Lean on Pete

Lean on Pete by Willy Vlautin
4/13/10; 304 pages
HarperCollins 

Lean on Pete by Willy Vlautin is a very highly recommended drama following a boy looking for some stability in his life. This is another novel that is hard to read emotionally, but stay with it. Again, I cried, hard, but loved this novel. You will reach absolute hopelessness and desperation before there is a glimmer of redemption for Charley. The ending is very well done. 

Fifteen-year-old Charley Thompson wants a home, food on the table, and a high school where he can play football. His single father, however, leaves Charley on his own for days without food in the house or enough money to buy food. They have just moved to Portland from Spokane and Charley knows no one. Charley finally ends up looking for a job and finds one after helping seventy-year-old curmudgeon Del change a tire. The job is helping Del with his horses at the Portland Meadows racetrack. Del is very unreliable as far as paying Charley, but it is a way to earn money for food. He also develops a relationship with a quarter horse named Lean on Pete. Then several tragic circumstances result in Charley on the run with Lean on Pete, looking for his long-lost aunt who lives somewhere in Wyoming.

The writing may seem simple but that is hardly the case. The realism and emotional impact Vlautin's novels have is simply incredible. Charley will break your heart. He's just a teen who is fighting to survive under desperate circumstances. He has been failed by those meant to protect them in a world that seems intent on beating him down. He has no one to help him navigate the events in his life or even really care about him. There are some supportive actions taken along the way, but most people are too self-involved to really see outside their bubble. 

Northline

Northline by Willy Vlautin
9/27/11; 224 pages
HarperCollins 

Northline by Willy Vlautin is an excellent, very highly recommended, brutally honest, yet ultimately moving domestic drama about overcoming. This one is hard to read emotionally, but stay with it. I simply loved this novel. 

Allison Johnson is perpetually drunk and still with her abusive boyfriend Jimmy Bodie when she decides to flee Los Vegas and go to Reno. There she will give up for adoption the baby Jimmy knows nothing about and start a new life. Her imaginary conversations with Paul Newman help to ground her while she works the graveyard shift as a waitress at the Cal Neva Top Deck restaurant. She struggles but slowly takes steps to improve herself, including talking to regular customers like Dan Mahony and taking a second job as a telephone solicitor for Curt vacuum cleaners. 

What Vlautin does so exceptionally well is capturing the emotions and turmoil in his characters while keeping it real. These are all very realistic working class characters who struggle everyday to just live their lives even while doubting themselves. Along the way there are people who step up to help Allison, showing that there are good people in the world who will help others rather than tear them down or take advantage of them. Ultimately, Allison, a memorable, fragile character, must overcome her bad decisions, even while her choices are limited, if she wants to live a normal life. 

Frank and Red

Frank and Red by Matt Coyne
2/1/24; 448 pages
Wildfire 

Frank and Red by Matt Coyne is a heartwarming, very highly recommended domestic drama telling the story of an unlikely friendship between a grumpy old man and a six-year-old boy. Not only is this novel charming and funny, it also needs a tears-will-fall alert.

Frank is an old curmudgeon who hasn't left his house for two years after his beloved wife Marcie passed away. Now he talks to her ghost while being estranged from his son and friends. When six-year-old Red moves next door with his mother Frank's life of silence is over. It starts with the repetitious, creaking noise of the trampoline springs which is quickly followed by Red's voice as he looks over the fence at Frank, looking to make a new friend. 

This is the start of a friendship that will ultimately benefit both. At first it seems unlikely that Frank will ever accept a rambunctious Red, but circumstances begin to show how much the two actually need each other no matter how much Frank fights it. Frank is both grieving and agoraphobic. At first, Red is dealing with the separation of his parents and a father who is indifferent, but then contends with a new school, and a bully. Their relationship grows organically, especially when Frank is the only one Red can really talk to and Marcie's presence is keeping Frank in line.

Both Frank and Red are realistic, believable characters. Frank is often living in his past memories of his life with Marcie and son Michael. The ghost/presence of Marcie isn't creepy because it is clearly Frank knowing what she would say if still alive - and his mind wants her to still be there. Red is an intelligent, active boy who needs an adult he can tell his problems to without stressing out his mom. There is an event that will cause you to panic, but as expected the novel ends on a perfect note. 

The Answer Is No

The Answer Is No: A Short Story by Fredrik Backman
12/1/24; 68 pages
Amazon Original stories

The Answer Is No: A Short Story by Fredrik Backman is an absurd, hilarious, and very highly recommended short story about a man who simply wants to be left alone. I have loved everything single thing Fredrik Bachman writes.

Lucas understands that people complicate things so he is happy to be left alone and do what makes him happy. This is all fine until the three members of the apartment board ring his doorbell and ask to see his frying pan. Apparently, against the rules, a frying pan left was left next to the recycling. This interaction pulls him into an ever expanding drama and he is now in contact with more people than he ever wanted. 

This is a well-written, wonderfully witty tale involving the absurdities of modern life. Many introverts will relate to the woes Lucas experiences while just trying to quietly live his life while the outside world insists on constantly intruding on his peace and happiness. This is a great choice for everyone who loved Backman's novels. 

The Imaginary Friend

The Imaginary Friend by Michelle Dunne
11/20/25; 344 pages
Boldwood Books

The Imaginary Friend by Michelle Dunne is a recommended psychological thriller. 

After their foster mother at Raven s Rock died, Eve, 23, is left to take care of her sister Pennie,10. Eve is determined to protect and care for Pennie, but when Pennie mentions Angel, her imaginary friend, Eve is unsure how to proceed. As Pennie quotes to Eve things Angel is telling her it is clear that Angel knows facts about some recent murders that a 10 year-old imaginary friend shouldn't know.

The first half of the novel was very slow paced and repetitive. Clearly Eve is an unreliable narrator and is struggling with her mental health after experiencing some kind of trauma. What this trauma was is very predictable once the locked room was mentioned. It is also predictable what Eve has been doing, so waiting for the big reveal and twists that you know are coming while Eve keeps running through the same things in her head quickly becomes very tiresome. Yes, once the twists happen the pace picks up dramatically and the story becomes more compelling but also depressing.

Ultimately, this is an okay novel but it could have benefited from more editing to tighten up the plot. The Imaginary Friend is for readers who appreciate psychological thrillers with an unreliable narrator. Thanks to Boldwood Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

Unmarried

Unmarried by Emily Shiner
11/19/25; 310 pages
Bookouture
Perfect Couples #2 

Unmarried by Emily Shiner is a recommended psychological thriller. While you could read this as a standalone, it continues the story from Uninvited which I would suggest you read first. Some of the important plot points from Uninvited are in Unmarried and are definitely involved in the story.

Aimee has married Dr. Mitch Ellis after the death of her fiancé. Mitch is a wealthy and manipulative control freak. It is said that he killed his first wife, but Aimee has her own secret agenda. Hannah, Mitch's sister, also has plans of her own and will use anyone to get her way. Jackie is a woman who has a secret and it involves Mitch. She wants to warn Aimee about who he really is, but then Hannah sees her. The narrative is told through the point-of view of Aimee, Hannah, and Jackie and each of these women have their own secrets.

There is no doubt that a bunch of people with secrets who are planning schemes can be compelling and keep you reading to see what they do next. This is the reason I kept reading because every single character is scheming and planning some sort of subterfuge. However, this is also a plot that requires you to set a huge dose of disbelief aside and, although I can often do so, I wasn't able to muster the fortitude to do it this time. Admittedly, the events leading up to the twisty ending are entertaining.

None of the characters are even remotely believable or likable, which made any deep investment in the plot difficult. Perhaps if I had read the first book, I would care more.  Also, Mitch is so controlling, even to the point of having Aimee sign a contract, but some of the things he did made it hard to believe Aimee stayed. I've enjoyed many other books by Emily Shiner much more and look forward to her next book.

Unmarried is recommended for those who have read Uninvited and enjoy psychological thrillers. Thanks to Bookouture for providing me with an advance reader's copy via . My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The Deep End

The Deep End by Nick Louth
11/13/25; 324 pages
Canelo Crime
DI Jan Talantire #4

The Deep End by Nick Louth is a highly recommended procedural/crime thriller and the fourth book in the series set in Devon featuring DI Jan Talantire. Although this could be read as a standalone novel, there is a major part of the plot that is a direct continuation of a story line started earlier in the series. The series includes: The Two Deaths of Ruth Lyle, The Last Ride, and The Dark Edge. 

On Boxing Day a body wearing a wet suit is found under Teignmouth Pier. DI Jan Talantire is assigned the case after the post-mortem shows heavy metal poisoning and the investigation quickly becomes complicated. At the same time Talantire's sexual harassment case against Commander Brent West is on going and she uncovers additional information. She continues to face roadblocks as West's influence is wide spread.  

As expected, this is a well-written, expertly plotted addition to the series. The complicated investigation and subplots have plenty new discoveries made along the way. It is satisfying that Talantire finally sees vindication this time out, but she also faces a life or death situation. Talantire's character development is well established by this addition to the series. She is portrayed as a tough, intelligent and compelling character with strengths and flaws.

The Deep End will best be appreciated by readers who enjoy procedurals and who have read the previous books in the series. Thanks to Canelo Crime for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.