The main character of this book, Joseph, reminded me of a hardened Forrest Gump. Everything he touched turned to gold, even though his life was hard. Just like Forrest, he wasn't trying to make money, it just happened. Again and again and again. Also, both Joseph and Forrest traveled extensively in an attempt to flee from their emotional pain. They both were significantly impacted by serving in a war. Finally, they both truly loved one girl from their childhood. Even though both stories included hardship and pain, they ultimately give off a "feel good vibe."
Charles Martin has a easy writing style that is engaging and entertaining. He throws a couple of curveballs at the reader, but he also leaves some hints that all is not what it seems. There was one event that I was genuinely surprised about, but other than that, I could see what was coming based on Joseph's thoughts. As for the story itself, Joseph is in his 60's and has isolated himself from the rest of the world. He lives in a cabin in the woods. He has a dog, Roscoe, that runs free, but always returns to Joseph. He is wealthy, but you wouldn't know it by his lifestyle. One night he hears someone yelling/crying/distraught. He and Roscoe check it out and find a young girl in the water while her mother and brother are standing on the ridge above in helplessness. Joseph saves the girl and brings them all back to his cabin. He finds out they are running from a Mexican drug lord they have been living with the last five years. Joseph quickly takes care of him. Then he makes the decision to help this family get to her brother's home in Florida.
Meanwhile, Joseph's childhood love, Allie, has just found out that her husband, Jake, who is an over-the-road trucker (who spends months away from her during the year) has just died in a fiery single vehicle (semi-truck) crash while coming home to her. She is distraught. Life is not going well for her. She lost her family's restaurant (due to debt) and now her husband. She has nothing left, from her perspective.
Wouldn't you know, Joseph happens to drive past Jake's accident - and he knows it was Allie's husband, even though he hadn't seem Allie in many, many years. He seeks Allie out and finds out her restaurant is closed. Joseph and Allie also re-connect with Bobby, Joseph's brother and Allie's first husband. Old home week.
While I enjoyed this book, it was a little too "pat" for me. Each character goes through adversity, pain and suffering, but you just know that it's all going to turn out fine. Secrets are revealed; love is rekindled; families are reunited; people are finally unburdened by their past and can be happy.
Wendy's Rating: ****
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