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Reboot
When Rob Santos went to work on Tuesday, January 18, 2011, it was a typical winter day in downtown Boston Massachusetts; raw, spitting snow, and the usual penetrating wind blowing in off the harbor. Nothing out of the ordinary.
His life was on a fast track to success: VP position with a Fortune 500 Firm, big salary and bonuses, expensive house in upscale neighborhood, gorgeous wife, and daughters attending a prestigious private school.
What Rob didn’t know was everything was about to change forever.
By the end of the day, his family, his marriage, his job would all be coming apart.
In the dark days that followed, he found himself staring into the black hole of divorce, abandonment, personal bankruptcy, and debilitating depression.
But then a solution was offered from an unlikely source. A childhood friend, who had become a militant female attorney specializing in cases advocating women’s rights, quietly recommended a consultant who helped clients disappear.
It was a path out of the tar pit Rob Santos was mired in, and he took it. It involved falsifying his death and then disappearing.
He would start a new life far, far away. And it worked. In fact, for Rob Santos, life was never better.
And then one day his past showed up.
253 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 26, 2019
75 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 24, 2019
Absorbing, entertaining and often poignant story of a man who makes the difficult decision to ditch his life and start over again with a new identity. On the surface, it would seem that Rob Santos has everything: money, beautiful wife and daughters, gorgeous home, high-level job. However, a perfect storm of circumstances opens his eyes to reality, and the story takes off running from there.
Once in awhile, a real-life story surfaces of someone who seemingly drops off the face of the earth, leaving everyone who knew them to mourn (or celebrate?), and the police to investigate. (Olivia Newton-John's former fiancee, Patrick McDermott, missing since 2005, still generates news whenever someone claims to have spotted him alive and well in Mexico.) This novel takes us deep into a realistic and entertaining faked-death scenario.
How hard is it to leave everything --absolutely everything -- behind? Rob Santos believes he is ready to change his life, but it's more easily said than done. It's fascinating to follow along as he assumes his new identity, tentatively begins to make new acquaintances, and struggles with long-buried regrets about the lover in his past 'who got away'.
The police (and one close friend) are not so quick to accept that Rob -- now known as Alex -- is dead and gone. And, of course, if things can go wrong, they will. It all makes for an absorbing and thought-provoking journey. Once I started, I couldn't put it down because I had to see what would happen next! The story shifts between Rob's life in Boston to 'Alex's' new home in southwest Colorado, filled with colorful characters. There are also flashes of humor and whimsy along the way that I appreciated, such as this passage about a lake where a mysterious woman is spotted skinny-dipping from time to time:
"The two times he had seen her -- never close enough to venture a guess at age -- Alex had been well downstream, perhaps a football field away. .... Would she invite Alex to remove his waders and join her? Was she old and gray? Young and voluptuous? Old and voluptuous? Would it matter? These were fun questions to ponder."
I highly recommend this wonderful book. My only regret is that it was over before I wanted it to be. The characters began to feel like comfortable friends, and I'd love to see what happens next for them.
Once in awhile, a real-life story surfaces of someone who seemingly drops off the face of the earth, leaving everyone who knew them to mourn (or celebrate?), and the police to investigate. (Olivia Newton-John's former fiancee, Patrick McDermott, missing since 2005, still generates news whenever someone claims to have spotted him alive and well in Mexico.) This novel takes us deep into a realistic and entertaining faked-death scenario.
How hard is it to leave everything --absolutely everything -- behind? Rob Santos believes he is ready to change his life, but it's more easily said than done. It's fascinating to follow along as he assumes his new identity, tentatively begins to make new acquaintances, and struggles with long-buried regrets about the lover in his past 'who got away'.
The police (and one close friend) are not so quick to accept that Rob -- now known as Alex -- is dead and gone. And, of course, if things can go wrong, they will. It all makes for an absorbing and thought-provoking journey. Once I started, I couldn't put it down because I had to see what would happen next! The story shifts between Rob's life in Boston to 'Alex's' new home in southwest Colorado, filled with colorful characters. There are also flashes of humor and whimsy along the way that I appreciated, such as this passage about a lake where a mysterious woman is spotted skinny-dipping from time to time:
"The two times he had seen her -- never close enough to venture a guess at age -- Alex had been well downstream, perhaps a football field away. .... Would she invite Alex to remove his waders and join her? Was she old and gray? Young and voluptuous? Old and voluptuous? Would it matter? These were fun questions to ponder."
I highly recommend this wonderful book. My only regret is that it was over before I wanted it to be. The characters began to feel like comfortable friends, and I'd love to see what happens next for them.
June 24, 2019
This is a story about Rob, a man who fakes his death and starts a new life as someone called Alex, albeit with the help of ”professionals” that do this for a whole lot of money. How one goes about finding those professionals is a bit sketchy but nevertheless it had me engaged all the way through, never bored. I was thinking 4 star for sure, but the last few chapters changed my opinion and the ending disappointed me.
A small gripe is the need for editing. Several typos or wrong words inserted maybe by auto-correct. I was liking the story so much that I could overlook those but towards the end there were a few unresolved scenarios:
1) the scene with Alex’s former-wife and the senator, why put that in if it went nowhere?
2) What about Alex’s (Rob’s) hateful daughters, nothing is said about their outcome except that they’re in hot water for bullying a classmate to the point of suicide.
3) And what about Rob’s best friend Mike and Amanda at his winery in France? We know how much Mike wanted to see Alex/Rob, do their paths ever cross again? Makes one wonder if there’s a sequel in the works.
This tries to give the reader a satisfactory ending, hinting at who’s arriving on an airplane to make this happen, but the reader is not privy to the scene. It just stops with “The End.”
I know it sounds nit-pickey but I don’t like loose ends. The ending seemed rushed, and left me feeling cheated somehow, after enjoying it so much up to that point.
A small gripe is the need for editing. Several typos or wrong words inserted maybe by auto-correct. I was liking the story so much that I could overlook those but towards the end there were a few unresolved scenarios:
1) the scene with Alex’s former-wife and the senator, why put that in if it went nowhere?
2) What about Alex’s (Rob’s) hateful daughters, nothing is said about their outcome except that they’re in hot water for bullying a classmate to the point of suicide.
3) And what about Rob’s best friend Mike and Amanda at his winery in France? We know how much Mike wanted to see Alex/Rob, do their paths ever cross again? Makes one wonder if there’s a sequel in the works.
This tries to give the reader a satisfactory ending, hinting at who’s arriving on an airplane to make this happen, but the reader is not privy to the scene. It just stops with “The End.”
I know it sounds nit-pickey but I don’t like loose ends. The ending seemed rushed, and left me feeling cheated somehow, after enjoying it so much up to that point.
June 17, 2019
Great book
This is the first book I've read by this author, but it came highly recommended by one of my favourite authors Willow Rose. I have to say I was very intrigued by the concept of this book and it didn't disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would like to know what happens next
This is the first book I've read by this author, but it came highly recommended by one of my favourite authors Willow Rose. I have to say I was very intrigued by the concept of this book and it didn't disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would like to know what happens next
July 28, 2019
I was unsure how I was going to like this book. I took a shot by buying it and reading it. Well, I was blown away. It was a page turn, that I would suggest to anyone who will listen. I totally feel for Roberto, but in the end I think the best things happen to him.
June 16, 2019
Enjoyable
This simple yet somewhat complex novel furnished an enjoyable diversion. It is the story of a man whose life has collapsed around him. He takes the bold step of deciding to "die" and then disappear with the help of a mysterious "businessman" who calls himself Houdini.
After enotional upheaval and persistent doubts, he finally settles in rural Colorado and begins his new life.Gradually he becomes a useful member of his new community and forms friendships. His success in his new life clearly shows rhat his catastrophic failure in his old life was not the result of a profound character flaw but rather due to the cold indifference and abominable behavior of his family.
In the end, the story is about second chances and the power of true love. There is an interesting cast of characters who add depth to the narrative. The author does a good job of supplying believable details of the New England and Colorado settings. Although not profound, Reboot is a well-told slice of life tale.
This simple yet somewhat complex novel furnished an enjoyable diversion. It is the story of a man whose life has collapsed around him. He takes the bold step of deciding to "die" and then disappear with the help of a mysterious "businessman" who calls himself Houdini.
After enotional upheaval and persistent doubts, he finally settles in rural Colorado and begins his new life.Gradually he becomes a useful member of his new community and forms friendships. His success in his new life clearly shows rhat his catastrophic failure in his old life was not the result of a profound character flaw but rather due to the cold indifference and abominable behavior of his family.
In the end, the story is about second chances and the power of true love. There is an interesting cast of characters who add depth to the narrative. The author does a good job of supplying believable details of the New England and Colorado settings. Although not profound, Reboot is a well-told slice of life tale.
June 19, 2019
I have a question about this tome. SO, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Okay, I would like an epilogue or a sequel. There I sat, reading voraciously, waiting for 'someone to get theirs,' and it just didn't happen! Left to wonder, to imagine, to cuss like a truck driver, as I literally went back to re-read chapters to see if I had somehow MISSED SOMETHING!
Did I? Miss something? NO! The words were the same, nothing had changed! I felt abandoned, cheated, ignored like a fart in the Windy City, and though I have moved on to another book, 'Reboot' is still very much on my mind.
Here's the deal...I am not getting any younger, and I would prefer not to spend my remaining days wondering, "WHAT THE HELL HAPPENS NEXT?" Alan Mulak, how about it? Is there a sequel planned or has one already been written and I just can't find it?
Off I go to read other reviews of 'Reboot,' to see if the answer is lurking somewhere out there! :-)
Okay, I would like an epilogue or a sequel. There I sat, reading voraciously, waiting for 'someone to get theirs,' and it just didn't happen! Left to wonder, to imagine, to cuss like a truck driver, as I literally went back to re-read chapters to see if I had somehow MISSED SOMETHING!
Did I? Miss something? NO! The words were the same, nothing had changed! I felt abandoned, cheated, ignored like a fart in the Windy City, and though I have moved on to another book, 'Reboot' is still very much on my mind.
Here's the deal...I am not getting any younger, and I would prefer not to spend my remaining days wondering, "WHAT THE HELL HAPPENS NEXT?" Alan Mulak, how about it? Is there a sequel planned or has one already been written and I just can't find it?
Off I go to read other reviews of 'Reboot,' to see if the answer is lurking somewhere out there! :-)
June 29, 2019
Loved it.
Rob chose to fake his death, rather than face divorce, loss of his job, home, and family. The storyline of reconnecting and possible reuniting with a former love dominated the last part of the book. The author captured the emotions many of us have with the storylines of regret over breaking up, feeling betrayed by your spouse, feeling hated by your kids and hating them, being with a new love, and Rob's friend Mike's decision over letting Alex know he knew he was still alive. I expected the storyline of someone finding him, but no spoiler alert here. You have to read the book to find out if his wife and police find out he is still alive.
Rob chose to fake his death, rather than face divorce, loss of his job, home, and family. The storyline of reconnecting and possible reuniting with a former love dominated the last part of the book. The author captured the emotions many of us have with the storylines of regret over breaking up, feeling betrayed by your spouse, feeling hated by your kids and hating them, being with a new love, and Rob's friend Mike's decision over letting Alex know he knew he was still alive. I expected the storyline of someone finding him, but no spoiler alert here. You have to read the book to find out if his wife and police find out he is still alive.
June 8, 2019
If your life is falling apart, why not just start over?
Rob Santos feels as if he's living the dream. A man sidles up to him as he leaves a coffee shop. "Your wife is having an affair with my lover," states the man before disappearing into the crowd. From there he learns his job is threatened and his teen daughters are accused of bullying. Who would not want something -anything - different?
Rob Santos feels as if he's living the dream. A man sidles up to him as he leaves a coffee shop. "Your wife is having an affair with my lover," states the man before disappearing into the crowd. From there he learns his job is threatened and his teen daughters are accused of bullying. Who would not want something -anything - different?
Want to read
June 5, 2019EarlyBirdBooks 99
June 18, 2019
Book was ok but didn’t like ending.
June 18, 2019
Good book!
This was a good book. Well written with a clever plot. The ending was excellent. The writer let you know what happened without going into detail. I really liked it.
This was a good book. Well written with a clever plot. The ending was excellent. The writer let you know what happened without going into detail. I really liked it.
June 26, 2019
This was a fun read and different for me. It’s fast paced and makes you stop and think about starting over a little more realistically. It must have been published quickly — lots of typos!
July 13, 2019
Very nice story. Author weaved events with characters skillfully. Two main ideas that forms reboot. The title itself is matching the concept!
August 25, 2019
A Page Turner!
A great summer read in a hammock on Cape Cod! It triggered a memory for me of a chance meeting with Alex Delvecchio in Boston in the mid ‘70’s; loved it!
A great summer read in a hammock on Cape Cod! It triggered a memory for me of a chance meeting with Alex Delvecchio in Boston in the mid ‘70’s; loved it!
April 27, 2022
It was a great read. Couldn’t put it down!! Great plot and interesting characters. Think about it as a reverse mystery and you are waiting to see if anyone solves it.
May 2, 2020
This book has everything I like: Lost love, Colorado fly fishing, a main character who must arrange for a new identity before a terrible divorce, clever and humbling acceptance of past failures! Your attention is captured right off the bat and you are hooked! Enjoy!
June 18, 2019
Leaving his troubled life and identify behind, Rob becomes Alex, but still can’t forget his one true love. Really enjoyed this page-turner, although disappointed Rob and Anna’s reunion didn’t bring them to Mike’s winery in the South of France.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews