Review: Amazing, hung on every word!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 1, 2014
This is one of those stories I absolutely hated to love.  I hated having to read about something like this happening or that it happens more often than we realize.  The main character here is so awful in so many ways, there were just very few times I wasn’t yelling in my head for JJ to run the other way and not look back.  However, from the first page, I was riveted.  The storytelling was absolutely amazing, and I was hanging on every word.If you know anything about the author at all, you know that he is or could be JJ, without a doubt.  Such a kind-hearted man who, even when things are at their worst, still tries to see the good in the situation.  There are many similarities between what takes place in this story and what we have seen the author going through over the past year or so, and I found myself trying to connect dots on more than one occasion.But, back to the story.  I can’t begin to imagine what it must be like to have to hide to the extent that Dick did, but neither can I condone any of his actions in doing so.  He becomes downright evil, hurting many people, men and women, in his path to keep up his front.  Unfortunately, here, he has latched on to the good and kind JJ.  He becomes so ensconced into his life, and to such a degree, that even the reader doesn’t see half of it coming.  Was that his plan all along?  You have to think it must be when the end results are finally brought to light.There are many wonderful characters here, so it isn’t all gloom and doom with Dick, though all of it leads back to him.  JJ has become a huge success in his own right, and while he believed it was Dick who helped him achieve that, no doubt it is his amazing skills and ability that truly bring his photographs to life.  Thankfully, JJ meets a wonderful man who he barters for personal training.  This man shows him the light, so to speak, bringing such a level of positivity and support to his life that undoubtedly played a huge role in turning things around for JJ.Really, I could go on and on.  This was my first time reading Mr. Skinner, although I’ve been told by many many friends that I must read his other book, which I have every plan on doing.  This was such an amazingly told story that had me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.  It felt a little like the movie The Truman Show where we watch the life of a man unfold as if we are right there a part of it.  I loved every minute, even though I hated what was being told, but would read it again in a heartbeat and recommend everyone take a chance and do the same.Overall Impression: It was amazing!