editorial REVIEWS:

2022 FINALIST – THE WISHING SHELF BOOK AWARDS

Star Rating: 5 Stars

 THE WISHING SHELF BOOK AWARDS Readers’ Comments

“Loved this novel. It’s well-written, cleverly plotted and I enjoyed the development of the two central characters.” Male reader, aged 53

“Lots of drama, a little mystery, and two very different (and rather unhappy) characters. Having visited Boston back in the 1990s, I enjoyed revisiting the city in this novel. I’m very much looking forward to reading this author’s next novel.” Female reader, aged 53

“This is not in any way a rollercoaster thriller. It ́s thought-provoking with a strong, rich Boston setting. The author seems determined for the reader to not only get to know his two characters, but also highlight how different they are. Sad in parts, almost gritty, but always compelling. I was very happy to turn the page to see what would happen next. Talented author.” Female reader, aged 67

“Romance, drama, a hint of humour – perfect for readers who love character-led plots and well-defined settings.” Male reader, aged 55

To Sum It Up:

‘A thoroughly enjoyable drama populated with two memorable and very different protagonists. A FINALIST and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards

ARC REVIEW:

Amanda E. Gillette - ARC READER REVIEW ON AMAZON

5.0 out of 5 stars

A chance meeting twenty years later could change everything...

Reviewed in the United States �������� on October 6, 2022

I received an ARC copy directly from the publisher SAM SQUARED PUBLISHING, LLC for the sole purpose of writing and posting a review. 

False Neutral by Joshua S. Narins centers on a chance reunion in the heart of Boston after twenty-two years, and is a novel rife with drama. We follow a married woman trapped in an artificial high-society life she utterly despises, and a lonely man with high hopes who is nevertheless inundated with a sense of failure. They both struggle with ailments, literal and metaphorical. The man is remarkably introspective, almost too thoughtful and marked by stunning precision, but this balances the woman's spirited, earnest need for action. It is evident that the man loves her, though these feelings war with his fear of her carefully crafted and ever-present artificiality, to which he easily succumbs. On the other side, you can feel her ardent desire for genuine, attentive care, which the man provides in spades. Despite their divergent paths, will a happenstance connection open their eyes enough for them to break free of their prosaic lives?

Whether you're a Boston local or an occasional tourist, you'll instantly recognize classic locales, which make for a veritably authentic setting. Reading at times was like gazing at exquisite paintings, the characters paradoxically brought to life in their elaborate portraiture. Every bit of minutiae has its own preserved life. There is a lush quality to the metaphors and a richness to the writing, livened by sharp bits of humor and romantic tension peppered throughout. The characters' criticisms of life and the changing times are at times snarky and fun, and at other times, teeming with drama and emotion.

While there was much to love, I desired more emotion in the earlier parts of the novel. At times, the characters feel a bit distant, especially minor characters, who are kept separated from the action by thick glass. In terms of the plot, mystery shrouds much of the beginning of the novel, making motivations difficult to parse, but it is certainly rewarding in the end to see how everything comes to fruition. I wish the unsympathetic distinction between the enchanted encounter and the doldrums of daily life was developed more, because the tension between these two worlds is very intriguing, yet ultimately short-lived.

Narins' debut novel is a story about two people who chose different paths in life yet now face similar unhappiness, longing to reconnect and find meaning in their lives through each other. I would recommend this to lovers of contemporary, sincere fiction packed full of drama, mystery, and romantic candor.

‘A captivating, character-led novel packed with drama, humour – and (just a little) romance.’

The Wishing Shelf Book Review, U.K Star Rating: 5

I understand this to be Joshua S. Narins’ first novel; if so, then he’s a talented writer. In False Neutral, the reader gets to know/follow/root for two central characters, both unhappy with life but in different ways. But will a chance meeting in Boston (love that city) change them? Now, there is a plot to this story but in many ways it’s secondary to the characters. And to say they are very different is putting it mildly. But they are distinct, they are fully developed, and they are interesting to get to know.

In many ways, this is a mystery novel – not the ‘who killed the butler’ sort, but a mystery, nevertheless. As I sat there enjoying the author’s succinct prose (no purple prose here), I suddenly understood why I was loving it so much. It’s the mystery of the characters; I wanted to understand them, and I wanted to know if/how romance might develop between them. That’s the sort of mystery I like the most!

In terms of readership, I’d recommend this character-led novel to anybody who enjoys drama, a little romance (but not over-the-top romance) and humour. Also, I suspect readers who enjoy ‘second chance’ novels (is that even a genre?) will find this to be a satisfying read.

Not many authors can pull readers in with simply the allure of the characters but, it seems, this author can!

‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review, U.K Star Rating 5