Impacted

by Benji Carr

With every trip he makes to the dentist, Wade's pain only gets worse. His smile has faded. He's clenching his jaw and grinding his teeth more, not because of bad oral hygiene or any mishaps in orthodontics. Wade's teeth don't need straightening out, but the rest of his life could use that kind of adjustment. Wade has fallen in love with handsome Dr. Emmett, and their office visits in the afternoon have become decidedly more personal than professional. And poor Wade is sure his girlfriend Jessa would punch him in the mouth if she found out.



After all, Jessa did just abandon her church and her family to be with him. And she did just have Wade's baby. So their relationship has already caused enough gossip in the small Georgia town of Waverly.



When Wade tries to end the affair, the breakup takes a brutal turn, leaving Wade in a state of panic. His life is under threat. His secrets could be exposed, and his family may fall apart before he realizes what kind of person he wants to be.

Genres: LGBT, Fiction, Queer, Mental Health

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 6, 2021

Reviews

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a good time reading this one! Pick up this book as soon as it comes out because you will be laughing once you start reading this one!

A dentist place. The other characters happening to meet here. And they are quite interesting!

You can just count how many times Dr. Emmet has been mentioned in the entire story. And you would not even notice it unless you're told. Wade and the other characters, the subtle and the nit so subtle ones , who makes the other character so fun. Damn. It's almost a scandal!!!

The writing is so good! It's refreshing!

The book is just too short. Maybe I enjoyed it too much more than I should. And you know if things are really good, they end soon.

Plotwise, it's just fun for the first half. The second half made me love the book more. The story gets more real there.

That ending. I want another book please.

Thank you, author and the publisher, for the advance reader copy.

That cover is quite relevant though!

The book has some life-changing lines. Once this book comes out, I might update them.

[Colleen Oakley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A darkly comic novel by a wildly talented new voice. For better or for worse—I’ll never go to the dentist again without thinking about this book.

[Steven Igarashi-Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect when I purchased this book, but I am so glad that I took a chance. The bookstore clerk told me that they "sell way more Benji Carr than Stephen King," and having read this I now understand why. The book is a dark comedy, but it is also full of humanity and characters that feel very relatable and authentic. You'll read the book nodding your head that you know exactly who these people are - and then you'll clutch your pearls questioning if people like this really exist. And they do - they do exist. They exist not only in this story, but in our communities everywhere. I found myself laughing out loud, and also being uncomfortably moved - maybe because it was all so relatable and also unimaginable. This is a great quick summer read, and a wonderful introduction to what I am sure will be a very successful writer. I look forward to reading more from Benji Carr and I'll be recommending this book to anyone who will listen.

[Zachary Steele · Rating 5 out of 5]

"With Impacted, Benji Carr delivers an emotional roller coaster of a debut that challenges the reader’s impressions of abuse, sexuality, and survival. With the confidence of a master storyteller, the humor of a seasoned satirist, and the insight of a keen observer of the human condition, Carr serves notice that he is here to stay."

[Carmen Slaughter · Rating 5 out of 5]

IMPACTED is a little bit noir and a little bit literary. Benji has this uncanny ability to shatter the darkness with an incredibly powerful light. He is a clever writer. You must pay attention to every word. One minute you'll laugh. The next you'll cry. But, in the end, you will feel a great reward from spending your time in his pages. I really love this book. Highly recommended!

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strong voice, heavy themes, impactful writing—Benji Carr manages to make it look easy. Impacted has a unique premise with memorable characters, and I loved the complexity of the relationships within the story. Wade and his supporting characters made this reader swing from laughing to cringing, but aptly so. This book was a fun ride, and I hope to read more from Benji Carr.

[Darrell Grizzle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Benji Carr combines a thriller with a coming-of-age story and overlays it all with a dark sense of humor. The characters and the storyline captivated me and kept me reading way into the night.

[Nate Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for a great summer read? Might I recommend IMPACTED, the debut novel of Atlanta scribe Benji Carr just released this month (July 2021)! This coming of age suspense thriller is at turns hilarious, horrifying, and unexpectedly moving. I can't say much more without spoiling the reading experience, but if you want a thrilling ride to provoke your mind even after putting the book down, get your hands on IMPACTED.

Although it is available for purchase on Amazon, you will receive it faster by ordering it online or in person from Eagle Eye Book Shop in Decatur, GA or FoxTale Book Shoppe in Woodstock, GA. (I bought mine from Eagle Eye.) Not only will you receive your copy faster; you will also be supporting a small local business!

*This is not a paid advertisement. I am just a reader and writer supporting a fellow writer, and I would not make this recommendation if I did not genuinely enjoy my reading experience.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to read this that I began the day it was released…only I didn’t want to finish it too soon because I didn’t want it to end. This was a really fun read with lots of twists and turns and pivots. It kept me guessing and was throughly enjoyable. I can’t wait to read more of this author’s work!

[Tony Sarrecchia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put this book down, consumed it in about 4 days (hey, I had to work too). Highly recommended thriller with a raw sense of humor. Put it on your summer reading list.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

A remarkable debut novel that is a sharp mixture of raw honesty and pure small-town thriller. May well be one of my top favorite novels of 2021. The voice is strong in this one. So is the Southern gothic.

[Benji Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope you enjoy it.

[Shaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waited too long to read this

I've had this book for years but finally sat down to read it today. I read it in a single sitting. It's excellent, and I cannot recommend it enough. Fair warning: it deals with some tough subject matter, but does so in an honest, nuanced way. Excited for whatever this author does next.

[Jon Sokol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masterful. These characters really come alive in this story. The plot is like a comedic murder mystery in reverse. At times hilarious, occasionally uncomfortable, but always respectful and extremely well-written. Benji Carr has a unique, fresh voice that needs to be heard.

[Dai Guerra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughts and Themes: It took me a while to really get into this one and I made the mistake of looking at other people’s reviews in the middle of reading. I really didn’t see the humor in the story even if it was supposed to be dark humor. That being said, I did still enjoy the story that was told in this book.

I was a bit worried that the center would focus more on the relationship between Dr. Emett and Wade and I really didn’t want that. I was glad that we get to see more of Wade’s life with Jessa, Lydie, and his mom. I thought this was a good coming of age story as Wade figures out who he is and tries to cope with the mess he made, and then deal with being told he was abused.

Characters: In this book you get introduced to quite a few characters that all have different relationships with Wade. I really liked getting to know each of the characters that we meet and getting to see how their story comes together around Wade. There were some characters like the Reverand and Jessa which I was frustrated by and could’ve done with less of them.

I liked getting to see how much more of a mess Wade’s life gets with more people being introduced into the story. I thought it was great to see how these people play into his life and how they help him make sense of the things that have happened to him.

Writing Style: This story is told in third person with an knowing narrator as you read the story through jumping from one character to another. At first I really didn’t like that this book was going back and forth between characters and wished that we got more of Wade. As the book progressed, I understood the need to show us what was going on with the other characters to really tie them together and tie the loose pieces together.

[Lacee · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a friend tells you they've written a book, there is a brief moment where you find yourself begging the powers that be hoping that it's not awful. I'm so mad at myself for putting off reading Impacted for a month.. I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!

The premise is downright delicious. The pace is brisk. The dialogue feels real. The drama is compelling. I read it in one sitting, and blamed Benji for making me miss dinner. I truly couldn't find a good "lull" in the action to put it down and go make a sandwich.

I never give 5 stars, but IMPACTED: A NOVEL hit that sweet spot, pulling from drama, comedy, suspense, and romance, so I have to give it 5 stars. I would 100% recommend this book.

[Oscar Penrose · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had.... very different vibes than what I expected from the blurb and skimming the reviews, to the point that I tried to start it as a fun, lighthearted summer read and instead ended up having my organs pulled out of my chest and twisted several times before being put back.
Great book tho.

[Dena Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an enjoyable read for me. I was lucky enough to get a copy before it went to print. (Thank you, BC!) I read through this in record time. I've been reading Benji's work for many years, and reading his first full length novel did not disappoint in any way at all. What did I enjoy about this book? The storytelling. Benji has a way with words and the stories just roll out. He captures your attention and you will be hooked. But, I also loved all of the characters. Some of them it may have been a "love to hate" relationship, but those can be equally fulfilling. You will "know" these characters. You grew up with them. You loved them, you watched them grow (OR NOT), and you will will recognize them quickly. You'll recognize and be entertained by reading about all of Wade's relationships. You either have been in a relationship with someone who was somewhat of an "authority figure," or you've had a front row seat to a friend who has gone down that road. And, if you are lucky enough not to have seen that train wreck in person? Enjoy seeing it for the first time here. I could go on with all of Wade's relationships, but I would just encourage you to enjoy this read! I'm biased because I've loved the author since I was in the fifth grade (so was he!), but it is honest that if I'd been given a copy without knowing who wrote it, I'd still have had this favorable opinion. The only difference is that at the end I would have been really bugged not to know why the voice seemed so incredibly comfortable and familiar.

[Daniel Guyton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much! I started reading it in the airport before a short flight. I was finished reading before the flight even landed. I don't think I've ever read a novel this quickly in practically one sitting before. I did have to put it aside while boarding the plane, of course, but I had it open again as soon as I found my seat. The characters in this novel all feel very real. I can imagine meeting every single one of them. There is an assault - well, multiple assaults, really - but we find ourselves siding more and more with the main assaulter, and we find ourselves siding less and less with the main victim. What a twist! The plot is gripping. You worry for the protagonist from page 1, and never stop worrying about him - but even as you worry, the twists and turns in the novel keep you laughing and gasping in horror. It is quite funny - and quite tragic. Just like life, really. The dialogue is crisp, sharp, funny, biting, satirical and more. I can easily imagine this being adapted to a movie. Like most film adaptations, however, I fully expect the book to be better. 5 Stars.

[Rumi Ning · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. The set up was entertaining and also gently heartbreaking, if you remember what it's like to be a confused, queer teen trying to find someone who thinks you're special. But the novel was fun, dropping you into a coming of age murder mystery turned inside out, where the mystery isn't "whodunit," but rather, "who's gonna find out?" The protagonist was endearing in his conflicted adolescence, and the other characters were satisfyingly well written. I appreciated the attention paid to their individual motivations. And in the end, I really couldn't put the book down. It had the right mixture of lightheartedness and seriousness, grappling with some dark themes with a level of equally dark humor and earnestness. I hope to read more from the author!

[David Powell]

Since I knew Benji Carr's play, I expected Impacted to be darkly funny and irreverent. It's both of those, but it's also full of the struggle and wisdom of the outsider. Yet that's not all he is. He loves his mom, loves his daughter, goes to church, and wrestles always with doing the right thing (as long as it doesn't get him in too much trouble). The narrative voice is immediate, engaged with a world where boundaries are fluid and murder is just another barrier to getting home on time. Highly recommended.

[Robert Gwaltney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Benji Carr’s debut novel, IMPACTED, gloriously reimagines the thriller genre painting the plot with wickedly funny brushstrokes. There a secrets and lies and surprises—and tender moments that skillfully balance Carr’s dark humor. You won’t soon forget Carr’s hardheaded, star-crossed protagonist, Wade Harrell. And in the end, you will be left walking sideways when you exit this good time, tilt-a-whirl ride of a novel.

[avantika · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book but the writing style just didn't work for me. This wasn't a bad book, though, and I'm sure another reader will enjoy it:)

[Nicholas Maggot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carr expertly weaves multiple povs with breakneck pace in a story that confronts universal darkness and shortcomings.

[Elton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A darkly comic coming of age story. A great debut.

[Jess Archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got Impacted Sunday and couldn’t stop. What a great novel and characters in Wade, Mary, and Celeste. There were parts that caught me off guard because they were so truly insightful and hit so close to home. I love that kind of connection in writing. Cheers to Benji Carr on a brilliant first novel

[JvA · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put the book down. The suspense lead me from chapter to chapter, demanding I find out what happens to Wade. The characters speak with unique voices and the narrative flows effortlessly.

[Krista W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Carr's novel gets right to it and never lets up. Clever, dark, funny and shocking all at once. Carr does a splendid job making each character come to life, deftly skirting the line between the over-the-top and the everyday. Impacted has a deeply satisfying ending that leaves you questioning your own ethics for rooting for it. Great debut novel. (More please!)

Added bonus for Atlanta natives: A Lois Reitzes cameo.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chock-full of delightful dark surprises, a fun read that races along.

[NJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A dentist’s office is intended for pain. We can numb ourselves to it, cover it in a shiny veneer, but all the pretending is a lie."

Contains triggering scenes such as sexual abuse, pedophilia, murder, blood, teenage pregnancy and death.

This is the first time I read a book with a dentist as of its characters. As a dentistry student, I have been trying to find a book with a dentist on it and this seals it.

Impacted is a dark contemporary adult book which I didn't expect at first. The synopsis was kinda sketchy though when I first read it. This follows Wade who fell in love with his dentist. Honestly I was kinda hoping for a cute, romance contemporary but I got a dark one instead.

The writing style is good but I find myself lost at the first part because of the multiple POVs. It is like random characters are popping out explaining their points and at first I don't know which is which.

Chaotic as heck. That is how the story was for me. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the plot of the story. I didn't get why most reviews would laugh while reading this. I didn't see myself laughing at most parts but there are definitely those parts where I need to read them over again to confirm if I read it right. Dark humour is not really a hit for me.

Characters are well written. I just hate one with all my heart. If it wasn't for her manipulating self, I think things would be fine for Wade.

Overall I would only give it a 4/5 rating because of how I tend to get lost with the multiple POVs popping out of nowhere.

Thank you for Netgalley and The Story Plant for providing me an eARC in exchange for a honest review.