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Roam
Three strangers searching for something out of reach.
Sarah Cate, celebrating her twenty-first birthday, is pushed over the edge after car trouble strands her in the middle of nowhere with an angry, unstable boyfriend.
Kevin Reed, a troubled adolescent abused by a loveless father, roams the night in his black Camaro, looking to pay forward one of the few acts of kindness he’s ever received.
Scotty Mason, plagued by profound guilt and completely detached from his world, is haunted by the unshakable fear that something inside him is dangerously broken and cannot be fixed.
When their lives intersect in an unsavory hotel with a bloody history, all three will struggle to exorcise their personal demons, unaware that a bigger threat is looming . . . and waiting for the right moment to strike.
Like Joshua Gaylord and Daniel Kraus before him, author Erik Therme explores the angst of disconnected youth in his enthralling and powerful Roam. Therme’s darkly tinged novel is an unforgettable tale of three errant souls brutalized by life’s cruel circumstances, and a remarkable night of discovery and violence that will change them forever.
Sarah Cate, celebrating her twenty-first birthday, is pushed over the edge after car trouble strands her in the middle of nowhere with an angry, unstable boyfriend.
Kevin Reed, a troubled adolescent abused by a loveless father, roams the night in his black Camaro, looking to pay forward one of the few acts of kindness he’s ever received.
Scotty Mason, plagued by profound guilt and completely detached from his world, is haunted by the unshakable fear that something inside him is dangerously broken and cannot be fixed.
When their lives intersect in an unsavory hotel with a bloody history, all three will struggle to exorcise their personal demons, unaware that a bigger threat is looming . . . and waiting for the right moment to strike.
Like Joshua Gaylord and Daniel Kraus before him, author Erik Therme explores the angst of disconnected youth in his enthralling and powerful Roam. Therme’s darkly tinged novel is an unforgettable tale of three errant souls brutalized by life’s cruel circumstances, and a remarkable night of discovery and violence that will change them forever.
243 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 21, 2017
811 people are currently reading
2128 people want to read
About the author
Erik Therme
11 books611 followersErik Therme has thrashed in garage bands, inadvertently harbored runaways, and met Darth Vader. He currently resides in Iowa City, Iowa—one of only twenty-eight places in the world that UNESCO has certified as a City of Literature.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
June 13, 2021
Roam if you want to, roam around the world…or just around a random nowhere USA area with a bunch of young people for a night.
This is a book an author wrote in his 20s, which features characters ranging from 19 to 21 or so, it’s young and reads one, not quite Young Adult, maybe New Adult or whatever the latest marketing ploy there’s out there.
The story features a young woman whose 21st birthday celebration doesn’t quite go according to plan. And it was such a minimal plan to begin with, just a night out with her boyfriend. But he turns out to be a scum, so she decides to get away and go visit an old friend assisted on her journey by a freshly found teenage knight in an old car. And that’s the entire plot, really, three guys orbiting the same girl. Drama, drama, drama…until tragedy strikes.
So not the best birthday celebration, but certainly a memorable one.
Not the best of books either (not an especially memorable one), but decent for what it is and decent for a random kindle freebie find. Might be more appropriate for those new adults. Not a lot of emotional engagement with the characters, but it was entertaining enough and read very quickly. The author showed promising signs of being able to mature into more. The editing appears to be professionally done. So ok. Decent enough. Thus the uncharacteristically generous rating up.
This is a book an author wrote in his 20s, which features characters ranging from 19 to 21 or so, it’s young and reads one, not quite Young Adult, maybe New Adult or whatever the latest marketing ploy there’s out there.
The story features a young woman whose 21st birthday celebration doesn’t quite go according to plan. And it was such a minimal plan to begin with, just a night out with her boyfriend. But he turns out to be a scum, so she decides to get away and go visit an old friend assisted on her journey by a freshly found teenage knight in an old car. And that’s the entire plot, really, three guys orbiting the same girl. Drama, drama, drama…until tragedy strikes.
So not the best birthday celebration, but certainly a memorable one.
Not the best of books either (not an especially memorable one), but decent for what it is and decent for a random kindle freebie find. Might be more appropriate for those new adults. Not a lot of emotional engagement with the characters, but it was entertaining enough and read very quickly. The author showed promising signs of being able to mature into more. The editing appears to be professionally done. So ok. Decent enough. Thus the uncharacteristically generous rating up.
February 23, 2017
Review of ROAM by Erik Therme
Difficult to express how much I love this totally perfect, compactly-written, story. I loved it, loved it, loved it, finished it wanting to read it again immediately, and yes, it was a one-session straight readthrough. I've read the author's earlier books, MORTOM and RESTHAVEN, and enjoyed them immensely, so I leaped to read ROAM, which blew me away with its entertainment value combined with thrills, suspense, deep human emotions, mild violence (primarily offscreen), date abuse, familial psychological abuse, and so much else. This was akin to standing before a painting in a museum and watching it come to life and portray a vignette of life. ROAM is excellent. Don't miss it.
Difficult to express how much I love this totally perfect, compactly-written, story. I loved it, loved it, loved it, finished it wanting to read it again immediately, and yes, it was a one-session straight readthrough. I've read the author's earlier books, MORTOM and RESTHAVEN, and enjoyed them immensely, so I leaped to read ROAM, which blew me away with its entertainment value combined with thrills, suspense, deep human emotions, mild violence (primarily offscreen), date abuse, familial psychological abuse, and so much else. This was akin to standing before a painting in a museum and watching it come to life and portray a vignette of life. ROAM is excellent. Don't miss it.
July 31, 2021
A Novel About A Novel
Although Roam was copyrighted as recently as 2017, author Erik Therme claims that what he calls this “odd little book” was actually written back when he was in his twenties. In a clever ending, the two main characters are not revealed until the final pages. All of the action takes place in the span of one eventful night.
In the book, Sarah is a college student described as stunning. Her drunk and obnoxious boyfriend Matt has taken her out for her birthday, their car breaks down on the side of a desolate road, and Sarah abandons them both, the car and her boyfriend, to seek help.
Sure enough, help shortly arrives in the form of Kevin, a high school senior, roaring along the road in his Camaro. Thankfully for Sarah Kevin’s a good guy, an aspiring and talented writer who knows how to handle himself in a fight when necessary, and yes, it becomes necessary.
He unselfishly drives Sarah around to look for an old family friend of hers named Scotty, whose instability provides drama of its own. The three of them wind up in a small town run down hotel where a climactic confrontation takes place in the middle of the night.
Like Kevin, author Erik Therme is also a talented writer, who knows how to write “funny,” and not unlike Stephen King, “scary,” with a natural ear for dialogue. If Roam is indeed the work of a young man, we should all be anxious to read this author’s later works to see how he’s developed as a writer.
By the way, I’m a stickler for detail, and I wasn’t able to find a single grammatical or typographical mistake in Roam, a sure sign of an author who respects his readers and who’s proud of his work product. That rarity alone is sufficient in my book for him to deserve our time and attention.
Although Roam was copyrighted as recently as 2017, author Erik Therme claims that what he calls this “odd little book” was actually written back when he was in his twenties. In a clever ending, the two main characters are not revealed until the final pages. All of the action takes place in the span of one eventful night.
In the book, Sarah is a college student described as stunning. Her drunk and obnoxious boyfriend Matt has taken her out for her birthday, their car breaks down on the side of a desolate road, and Sarah abandons them both, the car and her boyfriend, to seek help.
