Toni Aleo is the author I one-click without having to read the synopsis of what the book is about. I know I’m going to be pulled in, the world around me with all its troubles and angst fading while I am taken to another place. What I didn’t know was that Overtime would be my game changer. She definitely upped the game on this one, it is by far the BEST book she has written, it has changed me, changed my perspective on myself and those around me. I will never look at those will addictions or problems in their lives the same.
Jordie has reached that place in his life where there is no where else to go. He pushed away those who loved him and he loved, he’s about to lose the game he loves, with nothing left but to be alone unless he makes some changes. It won’t be easy and will take some real soul searching on his part to start climbing back out of the pit.
Kacey had her heart ripped into pieces and scattered to the seven seas by Jordie. She wants it all, the house with the white picket fence, children and the dog and is working to attain that goal without him.
Jordie road to recovery was phenomenally written. I felt as if I was there beside him, cheering him on. I cried when he ‘almost’ caved in and was so SO DAMN proud that his friends had the staying power to be there for him…to help him and to know that he might break…he might have a relapse but that would not mean he’d give up the fight. I remember first meeting him in Laces and Lace, he appeared to be one of the good ole boys who drank and partied and never got involved…didn’t have the heart to love anyone and really didn’t want to. But as she always does, the author showed how a person can change. Her personal experience with addiction and being a loved one of someone with an addiction shows in this book.
I particularly loved how Kacey had her own issues. Her worries and concerns about whether Jordie would leave her. Even after things in their lives seemed on track, she knew they could be only one day, or one drink from it all to come crashing down. Only time and the continued strengthening of their love and trust would slowly diminish that. Nothing happens without hard work, changes don’t come overnight, the author again, does a exceptional job of showing that. Kacey is his MVP…in all ways and together they will be a winning team.
I loved how the characters of her other books in the series showed up and we got to see a glimpse of their lives and how they are all doing, happy yet everything isn’t all happily ever after but they are a work in progress. The realism in her writing is stunning, as well as how unique each book is, the characters continue to stay true to themselves and you can feel how hard Toni works at that.
Overtime is like going to your first Hockey game after a long…long summer. It’s like that Christmas present you waited and waited and waited for only to finally get it…You don’t want to ever let it go, you want it to be the never ending story. It is a love story to end all stories. I have always maintained that Blue Lines was her best work. I was wrong. Overtime is by far the BEST WRITTEN book to date. I highly…HIGHLY recommend this book and look forward to what she brings us in the future. It deserves enough stars to go to infinity and beyond.