Rating: 4.5 stars
Buy Link: Amazon | iBooks | Amazon UK
Length: Novel
Owen is a young, closeted man living at home with is bigoted father, vengeful stepmother, and no good stepbrother. He works a retail job and takes classes at a local college. The one bright spot in Owen’s less than happy life is his best friend, Andy. Andy’s out and proud, and he wants Owen to be as happy as he is.
One night, Andy introduces Owen to his (allegedly) straight cousin, Jack, and they hit it off. Things begin to look up for Owen…until everything comes crashing down.
Fast forward 20 (or a little more) years. Owen owns and runs a comic book shop with faithful employees and unwavering support from Andy. Still, Owen’s life is almost as empty as it was when he was 19. He’s still devastated over his losses, but he’s surviving…until his past comes back.
What’s going to happen when Owen finally takes control of his own life and destiny?
I really enjoy Reading Challenge Month, especially if I get to read a new author. I’ve never read any books by Michael Bailey. So checkmark that requirement for New-to-Me Author Week. What cemented my choice of the book for this week’s challenge was the idea of a two decade time jump, where Owen, Andy, and the others start out as young adults and wind up being in their 40s by the end. I was very impressed at how well the author accomplished this without leaving me feeling dizzy and confused.
Now that I’ve told you about the time jump, it’s time for me to tell you something else…and please don’t be afraid of it, ok? Looking Forward ripped out my heart, stomped on it, threw it in a fire, and took the ashes to a swamp to be fed to alligators. I cried big, ugly tears and wailed so much, it woke my husband. I had to put the Kindle down for an hour or so in order to collect my thoughts, put on my big girl panties, and dive back in.
As I said, don’t be afraid of the tears and angst because Looking Forward is a well written, carefully plotted, character-driven story that, even through my heartache, grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. Owen was just so sad. I wanted to wrap my arms around him and whisper that everything would be alright despite his cruel family and other things (I’m not giving anything away if I can help it). I’d also tell him to cling to Andy at all costs because Andy will be the one constant in his life whom he can count on.
It was lovely watching Owen fall in love with Jack. I could feel the warmth he was feeling every time he spoke or texted with him. Owen didn’t smile often until Jack came along, and he relished in it. Even though he was still deeply closeted out of fear of his family, Owen was looking ahead to a brighter future when everything went to hell. Right here, at this point, I want to tell you every single detail of what exactly did happen. I just can’t. It’s a very important part of the book and I believe you have to experience it yourself. I will tell you to have your tissues ready…maybe a comfy blanket and a teddy bear as well.
In the blurb, I mentioned Owen’s past coming back…and come back it does. His store is finally making some profit. He’s got some great employees who are also friends…very protective friends. He and Andy meet at least once a week for dinner. Life isn’t perfect, but it’s decent. Decent until someone returns to town and expects things to just pick up where it ended. This did not please me, and it certainly didn’t please Andy. Andy had been the one to pick up Owen’s broken pieces 20 years ago and he can’t allow himself to do it again. This is also a very important part of the story. The tears ended and were replaced with anger and a sense of dread. You could see what was coming a mile away, but that’s not a bad thing. It made me feel a bit anxious, but I just knew Owen’s Happily Ever After was within reach, and I couldn’t want to read it.
Obviously, Owen and Andy are the major characters in this story, but there are a few others of note. Jack, Andy’s cousin and Owen’s first love; Meghan, Andy’s sister; Owen’s family (horrible people!); David and Greg, employees at Owen’s comic book store; and Jace, Jack’s son. Each plays an important role in the story, but they don’t get in the way.
The ending was well written and satisfying. I expected it, but it was still amazing when I got the big payoff. It was the only way it could have wrapped up and I was extremely pleased. Owen deserved some happiness after everything he’d gone through, and it was obvious he finally got it. I got it too. I highly recommend this book. I mean it. It’s worth the tears and the anxiety. Definitely pick it up.
This review is part of our Reading Challenge Month for New-To-Me Author Week! Leave a relevant comment below and you will be entered to win one of six $20 gift cards to NineStar Press. Commenters will also be entered to win our amazing grand prize sponsored by Dreamspinner Press (a Kindle Fire filled with Dreamspun Desires/Beyond books, plus a 3-month subscription!). You can get more information on our Challenge Month here, and more details on New-To-Me Author Week here, including a list of all the books in this week’s prize.Â
It sounds so intense, but I may try to soldier through it…
You won’t be sorry!
This book was already on my radar. I’ll definitely read it, but knowing how emotional it is, I’ll save it for after a real sweet, fluffy story.
Wow, this book sounds like a great read even if it sounds a little emotional. Great review!
A definite read for me, thank you for the review.
You’re welcome. I hope you enjoy it is much as I did.
It’s been a while since I’ve read something this heart wrenching. I put it on my wish list but I don’t think I’m ready for it yet. Thanks for the review.
I really liked Michael’s debut novel and this one is in my tbr list.
Looks like it’ll be an emotional read. Thank you for the review!
Sounds great but I tend to avoid angst these days. Not looking for any emotional read. But thanks for the review
Wow, this does sound intense! This author is also new to me, but I’m adding him to my wish list. Thanks for the review, Kenna.
I’m glad you could give us all a new book to try when we’re in the mood. I’m a fan of books that explore younger and older selves when done well. Adding to my list!
I understand about being in the mood. Mostly, I like low angst books, but every now and then, I need to just…cry. Books like this help, especially because there’s a happy ending to look forward to.
I know some people tell you about a book making them cry like it was an accomplishment, but I have to confess, I’m like a leaky faucet. If there are big emotions, happy or sad, there go the waterworks. So, it’s easy for me to find a book that makes me cry, but it’s to the writer’s credit if there’s more for my head to get caught up in because I love exploring relationship dynamics and seeing people grow and learn. Looking Forward sounds like it’ll satisfy in that regard.
Wow. I don’t think I have even heard of this author. I believe you if you say the big, fat, ugly cry is worth it.
I love a good angst-fest! This sounds awesome! 😀
This souds like an emotional rollercoaster. I love it when a book can get emotions out of a person, tears or laughter and after reading your review i’m certain that i’m going to want to read this on. Thank you
Another to me author, and it sounds really good to me. I am going to add it to my TBR list, though I will leave for a time when I feel like crying… Thank you for the great review, Kenna
20 year time jump?! Sounds really interesting! Good to hear that the author pulled it off.
My interest was piqued to until “Looking Forward ripped out my heart, stomped on it, threw it in a fire, and took the ashes to a swamp to be fed to alligators.” I read that out loud to my friends and they said “that doesn’t sound like your type of book.” I will listen to the people who know me best. Thanks for the review!
Wow, that sounds really intens. I will put this one on my wishlist.
Great review. Just finished this book a few days ago. It’s the type of book that affects you, even when you aren’t reading it. I couldn’t figure out why I was having random bouts of anxiety and having trouble concentrating, then I realized, I was so utterly immersed in this book, I was literally feeling what Owen was going through. Once I finished reading, and had the very satisfying happily ever after moment, my body reset and recentered, but it was a bumpy couple of days. It’s been years since a book completely took me over like that. Can’t recommend it enough. It was totally worth every bit of angst.
I’ll put this book on my TBR list because it sounds fabulous, but with a note that I need to wait for a weekend to read it at home so I’m not crying my eyes out on public transit. Always so embarrassing.
Better or worse then laughing out loud seemingly to nothing when listening to an audio book in public? LOL