -Carter
Dislikes?
-Only 2 things really, it was super short and the effing cliffhanger!
A tragic and disturbing book for sure, be warned. I CAN NOT wait to read the full novel next year.
January 1, 2015
HOLY SHIT! I don't think I've ever read a short novella that has left behind such intense emotions like this one did. It completely caught me off guard. It may be only 63 pages long but it can only be described as heart breakingly sad and shocking.
Abuse should never be a subject to ever be taken lightly but a book like this, while depressing to journey through, does show that it truly can become a vicious cycle.
It's told from the POV of Carter Banks who we meet in 1998 as a teen and discover right off he is living in an horribly abusive household. Carter also has a girlfriend, Tawny who he met in high school. We then flash forward every two years until 2008 to witness both he and Tawny in their married life. Now.. I am just putting it out there but this novella does end in a big ol' cliffhanger but book #2 has been released.. and thank god for that!
It's well written and I felt the character development was excellently done for being so short. If this book is any indication of the authors talent, then there's only good things to come. Jumping straight into book #2 now!
Abuse should never be a subject to ever be taken lightly but a book like this, while depressing to journey through, does show that it truly can become a vicious cycle.
It's told from the POV of Carter Banks who we meet in 1998 as a teen and discover right off he is living in an horribly abusive household. Carter also has a girlfriend, Tawny who he met in high school. We then flash forward every two years until 2008 to witness both he and Tawny in their married life. Now.. I am just putting it out there but this novella does end in a big ol' cliffhanger but book #2 has been released.. and thank god for that!
It's well written and I felt the character development was excellently done for being so short. If this book is any indication of the authors talent, then there's only good things to come. Jumping straight into book #2 now!
November 12, 2013
WTF did I just read?????? No FREAKING way can I make sense out of this ~ sickened just horrified ~ I'm going to review once I process..........
December 28, 2014
4.5stars. Disturbing. Sad. Certainly not hearts and flowers. But very we'll written and I will definitely pick up the next book for sure.
November 19, 2013
i cried for them both :( super sad story!
December 21, 2014
WOW... I don't know that I have ever read a prequel or novella that has sucked me in so quickly and made me FEEL in under 100 pages.
I am seriously dying to read the Finish now!!
I am seriously dying to read the Finish now!!
October 23, 2013
SInce this isn't out yet--I didn't put any spoilers in review! :-)
Okay, before I say anything about the book itself, let's talk about that beautiful cover. It was that coupled with the freakin' awesome blurb that caught my attention. I think Eby is genius in the way she crafted the blurb. It is really evasive and yet compelling all at once. Definitely makes me want more!
Now, onto the book. I came into this story not really knowing what to expect, and man, was I surprised.
Y'all know I love fucked up characters. I love it when they are flawed beyond all reason--to point where they seem unredeemable. Jade definitely tackles this in Whiskey.
Carter is SO flawed that there were times that I wanted to stab him, literally.
I wanted to hate him. I wanted to add him to the long list of heroes who suck butt, but I couldn't. There was something so compelling about his character, even when he was doing horrendous things that I didn't agree with, I still loved him. I still wanted better for him because I believed that it was in him. Jade weaves this complicated dynamic of characters that makes you question what is right and wrong how far someone can go before they become unredeemable.
In other words: Mind=Fucked.
Now keep in mind, this is a short story, a companion to the upcoming novel The Finish, so there are a lot of things left unanswered in this story, and to be desired. I struggled with this a little as how I would rate the book, but ultimately I base my ratings on how the book makes me feel after I finish. The one's that keep me thinking WTF just happened? Those are the kind of books I love. This is definitely one of those. I read part of it in between classes at school and hated that I had to stop reading. I ended up finishing it in my car because I couldn't wait until I got home to see what happened.
I can't wait for the next book. I need to know. I NEED to! Seriously you need to check this out. Add it to the top of your TBR pile NOW. :)
I will leave you with this image of Tyler Durden. This sums up a lot of my feels in the story.
5 FRICKIN ' AWESOME STARS!
Okay, before I say anything about the book itself, let's talk about that beautiful cover. It was that coupled with the freakin' awesome blurb that caught my attention. I think Eby is genius in the way she crafted the blurb. It is really evasive and yet compelling all at once. Definitely makes me want more!
Now, onto the book. I came into this story not really knowing what to expect, and man, was I surprised.
Y'all know I love fucked up characters. I love it when they are flawed beyond all reason--to point where they seem unredeemable. Jade definitely tackles this in Whiskey.
Carter is SO flawed that there were times that I wanted to stab him, literally.
I wanted to hate him. I wanted to add him to the long list of heroes who suck butt, but I couldn't. There was something so compelling about his character, even when he was doing horrendous things that I didn't agree with, I still loved him. I still wanted better for him because I believed that it was in him. Jade weaves this complicated dynamic of characters that makes you question what is right and wrong how far someone can go before they become unredeemable.
In other words: Mind=Fucked.
Now keep in mind, this is a short story, a companion to the upcoming novel The Finish, so there are a lot of things left unanswered in this story, and to be desired. I struggled with this a little as how I would rate the book, but ultimately I base my ratings on how the book makes me feel after I finish. The one's that keep me thinking WTF just happened? Those are the kind of books I love. This is definitely one of those. I read part of it in between classes at school and hated that I had to stop reading. I ended up finishing it in my car because I couldn't wait until I got home to see what happened.
