By: Adam Mitzner
ISBN: 9781476764283
Publisher: Gallery Books
Publication Date: 4/5/2016
Format: Hardcover
My Rating: 3 Stars
The acclaimed author, whose recent novel of suspense Losing Faith was declared “startling…a well-crafted story” (Kirkus Reviews), takes you on a gripping psychological thrill ride in this electrifying tale of a millionaire who will go to deadly lengths to get what he wants.
Jonathan Caine is a true master of the universe—a currency wizard with a trophy wife, a penthouse condo with a view of the Statue of Liberty, and the desire for more—when his world comes crashing down, spiraling him into a relentless fall from grace. Devastated, Jonathan returns to his hometown to care for his ailing father and attend his twenty-fifth high school reunion, where he becomes reacquainted with former prom queen Jacqueline Williams.
Back in the day, Jackie didn’t even know Jonathan existed. Now she is intrigued by the man he has become. But their budding relationship has problems, not the least of which is Jackie’s jealous and abusive husband. Jonathan is determined to learn from his mistakes, but is he capable of complete transformation? Or will a shocking temptation test his desire for redemption beyond anything he could have imagined?
My Review
A special thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Adam Mitzer returns following Losing Faith, landing on my Top 50 Books of 2015 Best Legal Thriller meets psychological game of power with THE GIRL FROM HOME – a different twist, than the author's previous books; a man who loses it all, returning to his roots and the girl he fell for in high school. Jonathan Caine has an entitled attitude— Manhattan hedge fund manager thinks he deserves nothing but the best. Very self-centered, a narcissistic personality disorder, with an inflated sense of their own importance-- a deep need for admiration and a lack of empathy for others. Of course, behind this mask of ultra-confidence lies a fragile self-esteem that's vulnerable to the slightest criticism. Coming from a small town, he makes his way to Wall Street, now a millionaire with a trophy wife. However, he falls from grace, and loses it all. A scandalous securities-fraud scheme and is faced with possible jail time and danger. He still is not humbled, and returns home to New Jersey, to care from his elderly father and stays at his childhood home while his dad is in a care facility. He decides to return to his twenty-fifth high school reunion to catch a glimpse of the girl he once loved. He was a nerd back then and she dated only high school jocks. (who goes to a high school reunion when they have lost everything)? The Homecoming beauty queen, Jacqueline (Jackie) Williams married her football jock. She is not so happy, got pregnant—he is an alcoholic, abusive, and jealous. Jackie is miserable; however, stays in the marriage, trying to protect her two kids--she has no skills or money to leave him. Now Jackie looks at Jonathan as successful, wealthy, and he shows her attention. A way out. However, he is not honest with her about losing his wealth and is homeless, plus a criminal. Can he change? Can he save his love, or himself? What can he offer her? His wife has found someone new, and does not care about her hubby, now that he has lost his money—she has moved on with her real estate broker. While residing in his old childhood home, he gets to know his sister Amy and his dad--hiding from an angry husband. In between, he begins spending time with the girl of his dreams. He may look at his dad a little different than he did previously. Unfortunately, there were no likable characters here and a simple, rather boring story done many times over. The main character does not seem to learn a lesson and none of the characters seemed genuine or well-developed. The depth, and suspense were missing; very disappointed, since all three of his previous books were strong legal crime thrillers (5 Stars)----this one fell flat for me-not on the same level. Hope the author returns to his legal thrillers, which seem to be his sweet spot
Review Links:
Amazon
About the Author
I grew up in East Brunswick, New Jersey, which is about an hour outside of New York City. I graduated from Brandeis University with a B.A. and M.A. in politics, and from there went directly on to law school at the University of Virginia.
After law school, I joined the litigation department of a large New York City law firm, and after a few more stops, am currently the head of the litigation department of Pavia & Harcourt LLP, which is located in midtown Manhattan. Pavia & Harcourt recently received some fame because it is the law firm where Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor practiced before she was appointed to the bench. Read More
