(Reviewed by Don Jung)
Twenty-nine-year-old Charley Byrne is going through the motions of life without actually living it. Having lost her parents at age sixteen and her grandparents at age twenty-three, she works as a bookstore manager with few friends. That is about to change when political activist, Xander Wallace, comes into her life.
Soon Xander brings in four other friends from various races, cultures and
backgrounds who capture the spirit of America. The six protagonists soon bond in a strong friendship as they try to find happiness in their lives.
The chapters explore the essence of human relationships as they question what is going on
in our society whether it is protesting Corporate America, land misuse, racial discrimination or unjust immigration laws. Each character possesses their own values that are questioned as they try to find themselves in our chaotic world. Unfortunately, some have motives that are in conflict with others, and that adds tension to the relationships.
This is a character-driven story, and each character is colorfully portrayed. Each one grows on you as they try to cope with thought- provoking issues, making mistakes along the way. They go from periods of grief and depression to subtle happy moments, all to try and make their lives better.
Author S. M. Stevens has a comfortable way of making her characters strong and yet soft with a lot of heartwarming instances. You feel at home with these six friends like they are almost a family. Yes, they have faults, nobody is perfect, but they cope with life’s issues in an honest manner that makes it enjoyable to read. It’s a bit long, but the human connections will resonate with you long after you’ve read the last page.