I can't wait for the next book. I need to know. I NEED to! Seriously you need to check this out. Add it to the top of your TBR pile NOW. :)
I will leave you with this image of Tyler Durden. This sums up a lot of my feels in the story.
5 FRICKIN ' AWESOME STARS!
December 8, 2013
Sometimes you read a book that brings to light the harsh realities that some have to face in life. Sometimes you read a book that makes you feel so many real, raw emotions; feelings and thoughts you can't completely express because you're so torn about them.
This book, as short as it was, did exactly that to me.
You get introduced to Carter and Tawny when they're in high school and every new chapter skips 2 years into the future.
The book is from Carter's pov so you get mostly his back story. He's a broken boy who was dealt a pretty shity hand in life, who meets Tawny, an equally broken girl.
They form a bond out of that brokenness that seems so fragile from the very beginning, but you can't help to want for it to work out. Until that broken boy grows to be a completely different man.
I didn't know that this was a prequel to a novel, but I would have read it anyway.
The charter's are completely flawed and damaged. It would seem irrevocably so. Yet there's just something about them that I can't help but love and feel for.
Although I WANT to hate Carter, he's earned that hate, there's just something about his character that I can't completely loathe.
And I'm not excusing his behavior in ANY WAY. It's unforgivable, but I like the way the author gives you his pov so that you could maybe try and understand why he is the way he is.
And Tawny, oh Tawny. I cannot wait to get to know her better in the next book.
Although the subject matter is a bit hard to stomach, I liked the author's writing style. I was so captivated by the story, I didn't realize I was at the end.
The ending of this book will definitely leave you wanting more.
This book, as short as it was, did exactly that to me.
You get introduced to Carter and Tawny when they're in high school and every new chapter skips 2 years into the future.
The book is from Carter's pov so you get mostly his back story. He's a broken boy who was dealt a pretty shity hand in life, who meets Tawny, an equally broken girl.
They form a bond out of that brokenness that seems so fragile from the very beginning, but you can't help to want for it to work out. Until that broken boy grows to be a completely different man.
I didn't know that this was a prequel to a novel, but I would have read it anyway.
The charter's are completely flawed and damaged. It would seem irrevocably so. Yet there's just something about them that I can't help but love and feel for.
Although I WANT to hate Carter, he's earned that hate, there's just something about his character that I can't completely loathe.
And I'm not excusing his behavior in ANY WAY. It's unforgivable, but I like the way the author gives you his pov so that you could maybe try and understand why he is the way he is.
And Tawny, oh Tawny. I cannot wait to get to know her better in the next book.
Although the subject matter is a bit hard to stomach, I liked the author's writing style. I was so captivated by the story, I didn't realize I was at the end.
The ending of this book will definitely leave you wanting more.
November 5, 2013
Well, well Jade Eby. You caught me a little off guard here! I really wasn't sure that I'd like this. The title kind of threw me off initially, but the summary sounded interesting so I thought I'd give it a read. I was surprised to be captivated by this story right away.
This book takes a look at the dysfunctional dynamic of an abusive relationship. We meet Carter as a teen from an abusive household who despises his father (the abuser). He falls for Tawny, a tough as nails pretty girl from the wrong side of the tracks. This story follows their relationship over the course of 10 years, as we watch to see if it's possible to break the cycle of abuse. It's hard to explain how I felt about this book without spoilers, so I'll just say that this was a well written, easy to read short story with a cliffhanger ending... I will be interested to see how things turn out for Carter and Tawny!
This book takes a look at the dysfunctional dynamic of an abusive relationship. We meet Carter as a teen from an abusive household who despises his father (the abuser). He falls for Tawny, a tough as nails pretty girl from the wrong side of the tracks. This story follows their relationship over the course of 10 years, as we watch to see if it's possible to break the cycle of abuse. It's hard to explain how I felt about this book without spoilers, so I'll just say that this was a well written, easy to read short story with a cliffhanger ending... I will be interested to see how things turn out for Carter and Tawny!
October 22, 2013
I can't wait to share this prequel story with you all! Look for Whiskey and a Gun later this fall!
Hop over to my FB page for more details and teasers!
Hop over to my FB page for more details and teasers!
Want to read
November 19, 2013So basically, I've been staring at this book for a while and am still debating on buying it. Am very conflicted. Read a lot of mixed reviews...
November 26, 2013
A hard read towards the end, but very gripping all the same! Compelling to see it from the abusers side. Short story. 63 pages.. however I believe there will be a full novel to follow soon!
March 17, 2014
★★★★Whisky and a Gun by Jade Eby (The Finish .5)
What the hell did I just read?!?!?!
I don't know how many times I was like don't finish this, just stop, but I couldn't. I had to watch it unfold. I seriously don't know how this went so horrifically wrong in such few pages. I can't think of 1 emotion that was not triggered during this brief read.
From the first line to the last,
after reading this, but know without a doubt I will read the next one.
What the hell did I just read?!?!?!
I don't know how many times I was like don't finish this, just stop, but I couldn't. I had to watch it unfold. I seriously don't know how this went so horrifically wrong in such few pages. I can't think of 1 emotion that was not triggered during this brief read.
From the first line to the last,
after reading this, but know without a doubt I will read the next one.
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