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David, I think you write very well and your words do pull on the emotions. Otherwise I possibly wouldn’t have continued Ray’s journey as the character himself and that of Dan really did grate on a nerve and I wanted to give them a good shake for some of their behaviours and attitudes.

I really enjoyed the dual narratives and the difference in word/number for each chapter. Made it much easier to follow Ray and his friends/women from teen perspective to an adult one. Also how there are characters from his previous. A 🌟🌟🌟🌟 from me. Not my usual read but give it a go folks. I enjoy finding gems like this with its dark humour.

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I loved how realistic the characters came across and the story had me hooked it was such a quick read and I loved the parallel time narratives! It was really funny at times!
There is nothing I didn’t love about this book and for that it gets a solid⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me!

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Ray is a travelling insurance salesman, who is based in the Caribbean with his wife and two children- an idyllic life, right? No, no and absolutely not.

This is dark and it is gritty, and the characters are solid and dependable; even in their mistakes. Ray is struggling at work and the pressure is piling on. He’s been cheating on his wife and she is close to having had enough. As the storm comes in, he has everything and more to worry about.

The dual timeline is brilliantly done and Ray’s present-day character makes perfect sense based on his early childhood. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about schooling in years gone by.

Ray is a strong character – if frustrating at times. You want him to make better decisions but equally I was addicted to find out what he could do next. There are glimpses of who he wants to be; the bowling scene was heart-warming and I loved the bunker down night.

The story comes full circle as he returns home for his school reunion and seeks out his first and possibly only one true love, Tina. As many school reunions, it doesn’t go quite as well as planned and Ray learns some home truths.

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Ray Roden’s tale is told throughout this book from a childhood through to adulthood with lots of trying times.

The character is well developed through the story and you go on a journey with him throughout his life. You are with him when he goes through a range of emotions.

The writing is readable and tells the story well. It tells a gritty tale that will leave you wanting to read on.

Recommended read and look out for more from this author.
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This is a compelling novel with realistic and well-written characters; it’s a parallel narrative of a schoolboy’s first love, and then growing up as an adult, and his more tumultuous life. This book is such a rollercoaster of emotions, and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride!

Some of the key themes that the author explores include love and its many complexities, regret, and life in general, though there is lots of humour too.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys quality writing, complex characters and novels that explore the intricacies of human relationships. I look forward to reading more from the author.

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I wanted Ray to have some redeeming features somewhere, but I found him incredibly difficult to like or respect in any way … he shows real signs of personality disorder … how could anyone like, trust or respect him?

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“The story unfolds like completing a jigsaw, filling in the details of the characters and their lives over time to arrive at the final picture – the story of a family. It is gritty and raw in places, uncomfortable at times, joyous in others, totally relatable.”

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A compelling novel that weaves together parallel narratives of a schoolboy’s first love affair and his tumultuous adult life. The story follows Ray Roden as he navigates the challenges of growing up, marriage, and career, culminating in a school reunion where past and present collide. With humour and depth, the novel explores themes of love, regret, and the complexities of relationships. Bailey’s masterful storytelling makes for a captivating read that will stay with readers long after they’ve finished the book.

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“I would say stick with this one, it is an interesting story, not always an easy read due to the subject matter but one that you carry in your heart.”

“… a vivid, sometimes visceral story of the inside of a family, through the eyes of ‘unreliable narrators’  … full of the detail of lives that are fully lived, revealing so much in their individual and vivid ways. It is a fascinating and enjoyable book which I found entertaining and full of insight into realistic lives.”