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A Note in the Margin #1
A Note in the Margin
John McCann, a man who judges life by the tally of an accounts ledger, has a supreme goal in life: To achieve, live, and enjoy the rarified executive lifestyle. But he's encountered one problem: The migraines are going to continue to get worse unless you make some major changes in your lifestyle. What you need is a 'sea change'… Perhaps buy a nice little business in the country, settle down, something easier to occupy your time…
While John knows the doctor is right, he just can't resign from the job he's fought so hard for. He decides the sacrifice of taking a year's leave of absence won't interfere too much with his plans, and so he finds himself running Margins, a cozy little bookstore, with the help of the former owner's son, Jamie. John expects to put in his year, get his stress under control, and then get back to business.
What John doesn't expect is how Margins and its denizens draw him in, particularly the quiet, disheveled man who takes refuge in the old leather chair in the second-hand book section. John's plans for an unattached year of simple business crumble when he meets David and is forced to reevaluate life, love and what he really wants from both. John and David are forced to come to terms with their pasts as they struggle to determine what possible future they might build together.
While John knows the doctor is right, he just can't resign from the job he's fought so hard for. He decides the sacrifice of taking a year's leave of absence won't interfere too much with his plans, and so he finds himself running Margins, a cozy little bookstore, with the help of the former owner's son, Jamie. John expects to put in his year, get his stress under control, and then get back to business.
What John doesn't expect is how Margins and its denizens draw him in, particularly the quiet, disheveled man who takes refuge in the old leather chair in the second-hand book section. John's plans for an unattached year of simple business crumble when he meets David and is forced to reevaluate life, love and what he really wants from both. John and David are forced to come to terms with their pasts as they struggle to determine what possible future they might build together.
276 pages, Paperback
First published March 16, 2009
39 people are currently reading
2085 people want to read
About the author
Isabelle Rowan
19 books171 followersA black cat for a witch may be a cliché, but add a whole bunch of tribal tattoos and an intolerance to garlic (seriously), and you have Isabelle Rowan.
Having moved to Australia from England as a small child, Isabelle now lives in a seaside suburb of Melbourne where she teaches film making and English. She is a movie addict who spends far too much money on traveling… but then again, life is to be lived.
Visit Isabelle's blog at http://www.isabellerowan.com/blog.html
Having moved to Australia from England as a small child, Isabelle now lives in a seaside suburb of Melbourne where she teaches film making and English. She is a movie addict who spends far too much money on traveling… but then again, life is to be lived.
Visit Isabelle's blog at http://www.isabellerowan.com/blog.html
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 339 reviews
October 18, 2014
2,5 stars.
It was an enjoyable read, pretty nice, warmhearted story a là Walt Disney that I finished in one sitting.
There were though some serious issues that prevented me from rating it higher.
Let me say so:
I like the principal idea of the book.
I'm not sure about the performance.
It was a lot of nice things but they lack depth.
Open this spoiler only if you've already read the book or if you are not going to read it!!!!!
I'm sure if you are in the mood for a sweet story that will keep your attention up to the end, likable characters and you don't want to contemplate the mystery of love and bother yourself with a brain activity, you'll enjoy the book.
October 30, 2011
A Note in the Margin brought tears to my eyes, lots and lots of tears, its so beautifully written the emotional anguish with just trying to cope with everyday life bit by bit, such a struggle for David who suffers from a debilitating illness, the one thing that gives him some sort of stability is the bookshop where he spends his time closeted away, in the second hand section of the store virtually invisible to everyone. John the current owner at first sees David as a dirty homeless man but that soon changes, slowly but surely they find something special within each other, thanks in part to Jamie who works at Margins and encourages John to be patient and not to give up on David. Jamie I loved him, cute and fun to be around such a lovely guy especially when sharing his lunches with David. The telephone communication between David and his son Adam with no actual spoken words from David just these tapping sounds was.....cry worthy!
Every time David left my heart stopped, I was so, so afraid that he would or could not make it back to John, thankfully though some brightness at the the end of one dark tunnel. This will stay with me for a long time its not a story to be forgotten.
Every time David left my heart stopped, I was so, so afraid that he would or could not make it back to John, thankfully though some brightness at the the end of one dark tunnel. This will stay with me for a long time its not a story to be forgotten.
October 8, 2011
This book makes me cry and feeling melancholic, I think I need to find some murder mystery to deal with it *sigh*. Considered one of the "classics", meaning that it is often recommended to people who want to start reading LGBT fiction, I think that perception is well-deserved.
It is heartbreaking, tender, and moving at the same time. And on the core of it, it's about love -- and not judging a person from the first look. John McCann, an executive who takes a year of 'sea change' by taking over a bookstore, at first, feels disgusted with a homeless named David, who seems to have a permanent chair to read secondhand book in the bookstore. However, the previous owner's son, Jamie, persuades John to let David stay. And as the days go, John starts to see David as a person, not just a homeless guy.
This story deals with some heavy subjects. Depression, living in the streets, rape, and of course threats of disease. Isabelle Rowan approaches this from day-to-day point of view, showing the gradual change and improvement from both guys. How John helps David to come out of his shell. How David starts to open up. And of course, how both fall in love, and in that process, become two better people.
It's a testament of triumph on humanity, written with an indepth observation on characters. It's definitely one of the best books in this genre. Ever. And on that note, if I can hug this book, I would.
It is heartbreaking, tender, and moving at the same time. And on the core of it, it's about love -- and not judging a person from the first look. John McCann, an executive who takes a year of 'sea change' by taking over a bookstore, at first, feels disgusted with a homeless named David, who seems to have a permanent chair to read secondhand book in the bookstore. However, the previous owner's son, Jamie, persuades John to let David stay. And as the days go, John starts to see David as a person, not just a homeless guy.
This story deals with some heavy subjects. Depression, living in the streets, rape, and of course threats of disease. Isabelle Rowan approaches this from day-to-day point of view, showing the gradual change and improvement from both guys. How John helps David to come out of his shell. How David starts to open up. And of course, how both fall in love, and in that process, become two better people.
It's a testament of triumph on humanity, written with an indepth observation on characters. It's definitely one of the best books in this genre. Ever. And on that note, if I can hug this book, I would.
July 26, 2016
This is one of those "oldies" I've had sitting around forever that I finally got around to reading today, and I have all kinds of jumbled-up feelings about it.
***WARNING: Mildly spoilerish and largely incoherent brain-dump review coming up***
On the one hand, I command Rowan for writing about romance from a nontraditional angle. She tackles homelessness and mental illness. But I'm not sure she does it well.
For one, we never know precisely what's wrong with David. It seems that he had some kind of nervous breakdown brought on my job stress and went into a sort of fugue state where he disassociated and just left home. When we meet him, he still disassociates and is depressed (probably). Yet even as John takes him in and offers him comfort and safety, there's no talk about actually getting him professional help: counseling and medication. David talks to Barbara, the woman who runs the homeless shelter where he used to stay, but she's not a professional therapist. And he sees a doctor to get tested for STDs, but antidepressants are never mentioned. How is that possible?
Both men's sexuality was also only vaguely defined. David at one point says he's gay, but was married and loved his wife, and his being gay was not an issue in the marriage. John thinks of himself as bi, but David is the one, and his grandparents thought he was gay; before David, he dated a woman for years and he's still with her (though not exclusively) when he meets David. After he gets together with David, however, he randomly thinks about calling her, but that entire situation is just dropped. He never breaks up with her, and she never calls him, and it's never mentioned again. After years together, it all just goes away?
And what's up with John's migraines? I mean, they're mentioned in the blurb, and he supposedly makes this entire life change so he can relax, but he doesn't seem relaxed, and a headache (migraine or otherwise) is never once mentioned.
I also didn't understand why John and Jamie had to sleep together at the beginning. It added nothing to the story, except making John seem like a floozy. I didn't want to read about them together when I knew John was going to end up with David.
I got really tired of David running away. I mean, after the fifth time, I was like, come on, really.
The shifting POVs, sometimes within the same sentence, drove me nuts. It made the story harder to follow. And it wasn't just David and John's POV; it was the POVs of secondary characters as well. It made my mind jerk trying to keep up.
Finally, the connection between David and John wasn't there for me. John wanted to take care of David, and David was grateful to John, but the sexual tension? Not really there. In fact, I was shocked when they first slept together, because it was very soon after them meeting when David was still homeless, and it felt a bit inappropriate. John didn't force David, of course, but I wasn't sure David was capable of making that decision at that time.
So, yeah, the story had issues. It was sweet and tender and hopeful, but not entirely fleshed out, and some serious loose ends were left dangling.
Despite all this, I still enjoyed the book well enough. I loved Jamie's character and wanted more about him. I liked the way Adam still loved his dad and made so much effort to get to know him (he was maybe TOO nice and understanding for a teenager, but whatever). I was rooting for John and David. I WANTED David off the streets and settled. I liked the pensioners who came to the book store. There was something nostalgic about the setting, and, despite the heavy themes, this was ultimately a love story.
***WARNING: Mildly spoilerish and largely incoherent brain-dump review coming up***
On the one hand, I command Rowan for writing about romance from a nontraditional angle. She tackles homelessness and mental illness. But I'm not sure she does it well.
For one, we never know precisely what's wrong with David. It seems that he had some kind of nervous breakdown brought on my job stress and went into a sort of fugue state where he disassociated and just left home. When we meet him, he still disassociates and is depressed (probably). Yet even as John takes him in and offers him comfort and safety, there's no talk about actually getting him professional help: counseling and medication. David talks to Barbara, the woman who runs the homeless shelter where he used to stay, but she's not a professional therapist. And he sees a doctor to get tested for STDs, but antidepressants are never mentioned. How is that possible?
Both men's sexuality was also only vaguely defined. David at one point says he's gay, but was married and loved his wife, and his being gay was not an issue in the marriage. John thinks of himself as bi, but David is the one, and his grandparents thought he was gay; before David, he dated a woman for years and he's still with her (though not exclusively) when he meets David. After he gets together with David, however, he randomly thinks about calling her, but that entire situation is just dropped. He never breaks up with her, and she never calls him, and it's never mentioned again. After years together, it all just goes away?
And what's up with John's migraines? I mean, they're mentioned in the blurb, and he supposedly makes this entire life change so he can relax, but he doesn't seem relaxed, and a headache (migraine or otherwise) is never once mentioned.
I also didn't understand why John and Jamie had to sleep together at the beginning. It added nothing to the story, except making John seem like a floozy. I didn't want to read about them together when I knew John was going to end up with David.
I got really tired of David running away. I mean, after the fifth time, I was like, come on, really.
The shifting POVs, sometimes within the same sentence, drove me nuts. It made the story harder to follow. And it wasn't just David and John's POV; it was the POVs of secondary characters as well. It made my mind jerk trying to keep up.
Finally, the connection between David and John wasn't there for me. John wanted to take care of David, and David was grateful to John, but the sexual tension? Not really there. In fact, I was shocked when they first slept together, because it was very soon after them meeting when David was still homeless, and it felt a bit inappropriate. John didn't force David, of course, but I wasn't sure David was capable of making that decision at that time.
So, yeah, the story had issues. It was sweet and tender and hopeful, but not entirely fleshed out, and some serious loose ends were left dangling.
Despite all this, I still enjoyed the book well enough. I loved Jamie's character and wanted more about him. I liked the way Adam still loved his dad and made so much effort to get to know him (he was maybe TOO nice and understanding for a teenager, but whatever). I was rooting for John and David. I WANTED David off the streets and settled. I liked the pensioners who came to the book store. There was something nostalgic about the setting, and, despite the heavy themes, this was ultimately a love story.
July 16, 2015
If someone named this book to me the first word that would come to mind would be “meh”. It didn’t wow me, I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t like it either. Maybe the most approximate adjetive I could give is “boring”.
This is one of the most dead books I’ve ever read in my life. There was no emotion here, everything was bland and grey and tasteless. It felt like watching bad actors playing a script they have just learnt. It all felt unnatural and uninspiring. I need to feel the character’s lives are stimulating, not because they are assassins or celebrities or astronauts, but I need to feel some kind of excitement even in the most anodyne of existences.
I didn’t feel it here.
John is a super perfect guy who quits a stressing job and moves to own a library that makes by far less money. I couldn’t understand how someone so used to the best of the best would accept a simpler life with no difficulty at all. Once there, he begins some kind of affair with Jamie, the shop’s owner’s son. Just because.
David… I don’t know how to judge him. It’s obvious he has some kind of disability but I have no idea which! He spends the whole time reading or drawing in the library, he lives in the streets and works as a whore part time. I don’t know why the former shop’s owner accepted him. I have no idea why the shop’s owner’s son accepted him. And, even more, I’m clueless as to why John eventually accepted him. I saw nothing that could lead to someone loving David with none of a question. It was just… done. Seen him, loved by everybody. No preambles. I get David has problems, but his past is something that doesn’t fit this present: he had some kind of a lucrative job, he had a wife, he has a son he misses. And now… nothing. WHY? This is something of importance but here was considered a minor detail. It’s not!
I have to admit the author is very brave. She didn’t use bad guys or a murder or a higher motive to keep the story moving. She just had the characters, and no one of them gave much of a problem. In fact, all of them were good people. But those stories are the most difficult to write, and the author failed completely. When there are only two people on scene, you have to create some kind of chemistry and wonder to keep it interesting and electrifying. But there was no chemical environment and no exhilarating emotion that precedes and comes after falling in love. Here everything was written with the same and repetitive musical note, no variations and no melody. So when John shelters David in his house I couldn’t understand that need of sleeping together or that yearning to make love. It felt more like a duty than a thirst or a longing. It felt like they had to do it in order to follow the script rather than due to true feelings. All in all, that there was NOTHING there I could identify with love.
I ended this story feeling completely flat. I expected some kind of fireworks before beginning the book and when I finished reading that last page I thought: “Is that everything?”. There are a lot of holes, in the argument, in the character’s development, in the style (I was going nuts with that eternally changing POV), and the one that annoyed me the most: in the feelings. It all was, by the book, an empty shell.
What I did like, weird it is, is to see how living as an indigent is. The shelters, the risks, the cold, the hunger... we have a glimpse of that and it reminded me of the movie The Pursuit of Happiness:
I wouldn’t remember this book if not for the fact that it was so meh I always compare the other meh books with this one to know how to classify them in my shelves. It's sad but it's true.
November 4, 2013
Woof. Okay, that was a rough read--Good, but tough.
John, taking an executive escape for health reasons, scampers across town to run a small cozy bookstore, Margins. A longtime neighborhood retreat there are a steady stream of regular visitors. Some more desirable than others.
Jamie, the previous owner's son and assistant stays on to help run the place. He knows the ins and outs and all the regulars count on him, including David. Jamie's heart is big, open and fearless. When John wants to kick David out, Jamie stays his hand.
David. He represents different things to different people, but he is one of the "invisible". And his story is all the more heartbreaking because it is not contrived.
I found this story emotionally difficult, and while I usually resent that sort of manipulation, I couldn't here. How we as a society treat those less fortunate speaks volumes. I liked that characters made mistakes--some more egregious than others. John, is not a perfect man. In fact, there are several instances of cruelty that struck deep. But, only a hypocrite or liar would claim that they've never once done something similar.
There are complicated issues addressed: homelessness, mental health, social welfare, and humanity. They are not glib or pretty and there are no simple, easy answers. I liked that it didn't negate the issue with cursory treatment.
This book is a mirror and you will see yourself.
"We all want to be stronger and better. Sometimes just to prove that we're good enough to be respected ... or loved."
John, taking an executive escape for health reasons, scampers across town to run a small cozy bookstore, Margins. A longtime neighborhood retreat there are a steady stream of regular visitors. Some more desirable than others.
Jamie, the previous owner's son and assistant stays on to help run the place. He knows the ins and outs and all the regulars count on him, including David. Jamie's heart is big, open and fearless. When John wants to kick David out, Jamie stays his hand.
David. He represents different things to different people, but he is one of the "invisible". And his story is all the more heartbreaking because it is not contrived.
I found this story emotionally difficult, and while I usually resent that sort of manipulation, I couldn't here. How we as a society treat those less fortunate speaks volumes. I liked that characters made mistakes--some more egregious than others. John, is not a perfect man. In fact, there are several instances of cruelty that struck deep. But, only a hypocrite or liar would claim that they've never once done something similar.
There are complicated issues addressed: homelessness, mental health, social welfare, and humanity. They are not glib or pretty and there are no simple, easy answers. I liked that it didn't negate the issue with cursory treatment.
This book is a mirror and you will see yourself.
It was just another reminder that life wasn't that neat little jigsaw puzzle with a picture-perfect goal at the end.
January 4, 2010
#
After I came across a good review of this book, it picked my interest and I read most of the reviews left by readers on amazon.com, which are for the most part very positive.
So I guess that's why after a few pages into the novel, I was already hugely disappointed. The writing is not, as many readers put it, anything extraordinary, but barely good. It's not awful either, but not once I thought "oh, that was a really clever/pretty/beautiful sentence". And that's coming from a reader whose first language is not even English.
What bothered me the most I think, is the way the author kept changing point of views. That's just not something you want to do ! It messes with the reader's head, and gives away too much, it's a really bad choice Isabelle Rowan made there. She should have kept one POV, the main character's, and we could still have felt strongly for the other characters, if only the story-telling was better.
As for the story-telling itself, it was at times slow, then too fast, and lacking everything that I feel it really needed to keep you want to read. I even almost skipped through the last chapters, I was so bored.
I was not impressed by the characters, especially John, who I thought was so uninteresting I didn't relate to him AT ALL. As for the homeless guy, David, he was a lot more interesting, but I felt his story should have been more developed and in the end, I thought everything was very confusing and half done.
I also didn't like the minor characters : the ex-girlfriend who's like an unfeeling bimbo without the least bit of personality, Jamie who is *also* gay (which I thought was really weird. Only gay men and women in this story. Oh and one kid) and was so under-developed he might as well have not been in the story... And the others who were just irrelevant.
So, yes, I don't want to say this was completely bad, but mostly, I'm disappointed because I was hoping for so much more. It could have been a great story (the "homeless guy meets rich mean man" type of story is cliché but could have been great !), had its potential been used to the fullest. Except it just wasn't. I hope someday this story, the story I'm waiting for, will be written, and it'll be done as something else than an excuse the have two guys have angsty sex. -_-
After I came across a good review of this book, it picked my interest and I read most of the reviews left by readers on amazon.com, which are for the most part very positive.
So I guess that's why after a few pages into the novel, I was already hugely disappointed. The writing is not, as many readers put it, anything extraordinary, but barely good. It's not awful either, but not once I thought "oh, that was a really clever/pretty/beautiful sentence". And that's coming from a reader whose first language is not even English.
What bothered me the most I think, is the way the author kept changing point of views. That's just not something you want to do ! It messes with the reader's head, and gives away too much, it's a really bad choice Isabelle Rowan made there. She should have kept one POV, the main character's, and we could still have felt strongly for the other characters, if only the story-telling was better.
As for the story-telling itself, it was at times slow, then too fast, and lacking everything that I feel it really needed to keep you want to read. I even almost skipped through the last chapters, I was so bored.
I was not impressed by the characters, especially John, who I thought was so uninteresting I didn't relate to him AT ALL. As for the homeless guy, David, he was a lot more interesting, but I felt his story should have been more developed and in the end, I thought everything was very confusing and half done.
I also didn't like the minor characters : the ex-girlfriend who's like an unfeeling bimbo without the least bit of personality, Jamie who is *also* gay (which I thought was really weird. Only gay men and women in this story. Oh and one kid) and was so under-developed he might as well have not been in the story... And the others who were just irrelevant.
So, yes, I don't want to say this was completely bad, but mostly, I'm disappointed because I was hoping for so much more. It could have been a great story (the "homeless guy meets rich mean man" type of story is cliché but could have been great !), had its potential been used to the fullest. Except it just wasn't. I hope someday this story, the story I'm waiting for, will be written, and it'll be done as something else than an excuse the have two guys have angsty sex. -_-
July 17, 2014
I really don't know what else to add to the many excellent reviews. This novel is definitely a poppy poking way above the rest, already well into the foreign country of LGBT-literature as opposed to genre romance.
I've picked a few truly good ones lately, and this one here--apart from the wonderful, warm story--also has some of the most erotic sex scenes I've read in a long while.
It reads like some of the best movies play.
I've picked a few truly good ones lately, and this one here--apart from the wonderful, warm story--also has some of the most erotic sex scenes I've read in a long while.
It reads like some of the best movies play.
March 28, 2009
John McCann is an A type workaholic trying to overcompensate for a deprived childhood. He recognizes, after suffering migraines and a recommendation from his doctor, that he has to make a change if he wants to continue to live a long healthy life.
John expects his effort to slow down to last a year. As we all know, expectations are what we have, not what we always get. John leases a book store that comes with the original owners son, Jaime who is a real charmer and a resident transient, Dave that uses the 2nd hand book corner to escape into books everday.
It doesn't take long but does take effort for Jaime to awaken the compassionate soul in John. To force John to see past the dirt and circumstances to the suffering human in his store. Each day, John cares more and each day Dave reaches out a bit farther. Some days its enough and some days it isn't.
Loving is always a challenge. Loving a man with emotional stability issues is far from easy. John spends the book doing the best he can (and not always the right thing, thank goodness) to actually reach out and make it possible for Dave to heal and in doing so, for Dave to heal John as well.
The love scenes in this book are varied, from simple touches to wide grins to breakthroughs that are as simple, yet complex as unpacking a bag. Not over done and still erotic, the men make love in satisfying ways to both them and the reader and the story moves from one moment to the next with unexpected bouts of insight, joy and bittersweet for the characters and the reader.
Although it doesn't bother me,this book shifts from one character POV to another quite often. I think I counted at least 5 different POV's in this book. I marked it down a star because the switch was not always as clear and seamless as it should be. I felt that it gave me more ability to understand character motivation and growth, but that style isn't everyone's cuppa.
I was really touched by this book in a way that makes me think people as a whole stand a chance. (melodramatic I know, but I feel a little strung out after finishing this book and really do wish that all people had this much compassion for their fellow man)
John expects his effort to slow down to last a year. As we all know, expectations are what we have, not what we always get. John leases a book store that comes with the original owners son, Jaime who is a real charmer and a resident transient, Dave that uses the 2nd hand book corner to escape into books everday.
It doesn't take long but does take effort for Jaime to awaken the compassionate soul in John. To force John to see past the dirt and circumstances to the suffering human in his store. Each day, John cares more and each day Dave reaches out a bit farther. Some days its enough and some days it isn't.
Loving is always a challenge. Loving a man with emotional stability issues is far from easy. John spends the book doing the best he can (and not always the right thing, thank goodness) to actually reach out and make it possible for Dave to heal and in doing so, for Dave to heal John as well.
The love scenes in this book are varied, from simple touches to wide grins to breakthroughs that are as simple, yet complex as unpacking a bag. Not over done and still erotic, the men make love in satisfying ways to both them and the reader and the story moves from one moment to the next with unexpected bouts of insight, joy and bittersweet for the characters and the reader.
Although it doesn't bother me,this book shifts from one character POV to another quite often. I think I counted at least 5 different POV's in this book. I marked it down a star because the switch was not always as clear and seamless as it should be. I felt that it gave me more ability to understand character motivation and growth, but that style isn't everyone's cuppa.
I was really touched by this book in a way that makes me think people as a whole stand a chance. (melodramatic I know, but I feel a little strung out after finishing this book and really do wish that all people had this much compassion for their fellow man)
January 23, 2012
What an amazing story. I think David will remain forever in my mind and heart as an example of what can happen to any of us when life becomes just too much. Artistic, quietly funny, a husband and father, a man living a normal life that just gets away from him and leaves him lost...and then homeless and alone.
John, a successful executive, takes a break from his high profile, stressful career and leases a bookstore. On his first day he notices a dirty, smelly and obviously homeless man sitting in a quiet corner reading a second hand book. No way is he gonna allow a transient to chase away his profits so he sets his sights on kicking him out. Jamie, his lovable employee, convinces him to let him stay...and against his better judgment does.
As John gets to know David he realizes that he is starting to care for and worry about him. Where does he go at night when it's cold? How does he find money for food? One night David shows up at his door bloody and John takes him in. Offers him a bath, clean clothes, shelter and friendship. John is amazed how beautiful David is after he's cleaned up and so sets the stage for a friendship that eventually grows to love.
David struggles from the beginning to the end of this story, but that just makes it more believable. Problems don't just go away and John is committed to making sure that David knows he has a home and partner that will be there for him, no matter what. I loved both John, David and even Jamie. I can't wait to read the sequel.
Who would I recommend this too? Everyone.
John, a successful executive, takes a break from his high profile, stressful career and leases a bookstore. On his first day he notices a dirty, smelly and obviously homeless man sitting in a quiet corner reading a second hand book. No way is he gonna allow a transient to chase away his profits so he sets his sights on kicking him out. Jamie, his lovable employee, convinces him to let him stay...and against his better judgment does.
As John gets to know David he realizes that he is starting to care for and worry about him. Where does he go at night when it's cold? How does he find money for food? One night David shows up at his door bloody and John takes him in. Offers him a bath, clean clothes, shelter and friendship. John is amazed how beautiful David is after he's cleaned up and so sets the stage for a friendship that eventually grows to love.
David struggles from the beginning to the end of this story, but that just makes it more believable. Problems don't just go away and John is committed to making sure that David knows he has a home and partner that will be there for him, no matter what. I loved both John, David and even Jamie. I can't wait to read the sequel.
Who would I recommend this too? Everyone.
November 22, 2009
This is the first book I've read by this author and I hope to read many more.
The story focuses on businessman John McCann, who is taking a year away from his high powered job for health reasons, and David Robinson, a man dealing with mental illness and living on the streets.
This was a beautiful and moving story that dealt with issues not normally seen in "romance" books. While there was plenty of sex between John and David, it was sweet, gentle and very loving.
The secondary characters in the book, Jamie, Adam and Barbara, a worker in the shelter that David sometimes stayed in, are all well written and a great part of the book. I really enjoyed the interaction between all of the characters.
Ultimately this is a moving look into one man's descent into the hell of mental illness and his eventual climb out. Although David is no longer homeless and is in a loving relationship with John at the end of the book we see it is not a 'miracle cure' and that it will be an ongoing struggle. As much as a fairy tale ending with problems all easily solved is the way a lot of books end, this was a very realistic way to finish the book. They are happy but the sense that it will be something that needs to be dealt with always is more 'real life'.
As I stated in the beginning, this was an awesome book and definitely one I will be reading again in the future.
The story focuses on businessman John McCann, who is taking a year away from his high powered job for health reasons, and David Robinson, a man dealing with mental illness and living on the streets.
This was a beautiful and moving story that dealt with issues not normally seen in "romance" books. While there was plenty of sex between John and David, it was sweet, gentle and very loving.
The secondary characters in the book, Jamie, Adam and Barbara, a worker in the shelter that David sometimes stayed in, are all well written and a great part of the book. I really enjoyed the interaction between all of the characters.
Ultimately this is a moving look into one man's descent into the hell of mental illness and his eventual climb out. Although David is no longer homeless and is in a loving relationship with John at the end of the book we see it is not a 'miracle cure' and that it will be an ongoing struggle. As much as a fairy tale ending with problems all easily solved is the way a lot of books end, this was a very realistic way to finish the book. They are happy but the sense that it will be something that needs to be dealt with always is more 'real life'.
As I stated in the beginning, this was an awesome book and definitely one I will be reading again in the future.
April 11, 2011
Don't pay attention to the star rating. This just wasn't the right book at the right time. It's sweet and tender and then my brain started hopping up and down screaming 'Sappy!!!'. I got really tired of all the walking on eggshells around David. I did not get how the MCs fell in lurve without barely having had any conversation (and it's supposed to be love, not lust). I did not believe how quickly John turned from the Australian equivalent of the Wall Street Exec to the aforementioned walking on eggshells around David. And all the conversations went:
"Blahblahblah, David".
"Yaddahyaddahyaddah, John".
Seriously, when there is only one other person in the room, you do not call him by name after every sentence! Not unless you're lecturing him. As a writer you should have other ways to let the reader know who is talking.
Anyway. After the umptieth time David walks out again, it got just a little predictable and boring too. But that is just me, I think.
"Blahblahblah, David".
"Yaddahyaddahyaddah, John".
Seriously, when there is only one other person in the room, you do not call him by name after every sentence! Not unless you're lecturing him. As a writer you should have other ways to let the reader know who is talking.
Anyway. After the umptieth time David walks out again, it got just a little predictable and boring too. But that is just me, I think.
January 2, 2013
Left absolutely breathless!! A divine and tender story that really tears at the heart strings. My tissue consumption has increased rapidly whilst reading this book.
I couldn't believe a book that basically revolves around three main characters could grip my attention so much and not let go. I loved the character Jamie with his optimistic, upbeat look on life who provided the stable centre pivot for a rather seesaw relationship between John and David. David turns John's life totally on its head in a postive way, whilst John provides the pillar of strength necessary to get David back on his feet.
This book is written with such an incredible depth of understanding, empathy and feeling from the author that it just draws the reader right in. If you haven't read this book yet then you have definitely missed a true literary gem.
I couldn't believe a book that basically revolves around three main characters could grip my attention so much and not let go. I loved the character Jamie with his optimistic, upbeat look on life who provided the stable centre pivot for a rather seesaw relationship between John and David. David turns John's life totally on its head in a postive way, whilst John provides the pillar of strength necessary to get David back on his feet.
This book is written with such an incredible depth of understanding, empathy and feeling from the author that it just draws the reader right in. If you haven't read this book yet then you have definitely missed a true literary gem.
December 11, 2013
I don’t even know where to start. Perhaps I should give my dear friend Mark a big hug for recommending this wonderful book to me. You know my taste in books so well. Thank you.:)
A Note in the Margin is a very special story... very different from the books I usually read. It’s a quiet, a tender story, a story that broke my heart and put the pieces back together again… one by one, only to tear them apart once more.
The book is about John, who buys a small bookshop called Margins, and with this bookshop comes young Jamie, the son of the previous owner Maggie.
On his first day in his new bookstore John notices a disheveled-looking man sitting in one of the big leather chairs in the back of the shop. It’s David, a homeless guy. John sets his sights on kicking him out, but Jamie convinces him to let him stay... against John’s better judgment. I adored sweet and empathetic Jamie. An old, caring soul wrapped in a beautiful, fun-loving package. He certainly deserves his special someone and happiness as well.
John develops feelings for David and tries to help him off the streets. That’s not an easy task because David can’t be the man anymore he once used to be. Before he ended up on the streets and before he had to leave his little boy. David is struggling to be that man again. He wants to be the man John needs him to be and he wants to be the father his son needs him to be. David… omg… David… He is so vulnerable, so lost, so adorable and insecure. I just wanted to take him home and keep him safe.
John does the best he can to actually reach out and make it possible for David to heal. John has to learn, though that what he wants isn’t always what he needs, and that David, in his own broken way, is perfect for him.
A Note in the Margin is just beautifully written, it’s heartfelt and thoughtful and amazing. Parts of the story were difficult to read, at the same time I found comfort, encouragement and joy in it.
"The most important things aren't always in the main story, sometimes the real meaning is scribbled in the margins. You know, when you pick up a secondhand book and people have written stuff in it. To read what other people think is important. Maybe they underline a sentence or just a word. Sometimes it has nothing to do with the story but how they feel at the time…There is more to life than the main story. Check out the notes in the margins because maybe they're even more important."
If you haven't read this book yet then you have definitely missed a true gem. Highly recommended!
October 29, 2011
WOW I finally got around to reading this and am mad at myself for waiting so long. This was a wonderful if heartbreaking story of how easily life can change, for good and bad.
David is a extremely emotional character that you just want to constantly hug.
John was a typical suit that finally stopped long enough to see his suroundings.
Jamie was a boy any mother would be proud of and I would love to read his own story.
And Adam just broke my heart, he was trying so hard to be understanding while being totally in the dark as to what was going on.
My only down side on this book was purely my own feelings of needing time lines spelt out for me. I never figured out just when David left and how long he had been on the streets. But that in no way took away from the story.
A brilliant work of fiction that could very easily be a work of fact, sad to say, but with a strong message of hope. Well worth reading.
David is a extremely emotional character that you just want to constantly hug.
John was a typical suit that finally stopped long enough to see his suroundings.
Jamie was a boy any mother would be proud of and I would love to read his own story.
And Adam just broke my heart, he was trying so hard to be understanding while being totally in the dark as to what was going on.
My only down side on this book was purely my own feelings of needing time lines spelt out for me. I never figured out just when David left and how long he had been on the streets. But that in no way took away from the story.
A brilliant work of fiction that could very easily be a work of fact, sad to say, but with a strong message of hope. Well worth reading.
December 20, 2011
4.5 stars. This book is the essence of a good hurt-comfort story, with great characters, an interesting and believable plot line and a satisfying end that still leaves me eager for the next one. Jamie is a fun supporting character and the dynamics of his relationship with both the MC's give the novel added charm. A little bit of shifting POV made it harder to get into this book at first, but once I was Involved with the characters I loved it.
November 29, 2010
Is certainly hard to say only few words about this book, but I'll restrain myself... telling very quickly why I gave it 5 stars
About the story
John, close to a nervous breakdown, get medical advisement to slow down and take an year of ("mental") rest. As anyone who work like a crazy (that I understand very well about John) he don't go in vacation doing absolutely nothing, but buy a little bookshop. You will get right away that he is doing that just be have an occupation, not for the money.
The little bookshop is what John need... but it's not only books he get... there is too the son of the previous owner, Jamie, and a strange homeless, David. John can't get rid of both men when he start to work in his bookshop... And that's the begin of this book.
Seems simple no? Well, don't be fooled by my simple description. It's a incredible complex story, with remarkable characters.
The writing
Superb. In one word that's my opinion.
The multiple point of views is perfect and even if it's almost only John POV, you will read also all characters ideas (quickly, not very deep like John's) and sometimes a third person narration to describe some parts. Is a good surprise begin a chapter and when it's finish you will know 5 or 6 different thoughts. I love it!!! And if I didn't get confused you (that certainly has a better English level than me) will like it too.
The characters
Ok, few words... I'm trying to repeat that all over again just to remember I can't talk for hours... BUT they are so damn perfect! You have no idea how much I love John, Jamie, Barbara... and David... I don't know how to say only a few words about a complex character like David... Why he is so lost? Why he is homeless? How can he live like that? What he suffer to make him decide to live in the streets? Why he can't accept John love?
why why why... John will ask all the time... and you too...
Bob Dylan was (in my view) the best song writer that did this question ("Like a rolling stone" by Bod Dylan), and I sang a lot trying to understand David... without success... only when he try to open his heart to John you will get glimpses of his previous live.
"Why" is the great mystery and only reading this marvelous book you will know why David is what he is... and if John will be able to get through David's isolation.
My applause to this incredible writer.
5 stars
About the story
John, close to a nervous breakdown, get medical advisement to slow down and take an year of ("mental") rest. As anyone who work like a crazy (that I understand very well about John) he don't go in vacation doing absolutely nothing, but buy a little bookshop. You will get right away that he is doing that just be have an occupation, not for the money.
The little bookshop is what John need... but it's not only books he get... there is too the son of the previous owner, Jamie, and a strange homeless, David. John can't get rid of both men when he start to work in his bookshop... And that's the begin of this book.
Seems simple no? Well, don't be fooled by my simple description. It's a incredible complex story, with remarkable characters.
The writing
Superb. In one word that's my opinion.
The multiple point of views is perfect and even if it's almost only John POV, you will read also all characters ideas (quickly, not very deep like John's) and sometimes a third person narration to describe some parts. Is a good surprise begin a chapter and when it's finish you will know 5 or 6 different thoughts. I love it!!! And if I didn't get confused you (that certainly has a better English level than me) will like it too.
The characters
Ok, few words... I'm trying to repeat that all over again just to remember I can't talk for hours... BUT they are so damn perfect! You have no idea how much I love John, Jamie, Barbara... and David... I don't know how to say only a few words about a complex character like David... Why he is so lost? Why he is homeless? How can he live like that? What he suffer to make him decide to live in the streets? Why he can't accept John love?
why why why... John will ask all the time... and you too...
Bob Dylan was (in my view) the best song writer that did this question ("Like a rolling stone" by Bod Dylan), and I sang a lot trying to understand David... without success... only when he try to open his heart to John you will get glimpses of his previous live.
"Why" is the great mystery and only reading this marvelous book you will know why David is what he is... and if John will be able to get through David's isolation.
My applause to this incredible writer.
5 stars
October 20, 2014
An amazing story about some deeply flawed characters, with some serious issues. Nothing is trivialized, and nothing is cured by the the healing power of the magic penis. Characters actually have to talk to, and listen to each other. They even have to talk to people outside of their relationship, and be willing to heed their advice.
It sounds bleak, but somehow the author transforms it from what could have been a maudlin angst fest into a story about love, trust, friendship, and caring. A truly beautiful story.
It sounds bleak, but somehow the author transforms it from what could have been a maudlin angst fest into a story about love, trust, friendship, and caring. A truly beautiful story.
February 5, 2014
I had high hopes for A Note in the Margin. I mean, it's set in a BOOK STORE. I love books! It takes place in Australia. I love Australia! The MCs are an intense business man and a troubled transient. I love angst and lost causes! But even with all those morsels, the story fell short for me.
John is stressed to the max and decides to leave his job as a corporate bad ass to run a tiny book shop called Margins in Melbourne. With the store he inherits the former owner's son, Jamie, as a helper, and a homeless man, David, who hangs out in the back and reads books all day.
At first, John finds himself crushing on Jamie, and then, even though he’s completely irritated by David’s presence in Margins, John develops an attraction to David. It felt off to me that John wanted to immediately jump into the sack with Jamie, and the affection toward David alternated between hot and cold. At times John was inexplicably mean to David, and at others it was as if David was his other, better half.
For his part, we learn David is a hot mess of mental illness. He's haunted by his past and a family he’s left behind, and he’s understandably timid about forming personal connections with anyone.
Then, boom. Out of nowhere we find that John has...a GIRLFRIEND. Huh?!? Even though she makes an appearance and is mentioned a couple of times in the book, the relationship is never fully fleshed out or properly resolved.
The language in A Note in the Margin is choppy and simple, and the switching point-of-views had my head spinning. (Truly, from paragraph to paragraph, I wasn't always sure whom I was hearing from.) I also found the story to be repetitive in places.
MCs John and David begin believing they're in love, but have yet to have a deep, significant conversation with one another, which brings me back to David. It took almost the entire novel for me to learn his story. It was frustrating to read about him falling into his same patterns of behavior over and over and have no idea of what was inside his head. My heart broke for David, SO HARD, but I wish I'd had a better understanding of him sooner in the story!
For me, A Note in the Margin dragged to its conclusion, and even though there was resolution at the end, I felt David was still so fragile, so I doubted the strength of his ongoing recovery (I'm pretty sure all the other characters in the book were on the same page with me!). That said, John and David had a lovely physical relationship and nice chemistry with one another when it counted. A Note in the Margin is a heavy, heart-grabbing read; I can certainly see how and why it's a beloved book for many.
John is stressed to the max and decides to leave his job as a corporate bad ass to run a tiny book shop called Margins in Melbourne. With the store he inherits the former owner's son, Jamie, as a helper, and a homeless man, David, who hangs out in the back and reads books all day.
At first, John finds himself crushing on Jamie, and then, even though he’s completely irritated by David’s presence in Margins, John develops an attraction to David. It felt off to me that John wanted to immediately jump into the sack with Jamie, and the affection toward David alternated between hot and cold. At times John was inexplicably mean to David, and at others it was as if David was his other, better half.
For his part, we learn David is a hot mess of mental illness. He's haunted by his past and a family he’s left behind, and he’s understandably timid about forming personal connections with anyone.
Then, boom. Out of nowhere we find that John has...a GIRLFRIEND. Huh?!? Even though she makes an appearance and is mentioned a couple of times in the book, the relationship is never fully fleshed out or properly resolved.
The language in A Note in the Margin is choppy and simple, and the switching point-of-views had my head spinning. (Truly, from paragraph to paragraph, I wasn't always sure whom I was hearing from.) I also found the story to be repetitive in places.
MCs John and David begin believing they're in love, but have yet to have a deep, significant conversation with one another, which brings me back to David. It took almost the entire novel for me to learn his story. It was frustrating to read about him falling into his same patterns of behavior over and over and have no idea of what was inside his head. My heart broke for David, SO HARD, but I wish I'd had a better understanding of him sooner in the story!
For me, A Note in the Margin dragged to its conclusion, and even though there was resolution at the end, I felt David was still so fragile, so I doubted the strength of his ongoing recovery (I'm pretty sure all the other characters in the book were on the same page with me!). That said, John and David had a lovely physical relationship and nice chemistry with one another when it counted. A Note in the Margin is a heavy, heart-grabbing read; I can certainly see how and why it's a beloved book for many.
April 8, 2018
Rating: 2* of five
Too much time spent on uninteresting stock details and too little on building my sense of the men as individuals. The setting is appealing. The idea is interesting. But the author's aim is not where I felt it should be, so I wasn't drawn in or compelled to read the book...it took over a year to get to the 54% mark, and that's where it will remain. Very sad. I could've eaten this with a spoon If Only.
Too much time spent on uninteresting stock details and too little on building my sense of the men as individuals. The setting is appealing. The idea is interesting. But the author's aim is not where I felt it should be, so I wasn't drawn in or compelled to read the book...it took over a year to get to the 54% mark, and that's where it will remain. Very sad. I could've eaten this with a spoon If Only.
March 25, 2013
Possibly brilliant and touching, but the constant and restless POV jumps (sometimes as frequent as every other sentence) gave me this overwhelming need to punch somebody. I eventually settled for a tall glass of alcohol, but any book that makes me want to commit assault deserves no more than 2 stars no matter how nice the premise of its story is.
May 30, 2010
This book touched on so many of my soft spots. Just an awesome book.
January 1, 2011
Ok, so the reason I picked up this book earlier today, was actually only because of one thing: I wanted a book to make me forget and make me cry.. Plain and simple.. Why? Well, I'll tell you, but let me also say that this book, while it did exactly what I had hoped (read it in one go, and cried my eyes out) it also made me feel quite a bit better afterwards.. But let me get back to that.
First.. Ok, so the reason I went straight to the "Best gay tear jerker list" and picked this out, is because today is my birthday and I have the plessure of also having pheunomia, so I'm stuck home alone, with nothing to do. And yeah, canceling my Birthday and considering tomorrow is New Years (which will also be a night alone.. Arghh - I hate you pheunomia!!) I was feeling really sorry for myself, and very depressed.. So I thought.. Off to 'Best gay tear jerker list' so I can cry and feel even more sorry for myself.. And in comes "A Note in the Margin"
Wow! just.. Wow!
Let me start off by saying that I really loved this book, and that it definitely helped me overcome my self-pity, thats for sure..
This is such a hard book to review for me though..
The book is about John, who buys a small bookshop, and with this bookshop, comes a young 'assistant' Jamie, and also a homeless man called David, who the last owners let in to read books in the back..
The story quickly lets you know that John gets feelings for David, and tries to help him off the streets. The story isnt really about that though. Its about David struggling to be the man he used to be. Before he ended up on the streets. Back when he was a father to a little boy. A boy who is now older and wants to have his father back. And this story is about David struggling to be that man again, along with being the man John needs him to be, and its about John, learning that what he wants isnt always what he needs, and that David even with his flaws, is perfect for John..
I have not done this book any justice here, because its an amazing book, but its just really hard explaining why.. Its about love, acceptance, depression, and love!
So.. This book definitely took away some of my self-pity, and made me cry my eyes out, and if that doesnt deserve 5 stars, I dont know what will?! ;D)
First.. Ok, so the reason I went straight to the "Best gay tear jerker list" and picked this out, is because today is my birthday and I have the plessure of also having pheunomia, so I'm stuck home alone, with nothing to do. And yeah, canceling my Birthday and considering tomorrow is New Years (which will also be a night alone.. Arghh - I hate you pheunomia!!) I was feeling really sorry for myself, and very depressed.. So I thought.. Off to 'Best gay tear jerker list' so I can cry and feel even more sorry for myself.. And in comes "A Note in the Margin"
Wow! just.. Wow!
Let me start off by saying that I really loved this book, and that it definitely helped me overcome my self-pity, thats for sure..
This is such a hard book to review for me though..
The book is about John, who buys a small bookshop, and with this bookshop, comes a young 'assistant' Jamie, and also a homeless man called David, who the last owners let in to read books in the back..
The story quickly lets you know that John gets feelings for David, and tries to help him off the streets. The story isnt really about that though. Its about David struggling to be the man he used to be. Before he ended up on the streets. Back when he was a father to a little boy. A boy who is now older and wants to have his father back. And this story is about David struggling to be that man again, along with being the man John needs him to be, and its about John, learning that what he wants isnt always what he needs, and that David even with his flaws, is perfect for John..
I have not done this book any justice here, because its an amazing book, but its just really hard explaining why.. Its about love, acceptance, depression, and love!
So.. This book definitely took away some of my self-pity, and made me cry my eyes out, and if that doesnt deserve 5 stars, I dont know what will?! ;D)
June 24, 2018
I don't want to slate this book, but I'm finding it hard to find things about it that I can recommend. It has problems. Firstly and most obviously is the POV which switches from sentence to sentence - it drove me nuts! Second is the lack of character depth - I still have no idea why John fell in love with David or vice versa. Both main characters have physical/mental/ emotional issues which are never expanded on, explained or dealt with adequately. The sex scenes are completely unrelated to the plot and feel tacked on. There's a girlfriend who appears once and is never heard of again.
I feel that in any other genre this calibre of book would never have found a publisher. The plot is repetitive and unengaging. It feels like it needs a damn good edit and a rewrite.
And now I feel awful because I love this genre and I wanted to enjoy it - it was recommended all over the place. It simply wasn't terribly good.
I feel that in any other genre this calibre of book would never have found a publisher. The plot is repetitive and unengaging. It feels like it needs a damn good edit and a rewrite.
And now I feel awful because I love this genre and I wanted to enjoy it - it was recommended all over the place. It simply wasn't terribly good.
December 27, 2017
This was just ok for me. For one, the story was too long and filled with unimportant details that imo didn't do anything to help move the story along. I felt sorry for David but since there wasn't a full explanation of what happened to him, my sympathy only went so far. He abandoned his wife and kid!!!
The relationship between John and David came from nowhere. I don't know how John saw anything in David at first since he was dirty and all that from living on the street. How does one realistically develop feelings towards a stranger in such a short amount of time?
To me to story seemed all over the place and jumping POV really didn't help. I am not sure what exactly my star rating is for this one. It's between 2 and 3 but I am not sure where it falls.
The relationship between John and David came from nowhere. I don't know how John saw anything in David at first since he was dirty and all that from living on the street. How does one realistically develop feelings towards a stranger in such a short amount of time?
To me to story seemed all over the place and jumping POV really didn't help. I am not sure what exactly my star rating is for this one. It's between 2 and 3 but I am not sure where it falls.
July 10, 2016
‘A Note in the Margin’ is a very special book. It spoke to me on a personal level when I first read it many years ago, which was when I had reached a point in my life when I left the high-pressure business world to become an author. Many of the issues and thoughts that John went through in this story felt very, very familiar to me. But there is far more to John’s story than leaving his old, ledger-driven life behind – which is not something he does voluntarily. As I read this book again, John’s journey and growth, as well as the change he causes in David, touched me as deeply as the first time. I enjoyed reconnecting with both of them and the people who are important in their lives so much that I have a feeling that I will be reading this novel again.
John is a successful British businessman established in Australia. He does not want to take a break and interrupt the career that has helped him compensate for a childhood lived in poverty, but he has no choice. His migraines are getting worse, and unless he slows down and reduces his stress levels, things will not go well. He reluctantly buys a bookstore. Seeing him “storm in there”, intending to improve profits radically and make it a real success is typical of his old life, but it does not sit well with the experienced store employee. As John begins to get to know the business and meets David, a homeless man who comes into the store in the afternoons to read, John starts to change. His mental and emotional willingness are initially lacking, and change is slow, but watching him go from a career-driven snob who values the executive lifestyle to a human being who values empathy and compassion as well as contributing to others’ lives is very rewarding.
David stole my heart from the beginning. He is a talented artist and a good man who has fallen on hard times and is totally lost. He has emotional issues, problems with trust, misses his son, and starts out as pretty much someone who has no hope. He tries so hard to live his life with some dignity, but it is tough. Progress with John is slow, and they both make some mistakes, but as they get to know each other, David slowly becomes more self-confident. He learns to trust John and begins to take control of his life. Simply beautiful!
If you like stories about men who reevaluate their lives and make significant changes, if you think that everyone deserves a second chance, and if you’re looking for a read that is deeply emotional, touching, and full of surprises on all levels, then you will probably like this novel as much as I did. It’s a great love story, a journey full of discoveries and change, and contains some wonderful characters I’d like to meet in real life.
John is a successful British businessman established in Australia. He does not want to take a break and interrupt the career that has helped him compensate for a childhood lived in poverty, but he has no choice. His migraines are getting worse, and unless he slows down and reduces his stress levels, things will not go well. He reluctantly buys a bookstore. Seeing him “storm in there”, intending to improve profits radically and make it a real success is typical of his old life, but it does not sit well with the experienced store employee. As John begins to get to know the business and meets David, a homeless man who comes into the store in the afternoons to read, John starts to change. His mental and emotional willingness are initially lacking, and change is slow, but watching him go from a career-driven snob who values the executive lifestyle to a human being who values empathy and compassion as well as contributing to others’ lives is very rewarding.
David stole my heart from the beginning. He is a talented artist and a good man who has fallen on hard times and is totally lost. He has emotional issues, problems with trust, misses his son, and starts out as pretty much someone who has no hope. He tries so hard to live his life with some dignity, but it is tough. Progress with John is slow, and they both make some mistakes, but as they get to know each other, David slowly becomes more self-confident. He learns to trust John and begins to take control of his life. Simply beautiful!
If you like stories about men who reevaluate their lives and make significant changes, if you think that everyone deserves a second chance, and if you’re looking for a read that is deeply emotional, touching, and full of surprises on all levels, then you will probably like this novel as much as I did. It’s a great love story, a journey full of discoveries and change, and contains some wonderful characters I’d like to meet in real life.
November 12, 2013
3.5 stars I can see why all my friends gave this 4 and 5 stars, and I agreed for the first half of the book. It really did tug at your heart strings and I liked the unusual relationship that was building. But I never quite got to feel like I knew David.
I'm OK with a not-everything-is-perfectly-wrapped-up ending, in fact, I like the realism. David basically has PTSD so there certainly isn't an easy fix. But he ran away one too many times for me . And as I said. I didn't feel like we got to know him well enough. This is one case where I think a few flashbacks would have been beneficial. For us to be able to see the old Dave, either interacting with Adam or whatever, I think would have helped us understand the new David better.
So overall, really a very good book, despite my complaints. Can't wait for Jaime's book (which better be coming!) I have to say, on a side note, I think this book does a great job of putting the homeless issue into perspective for people and bringing home the fact that we often walk right by them and have become so desensitized that that is actually OK. We walk by people, sleeping on the street, who are probably ill and starving to death, and don't bat an eye. As a teen I volunteered at shelters in NYC a few times and I'm more than a little ashamed to say I haven't done so since an adult stopped making me. But hopefully I can use this book as an impetus to look into some local ways to help.
I'm OK with a not-everything-is-perfectly-wrapped-up ending, in fact, I like the realism. David basically has PTSD so there certainly isn't an easy fix. But he ran away one too many times for me . And as I said. I didn't feel like we got to know him well enough. This is one case where I think a few flashbacks would have been beneficial. For us to be able to see the old Dave, either interacting with Adam or whatever, I think would have helped us understand the new David better.
So overall, really a very good book, despite my complaints. Can't wait for Jaime's book (which better be coming!) I have to say, on a side note, I think this book does a great job of putting the homeless issue into perspective for people and bringing home the fact that we often walk right by them and have become so desensitized that that is actually OK. We walk by people, sleeping on the street, who are probably ill and starving to death, and don't bat an eye. As a teen I volunteered at shelters in NYC a few times and I'm more than a little ashamed to say I haven't done so since an adult stopped making me. But hopefully I can use this book as an impetus to look into some local ways to help.
July 25, 2012
This book wasn't terrible, but it had lots of problems.
I thought it had a great premise. I thought that the characters were sweet. John was incredibly patient. David had his issues but struggled to overcome them.
On the other hand, I felt it was technically very clumsy. It had huge POV issues. Paragraphing made little sense. Often there were two POVs in the same paragraph and then there would be a sudden paragraph break and there would be no change in POV. Also, there were constant vacillations in POV. Part of this whole issue is the constant addressing one another by there names, even when there was no one else around. I just felt that this was a basic problem in that the author was either unsure of the POV or she was not sure the reader was...true...but the reader shouldn't be.
There is a totally meaningless sex scene within the first chapter or two. WTF was that about?...other than to have a sex scene within the first chapter or two. TACKIE!
I also had this huge problem of a big business, super organized, bottom line kinda guy falling for a homeless prostitute. There was nothing in the story to really justify this...just because David was a sweet but mentally struggling individual was not a reason for John to fall in love with him...with no real knowledge of him. Pity is not a reason to fall in love. For a story to be believable, the characters and their actions should be justifiable.
There was really no plot in this story. John falls in love with David. David gets scared and leaves. John finds David. David comes home. David leaves. John goes and finds David. David comes home........ Over and over and over again. That's the story.
Sweet story. Sweet characters. Technically poor. Lame plot. Unrealistic actions.
I thought it had a great premise. I thought that the characters were sweet. John was incredibly patient. David had his issues but struggled to overcome them.
On the other hand, I felt it was technically very clumsy. It had huge POV issues. Paragraphing made little sense. Often there were two POVs in the same paragraph and then there would be a sudden paragraph break and there would be no change in POV. Also, there were constant vacillations in POV. Part of this whole issue is the constant addressing one another by there names, even when there was no one else around. I just felt that this was a basic problem in that the author was either unsure of the POV or she was not sure the reader was...true...but the reader shouldn't be.
There is a totally meaningless sex scene within the first chapter or two. WTF was that about?...other than to have a sex scene within the first chapter or two. TACKIE!
I also had this huge problem of a big business, super organized, bottom line kinda guy falling for a homeless prostitute. There was nothing in the story to really justify this...just because David was a sweet but mentally struggling individual was not a reason for John to fall in love with him...with no real knowledge of him. Pity is not a reason to fall in love. For a story to be believable, the characters and their actions should be justifiable.
There was really no plot in this story. John falls in love with David. David gets scared and leaves. John finds David. David comes home. David leaves. John goes and finds David. David comes home........ Over and over and over again. That's the story.
Sweet story. Sweet characters. Technically poor. Lame plot. Unrealistic actions.
December 11, 2012
This was a very powerful story about love, forgiveness, and redemption.
I really enjoyed David, and John’s relationship with its trials, and very real problems. The men in this story are very flawed, and it takes time patience, and even outside medical help to get them on the right track to having a healthy relationship. As my friend that lent it to me says, there is no magic dick in this to make it all better.
So saying this is not a cookie cutter romance is an understatement. It’s not Harlequin romance with the standard trope of meet, fuck, fight, make up, and fall in love, no its much more complicated.
There is a darkness in this story, that a lot of romances don’t have, and I really enjoyed that.
It’s not all picture perfect, and pretty story, its more fragile, like the softest touch can break it.
There are a lot of bad things that happen, the author put a lot of reality in this. I am not saying this doesn’t have a HEA, it does, but it takes a lot to get there.
So, I recommend this to all who want a break from pretty, and want something that makes you think, and feel, and know that, that is okay!
I really enjoyed David, and John’s relationship with its trials, and very real problems. The men in this story are very flawed, and it takes time patience, and even outside medical help to get them on the right track to having a healthy relationship. As my friend that lent it to me says, there is no magic dick in this to make it all better.
So saying this is not a cookie cutter romance is an understatement. It’s not Harlequin romance with the standard trope of meet, fuck, fight, make up, and fall in love, no its much more complicated.
There is a darkness in this story, that a lot of romances don’t have, and I really enjoyed that.
It’s not all picture perfect, and pretty story, its more fragile, like the softest touch can break it.
There are a lot of bad things that happen, the author put a lot of reality in this. I am not saying this doesn’t have a HEA, it does, but it takes a lot to get there.
So, I recommend this to all who want a break from pretty, and want something that makes you think, and feel, and know that, that is okay!
December 14, 2013
This was an emotional, moving, inspiring story, and a lesson that things don’t always wrap up in a perfect and pretty package. Sometimes finding your happiness is a hard earned struggle everyday.
I enjoyed this story, John McCann decides to run a bookstore for a year after doctors orders to change his life and reduce his stress.
John is a quiet man, not really used to expressing his emotions and feelings. He is quickly taken aback by Jamie, his employee. Jamie is friendly, outgoing, talkative and all energy. I honestly loved Jamie so much! What John also doesn’t know what do with is the strange homeless man that comes in everyday. The man spend his day, sitting in a leather chair, reading his books, having lunch with Jamie and leaves. John doesn’t see this as good for business and wants him out of the store. John forces himself to at least talk to the man, finds out his name is David. As John’s curiosity and eventually feelings for David grow he tries to help him. I watched as John goes out of his comfort zone and reaches out to David.
While this was a moving and engaging story, emotionally it left me a little flat. I found John and David both introverts, keeping a great deal of their thoughts and feelings to themselves. I not saying I didn’t understand at least in David’s case, but it left me wanting more emotionally. I was ready for tears, and a heart wrenching story, but it just didn’t happen to the extent I was expecting. I am disappointed to report not one tear fell from my eyes. it was only Jamie’s extraverted friendly nature that saved a great deal of this story for me. And judging by all the reviews I have read, I am alone in this reaction.
Overall, i would say I enjoyed this story and while emotionally it left me a little empty the story and wonderful writing made it a 4 star read!
I enjoyed this story, John McCann decides to run a bookstore for a year after doctors orders to change his life and reduce his stress.
John is a quiet man, not really used to expressing his emotions and feelings. He is quickly taken aback by Jamie, his employee. Jamie is friendly, outgoing, talkative and all energy. I honestly loved Jamie so much! What John also doesn’t know what do with is the strange homeless man that comes in everyday. The man spend his day, sitting in a leather chair, reading his books, having lunch with Jamie and leaves. John doesn’t see this as good for business and wants him out of the store. John forces himself to at least talk to the man, finds out his name is David. As John’s curiosity and eventually feelings for David grow he tries to help him. I watched as John goes out of his comfort zone and reaches out to David.
While this was a moving and engaging story, emotionally it left me a little flat. I found John and David both introverts, keeping a great deal of their thoughts and feelings to themselves. I not saying I didn’t understand at least in David’s case, but it left me wanting more emotionally. I was ready for tears, and a heart wrenching story, but it just didn’t happen to the extent I was expecting. I am disappointed to report not one tear fell from my eyes. it was only Jamie’s extraverted friendly nature that saved a great deal of this story for me. And judging by all the reviews I have read, I am alone in this reaction.
Overall, i would say I enjoyed this story and while emotionally it left me a little empty the story and wonderful writing made it a 4 star read!
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