Finding Jake by Bryan Reardon Published by William Morrow & Company on February 24th 2015
Genres: Suspense, Thrillers
Pages: 272
Format: eARC
ISBN: 9780062339485
ASIN: B00KPVB4MM
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A heart-wrenching yet ultimately uplifting story of psychological suspense in which a parent is forced to confront what he does—and does not—know about his teenage sonFor sixteen years, Simon Connelly's successful wife has gone to her law office each day, while he has stayed home to raise their children. Though Simon has loved taking care of Jake and Laney, it has cost him a part of himself, and has made him an anomaly in his pretty, suburban neighborhood—the only stay-at-home dad among a tight circle of mothers.Shepherding them through childhood, the angst-ridden father has tried to do the best for the kids, even if he often second-guesses his choices. For sunny, outgoing Laney, it's been easy. But quiet Jake has always preferred the company of his books or his sister to playdates and organized sports. Now that they are in high school, Simon should feel more relaxed, but he doesn't. He's seen the statistics, read the headlines. Then, on a warm November day, he receives a text: There has been a shooting at the high school. Racing to the rendezvous point, Simon is forced to wait with scores of other anxious fathers and tearful mothers, overwhelmed by the disturbing questions running through his head. How many victims were there? Why did this happen? One by one, parents are reunited with their children. Their numbers dwindle, until Simon is alone. Laney has gone home with her mom. Jake is the only child missing. As his worst nightmare unfolds, Simon begins to obsess over the past, searching for answers, for hope, for the memory of the boy he raised, for the mistakes he must have made, for the reason everything came to this. Where is Jake? What happened in those final moments? Is it possible he doesn't really know his son? Or he knows him better than he thought? Jake could not have done this—or could he? As rumors begin to ricochet, amplified by an invasive media, Simon must find answers. But there is only one way to understand what has happened . . . he must find Jake.A story of faith and conviction, strength and courage, love and doubt that is harrowing and heartbreaking, surprisingly healing and redemptive, Finding Jake asks us to consider how well we know ourselves . . . and those we love.
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Wow … what an amazing, beautifully written story.
Finding Jake is a very powerful, moving story of family. It centers on the bond between a husband and wife, a mother and her children, a father and his children, a mother and her job and a husband and the choices he has made. It sheds light on a subject that is rarely written about.
The story is presented to us with such an easy flow I found myself glued to my Kindle with an intensity that I must admit surprised me. Though the subject matter of the book is a sad reality of our present times, the author presents it beautifully.
The storyline is uniquely written having each chapter dedicated to either the past or the present. I felt that in writing the book this way I was given a wonderful view into the who, what and why of the main character, the father. I felt an instant bond with this character and loved the way the author held nothing back when sharing his thought process.
The family dynamic was ever-changing and I enjoyed how the author shared the deep emotions of both the husband and wife. It was the little details that the author included which cemented the connection to all characters in the book.
We are led on a journey. A look inside at what it feels like to raise children in the world today. We see doubt in judgment, conflicting feelings of self-worth and a sense of self-loss. We see strong characters shatter and weak characters gain strength. We feel loss, desperation, agitation, hopelessness, desire, hope, fear, relief and grief so deep it rips open your heart. Not only did I read these emotions, I felt them.
Within the pages of this book are words that are written with such conviction, such intensity I felt myself feeling the words. The words seemed real and I found the author had brought me so into the moment I connected and believed what was written in front of me. I gave up hope and prayed I was wrong. I tensed, I gasped, I hoped and I felt my mind reeling. I found myself lost in the precious moments of the book and was taken by surprise by the twists and turns that entered into the story.
Finding Jake is a beautifully written story. With many highs and lows, twists and turns. I found the story to be compelling, interesting and extremely well thought out.
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