Review on: Drift Stumble Fall by M. Jonathan Lee

About the author (as seen in the book)

M Jonathan Lee was born in Yorkshire, England where he still lives to this day.

His first novel, The Radio was nationally shortlisted in the Novel Prize 2012. Drift Stumble Fall is his fifth novel.

 

 

Website: http://www.mjonathanlee.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JonathanLeeAuthor

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MJonathanLee

Publication date: 12th April 2018

Publisher: Hideaway Fall

http://www.hideawayfall.com

ISBN: Paperback 978-0-9954923-4-9

Pages: 301 pages

Genre: Fiction

Format reading: ARC Paperback

Copy provided by: Publisher (Hideaway Fall)

Blurb (as seen on the back cover)

Richard Brown has had enough of his life to commitment, resentment, routine and responsibility. Staring out of his window, he enviously observes the tranquil life of Bill, the neighbour living in the bungalow across the road. From his lounge, Bill Keenly watches as Richard’s young family grows.

Yet underneath the apparent domestic bliss of both lives are lies, secrets, imperfections, sadness and suffering far greater than either could have imagined.

As the two men watch each other from afar, it soon becomes apparent that other people’s lives are never what they seem.

My Review

Before I start my review I just want to say thank you to the lovely publishers; Hideaway Fall for generously accepted my cheeky request to read and review the ARC Drift Stumble Fall by M Jonathan Lee. And providing me with a paperback.

M Jonathan Lee is a new author to me, and as you know I do love to discover new author’s!!!! From the moment my eye’s read the blurb, I knew immediately I was intrigued by the characters, and the story I was about to read.

The front cover of Drift Stumble Fall by M Jonathan Lee is so very striking; with the house at the top, a bungalow at the bottom, with snow drifts separating them; giving the impression of them being situated opposite each other. Each property has a glowing lights coming from the windows and a siloes of a man looking out of the window. I really like this cover immensely!!!!!!!!!!!

Drift Stumble Fall by M Jonathan Lee is a story has been written in a almost diary format which spans across 9 days. It’s a story about two households; who live opposite each other. Richard; who has a wife Lisa and Two children; Hannah and Oscar. Richard is bogged down with life in which he finds himself in, and in shear desperation he plan’s to up sticks and leave his family behind. In this time the In -laws visit and due to the snow get stuck there; which really seems to elevate his disappear. He find’s himself often looking out of the window across the street at Bill’s bungalow, and wanting the life that Richard thinks Bill seems to have. While Richard is trying to formulate his feelings another fly goes in to the ointment; when his father in-law drop’s a bomb shell on him and asks him to keep it a secret from the rest of the family. But will Richard leave his family behind? Is the grass really greener on the other side? Will his family recognise his disappear?

Bill and his wife; Rosie are retied and living in the bungalow opposite Richard. Bill also has his own disappear, as dose his wife. They carry the grief of there daughter’s one who passed away and the other disappeared; never seen again. Bill find’s himself at the bungalow window, staring at Richard’s home, catching the children, laughing playing in the snow with there family and he, wants that! Bill and Rosie miss there daughters terribly, hoping that one day that the daughter that left will return home. But will she? Alive or dead? How will Bill and his wife deal with the grief that they have carried around for so very long?

Firstly Drift Stumble Fall is so very gripping, and has been written with so much emotion, that I found myself compelled to read on! I really felt for both Richard and Bill, and what they were both going through; which I think in today’s world people will be able to relate to in some way or another. I think this story brings to the for front that one can never assume what anyone is going on in other people’s life’s, because things are not always what you see. Both of these men seem to have depression, and I think the author has written this really well, with feeling and raw emotion which I as the reader really felt while reading.

This book was truly and utterly un-put dawn able, and I really think this book is going to do very well. I just can’t believe I’ve never discovered M Jonathan Lee writing before now, it’s exceptional!!!! I will defiantly be reading more of his work in the future for sure. I highly recommend Drift Stumble Fall, of what was a gripping read that is so relatable.

                                                     Marie’s Book Boutique gives

                                             Drift Stumble Fall by M Jonathan Lee

                                                    An Amazing 5 Sparkly Stars