That Forgiveness Thing

by Jean Baxter

He just needs the bleeding to stop. The call to 911 sets into motion events fifteen-year-old Ben Braddock never intends. His dad goes to jail. He and his little brother are sent to stay temporarily at the home of their aunt and uncle, with a cousin he can’t stand. Ben is also required to attend counseling sessions to help him eventually be reunited with his father. He comes close to revealing his darkest secrets that first night, now his lips are sealed. His new friends present troubling challenges in order to be accepted.

One bright spot amid the chaos is meeting Allie, but when she asks Ben a question a little too personal, his aggressive response shatters her trust and her heart. It spins him into a downward spiral of drinking and worse—he's becoming like his dad. His aunt is on the verge of giving up.

With his options depleted, Ben seeks out Patti, his social worker, whose help he's resisted for months. But is it too late for him and Allie? What about his dad? Every story has two sides.

285 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 24, 2020

About the author

Jean Baxter lives in northeastern Wisconsin. As a single mom, she white-knuckled it through the adolescent years of her two kids. She found it to be a time fraught with angst and drama. She credits those experiences for her love of writing for that age group. A career as a nurse makes her background ripe with real life scenarios. Along with her obsession for writing, she adores her four grandchildren (more fodder for her stories), gardening, traveling, and wonderful friends. She is a member of Green Bay Area Writer's Guild and Wisconsin Writer's Association.

Reviews

[Liza Wiemer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful, impactful novel that deals with important tough issues of alcoholism, guilt, loss, family, and abuse. So powerful and hard to put down, Jean Baxter shows the complexities of alcoholism and the emotional, physical, and spiritual toll it takes on a family.

Definitely recommend for teens and adults.

[PJ Zickert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Physical parental abuse is generally acknowledged that it exists but usually shoved to one side. That isn't the case in this book. It grabbed & pulled you in from the first page. All of the characters were well-developed with their own points of view & just tugged at your heartstrings. Well worth reading.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jean Baxter's "That Forgiveness Thing" hooks the reader on the first page, it was a hard book to put down. A story of loss, hope and forgiveness, Jean manages to make the reader deeply feel the hearts and emotions of each of her characters without being flowery or verbose. I loved this novel.

[Paula Vanden Eng · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Excellent Story by Jean

Forgiveness is a story so real and sincere. The author truly has the reader experiencing many feelings and emotions to name a few. There is surprise, anxiety; also anger, sorrow, sadness and even hate. Then comes understanding, shock, fear, happiness even suspense. Finally there Forgiveness and Restoration.
The author did an excellent job.'" Great Job Jean!! Keep it up. Write another one!!

[Rae Wetzel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is story with well defined, real characters who deal with a lot of heavy emotions. When I first picked up this book, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to “go there”. I’m glad I did and I was always curious to see what would happen next in the developing and complex narrative. I believe this is a must read for young people and adults who are experiencing or interested in the effects of loss, alcoholism, abuse, guilt, sacrifice and ultimately forgiveness.