Sure enough, help shortly arrives in the form of Kevin, a high school senior, roaring along the road in his Camaro. Thankfully for Sarah Kevin’s a good guy, an aspiring and talented writer who knows how to handle himself in a fight when necessary, and yes, it becomes necessary.
He unselfishly drives Sarah around to look for an old family friend of hers named Scotty, whose instability provides drama of its own. The three of them wind up in a small town run down hotel where a climactic confrontation takes place in the middle of the night.
Like Kevin, author Erik Therme is also a talented writer, who knows how to write “funny,” and not unlike Stephen King, “scary,” with a natural ear for dialogue. If Roam is indeed the work of a young man, we should all be anxious to read this author’s later works to see how he’s developed as a writer.
By the way, I’m a stickler for detail, and I wasn’t able to find a single grammatical or typographical mistake in Roam, a sure sign of an author who respects his readers and who’s proud of his work product. That rarity alone is sufficient in my book for him to deserve our time and attention.
January 20, 2020
Sarah’s birthday isn’t going the way she expected when her car breaks down on the side of the road, trapping her there with her abusive boyfriend. Fed up with him, she decides to walk away to try and get help. That’s when she meets Kevin and realizes that her life could be so much different, better, without Matt. He doesn’t agree though. If he can’t have her, no one can.
The blurb grabbed me, and I wasn’t sure what to expect of this book. At first, I thought it would end up being a psychological kidnapping read, but it took an unexpected angle covering things like friendship, comfort, abuse, and a range of other topics which not only made this an interesting read but an insightful one as well.
I liked Sarah. She was a strong character, disconnected from the world around her whether it be her abusive boyfriend or her mother who wasn’t much better. If I were her, I would’ve walked down a dark road to escape too. Luckily for her, it was the best move she could’ve made. I also liked Kevin. He was upbeat, the perfect optimism to balance Sarah’s pessimism. Very cute ending.
Joe did a fantastic job of the narration. I especially enjoyed the scene with the man telling the creepy story in the lobby. I got literal goosebumps there.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
The blurb grabbed me, and I wasn’t sure what to expect of this book. At first, I thought it would end up being a psychological kidnapping read, but it took an unexpected angle covering things like friendship, comfort, abuse, and a range of other topics which not only made this an interesting read but an insightful one as well.
I liked Sarah. She was a strong character, disconnected from the world around her whether it be her abusive boyfriend or her mother who wasn’t much better. If I were her, I would’ve walked down a dark road to escape too. Luckily for her, it was the best move she could’ve made. I also liked Kevin. He was upbeat, the perfect optimism to balance Sarah’s pessimism. Very cute ending.
Joe did a fantastic job of the narration. I especially enjoyed the scene with the man telling the creepy story in the lobby. I got literal goosebumps there.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
August 18, 2019
Your 21st birthday is meant to be a memorable day,a landmark in everyone's lives. Sarah's 21st is definitely going to be memorable but for all the wrong reasons. After yet another argument with her abusive,bully of a boyfriend Matt,she storms off into the night and is picked up by a good Samaritan who says that his name is Kevin. But is Kevin the nice guy that he appears to be or has Sarah escaped one dangerous situation and walked right into another one.
Meanwhile,Matt is lurking in the background,fuming,plotting and waiting for the opportunity to enact his revenge.
This riveting thriller is split into three sections and voiced from the perspectives of Sarah,Kevin and a character named Scott. I really liked Sarah and enjoyed witnessing the relashionship between her and Kevin develop and grow as the story unfolded. And Sarah slowly realising just how much she had lost and sacrificed due to Matt's controlling behaviour. Elements of Kevin's behaviour cast doubt on the validity of his character and caused me to have mixed feelings about him for quite a large portion of the book. Scott was a complex character who had some serious issues but were does he fit into this captivating thriller. Well you will just have to get hold of a copy of this book and find out for yourselves.
There is a intensity to this story that holds the readers attention and keeps you frantically turning the pages. The tension builds as all the well rounded characters are manoeuvred into position for the inevitable final showdown.A very entertaining,well written,enjoyable read. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Sarah Hardy of Books On The Bright Side for a arc of this book and the opportunity to take part in the Blog tour
Meanwhile,Matt is lurking in the background,fuming,plotting and waiting for the opportunity to enact his revenge.
This riveting thriller is split into three sections and voiced from the perspectives of Sarah,Kevin and a character named Scott. I really liked Sarah and enjoyed witnessing the relashionship between her and Kevin develop and grow as the story unfolded. And Sarah slowly realising just how much she had lost and sacrificed due to Matt's controlling behaviour. Elements of Kevin's behaviour cast doubt on the validity of his character and caused me to have mixed feelings about him for quite a large portion of the book. Scott was a complex character who had some serious issues but were does he fit into this captivating thriller. Well you will just have to get hold of a copy of this book and find out for yourselves.
There is a intensity to this story that holds the readers attention and keeps you frantically turning the pages. The tension builds as all the well rounded characters are manoeuvred into position for the inevitable final showdown.A very entertaining,well written,enjoyable read. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Sarah Hardy of Books On The Bright Side for a arc of this book and the opportunity to take part in the Blog tour
March 20, 2017
I absolutely loved the characters in story. Erik Therme has done a fabulous job with not only a great plot, but the detail he has put into each one of the characters. Each person had their own issues to deal with, and I found myself totally lost between the pages for many enjoyable hours. It’s amazing how quickly you can read a book when it’s this good. When Sarah and her boyfriend’s car break down, it initially wasn’t such a great thing to happen on her birthday, but when she finally wakes up to what he’s really like, it turns into a blessing. This gives Sarah to chance to get away from him, and when she accepts a ride from a couple of guys that come along, it also gives her time to think about her life and the choices she has been making. Kevin and his friend drop Sarah off at her home, but when things don’t go well with her mum, she walks out the house and literally runs into Kevin’s car again, and she takes the opportunity to jump in. This will take them both on a journey together looking for her friend Scott, and in the process open up to each other about their lives and ambitions. However nothing was meant to be easy, and there are obstacles along the way. I like a story that I’m still thinking about, long after I’ve finished the last page. Do yourself a favour and read this book, it really is that good. His other books ‘Rest Haven’ and ‘Mortom’ are also great stories, and well worth a look at.
August 22, 2019
Plot
Sarah young women embarking on her 21st birthday, who is celebrating her 21st birthday with her boyfriend, Matt. A day she has been looking forward too, until it all starts going horribly wrong. After going to a restaurant for a meal, then stopping off at a party to being in the car with Matt which unfortunately broke down. After arguing, matt being mentally and emotionally abusive, plus threating and nearly being psychically abused. She has had enough and starts walking the 15 miles into town. Until Mark and Kevin out for a drive pick her up. This starts a chain of events which is mysterious, terrifying, unexpected and thought-provoking. It has elements of romance, coming of age, mystery and a bit of thriller combined.
I loved the little quotes and explanations of writing a novel intwined with Kevin. He perfectly explained that the most important part of a story is not the beginning or end but the little, interesting bits in between.
Characters
There are 5 main characters,
Sarah, Matt, Kevin and Scotty and Mark.
All unique with individual things going on in there from domestic abuse, abuser, mental illness, parental abuse etc.
They all had a very important part of the overall storyline, and all the characters are very in-depth and interesting in their own right.
My favourite characters have to be Sarah and Kevin.
Sarah who has just turned 21 is a fascinating and memorable character. Growing up with a mother who time after time brings abusive men in there life's, which has an effect on Sarah choosing the wrong men like Matt who is controlling, manipulative and abusive.
Kevin a young man who is an inspiring writer who unfortunately suffers abuse at the hands of his alcoholic father. He is such a sweet, caring, poignant and smart character.
Writing Style
Erik has engaging, brilliant and believable writing style.
Pacing
Grabs you and doesn't let you go, Beautifully Paced.
Mini Review
A book about a chain of events which is mysterious, terrifying, unexpected and thought-provoking. It has elements of romance, coming of age, mystery and a bit of thriller combined. Unique, quirky, scary and emotional characters.
https://wp.me/paMTST-wc
Sarah young women embarking on her 21st birthday, who is celebrating her 21st birthday with her boyfriend, Matt. A day she has been looking forward too, until it all starts going horribly wrong. After going to a restaurant for a meal, then stopping off at a party to being in the car with Matt which unfortunately broke down. After arguing, matt being mentally and emotionally abusive, plus threating and nearly being psychically abused. She has had enough and starts walking the 15 miles into town. Until Mark and Kevin out for a drive pick her up. This starts a chain of events which is mysterious, terrifying, unexpected and thought-provoking. It has elements of romance, coming of age, mystery and a bit of thriller combined.
I loved the little quotes and explanations of writing a novel intwined with Kevin. He perfectly explained that the most important part of a story is not the beginning or end but the little, interesting bits in between.
Characters
There are 5 main characters,
Sarah, Matt, Kevin and Scotty and Mark.
All unique with individual things going on in there from domestic abuse, abuser, mental illness, parental abuse etc.
They all had a very important part of the overall storyline, and all the characters are very in-depth and interesting in their own right.
My favourite characters have to be Sarah and Kevin.
Sarah who has just turned 21 is a fascinating and memorable character. Growing up with a mother who time after time brings abusive men in there life's, which has an effect on Sarah choosing the wrong men like Matt who is controlling, manipulative and abusive.
Kevin a young man who is an inspiring writer who unfortunately suffers abuse at the hands of his alcoholic father. He is such a sweet, caring, poignant and smart character.
Writing Style
Erik has engaging, brilliant and believable writing style.
Pacing
Grabs you and doesn't let you go, Beautifully Paced.
Mini Review
A book about a chain of events which is mysterious, terrifying, unexpected and thought-provoking. It has elements of romance, coming of age, mystery and a bit of thriller combined. Unique, quirky, scary and emotional characters.
https://wp.me/paMTST-wc
August 28, 2019
Sarah has a controlling boyfriend, Matt. On her 21st birthday, he gets drunk and when her car breaks down, he gets nasty. Sarah, scared for er safety, decides to walk to find help, alone.
She is picked up by Kevin, who says he will drop her at home….when at home she has an argument with her mother and leaves…...nearly getting run down, it turns out to be Kevin. He offers to drive her anywhere she needs to go….he likes to do two good deeds a day! Sarah says she wants to find her friend, Scotty, so off they go.
As they get to know each other, Sarah begins to have feelings for Kevin…..does he feel the same?
Then there’s Scotty, a troubled young man to say the least…..his mum has died, his dad is brutal and he sees things.
Eventually, after near assaults and violence, they meet up…..but who is lurking in the dark?
This is a tale of troubled youth, of absent or abusive parents and the effect this has on the minds and bodies of the young. Brutal, scary and heartbreaking at times, this is a fast, gripping read.
Thank you to Sarah at Book On The Bright Side for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
She is picked up by Kevin, who says he will drop her at home….when at home she has an argument with her mother and leaves…...nearly getting run down, it turns out to be Kevin. He offers to drive her anywhere she needs to go….he likes to do two good deeds a day! Sarah says she wants to find her friend, Scotty, so off they go.
As they get to know each other, Sarah begins to have feelings for Kevin…..does he feel the same?
Then there’s Scotty, a troubled young man to say the least…..his mum has died, his dad is brutal and he sees things.
Eventually, after near assaults and violence, they meet up…..but who is lurking in the dark?
This is a tale of troubled youth, of absent or abusive parents and the effect this has on the minds and bodies of the young. Brutal, scary and heartbreaking at times, this is a fast, gripping read.
Thank you to Sarah at Book On The Bright Side for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
June 2, 2017
I really enjoyed this taut, suspenseful, and beautifully written novel. The characterizations are excellent; one can feel the deep anxiety of the characters as they roam throughout the night to find their respective ways out of the emotional prisons in which they reside. As the disparate stories come together, the suspense heightens. I had no idea which way the story would go as there were so many possibilities, mirroring the divergent paths that real life takes.
Cliché as it may sound, I’m looking forward to reading more by this author. Excellent writing and storytelling. I highly recommend.
Cliché as it may sound, I’m looking forward to reading more by this author. Excellent writing and storytelling. I highly recommend.
January 31, 2022
If you’re looking for a fast & entertaining read, this is it. I picked up my iPad one day & this story (told by the point of mostly 3 people) literally pulled me through all of the situations & actions of each character, while getting to know them effortlessly along the way. This was full of suspense in a way that I didn’t want to stop reading it. I look forward to more from this author. If you’re looking for something a bit different, try the first couple chapters & you will most likely find yourself at the end before you know it.
February 6, 2018
4.5 rounded up. Review pending.
March 3, 2017
In past reviews, I’ve said Erik Therme’s books are terrifically written, with a great sense of pace and individual style, while full of characters I really do not like. At all. In both earlier books, he efficiently nailed the tropes while keeping the genre requirements secondary to the characters’ development, and used the sheer power of excellent writing to have me compulsively turning pages to keep up with his flawed, unlikeable characters.
And at first I thought Roam was more of the same. Out for what was supposed to be her dream twenty-first birthday date, beautiful young Sarah finds herself stranded with her drunk boyfriend. Inside Sarah’s head, we see her reading potential danger into everything he says and does. I soon realized that Sarah applies this knee-jerk worst-case scenario expectation to almost everyone and everything in her life. As reader, I wasn’t sure if she was just an unreliable narrator, or if her life truly sucked in every dimension.
Fearing her boyfriend will turn abusive, Sarah flees down the dark road. She’s rescued by Kevin, who has his own demons to battle. Their night’s journey together takes on an epic quality—think Wizard-of-Oz meets Ulysses, with a touch of American Graffiti thrown in—in which YA coming of age/horror/thriller mashup ticks all boxes from testosterone-crazed murderous attackers, to creepy motel, to supernatural—or maybe just plain crazy—forces. Nobody has had a happy childhood, nice family, trauma-free teen years. They’re all somewhere on the spectrum from batshit to homicidal cray-cray.
And THEN I got it. While Roam IS a traumatic coming of age romance, that’s just the middle of the story. As Sarah’s rescuer Kevin—a teenaged writer-wannabe—explains, the beginning and the end are just the framework. The real story is what happens in between a beginning, an end, and the events that move the story along.
[QUOTE] The most important thing isn’t working through the main events to reach the conclusion . . . it’s the little stuff in between. Little things that maybe aren’t essential to the plot of the story, but essential to other things, like getting to know the people and their motivations. [END QUOTE]
And there you have it. This isn’t just a book about attractive teenagers who roam around encountering scary stuff and maybe falling in love. It isn’t even just a terrific story with unreliable narrators, moments of terror and tenderness and lots of angst, and a fair amount of blood. It’s a writing lesson. A how-to primer by a writer at the top of his game.
As both Sarah and Kevin embark on their night of roaming in Kevin’s car, they reluctantly face their pasts, their fears, and their most secret hopes for the future. At the same time, we readers have the additional treat of peeking under the literary hood to see how the book’s engine is put together. Erik Therme succeeds brilliantly on all those levels. Yes, his characters are all still deeply flawed, very human, and often unlikeable. But they change, they grow, and most of all (as we learn from Kevin’s high school writing teacher) they preserve the fragile flicker of hope that ultimately transforms their lives.
Roam can be read on many different levels. I think it deserves five stars on all of them.
*I received this book for free from the publisher or author to facilitate an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*
And at first I thought Roam was more of the same. Out for what was supposed to be her dream twenty-first birthday date, beautiful young Sarah finds herself stranded with her drunk boyfriend. Inside Sarah’s head, we see her reading potential danger into everything he says and does. I soon realized that Sarah applies this knee-jerk worst-case scenario expectation to almost everyone and everything in her life. As reader, I wasn’t sure if she was just an unreliable narrator, or if her life truly sucked in every dimension.
Fearing her boyfriend will turn abusive, Sarah flees down the dark road. She’s rescued by Kevin, who has his own demons to battle. Their night’s journey together takes on an epic quality—think Wizard-of-Oz meets Ulysses, with a touch of American Graffiti thrown in—in which YA coming of age/horror/thriller mashup ticks all boxes from testosterone-crazed murderous attackers, to creepy motel, to supernatural—or maybe just plain crazy—forces. Nobody has had a happy childhood, nice family, trauma-free teen years. They’re all somewhere on the spectrum from batshit to homicidal cray-cray.
And THEN I got it. While Roam IS a traumatic coming of age romance, that’s just the middle of the story. As Sarah’s rescuer Kevin—a teenaged writer-wannabe—explains, the beginning and the end are just the framework. The real story is what happens in between a beginning, an end, and the events that move the story along.
[QUOTE] The most important thing isn’t working through the main events to reach the conclusion . . . it’s the little stuff in between. Little things that maybe aren’t essential to the plot of the story, but essential to other things, like getting to know the people and their motivations. [END QUOTE]
And there you have it. This isn’t just a book about attractive teenagers who roam around encountering scary stuff and maybe falling in love. It isn’t even just a terrific story with unreliable narrators, moments of terror and tenderness and lots of angst, and a fair amount of blood. It’s a writing lesson. A how-to primer by a writer at the top of his game.
As both Sarah and Kevin embark on their night of roaming in Kevin’s car, they reluctantly face their pasts, their fears, and their most secret hopes for the future. At the same time, we readers have the additional treat of peeking under the literary hood to see how the book’s engine is put together. Erik Therme succeeds brilliantly on all those levels. Yes, his characters are all still deeply flawed, very human, and often unlikeable. But they change, they grow, and most of all (as we learn from Kevin’s high school writing teacher) they preserve the fragile flicker of hope that ultimately transforms their lives.
Roam can be read on many different levels. I think it deserves five stars on all of them.
*I received this book for free from the publisher or author to facilitate an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*
April 22, 2017
It's an accidental oversight that brings Sarah and her boyfriend - Matt at a standstill , on her birthday, on an abandoned road at night. That triggers a chain of events that takes up the entire night , that literally pushes these kids , I must say , down the rabbit hole. Matt has a temper. He gets abusive and threatening, fearing physical abuse, Sarah flees into the darkness on pretext of getting help from a nearby house. In the inky black darkness are hiding her demons and her fears. Her mother is her yardstick of what he doesn't want in her life and following an altercation, she runs from home
She meets Kevin who's on a run of his own. Fleeing his abusive father , he's literally packed into his car with bare essentials that make up his entire ownership.
Kevin protects Sarah and takes her to places she wants to go . He's vowed to pay it forward in the Spread-kindness mission he's undertaken. His presence gives her solace and safety .
Then there's Scotty ,James Dean JD, who Sarah is running to. But looking for him in the trailer park, at his brothers house and eventually the three end up at a motel together. It's fate or cursed misfortune that their paths clash . Scott has excessive guilt harboring in his psyche . His dad died while driving and he thinks it's his fault.
All three face their demons together and unfortunately for Matt, it's exactly when Scotty is in his rarest form.
Kevin , the wannabe author, is almost the sideliner, yet he's in control all the time. His presence alone saves sarah's life , as if he was a guardian angel , put specifically for her, at the right moment , at the right time.
Erik has very cleverly woven a tale of night terror, hallucinating guilty conscience on a background of simple teenage love story. But that's just the skim surface. There are darker elements brewing right under the rosy waters.
Very skillfully written, almost psychedelic in vividness , which is weird because the story takes place in one night.
The emotions are eye piercing and morphing aftereffects of LSD.
Thank you Erik for reading and liking my review of All The Ugly and Wonderful Things and entrusting me with your book
5 inky black stars
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She meets Kevin who's on a run of his own. Fleeing his abusive father , he's literally packed into his car with bare essentials that make up his entire ownership.
Kevin protects Sarah and takes her to places she wants to go . He's vowed to pay it forward in the Spread-kindness mission he's undertaken. His presence gives her solace and safety .
Then there's Scotty ,James Dean JD, who Sarah is running to. But looking for him in the trailer park, at his brothers house and eventually the three end up at a motel together. It's fate or cursed misfortune that their paths clash . Scott has excessive guilt harboring in his psyche . His dad died while driving and he thinks it's his fault.
All three face their demons together and unfortunately for Matt, it's exactly when Scotty is in his rarest form.
Kevin , the wannabe author, is almost the sideliner, yet he's in control all the time. His presence alone saves sarah's life , as if he was a guardian angel , put specifically for her, at the right moment , at the right time.
Erik has very cleverly woven a tale of night terror, hallucinating guilty conscience on a background of simple teenage love story. But that's just the skim surface. There are darker elements brewing right under the rosy waters.
Very skillfully written, almost psychedelic in vividness , which is weird because the story takes place in one night.
The emotions are eye piercing and morphing aftereffects of LSD.
Thank you Erik for reading and liking my review of All The Ugly and Wonderful Things and entrusting me with your book
5 inky black stars
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August 16, 2019
Roam by Erik Therme
Stranded on the side of the road with a man she thought was “the one” Sarah Cate realizes that perhaps Matt is NOT the one for her BUT getting away may not be all that easy. She does leave Matt, walks away and is picked up by a good Samaritan who get her home safely ONLY she is not thrilled with what her mother has to offer when she gets home and she takes off again. Her twenty-first birthday is NOT all that she had hoped it would be.
This book had many youth in conflict:
* Sarah: still living at home with a mother that is not the warm cuddly type.
* Kevin: a young man who has work-skills that might see him escaping the pain of his time living with an abusive father
* Scotty: fighting off demons of his own...and perhaps in need of some serious counselling
* Matt: a man who is definitely a manipulator and abuser and someone to stay as far away from as possible.
This book had me feeling and caring and hoping for the best for more than one person in the story. It also reminded me of a story my brother tells...one in which he saw some young women hitch hiking when he was in high school. He picked them up and took them to a safe place admonishing them, though they might have been a bit older than he was, to be careful in the future because not all were as kind as he...a man with two sisters he saw in those two hitch hikers he gave a ride to.
I don’t usually read books with young main characters but am glad I read this one and believe I would read more by this author in the future.
Thank you to BOTSB for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
Stranded on the side of the road with a man she thought was “the one” Sarah Cate realizes that perhaps Matt is NOT the one for her BUT getting away may not be all that easy. She does leave Matt, walks away and is picked up by a good Samaritan who get her home safely ONLY she is not thrilled with what her mother has to offer when she gets home and she takes off again. Her twenty-first birthday is NOT all that she had hoped it would be.
This book had many youth in conflict:
* Sarah: still living at home with a mother that is not the warm cuddly type.
* Kevin: a young man who has work-skills that might see him escaping the pain of his time living with an abusive father
* Scotty: fighting off demons of his own...and perhaps in need of some serious counselling
* Matt: a man who is definitely a manipulator and abuser and someone to stay as far away from as possible.
This book had me feeling and caring and hoping for the best for more than one person in the story. It also reminded me of a story my brother tells...one in which he saw some young women hitch hiking when he was in high school. He picked them up and took them to a safe place admonishing them, though they might have been a bit older than he was, to be careful in the future because not all were as kind as he...a man with two sisters he saw in those two hitch hikers he gave a ride to.
I don’t usually read books with young main characters but am glad I read this one and believe I would read more by this author in the future.
Thank you to BOTSB for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
March 15, 2017
Some authors are just gifted with the ability to keep you turning the pages and I've found that Erik Therme is definitely one of them. I can't put my finger on what it is that's so good about his books, but something just draws you in and keeps you reading non-stop until the end. He's written a variety of books and no matter what the subject matter, his characters just speak to you. In "Roam," we meet five primary characters over the course of one fateful night. Sarah is trying to get home, away from an abusive and destructive relationship. Kevin, an aspiring writer, is running from demons of his own when he picks Sarah up along the side of the road. From there we meet a few others, all of whom lead desperate and lonely lives in one way or another. The feeling of dread and impending doom that overshadows the book will keep you reading, but it's these characters and their lives that will make you want to keep turning the pages.
March 22, 2017
I was asked to read this book for an honest review, so here it is.
This story has many levels; teenage angst /romance, the creepy hotel scenario for example, which includes the extra-creepy guest. But it is more about writing equating to life - what we do in between birth and death is more important than the finish line (like the stuff between the beginning and end of a story).
The characters are not particularly likeable, except maybe Kevin, but they fit the story well.
Themes such as abuse, bullying, relationships, hopes and dreams add dimension, and not being quite sure what was happening further adds to the mystery.
This is a mix of possible paranormal and drama with more than a pinch of possibilities, making it an unusual read...nice twist.
Worth a look.
This story has many levels; teenage angst /romance, the creepy hotel scenario for example, which includes the extra-creepy guest. But it is more about writing equating to life - what we do in between birth and death is more important than the finish line (like the stuff between the beginning and end of a story).
The characters are not particularly likeable, except maybe Kevin, but they fit the story well.
Themes such as abuse, bullying, relationships, hopes and dreams add dimension, and not being quite sure what was happening further adds to the mystery.
This is a mix of possible paranormal and drama with more than a pinch of possibilities, making it an unusual read...nice twist.
Worth a look.
August 17, 2019
Life is not easy and when you are not in a good place, it’s even harder. A broken family, bad boyfriends and guilt are the situations the three main characters are struggling with.
Sarah thought she found love, but is being let down once again. Kevin finally gets a break and hopes for a brighter future. Scott is still not over a loss. While Kevin and Sarah are discovering their feelings for each other, others are consumed by jealousy and revenge …
It’s a rather dark tale but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
The book is confusing, but I mean that in a good way. It reflects the state of mind of the characters perfectly. 4 stars.
Thank you, Erik Therme and Book On The Bright Side Publicity & Promo
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
Sarah thought she found love, but is being let down once again. Kevin finally gets a break and hopes for a brighter future. Scott is still not over a loss. While Kevin and Sarah are discovering their feelings for each other, others are consumed by jealousy and revenge …
It’s a rather dark tale but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
The book is confusing, but I mean that in a good way. It reflects the state of mind of the characters perfectly. 4 stars.
Thank you, Erik Therme and Book On The Bright Side Publicity & Promo
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
February 7, 2017
ROAM is the third Erik Therme book I've read, and it is the best of the trio. The inexorable pull of this novel is undeniable, due in almost (but not quite) equal parts to skillful character development and suspenseful plotting. I say "almost," because the characters win out, and that is what gives ROAM an edge. The cast, although seemingly unrelated at first, begins a slow, unified shift toward the heart of the novel, an amazing feat of literary gravity only achieved through fully rounded characters. This isn't a long novel, which makes what Therme has accomplished even more impressive; he has created a narrative that both stretches the suspense, and yet tells a fast-moving tale.
May 21, 2017
Roam by Erik Therme.
When Kevin finds Sarah stranded by the side of the road, he’s more than willing to give her a ride. Young, beautiful and distraught—she’s everything a single guy could ask for in a girl. What he doesn’t know is that she already has a guy: an abusive, drunken boyfriend who left her there in a fit of rage. And when that boyfriend comes back and finds Sarah missing, a simple ride will turn deadly.
A fantastic read with brilliant characters. I didn't see that coming. Full of twists and plots. 5*. Tbc on fb.
When Kevin finds Sarah stranded by the side of the road, he’s more than willing to give her a ride. Young, beautiful and distraught—she’s everything a single guy could ask for in a girl. What he doesn’t know is that she already has a guy: an abusive, drunken boyfriend who left her there in a fit of rage. And when that boyfriend comes back and finds Sarah missing, a simple ride will turn deadly.
A fantastic read with brilliant characters. I didn't see that coming. Full of twists and plots. 5*. Tbc on fb.
November 5, 2017
Audiobook Review
I did enjoy this, at 1st story was bit lost, then it pulled the characters together.
A coming of age story in my opinion, choices to make, dangers along the way, when lead female was doubting the lift, was it genuine or something else, that felt real, I know I would've been thinking the same.
Friendships and being tested. Not sure how Erik gets into the heads of the youths like he does.
Narrator was good, nice flowing voice and tempo.
I did enjoy this, at 1st story was bit lost, then it pulled the characters together.
A coming of age story in my opinion, choices to make, dangers along the way, when lead female was doubting the lift, was it genuine or something else, that felt real, I know I would've been thinking the same.
Friendships and being tested. Not sure how Erik gets into the heads of the youths like he does.
Narrator was good, nice flowing voice and tempo.
September 22, 2019
I like the feel of this story and its characters. All of them, lost in different ways, and in just one night, all of their lives will change forever.
The author does an excellent job with a plot that might seem simple, but it's genuine and full of complexities. And filled with real, three- dimensional characters that pulled my heartstrings.
I could have done it without the last twist, but this book is, nevertheless, and excellent story.
Joe Hempel does a great job with the narration.
The author does an excellent job with a plot that might seem simple, but it's genuine and full of complexities. And filled with real, three- dimensional characters that pulled my heartstrings.
I could have done it without the last twist, but this book is, nevertheless, and excellent story.
Joe Hempel does a great job with the narration.
February 28, 2017
Excellent suspense novel by Erik Therme. He seems to enjoy trying to make us like unlikeable characters. And on some of them he succeeds. There's a lot of spoiled-bratness and dysfuntion going around and I did not expect the twist at the end.
June 13, 2021
2 days to read and that’s fast for me!
I had no idea what was happening and I had to get to the end! It was fun and twisty and crazy and I kept saying ‘what the heck?’ which I LOVE when reading books! Total entertainment and highly recommend! Big fan of Kevin ❤️❤️
I had no idea what was happening and I had to get to the end! It was fun and twisty and crazy and I kept saying ‘what the heck?’ which I LOVE when reading books! Total entertainment and highly recommend! Big fan of Kevin ❤️❤️
September 9, 2022
I enjoyed this story alot. I really felt I got to know the main characters. I dint know off the bat where the story was going which was nice for me.
I am VERY impressed on how the author can see into the bad parts of people and make the characters 100% believable.
I am VERY impressed on how the author can see into the bad parts of people and make the characters 100% believable.
August 17, 2019
Thanks to Sarah at Book on The Bright Side for my copy of the book and my spot on the blog tour. All thoughts are my own.
This is my first outing into the creepy worlds created by the super talented Erik Therme. He has masterfully created characters that are broken, strong and wilful for the right reasons. Even though like me, you may never have entered this thriller galore world, but one thing feels certain through the fear and panic – the author is going to take good care of you.
In the first chapter we meet Sarah – a strong woman who should be having the time of her life. It’s her 21st birthday and she should be out celebrating with family and friends. No – it becomes apparent that she is existing amongst duality of abuse. Buckle up its about to go nuts. Sarah and Matt have been dating for approximately 3 months and head out for her birthday. On the way home, her car breaks down – Now, even though Matt has had a few Jars he is displaying some troublesome behaviours. After accidently hurting Matt he goes zero to batshit in 0.2 seconds. He is passive aggressive , he begins the process of gas lighting and issues threats of stalking. Now at this point I absolutely bow down to Sarah and her goddess strength. She decides there and then to WALK AWAY. Yes! None of that I’m going to forgive him as has had one too many, she hands his ass to him and recognises her own self-worth.
The secondary aspect of abuse in Sarah’s life and probably the most aggravating of all is that in the hands of her own mother. Now, her mum herself is being abused at the hands of Sarah’s stepfather and she just says anything for a quiet life. Everything that goes wrong or gets her partner angry is her fault and her mother makes it abundantly clear that Sarah should be doing the same with Matt because he’s a keeper. Yeah, if a keeper is psychopathic sweetheart then yep fire ahead. The cycle goes on, but Sarah will break the wheel.
Cementing her decision to leave Matt she walks away – quite literally via foot until the first car passes her. She is picked up by Kevin and his friend – they take her home until an argument with her mother turns sour and Kevin offers to take her to a friend. There is an air of mystery to Kevin, he’s thoughtful, he’s interesting and above all he is respectful. What is Kevin’s backstory? Knight in shining Armor or her worst nightmare?
Now to introduce the other man in Sarah’s life – Scotty. God, my heart was torn one and another for this guy. On the one hand broken by his father’s death but on the other acts extremely strangely and his reasoning for things is questionable at best. He can be found roaming the hotel his fuck buddy (for want of a better word) works. This is where we are introduced to Mandy – oh sweet sweet bitchy Mandy. A high functioning head case. She forgets to take birth control?? She is insanely jealous of Sarah and Scotty’s friendship and has a dog shit attitude towards the customers she is dealing with.
The ending wasn’t necessarily surprising for me however, it was the journey that got us there that had me on tenterhooks. It was great reading it from dual POV – Sarah and Scotty and we got a glimpse into the fragile psyche of Scotty which did put me off the trail for a portion of the story. The slow burn of details being released had me intrigued and there were elements that were a complete shock.
Roam is a tension filled drive. A story of breaking the cycle and being worth more. Dysfunction and violence. This is an addictive read that ticks all the boxes that has you looking over your shoulder on dark nights.
This is my first outing into the creepy worlds created by the super talented Erik Therme. He has masterfully created characters that are broken, strong and wilful for the right reasons. Even though like me, you may never have entered this thriller galore world, but one thing feels certain through the fear and panic – the author is going to take good care of you.
In the first chapter we meet Sarah – a strong woman who should be having the time of her life. It’s her 21st birthday and she should be out celebrating with family and friends. No – it becomes apparent that she is existing amongst duality of abuse. Buckle up its about to go nuts. Sarah and Matt have been dating for approximately 3 months and head out for her birthday. On the way home, her car breaks down – Now, even though Matt has had a few Jars he is displaying some troublesome behaviours. After accidently hurting Matt he goes zero to batshit in 0.2 seconds. He is passive aggressive , he begins the process of gas lighting and issues threats of stalking. Now at this point I absolutely bow down to Sarah and her goddess strength. She decides there and then to WALK AWAY. Yes! None of that I’m going to forgive him as has had one too many, she hands his ass to him and recognises her own self-worth.
The secondary aspect of abuse in Sarah’s life and probably the most aggravating of all is that in the hands of her own mother. Now, her mum herself is being abused at the hands of Sarah’s stepfather and she just says anything for a quiet life. Everything that goes wrong or gets her partner angry is her fault and her mother makes it abundantly clear that Sarah should be doing the same with Matt because he’s a keeper. Yeah, if a keeper is psychopathic sweetheart then yep fire ahead. The cycle goes on, but Sarah will break the wheel.
Cementing her decision to leave Matt she walks away – quite literally via foot until the first car passes her. She is picked up by Kevin and his friend – they take her home until an argument with her mother turns sour and Kevin offers to take her to a friend. There is an air of mystery to Kevin, he’s thoughtful, he’s interesting and above all he is respectful. What is Kevin’s backstory? Knight in shining Armor or her worst nightmare?
Now to introduce the other man in Sarah’s life – Scotty. God, my heart was torn one and another for this guy. On the one hand broken by his father’s death but on the other acts extremely strangely and his reasoning for things is questionable at best. He can be found roaming the hotel his fuck buddy (for want of a better word) works. This is where we are introduced to Mandy – oh sweet sweet bitchy Mandy. A high functioning head case. She forgets to take birth control?? She is insanely jealous of Sarah and Scotty’s friendship and has a dog shit attitude towards the customers she is dealing with.
The ending wasn’t necessarily surprising for me however, it was the journey that got us there that had me on tenterhooks. It was great reading it from dual POV – Sarah and Scotty and we got a glimpse into the fragile psyche of Scotty which did put me off the trail for a portion of the story. The slow burn of details being released had me intrigued and there were elements that were a complete shock.
Roam is a tension filled drive. A story of breaking the cycle and being worth more. Dysfunction and violence. This is an addictive read that ticks all the boxes that has you looking over your shoulder on dark nights.
February 23, 2017
Young woman has a terrible, ego-involved boyfriend. Hopes to have a fabulous 21st birthday night. Car trouble strands them on a dark deserted road out of cell phone service. Young woman learns exactly what kind of guy he really is. Young woman then stalks off to find help.
Kevin, a high school senior, and aspiring writer, spends the nights driving around, hoping to pay forward kindnesses received, trying to exorcise the effects of an abusive father. He keeps a set of clothes in his car, hoping for a reason, any reason, to leave town forever.
Sarah, the young woman, having blown off all her friends for the last three months in favor of the new boyfriend, decides she will find a way to get to the next town where her one true friend, Scotty, lives. Although they haven’t spoken in maybe over a year or more, she is sure he will be there for her.
Kevin comes across Sarah walking on that deserted road and offers her a ride. She accepts. Why? Because we all at some point make some pretty dumb decisions. She just got lucky on this one. Kevin explains about his pay it forward thing, and further explains that apparently tonight, she is it. So he will take her anywhere she wants to go. He tells her it is fine, he will take her to find her friend in the neighboring town.
Meanwhile, in an intersecting thread, we are introduced to Scotty, who turns out to be something of a problem, who has been living with his brother, having been tossed out of his mother’s home. They no longer speak. The father is dead. But because of his slovenly ways, sister-in-law is anxious to get him off of their couch and out of their home.
Scotty actually has no job, and hangs around his girlfriend on her night shift job at the sleezy possibly hot pillow hotel in town. He is lost, sure that something is broken inside him.
Sarah is not exactly sure where Scotty lives, and through a series of events, like a trail of crumbs, and due to the lateness of the hour, finally gives up and gets a room in that same hotel,where the two story threads come together, and where she attracts the ire of the girlfriend who thinks that Sarah and Scotty might be a thing. While in the hotel, Kevin comes to the room with Sarah and they have a revealing and touching conversation.
There seems to be someone hiding in the hotel, around the pool area, and the desk receives several complaints about this. Guess who it turns out to be?
I really loved this character-driven chiaroscuro tale of love and hope, all having taken place in one night.
I also really like the work of this author, and this might be his best yet.
Kevin, a high school senior, and aspiring writer, spends the nights driving around, hoping to pay forward kindnesses received, trying to exorcise the effects of an abusive father. He keeps a set of clothes in his car, hoping for a reason, any reason, to leave town forever.
Sarah, the young woman, having blown off all her friends for the last three months in favor of the new boyfriend, decides she will find a way to get to the next town where her one true friend, Scotty, lives. Although they haven’t spoken in maybe over a year or more, she is sure he will be there for her.
Kevin comes across Sarah walking on that deserted road and offers her a ride. She accepts. Why? Because we all at some point make some pretty dumb decisions. She just got lucky on this one. Kevin explains about his pay it forward thing, and further explains that apparently tonight, she is it. So he will take her anywhere she wants to go. He tells her it is fine, he will take her to find her friend in the neighboring town.
Meanwhile, in an intersecting thread, we are introduced to Scotty, who turns out to be something of a problem, who has been living with his brother, having been tossed out of his mother’s home. They no longer speak. The father is dead. But because of his slovenly ways, sister-in-law is anxious to get him off of their couch and out of their home.
Scotty actually has no job, and hangs around his girlfriend on her night shift job at the sleezy possibly hot pillow hotel in town. He is lost, sure that something is broken inside him.
Sarah is not exactly sure where Scotty lives, and through a series of events, like a trail of crumbs, and due to the lateness of the hour, finally gives up and gets a room in that same hotel,where the two story threads come together, and where she attracts the ire of the girlfriend who thinks that Sarah and Scotty might be a thing. While in the hotel, Kevin comes to the room with Sarah and they have a revealing and touching conversation.
There seems to be someone hiding in the hotel, around the pool area, and the desk receives several complaints about this. Guess who it turns out to be?
I really loved this character-driven chiaroscuro tale of love and hope, all having taken place in one night.
I also really like the work of this author, and this might be his best yet.
February 21, 2017
I like mysteries/thrillers/suspense books that carry all the way through the book (ie they don’t fizzle out by the halfway point) and Roam certainly does that. From the first page, when we meet Sarah and Marc to the very last page where a surprise twist is revealed, Roam kept me on my toes, wondering what was going to happen next.
What I enjoyed about this book was that the characters were real. Sarah was in a relationship where her boyfriend was slowly isolating her, Kevin was abused by his father and Scotty was dealing with some pretty serious issues that were affecting him mentally.
I will admit that Sarah kinda annoyed me at first. She was super impulsive (hello, getting into a car with people she doesn’t know) and made emotional decisions (the confrontation with her mother). But the more I got into the book, the more I started to not only like her but felt bad for her at the same time.
Kevin, I actually liked. He was such a sweetheart. I mean, who would take a girl that he barely knew on a mission to find her long-lost friend? Plus, he was tough. I mean, he took on 3 people outside a bar and barely got hurt. When I read that, I thought to myself “Dayum. Sarah, he is a keeper”.
Scotty scared me. But at the same time, while he frightened me, I felt really bad. He was dealing with so much and it seemed like no one in his life, even his girlfriend, could care less that he was hurting and that there was something going on with him mentally. The more his story went on, the more fragmented it became, if that makes any sense.
The climax of the story (not the end, the climax) was very frightening and the author did a great job hiding the identity of the mystery man. I wasn’t surprised at who it was but I was surprised at what happened (want to know what happened….read the book).
Now the end of the book took me by surprise and I went “No way”. All I am going to say about that!!
How many stars will I give Roam: 4
Why: This book is truly one that will keep you guessing until the end and then some. The ending was a huge surprise and to be honest, it is what made the book!!
Will I reread: Yes
Will I recommend to family and friends: Yes
Age range: Adult
Why: Sexual situations, language and violence
**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**
What I enjoyed about this book was that the characters were real. Sarah was in a relationship where her boyfriend was slowly isolating her, Kevin was abused by his father and Scotty was dealing with some pretty serious issues that were affecting him mentally.
I will admit that Sarah kinda annoyed me at first. She was super impulsive (hello, getting into a car with people she doesn’t know) and made emotional decisions (the confrontation with her mother). But the more I got into the book, the more I started to not only like her but felt bad for her at the same time.
Kevin, I actually liked. He was such a sweetheart. I mean, who would take a girl that he barely knew on a mission to find her long-lost friend? Plus, he was tough. I mean, he took on 3 people outside a bar and barely got hurt. When I read that, I thought to myself “Dayum. Sarah, he is a keeper”.
Scotty scared me. But at the same time, while he frightened me, I felt really bad. He was dealing with so much and it seemed like no one in his life, even his girlfriend, could care less that he was hurting and that there was something going on with him mentally. The more his story went on, the more fragmented it became, if that makes any sense.
The climax of the story (not the end, the climax) was very frightening and the author did a great job hiding the identity of the mystery man. I wasn’t surprised at who it was but I was surprised at what happened (want to know what happened….read the book).
Now the end of the book took me by surprise and I went “No way”. All I am going to say about that!!
How many stars will I give Roam: 4
Why: This book is truly one that will keep you guessing until the end and then some. The ending was a huge surprise and to be honest, it is what made the book!!
Will I reread: Yes
Will I recommend to family and friends: Yes
Age range: Adult
Why: Sexual situations, language and violence
**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**
July 17, 2017
( Format : audiobook )
"In the fading light of Millennium Park..."
This unusually constructed book focuses on five main characters and three, in particular, whose intertwined activities are followed over the course of one evening and night. For Sarah, this evening was to have been special: it was her birthday and she and boyfriend, Matt, were to have celebrated it together. When it all goes wrong, Sarah goes in search of old friend, Scott, hoping to stay with him overnight, if only she can find him, and is helped in her quest by a young man named Kevin, a secretly aspiring author, who offers her a lift in his car. Eventually she just books into a room at the hotel where Scott's girlfriend is the unpleasantly offensive night time receptionist. It is here that the book draws together in it's climax.
Initially, the story feels disconnected, switching, in the present tense, between locales and people, but like an elegantly drawn sketch, the full picture slowly emerges. We follow the happenings at an almost real time speed which propels the story forward in a very tactile way. Each of these main protagonists is cleverly drawn, slowly emerging as fully formed people with their personal sadnesses, guilts, fears and hopes. The book is filled with teenage angst and introspection, small cruelties and aggression, and I would certainly not want to live in their home town. Nor did I find any of the protagonists particularly sympathetic but they were eminently compelling, nevertheless.
Joe Hempel, as narrator, is superb. The text is read briskly, but not too fast, is clear and his use of intonation helps define the emotion.. Each of the characters, too, has a clearly distinctive voice, lending to each a further reality of their personalities. An excellent performance, and, overall, a great listen with a perfect symbiosis of author and reader. A great peek into the troubled minds of an equally troubled generation, trying to find a future where little is there to give hope, all presented in an unusual thriller. I was freely gifted a copy of Roak, at my request, by the rights holder, via Audiobook Boom. My thanks. It really does give hope that, whilst things are very likely to go wrong, sometimes they might just come out right instead. Recommended to anyone enjoying detailed character representation and a thriller that is just that little bit different.
"In the fading light of Millennium Park..."
This unusually constructed book focuses on five main characters and three, in particular, whose intertwined activities are followed over the course of one evening and night. For Sarah, this evening was to have been special: it was her birthday and she and boyfriend, Matt, were to have celebrated it together. When it all goes wrong, Sarah goes in search of old friend, Scott, hoping to stay with him overnight, if only she can find him, and is helped in her quest by a young man named Kevin, a secretly aspiring author, who offers her a lift in his car. Eventually she just books into a room at the hotel where Scott's girlfriend is the unpleasantly offensive night time receptionist. It is here that the book draws together in it's climax.
Initially, the story feels disconnected, switching, in the present tense, between locales and people, but like an elegantly drawn sketch, the full picture slowly emerges. We follow the happenings at an almost real time speed which propels the story forward in a very tactile way. Each of these main protagonists is cleverly drawn, slowly emerging as fully formed people with their personal sadnesses, guilts, fears and hopes. The book is filled with teenage angst and introspection, small cruelties and aggression, and I would certainly not want to live in their home town. Nor did I find any of the protagonists particularly sympathetic but they were eminently compelling, nevertheless.
Joe Hempel, as narrator, is superb. The text is read briskly, but not too fast, is clear and his use of intonation helps define the emotion.. Each of the characters, too, has a clearly distinctive voice, lending to each a further reality of their personalities. An excellent performance, and, overall, a great listen with a perfect symbiosis of author and reader. A great peek into the troubled minds of an equally troubled generation, trying to find a future where little is there to give hope, all presented in an unusual thriller. I was freely gifted a copy of Roak, at my request, by the rights holder, via Audiobook Boom. My thanks. It really does give hope that, whilst things are very likely to go wrong, sometimes they might just come out right instead. Recommended to anyone enjoying detailed character representation and a thriller that is just that little bit different.
March 24, 2017
Roam
By: Erik Therme
5 out of 5 stars
The story Roam by Erik Therme is a suspenseful thriller of a book. It spotlights three people who by the end of the night find themselves in a situation that will change their lives forever. First, you have Sarah. It is her birthday which should be a happy time for her, unfortunately, it takes a dark turn when her car breaks down and her drunken boyfriend is no help at all. Sarah is a character that you can really empathize with. She is in a bad relationship and doesn’t have the best home life. The situation that she finds herself in this one night seems intolerable. Then she meets Kevin. Kevin is an aspiring writer who stops to help Sarah and is drawn to her. He feels a strong connection and is determined to help her out. Kevin has had a hard home life as well. He is not close to his father and is at a crossroads in his life when he meets Sarah. The trio is complete when you meet Scotty. He is a friend of Sarah’s and is having a very bad night. He also has his own inner demons he is battling.
This story will have you entranced from the first chapter to the last page. I was turning pages on a mission to find out what would happen next. I enjoyed the talks that Kevin and Sarah had. They are both curious about each other and are constantly giving details of their life to each other. The book is told from Kevin, Sarah, and Scotty’s POV. There are times in this book when I would stop for a minute and say, “Did that just happen?” I love when a book has just the right atmosphere that you get goosebumps when reading and this book does just that. Make sure that when you start you have the entire afternoon to read as you will not want to put it down. This is the third book I have read by the author and each one just keeps getting better. The book does have adult language and situations which would make this a book for those 18 years of age or older.
By: Erik Therme
5 out of 5 stars
The story Roam by Erik Therme is a suspenseful thriller of a book. It spotlights three people who by the end of the night find themselves in a situation that will change their lives forever. First, you have Sarah. It is her birthday which should be a happy time for her, unfortunately, it takes a dark turn when her car breaks down and her drunken boyfriend is no help at all. Sarah is a character that you can really empathize with. She is in a bad relationship and doesn’t have the best home life. The situation that she finds herself in this one night seems intolerable. Then she meets Kevin. Kevin is an aspiring writer who stops to help Sarah and is drawn to her. He feels a strong connection and is determined to help her out. Kevin has had a hard home life as well. He is not close to his father and is at a crossroads in his life when he meets Sarah. The trio is complete when you meet Scotty. He is a friend of Sarah’s and is having a very bad night. He also has his own inner demons he is battling.
This story will have you entranced from the first chapter to the last page. I was turning pages on a mission to find out what would happen next. I enjoyed the talks that Kevin and Sarah had. They are both curious about each other and are constantly giving details of their life to each other. The book is told from Kevin, Sarah, and Scotty’s POV. There are times in this book when I would stop for a minute and say, “Did that just happen?” I love when a book has just the right atmosphere that you get goosebumps when reading and this book does just that. Make sure that when you start you have the entire afternoon to read as you will not want to put it down. This is the third book I have read by the author and each one just keeps getting better. The book does have adult language and situations which would make this a book for those 18 years of age or older.
June 7, 2017
Sarah is supposed to be having a brilliant birthday date, but her boyfriend isn't exactly doing his best. She finds herself stranded on the side of the road with her drunk boyfriend. She sees a side of him that frightens her and she decides to start walking down the road. Along the way a car pulls up and Kevin offers to help her. Sarah has about reached her limit with her life and goes off in search of her old Best Friend, Scot. Kevin decides to take her and what follows is something out of their worst fears!
I didn't really connect with Sarah. I found her to be little too.... I don't know, maybe impulsive and impetuous!! She gets into a strangers car in the middle of the night, then gets him to drive her home, has a big fight with her mom and then travels with the stranger to find Scot. She didn't know him and I didn't understand why she would head off with him!! I wanted her to be a little more bad ass, though you can see why she is the way she is!
I did love Kevin though. His life was extremely hard and it broke my heart, yet he was such a kind and compassionate person. I was so rooting for him throughout. Scotty scared me!!! His behaviour was self destructive. All the characters were well written and developed though and really made me feel.
In all, this was a decent read. It had plenty of suspense to keep you reading and was relatively fast paced. I enjoyed it, but didn't love it.
Joe Hempel was amazing. He really brought the characters emotions and quirks to life. He captured each of their personalities perfectly and read this well. He is one of the reasons why I kept listening!!
I was voluntarily provided this audiobook for free from the author, narrator, or publisher. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts.
I didn't really connect with Sarah. I found her to be little too.... I don't know, maybe impulsive and impetuous!! She gets into a strangers car in the middle of the night, then gets him to drive her home, has a big fight with her mom and then travels with the stranger to find Scot. She didn't know him and I didn't understand why she would head off with him!! I wanted her to be a little more bad ass, though you can see why she is the way she is!
I did love Kevin though. His life was extremely hard and it broke my heart, yet he was such a kind and compassionate person. I was so rooting for him throughout. Scotty scared me!!! His behaviour was self destructive. All the characters were well written and developed though and really made me feel.
In all, this was a decent read. It had plenty of suspense to keep you reading and was relatively fast paced. I enjoyed it, but didn't love it.
Joe Hempel was amazing. He really brought the characters emotions and quirks to life. He captured each of their personalities perfectly and read this well. He is one of the reasons why I kept listening!!
I was voluntarily provided this audiobook for free from the author, narrator, or publisher. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts.
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