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Seven Years in Chicago: A Journey of Growth—Survival
What happens after the worst day in American history… when the world moves on, but you can’t?
On September 11, 2001, Jack Almanti was planning to propose.
By the end of the morning, the woman he loved was gone.
What follows isn’t recovery.
It’s unraveling.
In the years after 9/11, Jack spirals into alcoholism, fractured relationships, and a life he no longer recognizes. Grief doesn’t fade. It lingers, reshapes him, and refuses to let go.
Because Sarah isn’t entirely gone.
Her identical twin sister, Emily, is still here.
And she understands him in ways no one else can.
As Emily’s own life begins to crack beneath the surface, the bond between them deepens into something complicated, unspoken… and dangerous.
Not a love story in the traditional sense.
Not a story about moving on.
But a raw, character-driven exploration of grief, addiction, trauma, and the impossible space between letting go and holding on.
Seven Years in Chicago: Part I: Survival is a literary novel about the long shadow of loss in the years following 9/11.
Perfect for readers of The Kite Runner, The Lovely Bones, and A Little Life.
⭐ 4.5 IndieReader Rating — IR Approved
“An emotionally compelling exploration of love, regret, betrayals, grief, and human resilience.” — IndieReader
⭐ Reedsy Discovery – 4-Star Review
“Lived-in, raw, and painfully human.” — Reedsy Discovery
On September 11, 2001, Jack Almanti was planning to propose.
By the end of the morning, the woman he loved was gone.
What follows isn’t recovery.
It’s unraveling.
In the years after 9/11, Jack spirals into alcoholism, fractured relationships, and a life he no longer recognizes. Grief doesn’t fade. It lingers, reshapes him, and refuses to let go.
Because Sarah isn’t entirely gone.
Her identical twin sister, Emily, is still here.
And she understands him in ways no one else can.
As Emily’s own life begins to crack beneath the surface, the bond between them deepens into something complicated, unspoken… and dangerous.
Not a love story in the traditional sense.
Not a story about moving on.
But a raw, character-driven exploration of grief, addiction, trauma, and the impossible space between letting go and holding on.
Seven Years in Chicago: Part I: Survival is a literary novel about the long shadow of loss in the years following 9/11.
Perfect for readers of The Kite Runner, The Lovely Bones, and A Little Life.
⭐ 4.5 IndieReader Rating — IR Approved
“An emotionally compelling exploration of love, regret, betrayals, grief, and human resilience.” — IndieReader
⭐ Reedsy Discovery – 4-Star Review
“Lived-in, raw, and painfully human.” — Reedsy Discovery
- GenresFictionLiterary Fiction
411 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 21, 2024
About the author
John Altamura
5 books12 followersJohn Altamura is an American author of character-driven literary fiction exploring grief, resilience, and emotional survival in the aftermath of loss.
His debut novel, Seven Years in Chicago: A Journey of Growth | Part I: Survival, follows a man navigating trauma, addiction, fractured relationships, and the long shadow of September 11, 2001. The novel has received professional editorial recognition, including IndieReader Approved status with a 4.5-star rating and a featured review on Reedsy Discovery, where it was praised for its lived-in, raw, and painfully human portrayal of survival.
Altamura’s work focuses on the quiet consequences of catastrophe, the weight of memory, and the slow, nonlinear process of rebuilding a life after it breaks. His writing blends emotional realism with a deep sense of place, tracing how personal history, family, and geography shape identity over time.
He lives in Pennsylvania and is currently working on the next installment of the Seven Years in Chicago series.
His debut novel, Seven Years in Chicago: A Journey of Growth | Part I: Survival, follows a man navigating trauma, addiction, fractured relationships, and the long shadow of September 11, 2001. The novel has received professional editorial recognition, including IndieReader Approved status with a 4.5-star rating and a featured review on Reedsy Discovery, where it was praised for its lived-in, raw, and painfully human portrayal of survival.
Altamura’s work focuses on the quiet consequences of catastrophe, the weight of memory, and the slow, nonlinear process of rebuilding a life after it breaks. His writing blends emotional realism with a deep sense of place, tracing how personal history, family, and geography shape identity over time.
