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Tristan James has reached a pivotal moment in his life. He divorced his sweetheart, Sharon, three years ago, but the loss still lingers. Sharon and Tristan share custody of their high school daughter, Sara. Tristan works at an investment firm where every decision is micromanaged, and the stress is omnipresent. He is living on autopilot, a string of grueling office days where the routine takes his mind captive until quitting time. One of the few escapes for Tristan is his interaction with Julie, a young woman who works at the local bagel shop. Julie is an aspiring musician, reminding Tristan of his younger years. Tristan attempts to get back into the dating world with Julie but is more successful upon meeting a woman named Beth at a corporate event. Life begins to make sense until Tristan’s work situation becomes untenable.
Sease’s novel throws down a gauntlet in relating the life of a middle-aged man facing an uncertain world. The dramatic narrative contains elements of humor, romance, and philosophical existentialism. Tristan is a protagonist that is easily identifiable, living a life of failed dreams and disillusionment. His attempts to dive back into the dating world provide moments of enjoyment as well as occasional cringeworthy scenes. The emotional depth of the book comes from Tristan’s attempt to handle adversity, whether in the form of a work crisis or a love life quandary. Sease has created a likable character in Tristan, a man seeking a little more joy in life and love. The road to happiness may be bumpy, but the overall journey will prove fulfilling.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review