Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Chicago 1982 is a goldmine for the construction industry, and Eric and his two business partners are thriving. Once living as struggling orphans in a Catholic boys' home, they've overcome poverty and abuse to obtain success. Now living the lives they once only dreamed of, they're sure of one thing: they will never look back.

Then the past returns, by way of a cheap polyester suit and a smile Eric has never forgotten, and all the dark memories come crashing back. Lucky for him, Jimmy has no idea who Eric is, or who Eric used to be.

First edition published by Less Than Three Press, March 2017.

Book Review

“Beware of that monster called 'self-loathing'.” ~ John Green

Eric, of 'We Three Kings' by A.F. Henley, and his two best friends have survived a rotten childhood doing whatever they had to do to survive. Determined to put the nightmare behind them, they built a successful new life. Eric's friends have made peace with their past actions and put their guilt to rest, but not Eric. Eric's conflicting feelings are exacerbated when Jimmy, someone from his childhood Eric was especially unfair to, comes to his office for an interview with their thriving company.

Eric recognizes Jimmy right away and panics. He's praying Jimmy won't remember him. Eric knows that the prudent thing to do is to not hire him, especially without consulting his partners, both of whom are on a business trip. Against his better judgement, Eric decides to give Jimmy the job but for the wrong reason. It is okay that Eric wants to help Jimmy jumpstart his business career, but it's not okay that his decision is made out of guilt, as a way to make up for his mistreatment of Jimmy in the past. Even though he has made a new life for himself, still, in the back of his head, he can hear all the people who told him that he was garbage and would never amount to anything.

Needless to say, when his partners return from their trip, they are not happy when they learn that Eric hired Jimmy on his own, without consulting them first, especially considering the precarious position this puts them in. They are even less happy when they find out how 'close' Jimmy and Eric have grown especially when his partners learn that Eric hasn't told Jimmy that he knew him from before. His partners impress upon Eric how much damage could result from hiring Jimmy, i.e., a sexual harassment suit, ruining their business, and destroying everything they have worked so hard to build.

This story is a lesson to those who let their past hold them back, never letting themselves forget who they may have been, and bad decisions they may have made in the past. In his mind, Eric felt like he was playing a part of the man he wanted to be, he didn't deserve what he had now because he couldn't forgive how he was in the past. It is true that the first person you need to nurture and love is yourself. No matter what everyone else says about you, your messages to yourself are what makes or breaks you. Without loving yourself, there's no room for forgiveness or redemption. Thanks, A.F., for giving Eric his deliverance.

 

 

 

 

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

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novella, 40251 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	25-September-2019
Price	$4.99 ebook
Buy Link	http://www.jms-books.com/af-henley-c-224_406/we-three-kings-p-2944.html