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It Rhymes With Truth
Two people wrestle with their pasts while they struggle with a vexing question: Is it possible to save someone else who may not want to be saved?
Sometimes the truth sets us free, but most of the time it's the scariest thing in the world—so scary it keeps us on the run for our entire lives. When an eight-and-a-half-year-old homeless boy and an eccentric elderly woman trapped in a retirement community forge a fragile bond and become each other's accidental family, they have one rule: Never speak about before. But the truth has a way of catching up, and when the pair's bond is tested, they may finally have to face their pasts—or they could just run like hell. Their fateful decisions lead to misadventures that include a thirty-mile taxi ride, smuggled brownies, angry bees, a soundtrack by Cole Porter, and a rising body count that is (mostly) not their fault.
Sometimes the truth sets us free, but most of the time it's the scariest thing in the world—so scary it keeps us on the run for our entire lives. When an eight-and-a-half-year-old homeless boy and an eccentric elderly woman trapped in a retirement community forge a fragile bond and become each other's accidental family, they have one rule: Never speak about before. But the truth has a way of catching up, and when the pair's bond is tested, they may finally have to face their pasts—or they could just run like hell. Their fateful decisions lead to misadventures that include a thirty-mile taxi ride, smuggled brownies, angry bees, a soundtrack by Cole Porter, and a rising body count that is (mostly) not their fault.
- GenresFiction
230 pages, Paperback
Published June 17, 2024
About the author
Rich Miller
1 book23 followersRich Miller has been a professional writer for more than 25 years. His remarkable debut novel It Rhymes With Truth is a tragi-comic tale of an obstreperous elderly woman and even more obstreperous young boy trying to save themselves by attempting to save one another. His upcoming novel, Love Will Surely Save You, If It Doesn’t Kill You First, will answer the burning question of who is to blame for this colossal mess we humans have gotten ourselves into. Miller wishes he had written Cat’s Cradle, Beloved and Ubik, but nobody’s perfect. He lives in the Pacific Northwest where the wild things are.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 23, 2024
Desperately hungry, a homeless boy goes to a retirement home to steal some bird seed out of people’s bird feeders. As he cracks some of them with rocks to get to the edible bits, he looks up and sees one of the residents staring at him. Startled into stillness, she does something he could never have predicted. She feeds him. Plying him with cookies and milk, she soon gains his trust – enough to lure him into her room where she slowly wins him over with kindness.
“Everyone needs someone. Someone to love. And someone to love them.”
– Ruth, “It Rhymes with Truth”
We soon become invested in their newfound life and relationship. Guided by a set of “truisms” (rules really) – especially NO TALKING OF THE PAST – they both quickly realize that hiding a boy in her room is no small feat, especially when it comes to dealing with sickness, shopping trips, and snoops.
Through the boy’s eyes, we sense his confusion. He doesn’t really know what to make of his new companion. She talks, makes bad jokes, and bosses him around far too much, but she puts a roof over his head, feeds him when he’s hungry, and defends him. She cares about his welfare and hides him from the administrators and from Millie, another resident who catches him and threatens to expose them. Ruth loves the Mariners, and she seems to love him. Or does she? The boy thinks of running away multiple times, and one day, he almost succeeds – but then she runs away with him! They end up embarking on a 30-mile taxi ride and holiday that changes both their lives forever.
“It Rhymes with Truth” by Rich Miller, a contemporary fictional novel written in the first person, is addressed to the unnamed narrator’s benefactor, Ruth. Written in a nonlinear fashion ten years after he started living with her, the narrator has made the most of Ruth’s help, and he’s formed a better life for himself.
Cleverly written using epistolary elements, we’re given a sneak peek into the depth of their affection for each other. Despite his initial resistance – or, dare we say, bursts of rebellion and cantankerousness – it seems that, by the time he’s written the book, he’s come to appreciate the family that he’s found, along with the lessons taught him by the other residents in the home.
Touching, humbling, and thought-provoking, “It Rhymes with Truth” is a beautifully written piece of fiction. Choosing the boy to tell this story emphasizes his innocence and gives us an intimate understanding of how his psyche has been shaped by his rough childhood. His downright mulishness with Ruth, as well as his recalcitrance at her overtures in some instances, make even more sense given what he’s had to go through to survive. His unique voice and perspective add richness to his thoughts and emotions, providing an engaging and unusual way to make the story more believable. In him, we can project the lost child within ourselves. Rich Miller has a natural understanding of human psychology, and it shines through in his writing.
Heavily character-driven, it is the relationship forged on loneliness and longing for love between Ruth and the narrator that drives the story forward. Rich Miller’s choice to employ a conversational and confessional tone throughout draws and compels us as readers, while his straightforward dialogue highlights their crazy banter and deep conversations on life, pain, and death. The narrator’s growth as both he and Ruth navigate the complexities and strengths of their bond warms our hearts even as we laugh and grimace at their shenanigans.
Most of us long for a champion to save us from the ravages of the world, and in “It Rhymes with Truth,” the narrator finds it in Ruth. Though initially determined to protect himself from further rejection, it is Ruth’s kindness and compassion that finally win the boy over, coaxing him to open his heart to all its possibilities. The space this creates allows the others to squeeze through and help him build his future when Ruth is no longer able to.
Beyond the lessons of love, friendship, guilt, death, and family within its pages, this book resonates with the profundity of faith. Ruth’s ability to see the boy for who he is beneath the dirt and grime, as well as her belief in his capabilities permits him to recognize them within himself. Our past inevitably influences our present, but it’s inspiring to realize that having even one person in our corner can change the course of our lives – if we let them. Faith grows when nothing is certain, and healing comes only when we allow others into our hearts.
A homeless eight-(and a half)-year-old boy. A lonely retiree. A relationship borne from solitude and a future saved by compassion. It is the balance between light and dark, humor and introspection, loneliness and friendship, vulnerability and resilience that adds layers of authenticity and emotional depth through the story, inviting us to reflect on our own lives and relationships. “It Rhymes with Truth” by Rich Miller has something for everyone, and its message will remain with us long after we’ve reached the final page.
“Everyone needs someone. Someone to love. And someone to love them.”
– Ruth, “It Rhymes with Truth”
We soon become invested in their newfound life and relationship. Guided by a set of “truisms” (rules really) – especially NO TALKING OF THE PAST – they both quickly realize that hiding a boy in her room is no small feat, especially when it comes to dealing with sickness, shopping trips, and snoops.
Through the boy’s eyes, we sense his confusion. He doesn’t really know what to make of his new companion. She talks, makes bad jokes, and bosses him around far too much, but she puts a roof over his head, feeds him when he’s hungry, and defends him. She cares about his welfare and hides him from the administrators and from Millie, another resident who catches him and threatens to expose them. Ruth loves the Mariners, and she seems to love him. Or does she? The boy thinks of running away multiple times, and one day, he almost succeeds – but then she runs away with him! They end up embarking on a 30-mile taxi ride and holiday that changes both their lives forever.
“It Rhymes with Truth” by Rich Miller, a contemporary fictional novel written in the first person, is addressed to the unnamed narrator’s benefactor, Ruth. Written in a nonlinear fashion ten years after he started living with her, the narrator has made the most of Ruth’s help, and he’s formed a better life for himself.
Cleverly written using epistolary elements, we’re given a sneak peek into the depth of their affection for each other. Despite his initial resistance – or, dare we say, bursts of rebellion and cantankerousness – it seems that, by the time he’s written the book, he’s come to appreciate the family that he’s found, along with the lessons taught him by the other residents in the home.
Touching, humbling, and thought-provoking, “It Rhymes with Truth” is a beautifully written piece of fiction. Choosing the boy to tell this story emphasizes his innocence and gives us an intimate understanding of how his psyche has been shaped by his rough childhood. His downright mulishness with Ruth, as well as his recalcitrance at her overtures in some instances, make even more sense given what he’s had to go through to survive. His unique voice and perspective add richness to his thoughts and emotions, providing an engaging and unusual way to make the story more believable. In him, we can project the lost child within ourselves. Rich Miller has a natural understanding of human psychology, and it shines through in his writing.
Heavily character-driven, it is the relationship forged on loneliness and longing for love between Ruth and the narrator that drives the story forward. Rich Miller’s choice to employ a conversational and confessional tone throughout draws and compels us as readers, while his straightforward dialogue highlights their crazy banter and deep conversations on life, pain, and death. The narrator’s growth as both he and Ruth navigate the complexities and strengths of their bond warms our hearts even as we laugh and grimace at their shenanigans.
Most of us long for a champion to save us from the ravages of the world, and in “It Rhymes with Truth,” the narrator finds it in Ruth. Though initially determined to protect himself from further rejection, it is Ruth’s kindness and compassion that finally win the boy over, coaxing him to open his heart to all its possibilities. The space this creates allows the others to squeeze through and help him build his future when Ruth is no longer able to.
Beyond the lessons of love, friendship, guilt, death, and family within its pages, this book resonates with the profundity of faith. Ruth’s ability to see the boy for who he is beneath the dirt and grime, as well as her belief in his capabilities permits him to recognize them within himself. Our past inevitably influences our present, but it’s inspiring to realize that having even one person in our corner can change the course of our lives – if we let them. Faith grows when nothing is certain, and healing comes only when we allow others into our hearts.
A homeless eight-(and a half)-year-old boy. A lonely retiree. A relationship borne from solitude and a future saved by compassion. It is the balance between light and dark, humor and introspection, loneliness and friendship, vulnerability and resilience that adds layers of authenticity and emotional depth through the story, inviting us to reflect on our own lives and relationships. “It Rhymes with Truth” by Rich Miller has something for everyone, and its message will remain with us long after we’ve reached the final page.
August 14, 2024
If you’re looking for a novel that not only entertains but also challenges you to think and feel deeply, "It Rhymes With Truth" is a must-read. Highly recommended!
November 9, 2024
-Giveaway winner-
It Rhymes with Truth by Rich Miller is a touching and heartwarming story about the unexpected friendship between a young boy and Ruth, an elderly woman in a retirement home. Their bond, built on kindness and humor, is both funny and deeply moving. The boy’s difficult past and Ruth’s wisdom bring depth to the story, highlighting themes of loneliness, trust, and healing. The novel is full of moments of laughter and reflection, with witty dialogue that makes the characters feel real. What stands out is the gentle, yet powerful way the book explores how small gestures of kindness can change lives. It’s a beautifully written, uplifting read that I truly enjoyed.
It Rhymes with Truth by Rich Miller is a touching and heartwarming story about the unexpected friendship between a young boy and Ruth, an elderly woman in a retirement home. Their bond, built on kindness and humor, is both funny and deeply moving. The boy’s difficult past and Ruth’s wisdom bring depth to the story, highlighting themes of loneliness, trust, and healing. The novel is full of moments of laughter and reflection, with witty dialogue that makes the characters feel real. What stands out is the gentle, yet powerful way the book explores how small gestures of kindness can change lives. It’s a beautifully written, uplifting read that I truly enjoyed.
January 19, 2026
Full review on my blog, "This Writer Reads." Here is an excerpt:
This unique novel about a homeless boy and the kind elderly woman who takes him in was an intriguing read, but was weighed down by the depressingly tragic story, and spoiled itself with details mentioned too soon.
A homeless 8-year-old boy desperate for food grabs seeds from elderly Ruth’s birdfeeder and bashes them open with a rock. She puts out some milk and a cookie for him, then hides behind the curtain watching. Scared like a spooked animal, the boy freezes and doesn’t dare go near the cookie. After a few hours, he goes for it and realizes that Ruth isn’t going to grab him. Later on, he finds himself in her retirement complex unit watching a baseball game, something he is obsessed with. Ruth tries to chat with him with puns and strange sayings, but he insults every word from her mouth and considers escaping constantly. That doesn’t stop Ruth from sneaking him food from the dining hall (which he complains about), buying him new clothes (which he complains about), or playing card games with him to cheer him up and pass the time (which he complains about). Will the boy ever soften to allow this little old lady’s attempts at showing him love into his hardened heart?
This was a dreary book. It’s one of those stories in which you keep turning the pages, hoping things get better, but it just doesn’t happen. Marketed as a “tragi-comic tale” of found family, this novel is devoid of humor and warmth.
I had a hard time enjoying this story because, partway through the book, we are given a massive spoiler that ruins any hope the reader might have for the characters. It’s a painfully depressing read. If you’re looking for a feel-good novel with a happy ending or a found family story, look elsewhere. The story is bleak, and it gets worse as the reader continues through the book. I couldn’t stand the boy and his treatment of the woman who took him in, fed him, and showed him love. I kept reading because I was invested in their relationship, hoping to see their situation improve. However, I feel sadder and more hopeless after reading this downer of a story.
Click here to see the full review with Spoiler Discussion for those who have read the book!
This unique novel about a homeless boy and the kind elderly woman who takes him in was an intriguing read, but was weighed down by the depressingly tragic story, and spoiled itself with details mentioned too soon.
A homeless 8-year-old boy desperate for food grabs seeds from elderly Ruth’s birdfeeder and bashes them open with a rock. She puts out some milk and a cookie for him, then hides behind the curtain watching. Scared like a spooked animal, the boy freezes and doesn’t dare go near the cookie. After a few hours, he goes for it and realizes that Ruth isn’t going to grab him. Later on, he finds himself in her retirement complex unit watching a baseball game, something he is obsessed with. Ruth tries to chat with him with puns and strange sayings, but he insults every word from her mouth and considers escaping constantly. That doesn’t stop Ruth from sneaking him food from the dining hall (which he complains about), buying him new clothes (which he complains about), or playing card games with him to cheer him up and pass the time (which he complains about). Will the boy ever soften to allow this little old lady’s attempts at showing him love into his hardened heart?
This was a dreary book. It’s one of those stories in which you keep turning the pages, hoping things get better, but it just doesn’t happen. Marketed as a “tragi-comic tale” of found family, this novel is devoid of humor and warmth.
I had a hard time enjoying this story because, partway through the book, we are given a massive spoiler that ruins any hope the reader might have for the characters. It’s a painfully depressing read. If you’re looking for a feel-good novel with a happy ending or a found family story, look elsewhere. The story is bleak, and it gets worse as the reader continues through the book. I couldn’t stand the boy and his treatment of the woman who took him in, fed him, and showed him love. I kept reading because I was invested in their relationship, hoping to see their situation improve. However, I feel sadder and more hopeless after reading this downer of a story.
Click here to see the full review with Spoiler Discussion for those who have read the book!
July 15, 2026
What stayed with me most after reading It Rhymes With Truth is how effortlessly Rich Miller balances heartbreak with humor. On the surface, it's an unlikely story about an eight-year-old homeless boy and an elderly woman in a retirement community, but beneath the quirky adventures is a deeply moving exploration of trauma, trust, and the fear of confronting the past.
What makes the novel especially compelling is the relationship between its two central characters. Their decision never to talk about "before" feels understandable from the very beginning, making their growing bond feel authentic rather than sentimental. Watching them become an accidental family is both touching and quietly heartbreaking because you know the truths they're avoiding can't stay hidden forever.
I also appreciated the novel's remarkable tonal balance. One moment you're smiling at the absurdity of smuggled brownies, runaway taxi rides, or disasters that somehow keep escalating, and the next you're confronted with questions about loneliness, survival, and whether people can ever truly outrun the lives they've lived. That blend of wit and emotional depth gives the story an originality that lingers well after the final page.
It Rhymes With Truth will resonate with readers who enjoy literary fiction with heart, character-driven novels, found-family stories, book clubs, contemporary fiction, emotionally layered humor, and anyone drawn to stories that find hope without pretending life is simple.
What makes the novel especially compelling is the relationship between its two central characters. Their decision never to talk about "before" feels understandable from the very beginning, making their growing bond feel authentic rather than sentimental. Watching them become an accidental family is both touching and quietly heartbreaking because you know the truths they're avoiding can't stay hidden forever.
I also appreciated the novel's remarkable tonal balance. One moment you're smiling at the absurdity of smuggled brownies, runaway taxi rides, or disasters that somehow keep escalating, and the next you're confronted with questions about loneliness, survival, and whether people can ever truly outrun the lives they've lived. That blend of wit and emotional depth gives the story an originality that lingers well after the final page.
It Rhymes With Truth will resonate with readers who enjoy literary fiction with heart, character-driven novels, found-family stories, book clubs, contemporary fiction, emotionally layered humor, and anyone drawn to stories that find hope without pretending life is simple.
July 27, 2024
I believe I have never read anything as poorly written as this book. It feels childish with all the pictures that are scribbled inside. Why did the author not use a glossary instead of footnotes???
Who does that? Bird pictures are used to break up chapters or POV???This is not a very well-developed storyline, and characters are lacking. So, if it's for kids leave the pics if not get rid of them if you are writing for adults. There is not a correlation for these two characters who are supposed to be saving each other?? I couldn't find it.
Who does that? Bird pictures are used to break up chapters or POV???This is not a very well-developed storyline, and characters are lacking. So, if it's for kids leave the pics if not get rid of them if you are writing for adults. There is not a correlation for these two characters who are supposed to be saving each other?? I couldn't find it.
July 15, 2026
One of my favorite books I have ever read. This is such a different kind of story and narrative structure that completely disrupts the classic bestseller monotony to bring something that is deeply relatable and incredibly unique. The character development is shown instead of told and the plot is devastating in parts and incredibly heartwarming in others, and one of my favorite things about it were that there were jokes in the footnotes, and little photos and sketches throughout, which really added to the sense of realness, like you really are reading someone’s scrapbook.
July 28, 2024
Cute and funny story that will tug at your heart strings until they pop right out. Felt the tension build throughout. Vivid imagery and language made the story really come alive. Fantastic writing. Looking forward to more!
August 13, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews