While this book is fiction the themes of addiction and the impact on the addict and their family is the reality for so many across the US. It’s a story about hope, faith, love and heartbreak, so much heartbreak.

It’s a powerful story but parts are exhausting which makes you feel what the main character is experiencing. There are a lot of characters and I struggled to remember who each person.

This is my first book by John Dufresne. Charles Armstrong did an excellent job with the narration.

Thank you to NetGalley & HighBridge Audio for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for this ARC!

This is a beautiful story about a father-son relationship—that's what you get from the first 50 pages—but it becomes so much more. It transforms into this funny, unflinching story that will keep the reader interested and is very much needed because of the heavy topics discussed throughout the book (the opioid crisis, mostly). Olney's son, Cully, had a spectacular relationship with his father, although as he starts thinking for himself, he spirals into a horrible drug addiction and runs off to Flordia. Olney chases after him, reflecting on his connection with Cully in his younger years and whether he messed up along the way as a father. I loved how their relationship was presented, even though I believe more pages should have explored their connection to make it more realistic. But it still felt so real and raw. As a reader, I can feel Dufresne pouring all his grief into these characters.
The pacing was a bit all over the place. Some scenes felt stretched out while others felt they should have been explored more. Too much was happening in these few pages and gave me literary whiplash.
But all that aside, it's a fabulous read if you're looking for a sad story that has lighthearted scenes and won't leave you emotionally devastated.
i think this should go on your 2025 tbr.