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Disconnected
Ever drink too much, eat too much, indulge in excess?
Ever fall for someone you knew you shouldn't?
"Vivid, sharp, realistic" slice of L.A. life on the cusp of the 1992 riots, Disconnected is a novel memoir, based on truth...mostly. "Unabashedly unafraid, completely honest writing…absolutely gorgeous stuff,” RJ Keller, bestselling author of Waiting for Spring says about Disconnected.
Rachel was an artist, an obsessive, straddling the line of addiction. She sought what most women did—to be successful, married and in love, have healthy kids. It was hard enough attracting a man when she wasn’t heroin thin and perfectly chic like most L.A. women, sparkly but not too bright, as her mother insisted females need be. But in the 1990s, finding a man looking for an equal partner, wanting a woman beside him instead of behind him, seemed the impossible dream.
Then along came Lee…
Ever fall for someone you knew you shouldn't?
"Vivid, sharp, realistic" slice of L.A. life on the cusp of the 1992 riots, Disconnected is a novel memoir, based on truth...mostly. "Unabashedly unafraid, completely honest writing…absolutely gorgeous stuff,” RJ Keller, bestselling author of Waiting for Spring says about Disconnected.
Rachel was an artist, an obsessive, straddling the line of addiction. She sought what most women did—to be successful, married and in love, have healthy kids. It was hard enough attracting a man when she wasn’t heroin thin and perfectly chic like most L.A. women, sparkly but not too bright, as her mother insisted females need be. But in the 1990s, finding a man looking for an equal partner, wanting a woman beside him instead of behind him, seemed the impossible dream.
Then along came Lee…
327 pages, ebook
First published July 1, 2014
1 person is currently reading
506 people want to read
About the author
J. Cafesin
11 books41 followersWriting fiction is intoxicating. Fully engaging. Hot. Sexual. Physical. Mental. Spatial. Virtually touching real sucked into the scene, and I am a million miles from Lonely.
I write taut, edgy, modern fiction with complex, compelling characters that bring story live, and linger long after the reads...
I write taut, edgy, modern fiction with complex, compelling characters that bring story live, and linger long after the reads...
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 2, 2016
An insightful tale of the tortuous relationship between two people who use marijuana – and each other – to disconnect from their problems and the wider issues affecting the society they live in. There is excellent writing in some parts of this novel, while other parts would benefit from further editing. However, this did not detract from my engagement with the characters and their story. The author depicts with painful honesty the vicious spirals encountered by the addictive personality, particularly when emotionally involved with another addict. And I LOVED that the male lead didn’t have jet black hair, intense blue eyes and a chiseled jaw. Such a refreshing change!
September 2, 2014
Have you ever been so addicted to something, whether it be from drugs, alcohol, food, sex, shopping...and there are numerous others, some even too weird to mention, that no matter how hard you try to stop, you find yourself going right back to your demon? I'm pretty sure that there isn't a soul in the world that doesn't suffer (?) from some sort of addiction. And yet, though we know we shouldn't indulge in our desired sin but we just can't help ourselves.
Rachel is a woman who's career has taken the forefront of her life, leaving her biological clock ticking away. Her parents are concerned that she has an addiction, and the fact that if she waits too much longer, no man will ever want her and she won't ever have the family that she longs for. She puts out a personal ad on a dating site hoping to find the last man she will ever be with.
Lee answers Rachel's dating site ad, and Rachel finds out that they have more in common than she wants. And yet, she can't help but be drawn to Lee as well, even to just feed her addiction as well as his.
This book is real life...or at least real life for so many, especially when your addiction fogs your mind to what you really desire. So many of us have self-harming tendencies, putting a proverbial gun to our heads with our addictions, and often we don't know how to stop. And when the relationship has a strong base of addiction, it could spiral out of control.
Disconnected is a strong book with characters and storyline that you will see yourself in. Taking place during the 90's, and during the time of the Rodney King riots in L.A., this is a must-read.
Rachel is a woman who's career has taken the forefront of her life, leaving her biological clock ticking away. Her parents are concerned that she has an addiction, and the fact that if she waits too much longer, no man will ever want her and she won't ever have the family that she longs for. She puts out a personal ad on a dating site hoping to find the last man she will ever be with.
Lee answers Rachel's dating site ad, and Rachel finds out that they have more in common than she wants. And yet, she can't help but be drawn to Lee as well, even to just feed her addiction as well as his.
This book is real life...or at least real life for so many, especially when your addiction fogs your mind to what you really desire. So many of us have self-harming tendencies, putting a proverbial gun to our heads with our addictions, and often we don't know how to stop. And when the relationship has a strong base of addiction, it could spiral out of control.
Disconnected is a strong book with characters and storyline that you will see yourself in. Taking place during the 90's, and during the time of the Rodney King riots in L.A., this is a must-read.
July 25, 2014
Title: Disconnected
Author: J. Cafesin
Publisher: Entropy Press
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:
"Disconnected" by J. Cafesin ....
What was this novel about?
"Ever drank too much, ate too much, indulged in excess? Ever fall for someone you knew you shouldn't?
Rachel was an artist, an obsessive, straddling the line of addiction. She sought what most women did—to be successful, married and in love, have healthy kids. It was hard enough attracting a man when she wasn't heroin thin and perfectly chic like most L.A. women, sparkly but not too bright, as her mother insisted females need be. But in the 1990s, finding a man looking for an equal partner, wanting a woman beside him instead of behind him, seemed the impossible dream.
Then along came Lee…
Disconnected is an L.A. story, an addicting contemporary romance that never should have been, and like the city itself embodies a very sharp edge."
What I liked from this read....
All I can say is this author really told the reader quite a interesting story. It was really interesting seeing how this author would bring it all out in this well written script. It was really interesting how this author was able to incorporate the 'LA life....with the 'Rodney King' riots into this well detailed read. The heroine (Rachel) was really committed to her stand...putting it out their just what she wanted in her life..."to be successful, married, in love, and have healthy kids." Then Rachel meets Lee. Will Lee be all that Rachel wants and needs in her life? Was Rachel Lynn to have all of this and just when will she did she realize before its to late for her if this would even be for her? The characters in this novel were all richly well developed, well portrayed, where each one seemed to come alive on the pages. I did find Rachel's family quite a interesting bunch...the father, mother and sister. I will say they were not my favorite characters. I will say it took me a minute or two understanding Rachel Lynn thought patterns but in the end I was able to understand it more clearly. Be ready for a read of a little of it all... romance, family relationships, drugs, realism, and definitely self worth. Now, I don't want to give away too much away other than say you must pick this read up and see how this author will bring it all out to the reader.
What I especially liked about the read...
'Disconnected" was a well captivating powerful story line and once you start reading it will be hard to put down until the end. In the end will Rachel will she be able to move on with her life alone having a different mirror of herself...definitely disconnecting? Again you will have to read it to see!
Author: J. Cafesin
Publisher: Entropy Press
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:
"Disconnected" by J. Cafesin ....
What was this novel about?
"Ever drank too much, ate too much, indulged in excess? Ever fall for someone you knew you shouldn't?
Rachel was an artist, an obsessive, straddling the line of addiction. She sought what most women did—to be successful, married and in love, have healthy kids. It was hard enough attracting a man when she wasn't heroin thin and perfectly chic like most L.A. women, sparkly but not too bright, as her mother insisted females need be. But in the 1990s, finding a man looking for an equal partner, wanting a woman beside him instead of behind him, seemed the impossible dream.
Then along came Lee…
Disconnected is an L.A. story, an addicting contemporary romance that never should have been, and like the city itself embodies a very sharp edge."
What I liked from this read....
All I can say is this author really told the reader quite a interesting story. It was really interesting seeing how this author would bring it all out in this well written script. It was really interesting how this author was able to incorporate the 'LA life....with the 'Rodney King' riots into this well detailed read. The heroine (Rachel) was really committed to her stand...putting it out their just what she wanted in her life..."to be successful, married, in love, and have healthy kids." Then Rachel meets Lee. Will Lee be all that Rachel wants and needs in her life? Was Rachel Lynn to have all of this and just when will she did she realize before its to late for her if this would even be for her? The characters in this novel were all richly well developed, well portrayed, where each one seemed to come alive on the pages. I did find Rachel's family quite a interesting bunch...the father, mother and sister. I will say they were not my favorite characters. I will say it took me a minute or two understanding Rachel Lynn thought patterns but in the end I was able to understand it more clearly. Be ready for a read of a little of it all... romance, family relationships, drugs, realism, and definitely self worth. Now, I don't want to give away too much away other than say you must pick this read up and see how this author will bring it all out to the reader.
What I especially liked about the read...
'Disconnected" was a well captivating powerful story line and once you start reading it will be hard to put down until the end. In the end will Rachel will she be able to move on with her life alone having a different mirror of herself...definitely disconnecting? Again you will have to read it to see!
July 18, 2018
Saw a tweet about this book that said, "Have you ever fallen for someone you KNEW you shouldn't?"
Haven't we all!
Some fantasic insights into a woman's view of Hollywood, and the L.A. scene in 1990s. Great read!
Haven't we all!
Some fantasic insights into a woman's view of Hollywood, and the L.A. scene in 1990s. Great read!
Want to read
February 7, 2020Author's guest post at my blog:
https://bookfare.blogspot.com/2020/02...
https://bookfare.blogspot.com/2020/02...
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August 10, 2014First off have to say, this is not my typical read, but it was brought to my attention by a good friend. Also this is a first read by this author for me as well. And hope I give her work as fair and honest a review as I can.
Synopsis: I know the blurb asks the question, if the reader has ever fallen for someone that they shouldn't have. And I have to concur, that is the definitely one of the over riding themes of this particular story. However, I feel like this was mostly a story about a 30ish young woman who had to struggle so hard to be herself, in a time in her life when she was swinging between equal parts of depression, meeting her family's rather outdated beliefs, and her own reality of what she really needed vs. what she really wanted in her life.
What I liked about the story:
I gotta say, not one for memoiresque stories, it was really difficult for me to get into this story at first. But I will have to say that what I really enjoyed about this story was Rachel's resolve to try, try, and try some more even when it didn't seem like the most logical thing to do at times when it came to her choice of man, in Lee. I also really enjoyed how strong of views Rachel had at times. There are so many stories out there at times where the female protagonist doesn't have that strong of a back bone and identity. That it was such a blessing in seeing one that finally did and didn't really want to compromise her beliefs. Most especially when she was around her family that kept brow beating her, with these ideas if she was a good little woman and behaved a certain way she would get the man of her dreams and be a wife and have kids. But she stuck to her guns. And finally, I loved that Rachel finally saw the writing on the wall and packed up her stuff and her dog and moved away from where all her addictions and obsessions were the worst for her to manage.
What I didn't like about this story:
-The length of Rachel's journey. I'm sure the author meant the reader to see the vast highs and lows Rachel was experiencing and the various levels of disconnection. But frankly I felt the story went on a little too long. Which made the story really draggy to read in some places and I couldn't quite connect with Rachel emotionally at times.
-Lee, Lee, Lee. Maybe because I come from reading a lot of romances and more times than not there is a happily ever after. And the guy getting his girl. And when that didn't happen with Lee and Rachel(cause neither was willing to compromise and learn to make sacrifices together or individually in my opinion), I was just really bummed. Even worse for all their attempts at being with each other. Neither ever seemed to learn anything from the times before which was such a waste of their time and even the reader's time.
-Rachel's family. In a few words, WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THIS FAMILY?!?!?! I get it was just the 90's and they were a Jewish family. No doubt having old country ideals and beliefs. Which normally there is nothing wrong with. But the way they made Rachel feel like she would be nothing if she didn't dumb herself down, shut her mouth, stayed in a woman's place. Then she could be the wife and have kids and be totally happy and "normal". And that was beyond wrong to even see or read about. Because although I'm sure they meant well, it sounded like they could not value the woman she had grown into being and actually thought she was more of a threat to their views than being a forward thinking woman. Really a bad message and hard to read at times.
Would I recommend this story-
I would have to say that this is a read an excerpt and see of yourself kind of story. Especially as the characters are definitely not one to fight their cravings and cave in to them very often. And for some it might not be so easy to accept that this many individuals have no resolve to rise above for a greater portion of the story, til the end. So yea, definitely find and read an excerpt and decide for yourself.
Synopsis: I know the blurb asks the question, if the reader has ever fallen for someone that they shouldn't have. And I have to concur, that is the definitely one of the over riding themes of this particular story. However, I feel like this was mostly a story about a 30ish young woman who had to struggle so hard to be herself, in a time in her life when she was swinging between equal parts of depression, meeting her family's rather outdated beliefs, and her own reality of what she really needed vs. what she really wanted in her life.
What I liked about the story:
I gotta say, not one for memoiresque stories, it was really difficult for me to get into this story at first. But I will have to say that what I really enjoyed about this story was Rachel's resolve to try, try, and try some more even when it didn't seem like the most logical thing to do at times when it came to her choice of man, in Lee. I also really enjoyed how strong of views Rachel had at times. There are so many stories out there at times where the female protagonist doesn't have that strong of a back bone and identity. That it was such a blessing in seeing one that finally did and didn't really want to compromise her beliefs. Most especially when she was around her family that kept brow beating her, with these ideas if she was a good little woman and behaved a certain way she would get the man of her dreams and be a wife and have kids. But she stuck to her guns. And finally, I loved that Rachel finally saw the writing on the wall and packed up her stuff and her dog and moved away from where all her addictions and obsessions were the worst for her to manage.
What I didn't like about this story:
-The length of Rachel's journey. I'm sure the author meant the reader to see the vast highs and lows Rachel was experiencing and the various levels of disconnection. But frankly I felt the story went on a little too long. Which made the story really draggy to read in some places and I couldn't quite connect with Rachel emotionally at times.
-Lee, Lee, Lee. Maybe because I come from reading a lot of romances and more times than not there is a happily ever after. And the guy getting his girl. And when that didn't happen with Lee and Rachel(cause neither was willing to compromise and learn to make sacrifices together or individually in my opinion), I was just really bummed. Even worse for all their attempts at being with each other. Neither ever seemed to learn anything from the times before which was such a waste of their time and even the reader's time.
-Rachel's family. In a few words, WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THIS FAMILY?!?!?! I get it was just the 90's and they were a Jewish family. No doubt having old country ideals and beliefs. Which normally there is nothing wrong with. But the way they made Rachel feel like she would be nothing if she didn't dumb herself down, shut her mouth, stayed in a woman's place. Then she could be the wife and have kids and be totally happy and "normal". And that was beyond wrong to even see or read about. Because although I'm sure they meant well, it sounded like they could not value the woman she had grown into being and actually thought she was more of a threat to their views than being a forward thinking woman. Really a bad message and hard to read at times.
Would I recommend this story-
I would have to say that this is a read an excerpt and see of yourself kind of story. Especially as the characters are definitely not one to fight their cravings and cave in to them very often. And for some it might not be so easy to accept that this many individuals have no resolve to rise above for a greater portion of the story, til the end. So yea, definitely find and read an excerpt and decide for yourself.
July 13, 2014
Having survived life in LA, I found Disconnected highly relateable. Cafesin transports the reader directly into LA life, via an addictive relationship with an addict. In the background, we see, hear, and feel all the glitz, glam, and social ills that colored the city in the 1990s. In response to the Rodney King riots, for example, Rachel is moved to do volunteer work. The author skillfully recreated that historic saga in vivid, evocative detail.
Rachel and Lee's struggles, though fraught with peculiar idiosyncrasies, strike a chord of universal truth. We've all endured unhealthy relationships. We've often followed our hearts, not our brains, and repeated self-defeating patterns - in the name of sex, love, romance, or simply because we're taught that we're not worthy if we're not coupled.
The characters, story line, and setting keep the reader captivated throughout the book. Cafesin raises important questions regarding romantic and familial relationships, drug addiction, self-worth, and other psychosocial factors. The author writes with power, poignancy, and realism. It's a solid 5-star read that I strongly recommend.
Rachel and Lee's struggles, though fraught with peculiar idiosyncrasies, strike a chord of universal truth. We've all endured unhealthy relationships. We've often followed our hearts, not our brains, and repeated self-defeating patterns - in the name of sex, love, romance, or simply because we're taught that we're not worthy if we're not coupled.
The characters, story line, and setting keep the reader captivated throughout the book. Cafesin raises important questions regarding romantic and familial relationships, drug addiction, self-worth, and other psychosocial factors. The author writes with power, poignancy, and realism. It's a solid 5-star read that I strongly recommend.
September 28, 2015
Disconnected
By J. Cafesin
2015
Reviewed by Angie Mangino
Rating: 4 stars
Rachel Cohen, 33, single and childless in Los Angeles in 1991, places a personal ad to stifle her loneliness. Her intuition cautions her when first speaking to Lee Messer, but when they actually meet, she silences it.
“Conversation came easily, without hesitation or awkward silences. We kept it mostly light, talked about favorite shows, movies, books, our interests. We had an even exchange, his focused attention and continual barrage of questions fully engaging.”
The author immerses readers into Rachel’s life, keeping them engaged in her story. A backdrop of the news of Rodney King and subsequent conditions in Los Angeles at the time intensifies the setting. Realistic dialogue makes readers privy to an intimate connection to Rachel, carrying them to both the high points and to the depths of despair she experiences.
The author shares a story to which readers can relate, acting as a thought provoking reflection on connections and disconnections in all of our lives.
Angie Mangino currently works as a freelance journalist and book reviewer, additionally offering authors personalized critique service of unpublished manuscripts. http://www.angiemangino.com
By J. Cafesin
2015
Reviewed by Angie Mangino
Rating: 4 stars
Rachel Cohen, 33, single and childless in Los Angeles in 1991, places a personal ad to stifle her loneliness. Her intuition cautions her when first speaking to Lee Messer, but when they actually meet, she silences it.
“Conversation came easily, without hesitation or awkward silences. We kept it mostly light, talked about favorite shows, movies, books, our interests. We had an even exchange, his focused attention and continual barrage of questions fully engaging.”
The author immerses readers into Rachel’s life, keeping them engaged in her story. A backdrop of the news of Rodney King and subsequent conditions in Los Angeles at the time intensifies the setting. Realistic dialogue makes readers privy to an intimate connection to Rachel, carrying them to both the high points and to the depths of despair she experiences.
The author shares a story to which readers can relate, acting as a thought provoking reflection on connections and disconnections in all of our lives.
Angie Mangino currently works as a freelance journalist and book reviewer, additionally offering authors personalized critique service of unpublished manuscripts. http://www.angiemangino.com
February 8, 2015
Have you ever realized that little voice inside your head is telling you secrets or giving you knowledge about situation? Yet when you blatantly ignore it your life falls into disconnect and depression. This is the premise of Disconnected. The simple act of little choices leading to disaster or worse. We follow one woman's journey which lead us to discoveries about ourselves. Even though she's being told "watch out" just doesn't listen. I find there are times when I just wanted to throw the book across the room over certain phrasing but restrained myself from doing so. Will you feel disconnected? Your answers await you in Disconnected.
This story is bought to you by the same author of Reverb. The author truly grasps emotional and mental processes of her characters that you can't help but follow along. As I was reading the story I felt a familiar cadence and had to know for sure if I was right. I'm happy to admit that I was right. Definitely need to read something that just takes me away for a bit of time without having to think. I look forward to this author's work in the future.
This story is bought to you by the same author of Reverb. The author truly grasps emotional and mental processes of her characters that you can't help but follow along. As I was reading the story I felt a familiar cadence and had to know for sure if I was right. I'm happy to admit that I was right. Definitely need to read something that just takes me away for a bit of time without having to think. I look forward to this author's work in the future.
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August 17, 2014Disconnected would possibly be better suited for someone who enjoys memoir books. Personally speaking, I've never read a memoir book that's adult oriented until now.
What I did like was that the characters did have their flaws, both good points and bad points about them.
The down side to the story was that it did drag in places. The same mistakes of the lead male and female characters were made throughout most of the story line.
What I did like was that the characters did have their flaws, both good points and bad points about them.
The down side to the story was that it did drag in places. The same mistakes of the lead male and female characters were made throughout most of the story line.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews