This collection houses the fan-favorite short story, Complicated, as well as other gritty, funny, dark, or witty pieces including A Touch of Class, Twenty-One and Lucky, and The Emotional Spectrum. There are 28 selections in this volume, which became a #1 New Release from its pre-order and still remains a Best Seller.
COMPLICATED: For one moment, everything fell into place. But a single flash of holiday lights made everything fell apart.
TWENTY-ONE & LUCKY: His name has always been ironic. He has always been a victim. The bullying... just won't stop. Nothing turns out the way it should. Sometimes there's a bridge to cross, but sometimes not.
A LETTER TO DADDY: This heartfelt letter from a six-year-old to his parent lets everyone know what the problem is while the child has no idea of the drinking, the drugs, or the abuse.
My feeling is of two stars, but I added one more for the cover (I like the red flying umbrellas!) and for the author's work, which I respect and know how involving it can be. The two stars derive from the style, which didn't grab me. The poetry and the short stories didn't "talk" to me. I'm usually grabbed by more intense and profound messages, stories, thoughts. But other than that, it's an okay little book, unpretentious, a pastime if you will, and if you don't expect anything more robust.