Title: Jack
Author: Juliana Stone
First published August 25, 2014
275 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 4.08
Overview
Jack Simon had it all – a promising career, a clear path to the White House, and a reputation that preceded him. But one night with Donovan James changed everything.
Suddenly, he’s thrust into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, and the only person who can help him is the one person he knows he shouldn’t be with. Donovan, an international singing sensation, has always been drawn to Jack, but their past is a minefield of pain and heartache.
Despite everything, she can’t resist the pull between them. As they navigate their way through old secrets and new scandals, they’ll have to decide if their love is worth fighting for, or if the past is too much to overcome.
In this captivating tale of love, loss, and redemption, Jack and Donovan will discover that sometimes, the road to true love is paved with unexpected obstacles.
About the Author
J.A. Stone, a renowned author, has won the RITA® award and has been featured in USA Today’s bestseller list. Her love for books began in fifth grade when her teacher introduced her to Tom Sawyer.
Being a tomboy, she divides her time between reading, playing baseball, and making music with her band. She is based in Canada and takes pleasure in writing both adult contemporary romance and young adult novels, which have been given rave reviews by Publishers Weekly and Booklist.
Editoral Review
In Juliana Stones contemporary romance novel Jack, the author brings to life the story of a man who has hit rock bottom after losing his wife and daughter. First published in August 2014, the novel is a compelling tale of love and redemption that is sure to captivate readers of the romance genre.
Stones style of writing is engaging, with a strong focus on character development and pacing. The author takes the reader on a journey of emotional growth alongside the protagonist, Jack, as he tries to rebuild his life in the aftermath of tragedy.
The novel is set in the small town of Coral Gables, Florida, where Jack is beginning to find himself again after a period of intense grief. The novels central conflict revolves around Jacks struggle to come to terms with his past while opening himself up to love once more.
Stone does an excellent job of lending a human touch to her characters, and the development of the main characters is one of the books greatest strengths. In particular, the portrayal of Jacks grief and his slow transformation is sensitive and realistic, making the reader root for him all the more.
Stone cleverly interweaves themes of family, loss, and hope throughout the novel. Her characters are multi-dimensional, and their experiences are relatable to the reader.
By touching on universal human experiences, Stone brings a relevance to the novel that transcend the romance genre. However, the novel is not without its drawbacks.
It might appear predictable at times and lacks a real twist to distinguish it from other contemporary romance novels. There is also a sense that the emotional depth of the characters is not as great as it could be, which detracts from the overall quality of the book.
Despite these minor pitfalls, Jack is a well-written and compelling read that brings a sense of realism to the romance genre. Stone does an excellent job of conveying the emotional weight of grief and its devastating impact on the human psyche.
The novel is ideal for readers interested in themes of love, loss and redemption, and those seeking a well-crafted, uplifting read. On a scale of one to five, Id give Jack a four.
Although it falls a bit short of being a masterpiece, it is undoubtedly a commendable work of fiction that is thoughtfully and effectively written.
