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The Ranleigh Tapes
The tape recorder is running.
Ranleigh Echo Meeks has nowhere left to hide. In addiction recovery's most brutal requirement, the Fifth Step, he must confess everything to his sponsor. Every secret. Every lie. Every moment that drove him to rock bottom.
In this devastating sequel to Gabriel Tait's Meeks, The Ranleigh Tapes pulls you into the room for a confession so raw and unguarded, you won't be able to stop listening.
Ranleigh Echo Meeks has nowhere left to hide. In addiction recovery's most brutal requirement, the Fifth Step, he must confess everything to his sponsor. Every secret. Every lie. Every moment that drove him to rock bottom.
In this devastating sequel to Gabriel Tait's Meeks, The Ranleigh Tapes pulls you into the room for a confession so raw and unguarded, you won't be able to stop listening.
ebook
Published October 27, 2025
3 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Gabriel Tait
2 books25 followersGabriel Tait writes about addiction, altered states, and the war between who we pretend to be and who we really are.
His debut novel Meeks introduced us to Ranleigh Meeks — a defiant figure navigating a world of dead-end jobs, faulty internal wiring, and systems designed to crush people like him.
His follow-up, The Ranleigh Tapes, picks up where Meeks left off, tracing Ranleigh’s childhood across a series of taped confessions that expose the cost of survival.
Mr. Tait lives in Canada and is currently at work on his next book about Ranleigh Meeks.
His debut novel Meeks introduced us to Ranleigh Meeks — a defiant figure navigating a world of dead-end jobs, faulty internal wiring, and systems designed to crush people like him.
His follow-up, The Ranleigh Tapes, picks up where Meeks left off, tracing Ranleigh’s childhood across a series of taped confessions that expose the cost of survival.
Mr. Tait lives in Canada and is currently at work on his next book about Ranleigh Meeks.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 22, 2025
Gabriel Tait has a wonderful, and very unique writing style. Similar to Meeks, this book is like nothing else I have ever read.
It answers some questions that I didn’t even know I had from the first book.
If you’re looking for a book that explores addiction, these are must-reads!
It answers some questions that I didn’t even know I had from the first book.
If you’re looking for a book that explores addiction, these are must-reads!
October 24, 2025
Y’all! The tape recorder is running — and from the first click, you feel it. Gabriel Tait doesn’t just tell a story here; he cracks open Ranleigh’s chest and lets us hear every shaky breath, every broken truth.
In this powerful sequel, Ranleigh Echo Meeks has nowhere left to hide. Faced with the brutal honesty of the Fifth Step, he lays bare every secret, every lie, every painful moment that dragged him to rock bottom. The result is raw, intimate, and unforgettable.
Tait is deeply invested in this story — you can feel his heart in every word. The writing hits hard but never loses its humanity. He doesn’t shy away from the ugliness of addiction; instead, he forces us to see the person beneath the wreckage.
When it’s over, you sit there in silence — gutted, but grateful. The Ranleigh Tapes is more than a confession. It’s redemption caught on tape, and it’ll leave fingerprints on your heart.
In this powerful sequel, Ranleigh Echo Meeks has nowhere left to hide. Faced with the brutal honesty of the Fifth Step, he lays bare every secret, every lie, every painful moment that dragged him to rock bottom. The result is raw, intimate, and unforgettable.
Tait is deeply invested in this story — you can feel his heart in every word. The writing hits hard but never loses its humanity. He doesn’t shy away from the ugliness of addiction; instead, he forces us to see the person beneath the wreckage.
When it’s over, you sit there in silence — gutted, but grateful. The Ranleigh Tapes is more than a confession. It’s redemption caught on tape, and it’ll leave fingerprints on your heart.
September 28, 2025
I had been waiting to find out what we would find in this book and Gabriel Tait... you have delivered. When you had hinted at exploring Ranleigh's past I had been dubious but it was the best decision you could have made. The way you wrote as Ranleigh, portrayed him to a t. There is so much explanation and I was in tears at the end...I didn't tell you that bit. I loved the included story, which was indeed very well written and I will say no more as I don't want to spoil it. But for those who've read Meeks, this is the next step for Ranleigh.
October 8, 2025
In his second story concerning Ranleigh Meeks, Gabriel Tait has crafted another tale both beautiful and heartbreaking.
I had the honor of being one of Mr. Tait's ARC readers, and I couldn't be more pleased with this continued story.
While this is a continuation of the story starting in the first novel, Meeks, this is a different beast altogether. The storytelling is distinctly different in that it is primarily told through the "ramblings" of Ranleigh over the course of recording cassette tapes. Do not take the use of the word "ramblings" as being a negative. Quite the contrary. How Gabriel had Ranleigh speaking on these tapes was so raw and realistic; I don't think I've ever read anything like it before. It was hard reading his words in the best of ways. I truly felt that I was listening to these tapes as I read them (I can only imagine how amazing this story could sound on audio book).
As other reviewers have said, you definitely need to read Meeks before diving into The Ranleigh Tapes, and you will not regret it in the least. Both books had me feeling all the emotions, but The Ranleigh Tapes had me in tears.
Do not miss this raw, emotional, and beautifully written story when it is released!
I had the honor of being one of Mr. Tait's ARC readers, and I couldn't be more pleased with this continued story.
While this is a continuation of the story starting in the first novel, Meeks, this is a different beast altogether. The storytelling is distinctly different in that it is primarily told through the "ramblings" of Ranleigh over the course of recording cassette tapes. Do not take the use of the word "ramblings" as being a negative. Quite the contrary. How Gabriel had Ranleigh speaking on these tapes was so raw and realistic; I don't think I've ever read anything like it before. It was hard reading his words in the best of ways. I truly felt that I was listening to these tapes as I read them (I can only imagine how amazing this story could sound on audio book).
As other reviewers have said, you definitely need to read Meeks before diving into The Ranleigh Tapes, and you will not regret it in the least. Both books had me feeling all the emotions, but The Ranleigh Tapes had me in tears.
Do not miss this raw, emotional, and beautifully written story when it is released!
October 8, 2025
"Maybe some things are meant to stay buried."
**The story picks up six months after the events at the end of Meeks, so if you haven't read that yet, then definitely check it out.
What follows is a short but poignant and emotional account of Ranleigh Meeks's life, told by Ranleigh as he works towards completing the 5th step of Narcotics Anonymous. In his own words we hear the events from his life that set him on a path that ended in that alleyway six months prior. This was a great character-driven story that really demonstrates the lifelong effect childhood trauma can have on a person. It was interesting to see what stuck out to Ranleigh as defining moments in his life, while also taking accountability for his actions and feelings. There were parts that had me tearing up at 3am reading this at work on break and parts that put a pit in my stomach. I really enjoyed this sequel and would love to know if there's more to Ranleigh's story.
Thank you to the author Gabriel Tait for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
**The story picks up six months after the events at the end of Meeks, so if you haven't read that yet, then definitely check it out.
What follows is a short but poignant and emotional account of Ranleigh Meeks's life, told by Ranleigh as he works towards completing the 5th step of Narcotics Anonymous. In his own words we hear the events from his life that set him on a path that ended in that alleyway six months prior. This was a great character-driven story that really demonstrates the lifelong effect childhood trauma can have on a person. It was interesting to see what stuck out to Ranleigh as defining moments in his life, while also taking accountability for his actions and feelings. There were parts that had me tearing up at 3am reading this at work on break and parts that put a pit in my stomach. I really enjoyed this sequel and would love to know if there's more to Ranleigh's story.
Thank you to the author Gabriel Tait for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 6, 2025
A great look into the darkness of substance abuse. This story is full of revealed secrets, suspense, & drama! The way Ranleigh has lived his life, is not as uncommon as many think. Sobriety has saved not only the lives of the users, but those around them. Such an amazing, honest, and captivating read!
October 1, 2025
If you read Meeks by this author this is a must read but can also be a stand alone. This is Ranleigh’s childhood story which he tells on tapes for his Fifth Step recovery. It was very difficult and emotional for him to tell. The tapes were a little hard at times for me to follow because of how he is actually speaking but the author did such a good job describing Ranleigh’s mental anguish that I found myself getting pulled into his emotions. This is short but effective and I read it in one sitting.
September 30, 2025
Omg, I absolutely loved reading this book. The book grabbed my attention right from the start and held my attention all the way to the end of the book. It was one of those books that you don't want to put down because you want to find out what is going to happen next. I also liked how the book was written raw about addiction. In my opinion I would say this book can be relatable to some. I just can't say enough great things about this book, so go check it out for yourself.
September 24, 2025
A deeper dive into Ranleigh’s past - the book I didn’t know I needed. The writer nails the trauma that comes leads to addiction succinctly - what may not seem like a big deal to some sticks with others forever.
October 29, 2025
omg this is real
This book ….is real….i recognize myself in this book. I have my own “clean time count” and in all those years I have never read anything outside of The Basic Text that has hit so hard. I wonder if I’m going to sleep tonight. Come to think of it I doubt I will. I’m pretty sure I’m going to be up with a high lighter and this book.
God :
Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change.
The courage to change the things I can.
And the wisdom to know the difference.
Amen, to you Mr. Meeks, to you Mr. Tait and to everyone surviving “one day at a time.”
This book ….is real….i recognize myself in this book. I have my own “clean time count” and in all those years I have never read anything outside of The Basic Text that has hit so hard. I wonder if I’m going to sleep tonight. Come to think of it I doubt I will. I’m pretty sure I’m going to be up with a high lighter and this book.
God :
Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change.
The courage to change the things I can.
And the wisdom to know the difference.
Amen, to you Mr. Meeks, to you Mr. Tait and to everyone surviving “one day at a time.”
October 15, 2025
This book is so good. Pleased that he wrote another book to get some clarification, as to why…
Gabriel Tate has a special way to tell you why Ranleigh is the way he is.
Addiction is emotional and exhausting.
I had to read plenty of the pages while wiping away tears.
His writing style is engaging from the beginning to the end.
Gabriel Tate has a special way to tell you why Ranleigh is the way he is.
Addiction is emotional and exhausting.
I had to read plenty of the pages while wiping away tears.
His writing style is engaging from the beginning to the end.
September 26, 2025
This novella is a great deep dive into Ranleigh’s past as he tries to move forward in his recovery. I love the format this is told in, like tapes being recorded. It would make an excellent audiobook one day! Thank you for the ARC Gabriel!
October 4, 2025
Great read! This book delves into the past of an addict. What happened, how the mind tries to protect us, and the long process of healing.It doesn’t give us all the answers nor does it judge us for past sins, it simply tells one man’s story.
September 23, 2025
An amazing follow up on Ranleigh Meeks! This book gives you insight into who he truly is. I highly recommend this sequel.
October 11, 2025
This is a great book and gives amazing insight into the mind of someone who's going through recovery and what they went through to get there. It's about someone going through their 5th step in recovery and laying it all out on the table. The way it's written is different than most reads but it's super fitting.
September 27, 2025
It was excellent. Extremely revealing and honest about addictions.
November 10, 2025
The Ranleigh Tapes by Gabriel Tait is an exceptionally moving and powerful read. While I lack direct personal experience with drug addiction, the book resonated deeply with the loss of my brother-in-law to this struggle, allowing me to connect with the characters' emotions as if the events were unfolding in the present.
The narrative contains moments of striking brilliance. Specifically, the allegorical story Meeks recounts in class about the subway driver is compelling enough to anchor an entire novel. Similarly, the detailed exploration of the 'Plan B game' and the subsequent traumatic incident in the garage stand out as critical, emotionally charged passages that define the characters' paths.
The conclusion, particularly the resolution involving the protagonist's sister, provided the most intense personal connection. It is a testament to the author's skill that the depiction of grief—a force I experienced as a 'fog' for two years after losing my father, and which fundamentally shifted my family dynamic after the loss of my grandmother—felt so authentic and powerful.
I highly recommend this book to readers seeking an emotionally moving experience and a profound understanding of the complex motivations behind human behavior.
Disclaimer: I received this product for free in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
The narrative contains moments of striking brilliance. Specifically, the allegorical story Meeks recounts in class about the subway driver is compelling enough to anchor an entire novel. Similarly, the detailed exploration of the 'Plan B game' and the subsequent traumatic incident in the garage stand out as critical, emotionally charged passages that define the characters' paths.
The conclusion, particularly the resolution involving the protagonist's sister, provided the most intense personal connection. It is a testament to the author's skill that the depiction of grief—a force I experienced as a 'fog' for two years after losing my father, and which fundamentally shifted my family dynamic after the loss of my grandmother—felt so authentic and powerful.
I highly recommend this book to readers seeking an emotionally moving experience and a profound understanding of the complex motivations behind human behavior.
Disclaimer: I received this product for free in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
October 15, 2025
After reading Meeks last year and really enjoying it, I was looking forward to what Gabriel Tait would write next. I was thrilled to receive an ARC and to find out it was a continuation of Ranleigh’s story.
You will definitely want to read Meeks before this one if you have not already, but this book also works as a standalone into the mind of someone struggling to overcome addiction. I always love an unreliable narrator and Ranleigh checks all the boxes. The writing style is so unique, you can practically hear the audiotape as you read (I’m not a huge audiobook fan but I can see this working really well in that format). You’ll feel a whirlwind of emotions - especially the ending which will hit you in the heart! Don’t miss this great follow up to an already wonderful story!
You will definitely want to read Meeks before this one if you have not already, but this book also works as a standalone into the mind of someone struggling to overcome addiction. I always love an unreliable narrator and Ranleigh checks all the boxes. The writing style is so unique, you can practically hear the audiotape as you read (I’m not a huge audiobook fan but I can see this working really well in that format). You’ll feel a whirlwind of emotions - especially the ending which will hit you in the heart! Don’t miss this great follow up to an already wonderful story!
October 3, 2025
Review: The Ranleigh Tapes
A deeper glimpse into Ranleigh’s past — the book I didn’t know I was waiting for. Gabriel Tait captures the lingering weight of trauma and how it drives addiction with sharp, unflinching honesty.
Ranleigh Echo Meeks has no place left to hide. In the brutal Fifth Step of recovery, he must confess everything to his sponsor — every secret, every lie, every memory that dragged him to rock bottom.
This sequel to Meeks is raw, intimate, and impossible to put down. I didn’t read the first book, but now I wish I had.
A deeper glimpse into Ranleigh’s past — the book I didn’t know I was waiting for. Gabriel Tait captures the lingering weight of trauma and how it drives addiction with sharp, unflinching honesty.
Ranleigh Echo Meeks has no place left to hide. In the brutal Fifth Step of recovery, he must confess everything to his sponsor — every secret, every lie, every memory that dragged him to rock bottom.
This sequel to Meeks is raw, intimate, and impossible to put down. I didn’t read the first book, but now I wish I had.
September 24, 2025
I started reading this book last evening and could not stop. Never before have I ever read an account of one's doing the 12 steps of recovery so acutely and accurately. The raw emotion that Tait captures while detailing Ranleigh's recovery makes you feel like you are on the journey with him. Without disclosing and spoiling the book, the plot twist at the end throws you for a loop. Best read in years! Highly recommend and Gabriel Tait, amazing!!!
October 19, 2025
This Book was absolutely amazing! Gabriel Tait has such a unique way of writing, this is my first read by him. Now I am sad that I havent had the chance to read the first book! I will be doing that next. I love how he describes absolutely everything, the character the enviroment the emotions. Even parts that are harder to understand from the recording aspect,you still truly end up knowing and experiencing all the feelings. It was a wonderful book, a deep book, but so worth the read!
October 22, 2025
I found this follow up and prequel all in one really gripping. The experiences of alcohol recovery and his childhood memories were so real that I reached out to the author, who I knew has been sober for over 20 years, if any of it was autobiographical. Thankfully it is purely a work of fiction. Not to be read on public unless you don't mind people seeing you cry and as a short story it is advised to read in one sitting. Great follow up to Meeks.
September 27, 2025
The Ranleigh Tapes is an exceptional follow up to "Meeks". It was so interesting to find out what made Ranleigh into the man he became. As I read his words, I could feel the emotions coming out. As someone who has lived in a world of addiction, I found it very relatable. I look forward to the next book, to find out more about what happens with Ranleigh.
October 3, 2025
A must read after Meeks. I haven’t read a book that got me feeling so much about what I consider the tiny events in my life and how I’ve dwelt on them. Incredible how an author can have the insight to pick those events apart and make them matter. Everyone will take something of their own away from this book. That’s mine. Great read yet again!
October 5, 2025
It’s a five star from me! I read this in two sittings and by the end I was convinced I had actually read the tape’s transcript rather than an authors words. Ranleighs journey through the five steps of addiction recovery is well written and gripping. The ending, I had tears in my eyes. Different to anything I have read before and I would definitely read more from this author!
September 24, 2025
This is a must-read! Ranleigh Meeks is a very interesting character and the author has found an excellent method of communicating how life experience can contribute to issues of addiction and self harm. I look forward to more of Ranleigh.
September 26, 2025
Loved this book! Really great continuation to the story. Loved the style it was written in and how it was a really personal point of view of the character. It really gets you involved and put into the characters shoes. Im really hoping for there to be more to this story. Highly reccomend!
October 21, 2025
I was honoured to receive an advance copy of The Ranleigh Tapes, and it left me deeply moved. Gabriel Tait’s writing lets you live inside the tapes and feel every ounce of Ranleigh’s pain, honesty, and humanity. This isn’t just a story about addiction; it’s about how every choice and experience shapes who we become. It reminded me that we all have our own steps 4 and 5 to face, and that truth and healing begin when we finally look within.
The Ranleigh Tapes is a must-read, as is its prequel, Meeks. It’s as good as sequels come, yet powerful enough to stand on its own.
The Ranleigh Tapes is a must-read, as is its prequel, Meeks. It’s as good as sequels come, yet powerful enough to stand on its own.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews