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Last Wishes
An intelligent and thought-provoking novel that is alternatively heartfelt and laugh-out-loud funny.
Danny Meacham spends his life playing music in the country bars of Las Vegas, having no-strings relationships with women visiting Sin City, and avoiding everything connected to his past.
This all changes when Danny’s estranged brother Billy winds up in a coma following a horrible car accident. Despite loathing his younger brother, Danny comes home and learns the odds for Billy’s recovery are slim.
But that’s not the worst of it.
In his legal trust, Billy gave Danny the power-of-attorney to make all necessary medical decisions for him—including turning off life support. Against his better judgment, Danny is convinced to return to the small town he escaped from years ago in order to care for his brother.
Adding to his stress are Danny’s divorced but still bickering parents, his manipulative older sister, the ex-girlfriend who broke his heart, and all the reasons he left town in the first place.
Will Danny do the right thing and follow his brother’s dying wishes? Or will he have a breakdown as he’s forced to face the family and the past he’s been running from?
Fans of Jonathan Tropper, Nick Hornby, and Tom Perrotta will love this fast-paced, funny, and touching story about love, family, loss, regret, and redemption.
Danny Meacham spends his life playing music in the country bars of Las Vegas, having no-strings relationships with women visiting Sin City, and avoiding everything connected to his past.
This all changes when Danny’s estranged brother Billy winds up in a coma following a horrible car accident. Despite loathing his younger brother, Danny comes home and learns the odds for Billy’s recovery are slim.
But that’s not the worst of it.
In his legal trust, Billy gave Danny the power-of-attorney to make all necessary medical decisions for him—including turning off life support. Against his better judgment, Danny is convinced to return to the small town he escaped from years ago in order to care for his brother.
Adding to his stress are Danny’s divorced but still bickering parents, his manipulative older sister, the ex-girlfriend who broke his heart, and all the reasons he left town in the first place.
Will Danny do the right thing and follow his brother’s dying wishes? Or will he have a breakdown as he’s forced to face the family and the past he’s been running from?
Fans of Jonathan Tropper, Nick Hornby, and Tom Perrotta will love this fast-paced, funny, and touching story about love, family, loss, regret, and redemption.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 14, 2020
13 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 23, 2021
This book is not the kind of book that I typically read, there is a little love story in here but it is NOT the first or main plot. That being said I wasn't able to stop reading it, I read straight through the night and downloaded the "prequel" after finishing this book. Giving this book 4.5 Stars out of 5. On the pepper scale this is a Bell pepper, there are sexual references, but no actual sex scenes.
I thoroughly enjoyed Brian David Floyd's writing and am looking forward to reading more of his books. The family drama in this book is very realistic and is sad, yet it still shows how families can pull together despite their differences. Here is a passage from Last Wishes that I think will show that;
"It's okay," I said. "We're just working out a few things. We'll keep it down."
"And what have we worked out?" Tina asked.
"I'm staying," I said.
Mom's face and voice brightened as she said, "Oh, Danny---"
I cut her off. "It's only for a week or so, but you all need to listen to me. If I'm staying and doing this, it also means we're doing things my way. No exceptions. And if any of you has a problem with that, then I'm out of here."
Daniel (aka Danny) has not seen or spoken to his brother in over a decade, to say there is bad blood between the two of them is an understatement. So it comes as a huge surprise to Danny that his brother, Billy (aka "The Prick") has given him the Power of Attorney over his medical and financial decisions if something were to make it so that Billy is unable to decide for himself. The shock and frustration that Danny faces with Billy's unknown legal decision is one of only many things that Danny has to face when tricked into coming home. Stress, family and his past he so desperately wants to leave in the past come running full steam ahead back into Danny's life. Will he face the his issues or will he head back to Vegas where he works?
I would recommend this book to those that enjoy a more realistic story, one with a lot of back story and drama. This book is very well written, I have to say I still prefer Romantic comedies to this style of book. That being said I am thoroughly glad that I decided to take a change and read this story, and can't wait to read Mason's Dads.
Thank you for reading, I hope that I have helped you find your next Tantalizing Tome!
I thoroughly enjoyed Brian David Floyd's writing and am looking forward to reading more of his books. The family drama in this book is very realistic and is sad, yet it still shows how families can pull together despite their differences. Here is a passage from Last Wishes that I think will show that;
"It's okay," I said. "We're just working out a few things. We'll keep it down."
"And what have we worked out?" Tina asked.
"I'm staying," I said.
Mom's face and voice brightened as she said, "Oh, Danny---"
I cut her off. "It's only for a week or so, but you all need to listen to me. If I'm staying and doing this, it also means we're doing things my way. No exceptions. And if any of you has a problem with that, then I'm out of here."
Daniel (aka Danny) has not seen or spoken to his brother in over a decade, to say there is bad blood between the two of them is an understatement. So it comes as a huge surprise to Danny that his brother, Billy (aka "The Prick") has given him the Power of Attorney over his medical and financial decisions if something were to make it so that Billy is unable to decide for himself. The shock and frustration that Danny faces with Billy's unknown legal decision is one of only many things that Danny has to face when tricked into coming home. Stress, family and his past he so desperately wants to leave in the past come running full steam ahead back into Danny's life. Will he face the his issues or will he head back to Vegas where he works?
I would recommend this book to those that enjoy a more realistic story, one with a lot of back story and drama. This book is very well written, I have to say I still prefer Romantic comedies to this style of book. That being said I am thoroughly glad that I decided to take a change and read this story, and can't wait to read Mason's Dads.
Thank you for reading, I hope that I have helped you find your next Tantalizing Tome!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2021
This is a family drama novel about up-and-coming musician Danny Meacham, whose life is turned upside down when the brother he hates goes into a coma and Danny is stuck holding the plug. With his brother's life or death in Danny's hands, he is forced to come to terms with the past and make the biggest decision he's made in his life. Along the way, he falls for Danny's pretty nurse Veronica. Used to using women and leaving them, he isn't sure if this is simply lust, or heavens forbid, something more.
The characters are flawed and not very likeable, but fully believable. The plot is plausable, and the small-town setting is descriptive and realistic. The overall moral of the story is good. However, Danny's philandering ways and lustful thoughts, and the occasional foul language in the book, turned me off a little. Overall, I'd give the book three stars.
The characters are flawed and not very likeable, but fully believable. The plot is plausable, and the small-town setting is descriptive and realistic. The overall moral of the story is good. However, Danny's philandering ways and lustful thoughts, and the occasional foul language in the book, turned me off a little. Overall, I'd give the book three stars.
March 5, 2020
Brian’s research for all the medical & lawyer terminology showed pitch perfect delivery like Law & Order & New Amsterdam. It’s very original with the song Danny sings to his brother and worth the wait to finally enjoy their funny memory that turned out to be a true story. The ultimate in this book for me is when the Pastor speaks the truth that God’s Grace is bigger than all of our sins, as in 1st Corinthians 10:13 one sin is not worse than the other. We forgive because the only one who never sinned is Jesus Christ who forgives each one of us, amen.
September 11, 2022
What an emotional, tug at the heart strings type of story. This is a family's story of the youngest son, Billy, being in a coma, on life support. The oldest son, Danny, who hates his younger brother, is named as Billy's medical power of attorney. Billy's wish is that if he was ever on life support, he wants Danny to make the decision on when to pull the plug.
Does Danny pull the plug when he finds out that he is the one responsible to do so? What does the rest of the family think about all of this? Read this tear jerker to find out what happens.
Does Danny pull the plug when he finds out that he is the one responsible to do so? What does the rest of the family think about all of this? Read this tear jerker to find out what happens.
January 19, 2022
Last Wishes is a humorous and emotionally raw novel about family, forgiveness, and facing the demons of your past head-on. Full of unexpected twists, Brian David Floyd has writtena fast-moving story you won’t be able to put down.
December 12, 2020
Author Brian David Floyd best sums up this story...
...in giving credit to Almighty God - "At its core, Last Wishes is a story about forgiveness, healing, and grace, which reflect the character and love of the Creator."
...in giving credit to Almighty God - "At its core, Last Wishes is a story about forgiveness, healing, and grace, which reflect the character and love of the Creator."
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews