I'm so sorry this wasn't for me. I really love the concept of VR but, unfortunately, I really struggled to stay engaged with the story.

I was excited to read SEVEN DAYS IN VIRTUAL REALITY by Jeff Yager, and really wanted to love this book based on the summary description and attractive cover design, but it didn’t happen. The story moves along quickly and has an interesting, futuristic plot if you suspend all reality. However, I found the main character, Louis Parker, to be totally shallow and a self-absorbed alcoholic whose drunken behavior took away from what could have been a really good story. The dialogue is weak, and the characters should have been more thoroughly developed. I am not sure if this the author's first adult novel, but he has authored several books for Young Adults and children, including Atom and Eve. This made it a surprise the main character in SEVEN DAYS IN REALISTY repeatedly wanted to revisit memories of drinking to the point of vomiting and passing out, chain smoking, cursing and hanging out in bars and strip clubs.

Seven Days in Virtual Reality by Jeff Yager is a recommended science fiction novel.

Louis Parker is not winning at life. The divorced father of two teenagers is trying to drive and work at a restaurant and neither job is working out. When out one night drinking he runs into Jack, one of his brother's old friends. Jack gives him his card and says to call if he needs a job. Louis does and finds out that he can make a whole lot of money just for testing out a virtual reality game. For the first game he relives specific chosen days from his life. Then he's offered the chance to test the second version in which the consequences of participating in this can be much greater.

The premise of the story and the consequences of playing the VR game is what really is entertaining and interesting in Seven Days in Virtual Reality. It is difficult to relate to Louis as he isn't a particularly appealing, likable, or fully realized character, but the fast pace and the VR game is really the whole point to the novel. The money entices him, but quite frankly any paying job would have. The large paychecks just had him spending money foolishly. (And there is way too much smoking, heavy drinking, and foolish behavior.)

So, read this novel for the idea of a VR game that actually allows you to go back and relive days of your life and maybe even change things. It could be an impetus for some very interesting conversations. The writing is uncomplicated and don't expect great character development. Recommended just for the idea of reliving days of your life or maybe change events through a VR game.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Hannacroix Creek Books
The review will be published on Barnes & Noble, Google Books, and Amazon.

I really enjoyed reading this quirky book. It was a fast, well paced read with a likeable lead character. Yes it was bonkers but that was fine, I thought it was well thought out, and I thought it was highly entertaining and great fun. I loved it.