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Relapse: A Love Story
Rob Wildhide will become a celebrated novelist; he just knows it. But first, he'll have to overcome writer's block and survive a wayward trip to the North Woods of Maine with his new bride, Annie, and her treacherous friends (raft guides are not to be trusted!). A love story at its best and wild ride at its drunkest, Relapse careens through shaman-led weddings, car heists that lead to strange prophesies, and the inner workings of a mind rife with possibility and absolutely unaffected by the moonshine, thank you very much. Is it relapse, or is it revival? Rob Wildhide will try just about anything to find out where this story goes.
192 pages, Paperback
Published May 15, 2018
3 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Robert Hunter
1 bookLibrarian note: There is more than one author with this name in the Goodreads database.
ROBERT HUNTER IS AN AMERICAN SINGER-SONGWRITER, POET, AND AUTHOR OF THE HIGHLY CELEBRATED NOVEL RELAPSE, RELEASED IN MAY 2018.
KNOWN BEST FOR HIS UNIQUE BRAND OF LYRICAL ALT-COUNTRY-ROCK, ROBERT’S FIRST TWO EP’S AFTERGLOW AND OUTTA MY MIND WERE CELEBRATED CRITICALLY AND DESCRIBED AS “MAGNETIC” AND “HARD WIRING, AFTER A SINGLE LISTEN”.
If Robert Hunter’s albums have been praised for their lyricism, it’s now clear it’s been a symptom of a much greater problem: Robert Hunter is a novelist.
Robert’s recent album, Revival, is just half of a much greater story. A story that needed a book to tell it.
Relapse: A Love Story released May 2018 (Beaver’s Pond Press).
ROBERT HUNTER IS AN AMERICAN SINGER-SONGWRITER, POET, AND AUTHOR OF THE HIGHLY CELEBRATED NOVEL RELAPSE, RELEASED IN MAY 2018.
KNOWN BEST FOR HIS UNIQUE BRAND OF LYRICAL ALT-COUNTRY-ROCK, ROBERT’S FIRST TWO EP’S AFTERGLOW AND OUTTA MY MIND WERE CELEBRATED CRITICALLY AND DESCRIBED AS “MAGNETIC” AND “HARD WIRING, AFTER A SINGLE LISTEN”.
If Robert Hunter’s albums have been praised for their lyricism, it’s now clear it’s been a symptom of a much greater problem: Robert Hunter is a novelist.
Robert’s recent album, Revival, is just half of a much greater story. A story that needed a book to tell it.
Relapse: A Love Story released May 2018 (Beaver’s Pond Press).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
August 23, 2019
I've never read a book that so accurately and honestly depicts the mindset of someone with a substance addiction. The way the author really pulled you into the mind of Rob and made the readers intimately aware of the inner demons Rob was struggling with was just so well done. As someone who has struggled with alcoholism myself and grew up with an alcoholic dad, there were so many moments in this story that felt so personal and real. Every character felt like real people, at a certain point this story stopped feeling like a fiction novel and more like an autobiography from the lens of the character. The author Robert Hunter crafted this story so honestly and emotionally that I can only take my hat off to him. The character Robert is also a writer who is struggling with writers block, alcoholism and consistently made poor choices. His poor choices are aided by his extremely toxic relationships filled with secrets and lies. What I love about Rob and Annie's relationship in this book is that neither of them are completely the victim or completely the antagonist to the other's storyline. They both do terrible things that in many normal situations could be seen as unforgivable. But they are broken lost people, and both of their conditions gives way to a certain sympathy that keeps you from outright disliking them. I would recommend this story to anyone.
May 9, 2018
Brilliantly written, Not your typical love story...funny adventures, crazy twists, truths about the cycle of falling and staying in love.
May 19, 2019
I actually DNF'd this book. I just couldn't get through it. It's a relatively short book, but the main character was terrible. We only get his perspective, so it's possible that everyone else is terrible too. We have no way of knowing for sure because our protagonist is practically perfect on every way, while everyone else is flawed according to him.
Rob, our main character is an alcoholic writer who has never written anything. He works at a car dealership to please his first wife so they can make enough money to start a family. After his marriage falls apart, he immediately looks for a new love interest. He meets Annie. After reading her journals he finds out that she has slept with people before him and is still friends with some of them. So he decides to marry her before any of her exes have a chance to steal her away.
I only made it halfway through before I couldn't stand reading any more about Rob being the savior of everyone else in his life. I looked up some spoilers online and decided the "twist" ending wasn't worth slogging through to the end.
Rob, our main character is an alcoholic writer who has never written anything. He works at a car dealership to please his first wife so they can make enough money to start a family. After his marriage falls apart, he immediately looks for a new love interest. He meets Annie. After reading her journals he finds out that she has slept with people before him and is still friends with some of them. So he decides to marry her before any of her exes have a chance to steal her away.
I only made it halfway through before I couldn't stand reading any more about Rob being the savior of everyone else in his life. I looked up some spoilers online and decided the "twist" ending wasn't worth slogging through to the end.
April 30, 2018
Rob is an aspiring writer with a massive writer's block. Massively dependent on alcohol and bad choices, he marries his second wife, Annie, way too quickly, and together they go through a crazy trip to Maine. Car theft, alcohol and lies are a prominent feature.
This novel had a very promising description. Unfortunately, as far as the writing style is concerned, the book is in dire need of improvements. The beginning is overly abrupt, and the plot is exceedingly compact. Too much happens too fast, making the story difficult for the reader to follow. There is just too much information at once, as if the writer had to absolutely fit in everything in 200 pages or less.
The plot was mixed up, with strange flashbacks, and very confusing. All in all, it became quite incoherent at times. Moreover, the whole story made it incredibly hard to empathize with the protagonist, or any of the characters for that matter.
This novel had a very promising description. Unfortunately, as far as the writing style is concerned, the book is in dire need of improvements. The beginning is overly abrupt, and the plot is exceedingly compact. Too much happens too fast, making the story difficult for the reader to follow. There is just too much information at once, as if the writer had to absolutely fit in everything in 200 pages or less.
The plot was mixed up, with strange flashbacks, and very confusing. All in all, it became quite incoherent at times. Moreover, the whole story made it incredibly hard to empathize with the protagonist, or any of the characters for that matter.
May 17, 2018
Garbage book. Don't bother reading or wasting your money! Clearly the folks rating this book with 5 stars are friends of the author and I suspect his wife must be the "Annie" who also left a review.
August 4, 2019
‘Relapse: A Love Story’ tells the story of Rob Wildhide; a skilled and creative writer who has ambitions in his career. Rob puts the effort in what he does, be it relationships, career or personal growth. Things, however, take a twist in the writer’s life, making him dependant on alcohol for his sanity. He drinks himself to death, hoping that alcohol will solve his problems. Apart from the alcohol problem, Rob was also unfortunate as lady luck was not on his side. He made terrible decisions after every other bad decision, making a nightmare out of his life. Rob was a weird character. You would love him for his sharp brain and ways of thinking for a moment, then you would see him retrogressing to his old self. I had a love-hate relationship with the character throughout the book.
Then came Rob’s love life. The man had a stimulating romantic life. Annie his second wife was an unbelievable character both in the book and Rob’s life. The two got married almost immediately after falling for each other and went on various adventures together. Reading about their escapades and their journey to Maine was both interesting and sad. Annie may have been a cunning character, but her actions made the reading electrifying. Rob’s second wife became a villain and a character I loathed as I read on. I appreciate how the author was engaging when writing about Rob’s romance life. The reader is made to obliviously compare Kelsey his ex, and Annie when Annie’s true character is revealed.
From Rob’s writer’s block to his drinking problem, poor choices, failed love and his suicidal thoughts, the reader is taken through an intense, captivating and fascinating story about a man who fights his struggles to remain sane. In Rob, we see how betrayal and denial can take a toll on someone who was meant to be prolific. His life is a sad tale that has a couple of happy scenes. The book starts with Rob being at the counselor’s office. The counselor, Marie, was to help Rob deal with all the issues he had been facing. Rob’s description of Marie made me interested in her as he described her as young, blonde, and fragile for the unmitigated truth. This attitude Rob had was ironical as one would not expect anyone to describe whoever was helping them as fragile.
The author’s writing style is a little complex but fun to follow regardless. The flashback to the past and narration of present events made the reading an exciting experience. Robert Hunter used a good number of literary stylistic devices and spiced up the story which was told in the first person. You will enjoy the plot and love the characters you meet in every chapter. ‘Relapse: A Love Story’’ is a thrilling fiction book that is filled with amazing satire. You will love the author’s sense of humor as some chapters were hilarious all through.
Then came Rob’s love life. The man had a stimulating romantic life. Annie his second wife was an unbelievable character both in the book and Rob’s life. The two got married almost immediately after falling for each other and went on various adventures together. Reading about their escapades and their journey to Maine was both interesting and sad. Annie may have been a cunning character, but her actions made the reading electrifying. Rob’s second wife became a villain and a character I loathed as I read on. I appreciate how the author was engaging when writing about Rob’s romance life. The reader is made to obliviously compare Kelsey his ex, and Annie when Annie’s true character is revealed.
From Rob’s writer’s block to his drinking problem, poor choices, failed love and his suicidal thoughts, the reader is taken through an intense, captivating and fascinating story about a man who fights his struggles to remain sane. In Rob, we see how betrayal and denial can take a toll on someone who was meant to be prolific. His life is a sad tale that has a couple of happy scenes. The book starts with Rob being at the counselor’s office. The counselor, Marie, was to help Rob deal with all the issues he had been facing. Rob’s description of Marie made me interested in her as he described her as young, blonde, and fragile for the unmitigated truth. This attitude Rob had was ironical as one would not expect anyone to describe whoever was helping them as fragile.
The author’s writing style is a little complex but fun to follow regardless. The flashback to the past and narration of present events made the reading an exciting experience. Robert Hunter used a good number of literary stylistic devices and spiced up the story which was told in the first person. You will enjoy the plot and love the characters you meet in every chapter. ‘Relapse: A Love Story’’ is a thrilling fiction book that is filled with amazing satire. You will love the author’s sense of humor as some chapters were hilarious all through.
September 23, 2019
Rob Wildhide is an aspiring novelist who is driven to cure his writers’ block by going on drunken bouts throughout the novel, hence the title, ‘Relapse.’
Rob is a used cars salesman but hopes to do better by embarking on a literary journey. He is adamant that he is going to “change the world with his scribbling.” He set out to write about true love.
Incidentally, Rob reads Annie’s journal and finds out that she cheated on him with a raft guide named Lee Donegan. Rob becomes fixated on their affair.
Rob is opening up to his counselor at the start of the book with him confessing that he is in one tumultuous relationship after another – one who seems to love conflict. Rob, a divorcee, who remarries his love, Annie. The two go on a road trip to Maine where through his alcoholic drunken haze encounters some crazy adventures. Along the way they meet Anne’s friends, a ragtag bunch made up of artists, beatniks, and hippies.
On the trip, Rob gets drugged at a lesbian wedding, goes on a drunken high-speed chase with a cop on his tail, and meets a clairvoyant gypsy whom he has a short fling with.
Forever in a perpetual suicidal state, when it is time to do the deed, ironically writers’ block hits him right when he sets down to write his suicide note.
Things get up to speed when Rob gets arrested for his traffic violation and for kidnapping and leaving Lee out to die in the woods. Prison is no walk in the park and Rob is getting stir crazy from just a few hours in the can. There is no way he would last his sentence.
But with Annie bed-ridden because of her cancer and the only one who can save him is a nut who lives in the boonies without access to a phone, it seems like Rob is in it for the long haul.
But Wade (the nut) pulls through and within hours, Rob is released.
Time flows in an off-kilter manner as Rob rambles on and on about his chaotic life. It is hard to keep the events in order as this story is not told in chronological order. The book seems to be one long mad stream of consciousness rant.
But as the story continues, readers will get wrapped up by the turn of events. Filled with verbose descriptions and over-the-top close encounters, ‘Relapse’ is not your average book. The language can get florid, but this is appropriate since Rob is an aspiring writer.
A story about existentialism, alcoholism, and a whole lot of other -isms, ‘Relapse’ is a great story for writers, artists, and creatives.
Rob is a used cars salesman but hopes to do better by embarking on a literary journey. He is adamant that he is going to “change the world with his scribbling.” He set out to write about true love.
Incidentally, Rob reads Annie’s journal and finds out that she cheated on him with a raft guide named Lee Donegan. Rob becomes fixated on their affair.
Rob is opening up to his counselor at the start of the book with him confessing that he is in one tumultuous relationship after another – one who seems to love conflict. Rob, a divorcee, who remarries his love, Annie. The two go on a road trip to Maine where through his alcoholic drunken haze encounters some crazy adventures. Along the way they meet Anne’s friends, a ragtag bunch made up of artists, beatniks, and hippies.
On the trip, Rob gets drugged at a lesbian wedding, goes on a drunken high-speed chase with a cop on his tail, and meets a clairvoyant gypsy whom he has a short fling with.
Forever in a perpetual suicidal state, when it is time to do the deed, ironically writers’ block hits him right when he sets down to write his suicide note.
Things get up to speed when Rob gets arrested for his traffic violation and for kidnapping and leaving Lee out to die in the woods. Prison is no walk in the park and Rob is getting stir crazy from just a few hours in the can. There is no way he would last his sentence.
But with Annie bed-ridden because of her cancer and the only one who can save him is a nut who lives in the boonies without access to a phone, it seems like Rob is in it for the long haul.
But Wade (the nut) pulls through and within hours, Rob is released.
Time flows in an off-kilter manner as Rob rambles on and on about his chaotic life. It is hard to keep the events in order as this story is not told in chronological order. The book seems to be one long mad stream of consciousness rant.
But as the story continues, readers will get wrapped up by the turn of events. Filled with verbose descriptions and over-the-top close encounters, ‘Relapse’ is not your average book. The language can get florid, but this is appropriate since Rob is an aspiring writer.
A story about existentialism, alcoholism, and a whole lot of other -isms, ‘Relapse’ is a great story for writers, artists, and creatives.
September 23, 2019
Rob’s ship is leaking, the rudder is broken and it is being cruelly buffeted by the harsh winds of life in a world where finding your dream and being able to live it are two very different things. Rob wants to be a writer...and a good husband…and he’d rather not have to work…and his head is turned by a pretty face. All these things don’t go together as the saying goes. Nevertheless, he tries. He’s married to a woman who he has been as honest as he can with – she know that with him comes some chaos. She convinces him he needs a job and so he gets a job at a used car dealership that he manages to hold onto for several years even though he feels that it stifles him at every turn. However, his dream of being a writer is also being squashed and he grows resentful, his wife also becomes desperate to have children and the noose of his unhappy life tightens. He turns to alcohol (more than he already had) and things spiral out of control. Rob gets a divorce, meets a free spirit names Annie who he can’t stay away from and who is just as much of a dependent personality as he is. She is also a part of a sub-culture of alternative people – most of them raft guides – that she tries, unsuccessfully, to introduce him to and where her past comes to meet her present (Rob) in hard, glaring lights and drug induced enlightenment. This is a story of one man, addicted to alcohol at best and masking mental instability at worst trying to do his best and find love and his place in the world without having to stop ‘going with the flow’ and putting a lot of effort into driving the direction of his ship. Told in his own voice, using hilarious and, at the same time, heart breaking words to show the reader his state of mind, his fears, his exhilarations, his astounding insights into human emotion and behavior, and eventually into his own realization that everyone is a little crazy, Rob takes the reader on a trip through a period of his life that would make most cringe and gave me true respect for the sheer strength of his ability to survive it at all. This is a whirlwind of a story and one you should read if you want to understand the state of mind of a person struggling to make it through every single day.
December 29, 2018
Relapse by Robert Hunter was a very entertaining, engaging and exciting story. Hunter describes his story from several author perspectives which give a sense of credibility and reality to the story: first, the main character is an author, writing a realistic story based on his life, but then also, author Robert Hunter names the main character after himself, and we learn his wife has many similarities to main character Annie. This real-life basis and connection really lends itself to the presentation and engagement the readers experiences with the characters.
Relapse is an exciting story of main character Rob, and takes us from the end of his relationship with wife Kelsey, to the beginning and development of his marriage to new wife Annie. Rob's life otherwise is very ordinary--he works in a car dealership, and lives with Annie on a farm. His drinking and Annie's freewheeling past drive the story to quite unexpected experiences. This begins with Rob's discomfort after learning about Annie's past while a raft guide, and continues when they attend a wedding at a raft guide "retreat" in Maine. From there the story takes Rob through fights, guns, drugs, high speed chases, jail, and a flesh eating cellmate!
During all this time, Rob is working through both a discomfort and resentment of Annie and her past. Their relationship is growing, although the reader is not sure whether it is growing together or towards separation.
At the end of the story, Annie must go through treatment for cancer. We see the two evaluate their relationship, as well as Annie's conclusion about where their marriage will go at the ending. I thought this was a perfect conclusion.
This was a really enjoyable story to read--it was well written, and I got a great sense of all the characters, especially Rob's inner thoughts and feelings as the book progressed. The characters' personalities and nuances were well developed, easy to follow, and consistent throughout the story. The reader definitely feels both empathy and a connection with main character Rob, as well as an understanding of the friends, family and other characters he interacts with.
Relapse is an exciting story of main character Rob, and takes us from the end of his relationship with wife Kelsey, to the beginning and development of his marriage to new wife Annie. Rob's life otherwise is very ordinary--he works in a car dealership, and lives with Annie on a farm. His drinking and Annie's freewheeling past drive the story to quite unexpected experiences. This begins with Rob's discomfort after learning about Annie's past while a raft guide, and continues when they attend a wedding at a raft guide "retreat" in Maine. From there the story takes Rob through fights, guns, drugs, high speed chases, jail, and a flesh eating cellmate!
During all this time, Rob is working through both a discomfort and resentment of Annie and her past. Their relationship is growing, although the reader is not sure whether it is growing together or towards separation.
At the end of the story, Annie must go through treatment for cancer. We see the two evaluate their relationship, as well as Annie's conclusion about where their marriage will go at the ending. I thought this was a perfect conclusion.
This was a really enjoyable story to read--it was well written, and I got a great sense of all the characters, especially Rob's inner thoughts and feelings as the book progressed. The characters' personalities and nuances were well developed, easy to follow, and consistent throughout the story. The reader definitely feels both empathy and a connection with main character Rob, as well as an understanding of the friends, family and other characters he interacts with.
February 15, 2019
I think I’ll start off by saying that there are 3 types of people that should read this book. First, if you are thinking about getting in a serious relationship with someone. Second, if you are thinking about ending or jeopardizing a serious relationship with someone. Third, if you are graduating high school. The book perfectly illustrates the complexity of humanity and it’s drive to combine two people into a relationship, which is also complex. This book has given me insight on what true love looks like. Throughout the entire mania of a week in Maine, the energy of the trip could have been different if Rob didn’t read Annie’s journal. Important lesson of love, everyone has baggage. Including you. And some things are kept private not to hide from you but simply because they are personal and you don’t need to know.
The book illustrates funny lessons of life that I have personally experienced. Meeting someone that felt like angel (Aishe), not there for a lifetime or really a friend, but to coach you across a fork in the road of your life. Being inconsiderate of a significant others personal life and taking their actions personal due to my own insecurities (Rob and Annie’s illness). Networking with someone that no one else feels is important (Rob and the captain) and lastly… relationships are volatile. You will never understand what is going on in the other person’s head. And you not only enjoy but cherish the good days because you don’t know when Soarta has stopped the clock. And when it’s time, resisting will not only make it worse, but make you do dumb things like call your cheating ex in pitiful insecurity or name your child after them.
All of this and more, wrapped up in the last layer of what it means to be an artist. Rob, who has a dangerous way of finding inspiration for his passion. A lesson for all artist who rely on alcohol, drugs, anger, or insecurity. It doesn’t work out like it worked out like Rob. “Fear is not freedom” – Relapse: A Love Story. Wish I could give this book more than 5 stars.
The book illustrates funny lessons of life that I have personally experienced. Meeting someone that felt like angel (Aishe), not there for a lifetime or really a friend, but to coach you across a fork in the road of your life. Being inconsiderate of a significant others personal life and taking their actions personal due to my own insecurities (Rob and Annie’s illness). Networking with someone that no one else feels is important (Rob and the captain) and lastly… relationships are volatile. You will never understand what is going on in the other person’s head. And you not only enjoy but cherish the good days because you don’t know when Soarta has stopped the clock. And when it’s time, resisting will not only make it worse, but make you do dumb things like call your cheating ex in pitiful insecurity or name your child after them.
All of this and more, wrapped up in the last layer of what it means to be an artist. Rob, who has a dangerous way of finding inspiration for his passion. A lesson for all artist who rely on alcohol, drugs, anger, or insecurity. It doesn’t work out like it worked out like Rob. “Fear is not freedom” – Relapse: A Love Story. Wish I could give this book more than 5 stars.
March 24, 2019
Relapse: A Love Story was such an amazing scary tear jerking read of a book! It really told a great story about star crossed lovers on a one way trip to heart ache and trouble. He was looking for the most beautiful girl in the world and he ultimately found her. But, of course the universe is a cruel stoker tramp and could never let love be that easy. Addiction rears it's ugly head in this sad tale and many many hearts are torn from the human chests they beat in. She ends up with mud all over her face and feeling a whole lot of disgrace and sorry memories Soon he realizes that he must become her champion if he is ever going to challenge their timeless love to grown and bloom. She tells him that he is her true angel baby and will always be. It seems that loving was easier in the past and the couple is ready to split up and go their own ways in life. However, she asks him to stay just one more night and make love to her in the way that he used to. The insane craziness and wild fun never ever stops. At one point a couple is married by a enjoyable Indian Shaman in the middle of the country deep on the reservation. There is a couple of wild chases and a lot of over the top drinking and drug use and a lot of sexuality. But, it's done in a decent way and it doesn't interfere with the plot of the story. Actually, it really makes it more real to the average reader. READ THIS BOOK! You will not be disappointed because the story is so relate able to the common person. EVERYBODY has been through these kind of situations in ours or our families lives. I can most certainly tell you the reader that you will laugh you will cry and you will vomit in fear when you read this wonderful amazing piece of modern literature. I personally could not put the damn thing down. I have got a very very good feeling in my very bones that this wonderfully talented writer will no doubt be as well known as Bob Johnson. I do not say that lightly because I am a huge fan of Bob Johnson. I just had to give this fantastic book five stars...There wasn't 6!
August 12, 2019
Robert Wildhide is a bit of a hot mess. When we meet him, he is recounting to a counselor the events that lead to him having what seems to be a mental breakdown of sorts. His story to the counselor begins with a description of his ex, Kelsey, who apparently helped him learn to drink. She must have taught him well because he appears to be quite good at it! When things with Kelsey end, he keeps the job she made him get (“The car business is a speed bump on the way to hitting rock bottom”) but loses their relationship.
He then comes to meet Annie, who will be his muse and his true love. They are married quickly and, seemingly, with little thought, and head to Maine. Wildhide realizes that he is going to be a writer and seems to find inspiration everywhere. At one point he says, “I found it imperative as a writer, and as a basic human necessity, to share new experiences with others and occasionally sleep with them”! He has many a quotable one-liner in this book. Things don’t go smoothly in Maine and it’s a wild ride that doesn’t end all that well for Wildhide.
This book is messy and chaotic in many ways. I feel that it was a valid representation of someone living an existence where his creativity is fueled by alcohol. Some of the stories and scenes are frustrating and confusing. The decisions that characters make are often perplexing but overall lend to the reader’s feeling of experiencing the action along with the characters.
I have to admit that I never came around to liking the main character. I mean this with no offense to the author, particularly if he wrote him with some of his own traits in mind. There is just such an arrogance to this character that never sat well with me. I did enjoy the Annie character and found her relaxed outlook so refreshing.
This book is raw and unapologetic. It is not your typical read and will take you down the rabbit hole and back again! If you are looking for something different and unconventional, look no further.
He then comes to meet Annie, who will be his muse and his true love. They are married quickly and, seemingly, with little thought, and head to Maine. Wildhide realizes that he is going to be a writer and seems to find inspiration everywhere. At one point he says, “I found it imperative as a writer, and as a basic human necessity, to share new experiences with others and occasionally sleep with them”! He has many a quotable one-liner in this book. Things don’t go smoothly in Maine and it’s a wild ride that doesn’t end all that well for Wildhide.
This book is messy and chaotic in many ways. I feel that it was a valid representation of someone living an existence where his creativity is fueled by alcohol. Some of the stories and scenes are frustrating and confusing. The decisions that characters make are often perplexing but overall lend to the reader’s feeling of experiencing the action along with the characters.
I have to admit that I never came around to liking the main character. I mean this with no offense to the author, particularly if he wrote him with some of his own traits in mind. There is just such an arrogance to this character that never sat well with me. I did enjoy the Annie character and found her relaxed outlook so refreshing.
This book is raw and unapologetic. It is not your typical read and will take you down the rabbit hole and back again! If you are looking for something different and unconventional, look no further.
August 13, 2019
Rob Hunter’s book Relapse: A Love Story is a quick-witted and oddly realistic story about bad choices and love. It is loaded with wild and crazy incidences. The main character, Rob Wildhide wants to write a best selling book. Due to writer’s block he hasn’t been able to write a word. He is convinced that drinking will help break his writer’s block so much that his drinking is secondary to his breathing. Hence the title, Relapse.
Rob once divorced marries again to Annie who is a bit flighty and sly at the same time. Rob is sure that along with his daily imbibing she will inspire his writing so that he can leave the auto dealership where he sells cars to pay the bills. When Annie talks him into taking a trip to Maine to meet her “friends” he agrees. Prior to their trip he comes across one of her journals and learns of her affair with a raft guide. He wants to confront her, but she has a way of keeping him in line mostly by handing him another drink.
While in Maine he meets a weird group of people. One being Annie’s lover, a crazed limousine driver, an odd lesbian couple and a fake gypsy fortune teller. During the their time in Maine there is drinking, fighting and revelations on Rob’s behalf. When Rob gets in a fight with one of Annie’s friends and she doesn’t defend him and he is ready to go. When the limo driver hands Rob the keys he is joined by his wife, her lover and the fake fortune teller. Making one bad choice after another, a wild trip back home ensues. Back at home he contemplates his love for Annie and life itself. A serious turn of events take place when Annie announces that she needs to be seen by a doctor. Eventually, he realizes that he has found his story and his love his for Annie is real.
There are times Rob’s thoughts are relatable and others when things seem far fetched. The author did a great job to keep me wondering what would happen next to Rob and Annie. I had a hard time liking either one of them, but couldn’t help but wonder about their fates.
Rob once divorced marries again to Annie who is a bit flighty and sly at the same time. Rob is sure that along with his daily imbibing she will inspire his writing so that he can leave the auto dealership where he sells cars to pay the bills. When Annie talks him into taking a trip to Maine to meet her “friends” he agrees. Prior to their trip he comes across one of her journals and learns of her affair with a raft guide. He wants to confront her, but she has a way of keeping him in line mostly by handing him another drink.
While in Maine he meets a weird group of people. One being Annie’s lover, a crazed limousine driver, an odd lesbian couple and a fake gypsy fortune teller. During the their time in Maine there is drinking, fighting and revelations on Rob’s behalf. When Rob gets in a fight with one of Annie’s friends and she doesn’t defend him and he is ready to go. When the limo driver hands Rob the keys he is joined by his wife, her lover and the fake fortune teller. Making one bad choice after another, a wild trip back home ensues. Back at home he contemplates his love for Annie and life itself. A serious turn of events take place when Annie announces that she needs to be seen by a doctor. Eventually, he realizes that he has found his story and his love his for Annie is real.
There are times Rob’s thoughts are relatable and others when things seem far fetched. The author did a great job to keep me wondering what would happen next to Rob and Annie. I had a hard time liking either one of them, but couldn’t help but wonder about their fates.
March 16, 2019
Despite our individual trials and tribulations, the decisions we make on the daily can either aid us or break us. When you add your own definition of true love, what would your life look like? That is something to consider because at the end of it all, how many of us can say that our main goal was to experience true love, at least once? Of course, there is so much more to life than uncovering feelings that a powerful four-letter word can conjure, it’s all about recognizing it when it’s in front of you. We will, unfortunately, continue getting bumps and bruises until we learn, love is of most importance.
In “Relapse: A Love Story,” author Robert Hunter takes his readers on a wild ride as he writes from the perspective of Robert Wildhide, a writer that struggled severely with writer’s block. Each chapter enabled you to experience just how interesting and peculiar it was living the life behind the scenes. From a car dealership salesman to traveling up north to Maine along with his wife, Annie, who would’ve thought just how depressing Maine could possibly be. Along with this journey, he encountered a bunch of out the ordinary individuals, who practice various spiritual rituals and ways of life. All it took was this travel experience, conflicts amongst close friends, marital problems, and legal issues for him to come to a major realization. His life is what he makes It and by looking deep within himself, he could walk away from an opportunity undeserving of him, muster words to write his book and live a good married life.
When I tell you it was a challenge keeping up with Robert and the shenanigans that transpired throughout the book, it was a sure ride you’d demand to get off. I fully understood that he had to go through things to get through things, especially the writer’s block. With the new first-hand experience, he was able to put pen to paper and write something based entirely on truth because he lived and loved.
In “Relapse: A Love Story,” author Robert Hunter takes his readers on a wild ride as he writes from the perspective of Robert Wildhide, a writer that struggled severely with writer’s block. Each chapter enabled you to experience just how interesting and peculiar it was living the life behind the scenes. From a car dealership salesman to traveling up north to Maine along with his wife, Annie, who would’ve thought just how depressing Maine could possibly be. Along with this journey, he encountered a bunch of out the ordinary individuals, who practice various spiritual rituals and ways of life. All it took was this travel experience, conflicts amongst close friends, marital problems, and legal issues for him to come to a major realization. His life is what he makes It and by looking deep within himself, he could walk away from an opportunity undeserving of him, muster words to write his book and live a good married life.
When I tell you it was a challenge keeping up with Robert and the shenanigans that transpired throughout the book, it was a sure ride you’d demand to get off. I fully understood that he had to go through things to get through things, especially the writer’s block. With the new first-hand experience, he was able to put pen to paper and write something based entirely on truth because he lived and loved.
September 28, 2019
This story of Rob Wildhide, whose fervent ambition is to write the world’s next great novel, is chaotic, fascinating and full of unusual characters. I found many parts of the book so relatable to my experiences with friends who have large goals but get off course by drinking too much. I also found myself recognizing people I know in the characters that author Robert Hunter brings vividly to life.
Rob’s job at Stager Auto World is the one stabilizing force in his life. His first wife, Kelsey, persuaded him to take this job as a reliable source of income. He turns to alcohol hoping to overcome writer’s block and Kelsey enables this, often getting the liquor herself.
Rob describes Kelsey as a mystic witch with uncommon powers of percipience and persuasion. She was an alcoholic love song. The relationship does not last, however. Rob describes the marriage falling apart: “Many knots tied with Kelsey cam apart and I began to give up thinking we could stop sudden free fall from rapture to perdition.” This is one example of beautiful writing sprinkled throughout this book.
Rob falls for Annie and marries her very quickly. He sees her as his true love, but she leads him into zany plot twists with a trip to Maine that spell trouble for Rob. I find myself, at times, yelling at him to ditch Annie, and find better ways to write his novel. These characters are not all likable, but they certainly are interesting and colorful.
Author Hunter writes with a flourish of memorable phrases. At one point, Rob is looking for a sign that connected all the blurry crooked lines. “And there would be impulse and inspiration too, if only I [Rob] could find a way to phrase it.” That resonated with me. At another point Rob is “searching for ways to fill a void presently occupied by cigarette smoke and alcohol.” How many of us have been at that place at some point in our lives? This book is an absorbing read. It is not too long yet offers literary gems and useful life insights.
Rob’s job at Stager Auto World is the one stabilizing force in his life. His first wife, Kelsey, persuaded him to take this job as a reliable source of income. He turns to alcohol hoping to overcome writer’s block and Kelsey enables this, often getting the liquor herself.
Rob describes Kelsey as a mystic witch with uncommon powers of percipience and persuasion. She was an alcoholic love song. The relationship does not last, however. Rob describes the marriage falling apart: “Many knots tied with Kelsey cam apart and I began to give up thinking we could stop sudden free fall from rapture to perdition.” This is one example of beautiful writing sprinkled throughout this book.
Rob falls for Annie and marries her very quickly. He sees her as his true love, but she leads him into zany plot twists with a trip to Maine that spell trouble for Rob. I find myself, at times, yelling at him to ditch Annie, and find better ways to write his novel. These characters are not all likable, but they certainly are interesting and colorful.
Author Hunter writes with a flourish of memorable phrases. At one point, Rob is looking for a sign that connected all the blurry crooked lines. “And there would be impulse and inspiration too, if only I [Rob] could find a way to phrase it.” That resonated with me. At another point Rob is “searching for ways to fill a void presently occupied by cigarette smoke and alcohol.” How many of us have been at that place at some point in our lives? This book is an absorbing read. It is not too long yet offers literary gems and useful life insights.
December 5, 2018
I just finished reading “Relapse: A Love Story” written by Robert Hunter, and I will say it was a cool and quick book to read. To me, it read more like a diary of events of the main character Rob. Rob is an aspiring author who will give anything to get his book written and published. His work as a salesman, his marriage, and the fact that he is an alcoholic put a hindrance in his goal of being published. He is currently seeing a therapist which gives us a look into his sordid affairs in life. An example of this is when he and his wife travel to Maine with a group of people. This leads to some crazy death defying adventures such as walking across a bridge that's hundreds of feet in the air. All of the people are in a drunk and drugged state of mind including Rob who was drugged by the man his wife cheated on him with. One of the people on this voyage is a gypsy who predicts the future. Rob gets mixed up with her in a plan to steal the limo they are in and get out of Maine as fast as they can.
Once Rob and his wife are back at home, he struggles with keeping his job and staying married. He wants to come clean with his wife that he knows about her affair because he read about it in her journal, but he is thrown for a loop when his wife declares that she has cancer and is going in for an biopsy surgery. While Rob is waiting for her to get out of surgery, he is arrested for stealing the limo and evading the cops. His short stint in jail is another crazy experience for him.
It was fun to read about Rob's crazy life. Makes us all know that we aren't alone in our stressful lives. I think it also teaches up to not give up on our goals, because one way or another, they are achievable. Not sure if that was what the author was going for, but that's what I got out of it. I recommend reading this book.
Once Rob and his wife are back at home, he struggles with keeping his job and staying married. He wants to come clean with his wife that he knows about her affair because he read about it in her journal, but he is thrown for a loop when his wife declares that she has cancer and is going in for an biopsy surgery. While Rob is waiting for her to get out of surgery, he is arrested for stealing the limo and evading the cops. His short stint in jail is another crazy experience for him.
It was fun to read about Rob's crazy life. Makes us all know that we aren't alone in our stressful lives. I think it also teaches up to not give up on our goals, because one way or another, they are achievable. Not sure if that was what the author was going for, but that's what I got out of it. I recommend reading this book.
December 28, 2018
A Must Read Book For Those Who Enjoy Reading Love Stories
“Relapse; A Love Story” by Robert Hunter is a must read book for aspiring writers and readers who enjoy reading love stories. I just loved the book from the moment I started reading it, I must say that the author did a great job in coming up with such a nice and interesting book to read . The book talks about the life of Rob who loves writing and keeps in mind that one day he will be a great writer, Rob is seen to be very much oppressed after wandering from one relationship to another and decides to seek help from Marie who is a counselor. Courageously Rob tells Marie about Annie Cotner the woman who lured him to Maine under false pretenses. What I really love with Rob is that he cares about his job as a writer and does not forget to tell Marie about the story he was working on. What affected Rob so much is that he loved alcohol very much that he thought it will help him cite writer’s block and the creative process as a writer but in the end everything seemed to get worse, Marie only assured him that everything would work out well. What surprised me is that Rob did not care living with his wife Annie in an old house that was owned by Annie’s farther Dirk, what he cared was just writing in a meditative silence. Rob and Annie together decides to go for a trip in Maine with their friends. The story line becomes more intense as Rob and Annie face a tragedy when they decide to get back home in a stolen limo. Great twist here by the author to make the book more enjoyable to read with several questions running in your mind on what will really happen to Rob and his wife Annie at the end. Actually if I was to give this book thousands of stars then certainly I would, it is a nice book that is based in real life events.
“Relapse; A Love Story” by Robert Hunter is a must read book for aspiring writers and readers who enjoy reading love stories. I just loved the book from the moment I started reading it, I must say that the author did a great job in coming up with such a nice and interesting book to read . The book talks about the life of Rob who loves writing and keeps in mind that one day he will be a great writer, Rob is seen to be very much oppressed after wandering from one relationship to another and decides to seek help from Marie who is a counselor. Courageously Rob tells Marie about Annie Cotner the woman who lured him to Maine under false pretenses. What I really love with Rob is that he cares about his job as a writer and does not forget to tell Marie about the story he was working on. What affected Rob so much is that he loved alcohol very much that he thought it will help him cite writer’s block and the creative process as a writer but in the end everything seemed to get worse, Marie only assured him that everything would work out well. What surprised me is that Rob did not care living with his wife Annie in an old house that was owned by Annie’s farther Dirk, what he cared was just writing in a meditative silence. Rob and Annie together decides to go for a trip in Maine with their friends. The story line becomes more intense as Rob and Annie face a tragedy when they decide to get back home in a stolen limo. Great twist here by the author to make the book more enjoyable to read with several questions running in your mind on what will really happen to Rob and his wife Annie at the end. Actually if I was to give this book thousands of stars then certainly I would, it is a nice book that is based in real life events.
May 16, 2019
Man what a rollercoaster of ride this story was. I could easily imagine the place and it literally felt like watching a movie. We follow Rob Wildhide and his thoughts through some series of dramatic, weird and interesting events. Struggling with his life issues, he seems very confused at times, lost and resentful of the events that have taken place throughout his life. Encountering conflicts that caused him to question if he would ever be able to become the writer that he desired to be. Then you have the background of his previous marriage and being with his new wife Annie. This dude drank a hell of a lot, no wonder he could not get anything done. It is a wonder he kept a job for as long as he did lol.
Annie’s friends in Maine were interesting and some of the scenes had me laughing. The guy that ended up going to the hospital was crazy. Oh and the situation with the lesbians was hilarious. Finding himself in a compromising situation with a lesbian and everyone thinking he was trying to make advances. Awww poor guy he was going through a lot, it made my head hurt.
One thing is you will definitely not be bored reading this story. There is plenty going on for sure, the characters all bring something entertaining to the story. Like there was this one guy that Rob and Annie ran into while hiking and he came off suicide ish. Annie thought he was a bear at first. I got all excited thinking things were about to get interesting lol. Nope just a weirdo alone hiking in the woods, remembering his wife who died of cancer years and years ago. Which ended up being a foreshadow of sorts. I felt sorry for the guy not being able to move on and enjoy his life. I laughed at some parts and other parts Im like what the hell is going on? It would be interesting to see a story like this on film.
Annie’s friends in Maine were interesting and some of the scenes had me laughing. The guy that ended up going to the hospital was crazy. Oh and the situation with the lesbians was hilarious. Finding himself in a compromising situation with a lesbian and everyone thinking he was trying to make advances. Awww poor guy he was going through a lot, it made my head hurt.
One thing is you will definitely not be bored reading this story. There is plenty going on for sure, the characters all bring something entertaining to the story. Like there was this one guy that Rob and Annie ran into while hiking and he came off suicide ish. Annie thought he was a bear at first. I got all excited thinking things were about to get interesting lol. Nope just a weirdo alone hiking in the woods, remembering his wife who died of cancer years and years ago. Which ended up being a foreshadow of sorts. I felt sorry for the guy not being able to move on and enjoy his life. I laughed at some parts and other parts Im like what the hell is going on? It would be interesting to see a story like this on film.
May 15, 2018
Throughout history, human relationships have been a source of endless inspiration, igniting passionate displays of creativity in art, literature, and film. This power that relationships have over our lives is explored with a delightfully dry sense of wit in Robert Hunter’s excellent novel, “Relapse-A Love Story.”
Rob is an aspiring writer with a penchant for pessimism and alcohol. He also happens to be working as a used car salesman, one of the least creative fields imaginable and a role he loathes with increasing antipathy. It doesn’t help that he also tends to be drawn to fiery, unpredictable women.
His current relationship with the headstrong Annie brings both pleasure and frustration, as most romances are prone to do. But there are times when Rob begins questioning his own sanity during the course of their relationship. Nevertheless, they get married. What transpires from here on out is a rom-com slapstick series of adventures that involve all kinds of entertaining side characters and ruffians.
How will Rob know if Annie is really “The One?” As they face a new chapter in their lives together, the pair must come to terms with unfortunate incidents of jealousy and betrayal. Is love really just a big hoax, and the joke’s on us? Or is there something worth pursuing after all, despite the pain and suffering?
Written with a hilarious voice that successfully pokes fun at man’s foibles, the author still retains a deeper sense of meaning in the story that asks some of the big questions in life. For those looking for a fun summer read that seeks to shine a light on the sometimes mercurial nature of human relationships, give this one a try.
Rob is an aspiring writer with a penchant for pessimism and alcohol. He also happens to be working as a used car salesman, one of the least creative fields imaginable and a role he loathes with increasing antipathy. It doesn’t help that he also tends to be drawn to fiery, unpredictable women.
His current relationship with the headstrong Annie brings both pleasure and frustration, as most romances are prone to do. But there are times when Rob begins questioning his own sanity during the course of their relationship. Nevertheless, they get married. What transpires from here on out is a rom-com slapstick series of adventures that involve all kinds of entertaining side characters and ruffians.
How will Rob know if Annie is really “The One?” As they face a new chapter in their lives together, the pair must come to terms with unfortunate incidents of jealousy and betrayal. Is love really just a big hoax, and the joke’s on us? Or is there something worth pursuing after all, despite the pain and suffering?
Written with a hilarious voice that successfully pokes fun at man’s foibles, the author still retains a deeper sense of meaning in the story that asks some of the big questions in life. For those looking for a fun summer read that seeks to shine a light on the sometimes mercurial nature of human relationships, give this one a try.
December 23, 2018
I have always been a huge fan of Robert Hunter's writing so when I heard this book was coming out, I jumped at the chance to read it! This book is not for those who get offended easily, so keep that in mind if you are considering reading it. That being said, I'll dive right into this and perhaps some of you will like the sound of this book!
This book follows the main character, Rob Wildhide. Rob is a writer who is ready to make it big! In fact, that's pretty much all he can think about. He has one big vice though: alcohol. He loves to drink and when he does, he begins to make the worst decisions in his life. He thinks that alcohol can help him with his writer's block and will help to make him famous one day. He does have some things that he should work out first though.
His marriage is failing and he keeps looking at other women instead of his wife, Annie. They end up going on a trip to Maine where things just seem to get worse. He meets some gypsies, gets advice from them, and has an affair. When the two of them get home, he starts to feel remorse for the affair and plans on telling Annie and coming clean once and for all. He knows that it may end their marriage, but he feels really bad about it. This is when Rob's life starts to get even trickier. Rob discovers that Annie has cancer. He begins to realize just how much he does love her and how it is time for change his life around. He wants to be there for her no matter what!
This books moves pretty quickly and it was great to see the realization of Rob's love for Annie. This was an amazing read and I am so glad that I found it! I would recommend this book to anyone who loves Hunter the way that I do!
This book follows the main character, Rob Wildhide. Rob is a writer who is ready to make it big! In fact, that's pretty much all he can think about. He has one big vice though: alcohol. He loves to drink and when he does, he begins to make the worst decisions in his life. He thinks that alcohol can help him with his writer's block and will help to make him famous one day. He does have some things that he should work out first though.
His marriage is failing and he keeps looking at other women instead of his wife, Annie. They end up going on a trip to Maine where things just seem to get worse. He meets some gypsies, gets advice from them, and has an affair. When the two of them get home, he starts to feel remorse for the affair and plans on telling Annie and coming clean once and for all. He knows that it may end their marriage, but he feels really bad about it. This is when Rob's life starts to get even trickier. Rob discovers that Annie has cancer. He begins to realize just how much he does love her and how it is time for change his life around. He wants to be there for her no matter what!
This books moves pretty quickly and it was great to see the realization of Rob's love for Annie. This was an amazing read and I am so glad that I found it! I would recommend this book to anyone who loves Hunter the way that I do!
January 5, 2019
Chaotic, unbelievably realistic at times and at the same time relatable. This book had me feeling all types of emotions. At times I was confused, other times I was shouting nooooo and then other times I just felt sorry for all parties involved. I felt as if I was truly in the mind of a raging alcoholic. One with a brilliant mind. His thoughts were all over the place. In his mind the world was against him, yet he was always superior. I felt his racing thoughts. At one point I said out loud, PLEASE Don’t Drink Anymore! That didn’t work.
I felt sorry for Rob. I really did. I’m sure he thought he had the best of intentions in all he did. His dream of being a great novelist was always cut short by his own actions. Writers block he called it. Who did he really love? The alcohol I think. Not his ex, Kelsey, although he kept trying to reach out to her and not even his wife Annie. Or did he? This story showed the ever present conflicts within some struggling with drugs and alcohol and with trying to better themselves.
The story felt raw. Like I was truly in Rob’s mind. What was he to do? What would happen next? These people around him are crazy, or is it him? Everything in his mind leads to a suicide attempt. All the while holding resentment against those he believes harmed him. In his mind they did. He’s in jail for a bit. For a moment I thought he was going to have a spiritual moment. Well, maybe in his mind he did. Ending with his wife and cancer, they are STILL drinking.
This book made me sad and mad. I wanted Rob to get his life together. Maybe he did. I felt like saying ‘thanks for sharing’ after I finished. Woah, what a story.
I felt sorry for Rob. I really did. I’m sure he thought he had the best of intentions in all he did. His dream of being a great novelist was always cut short by his own actions. Writers block he called it. Who did he really love? The alcohol I think. Not his ex, Kelsey, although he kept trying to reach out to her and not even his wife Annie. Or did he? This story showed the ever present conflicts within some struggling with drugs and alcohol and with trying to better themselves.
The story felt raw. Like I was truly in Rob’s mind. What was he to do? What would happen next? These people around him are crazy, or is it him? Everything in his mind leads to a suicide attempt. All the while holding resentment against those he believes harmed him. In his mind they did. He’s in jail for a bit. For a moment I thought he was going to have a spiritual moment. Well, maybe in his mind he did. Ending with his wife and cancer, they are STILL drinking.
This book made me sad and mad. I wanted Rob to get his life together. Maybe he did. I felt like saying ‘thanks for sharing’ after I finished. Woah, what a story.
June 13, 2019
Robert Hunter, in Relapse: A Love Story, has penned a wild and chaotic love story whose characters careen recklessly between bad decisions and past mistakes. The story begins with Rob Wildhide, an alcoholic who believes he’s destined to become a celebrated author, seeking the advice of a young therapist in a “J.C. Penny blouse” whom he immediately disdains as too young and poorly educated to help him. As the story unfolds, we learn of Rob’s past with his first love, Kelsey. We experience incredible times with his current wife, Annie. From Rob’s working as a car dealership salesman to his traveling up north to Maine with Annie, we get a glimpse of just how crazy this story is.
Along this journey, Rob and Annie encounter a bunch of extraordinary individuals, who practice strange spiritual rituals and ways of life. Gut-wrenching challenges emerge. The amalgamation of Rob’s travel experience, conflicts with close friends, marital problems, and legal issues make him aware that life is what he makes it. A surprise twist near the end of the story, I believe, redeems Rob and causes him to make a decision that affects both him and Annie.
Relapse: A Love Story is a mature and, at times, stirring glimpse into the lives of real people who face stress, make poor choices and live to deal with what comes next. It can, at time, be a challenging read. The rapid shifts from past and present require careful and close reading. Though it is a story of a writer, it is, at times, a bit wordy. Overall, though, if you are an adult reader looking for a wild, fun read, Relapse would be a great choice.
Along this journey, Rob and Annie encounter a bunch of extraordinary individuals, who practice strange spiritual rituals and ways of life. Gut-wrenching challenges emerge. The amalgamation of Rob’s travel experience, conflicts with close friends, marital problems, and legal issues make him aware that life is what he makes it. A surprise twist near the end of the story, I believe, redeems Rob and causes him to make a decision that affects both him and Annie.
Relapse: A Love Story is a mature and, at times, stirring glimpse into the lives of real people who face stress, make poor choices and live to deal with what comes next. It can, at time, be a challenging read. The rapid shifts from past and present require careful and close reading. Though it is a story of a writer, it is, at times, a bit wordy. Overall, though, if you are an adult reader looking for a wild, fun read, Relapse would be a great choice.
August 22, 2019
Rob Wildhide is an incredibly relatable character. As a writer, I know it’s a universal truth that we never know what to write. He has a day job that doesn’t really bring him any joy, a wife he doesn’t connect with, and a disease he can’t quite kick - alcoholism.
The book is told from Rob’s point of view and we’re quickly swept into his psyche. He’s at once a depressed, anxious drinker as well as a creative soul. While he tries to make these two parts of himself work together, they are constantly tugging him apart. Rob view his relationship with Annie as his opportunity for success. Annie supports him, even with his drinking, and when he needs a drink he’s grateful. He soon learns there is a lot about Annie that he doesn’t know, and suspects they may not have the kind of love story that he imagined.
Annie convinces Rob to take a trip to Maine where he meets some of her friends including a man with whom she has had an affair. He is frustrated and angry with her, suggesting he might confront her and leave her. Later in the novel he discovers she is facing a medical situation that solidifies their relationship and shows him how much he does love her.
As a reader, the novel is entrancing but also infuriating. It shows the juxtaposition between a person and the version of themselves that is released when they drink. While I loved Rob and, at times, Annie, I was also frustrated with his problems and her enabling attitude. I had to put the book down at one point and considered never picking it back up. But the truth is that this story is all too real - too close to what it is really like to love someone with an addiction. It is really well written and a captivating read.
The book is told from Rob’s point of view and we’re quickly swept into his psyche. He’s at once a depressed, anxious drinker as well as a creative soul. While he tries to make these two parts of himself work together, they are constantly tugging him apart. Rob view his relationship with Annie as his opportunity for success. Annie supports him, even with his drinking, and when he needs a drink he’s grateful. He soon learns there is a lot about Annie that he doesn’t know, and suspects they may not have the kind of love story that he imagined.
Annie convinces Rob to take a trip to Maine where he meets some of her friends including a man with whom she has had an affair. He is frustrated and angry with her, suggesting he might confront her and leave her. Later in the novel he discovers she is facing a medical situation that solidifies their relationship and shows him how much he does love her.
As a reader, the novel is entrancing but also infuriating. It shows the juxtaposition between a person and the version of themselves that is released when they drink. While I loved Rob and, at times, Annie, I was also frustrated with his problems and her enabling attitude. I had to put the book down at one point and considered never picking it back up. But the truth is that this story is all too real - too close to what it is really like to love someone with an addiction. It is really well written and a captivating read.
September 27, 2019
What can I say about Relapse: A Love Story? For starters, it is one of those stories that becomes increasingly ridiculous as it unfolds. One of the best traits this work of fiction has is its ability to convey a bizarre reality that many of us know, but few would dare, or care to, admit. We have all read articles, news stories, or simply listened to a tale so outrageous we are left with no other reaction than, " You can't make this s_ _ _ up!" Well, apparently Robert Hunter can! The booze and roofie fueled trip to Maine to witness a lesbian wedding ceremony along with a diverse cast of characters from river guide, limo driver, gypsy fortune teller and blocked writer/ car salesman is destined for disaster. Con artists, cannibals, and run of the mill crazies round out the crew. Our main character is on a journey of self discovery in an attempt to overcome his writers block, and figure out if his wife of 5 days is really the one. He sets out with his new bride and a panacea of medicinal homemade wine. If he ca't have a try epiphany perhaps he can drink himself into a having a clear vision. In between drinks, committing the occasional crime, and being accosted by a lesbian on her wedding day our main man makes time to check on his dating profile, you know, in case she isn't the one. While all of this is told from the perspective of a therapy session that our character knows is completely pointless I find myself musing, "Hey, I know those people, they're nuts." You know what they say, truth is stranger than fiction. Except in the case of Relapse: A Love Story. In that case fiction imitates life, and some peoples lives are pretty darn strange!
December 20, 2018
“Relapse: A Love Story” follows the adventures of aspiring writer and sometime car dealer Robert Wildhide. The story comes out as it is told to Robert´s therapist, Maria, a junior college accredited counselor for whom he has little faith in her therapeutic abilities. Robert has unresolved feelings for his ex wife, Kelsey, and has impulsively jumped into a marriage with a beautiful raft guide, Annie. Robert is split between clinging to Annie as some kind of emotional life preserver and being deeply distrustful of her. He has discovered some secrets about her past that are haunting him as he she invites him to go to Maine with her to attend a wedding and become acquainted with all of her friends. Copious amounts of alcohol partaken by all parties at times ease the social dynamics and at times exacerbate the already suspicious attitude which Robert has adopted towards the fellow raft guides, his wife's past, and possibly their future together. The book brings up themes about fate. Is it all predetermined and we are just going along with no say in it? Or is more in our own hands? He also approaches the idea of partnership in the form of doubt about if it is possible. It seems like he is not sure, but he really would like to believe it is. I liked this book a lot. The author is very clever and nimble with his words. I am not surprised that he is a musician and songwriter. I like the character of Robert Wildhide. He reminded me a little of something Bukowski would write about, but with more sensitivity and heart.
February 17, 2019
Relapse: A love story is a story a man questioning everything in his life. Rob Wildhide is an aspiring author, that is what he keeps telling himself as he works a dead-end job as a car salesman. There is one problem, he has writer’s block, which he attempts to correct with copious amounts of alcohol. His constant drunken state causes him to lurch through his life with his new wife, lamenting the loss of his previous wife. A weekend in Maine, with both women, leads to a series of outrageous events with a host of bizarre characters that may, in the end, just save Rob from himself.
It is odd to think of love as something akin to a disease, which is what the word relapse makes me think of. However, in the case of this book, following the narrative from beginning to end, you see that there is a story arc that definitely supports this term.
There were things about this book that were different, but they worked well. For example, we don’t learn the main character’s name until well into chapter two. We get caught up in his story and neurosis well before learning little details about him. The reader is also almost never given any physical descriptions of the characters. There may be bits and pieces, but we have to create the individuals using our own imaginations and experiences. Because we are so invested in helping to create the characters, there is a tighter bond with them, we care more about what happens. This story draws you in and keeps you wrapped up until the very end.
It is odd to think of love as something akin to a disease, which is what the word relapse makes me think of. However, in the case of this book, following the narrative from beginning to end, you see that there is a story arc that definitely supports this term.
There were things about this book that were different, but they worked well. For example, we don’t learn the main character’s name until well into chapter two. We get caught up in his story and neurosis well before learning little details about him. The reader is also almost never given any physical descriptions of the characters. There may be bits and pieces, but we have to create the individuals using our own imaginations and experiences. Because we are so invested in helping to create the characters, there is a tighter bond with them, we care more about what happens. This story draws you in and keeps you wrapped up until the very end.
May 19, 2019
I purchased Relapse: A Love Story by Robert Hunter and finished it all in one night. I’m glad I decided to read it. It was kind of random for me. I’ve never read anything by Robert Hunter before and I had no idea what to expect. I kind of expected it to be a romance I guess, though maybe that was naive given the first part of the title. While this book is about relationships, marriage, divorce, and love, I’d say it’s more of a book about addiction and finding inner peace.
Rob is a writer optimistic that he’s going to be the next big thing. He’s struggling with what he claims is writer's block and is using alcohol and other things to compensate or overcome. Obviously and unfortunately Rob’s use of alcohol is not necessarily aiding him. He struggles internally with himself. He marries a girl named Annie and the two take a trip to Maine together where the book takes you on their adventures. Rob makes some big mistakes and ends up feeling guilty, but learns of some foreboding news which causes him to reassess his life and his love for Annie once again. Ultimately bringing them into a deeper understanding of relationships.
This book is hardcore and not very light hearted. It hits hard with both themes and language and stuff like that. I wouldn’t say raunchy. I don’t like raunchy books, but I did like this book. This book more just pushes the limits of appropriateness and has a sharp edge to the writing.
I had a good time reading this book. It was crazy and wild and was a story that was interesting and worth your time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2019
Relapse is quite an adventure, one in which you need to buckle up and hold on tight because there are some twists and turns. The main character, Rob, definitely has a wild imagination, an exaggerated tongue, and a vivid storytelling ability. In the beginning of the novel we find Rob in a tumultuous season of life and love. He is a man who has reached a dead end in his job, frustrated with a creative stunt, and confused and searching for love. He wants to be a writer but it hasn’t quite happened for him yet, mostly because he was stuck creatively. As a fellow creative, I sympathized with Rob because I know how frustrating it is to have an idea but not quite sure where to go with it or how to get things started.
Relapse: A Love Story is an epic tale of one mans journey through depression, anxiety, adventure, the pursuit of happiness, paranoia, and love. He encounters all sorts of crazy characters throughout his journey that teach him about love, life and finding happiness. Though Rob reaches a low point and tries to end his own life, the perils of love drag him back out of darkness.
This book is a bit tricky to follow with all the jumping back and forth and the characters and settings, but it was a great analogy to real life sometimes; a complicated road that has no clear and narrow path.
Ultimately Rob breaks his creative roadblock, accepts love, and is given a second opportunity at life. My question would be, does he learn and grow or fall back into darkness and tumble farther down the rabbit hole? Definitely an interesting read!
Relapse: A Love Story is an epic tale of one mans journey through depression, anxiety, adventure, the pursuit of happiness, paranoia, and love. He encounters all sorts of crazy characters throughout his journey that teach him about love, life and finding happiness. Though Rob reaches a low point and tries to end his own life, the perils of love drag him back out of darkness.
This book is a bit tricky to follow with all the jumping back and forth and the characters and settings, but it was a great analogy to real life sometimes; a complicated road that has no clear and narrow path.
Ultimately Rob breaks his creative roadblock, accepts love, and is given a second opportunity at life. My question would be, does he learn and grow or fall back into darkness and tumble farther down the rabbit hole? Definitely an interesting read!
August 21, 2019
Relapse, A Love Story by Robert Hunter is a wild ride. Be prepared to buckle your seatbelt and be sure to have a dictionary beside you.
I believe the author's aim was to bring the reader delicately into his madness, and he succeeds. While he does use many big words (some I had to look up the meaning of) his writing is very clear and easy to follow. The story makes sense even though at times it is extremely far-fetched. Like an uncle who regales you with tales of the days he walked ten miles to school in a snowstorm uphill and barefoot type of thing. Extreme. But as you read you want it to be that way, it adds a bit of humor and leaves nothing to the imagination. Behind it all is a simmering love story but not in the typical sense of a love story. More like an "I'll be by your side through thick and thin, through crazy and sane" type of story. And the other characters introduced are woven into the scenes and have their own issues going on that keep you interested and wanting to know more even about them. He gives each character very real qualities even though some of their situations are quite wild.
I enjoyed this book. It definitely seems like there could be a follow up because so much of this story is unfinished. And I love that the villain in the book was a raft guide and in real life the author is married to a former raft guide. The inferences made and the way they are referred to throughout the story will make you chuckle, it is hilarious.
So get this book. And buckle up.
I believe the author's aim was to bring the reader delicately into his madness, and he succeeds. While he does use many big words (some I had to look up the meaning of) his writing is very clear and easy to follow. The story makes sense even though at times it is extremely far-fetched. Like an uncle who regales you with tales of the days he walked ten miles to school in a snowstorm uphill and barefoot type of thing. Extreme. But as you read you want it to be that way, it adds a bit of humor and leaves nothing to the imagination. Behind it all is a simmering love story but not in the typical sense of a love story. More like an "I'll be by your side through thick and thin, through crazy and sane" type of story. And the other characters introduced are woven into the scenes and have their own issues going on that keep you interested and wanting to know more even about them. He gives each character very real qualities even though some of their situations are quite wild.
I enjoyed this book. It definitely seems like there could be a follow up because so much of this story is unfinished. And I love that the villain in the book was a raft guide and in real life the author is married to a former raft guide. The inferences made and the way they are referred to throughout the story will make you chuckle, it is hilarious.
So get this book. And buckle up.
May 15, 2018
What a winding road, literally and figuratively! Relapse takes the reader on a road trip and beyond, and introduces myriad characters that guide us on the novel’s journey. There's a lot of alcohol, regrets, illegal activities, and some moments of levity in this one, so something for everyone.
The main character, Robert, is a wannabe writer with an alcoholic monkey on his back. Robert is an interesting character in that he's so self-obsessed that I rolled my eyes a few times. He's the perfect unlikable narrator and I guarantee that you've come across him in real life a few times! Despite that, Robert has no trouble with women and we get to know his various romantic entanglements from the ex-wife to a gypsy. It's interesting that Robert is trying to in some ways to clean up his act, but when push comes to shove, his actions don't really follow that up.
The jumps through time and space took a few reads to get used to but I was along for the ride and able to follow along without too much trouble. I enjoyed the action and fast-paced plot the most.
If you like a complicated narrator and wild road trips, you will really like this book. It's a quick read and gives the reader a lot to think about. Aspiring writers can learn a lot from this book, too, about how to craft a story around an unlikeable/unreliable character. I think those types of books are more entertaining than straightforward ones.
The main character, Robert, is a wannabe writer with an alcoholic monkey on his back. Robert is an interesting character in that he's so self-obsessed that I rolled my eyes a few times. He's the perfect unlikable narrator and I guarantee that you've come across him in real life a few times! Despite that, Robert has no trouble with women and we get to know his various romantic entanglements from the ex-wife to a gypsy. It's interesting that Robert is trying to in some ways to clean up his act, but when push comes to shove, his actions don't really follow that up.
The jumps through time and space took a few reads to get used to but I was along for the ride and able to follow along without too much trouble. I enjoyed the action and fast-paced plot the most.
If you like a complicated narrator and wild road trips, you will really like this book. It's a quick read and gives the reader a lot to think about. Aspiring writers can learn a lot from this book, too, about how to craft a story around an unlikeable/unreliable character. I think those types of books are more entertaining than straightforward ones.
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