Reviewed by Susan65
Title: Grateful for You
Author: J.D. Walker
Heroes: Jared Gillespie/Walt Schneider
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 33 Pages
Publisher: JMS Books
Release Date: November 29, 2015
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: Jared Gillespie left the family farm five years ago because Walt Schneider cheated on him. With a woman. What he didn’t realize was that Walt, the man he still loves, was trying to tell him something, and it takes a trip home to figure it out.
After Jared’s mother convinces him to return for Thanksgiving, Jared discovers Walt is a daddy now, of all things. His daughter’s name is Casey — Jared’s middle name. When Jared and Walt confront each other, the resulting confrontation causes Jared to realize he may have pushed Walt to cheat because of his overbearing ways. But would Walt be interested in trying again, after all this time?
Because a man doesn’t name his daughter after his ex-lover if he’s over him, no matter what he pretends to the contrary. Maybe Thanksgiving is a time to be grateful: for second chances, and for love found, not lost.
Review: Oh boy, am I ever conflicted. I am the queen of cheater stories and devour any that I can find. I love the emotional turmoil, the heartbreak, the anger, the soul shattering followed up with groveling, and then finally the forgiveness. What I don’t love is when the one cheated on is made out to be the bad guy…not only from the cheater, but from his entire family. I spent nearly the entire book with a confused look on my face wondering what I was missing.
What was missing is the background and characterization. If I knew what the author was trying to portray with Jared being at fault, I may have been better able to understand Walt’s thinking, the family’s thinking, and the author’s thinking on why the one cheated on is the problem and needs to get over it. It didn’t ring true, and I didn’t feel any of the emotions that come with this kind of betrayal, except for Jared’s anger, which is the only emotion that felt remotely believable. Unfortunately, his anger was considered unreasonable because HE WAS TO BLAME!!!
I was so looking forward to this, and if it had been a little longer then maybe I could understand what the author was trying to portray, but in all honesty, it was missing too many aspects for me to understand or enjoy it.
Overall Impression: It was okay
*I received a copy of this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review.*
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