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The Will #1
The Will
Alternate cover edition for ASIN: B00SDEFOCE
Putting the will in willpower.
Josh McCain has two years to reinvent himself. Stripped of everything that made life a swanky, booze and babe-filled breeze, Josh embarks on a grueling and often hilarious two-year regimen of self-discipline that targets his mind, body, and spirit.
Along the way, skeptics mock him; his own past taunts him; and saboteurs resolve to stop him. But Josh is determined to complete his "bucket list from hell," and prove that who he was is not as important as who he can become.
Operating in unfamiliar territory, Josh turns to a cast of quirky characters to aid him on his secret journey; persons he'd have previously shunned. Upbeat and inspiring, The Will is an enthralling story of goofs and grit, of the regenerative power of friendship--and if Josh doesn't blow it--real love.
Putting the will in willpower.
Josh McCain has two years to reinvent himself. Stripped of everything that made life a swanky, booze and babe-filled breeze, Josh embarks on a grueling and often hilarious two-year regimen of self-discipline that targets his mind, body, and spirit.
Along the way, skeptics mock him; his own past taunts him; and saboteurs resolve to stop him. But Josh is determined to complete his "bucket list from hell," and prove that who he was is not as important as who he can become.
Operating in unfamiliar territory, Josh turns to a cast of quirky characters to aid him on his secret journey; persons he'd have previously shunned. Upbeat and inspiring, The Will is an enthralling story of goofs and grit, of the regenerative power of friendship--and if Josh doesn't blow it--real love.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
About the author
Benjamin Laskin
28 books28 followersBenjamin writes fun, genre-bending novels that inspire, uplift, and entertain. Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, he has traveled widely and spent a large chunk of his adult life in Japan. He can now be found sauntering through the maze of narrow, stony alleyways in the ancient and legend-rich town of Safed, in Israel’s upper Galilee.
If you like original, life-affirming stories with characters who stay with you long after you’ve put down the book, please give one of his novels a try.
For more information, please visit his website at: www.benjaminlaskin.com.
If you like original, life-affirming stories with characters who stay with you long after you’ve put down the book, please give one of his novels a try.
For more information, please visit his website at: www.benjaminlaskin.com.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
May 31, 2021
What a surprise!
The wheel was a fantastic book. It was fun it was funny at times and it shows the conversion of heart.
That’s a winner to me!
Recommend
The wheel was a fantastic book. It was fun it was funny at times and it shows the conversion of heart.
That’s a winner to me!
Recommend
August 18, 2015
An inspiring story. Even if it was about a fictional character, it made me think about how I live my own life. Well worth the time and the price.
July 5, 2015
3.5 stars
This was a sweet inspirational read with some light romance. I have actually seen a movie almost exactly like this book but it was still a pleasant, sweet read although a bit predictable. I'd still check out more of this writer's work.
This was a sweet inspirational read with some light romance. I have actually seen a movie almost exactly like this book but it was still a pleasant, sweet read although a bit predictable. I'd still check out more of this writer's work.
April 24, 2016
Above all this is a book about redemption. And that it is never too late to change if you have sufficient motivation. I will guarantee at least one chance at tears before the end of the book.
Josh is your stereotypical spoiled manchild. His father's wealth has allowed him to be lazy, cruel and self-centered. When his father dies instead of stepping into the massive inheritance he expected he is told he has two years to complete a list of 28 tasks; self improvement for a-holes or he can forfeit the money and it will go to his Aunt. Additionally all of his daddy provided comforts are being removed; no nice apartment, Porsche or credit cards.
Once his tantrum is over, and it takes an uncomfortably long time, he realizes that he wants to accept the challenge. Along the way he meets people who will help him with his quest. He learns about himself and others and becomes a better person. Of course there has to be a baddy and that is his Aunt Brooke who is trying in every way she can to thwart him.
This is a nice book about being a better person.
Josh is your stereotypical spoiled manchild. His father's wealth has allowed him to be lazy, cruel and self-centered. When his father dies instead of stepping into the massive inheritance he expected he is told he has two years to complete a list of 28 tasks; self improvement for a-holes or he can forfeit the money and it will go to his Aunt. Additionally all of his daddy provided comforts are being removed; no nice apartment, Porsche or credit cards.
Once his tantrum is over, and it takes an uncomfortably long time, he realizes that he wants to accept the challenge. Along the way he meets people who will help him with his quest. He learns about himself and others and becomes a better person. Of course there has to be a baddy and that is his Aunt Brooke who is trying in every way she can to thwart him.
This is a nice book about being a better person.
September 6, 2016
This was a entertaining book, and pretty much what I expected. Mega-rich father dies, and in his will, he stipulates that in order for his son to inherit a bazillion dollars, he has to accomplish a long list of physically and mentally demanding tasks within a two-year period. The spoiled son is immediately stripped of his credit cards, fancy car, and high-dollar apartment, and at first, he thinks he's being punished by a vindictive father, but he eventually realizes he's being taught about the truly meaningful things of life by a very loving one.
Parts of the book are a teensy bit preachy, and some resolutions are a bit facile, but in the end, it doesn't matter, because, bottom line, this is simply a quick-reading, entertaining book that makes readers feel good.
Parts of the book are a teensy bit preachy, and some resolutions are a bit facile, but in the end, it doesn't matter, because, bottom line, this is simply a quick-reading, entertaining book that makes readers feel good.
February 29, 2020
Why did I love this book? It's far-fetched but enjoyable. One of the book's themes is that our choices determine our success/contentment. This is an idea I've been thinking a lot about lately. At the beginning of the book, Josh is spoiled and unambitious. He has no reason to be. His one redeeming factor is that he is genuinely grief-stricken when his father passes. Then comes the will...a way for a father to make a last attempt to transform the selfish boy to a man with purpose. Yeah, it's a bit cheesy, but sometimes I like a little cheese and I'm willing to suspend disbelief just to see where the story goes.
Maybe it was just the right time for me to read this book.
Maybe it was just the right time for me to read this book.
August 30, 2015
This book was exactly what I needed to read right now. I'm really a mystery/suspense genre-type reader, but sometimes you just get too much gruesome & need something uplifting. And this book was it for me. Every time I had to put it down & stop reading it (in order to do senseless things like Work, grocery shopping, sleeping, cooking, etc...) I just wanted to hurry up so that I could get back to the book. If you are in the mood for a well written book that doesn't preach or push you, but just makes you feel good, I suggest you read this. The Will. It was great!
January 9, 2022
My rating falls somewhere between 4 and 5. I LOVE the premise of this book; it sparked some pretty good “can you imagine?” and “what if?” discussions with my husband. It is amusing at times, but I didn’t want it to be because I thought the story deserved more solemnity. But the humour works - somehow, it works. There are quite a few eye-roller moments (“yeah, right” and “oh, sure” moments), but then the softie-nerd in me took over - instead of cynicism, I decided to just go with the feel-good vibe of the story. I enjoyed it so much that I have already purchased the sequel and am looking forward to getting into it as soon as possible.
June 3, 2015
The Will. So inspirational. Loved it.
When I started this book, I had no idea how inspirational it would become for me. Sometimes "people or things" come in our life for a reason and this book was one of those "things" for me. I started reading this book last week. Yesterday, I was given news by my doctor that I had to make some drastic lifestyle changes for my health - can't get around the genetics. Reading about Josh making drastic lifestyle changes, in the manner he did and in the timeframe he did gives me the inspiration I need to make the necessary changes in my own life. There are not many books that have such an impact on me, but this is one of those. I very much enjoyed reading the story of Josh's 2 year journey.
When I started this book, I had no idea how inspirational it would become for me. Sometimes "people or things" come in our life for a reason and this book was one of those "things" for me. I started reading this book last week. Yesterday, I was given news by my doctor that I had to make some drastic lifestyle changes for my health - can't get around the genetics. Reading about Josh making drastic lifestyle changes, in the manner he did and in the timeframe he did gives me the inspiration I need to make the necessary changes in my own life. There are not many books that have such an impact on me, but this is one of those. I very much enjoyed reading the story of Josh's 2 year journey.
January 15, 2020
Read The Will after The Time Travelers Wife for a good hearted change of pace
Benjamin please learn how to spell mannequin.
A feel good story with heart. A beach-vacation read most definitely. Fast paced.
This may be a plot people have seen time and again but I enjoyed it. A spirited light hearted read. Is this a book I’d tell my friends is a must read? Probably not but if they saw this review, I’d definitely tell them it had merit and is a HEA tied neatly with a bow thus the solid 4 stars.
