Meet Neil Grayson, a good man who's had some bad breaks. In the last twenty-four hours, he's lost his job, his car, and his marriage. He thinks his life is over, but it's just beginning. Neil moves back in with his eccentric parents and their manic mutt, Pickles. His best friend, Robbie, who when he's not quoting conspiracy theories is cracking jokes, gets Neil laughing again despite his misfortunes. Kate, the cute spunky waitress from the quirky eighties-themed diner, The Breakfast Club, hires Neil to paint her ramshackle rooming house on the wrong side of town. It's a house inhabited by Kate's somewhat oddball tenants, but with whom Neil soon begins to feel at home, as a budding romance between Neil and Kate develops. We soon find that danger and mystery lie ahead for Neil as the story unfolds. A brush with death during a car-jacking brings to Neil the realization that life is more important than his past misfortunes. He vows to move on with his life and forget the past. For Neil, that's something that is easier said than done. Neil befriends a mysterious old man and his grandson who move next door. The old man knows a secret from Neil's past that not even Neil knows, and once revealed will change Neil's life forever. "The protagonist, Neil Grayson, is a relatable and personable guy, and his struggles to overcome a tragic past and the disappointments of his present will appeal to readers. The secondary characters in the novel are also very relatable, and it's clear that the author has an imaginative cast of characters he is drawing inspiration from. Neil is sympathetic and likable and the dialogue is lively." - Judge, Writer's Digest 21st Annual Book Awards
