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Two Watches: A novel of fathers, sons, memory, and the secrets we leave behind
"My second watch. I want it back now.”
That was the last thing Will’s father ever said to him.
After his father’s death, Will returns to the apartment - the place where grief still hangs in the air.
There, among dust and silence, he discovers something a scroll-wrapped painting of the Baltic Sea…
As Will follows the thread of this hidden past — stretching from Ireland to 1991 Lithuania — he begins to uncover not only his father’s secrets, but the truth of his own the loss of a brother, the silence of a family, and the legacy of love left unspoken.
Two Watches is a moving literary mystery about memory, identity, and the quiet power of the stories we leave behind.
That was the last thing Will’s father ever said to him.
After his father’s death, Will returns to the apartment - the place where grief still hangs in the air.
There, among dust and silence, he discovers something a scroll-wrapped painting of the Baltic Sea…
As Will follows the thread of this hidden past — stretching from Ireland to 1991 Lithuania — he begins to uncover not only his father’s secrets, but the truth of his own the loss of a brother, the silence of a family, and the legacy of love left unspoken.
Two Watches is a moving literary mystery about memory, identity, and the quiet power of the stories we leave behind.
160 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 28, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
February 19, 2026
Tom Slattery’s Two Watches: A novel of fathers, sons, memories and secrets is an emotional, well-written and thought-provoking novel. It does not rely on a dramatic, twisty plot. Rather, the story unfolds with the death of the protagonist’s father in Dublin and takes the reader from Ireland to Lithuania and back. This beautiful novel successfully explores families, the father-son relationship, love, loss, memory, and hidden secrets. To say it held my attention is an understatement. I devoured the book in one sitting, staying up late to finish it. I am glad I read this book. It made me think about so many things. I commend it to others.
November 18, 2025
This book is about the relationship between a father and son; some feelings expressed, others tucked quietly inside. From my own experience, it truly is hard to see parental actions from a child's point of view. Often, they don’t make sense, despite the love and safety that surround us. The sacrifices, the traumas, and the rebuilding of life do take a toll on one’s soul. As I went through the pages, I could feel all the unexpressed thoughts and appreciation calling out to me, urging me to be brave enough to confess, especially to my own family, for sure!
This was a short read, and I also learned about a few historical events. I think this is one of those books that even the younger generation can read and appreciate. The uncertainties of life are inevitable, but the memories and the bonds that hold us together stay with us for a long, long time.
Highly recommended! 100%.
This was a short read, and I also learned about a few historical events. I think this is one of those books that even the younger generation can read and appreciate. The uncertainties of life are inevitable, but the memories and the bonds that hold us together stay with us for a long, long time.
Highly recommended! 100%.
November 28, 2025
I just finished reading this book. It follows Will, who discovers two mysterious watches after his father’s death, sending him down a path of family secrets he never expected. I loved how the story moves between Will’s present and his father’s past in Lithuania during the early ’90s.The mystery behind the watches kept me turning pages; it’s under 200 pages, but it feels full and complete. If you enjoy thoughtful stories about family, identity, and rediscovering the truth, this is definitely worth reading.
November 20, 2025
Rob Slattery's novel, Two Watches, is an amazing, page-turner of a novel, examining the lives of two families--one in Ireland and one in Lithuania during the times of Soviet rule and independence--whose lives intersect and both run parallel in terms of family tragedies. The bond between the Irish son, Will, and his father and mother, are explored, as well as the effect of the loss of Will's older brother, Tom, on the family over the years, as well as the ill health of his mother. The story is told in alternating viewpoints of the father, James, and Tom. James travels to Lithuania, where he meets Emilis, a talented artist and musician, and this is where we learn about Emilis' family and their own personal tragedies. Author Slattery expertly weaves the tales of the two families together to make this a fascinating tale of family love, loss, and growth, that will have you turning pages to see what is going to happen next.
October 22, 2025
This book is really about the friendship between the narrator's father and a man from Lithuania who gets caught up in fighting for Lithuanian independence. The men share things in common and are made closer because of that, so we can see from the Irish son's point of view what the Lithuanian family went through. Though it was somewhat informal, with lots of conversational phrases, that gave it the feeling the narrator was simply telling the story, and that was powerful; it worked.
October 30, 2025
Two Watches is a beautifully written and deeply emotional literary mystery that lingers long after the last page. Through Will’s quiet journey of grief and discovery, the novel weaves together love, loss, and the haunting pull of the past. With poetic prose and a story that spans generations and continents, it explores how silence can shape families — and how uncovering the truth can finally set them free.
January 20, 2026
A Truly Heartfelt and Thoughtful Novel
This novel shares the intricacies and complications in family relationships beautifully. The author’s honesty about the ways that grief affected each member of the family and each relationship was very relatable. The historical aspects woven in to the story added context to the lives and friendship of the two fathers. A story about love and family, very enjoyable read.
This novel shares the intricacies and complications in family relationships beautifully. The author’s honesty about the ways that grief affected each member of the family and each relationship was very relatable. The historical aspects woven in to the story added context to the lives and friendship of the two fathers. A story about love and family, very enjoyable read.
October 12, 2025
beautiful and emotional
This book really got to me. Two Watches isn’t a loud or flashy story—it’s the kind that sneaks up on you and stays long after you’ve finished. It’s about fathers and sons, about the things we don’t say but wish we had, and how memories have a way of resurfacing when we least expect them.
The writing feels honest and heartfelt, almost like reading someone’s private reflections. There were moments that made me stop and just sit with what I’d read. It reminded me of my own family in a lot of ways—those small, imperfect connections that still mean everything.
If you like stories that make you think and feel in equal measure, this one’s worth your time. Quietly stunning.
This book really got to me. Two Watches isn’t a loud or flashy story—it’s the kind that sneaks up on you and stays long after you’ve finished. It’s about fathers and sons, about the things we don’t say but wish we had, and how memories have a way of resurfacing when we least expect them.
The writing feels honest and heartfelt, almost like reading someone’s private reflections. There were moments that made me stop and just sit with what I’d read. It reminded me of my own family in a lot of ways—those small, imperfect connections that still mean everything.
If you like stories that make you think and feel in equal measure, this one’s worth your time. Quietly stunning.
February 7, 2026
A beautifully written, emotional story centered on the relationship between a father and son. Told in a biographical style, the novel feels sincere and deeply human. Some moments, especially around loss and memory, are very moving. A meaningful and satisfying read for those who value family-centered stories.
August 9, 2025
Two Watches is a deeply moving story about fathers, sons, and the unspoken truths that shape our lives. Beautifully written, it blends memory, family bonds, and hidden secrets into an emotional journey. Heartfelt, intimate, and thought provoking, this novel lingers long after the last page.
January 14, 2026
powerful
A quiet, emotional mystery about fathers, sons, and hidden histories that sneaks up on you. Short, powerful, and lingering long after the final page ends.
A quiet, emotional mystery about fathers, sons, and hidden histories that sneaks up on you. Short, powerful, and lingering long after the final page ends.
September 1, 2025
This is an emotional roller coaster. It nearly drew a tear to my eye. It needs editing and the grammar needs sorting.
January 7, 2023
Such a great read - a beautiful telling of that very special father - son relationship.
Thoroughly recommend - sad, funny, historically interesting and a real page turner
Thoroughly recommend - sad, funny, historically interesting and a real page turner
July 3, 2023
A beautiful story that made me cry numerous times. It was funny, tragic, sad; the writing style was excellent. I’m glad that I had a chance to read it.
(This book was sent to me in exchange for my review.)
(This book was sent to me in exchange for my review.)
September 27, 2025
Two Watches is a powerful, involving novel about fathers and their children (both sons and daughters), siblings, friendship, memories kept private, joy, the grief from terrible loss...and more.
Two families, one in Ireland and the other in Lithuania, become connected. They have very different lives, yet share the common human threads of love, sorrow, regret, survivor guilt and forgiveness. Several times I was convinced I was reading the author's personal experiences within the framework of a novel.
The story moves back and forth in time, with shifting viewpoints and writing styles. Parts are omniscient and others are third-person and first-person. Some of the sections have hints, perhaps, of having been drawn from a journal. Except where first person and first person present were mixed within the same passages, the varying styles worked for me, helping to establish the individuals involved and the timeframes.
I debated whether to give this book four stars instead of five due to issues with formatting, story continuity, the amount of missing punctuation, etc. There are also two events in Will's life that could have been emotionally linked for greater impact. Despite this, the emotions and compelling story are so strong, I decided to rate the novel highly and make these comments in my review. That said, the potential for Two Watches would be much better realized if these issues are resolved. Some readers may abandon the novel because readability is really impacted.
I recommend Two Watches and hope the author will address the formatting and other issues because the story deserves it.
Two families, one in Ireland and the other in Lithuania, become connected. They have very different lives, yet share the common human threads of love, sorrow, regret, survivor guilt and forgiveness. Several times I was convinced I was reading the author's personal experiences within the framework of a novel.
The story moves back and forth in time, with shifting viewpoints and writing styles. Parts are omniscient and others are third-person and first-person. Some of the sections have hints, perhaps, of having been drawn from a journal. Except where first person and first person present were mixed within the same passages, the varying styles worked for me, helping to establish the individuals involved and the timeframes.
I debated whether to give this book four stars instead of five due to issues with formatting, story continuity, the amount of missing punctuation, etc. There are also two events in Will's life that could have been emotionally linked for greater impact. Despite this, the emotions and compelling story are so strong, I decided to rate the novel highly and make these comments in my review. That said, the potential for Two Watches would be much better realized if these issues are resolved. Some readers may abandon the novel because readability is really impacted.
I recommend Two Watches and hope the author will address the formatting and other issues because the story deserves it.
November 4, 2025
Two Watches has a great premise, to tell the story of a relationship and grief after the loss of it through death. It's not just the one loss, but how other losses affect and intersect through a lifetime. There's beauty, guilt, ugliness, anger, pain and love, with no pretense of perfection in life, yet also healing and hope. The story of the Lithuanian friend adds additional depth and meaning. There are a lot of books about loss, but I thought the content of this one was better than average.
As much as I like this story, I am struggling with frustration that the author neither formatted it, nor gave it decent proofreading and editing. This includes the lack of paragraph indentation, some overly long paragraphs, extended sports descriptions that unbalance parts of the story, and the constant errors in punctuation. Correcting these might help elevate this book to the kind of status it should have. Yet despite other reviewers pointing to the problems, nothing has been done. I'm sorry for the extended critique, and I wouldn't say nearly as much if I didn't see it as a good story that deserves better treatment.
As much as I like this story, I am struggling with frustration that the author neither formatted it, nor gave it decent proofreading and editing. This includes the lack of paragraph indentation, some overly long paragraphs, extended sports descriptions that unbalance parts of the story, and the constant errors in punctuation. Correcting these might help elevate this book to the kind of status it should have. Yet despite other reviewers pointing to the problems, nothing has been done. I'm sorry for the extended critique, and I wouldn't say nearly as much if I didn't see it as a good story that deserves better treatment.
November 14, 2025
This story doesn’t rely on big twists or dramatic plot turns to keep you invested, Instead it pulls you in with atmosphere, emotion, and the kind of small, intimate discoveries that feel incredibly real.
The story begins with a single line Will can’t shake, his father’s final request and from there it unfolds into a gentle but gripping mystery. When Will returns to the apartment that still carries his father’s presence, the book shifts into something deeper than a simple family drama. The scroll painting he uncovers becomes the thread that ties Ireland to Lithuania, past to present, and father to son.
The structure—moving through different times, voices, and perspectives—takes a moment to settle into, but once it does, it adds to the richness of the story. It feels like piecing together someone else’s memory box: scattered, fragile, and beautiful.
If I had to nitpick, some of the formatting and transitions could be smoother, but it never took away from the emotional weight of the book.
The story begins with a single line Will can’t shake, his father’s final request and from there it unfolds into a gentle but gripping mystery. When Will returns to the apartment that still carries his father’s presence, the book shifts into something deeper than a simple family drama. The scroll painting he uncovers becomes the thread that ties Ireland to Lithuania, past to present, and father to son.
The structure—moving through different times, voices, and perspectives—takes a moment to settle into, but once it does, it adds to the richness of the story. It feels like piecing together someone else’s memory box: scattered, fragile, and beautiful.
If I had to nitpick, some of the formatting and transitions could be smoother, but it never took away from the emotional weight of the book.
September 11, 2025
Rob Slattery’s “Two Watches: A novel of fathers, sons, memory, and the secrets we leave behind” is all that – and a lot more. It is a well-written, interesting, and informative novel that underscores one of life’s most underappreciated relationships – the unique love that is shared by a father and son.
Having experienced the unexpected and premature death of my own father, and being of Lithuanian ancestry, I found this book to be especially meaningful. Sentimental inclinations notwithstanding, Rob Slattery has woven a tale that will prove interesting to men and women of all ages and ancestries, as long as they are willing to have their emotions nudged, and quite possibly, awakened.
“Two Watches” is a throwback to an age when books were rich with memorable characters and told meaningful stories. The book will remind you of life’s uncertainties, and at the same time, encourage you to appreciate the special relationships that make life worth living.
Having experienced the unexpected and premature death of my own father, and being of Lithuanian ancestry, I found this book to be especially meaningful. Sentimental inclinations notwithstanding, Rob Slattery has woven a tale that will prove interesting to men and women of all ages and ancestries, as long as they are willing to have their emotions nudged, and quite possibly, awakened.
“Two Watches” is a throwback to an age when books were rich with memorable characters and told meaningful stories. The book will remind you of life’s uncertainties, and at the same time, encourage you to appreciate the special relationships that make life worth living.
August 7, 2025
A Soul-searching journey
Two Watches felt so much like an autobiography to me. Will embarks on a soul-searching journey about his upbringing and tries to piece together some missing pieces of the jigsaw about his father’s background. As a side note to the story, I learned some fascinating facts about Lithuania, notably the Baltic Chain and Bloody Sunday.
I found it impressive how Rob Slattery managed to weave the personal narrative within the historical context. With a focus on individual struggles, family and relationship complexities and outside influences, this book feels very authentic and relatable. Some narratives make you laugh, and others make you cry. It made me think that each of us has a life story within us that we could write a book about.
Overall, this book is well written and I recommend it as an interesting read.
Two Watches felt so much like an autobiography to me. Will embarks on a soul-searching journey about his upbringing and tries to piece together some missing pieces of the jigsaw about his father’s background. As a side note to the story, I learned some fascinating facts about Lithuania, notably the Baltic Chain and Bloody Sunday.
I found it impressive how Rob Slattery managed to weave the personal narrative within the historical context. With a focus on individual struggles, family and relationship complexities and outside influences, this book feels very authentic and relatable. Some narratives make you laugh, and others make you cry. It made me think that each of us has a life story within us that we could write a book about.
Overall, this book is well written and I recommend it as an interesting read.
December 7, 2025
Two Watches is a beautifully reflective novel about fathers, sons, and the way memories resurface after loss. The story begins with Will returning to his late father’s apartment, where one unanswered request to retrieve his “second watch” and unfolds into a moving mystery that bridges Ireland with Lithuania, and past with present.
The narrative shifts between timelines and perspectives, but once it settles, it pulls you in quietly. It’s not a fast or flashy book but a thoughtful, intimate, and emotional in a way that lingers. The slow unraveling of family history, the connection between two families across countries, and the exploration of grief, love, and the secrets we leave behind are handled with care and authenticity. It made me think about the stories tucked into my own family history, the ones we only uncover piece by piece.
The narrative shifts between timelines and perspectives, but once it settles, it pulls you in quietly. It’s not a fast or flashy book but a thoughtful, intimate, and emotional in a way that lingers. The slow unraveling of family history, the connection between two families across countries, and the exploration of grief, love, and the secrets we leave behind are handled with care and authenticity. It made me think about the stories tucked into my own family history, the ones we only uncover piece by piece.
January 9, 2026
An Emotional Family Story
Two Watches by Rob Slattery is a gripping story of family emotions, betrayal, and travel that kept me hooked throughout.
James O’Connor travels to Lithuania along wth his colleague Ben and meets a local man, Emillis. They became friends, and Emillis narrates to him the story of his wife, Lina, his son, Matis, and his daughter, Audra. James exchanges his watch for Emilis's beautiful paintings.
Will, the son of James, finally returns the valuable paintings to Emillis’s daughter when both James and Emillis are no longer alive.
The story has many threads that take the reader on an emotional roller coaster. The loss of the characters’ loved ones and their efforts to find peace amid the available means offer important life lessons to readers.
Highly recommended for readers who like a fast-paced story that has emotional depth and motivational tips.
Two Watches by Rob Slattery is a gripping story of family emotions, betrayal, and travel that kept me hooked throughout.
James O’Connor travels to Lithuania along wth his colleague Ben and meets a local man, Emillis. They became friends, and Emillis narrates to him the story of his wife, Lina, his son, Matis, and his daughter, Audra. James exchanges his watch for Emilis's beautiful paintings.
Will, the son of James, finally returns the valuable paintings to Emillis’s daughter when both James and Emillis are no longer alive.
The story has many threads that take the reader on an emotional roller coaster. The loss of the characters’ loved ones and their efforts to find peace amid the available means offer important life lessons to readers.
Highly recommended for readers who like a fast-paced story that has emotional depth and motivational tips.
August 8, 2025
This story was very relatable to me. I also grew up creating memories with my father around sporting events and activities. And my father was always joking, trying to make me laugh. This book is full of cherished memories, big events as well as small moments that matter. There are also conflicts, and events that threaten to tear the relationship apart. And then there is the unknown past not revealed until after his death. I thought of my own father as I read, more than I had in years. I remembered my last hours with him as the author shared his story. And the aftermath, the guilt over words not spoken. My father passed over 30 years ago, and this read rekindled feelings I hadn’t had in years. And I have no doubt there are still things about my father that I never knew.
August 25, 2025
I enjoyed TWO WATCHES by Rob Slattery. It's the heartfelt story of Will, grieving the passing of his father. Will's dad's last words to him are: "My second watch. I want it back now." Will has no idea what his father means.
The story weaves well-known sporting and political events with the lives of Will and his parents. As the novel moves between 2020 and the 1990s, from Ireland to Lithuania and back, it reveals the lives of the father, son, and their relationship. The mystery and the conflicts between family members are resolved in a satisfying way. Readers who have lost a parent or sibling will appreciate Slattery's honest exploration of the depth and variety of emotions the characters experience over time.
The story weaves well-known sporting and political events with the lives of Will and his parents. As the novel moves between 2020 and the 1990s, from Ireland to Lithuania and back, it reveals the lives of the father, son, and their relationship. The mystery and the conflicts between family members are resolved in a satisfying way. Readers who have lost a parent or sibling will appreciate Slattery's honest exploration of the depth and variety of emotions the characters experience over time.
November 28, 2025
“Two Watches” by Rob Slattery is an intriguing mix of mystery and historical fiction. We meet our protagonist, Will, in Dublin soon after the death of his father and last surviving parent. There are many memories shared of his parents and youth at first, so it seems a bit like a memoir. Soon before his death, whilst experiencing lapses of memory, Will’s father insisted that he must get back his “second watch,” which had “Tom” (Will’s deceased brother) inscribed on the back. After his father’s death, Will finds a note to his father from the 90’s written in Lithuanian. Then the story switches to the past, and we follow Will’s father, James, who is travelling with his friend Ben. It’s an interesting plot, though it gets bogged down at times by large amounts of introspection and backstory.
January 24, 2026
Two Watches is a deeply moving novel that explores the bond between fathers and sons, the weight of memory, and the quiet secrets that shape our lives. Rob Slattery’s writing is heartfelt and reflective, drawing the reader into an emotional journey that feels both intimate and universal. The characters are beautifully developed, and the themes of loss, legacy, and understanding linger long after the final page. This is not a fast-paced story, but a thoughtful and meaningful one that invites reflection. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy emotional, character-driven novels that focus on family relationships and the power of memory. A truly memorable read and well worth five stars.
October 8, 2025
This is an interesting story set between Ireland and Lithuania. The author/protagonist is on a journey to uncover his father's unknown past. There is both heartbreak (trigger warning: cancer) and passion, mixed with family secrets. It's a heartfelt story that's written kind of like a journal, which was interesting.
A few formatting and punctuation issues were distracting, but overall they don't detract from the story's message. This is a powerful and touching read. I hope the author will consider redoing the cover so it's as powerful and eye catching as the story deserves.
A few formatting and punctuation issues were distracting, but overall they don't detract from the story's message. This is a powerful and touching read. I hope the author will consider redoing the cover so it's as powerful and eye catching as the story deserves.
November 20, 2025
Rob Slattery’s Two Watches stands out as a family and relationship novel. The book centers on Will, who is grieving the death of his father, and follows his story as it unfolds between Ireland and Lithuania. Two Watches successfully conveys themes such as hidden memories, love, grief, and guilt, all set against a subtle historical backdrop. Although the long paragraph structures were occasionally challenging, the emotional tone of the story kept me engaged. With its compelling portrayal of character development and emotional depth, I believe this book will be appreciated by fans of the genre.
March 4, 2026
Thoughtful
I really enjoyed this one. What stayed with me most wasn't just the mystery of the watches or the secrets Will uncovers about his father's past, but how beautifully it captures time slipping away. The way the author weaves together Ireland and Lithuania, grief and memory, made me think about family stories or scripts in general. It's quiet and thoughtful—the kind of book that stays with you and makes you reflect on what we leave unsaid. When I finished the book, I found these feelings staying with me.
I really enjoyed this one. What stayed with me most wasn't just the mystery of the watches or the secrets Will uncovers about his father's past, but how beautifully it captures time slipping away. The way the author weaves together Ireland and Lithuania, grief and memory, made me think about family stories or scripts in general. It's quiet and thoughtful—the kind of book that stays with you and makes you reflect on what we leave unsaid. When I finished the book, I found these feelings staying with me.
November 8, 2025
In all honesty this book was way better than I thought it’d be. I picked it up kinda randomly and ended up reading through it pretty quickly. The magic stuff was cool without being confusing, and the characters felt like people I’d actually hang out with… or at least laugh at. The story moves quick and keeps you guessing, which I appreciate because I get bored easily, a lot of the time. Overall, really fun read. Would totally recommend if you want something adventurous but not super serious.
December 5, 2025
The author peels back years of silence and loss so you can feel every regret, every memory, every ghost of a father-son connection that was never fully explored. The moment your protagonist finds that scroll-wrapped painting acts like a key, suddenly you’re paging through one man’s past and wondering how much of our own lives hide in shadow.
It’s not flashy. It doesn’t need to be. This novel lingers. It reminds you that our real legacies are often not what we say, but what we leave behind.
It’s not flashy. It doesn’t need to be. This novel lingers. It reminds you that our real legacies are often not what we say, but what we leave behind.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews