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Keeper and Kid
“Keeper and Kid is a marvel. I dare you. Open this book and try to put it down.” ---Ann Hood, author of The Knitting Room
Eight years ago, James Keeper fell in love with his upstairs neighbor in Boston, a sassy pastry chef with gray eyes and a fierce attitude. They got married, found a dog, and shopped for cilantro. But conflicting schedules and a real estate deal gone bad took its toll on the twenty-somethings in love. One divorce later, the hand-me-down chairs were separated, the potato masher custody settled, and Keeper moved to Providence to work with his best friend selling antiques at a quirky shop called Love and Death.
A new job, a new love, and a new life now in place, Keeper is in a comfortable situation. Business is steady, Leah (the new love) is intriguing and passionate, and Keeper’s friends always turn up for Sunday evening Card Night.
But one phone call from his former mother-in-law changes everything. And so days later, Keeper comes away with a son he never knew he had, and life all of a sudden takes on a new meaning.
Leo, the precocious three-year-old who sports Keeper’s square chin, is more than a handful---he eats only round foods, refuses to bathe, thinks he’s a bear, and refers to Leah as “that man.” For a guy who never thought he’d be a parent, Keeper is thrown headfirst into fatherhood---and has no idea what to do. As Keeper and Leo adjust to the shock of each other and their suddenly very different lives, Keeper begins to let the people in his life in, in turns strange and heartwarming, funny and painful. But some, like Leah, aren’t so eager for change.
In this humorous and poignant novel, Edward Hardy explores the depths of modern love, parenthood, and compromise. Keeper and Kid is the story of how a normal guy receives an unexpected gift and in turn must learn to ask more of others and himself. A coming-of-age story for the guy who thought he had already grown up, Keeper and Kid is a sharp and witty account of what we do for love.
Advance Praise for Keeper and Kid
“A fine, fetching novel with a good heart. Keeper is nimble and affecting, a tribute to the author’s endless comic inventiveness.”---Stewart O’Nan, author of The Good Wife
“At once immensely engaging and about the things that matter most: how we love, how we move on, how the past moves with us. Lovely, wise, and surprising.”---Elizabeth Graver, author of The Honey Thief
“Ed Hardy’s voice in Keeper and Kid grabs you and won’t let you go until the very last page. Full of local color, bittersweet characters, and a story we can all relate to---the day your past arrives on the doorstep of your present life.”---Ann Hood, author of The Knitting Room
Eight years ago, James Keeper fell in love with his upstairs neighbor in Boston, a sassy pastry chef with gray eyes and a fierce attitude. They got married, found a dog, and shopped for cilantro. But conflicting schedules and a real estate deal gone bad took its toll on the twenty-somethings in love. One divorce later, the hand-me-down chairs were separated, the potato masher custody settled, and Keeper moved to Providence to work with his best friend selling antiques at a quirky shop called Love and Death.
A new job, a new love, and a new life now in place, Keeper is in a comfortable situation. Business is steady, Leah (the new love) is intriguing and passionate, and Keeper’s friends always turn up for Sunday evening Card Night.
But one phone call from his former mother-in-law changes everything. And so days later, Keeper comes away with a son he never knew he had, and life all of a sudden takes on a new meaning.
Leo, the precocious three-year-old who sports Keeper’s square chin, is more than a handful---he eats only round foods, refuses to bathe, thinks he’s a bear, and refers to Leah as “that man.” For a guy who never thought he’d be a parent, Keeper is thrown headfirst into fatherhood---and has no idea what to do. As Keeper and Leo adjust to the shock of each other and their suddenly very different lives, Keeper begins to let the people in his life in, in turns strange and heartwarming, funny and painful. But some, like Leah, aren’t so eager for change.
In this humorous and poignant novel, Edward Hardy explores the depths of modern love, parenthood, and compromise. Keeper and Kid is the story of how a normal guy receives an unexpected gift and in turn must learn to ask more of others and himself. A coming-of-age story for the guy who thought he had already grown up, Keeper and Kid is a sharp and witty account of what we do for love.
Advance Praise for Keeper and Kid
“A fine, fetching novel with a good heart. Keeper is nimble and affecting, a tribute to the author’s endless comic inventiveness.”---Stewart O’Nan, author of The Good Wife
“At once immensely engaging and about the things that matter most: how we love, how we move on, how the past moves with us. Lovely, wise, and surprising.”---Elizabeth Graver, author of The Honey Thief
“Ed Hardy’s voice in Keeper and Kid grabs you and won’t let you go until the very last page. Full of local color, bittersweet characters, and a story we can all relate to---the day your past arrives on the doorstep of your present life.”---Ann Hood, author of The Knitting Room
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
5 people are currently reading
331 people want to read
About the author
Edward Hardy
14 books12 followersEdward Hardy is the author of two novels, Keeper and Kid and Geyser Life. His short stories have appeared in many magazines including: Ploughshares, GQ, Epoch, The New England Review, Boulevard and The Quarterly. He has been a newspaper reporter and editor and has taught creative writing at Cornell and Boston College He currently teaches nonfiction writing at Brown and lives outside Providence with his wife and two boys.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
October 11, 2010
I hated this book and only forced myself to finish it because I kept hoping it would get better. I hated the characters, and the dialogue was choppy and annoying.
September 2, 2008
Soon to be made into an After Work Special for Gen Xers very soon.
In the 2nd half of this book I could see that this author has some talent, however the first 50 pages of the book are AWFUL. He is trying to narrate the book from the POV of an immature 30 something (who we can already guess is going to mature because the writing is so forced). The entire book would have been better written in 3rd person. The only reason this book was a disappointment instead of just a bad book, was that I really did enjoy the author's craft in 2nd half (but not the plotting. or the characterization. he had some nice thematic stuff and turn of phase).
In terms of plotting, just about all events I saw coming a mile away except that stupid and easy romance wrap up. Come on. The stuff of middle school fantasy.
In the 2nd half of this book I could see that this author has some talent, however the first 50 pages of the book are AWFUL. He is trying to narrate the book from the POV of an immature 30 something (who we can already guess is going to mature because the writing is so forced). The entire book would have been better written in 3rd person. The only reason this book was a disappointment instead of just a bad book, was that I really did enjoy the author's craft in 2nd half (but not the plotting. or the characterization. he had some nice thematic stuff and turn of phase).
In terms of plotting, just about all events I saw coming a mile away except that stupid and easy romance wrap up. Come on. The stuff of middle school fantasy.
September 3, 2008
Keeper and Kid was a very touching novel of a divorced man whose life is turned completely upside down when he gains custody of a son that he didn't even know about. James Keeper was a sympathetic and believeable character. He seems very human as he flounders about, making mistakes. Keeper finally learns to communicate with and accept help from those who care about him.
James Keeper is a thirty-six year old divorced man who is involved in a serious relationship with Leah. The two just bought a house together, but Keeper is determined to never marry again, as he doesn't believe he could survive another divorce. James and his first wife, Cynthia, weren't very good at communication, and when he found out that she made some bad financial decisions and ended up selling two houses that they owned without telling him, he walked away rather than confront the situation. When Cynthia suddenly dies, James finds out that she kept another huge secret from him - after their divorce, she gave birth to his child. Leo is now three years old, and Cynthia has left custody of him to James. James is completely stunned, hurting from Cynthia's death, and doesn't know how to tell Leah, who is out of town. He brings Leo home and lets Leah walk into the situation unknowingly. Leah is confused and hurt, and soon decides that she can't deal with this change in their lives. James, already completely overwhelmed, is devastated when Leah leaves him. Having a grieving, demanding three year old to care for is almost beyond James' ability, and when he sinks into depression, life looks hopeless for both Keeper and Leo. Keeper's emotional state renders him unable to perform day to day tasks- like going to work- and jeopardizes his relationship with his best friend, who is also his employer.
Keeper finally reaches a crisis that sends him to his parents, whom he hasn't even told about Leo. His parents step up, offer support, and provide him with an afternoon of rest. When Keeper and Leo return home that night, Grace, sister of Cynthia, has arrived. She wants to visit Leo and provide assistance for a time. As Grace assumes some of the care for Leo and prompts Keeper into putting him into daycare part time, the stress is lessened and Keeper is able to start putting his life back together. He returns to work and begins learning how to be a father. After Grace's visit is over, Keeper tries to win Leah back. Leah is not open to resuming her relationship with Keeper, but soon a crisis in her own life causes her to see what she really has in this man.
I very much enjoyed this poignant story of a man trying to learn to be a father after he has been faced with devastating changes to his life. Keeper faltered and had difficulty accepting his new life, but he finally steadied himself and moved forward. In his dealings with Leah at the end of the book, I thought that he showed himself to be a very compassionate and dependable man.
James Keeper is a thirty-six year old divorced man who is involved in a serious relationship with Leah. The two just bought a house together, but Keeper is determined to never marry again, as he doesn't believe he could survive another divorce. James and his first wife, Cynthia, weren't very good at communication, and when he found out that she made some bad financial decisions and ended up selling two houses that they owned without telling him, he walked away rather than confront the situation. When Cynthia suddenly dies, James finds out that she kept another huge secret from him - after their divorce, she gave birth to his child. Leo is now three years old, and Cynthia has left custody of him to James. James is completely stunned, hurting from Cynthia's death, and doesn't know how to tell Leah, who is out of town. He brings Leo home and lets Leah walk into the situation unknowingly. Leah is confused and hurt, and soon decides that she can't deal with this change in their lives. James, already completely overwhelmed, is devastated when Leah leaves him. Having a grieving, demanding three year old to care for is almost beyond James' ability, and when he sinks into depression, life looks hopeless for both Keeper and Leo. Keeper's emotional state renders him unable to perform day to day tasks- like going to work- and jeopardizes his relationship with his best friend, who is also his employer.
Keeper finally reaches a crisis that sends him to his parents, whom he hasn't even told about Leo. His parents step up, offer support, and provide him with an afternoon of rest. When Keeper and Leo return home that night, Grace, sister of Cynthia, has arrived. She wants to visit Leo and provide assistance for a time. As Grace assumes some of the care for Leo and prompts Keeper into putting him into daycare part time, the stress is lessened and Keeper is able to start putting his life back together. He returns to work and begins learning how to be a father. After Grace's visit is over, Keeper tries to win Leah back. Leah is not open to resuming her relationship with Keeper, but soon a crisis in her own life causes her to see what she really has in this man.
I very much enjoyed this poignant story of a man trying to learn to be a father after he has been faced with devastating changes to his life. Keeper faltered and had difficulty accepting his new life, but he finally steadied himself and moved forward. In his dealings with Leah at the end of the book, I thought that he showed himself to be a very compassionate and dependable man.
April 5, 2008
This pulled me right in—highly readable story. It's perfect for when you've just finished up a very emotionally draining book and want something a little lighter and faster. I'd categorize it as chick lit, except that the main character and author are both male : ) My only complaint is that I was weirdly and irrationally annoyed by the attention to detail in naming all the children's TV that Leo watched, which seemed to be an inordinate amount of TV. It was very exact, as if the author was referring to the PBS program guide throughout the writing of the novel. (See, told you, weird.)
January 12, 2011
I liked this book. But there were some disconnects. I never really liked the characters. There was not enough there for me to establish an emotional connection to any of them. It seemed like the author spent alot of time on scene development. But not as much on the character themselves.
July 16, 2008
Couldn't finish! Not bad writing, it just wasn't my bag.
February 18, 2009
I do not like Leah at all and Keeper at 36 really needs to get a grip and grow up, but the book is a easy read and rather interesting thus far.
January 13, 2013
I was very interested in reading this book.
What a great idea for a novel, I thought.
The Keeper has a son that he was completely unaware of, he finds out after the sudden death of his ex-wife.
I was interested in the premise of this book that I made a special trip to my library topick it up.
I understood and sympathized with Keeper's feelings of being overwhelmed and broadsided but I have to say that after a while I was a lillte impatient. He almost completely fell apart when he found himself with this small chldl. While he could be expected to panick and not be able to manage well at first, he remains in a fog and poorly functioning for the majority of the book.
I was constantly concerned that the next thing to befall him would be the loss of his business partner. One cannot allow a business to come apart at the seams to the extent that he did. I felt sorry for his dilemma but I really wanted to see him snap out of it and begin to bond more with his son.
Something happens in this book that really bothered me. I found it a little disquieting, to say the least. Ugh
Finally, I found the end to be too much it does not feel authentic to the storyline that we have had up to this point.
I did find that it seems that Keeper has the same issue he was so unhappy with Cynthia about truth telling seems to be a trait that he has trouble with.
I wanted to like this book but I just couldn't.
What a great idea for a novel, I thought.
The Keeper has a son that he was completely unaware of, he finds out after the sudden death of his ex-wife.
I was interested in the premise of this book that I made a special trip to my library topick it up.
I understood and sympathized with Keeper's feelings of being overwhelmed and broadsided but I have to say that after a while I was a lillte impatient. He almost completely fell apart when he found himself with this small chldl. While he could be expected to panick and not be able to manage well at first, he remains in a fog and poorly functioning for the majority of the book.
I was constantly concerned that the next thing to befall him would be the loss of his business partner. One cannot allow a business to come apart at the seams to the extent that he did. I felt sorry for his dilemma but I really wanted to see him snap out of it and begin to bond more with his son.
Something happens in this book that really bothered me. I found it a little disquieting, to say the least. Ugh
Finally, I found the end to be too much it does not feel authentic to the storyline that we have had up to this point.
I did find that it seems that Keeper has the same issue he was so unhappy with Cynthia about truth telling seems to be a trait that he has trouble with.
I wanted to like this book but I just couldn't.
April 15, 2011
It fit into a little niche of stories that I enjoy. Things where the story where a child or pets play an important role in the lives of people they are around. In this case, I found the story to be quite sweet and I adored all the little frustrations and silliness involved in dealing with something you just aren't quite sure about but are attached to anyway.
April 1, 2008
I liked this. The challenges of the kid rang true for me. I liked Keeper's friends. With the Love and Death store backdrop the scenery was interesting. I did wish I knew Cynthia better...
August 10, 2011
A little on the predictable side. There were some funny moments; however, the main character was pretty shallow and not much depth to the story line.
August 11, 2015
it was simple and it really drew me in
July 22, 2018
Full disclosure: I know Ed Hardy; his brother is married to one of my closest friends. That aside, I truly enjoyed KEEPER & KID as a novel in its own right.
The plot at first seems contemporary cliche. James Keeper is an overgrown man-child, divorced and a bit feckless, unable to commit to his new lady friend Leah. The sudden arrival of his three-year-old son, Leo, previously unknown to him, forces a powerful reckoning in his life. Without giving too much away, Keeper has to radically upend every facet of his life, as Hurrican Leo lays waste to all his complacency.
As with any good story, it's the details which prove most telling. Hardy teaches at Brown, and his knowledge of Providence, Cambridge and the highways which connect them give the novel a powerful specificity. Keeper's friends are a vivid collection of highly articulated individuals, from his business partner Tim and his wife Jane, to Leah the overwhelmed ex, to Leo's aunt Grace, who insists on remaining a part of Leo's life. The devastating immediacy and endless demand of caring for a three-year-old will surely ring true to any parent.
Hardy's prose is honest and straight-forward, telling the story without undue flash.
A terrific read.
The plot at first seems contemporary cliche. James Keeper is an overgrown man-child, divorced and a bit feckless, unable to commit to his new lady friend Leah. The sudden arrival of his three-year-old son, Leo, previously unknown to him, forces a powerful reckoning in his life. Without giving too much away, Keeper has to radically upend every facet of his life, as Hurrican Leo lays waste to all his complacency.
As with any good story, it's the details which prove most telling. Hardy teaches at Brown, and his knowledge of Providence, Cambridge and the highways which connect them give the novel a powerful specificity. Keeper's friends are a vivid collection of highly articulated individuals, from his business partner Tim and his wife Jane, to Leah the overwhelmed ex, to Leo's aunt Grace, who insists on remaining a part of Leo's life. The devastating immediacy and endless demand of caring for a three-year-old will surely ring true to any parent.
Hardy's prose is honest and straight-forward, telling the story without undue flash.
A terrific read.
November 16, 2017
This was a good book to me because it hit on my fears (and I suppose fears of most of us) on the anxieties and challenges of having children. I'd imagine normal life of starting with the baby is much different than having a three year old suddenly in your life as this story. Many of the reactions of the lead character, the dad, were the reactions I would've had to this present world.
June 25, 2019
James Keeper discovers that he has a son when his ex-wife dies. He tries to rearrange his life to fit Leo into it. How 3 yr old Leo feels about the whole thing is never really covered in the book. No begging to go back to Grandma's or Aunt Grace. Just goes with the flow. Other than that, it's the story of a 36 yr old boy who finally has to grow up and be an adult in the real world.
July 18, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a quick and fun read, and gave both realistic and funny descriptions of parenting a young child. The characters were believable and it was easy to relate to them.
September 10, 2025
Found this book in a Little Free Library recently while visiting Auburn, Al. Needed something to read until I could get back home to my local library and it did not disappoint!! From the very first page it was engaging! A little emotional but overall a heart warming story! Would be a great movie!!
February 21, 2017
The story had potential, just really didn't fully developed and take off in my opinion.
October 21, 2018
Good book!
October 24, 2018
Quit whining about getting back your old girlfriend and learn how to be a dad, Mr. Keeper!
October 26, 2018
I loved this book...written from a man's view.
May 16, 2020
I really enjoyed this story. Wish the author had written more books like this.
September 13, 2020
I just kept wanting it to get better. I just kept wanting to be done already.
May 24, 2023
Just enjoy it. Sad, funny, sweet.
October 8, 2023
I found the characters intolerable, and was unable to read past page 105. Maybe the experience gets better?
April 6, 2025
I live in Rhode Island so the setting was familiar. The story drew me in and I remained entertained!
April 27, 2010
Keeper and Kid
I received my copy of Keeper and Kid from a Goodreads.com giveaway back in September of 2009 and it has taken me until April 2010 to pick it up to read…
I picked this book up from my giant pile of unread books thinking that if I read anything it should be this just to get it off the pile and out of my way. Little did I know what I was getting myself into.
I started reading this on a Saturday evening around 5 pm and the next thing I knew I was on page 200 and it was 1 am. I got so caught up in this story of Keeper and his discovering parenthood. I seriously couldn’t put it down all weekend.
I loved Keeper. His reactions to being thrown in with a 3 year-old are very real. I was a Nanny for a long time, and that first few months with new kids is just plain hard so I really felt for him. Getting used to their routines and their needs and their lives and forgetting your own. It is really hard.
I also identified with him on a more personal level since my sister-in-law and best friend just passed away last year leaving behind her 3 year-old. Constantly remembering those moment when you should have done something different, or wondering if you had done something else would it have ended the way it did. I cried a little while reading this book. Losing someone you love is like that.
I didn’t like Leah from the beginning. I had already decided that she was not my favorite. I found myself wanting to know more about Cynthia and her life and her personality. Leo was adorable, though at first I thought he was a little too articulate for a 3 year-old, but as the story moved on he leveled out to what I know of 3 year-olds.
Tim is a really good friend. Everyone needs a friend like that in their lives to keep around when times are tough. What a good man.
I think this book reminds us all that life is not stationary and that we never know what to expect. Take the time to cherish the ones you love, and don’t overburden yourself with stuff you can’t do anything about. Just live in the moments.
There is just one item that I did not appreciate in this book. The over use of the f**k word. I’m not a fan of it in real life so I prefer not to read it in my literature as well. I understand that my morals are different than most of the world and that is a perfectly acceptable word for most. I understand that it was one way to show the stress of the situation through words, and maybe Keeper just didn’t have a better way of expressing himself, I just don’t like hearing/reading it as the punctuation to everything. To have made this more realistic Leo should have started parroting it back to Keeper. Because they do. That’s usually a good way to get a parent to clean up their language.
But above all, I love this book. I will recommend it to others.
I received my copy of Keeper and Kid from a Goodreads.com giveaway back in September of 2009 and it has taken me until April 2010 to pick it up to read…
I picked this book up from my giant pile of unread books thinking that if I read anything it should be this just to get it off the pile and out of my way. Little did I know what I was getting myself into.
I started reading this on a Saturday evening around 5 pm and the next thing I knew I was on page 200 and it was 1 am. I got so caught up in this story of Keeper and his discovering parenthood. I seriously couldn’t put it down all weekend.
I loved Keeper. His reactions to being thrown in with a 3 year-old are very real. I was a Nanny for a long time, and that first few months with new kids is just plain hard so I really felt for him. Getting used to their routines and their needs and their lives and forgetting your own. It is really hard.
I also identified with him on a more personal level since my sister-in-law and best friend just passed away last year leaving behind her 3 year-old. Constantly remembering those moment when you should have done something different, or wondering if you had done something else would it have ended the way it did. I cried a little while reading this book. Losing someone you love is like that.
I didn’t like Leah from the beginning. I had already decided that she was not my favorite. I found myself wanting to know more about Cynthia and her life and her personality. Leo was adorable, though at first I thought he was a little too articulate for a 3 year-old, but as the story moved on he leveled out to what I know of 3 year-olds.
Tim is a really good friend. Everyone needs a friend like that in their lives to keep around when times are tough. What a good man.
I think this book reminds us all that life is not stationary and that we never know what to expect. Take the time to cherish the ones you love, and don’t overburden yourself with stuff you can’t do anything about. Just live in the moments.
There is just one item that I did not appreciate in this book. The over use of the f**k word. I’m not a fan of it in real life so I prefer not to read it in my literature as well. I understand that my morals are different than most of the world and that is a perfectly acceptable word for most. I understand that it was one way to show the stress of the situation through words, and maybe Keeper just didn’t have a better way of expressing himself, I just don’t like hearing/reading it as the punctuation to everything. To have made this more realistic Leo should have started parroting it back to Keeper. Because they do. That’s usually a good way to get a parent to clean up their language.
But above all, I love this book. I will recommend it to others.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2008
When Jim Keeper receives a call out of the blue from his ex-wife Cynthia’s mother, the last thing he expects to hear is that she is in the hospital. Jim drops everything to drive up to Boston to find out what the favor he has been told she needs to ask him is. A week later, when going to pick up what used to be their dog Arrow, Jim is faced with a huge problem that he was not expecting.
It’s been four years since He and Cynthia divorced, a little over three years since he had seen her last. His life in those years has changed significantly. He now lives in Providence, and is partner in a two man salvage shop. He spends his days looking for buyers of the stuff his partner and best friend Tim finds (everything from old mantelpieces salvaged from houses that have been demolished to antique toys), and running their warehouse. He has also just moved into a house with Leah, his current girlfriend.
Cynthia has passed away, and rather than going home with the dog he was expecting, he is introduced to Leo. Suddenly he is finding himself father to a three year old, whom he wasn’t even aware he had. Jim finds himself transporting home a toddler, and his belongings. He cannot fathom what has just happened, and can not figure out how to break the news to Leah.
His life becomes one of introduction to this small child who speaks of strange kid things such as the tv show Kipper, and who only eats round foods. Everywhere he turns, his small home he had been making with his girlfriend Leah is over run with bright colored toys, and child sized clothing. He is struggling to survive as a single parent, learning to cope with daily childcare and toilet training. Through all this, there is an urgency to get Leo integrated into the life he had, and to convince Leah to give him and Leo another chance.
Keeper and Kid is a warm and sweet story of a man and child thrown headfirst into each others lives. Edward Hardy has created an engaging look into life, as a new parent, as a single parent, and the receipt of an unexpected gift. Jim Keeper, a man who never thought about children in his life grows through the story. I found myself immersed in the book, and quickly sped through it to find out how Jim, Leo, and Leah survive the shock of being thrown together so suddenly.
It’s been four years since He and Cynthia divorced, a little over three years since he had seen her last. His life in those years has changed significantly. He now lives in Providence, and is partner in a two man salvage shop. He spends his days looking for buyers of the stuff his partner and best friend Tim finds (everything from old mantelpieces salvaged from houses that have been demolished to antique toys), and running their warehouse. He has also just moved into a house with Leah, his current girlfriend.
Cynthia has passed away, and rather than going home with the dog he was expecting, he is introduced to Leo. Suddenly he is finding himself father to a three year old, whom he wasn’t even aware he had. Jim finds himself transporting home a toddler, and his belongings. He cannot fathom what has just happened, and can not figure out how to break the news to Leah.
His life becomes one of introduction to this small child who speaks of strange kid things such as the tv show Kipper, and who only eats round foods. Everywhere he turns, his small home he had been making with his girlfriend Leah is over run with bright colored toys, and child sized clothing. He is struggling to survive as a single parent, learning to cope with daily childcare and toilet training. Through all this, there is an urgency to get Leo integrated into the life he had, and to convince Leah to give him and Leo another chance.
Keeper and Kid is a warm and sweet story of a man and child thrown headfirst into each others lives. Edward Hardy has created an engaging look into life, as a new parent, as a single parent, and the receipt of an unexpected gift. Jim Keeper, a man who never thought about children in his life grows through the story. I found myself immersed in the book, and quickly sped through it to find out how Jim, Leo, and Leah survive the shock of being thrown together so suddenly.
February 29, 2008
This book was an absolute delight. Set in New England, it is the story of James Keeper, a guy who works surrounded by rescued materials in a shop/salvage yard.
"I love the yard. It's an entire world of saved parts and second chances." p.52
That sentence is a window to the rest of the story. When his ex-wife suddenly dies, Keeper thinks he is going to pick up their dog, but finds out they have a 3 1/2 year old son. Watching Keeper and Leo navigate through their immediate future is funny and sad and true.
I love that this book has a flawed, but likeable male character with heart. Watching him grow up and learn to ask for help was a sweet reward.
I also thought the writing was pitch perfect - simple, with exactly enough character insight that you know these people. but still a quick read.
Good stuff here!
"I love the yard. It's an entire world of saved parts and second chances." p.52
That sentence is a window to the rest of the story. When his ex-wife suddenly dies, Keeper thinks he is going to pick up their dog, but finds out they have a 3 1/2 year old son. Watching Keeper and Leo navigate through their immediate future is funny and sad and true.
I love that this book has a flawed, but likeable male character with heart. Watching him grow up and learn to ask for help was a sweet reward.
I also thought the writing was pitch perfect - simple, with exactly enough character insight that you know these people. but still a quick read.
Good stuff here!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews