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Consequences
How will Tony cope with life after serving a prison sentence for a manslaughter he did not commit? Why did he plead guilty? Is there someone he tried to protect?
The story follows events leading up to the crime, beginning with a perfect holiday romance between Tony and Jenny, an enforced separation, and a resumption when they later meet on a college campus. The reunion is intense but also poisoned by jealousy, and a fight at a party between Tony and Ben, who he sees as a rival, leads to him being the obvious suspect when Ben’s body is later found. Tony describes his prison experience and his attempts to rehabilitate himself when he is released eight years later. He spends some time in Spain, with his widowed stepmother, who helps to rescue him from his self-destructive mind-set. Finally, he returns to the UK to find Jenny. What will happen when he confronts her with the truth of that night at the party? What, if anything, can be rescued of their relationship?
The story follows events leading up to the crime, beginning with a perfect holiday romance between Tony and Jenny, an enforced separation, and a resumption when they later meet on a college campus. The reunion is intense but also poisoned by jealousy, and a fight at a party between Tony and Ben, who he sees as a rival, leads to him being the obvious suspect when Ben’s body is later found. Tony describes his prison experience and his attempts to rehabilitate himself when he is released eight years later. He spends some time in Spain, with his widowed stepmother, who helps to rescue him from his self-destructive mind-set. Finally, he returns to the UK to find Jenny. What will happen when he confronts her with the truth of that night at the party? What, if anything, can be rescued of their relationship?
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First published July 28, 2021
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About the author
John Wheatley
74 books20 followersBorn in Middleton near Manchester and educated in the north-west. Worked as a teacher and a plumber.
I've got 25 titles out there, novels and novellas. My books usually have a regional and historical settings - Anglesey, Middleton, West Yorkshire.
I've got 25 titles out there, novels and novellas. My books usually have a regional and historical settings - Anglesey, Middleton, West Yorkshire.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
September 13, 2021
A quick, fun, coming-of-age story
A holiday romance between Tony and Jenny turns sour when a flash of jealousy turns him into the prime suspect in a murder investigation. A scared Tony pleads guilty to a crime he did not commit and goes to jail. This is a classic case of how the justice system fails those from the “wrong” side of town.
But the question remains: why was he willing to take the fall? Was he protecting someone else?
While serving his sentence, Tony learns the hard way that decisions have consequences. As a result, he spends an extra two years in jail. Once free, he finds it hard to adjust to a world that has changed. Fortunately for him, his stepmother invites him to Spain and helps him get back on his feet by providing the emotional support he needs. But he cannot let go of the questions that eat away at him. He needs closure, and only Jenny can provide the answers he’s looking for.
What I like about this story is how the author uses little pertinent details to portray a bygone era where people wrote letters and used a public phone to stay in touch. Remember those? In a few years’ time, young people will consider stories such as these as true “historical” novels.
The author captures the voices of the characters beautifully. I felt like I was right there with them in their harsh environment. It was hard to connect with Jenny’s character later in the story, but you felt Tony’s pain throughout.
Near the end of the story, there are a couple of instances where the name of Tony’s friend, Dave, changes to something else. But these don’t detract from the story. The writing style is easy to read.
There is no sugar-coating the reality that the decisions you make—no matter your age—have consequences for the present and the future. This story also shows what a difference it makes when you have a support system to help you.
Finally, this story will appeal to those who love coming-of-age stories where you can experience the character’s growth. It’s a quick, fun read.
I received an ARC from Reedsy and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.
A holiday romance between Tony and Jenny turns sour when a flash of jealousy turns him into the prime suspect in a murder investigation. A scared Tony pleads guilty to a crime he did not commit and goes to jail. This is a classic case of how the justice system fails those from the “wrong” side of town.
But the question remains: why was he willing to take the fall? Was he protecting someone else?
While serving his sentence, Tony learns the hard way that decisions have consequences. As a result, he spends an extra two years in jail. Once free, he finds it hard to adjust to a world that has changed. Fortunately for him, his stepmother invites him to Spain and helps him get back on his feet by providing the emotional support he needs. But he cannot let go of the questions that eat away at him. He needs closure, and only Jenny can provide the answers he’s looking for.
What I like about this story is how the author uses little pertinent details to portray a bygone era where people wrote letters and used a public phone to stay in touch. Remember those? In a few years’ time, young people will consider stories such as these as true “historical” novels.
The author captures the voices of the characters beautifully. I felt like I was right there with them in their harsh environment. It was hard to connect with Jenny’s character later in the story, but you felt Tony’s pain throughout.
Near the end of the story, there are a couple of instances where the name of Tony’s friend, Dave, changes to something else. But these don’t detract from the story. The writing style is easy to read.
There is no sugar-coating the reality that the decisions you make—no matter your age—have consequences for the present and the future. This story also shows what a difference it makes when you have a support system to help you.
Finally, this story will appeal to those who love coming-of-age stories where you can experience the character’s growth. It’s a quick, fun read.
I received an ARC from Reedsy and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 of 1 review