Flares

by Mike Attebery

Six college freshmen learn about life and love at a university with a mysterious past.
Book One of The Grimwood Trilogy .

College freshman Loren Austin has traveled across the country in search of independence and a new beginning. Braden McNutt is also hoping for a fresh start as he embarks upon his college career. They've both come to Grimwood University to study in the school's celebrated writing program - founded by the gifted if doomed author Alan Grimwood - where they quickly forge a close but complicated connection. Joined by roommates Brooke Winston and Hank Pierce, and classmates Hannah Merritt and Jason Pepper, they form a bonded circle that will transform each of them over the course of a life-changing year on a college campus with a mysterious past.

Flares welcomes readers to the college experience of their dreams, and introduces them to the complex, funny, impulsive, and unforgettable group of friends they'll be following throughout the course of The Grimwood Trilogy.

298 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 16, 2021

About the author

Mike Attebery is the author of ten novels, including The Grimwood Trilogy, Chokecherry Canyon, Firepower, Seattle On Ice, Bloody Pulp, and Rosé in Saint Tropez. He lives with his family on an island off the coast of Washington State.

Reviews

[Karen Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start out by saying this book is not in any genre that I normally read. I have read Mike Attebery's other books and this one is just different. A good different. When I started it, I found I hadn't paid enough attention to the details on the 6 main characters and I had to go back and restart the book. Once I paid close attention, I started following the tale of these 6 characters on a college campus that has a haunted history. The book was well written with the college tales of Loren & Braden, Hannah & Hank, Jason & Brooke and love. It took some twists and turns that I didn't see coming. It touched on "flares" in the book. I had never heard of them. Mike did an excellent job with this book and I would definitely recommend adding it to your reading list and I look forward to reading the next one. I did receive an ARC for an honest review.

[Bookishdays · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great beginning of this new trilogy by Mike Attebery! I really enjoyed the Grimwood Universe and can´t wait to read the others books in 2022.

This is a story of a group of friends that begin their academic life at the Grimwood University, a place full of history, tradition and involved in mystery about a tragic event that took place in the 70's.

In the present day, Braden and Loren start to see some strange figures at the Campus and decided to investigate the events of the past, at the same time they found a group of friends and together they have to face the challenges of the school year.

I really enjoyed the dynamic of the six main characters, their love life, their family problems and overall their relationship. I found their struggles very realistic, but also very fun to be around.

I can't wait to know more about the "Flares" why they only appeared to Braden and Loren and what happened in the past. I loved Grimwood atmosphere, the campus, the bookstore and the musical venues they frequent. Books about writers and book lovers tend to be one of my favourite genres.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

A breezy fun read about a group of college friends. Punctuated with some ghostly adventures and some real-felt grief. Looking forward to the next two books.