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The Present
'Do you ever wonder if the best days are behind you?'
Daniel Adelman had it all - friends, sports and holidays with family. Now everyone seems to be busy with marriage, work or have moved abroad, leaving him feeling lonely and ruminating on a better past. As he takes steps to spice up his monotonous routine, the 26-year-old Londoner questions whether his dwelling on the past is appropriate, or healthy, but the delight of revisiting memories proves ever-alluring in an unpredictable world.
'Genuinely enjoyable'
- James Kinsley, author of Playtime’s Over
'An emotive read'
- T.E. West, author of The Secret Lives of Anglers
'Incredibly relatable for anyone who’s ever found themselves stuck in a loop or at a crossroads in life'
- Joe Turner, author of The Heart Collector
Daniel Adelman had it all - friends, sports and holidays with family. Now everyone seems to be busy with marriage, work or have moved abroad, leaving him feeling lonely and ruminating on a better past. As he takes steps to spice up his monotonous routine, the 26-year-old Londoner questions whether his dwelling on the past is appropriate, or healthy, but the delight of revisiting memories proves ever-alluring in an unpredictable world.
'Genuinely enjoyable'
- James Kinsley, author of Playtime’s Over
'An emotive read'
- T.E. West, author of The Secret Lives of Anglers
'Incredibly relatable for anyone who’s ever found themselves stuck in a loop or at a crossroads in life'
- Joe Turner, author of The Heart Collector
139 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 19, 2025
About the author
Joseph Estevez
13 books2 followersJoseph Estevez is the author of several books of poetry and fiction, including 'Isaac Abrams' and 'Simon Jacobs'.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 9, 2026
I gave The Present 4 out of 5 stars. I really enjoyed the way Joseph Estevez explores faith, doubt, and human connection with honesty and heart. The story feels thoughtful and reflective, inviting you to slow down and consider the deeper meaning behind everyday moments. The characters are relatable and layered, and the themes of redemption and hope are handled with warmth rather than preachiness. At times the pacing felt slightly uneven, but overall it was a meaningful and uplifting read that stayed with me after I finished.
March 2, 2026
The Present
An interesting read. It tells about some Jewish man's friendships through difficult times in his life. It was written post covid.
An interesting read. It tells about some Jewish man's friendships through difficult times in his life. It was written post covid.
May 20, 2026
It felt a little bit like reading a Year 6 essay. I wanted to like it but it was just so shallow.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews