Christopher Franklin, the proud and only son of a New York literary royalty, from birth he is built and destined to nothing less than greatness. One day, out of disappointment, he makes the dangerous decision to change and turn into someone who is not. He consciously decides to entangle his life with a miserable soul. Abruptly he learns his first lesson from life, miserable souls only bring misery, with one act he will lose everything, in one evening he will be reduced to nothing. No greatness, he becomes a nobody.
Years passed by and Chris settled into his life as a taxi driver, Brooklyn is home, and the miserable soul is still around him and has gotten more miserable with the years. This time is different, he is a dad of two beautiful daughters with unconditional love, their safety is his new purpose in life, nothing and no one is above his girls. He also discovers a dear friendship with his neighbor and confidante, a place of solace.
One night, without warning, a triggered chain reaction will take Chris into a ride of a lifetime, nothing will be ever the same, lies and secrets are uncovered, he was played and fooled, he didn’t know anything about who he is and, once again, he is reduced to nothing, rock bottom is where he belongs. Suddenly, out of nowhere, greatness at last, he has the privilege to show who he is, royalty. He will rise while making sure others will fall, miserably.
Get ready for an emotional workout, because Intrinsic by W.H.B. is a brilliantly moving story that completely sucks you in.
At its heart, the book is about hitting rock bottom, losing everything you ever relied on, and having to rebuild your life from scratch. It follows Christopher Franklin, a truly fascinating character. The author brilliantly peels back the layers of his life piece by piece, showing how a young man with the world at his feet ended up working as a Brooklyn cab driver, trying to build a future for his daughters. The mystery of how he got there is a page-turner. I couldn’t stop reading because I just had to know his story.
The best part of the novel is how wonderfully real the characters feel. Christopher isn’t some flawless hero; his regrets, struggles, and fierce determination are written with genuine, raw emotion. You can’t help but root for him, and the fierce love he has for his daughters gives the book a massive emotional punch.
The author paints Brooklyn so vividly you can practically hear the streets, using a beautifully effortless writing style. The book balances heartbreaking lows with genuine glimmers of hope and reflection, without ever feeling rushed.
Ultimately, this is a powerful story about falling down, picking up the pieces, and discovering what actually matters in life. If you love deep, character driven novels that keep you hooked, Intrinsic is well worth your time.
📚Intrinsic ✍🏻W.H.B Blurb: Christopher Franklin, the proud and only son of a New York literary royalty, from birth he is built and destined to nothing less than greatness. One day, out of disappointment, he makes the dangerous decision to change and turn into someone who is not. He consciously decides to entangle his life with a miserable soul. Abruptly he learns his first lesson from life, miserable souls only bring misery, with one act he will lose everything, in one evening he will be reduced to nothing. No greatness, he becomes a nobody.
Years passed by and Chris settled into his life as a taxi driver, Brooklyn is home, and the miserable soul is still around him and has gotten more miserable with the years. This time is different, he is a dad of two beautiful daughters with unconditional love, their safety is his new purpose in life, nothing and no one is above his girls. He also discovers a dear friendship with his neighbor and confidante, a place of solace.
One night, without warning, a triggered chain reaction will take Chris into a ride of a lifetime, nothing will be ever the same, lies and secrets are uncovered, he was played and fooled, he didn’t know anything about who he is and, once again, he is reduced to nothing, rock bottom is where he belongs. Suddenly, out of nowhere, greatness at last, he has the privilege to show who he is, royalty. He will rise while making sure others will fall, miserably.
Life is fair, but not for all. My Thoughts: Intrinsic by W.H.B. is a thoughtful, well-paced novel about identity, consequences, and personal growth. Christopher Franklin, the main character. Throughout the novel, we get to see moments across Chris' life, which are captivating and easy to follow.Chris and those around him were carefully revealed to create suspense and show the reader how he ended up where he is as a taxi driver, father, proud Brooklyn resident and as a person. Chris’s journey from privilege to rock bottom and back is raw, painful, and ultimately inspiring. W.H.B.’s writing is full of emotion and cinematic detail that depict the streets of Brooklyn. At the emotional core of the story is Chris’s love for his daughters and his bond with a quiet, steadfast neighbor. As the past drama begins to unfold, we learn that Chris was once a popular boy in high school, destined for a romantic match with his first love. With lyrical prose, emotional depth, and a cinematic pulse, Intrinsic is a masterful story of regret, fatherhood, identity, and quiet revenge. Gritty yet tender, Thanks NetGalley, W.H.B Author and Publisher for the advanced copy of "Intrinsic" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation. #NetGalley #W.H.B #Intrinsic ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a difficult book for me to rate. There were moments where I could see exactly what the author was trying to accomplish, but there were also quite a few things that didn’t quite work for me, leaving me feeling very conflicted by the end.
INTRINSIC follows Chris Franklin, the only son of a famous New York literary family. After making a life-altering decision in his youth, Chris loses everything: his status, his ambition, and the sense of self he had built for himself. Ten years later, he is working as a taxi driver in Brooklyn, raising his two daughters with his wife, Mary. As pieces of his past begin to resurface, Chris is forced to confront who he really is and whether he can become the person he was always meant to be.
This book explores identity, class, family, betrayal, redemption, and resilience against the backdrop of the 2008 financial crisis and Barack Obama’s election. Going into this book, I think I expected something a little different based on the setup. The secrets, family drama, and Chris’s mysterious past gave the impression that the story might lean more toward a thriller or mystery, but INTRINSIC is much more of a character-driven novel. At its core, this is a story about morality, destiny, sacrifice, and what truly defines a person.
Chris was easily the strongest part of the book for me. Following his journey from childhood into adulthood, through failure, loss, resilience, and the search for who he truly is, was compelling. I found myself invested in his story and the questions the novel was exploring.
There were also moments where the storytelling really stood out. One flashback sequence involving Chris, Mary, Josh, and Meaghan was especially memorable. The way the scene moved between perspectives felt almost cinematic, and I could clearly picture everything unfolding in my mind. It was one of those moments that reminded me of the potential this story had.
Where I struggled was with some of the execution. The dialogue often felt stiff, and I think the lack of dialogue tags and grounding action contributed to some conversations feeling unnatural. I also had difficulty with some of the characterization, especially Mary. I understood that she was intentionally written as a disturbing and morally corrupt character, but some of her later actions and comments involving her daughter crossed a line for me. Those moments didn’t add the complexity I was hoping for and instead became distracting, making it harder for me to stay engaged with the story.
At the end of the day, I think this book had a lot of potential. There were moments of beautiful storytelling and writing that posed interesting questions on identity and morality, and what shapes a person. However, I just think that some of the style choices and character decisions made it hard for me to stay fully invested. I’m glad I read it, but it ultimately landed somewhere in the middle for me.
Intrinsic by W.H.B. is a haunting, beautifully written exploration of the human spirit, its fragility, its fallibility, and ultimately, its ability to rise from the ashes. Through the life of Christopher Franklin, W.H.B. tells a story that is at once deeply personal and universally resonant. Born into literary royalty and destined for greatness, Christopher’s fall from grace is both tragic and painfully believable. One decision, one entanglement with a toxic soul, sets off a chain of consequences that strip him of everything, his status, his dreams, and his sense of self.
Years later, now a taxi driver in Brooklyn and a father of two, Christopher is quietly rebuilding. His love for his daughters becomes the bedrock of a new identity, one rooted not in legacy or reputation, but in fierce, unrelenting love. When life throws him yet another curve, what follows is a heart-pounding ride through secrets, betrayal, and ultimately, self-discovery.
W.H.B.’s prose is intimate and lyrical, balancing raw emotional depth with moments of insight and unexpected humor. The author doesn’t shy away from life’s messiness, he leans into it, allowing readers to see Christopher not just as a fallen man, but as a fully human one. The transformation that follows is nothing short of breathtaking.
Intrinsic is more than a story of rise and fall,it’s a testament to how greatness isn’t inherited or bestowed; it’s earned, often through pain. A powerful, unforgettable read. Five stars, without hesitation.
INTRINSIC left me with genuinely mixed feelings, which is not a comfortable place to land after finishing a book. There is a compelling story somewhere in here, one about identity, class, and what happens when a person gets reduced to nothing and has to figure out who they actually are without all the things that used to define them. Chris Franklin is the kind of character worth following. Watching him move from literary royalty to Brooklyn taxi driver, and then slowly reckon with everything he thought he knew about himself and his life, kept me reading even when other parts of the book were working against me.
The biggest hurdle for me was the writing style. So much of what happens in INTRINSIC is told rather than shown. Events that should have weight, decisions that should feel earned, emotional beats that needed room to breathe, most of it gets relayed rather than rendered. There were moments, a flashback sequence in particular, where the storytelling shifted into something more cinematic and alive, and those moments made me wish the whole book had been written that way. Instead, the narrative often moves at a distance from its own story, which made it harder to stay fully inside it.
The premise is genuinely good, and the identity themes at the center of Chris's arc are worth exploring. This is a book about what is intrinsic to a person when everything external is stripped away, and that is a real question. I just wish the execution had matched the ambition. I am glad I read it but I came away wanting more from it than it was willing to give.
W.H.B.’s Intrinsic is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of identity, purpose, and the human condition. From the very first page, the author draws readers into a deeply introspective journey that challenges conventional thinking and inspires self-reflection. The prose is poetic yet grounded, blending philosophy, psychology, and storytelling in a way that feels both intimate and universal.
What makes Intrinsic truly stand out is its emotional depth and intellectual clarity. W.H.B. masterfully unpacks complex ideas—like inner worth, motivation, and authenticity—without ever feeling preachy or abstract. Each chapter feels like a quiet conversation with a trusted guide, gently urging the reader to examine their own values and what it means to live a life driven by meaning rather than external validation.
The book is as beautifully written as it is insightful. With striking metaphors and clear, elegant language, W.H.B. delivers page after page of wisdom that lingers long after reading. Intrinsic is not just a book—it’s an invitation to reconnect with your truest self.
Whether you’re at a crossroads in life or simply seeking a deeper sense of clarity, Intrinsic is a must-read. Honest, empowering, and profoundly moving, this book deserves a place on every thoughtful reader’s shelf.
Intrinsic by W.H.B. was a difficult read for me. It felt slow because there was so much detail about things that didn’t matter as much—trivial actions, emotions, directions, and places. Meanwhile, the areas that needed more development, like character motivation and depth, felt underdeveloped.
By the end of the story, I still had too many unanswered questions that I think every story should address. My biggest issue, though, was that almost everything was told instead of shown. Very little actually played out on the page, which made the book feel slower and longer than it needed to be. It was honestly a physically exhausting read.
I do think the premise was good, but much of the execution felt contrived instead of flowing naturally and allowing the different storylines to connect organically.
I liked Chris, but I had mixed feelings about his character. He came across as too much of a pushover. He recognized red flags over and over again but kept ignoring them, and it took until the very end for him to finally grow. I also think he waited far too long to step up when it came to the kids.
In the end, I really wanted to enjoy this book because I liked the concept, but the execution just wasn’t for me.
One of the things I enjoyed most about Intrinsic was watching Chris evolve over the course of the story. He starts out with every opportunity in front of him, but one bad decision changes the direction of his life completely. I found myself rooting for him because, despite all of his mistakes, his love for his daughters never wavered, and that gave the story a lot of heart.
The book takes its time developing Chris as a person, so his journey feels earned rather than rushed. I also liked how the mystery surrounding his past slowly unfolds instead of revealing everything at once. As more secrets come to light, the story becomes harder to put down, and I wanted to see how everything would come together.
While there are a few dramatic moments, they fit the emotional tone of the novel and reinforce its themes of identity, resilience, and second chances. By the end, I felt like I'd gone through the highs and lows of Chris's life right alongside him.
If you enjoy character-driven stories with family, redemption, and a bit of suspense mixed in, Intrinsic is definitely worth picking up.
INTRINSIC by W.H.B is an interesting novel that takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster. The book portrays the naivety of youth, the mistakes of coming of age, and the consequences of choices. Just as the author says, "life is fair but not for all." The author did a great job with world-building and character development.
The story is immersive, engaging, and suspenseful, and captures the reader's attention right from the first page. The story of Chris, with its twists and turns and the life he leads as a result of the choices he makes, leaves a lot to be admired and offers valuable lessons, especially for the youth. But his resilience and commitment to his children's well-being and safety make him likeable. The story ends on a positive note, proving that indeed life unfolds according to fate, whether we like it or not.
Not one of my favorites, but it was ok. The premise is this rich, charming young man who has everything anybody could want, loses it all after making a really bad decision. For years he lives with the consequences of this decision, but suddenly, everything changes again and he gets his life back. The story opens with him driving his cab in New York, and goes home to an ordinary life in Brooklyn, where is married and has 2 daughters. Then the story shifts to how he (Chris) was before he was a taxi driver. He had just graduated high school, good, responsible kid with a bright future. Then it comes crashing down and we witness how he devolves to be a taxi driver. I won’t give away the ending, but everything works out in the end. Reminded me of “The Prince and the Pauper” with the main character playing both roles.
This was an interesting read, with many life lessons shoved next to one another, almost in a non-sensical way. It was a very slow read too, with extreme descriptions taking up a lot of the narrative. Anytime someone entered a room, every thing was detailed, from the person's hair to what was on the walls. It felt a little exhaustive at times.
While this book had a lovable character in the center (Chris), with a lovely relationship between his daughters, loyal friend and childhood love, I had a hard time with the way other characters were portrayed. I felt some were just plain evil, to excess, to the point that it was unbelievable that Chris would fall for their actions. And while Sami and his games added a level of intrigue, it often felt forced and I wanted to learn more about him and his background to understand where he was coming from.
The story lacked a natural flow and read like a 1st draft in need of editing. I struggled with the simplistic writing style and wooden pacing throughout. The clunky fact-based detail was distracting & unnecessary. Way too much detail on information the reader can easily infer. At first I assumed the winded details were foreshadowing but quickly learned it was simply redundant overkill. Then the final approx 20% was completely confusing. I read and re-read sections of Sami's narrative of how he was going to fool people but it made no sense, regardless of how many passes I made. The only thing I could not recommend this book for reading. Proofreading and editing, yes, but recreational reading, no. Maybe to someone I didnt like.....
The intriguing and dramatic prologue to INTRINSIC will entice the reader on, desperate to reach the judgment and denouement the narrator lures their reader towards. The sophisticated vocabulary will appeal to the learned reader who enjoys the melodious language of a text as if it were read aloud. As W.H.B. writes meticulously with particular attention to the otherwise mundane routines of daily life, the analytical reader will also be thoroughly engaged, primed to reach their own conclusion of the events as the narrative weaves its way through time, back and forth; a thoroughly absorbing novel that will appeal to readers of many genres.
Hits the spot for fans of surprise endings. With this story, you get to see how choices alter Chris's life. The author seamlessly makes the transitions from different points in his life. I think his unconditional love for his daughters gives the book heart and Chris hope. It's a story of highs and lows and is character-driven and explores relationships. I enjoyed the emotional aspect of this book. Beautifully written in an easy-to-read style. It's definitely worth the read. Lots of twists and turns.
This is an incredible story of a young man's journey to find out what he is made of. The main character starts out with everything, loses it all, starts over, and eventually finds his way.
It is the story of learning the hard truth: that blame doesn't change your future, only you can.
Great read for anyone who likes emotional novels and likes a hero with integrity.