“Life is just a game of chance, a dance with fate if you let it be so.” ― Steven Redhead
When I picked up this book, I pretty much didn’t know what I was getting myself into.
OMG…can I give this one, the review it deserves.
For what it’s worth here I go:
Ash is what I call one of the lost children in society: A child of the streets who is rescued by Elle.
Elle sees something in this quiet, homeless young man who draws chalk art on sidewalks for money, something that draws her to conclude Ash is not just another street kid, as she slowly draws Ash out of his shell to trust her. She somehow manages to move him from the streets of Philadelphia to Chicago.
Once in Chicago, Elle helps Ash find a job as a tattoo artist and settles him into an apartment with a roommate, a young paramedic by the name of Pete. There Ash and Pete start a tentative relationship, the slow dance of trust.
From the beginning, Slide starts off with a prologue in Pete’s POV, but quickly morphs two years previously, into Ash’s. And I slowly came to see what Elle saw in Ash. He sucked me into his head… I swear I could hear Ash’s thoughts and felt all of his insecurities as the story unfolded and I became one with this character. We bonded.
Ash took me for ride through his own personal hell, but he also showed me his strengths as well as his weaknesses. And how hard it was for him to fight his demons. I was with him as he took his baby steps with Pete. And it didn’t take me long to figure out that something horrendous had happen to him as a child to cause all this torment he’s going through. Damn! If this wasn’t the best description of what it’s like to suffer from PTSD from an insider’s POV I’ve ever read. Ooops, sorry, three years majoring in Psychology speaking here.
Anyway, halfway through Slide, I turn the page and found myself with Pete’s POV two years later. Believe me when I say this: I had a moment. I wasn’t ready to let Ash go just yet! But I eventually had to admit to myself, that Pete was worth getting to know also.
Slide is a beautiful, well written story, and I just love how it all fell together. There are parts that were heartbreaking, but it wouldn’t have been such a great romance without some angst.
I’m giving this one 5 full stars and highly recommended.
You can buy Slide (A Roads Title) here:
This one goes on my wish list as well. I’ve read several very good reviews, yours included Lisa, on SLIDE so it’s a must read. Congrats, Garrett! :)
I can’t take the credit for this review, Paul, but Kim has definitely made me want to put this one on my TBR list as well. :)
I loved this book. It was so good. Ash just stays with you.