Book Reviews

Book Blurb

At thirty-eight years of age, Chandler finds himself single and caring for his brother Raymond, who suffers numerous health problems.

Mired in grief from the multiple deaths of close family members, he recedes into himself, crippled with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive tendencies.

Early one morning Chandler’s life is flipped on its end when he encounters his neighbor, twenty-five year old Marcus.

Nothing about a relationship with this young man makes sense. For one thing, Marcus is... well... YOUNG. He's also biracial and has all kinds of tattooed muscles!

The streetwise Marcus introduces Chandler to an entirely different lifestyle, pulling the would-be hermit from his shell, albeit kicking and screaming. But how long can such a relationship last, and what about Raymond? Chandler fears a guy like Marcus, seemingly perfect in every way, won't be able to truly accept Chandler with all his baggage.

An unexpected bombshell detonates and Chandler learns some unsavory details about Marcus, who he really is, and what he's done in the past.

Finally, it's Chandler who must decide if he can accept Marcus' baggage.

Book Review

Having met Jeff Erno a couple of times now and feeling horrible that I hadn't read anything by him, I decided to change that. He is a new-to-me author, but the delightful man I've met struck such a chord in me that I felt confident I would enjoy his writing. 'Baggage' with it's tale of damaged people, a loving caregiver, and mental illness hit a number of my buttons and I'm very glad this is his first work I have read.

It didn't take long to appreciate and genuinely like the sheer goodness that is Chandler. He's thirty-eight years old and spent many years taking care of both of his parents when they suffered strokes. He now works from home and cares for his brother, Raymond, who has some mental health issues and also suffered a stroke a while back. Chandler just radiates this decency about him and I couldn't help but admire that. Not that he doesn't have his own share of issues, but considering all he's dealt with and is still doing, I'd be surprised if he didn't.

Marcus was just now embarking upon life. Just starting out, while Chandler had already been through so much. Chandler had already experienced multiple losses, horrific tragedies. He’d already endured far too much, and Marcus deserved someone young and positive. He deserved someone not yet jaded by the pitfalls and disappointments of dashed hope.

Marcus is twenty-five and lives across the street with his brother. He just got his vocational tech diploma as a machinist and works down the street at the steel mill. Marcus spent several years caring for his mother before cancer took her so he understands about being a caregiver. Marcus  sees all the wonderful and beautiful things about Chandler that Chandler doesn't even recognize, and he won't allow Chandler to put himself down.

What Marcus’ brother had told him knocked the wind from his sails. Threw him for a loop. He could barely wrap his mind around the possibility that the man’s words contained any truth. Yet the evidence had been there, right in the palm of his hand.

This book was what I expected… and it wasn't. I'm honestly not trying to confuse you so bear with me because I did like this story. Chandler spent his whole life being the family's caregiver, taking care of everyone up until they died, and now he's all alone. He let his own insecurities, doubts, poor self-esteem, and self-confidence make him feel washed out and old long before his time. Then this vibrant young man comes into his life and makes Chandler feel things he never has before. Marcus has his own share of baggage and he certainly should have told Chandler before everything exploded, but I could understand making a fresh start. When push came to shove, though, Chandler allowed all of those old feelings to overwhelm him, and forgot to be the strong person he'd started to become. He also forgot to trust Marcus because in Chandler's mind he could only assume that Marcus was with someone like him for nefarious reasons and not love.

This novel evoked many emotions within me and I thank the author for that. 'Baggage' is a beautiful story about loss, redemption, hope, and love.

 

 

 

 

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Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novel, 167 pages/60773 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	30-October-2015
Price	$6.99 ebook
Buy Link	http://www.waywardinkpublishing.com/product/bagage-by-jeff-erno/