*sigh* I have no idea how to begin this. Have you ever read a book that just touched you and has stayed with you? I have. Welcome to my review of Between Hello & Goodbye. The book that has opened my eyes, had me laughing, ugly crying like a baby in public on an airplane, and comforted me all between 312 pages.
Let’s look at a few pictures from places that are mentioned in this book. Get a feel for the setting. All these pictures were taken by me on my latest trip to Maine.
Now I have to talk about the book…ugh…this book hit me in the feels. Just when you think you’re sitting down to read more about Josh and his summer shenanigans the book takes a serious turn and turns into something I needed at that point in time. This is a book we ALL can relate to.
Yes, this book still has the strong language as the first, but don’t let that deter you from this heartfelt novel. Truly this book can be read as a standalone. Don’t ask to read my copy of it because I’m not letting this book leave my side.
We are at a crossroads in Josh’s life. He is turning 30 and is becoming jaded to everything in life. He has come to partner with Doug at his bar, but he still feels empty inside. A summer fling unexpectedly comes along and changes his summer. Will he find the one? You’ll have to read this one to find out…
I want to leave a small passage from this book that slapped me in the face when I read it.
‘Hellos always come so easy…and goodbyes too f***ing fast.’ Scott got up and walked over to the fridge. He grabbed a couple bottles of water and tossed me one. ‘Maybe we should just be happy that hellos come at all.’
Deep. From this point on in the book it takes a serious turn and really drives home to live your life. You have dreams and aspirations, go after them. We don’t know what will happen tomorrow or even today; go out and do what you want to do. Make your life the one you want to live.
I moved from New England to the West Coast and it’s still hard for me even though I’ve been out West 17 years now. I love the life I have and the family that surrounds me here, but I miss the family I feel I left behind. Some things are going on and I had a semi-small break down when I was there and then this book happened. Perfect timing. The inner dialogue I had with myself after I finished this book was therapeutic and well needed. This book gave me that clarity.
Understand that Josh, our main man, went through life always wanting to write a screenplay and thanks to some inspiration, decided to take the horrid screenplays he wrote as a teen and turn them into books. He did it. I would like to note that I absolutely could see Between Hello & Goodbye as one of the ultimate summer/fun comedy/chick flick movie. Truly. If you have any Hollywood connections please get them a copy of this book. Seriously.
This is a 5 star read. Once you dive in to this book there is no turning back. It is very rare to find books like Between Hello & Goodbye, but here it is right in front of you. Do yourself a favor and order this one. If you regret reading it and think it’s the biggest piece of crap you’ve ever read, 1) you’re lying and 2) I’ll pay you back the $15. Because as this book tells us…”Sometimes, it’s not until you realize that nothing ever lasts for long, that you truly appreciate the fact that it ever existed at all.”
Title: Between Hello and Goodbye
Author: Jody Clark
Publisher: Vacationland Books (self-published, buy it here for a signed copy)
Release Date: May 3, 2018
Find it here on Goodreads and Amazon
Donna's Reading Chair 