The Postcard

by Tom Connelly, Virtual Voice (Narrator)

Some things, no matter how hard you try, can never be forgotten.

In the heart of summer, as James Bailey prepares to leave his small-town life behind for college, he’s haunted by memories of his first love, Stacey. Their brief one-night affair lingers in his mind, but Stacey has moved on, now dating the charismatic lead singer of a hardcore band. When she unexpectedly invites James and his friends to their show at the iconic CBGB, he can’t resist the chance to go—despite his gut feeling that she has ulterior motives.

What starts as a day filled with laughter, nostalgia, and unexpected adventures in the bustling streets of New York City quickly spirals into a whirlwind of emotions for James. As the temperature rises, so do the stakes, forcing James to confront the reality of his feelings and the unshakeable bond they once shared. Will he find closure, or will this final encounter ignite a spark he thought had long been extinguished?

Join James on a journey of love, friendship, and the bittersweet nature of memories—because some things, no matter how hard you try, can never be forgotten.

Audible Audio

First published November 1, 2010

About the author

Tom Connelly is the author of The Mansion, Zworsky's Children, Charlie One, and Flight Unknown. He grew up in New York’s Hudson Valley and played drums and guitar in several underground bands in the 1990s. He was one of the founding members of ALL OUT WAR.

He also published two academic books, Cinema of Confinement (Northwestern University Press) and Capturing Digital Media (Bloomsbury) as Thomas J. Connelly.


https://www.tomconnellyfiction.com
Facebook: @tomconnellyauthor
X: @ivyscobie
Instagram: @tconnelly11

Reviews

[Mrs. C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a teenager in the mid 80's to early 90's, so this story really resonated with me. I also love heavy metal (as well as some goth/punk/indie rock) so I could relate to the music trajectory in the book as well. The author really captures the feel of the era... I could still relate to the boredom of youth, the colorful characters of friends, and the excitement of the music... arguing about bands, wearing the right clothes, going to shows, etc. There is also a sweetness and melancholy to the story, and an innocence of time past. It's a great coming-of-age story for metalheads, particularly those who grew up in suburbia. A lighthearted, fun read that will bring you back to an awesome era of music, pop culture and friends... I highly recommend this gem of a book

[C.L. Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Primarily set in the Hudson Valley against the backdrop of the suburban metal scene, The Postcard is a wonderfully written, bittersweet coming-of-age story. It draws you back into that brief time of youthful existence when baseball cards, music, and hanging out with friends were paramount. Though lighthearted at times, there is a genuine wistfulness to the writing and a sense of nostalgia that clings to every sentence. Connelly’s word choice is so pitch-perfect, I didn’t feel like I was being given a glimpse of the main character’s life; I was immersed in it. The Postcard is a solid debut novel. Looking forward to seeing what this author does next.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Postcard is my first book which I wrote in the early 2000s. The story takes place in August of 1990 in New York’s Hudson Valley / tri-state area. It is a journey narrative seen through the eyes of teenager James Bailey before he leaves for college in California and his unrequited feelings for Stacey. It is a short read with lots of humor and adventure. I do hope you enjoy the book. And thank you so much to those who already rated and reviewed the book. You can read other reviews on The Postcard on Amazon.

My second book is called The Bells which also takes place in the Hudson Valley. I am planning to write a third book on the Hudson Valley and hope to have that available in 2020.

[Marianela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good teen story

This book was good. I enjoyed the events that the main character uses to set the scene and mood about the days before leaving a small town for college. He uses realistic language for teenagers which was not to my liking, but would probably not offend a different younger reader. There were many errors that should have been edited, but it didn't detract from the storyline.