He lives in Pennsylvania and is currently working on the next installment of the Seven Years in Chicago series.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 18, 2024
I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for choosing me.
Did I feel bad for him? Yes. Was he likable? No.
I wanted to love it, but this just wasn't for me. Hopefully, this book finds its way to the right audience.
Did I feel bad for him? Yes. Was he likable? No.
I wanted to love it, but this just wasn't for me. Hopefully, this book finds its way to the right audience.
January 20, 2026
I just loved this book 📕 there are so many emotions flowing through this amazing book the Author really dug deep and captured the mind, heart n soul of his characters. The story will grap you from the beginning and you my friend will go on this emotional ride with them. I highly recommend this book and I appreciate the opportunity to read this amazing book I won on Goodreads!
May 30, 2026
I was drawn in and now I want more
I found the book thoroughly engaging and am eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series. The protagonist's character development resonated deeply with me throughout the narrative. And I almost dropped my Kindle when I read "to be continued.". Noooooo, please hurry!!
I found the book thoroughly engaging and am eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series. The protagonist's character development resonated deeply with me throughout the narrative. And I almost dropped my Kindle when I read "to be continued.". Noooooo, please hurry!!
June 10, 2025
I won a copy of this book on goodreads. This was an interesting read. I enjoyed it.
May 24, 2026
I enjoyed reading this book but I am hoping there is a sequel coming soon because the story is not finished .I would certainly read it as the writer knows how to write a good story that holds your interest.
May 20, 2025
Seven Years In Chicago offers a sincere, semi-biographical portrait of heartbreak, healing, and hope. Jack's move from Upstate New York to Chicago becomes more than a change of scenery—it's a transformative journey through emotional recovery and personal growth. Set between 2007 and 2014, the story captures the messy, sometimes beautiful realities of young adulthood: fleeting romances, struggling careers, and the search for meaning. Chicago’s streets come alive as both setting and symbol, reflecting Jack’s internal evolution. While some moments feel introspective and slow, they add to the realism. Altamura’s debut is honest and relatable, ideal for readers drawn to character-driven, emotionally layered stories.
December 15, 2025
Seven Years in Chicago: A Journey of Growth Survival by John Altamura
This was a deeply moving and honest read. Jack’s grief after 9/11 feels raw and real, and his struggle with guilt, addiction, and rebuilding his life is handled with compassion and authenticity. The relationship between Jack and Emily is especially complex and emotionally powerful, adding depth to every stage of the story.
What stood out most was how quietly hopeful this book is. It doesn’t rush healing or offer easy answers, but it shows how resilience can grow out of loss. A thoughtful, heartfelt story about survival, love, and finding a way forward after unimaginable tragedy.
This was a deeply moving and honest read. Jack’s grief after 9/11 feels raw and real, and his struggle with guilt, addiction, and rebuilding his life is handled with compassion and authenticity. The relationship between Jack and Emily is especially complex and emotionally powerful, adding depth to every stage of the story.
What stood out most was how quietly hopeful this book is. It doesn’t rush healing or offer easy answers, but it shows how resilience can grow out of loss. A thoughtful, heartfelt story about survival, love, and finding a way forward after unimaginable tragedy.
February 16, 2026
First let me say, I won this book thru Goodreads.
I really wanted to love this book, and after having it open on such a heartbreaking time, I wanted to go thru the pain and grief, and come out the other side, with growth, love and grace. My problem with the book is I didn't like any, not one of the characters, and so by the end of the book, I felt like I'd wasted my time with complete losers and have no interest in ever hearing of them again.
I really wanted to love this book, and after having it open on such a heartbreaking time, I wanted to go thru the pain and grief, and come out the other side, with growth, love and grace. My problem with the book is I didn't like any, not one of the characters, and so by the end of the book, I felt like I'd wasted my time with complete losers and have no interest in ever hearing of them again.
May 25, 2026
This book simply went on and on with the same old scenario getting nowhere until the last page. Come to find out this book is part one. The whole concept could have been written in one book, no parts one and two, and been more to the point and a whole lot better.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews