Derelict

by J.E. Rowney

Eva Dawson is lost.

Working as a photographer, she stumbles upon the world of urban exploration, and starts to find beauty in broken things.

Meanwhile, her marriage is just as broken as the buildings she sets out to explore.

Can she find a way to create a future, or is happiness a relic of the past?

This book is an exploration in its own right, a fascinating journey through one woman’s attempts to change her life for the better.

Praise for “Charcoal” by JE Rowney:
“Great characters…the writer really ‘gets’ heart breaking situations.”
“This personally was like a shotgun to the chest. A very powerful read. Highly recommended.”
“A really good read. Just wanted to keep reading to see how the story unfolded. Refreshingly different.”

Genres: Fiction

244 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2019

About the author

Writer.

Visit my website for previews, further information.

http://www.jerowney.com/

"I always dreamed of being a writer, until I realised that I was. Then I started to write."

Reviews

[Cookie M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Derelict" is about the break up of a marriage told against the background of the trend of urban exploration, the breaking into abandoned buildings and exploring them.
It almost succeeds in that level, but not quite. Where this novel runs aground is in its timing. It slowly builds toward a climax, then suddenly rushes off a cliff. Everything crashes to the ground and it ends. All done. No more story.
I felt cheated. So much could have happened but nothing did.

I received this book free in exchange for an honest review on Goodreads.

[Sally DeSmet · Rating 5 out of 5]

The protagonist explores her own decaying marriage in a fresh and interesting way. I love psychological meanderings so this book touched a chord for me. What came across for me was a hunger to understand love and how it relates to the passing of time. Why does love change? Why does it erode and is it even possible to get that initial feeling back? It’s a book that makes you think and maybe even explore your own relationships. I love books that ask the question without giving you the answer. The author is brave and candid. Highly recommend. I’m going to read her other books also.

[Catrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

My heart broke for Eva as she tried to rediscover herself, her lost friend, and repair her crumbling marriage. I had a sense of what was to come, and I must say, I was, on some level, quite satisfied with the outcome.

J.E. Rowney is a new author for me. I was quite impressed with her writing. The vivid pictures she painted and raw emotions she brought out... it was like watching things unfold right before me.

The great narration by Wendy Wolfson also added to my enjoyment. She really brought the story to life.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.

[Reading For Funs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received Derelict through a Goodreads Giveaway.

Reading Derelict was difficult for me, not because of how it was written but rather because of how it deeply reminded me of my own situation some time ago. The author has a talent for accurately displaying how some women behave and think when placed in an unfortunate romantic relationship, how any rational can take hold to validate how their partner is treating them.

Derelict is a wonderfully refreshing read, one that strikes the reader with the perfect amount of tragic events with an interesting character to face them. Eva was definitely a different character for me, she wasn't overly likable yet she was a lovable character and I couldn't wait to see her succeed in life.

I think many people could enjoy Derelict, and I highly recommend anyone to check it out. You might learn a thing or two about current or past relationships, which I was definitely surprised by.

[Sion Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eva finds herself at a place where there are some ‘good things’, some ‘not so got things’ and decides to explore a new path that she hopes will lead to fulfilment. I particularly like the way in which the title (Derelict) links together ‘why’ she is on this journey and ‘what’ she is discovering. The characters felt very real and engaging (in a good ‘Channel 4 drama’ type of way). I found it brave and interesting to infer the main character’s flaws and selfishness were in some way responsible for her situation. The story compelled me to keep reading, even though it was past my bedtime, or the occasions when I normally sleep on the train. The final act satisfyingly took me through some moments of hope, a dramatic event and a definite conclusion. 5/5 - note the author – “well done you!”

[Angela Panayotopulos · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Love, like any other perishable, had a finely defined window of freshness. When had their ‘best before’ date expired? When had they started to rot?"



DERELICT is well-written. More than that, it's poignantly written, with vivid imagery and characters who are easy to envision and just as easy to relate to. From the very beginning, I could ground myself in this world, and feel and smell and see as the protagonist does. The pace is comfortably languid, the tension is palpable, and the characterizations are well-rounded.

And the emotions -- yes. Emotions are the heart of this book, pulsing and latching on to your heartstrings to twang and tear at them with tiny little details colored with nostalgia and brittle with pain. I loved, too, how these were embodied by Eva's projects, by her empathetic yet lonely perspective on the world as the ultimate observer, and especially by her obsession with derelict buildings "built to last, and then abandoned," an enthusiastic passion for the melancholy that becomes the perfect metaphor.



The interactions between her and her husband -- a guy who seems "to know just how forceful he could be without inconveniencing himself" -- are gut-wrenching and solid; they'll likely strike a chord in anyone who's experienced a relationship crumbling through their fingertips like sand and tries to cling to it while knowing it's futile. I appreciated Eva greatly as a protagonist; she's not a typical doormat. Instead, we get "great guts, great girl," who is all the more human due to her moments of vulnerability, darkness, and insecurity.

Rowney crafts dialogue just as meticulously, giving away just enough, with phrases that have the right cadence and word choice to make them spring off the page. A pleasant and melancholy read all at once -- and I don't mind the latter, because it's purposeful.

[Terri (BooklyMatters) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emotional. Thoughtful. Poignant.

Eva (Evangeline) is a twenty eight year old woman, a photographer, who is fascinated with old and crumbling things. Eva becomes part of a group of “urban explorers” who visit derelict and abandoned buildings - each of them looking for beauty and yearning for a connection to some lost part of themselves.

“Time was not an unlimited resource. Time passed. Time slipped away. Nothing was immune.”

In Eva’s case, her six-year marriage has become a battleground; her relationship with Mark, her husband, reduced to separate bedrooms and a growing awareness of the loneliness of lost intimacy and the desolation of what feels to Eva like emotional abandonment. Desperate to reclaim what she fears may now be lost forever between them, Eva’s journeys into decaying buildings become a sort of subconscious metaphorical life-line, a feverish attempt to find a structure, a beauty, a robust foundation, an architectural footing - anything that can that prove that rebuilding (her marriage, and perhaps more importantly, herself) however difficult, is an option worth pursuing.

“She was learning how much beauty there can be in broken things, but the broken things were also helping her to repair something within her(self).”

Eva’s desperation and the lengths she will go to in her blindly self-obliterating quest for the preservation of her marriage are brutally sad - it’s heartbreakingly recognizable as a pattern so many vulnerable women may fall into. We ache for Eva and at the same time, identify with her fragility and self-denial and so wish she could buttress herself into a stronger emotional place.

My kudos to the author - this is a thoughtful and haunting book which handles a difficult subject with great skill and compassion.

A great big thank you to the author, who provided me with a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts presented are my own.

[Miriam Yvette · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Derelict by J.E. Rowney. Evangeline (Eva ) is a photographer who wants to start Urban Exploration. When she returns home, you find out she and her husband of 6-7 years have been growing apart. Like most couples who feel their marriage is reaching the end, they go to their first counseling sessions.

My first impression of Eva was that she was confident and brave. As each day passes, Eva tries to make an effort to reconnect with her husband while at the same time discovers her insecurities about her role as a wife, her work life, and who she was before she met her husband. While trying rekindle the romance she goes to her second exploration, builds friendships, and reacquaints herself with a lost, lost friend.

The resolution at the end of the book was too quick. I felt there was more to tell, or perhaps I wasn’t ready to leave. But J.E. Rowney’s metaphors and storytelling were well crafted. I literally felt my heart drop at a particular scene. A book that can do that is hands down A good read.

[Tracey Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only and I have to say I was impressed. The exploration storyline wasn't the sort of thing I had read before but I found it fascinating, the vivid descriptions of the abandoned and decrepit buildings were like an extra character in the book - I could clearly picture what they looked like and the atmospheres they held. Buildings like this were never something I'd considered much before this book but it has sparked my interest and made me think about the subject more. The relationship between Eva and Mark is fraught with tension and this was beautifully captured throughout, a fantastic book that grabbed my attention from page 1 and held it until the end.

[K. Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Derelict is in part a story about a struggling marriage and the protagonists challenge to fix it and in part about her appreciation of decay through urban exploration. It makes for a very interesting read. What I like most about the book are the ways that the author inserts the character’s feelings into her work, like providing a pretty dour view on wedding photography and the need to touch up photos to make the scenes look better than they really are. It is about trying to capture what once was and memorialize it in the best way for future reference. I also enjoyed the counseling sessions and the interactions during those scenes. Overall, Derelict is a very well written book that does a good job of fleshing out the emotional struggles related to a decaying marriage and trying to repair something that looks to be broken.

[Rita Kunselman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was a very good book although, I hesitated on it as I don’t care for scary books. Going thru old houses, schools, hospitals is not really my thing but, it had a very interesting love story that could go many ways! The wife & husband and their families are very interesting ! The trials & tribulations of marriage and living with another person. I would recommend this book!

[Felix Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a tale of failing love, hope and urban exploration.

Evangeline is a 28-year-old photographer stuck in a failing marriage. Others might have an affair … she takes up urban exploring. Eva’s fascination with the maturing beauty of buildings in decay become a metaphor for her own broken marriage. Eva hopes that she can restore, or at least enjoy what is left of, her marriage. But is it too late?

Her husband Mark, is snappy, distant, cold and yet is not willing to throw in the towel. His motives are murky but become clearing through the tale.

The choices that characters make, to engage or not, to quarrel or not, and to share or not, are what drive this story forward.

JE Rowney paints both her characters in a realistic and sympathetic light. Neither are lily white. Neither are totally to blame. But blame each other they do. And round and round they go.
My favourite scenes were of Eva’s urban exploration with her urban explorer guide Scooter. I like the care that Eva and Scooter show to the sites they explore. They are there to explore entropy. Whereas kids would be there to enjoy the thrill of wrecking and vandalism.

They are artists and explorers. And their reasons for the risks they take to do what they love are thoughtfully explored by the author.

An interesting read that will appeal to fans of bittersweet romance.

[Sashi Radley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. I love the way J E Rowney writes - I found myself tapping into the emotions of the main characters and feeling every bump in their relationship road. The way Eva`s life has parallel's with the derelict buildings she secretly explores is genius. Although it could make you feel melancholy if you are teetering on the edge - stick with it, or maybe read it outside when the sun is shining, the writing style is beautiful.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book in exchange for a review.

I hate to admit how much I relate to this book in my current life. It’s like I was meant to read it right now. So much of what Eva is going through is the same as me.
The only thing I didn’t like was all of the typos. It’s like someone stopped proofreading after the first few chapters.

[KristieReadsBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by J E Rowney. The story was good but Mark sure is a Wanker and there were times I was very frustrated with Eva. The author did a great job with the writing to evoke these emotions! The narration was fantastic.

[Cindy Scheffler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was well written, it was just not for me. I wish there was more of the exploring of the buildings.

[Andrew Gracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Derelict by J.E Rowney is a story about a woman exploring the hobby of Urbex (urban exploring), whilst at the same time dealing with the crumbling and decaying remains of a once happy marriage. The title and plotlines are a metaphor for one another, and although it may not be a subtle metaphor, it works. This is a story told countless times across the world in real life, but in truth, this is the first time I have read one in such detail in a book.

I struggled a little with the main character. Although I liked Eva and her dedication in trying to fix her marriage, I found that there was little in terms of her development. We went round and round the same topics at times and it made the plot feel a little linear and exhausting. She was so focussed on one thing that we didn’t get to know her on a deeper level, meaning she became a little plain and undistinctive. That being said, it was clear that we were meant to dislike Mark from the start and Rowney certainly achieved that. I was unsure at first but I grew to despise him and his brother, and in turn felt sorry for their parents (and Eva) who don’t deserve adult children acting like stroppy teenagers. I found Mark and Craig to be emotionally abusive and self-centered men who blame others for their own shortcomings and fail to acknowledge their own flaws. This in turn made me a little more sympathetic towards Eva, and I am glad the story ended for her the way it did. At times I could sense her dejection and hurt, and this warmed me to her a little.

The plotline is a little generic and, bar the ending, there is very little drama. Conflict is skirted around rather than addressed and things like Eva’s work and meeting with her friends felt like a get-out clause to break up some monotonous parts. When she returned home, however, we were quickly faced with the same scenario that had been left unchanged. This may be accurate for the marriage itself, but for a story it grinds the plotline to a halt. Some parts also felt a little contrived, such as the therapy session, where straight afterward Eva feels that everything is fine. Although things soon returned to normal, some of the leaps felt a little too far.

The writing style was good in general but it felt a little disjointed. A lot of this I feel comes from a lot of subordinate clauses and improper comma use (i.e. Mark clattered down the stairs, this week dressed in a crisp shirt and dark denim jeans, a far cry from the contrived casualness of the week before’). I also found that Eva having three names was a little distracting and having her referred to as Evie in both dialogue and the narrative threw me a couple of times. These things brought the otherwise good pace to a bit of a standstill, however, these things are fixable and do not affect the grading of my review.

This book feels like it covers well-trodden ground. I enjoyed reading it and I really liked the ending, however, it felt a little predictable and slow in places, and the characters did not get me invested as much as I would have liked. Still, there are a lot of positives to find and I look forward to reading more of Rowney’s work in the future.

[Audrey Driscoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit, I expected this book to be more about urban exploration than it is. Reading the description again, it's clear its main focus is Eva's marriage and its deteriorated state. Her interest in derelict buildings is really an extended metaphor. The book is a deep dive into a troubled marriage.
I did not find Eva a congenial character. She is as flighty as a weather vane; for example, after exulting about her successful photography business, she tells her friend Claudia, who is neck-deep in diapers and domesticity, "This is all I ever wanted." While claiming to be desperate to repair her failing marriage, she doesn't hesitate to lie to her husband about her urbex interests, even though there's no convincing reason for her to do so.
I told myself it was possible this was the author's intention; after all, people don't always make the best choices. Eva's foolishness made it hard to root for her, and because the story is told from her point of view, this had an overall off-putting effect for me. By the halfway point, the only things that kept me reading were finding out what Mark was up to and whether the marriage would survive. I shall say no more about that. The guys in the urban exploration group Eva connects with seemed like a fun bunch; I would have liked to see more of them.
Once I accepted that urban exploration isn't the main focus of the book, I came to appreciate the effective use of physical objects of all kinds as metaphors for life events and personal situations. Eva's visit to her childhood home, where she rediscovers an old dollhouse, is especially poignant.
Altogether, this book conveys exquisitely the unease that can exist between two people in a shaky relationship, and the slips and shifts that occur as they attempt to renegotiate. At times it's painfully realistic. Readers looking for this perspective will likely enjoy this book more than those hoping for adventures in urban exploration.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Derelict, J.E. Rowney begins with an introduction to urbex (urban exploration). A sort of spelunking in abandoned, dilapidated, and decaying buildings in an urban setting. We meet Evangeline (Evie) on her first urbex outing with uber urbexer, Scooter.

Evie is a professional photographer, so it’s easy to understand her desire to explore an environment filled with opportunities to go beyond the normal wedding shoot.

Then we’re transported to Evie’s home life. She’s in a sad, decaying marriage to Mark, feeling abandoned by him and emotionally stranded in a colorless world with few friends and no outside interests except this newfound world of urbex. Rowney does a great job of connecting the setting to the theme early on.

The emotional center of gravity is around Evie and Mark’s attempt to salvage their relationship and there were some clues that point to the outcome. Evie’s journey took several turns (fight for the marriage or leave Mark). There was a touch of erotica (in thought only) that surprised me and was another unexpected trait of Evie's that didn't quite feel authentic. During the climactic moment near the end, Evie makes a decision that totally threw me (no spoiler). And it made me dislike her as a character because her choice was selfish and irresponsible. That left me with a sour feeling and I didn't come away believing that Evie was the hero of her own story.

[C.R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well Worth Reading

The Derelict Life of Evangeline Dawson by J.E. Rowney is a thoughtful examination of a marriage in shambles and a young woman’s attempts to escape her humdrum life as an urban adventurer. Through exploring and photographing derelict buildings, Evangeline finds meaning in abandoned places, not only for her art but also for her own life. Yet she continues to remain in a job she hates and with a husband who blames her for the failure of their marriage. This inertia continues throughout the novel until Evie is forced to confront a painful truth.

J.E. Rowney is quite good at showing a marriage on the rocks and how, despite good intentions (and expensive marriage counseling), Evie and her husband, Mark, find it difficult to rediscover the love they once had. The pettiness and daily squabbles of a bad marriage are shown in sharp relief. The Derelict Life is not so much a feel-good novel as an all-too-real look at how difficult marriage can be, and I imagine young female readers may easily see themselves and their own love lives in the story. However, I found the descriptions of urban exploring more interesting and wanted to see more of them and of a character called Scooter, who guides Evie on her first urban excursion. Still, the author’s ability to portray realistic characters and themes makes The Derelict Life a contemporary romance well worth reading.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intense read / listen that follows the weeks in the life of Evangeline Dawson who is struggling to find her own happiness as well as the happiness of her marriage to Mark once again. Rowney provides us with a captivating read that took me on a rollercoaster of emotions. Hurt and confusion as well as hope and anger. Incredibly well written I feel almost like an interloper viewing Eva's life as a fly on the wall but with access to her inner most thoughts and emotions. For anyone who has been married or in a lengthy relationship some of her reactions (biting her tongue and letting un-necessary aggrievements slide) seem all to close to home. As I listened I kept thinking how there are always two sides to any relationship and I wanted to get an inner sense of Mark's thoughts and feelings but in the end the journey we must walk is our own as was this walk of Eva's. A lovely, heartbreakingly beautiful work. What's the saying? "There is beauty in the broken"

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
*this review is based on the audio version of this read

[Florian Armas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Derelict is a novel about the tragicomic attempt of couple to revive their six-year-old marriage, with the help of a paid counselor. The name of the novel matches well the status of the marriage and the main characters’ graciousness.

Evie is a spoiled woman, mostly staying home, working now and then as a photographer and 'urban explorer'. There is one thing at the beginning of the story that starts to reveal her. Looking at her wedding picture, she remembers, after many years, her long time childhood friend, Claudia, who is living not far from her. She knew nothing about her friend’s marriage and children.
There is not much to tell about Mark, her husband, from an independent perspective. We can see him in the novel through a tiny mirror that Evie keeps in her hand, the novel is written from her viewpoint. In that mirror, he is grumpy, distant, cold, morose and working too much.

At the end of the novel, there are two incidents that reveal very well the main characters’ ‘character’, and I had the amusing thought that staying together would be the best punishment for both of them.
The writing style was good, offering some quick and disjointed snippets of Evie’s life and grumbles. The snippets felt somehow humorous, despite their broken marriage.

[Lucretia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evie. Evie. Evie. This book had me shaking me head and shouting at Evie from almost the start. I was drawn into things with the instant tension between her and Mark. Mark, who I despised from the first moment he strolled into the story.

What was I shouting at Evie? Please, please, stop trying with that man. He showed her time and again he was a waste of air. I think having tried so hard in a broken marriage myself made me attach to her and really want her to get a spine with him. Him and his family. Gosh you could see where he got his personality from.

Bravo for taking me on an emotional ride. The story moved at a fast clip and the end ... well I won't spoil it. If you like stories that are real and raw, with flawed characters who feel like someone you might know, or even yourself, this will no doubt move you as well.

[Diana Febry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brilliant concept well executed. Any woman who has struggled to maintain a failing marriage will not only relate to the story but draw strength from it. Although written in the style of a chick-lit this book has more depth and asks some profound questions. Some of the descriptions of the old buildings and the failing relationship were very moving.
Frequently left alone by her husband Evie embarks on a new hobby of urban exploration with a friend she has connected with on the internet. A photographer by profession she finds it easy to see the beauty in abandoned buildings and imagine how they were in their heyday. Far harder to apply such laser vision to a stale marriage that was once full of love and promise.
Enjoyable and very accessible and relatable.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a complementary copy of this book via Voracious Readers Only and quite enjoyed it. It follows a period of time in the life of Evangeline (Evie) and her husband Mark as they navigate a rocky place in their marriage that appears self destructive and hopeless. Evie finds solace in a group of amateur photographers who explore dilapidated and crumbling buildings that reference back to Evie and Mark’s own crumbling union.
I really felt for Evie throughout this novel and instantly disliked Mark as a character and the interaction between Evie and Mark’s family was quite awkward to read. Perhaps being able to place my self in Evie’s shoes led me to this reaction.
All in all a very good read, however the book seemed to just stop abruptly that made me wanting more of a finale.

[Joan Wendland · Rating 4 out of 5]

By putting "Will they or won't they?" on its head, JE Rowney portrays the decline and possible fall of a marriage. By watching Eva and Mark sort through their past with a marriage counselor to determine if the marriage can be salvaged, we are shown a relationship teetering on the brink. Where did their happiness go? Is there a road back to a healthy marriage? Where is the point of no return, and are they already past it? Derelict is a thoughtful exploration of love, loss, and knowing the difference.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.

At first this book was hard to get into. As the story continued to discuss the main characters marriage, I knew that Mark had cheated. It was definitely crazy how she found out. I don’t know how realistic it is that she left him injured, but I also have high expectations for people. When I reached the end, it felt like an abrupt ending. I want to know what happened to Eva and Scooter. The author set up a lot of minor characters that were detailed enough for me to be curious what happened in the end.

[Himanshu Arora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This was my first book by J E Rowney. The story was nice, and the author did a good job with the writing. This is a story about a woman exploring an urban life, while dealing with the emotional remains of her previous marriage. The book is a deep dive into a troubled marriage, and I liked the way author successfully portrayed the emotions of the main character. I would definitely love to explore more from this author in future.

[Donna Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eva and Mark have been together for 6 years. Eva is a photographer and is interested in photographing old decaying buildings. As she explores these structures, she realizes that her marriage is crumbling too. Mark is distant and they now have separate bedrooms. Eva wants to repair their marriage and talks Mark into attending marriage counseling with her. He goes with her on a photo shoot in an effort to show he's cooperating with the counseling. He is injured and Eva learns why he's been inattentive to her. She realizes that she needs to move on.

[Mari Law · Rating 5 out of 5]

Derelict is a story about a marriage in crisis. The only thing that marred this well-crafted tale were the odd proofreading glitches. However, this did not detract from the quality of the author’s writing. There are some beautiful phrases and descriptions, and the author dealt poignantly with Eva and Mark’s floundering relationship. The problems in the marriage, and how the protagonists reacted to each other, were realistic and believable. Couples considering embarking on marriage, or progressing to a serious long-term relationship, would do well to read this skilfully-written book first. There is plenty to take away - this is far more than a mere story. I also enjoyed the photographic work of the heroine. I highly recommend this book.