Augustus Pyle lost a long and painful battle with Cancer four months before and with his death, many changes have come. The already strained relationship between Julie and Gus's much younger wife, Bennie, has come to a head, not to mention the financial burden Logan's outfitter store that he owns with his old friend, Bill, is not bringing in any money and is basically sitting there doing nothing. They are all trying to cope with the loss of Gus in their own way. Even little Owen is having difficulty. He has begun sucking his thumb again and demanding to drink out of a baby bottle. Logan doesn't agree with Julie's assessment that this is 'normal behavior' according to the parenting book she is reading.
On top of that, everyone seems to have an opinion on what Logan should do with the land Gus left him in his will. Logan feels he knows what his father would want, but is met with alot of opposition. This is quickly becoming a sore spot in the marriage and Logan is feeling ganged up on. Tensions reach an all-time high when Logan walks in on something that shakes his world and makes him question everything that he has based his life on up until that point. From that moment on the decisions he makes are not good ones and have reverberating effects that could change his family forever.
My Thoughts:
I found this to be an engaging story and because it had a quick pace, it kept me focused to find out what would happen next. Ms. Miller did a fine job of explaining the dynamics of the characters and their relationships with each other. That being said, I have to admit that there were a few characters that I didn't like very much. Julie being the one that stood out the most for me. I didn't like her dismissive attitude towards Logan and how she could make him feel as if his opinions didn't measure up to hers. I never got the feeling that she was on his side, no matter what issue they were facing. Bennie sometimes confused me and given her history with Logan, I felt she created confusion for him as well. In the end, however, she won me over.
There were times I would get frustrated with Logan when he would try to explain things to Owen in terms that a four-year-old would never be able to comprehend or he did it in a way that upset and even scared the child. Those were the times that I didn't care for Logan at all. This story certainly shows the difficulties that can surface in a marriage. Especially one that wasn't planned.
That being said, I realize and appreciate that that is all part of the fabric of what makes this story what it is. A realistic and difficult look into what can happen when two near strangers unexpectedly create another human being and try to do the right thing for that child. Learning as they go, not only how to be parents but about each other as well.
GIVEAWAY DETAILS
Special thanks go to Emily Jeanne Miller for allowing me to be one of the first to read her debut novel and to Lisa at TLC Book Tours for asking me to be a part of this tour. There are still many more dates for this tour so please stop by to see what other readers thought of this book. You can find the complete schedule by clicking the link below.
BRAND NEW HUMAN BEING Tour Schedule
BRAND NEW HUMAN BEING
Author: Emily Jeanne Miller
Publisher: Houghton Miffin Harcourt
Published: June 12, 2012
Length: 272pp
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Source: TLC Book Tours/Netgaalley.com
This is one of those novels that, after a few days, I found I liked much more than I did while reading it. Very readable book but, like you said, an unlikable character (or two). But it's Logan's story and his perspective - I really liked it.
ReplyDeleteLisa, I noticed my link on your blogger list is my old Blogger site. I'm at wordpress now (but I use a blogger ID because it's easier): http://bookfanmary.wordpress.com
Thanks :)
Mary, I agree and the book grew on me as well. Thanks for the heads up on your link. I'll take care of it. :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds good even if people in that situation don't always get married these days. I love to try out debut authors. kathy(at)bermudaonion.net
ReplyDeleteDebut authors offer me another inspiring option and interesting reading. Many thanks. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI enjoy learning about debut authors since it gives me more selection and are always exciting to find and explore. Thanks for this chance. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI can definitely appreciate a novel that shows life as it really is, and it sounds like this is one of those kinds of books. Thanks for being on the tour!
ReplyDeleteI tend to love new things...and debut authors because I have no expectations and I prepare myself to be pleasantly surprised every time.
ReplyDeletelilianxchengATgmail.com
Lilian @ A Novel Toybox
I like debut authors. They remind me of musicians releasing their first album. So many years of thought and ideas all packed into one piece of work. It can be quite surprising to see the results. Thanks for offering this book for giveaway.
ReplyDeletecarlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx