Scan barcode
lalaoblivion's review against another edition
2.0
It was okay.
The writing felt stale and too informal for me. The phrase “to be honest” felt constant, and utterly unnecessary. Why do you feel the need to specify your honesty, clearly-honest-protagonist? I also know that the author included constant little flashbacks to help us somehow connect with the family in a very short timespan, which is fine, but I felt nothing for the protagonist who narrators this book, even when he finds his son. There are a lot of emotional parts, between the initial call from the school, the waiting, the searching, the tension with his wife, but I felt apathy towards his struggle because none of the descriptions of his emotions felt authentic. I understand the stunned reactions, the feeling of being numb, and the overwhelming sorrow, but not constantly. It’s like all the emotions were superficial, just barely touching the surface of the overwhelming, heart-wrenching emotions that occur during these tragedies? Don’t give me what looks like the regular fictional spread of emotions. Give me something that tears me up, makes me think. Maybe even make me cry.
But alas, I did not. I did get pretty pumped when it was obvious he was about to find Jake, albeit it was incredibly obvious where he was going to be found. But that’s fine. But then that was ruined when Simon’s narration was utterly lackluster.
It was okay.
But not great.
The writing felt stale and too informal for me. The phrase “to be honest” felt constant, and utterly unnecessary. Why do you feel the need to specify your honesty, clearly-honest-protagonist? I also know that the author included constant little flashbacks to help us somehow connect with the family in a very short timespan, which is fine, but I felt nothing for the protagonist who narrators this book, even when he finds his son. There are a lot of emotional parts, between the initial call from the school, the waiting, the searching, the tension with his wife, but I felt apathy towards his struggle because none of the descriptions of his emotions felt authentic. I understand the stunned reactions, the feeling of being numb, and the overwhelming sorrow, but not constantly. It’s like all the emotions were superficial, just barely touching the surface of the overwhelming, heart-wrenching emotions that occur during these tragedies? Don’t give me what looks like the regular fictional spread of emotions. Give me something that tears me up, makes me think. Maybe even make me cry.
But alas, I did not. I did get pretty pumped when it was obvious he was about to find Jake, albeit it was incredibly obvious where he was going to be found. But that’s fine. But then that was ruined when Simon’s narration was utterly lackluster.
It was okay.
But not great.
cbneary's review against another edition
5.0
Could not put this book down. Start to finish, heart wrenchingly beautiful.
geisttull's review against another edition
4.0
Wow - read this in one day. i couldn't put it down - stayed up until midnight to finish it. i couldn't go to sleep without knowing what happened. very haunting story that will undoubtedly stick with me. the author will be at my library on wednesday night. look forward to meeting him. this is his first novel.
mapally's review against another edition
4.0
Amazing book. As a mother of three sons I could really relate to much of the content and feeling of the father narrating the story.
jennifergamradt's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book. However, the author made something so overwhelmingly obvious to the reader while the father struggled throughout the whole thing to see it, which was frustrating. I’d say this was a quick read and definitely reminds people to rethink situations and interactions with others.
beastreader's review against another edition
4.0
This book made me experience the following emotions: Sadness, anger, fear, and closer. The reason I felt all of these things is because I was closely connected to the Connolly family. The author really has a skilled talent for storytelling. Especially from a human aspect nature level.
Right from the moment I started reading to the last page I was hooked. Thus this made for a quick, easy read. I especially liked the way that the story went back in time at different periods in Jake's life. It gave me a better insight to just what type of person Jake is. Then there is the Connelly family. I like that they really bonded together and fought for Jake's honor even when the odds seemed against them. The subject matter of this book could have made this story depressing and dark but it was not. It was very well-written. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this author. In Finding Jake, I found me a new author.
Right from the moment I started reading to the last page I was hooked. Thus this made for a quick, easy read. I especially liked the way that the story went back in time at different periods in Jake's life. It gave me a better insight to just what type of person Jake is. Then there is the Connelly family. I like that they really bonded together and fought for Jake's honor even when the odds seemed against them. The subject matter of this book could have made this story depressing and dark but it was not. It was very well-written. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this author. In Finding Jake, I found me a new author.
erincataldi's review against another edition
5.0
I could not put this book down. Utterly engrossing from page one. Simply fantastic. It's fast paced, suspenseful, heartbreaking, and full of raw emotion. There's been a shooting at the high school. Thirteen teenagers have been shot. Stay at home father, Simon, rushes to the school to find his two children Jake and Laney. Laney is safe, but Jake is nowhere to be found. And worse, the police think that he was one of the shooters. What comes next is a psychological page turner as Simon recounts moments from Jake's childhood and desperately tries to piece together what has really happened and where his son is. A fantastic read!
judithdcollins's review against another edition
4.0
FINDING JAKE by Bryan Reardon is a compelling and heartfelt tragedy; A psychological intense suspense, keeping you page-turning to learn the fate of a teenage son.
Simon Connelly is a freelance writer, and a devoted upper-middle-class suburban stay at home dad to his son, Jake and his daughter Laney, while his wife, Rachel is busy with her legal career.
Presently, the kids are teens. Laney, outgoing and Jake, introverted. They have weathered the storms of typical teenagers, until one day a text comes – A school shooting, which changes this family’s entire world.
A high school shooting, leaving thirteen people dead, and a gunman, Doug taking his own life, and a second student, Jake who happened to be friends with the gunman. Jake has disappeared, so the question is where is, Jake; did he have anything to do with the shooting?
Flashing back and forth from the present, the six days aftermath of the shooting, and the past bringing insights into the raw emotions and intimate feelings of this frantic family. Do we know our children and their friends and can a parent control their every move?
Typical after a school shooting or tragedy, the media and community begin pointing blame, the victims – they must find Jake. A nightmare, and a parent second-guessing his abilities as a parent. What happened the day of the shooting and what led up to this event?
Told from an insecure and second-guessing father Simon, he continues to agonize and search for answers; he fears for his son and his choice of friends. His wife is more of a colder personality and somewhat removed and not a likable character. The daughter, on the other hand, was a softer personality, and Jake more removed and introverted.
FINDING JAKE a short, thought-provoking and absorbing book about parenting and an excellent book club choice to explore different perspectives. An intense and suspenseful read; an up close and personal look into the world of parenting—of love, fear, pain, courage, and healing; a surprising shattering conclusion.
For me, the best part was in the storytelling about the child rearing and the earlier days, a time when there is innocence before children are subjected to the peer pressure and evils of this world. The most pressing issues facing parents today.
Look forward to reading more from this author. Huffington Post Article
JDCMustReadBooks
Highly Anticipated, Coming June 12, 2018: In a new novel from New York Times bestselling author Bryan Reardon, a suburban family is rocked in the wake of a terrorist attack on American soil. [b:The Real Michael Swann|36364977|The Real Michael Swann|Bryan Reardon|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1510954983s/36364977.jpg|58049626].
MAJOR FILM ADAPTATION: The Real Michael Swann has been picked up for feature film, with Jason Blum (Get Out and Split) producing and Julia Roberts to co-produce and star.
Simon Connelly is a freelance writer, and a devoted upper-middle-class suburban stay at home dad to his son, Jake and his daughter Laney, while his wife, Rachel is busy with her legal career.
Presently, the kids are teens. Laney, outgoing and Jake, introverted. They have weathered the storms of typical teenagers, until one day a text comes – A school shooting, which changes this family’s entire world.
A high school shooting, leaving thirteen people dead, and a gunman, Doug taking his own life, and a second student, Jake who happened to be friends with the gunman. Jake has disappeared, so the question is where is, Jake; did he have anything to do with the shooting?
Flashing back and forth from the present, the six days aftermath of the shooting, and the past bringing insights into the raw emotions and intimate feelings of this frantic family. Do we know our children and their friends and can a parent control their every move?
Typical after a school shooting or tragedy, the media and community begin pointing blame, the victims – they must find Jake. A nightmare, and a parent second-guessing his abilities as a parent. What happened the day of the shooting and what led up to this event?
Told from an insecure and second-guessing father Simon, he continues to agonize and search for answers; he fears for his son and his choice of friends. His wife is more of a colder personality and somewhat removed and not a likable character. The daughter, on the other hand, was a softer personality, and Jake more removed and introverted.
FINDING JAKE a short, thought-provoking and absorbing book about parenting and an excellent book club choice to explore different perspectives. An intense and suspenseful read; an up close and personal look into the world of parenting—of love, fear, pain, courage, and healing; a surprising shattering conclusion.
For me, the best part was in the storytelling about the child rearing and the earlier days, a time when there is innocence before children are subjected to the peer pressure and evils of this world. The most pressing issues facing parents today.
Look forward to reading more from this author. Huffington Post Article
JDCMustReadBooks
Highly Anticipated, Coming June 12, 2018: In a new novel from New York Times bestselling author Bryan Reardon, a suburban family is rocked in the wake of a terrorist attack on American soil. [b:The Real Michael Swann|36364977|The Real Michael Swann|Bryan Reardon|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1510954983s/36364977.jpg|58049626].
MAJOR FILM ADAPTATION: The Real Michael Swann has been picked up for feature film, with Jason Blum (Get Out and Split) producing and Julia Roberts to co-produce and star.
mmc6661's review against another edition
4.0
A story that follows so many tragic headlines today of a school shooting. A story that ask as a parent how would you react if it was your child ?
There is a school shooting and as each child is claimed one by one till the final parents sit waiting for the news that their child is one of the 13th that was shot, Jake's dad continues to wait. He soon is questioned as to the whereabouts of Jake. The police seem to think he's involved. What follows is a gut-wrenching examination of Jake's life now and past as his parents search for their son and wonder what is his involvement and where is he ?
I could not put this one down till I along with his family found Jake.
There is a school shooting and as each child is claimed one by one till the final parents sit waiting for the news that their child is one of the 13th that was shot, Jake's dad continues to wait. He soon is questioned as to the whereabouts of Jake. The police seem to think he's involved. What follows is a gut-wrenching examination of Jake's life now and past as his parents search for their son and wonder what is his involvement and where is he ?
I could not put this one down till I along with his family found Jake.
classicbhaer's review against another edition
4.0
First off I want to say I won this book in a goodreads giveaway, but this review is honest.
Finding Jake is a very interesting books. It is mainly told from a fathers point of view talking about his son, family, and those around him. The focus of this book is on a school shooting and his missing son jake. It is hard to describe this book without giving away to much.
What I disliked out the book was when the chapters went into the past. Even though it is essential to the story when it gets closer to the end. At the beginning it seems out of place. On the other hand I found myself very interested in what was going on in the book 'presently'. It really paints a good picture of a father questioning if he knows his son as well as his does while on a quest to find him. The writing was done very well.
I would say this is worth reading. I enjoyed it and it is a fairly quick read.
Finding Jake is a very interesting books. It is mainly told from a fathers point of view talking about his son, family, and those around him. The focus of this book is on a school shooting and his missing son jake. It is hard to describe this book without giving away to much.
What I disliked out the book was when the chapters went into the past. Even though it is essential to the story when it gets closer to the end. At the beginning it seems out of place. On the other hand I found myself very interested in what was going on in the book 'presently'. It really paints a good picture of a father questioning if he knows his son as well as his does while on a quest to find him. The writing was done very well.
I would say this is worth reading. I enjoyed it and it is a fairly quick read.