Rick R Reed writes an ethereal and dreamlike romantic novel, with language that evokes a magical realism in the situations and locations he describes. Reed’s stories adeptly leave the reader beguiled as well as satisfied.
For me, the story also gives main character Jasper a later-in-life coming-of-age that is more impactful than the underlying romance with Rob. Whether or not this was Reed’s intent, it’s how I interpret Jasper’s whiny self-centeredness through most of the story. Therefore, it pleases me that Reed has Jasper realize he’s not the center of the universe. Jasper becomes capable of making inroads to correcting his childhood misperceptions.
Narrator David Allen Vargo delivers a solid voice performance of this story.