I’d probably give 5 stars had I not seen a Will 2 coming up. I’m so sick of writers banking on sequels for a quick buck.
Benjamin please learn how to spell mannequin.
A feel good story with heart. A beach-vacation read most definitely. Fast paced.
This may be a plot people have seen time and again but I enjoyed it. A spirited light hearted read. Is this a book I’d tell my friends is a must read? Probably not but if they saw this review, I’d definitely tell them it had merit and is a HEA tied neatly with a bow thus the solid 4 stars.
I’d probably give 5 stars had I not seen a Will 2 coming up. I’m so sick of writers banking on sequels for a quick buck.
May 24, 2015
For me this was a fabulous book, it was so much fun to see how the main character Josh McCain deals with an unexpected challenge that his father left him in his Will. Even though one could feel it is a bit predictable, that did not matter to me as I became very invested in all of the books characters, and was rooting for Josh the whole way through. This is a book that gets you thinking not only about your life, and how you live it, but it is also full of such wonderful messages. I found this to be a book that I did not want to end.
June 4, 2015
I really liked this book. It was a nice easy read and the ending was inevitable, but the journey was inspiring and gave me 'the feel good factor'. I wish I had the courage, motivation and ability to do one tenth of the list. Your mInd, body and soul will appreciate the reading of this book; I highly recommend it.
March 24, 2020
Thought provoking and inspiring. Loved it. Thanks, Mickie, for the review.
July 19, 2022
The will that kept going
I the book The Will because it was different from most books about people with money. Joshua learn a lesson about life and how money couldn’t buy happens.
He learned to know his father and what other people thought of his father.
Joshua learn to love and care about other and want to help even if it meant
He would never have the money his father wanted him to have.
He made friends for a life time which is what his father wanted for him.
He found love and wife by following the path his father mapped out for him.
I was so in to the book I didn’t want to put down.
I the book The Will because it was different from most books about people with money. Joshua learn a lesson about life and how money couldn’t buy happens.
He learned to know his father and what other people thought of his father.
Joshua learn to love and care about other and want to help even if it meant
He would never have the money his father wanted him to have.
He made friends for a life time which is what his father wanted for him.
He found love and wife by following the path his father mapped out for him.
I was so in to the book I didn’t want to put down.
January 26, 2023
“The Will” by Benjamin Laskin.
I received an Advance Reader Copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It was my first attempt at a novel from Benjamin Laskin and I must say that it was enlightening.
Being mostly a Sci-fi reader, which this novel is not, not only have I enjoyed reading it, I even could say that I have been caught by the story.
I found the characters catching, there is a definite story with an atmosphere to it.
I would advise reading it, even if just as a week-end read and if more wanted, the list of authors it includes is certainly worth a try (at least for some). I loved it.
I received an Advance Reader Copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It was my first attempt at a novel from Benjamin Laskin and I must say that it was enlightening.
Being mostly a Sci-fi reader, which this novel is not, not only have I enjoyed reading it, I even could say that I have been caught by the story.
I found the characters catching, there is a definite story with an atmosphere to it.
I would advise reading it, even if just as a week-end read and if more wanted, the list of authors it includes is certainly worth a try (at least for some). I loved it.
January 7, 2025
Motivating
When Josh's wealthy father passed away, he learned he had to accomplish a huge list of requirements before he could inherit the money. Everything was taken from him and he had to start over on his own and have the determination to finish the list in 2 years. It was motivating to watch him become a better person, give service, learn philosophy, work on physical strength, and become a better person. It wasn't easy for the spoiled rich kid and while his aunt was sabotaging him. It was a great 2 years of gaining skills, knowledge and overall self confidence. Very motivating. Full novel, no cliffhanger and a happily ever after.
When Josh's wealthy father passed away, he learned he had to accomplish a huge list of requirements before he could inherit the money. Everything was taken from him and he had to start over on his own and have the determination to finish the list in 2 years. It was motivating to watch him become a better person, give service, learn philosophy, work on physical strength, and become a better person. It wasn't easy for the spoiled rich kid and while his aunt was sabotaging him. It was a great 2 years of gaining skills, knowledge and overall self confidence. Very motivating. Full novel, no cliffhanger and a happily ever after.
May 11, 2021
WHERE THERE'S A WILL...
There's an uplifting story. This would make a good movie because it has everything...laughs, a couple tears, a race, good deeds a villain, and an ending that lives up to all of that! I was cheering for Josh the whole way, and you will too. Don't miss this one.
There's an uplifting story. This would make a good movie because it has everything...laughs, a couple tears, a race, good deeds a villain, and an ending that lives up to all of that! I was cheering for Josh the whole way, and you will too. Don't miss this one.
January 11, 2022
The Will was a heartwarming story of human challenges.
I enjoyed the premise of the story and the characters. The wonderful quotes though out the story were a delight.
I believe if more people read this they would find what a difference they could make too in their lives.
It held me captive and brought a tear to my eye more than once!
I enjoyed the premise of the story and the characters. The wonderful quotes though out the story were a delight.
I believe if more people read this they would find what a difference they could make too in their lives.
It held me captive and brought a tear to my eye more than once!
January 6, 2024
Easily my favorite book in a while, this is a journey of self-awareness and discovery, pain, learning, loving and opening ones eyes enough to realize that it's about others.
Josh is given two years to reinvent himself so that he can inherit the money in his father's will. He sets off on a remarkable experience. No spoilers. Just read it and learn from it.
Josh is given two years to reinvent himself so that he can inherit the money in his father's will. He sets off on a remarkable experience. No spoilers. Just read it and learn from it.
December 30, 2021
Delightfully real!
I swore, cried, laughter, shouted out loud once (scared our MsKitty!), ground my teeth a few times! However-loved it so much I’m off to Amazon to download the sequel right now!
I swore, cried, laughter, shouted out loud once (scared our MsKitty!), ground my teeth a few times! However-loved it so much I’m off to Amazon to download the sequel right now!
December 30, 2021
Great read!
Wow Benjamin Laskin! I stayed up way too late and read the whole story. Josh's transformation fron irresponsible ne'er do well to amazing human being was too riveting to put down. Loved it!
Wow Benjamin Laskin! I stayed up way too late and read the whole story. Josh's transformation fron irresponsible ne'er do well to amazing human being was too riveting to put down. Loved it!
March 4, 2022
I quite enjoyed this story, I followed Josh all the way and so proud of him that he turned his life around the way he did. Of course, with the chance to inherit lots of money he had quite the incentive. But I believe that along the way, he grew up and became a very good adult. Very good story, thank you Mr. Laskin!
July 24, 2023
Great story!
We would all benefit from a list such as Josh was given! No fortune necessary
Developing discipline in mind, body and spirit can only be for good! Discovering
the great thinkers and studying them changes us, and the world would be a better place.
We would all benefit from a list such as Josh was given! No fortune necessary
Developing discipline in mind, body and spirit can only be for good! Discovering
the great thinkers and studying them changes us, and the world would be a better place.
January 7, 2024
Your body and mind are flexible
Fun, fast, entertaining book. Brings out possibilities for all of us to start somewhere in body and mind remodeling, but start is a must with continuous repetitions.
Fun, fast, entertaining book. Brings out possibilities for all of us to start somewhere in body and mind remodeling, but start is a must with continuous repetitions.
January 4, 2026
Nike's "Just do it!" is no match for Josh and his superpower will!
This is a delightful, quick read that will captivate you. Smooth style of prose creates a sweet uplifting story. We should all be so motivated to be our best selves.
This is a delightful, quick read that will captivate you. Smooth style of prose creates a sweet uplifting story. We should all be so motivated to be our best selves.
January 26, 2026
Enjoyable story!
Likeable characters except the auntie and her cohort.
Moved along at a nice reading pace.
An enjoyable story sort of like the story "The Ultimate Gift by Jim Stovall"; but, much more involved.
Likeable characters except the auntie and her cohort.
Moved along at a nice reading pace.
An enjoyable story sort of like the story "The Ultimate Gift by Jim Stovall"; but, much more involved.
June 25, 2021
Thank you Mr. Laskin. Rarely does a reader experience what reading is all about. You changed my outlook on life and other people. God bless.
December 6, 2021
This book is awesome. I am slowly making my way through the reading list mentioned in here.
January 9, 2022
A feel good adventure
While not particularly true, this story of a young man choosing to find and develop his character is satisfying and sweet.
While not particularly true, this story of a young man choosing to find and develop his character is satisfying and sweet.
June 27, 2022
What a fun, uplifting story. I totally enjoyed the romp and am exhausted from the effort. See Jakky's review. She says far better what I am not able to put in words.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews