Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Celebrated Young Adult author Julian Holmes pits the heroic characters in his Black Heart series against all different kinds of monsters. But when a critical heart defect threatens his son’s life, he finds he has no champion. No amount of books, classes, or practice can prepare Julian for the fight to save his beautiful son’s life.

Suddenly there are hospitals, transplant lists, and the nightmare of insurance red tape to navigate. In the midst of his trouble, Julian meets Simon Phelps, the insurance coordinator for Robbie’s case. Simon lives so deep in the closet he might never find his way out, but he dreams of exactly what Julian has. Then one night, drunken need and desperation brings them together, and a new fight begins.

 

Book Review

The fact that I knew 'A Heart for Robbie' was going to be an emotional and heartrending story in no way, shape, or form lessened my desire to read it. J.P. Barnaby has written so many different types of books and each one I've read has produced some form of an emotional response, be it tears or laughter. In this book, the author has taken her own real life experience and written about it to share with others. I can't begin to imagine the strength of character that takes. The author has said in an interview that writing about Robbie was therapy and I truly hope she received the catharsis she so truly deserves.

What should be the happiest day of Julian's life, the birth of his son, instead has been filled with fear, anxiety, helplessness, and confusion. Robbie was rushed straight to NICU immediately following his birth as he was struggling to breathe on his own. Then the doctors had Robbie airlifted to the children's hospital for more intense help by a pediatric cardiologist. Through these many hours I can't begin to understand how Julian is feeling. Everyone is rushing around trying so hard to save his son, but Julian has no idea what exactly is wrong or what he needs to be doing. It's so easy for me, as a reader, to want to hate the doctors for being so dispassionate when they tell Julian that Robbie has a serious heart deformity and without a transplant he'll die, but as someone who has spent a lot of time around medical professionals, I understand that's how many of them handle these devastating cases. None of that helps Julian, though, when he's just gotten this miracle and now he could easily lose him, and even if they do the transplant there's no guarantee Robbie will live. A parent’s worst nightmare.

Julian is a very successful young adult author, but having money isn't going to miraculously cure his son. In this situation, everyone is equal and social stature, money, power, etc. mean nothing when a baby's life is on the line. Simon is the insurance specialist who works for the hospital and, of course, is a member of Robbie's transplant team. Simon is deep, deep, deep in the closet, and his life consists of work and his volunteer efforts at a youth center, and the strain of keeping his two lives separate is really beginning to wear on him. His mother is a frightening woman who is determined to have him meet some nice girl, get married, and give her grandchildren. He's so very terrified of losing his family if he's honest because then he'd really be all alone. "'Is it scary outside the closet?' Simon's eyes widened at his slip and the recognition in Julian's eyes." Thus begins a tentative friendship as a part of Simon so desperately wants to be out and proud like Julian, and Julian finds comfort in Simon's strength. Then one night of too many beers and too much loneliness on both their parts, changes everything.

I'm not sure I have the words to express how amazing I think this book is. Not just all the parts involving the struggle with Robbie and his illness, but all the other incredible parts of Julian's journey. The advice and support from his parents about parenting, mistakes, and fears. Watching how Julian conjures his characters from his mind and talks to them about his books and storylines. The seamless and beautiful way that Julian and Simon mesh and the fact that each makes the other feel whole. All of these small pieces integrated within Robbie's story made this book so very powerful for me. But nothing, and I mean nothing, held my heart like the love of a father for his son, and the indomitable will of that very small baby.

Thank you, J.P., for this beautiful story that I love and cherish. Thank you.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook and print
Length	Novel, 214 pages/72763 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	11-July-2014
Price	$6.99 ebook, $14.99 paperback, $14.99 bundle
Buy Link	https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/a-heart-for-robbie-by-jp-barnaby-4291-b