Review: 4 1/2 Hearts from MM Good Book Reviews
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 27, 2014
4 1/2 HeartsJon had his life shattered when what should have been an easy pick-up went wrong, he was left the only person alive because a vision of his dead brother had him freezing, and the guilt eats away at him every day. A chance meeting with Rudy and Ellis in the park in Gilford has Jon rethinking the choice he is about to make, but will he be able to overcome the guilt of the past to move forward towards a future? Ellis has spent the last twenty years isolated as he looks after his older mentally disabled brother, shunned by many of the town Ellis spends his days playing games and watching cartoons, until a chance meeting gives Ellis the chance of something more. But, just as Ellis & Jon begin to enjoy their time together, a threat comes from the town bully.This is an incredible story of two men from very different walks of life beginning to find peace in the other. Jon has a shocking amount of guilt over what happened when his best friend and partner was killed, it eats away at him until he can take no more and it is only the bright spark he feels when he meets Rudy and Ellis that has him fighting the darkness that tries to consume him. Ellis is alone; he struggles everyday with looking after Rudy, his older mentally disabled brother, and keeping him out of trouble and with the town looking down on them he has no one to turn to and no friends. The first spark of hope for Ellis comes from Jon, a man Rudy befriends in the park, but there are others in town who want to make sure that Ellis and Rudy never find happiness.I loved this story; it is amazingly written and at times brought tears and smiles. Rudy is brilliantly written, he is brought to life and never ignored, a childlike mind in a man’s body, and his simple thinking and actions has you forgetting just how old he really is. Ellis is an incredible man who gave up any dreams he ever had when he was only twelve, taking care of his brother has left him isolated but he would never dream of putting Rudy in a home, he might be lonely, get stressed and upset but he loves his brother unconditionally. Jon is a wounded soul, he has come to Gilford to hide rather than heal, and he is haunted by failure. These three men are wonderful and you take them all to heart, and there is something about Rudy and Jon that is just extra special.The storyline is brilliant as we fall into something that is just a touch evil; it hovers in the background but you know there is something that is driving some actions. The characters are wonderful even those who aren’t very nice, they add a great dose of realism as the setting is 1992 in a small town and some minds were still closed to those who were gay or mentally disabled. The relationship that develops between Jon and Ellis is extra special; it touches your heart as you see Jon sinking into the comfort of Ellis and as Ellis trusts Jon not just with his brother, but also with his own innocence and heart. Their relationship is sweet and I loved how the sexual aspects were written, Ellis’ fear of sex, of failure and the lack of confidence that a man like Jon could really want him really shines through and makes you realize just how isolated he really was. Ah, while I would like to go on and on about this story I am itching to read Rule Four & Five so I will leave you with these words… GET THIS BOOK!I recommend this to those that love a story that has characters who have a hard road to travel, finding happiness when you never expected it, fighting against bigotry and hatred, who love a story that has a thread of paranormal, and special characters who deserve all the love in the world.