A mother’s desperate plea to the parole board. Yes her son was guilty of murder in the second degree and robbery but he served his time he was fully rehabilitated. Adam got himself clean and was ready to transition from prison back to society. But the past always has a way of catching up with you. Some call it karma, fate, payback. Adam called it, “A Constant Reminder.”
Flashback to the past:
Adam: His father just died and like most people in
distress we seek comfort in many different ways. Comfort for Adam came in the
form of coke, heroin and marijuana. Anything to numb the pain. Rick James said
it best, “cocaine is a hell of a drug.” Spiraling out of control Adam and his
partner in crime Tony will do anything for their next hit. Adam came from
money, prestige, and good breeding. What happens when all the money in the
world can’t save you from a destructive lifestyle? Will you change, redeem yourself
or just give up? Prison has a way of changing a person and so does love…..
Roxanne: Straight A student, responsible, and living
the life with her best friend Erika. Making her mother proud by getting her
degree, Roxanne did what was expected of her. What happens when what you know
to be safe and comfortable is just ripped away from you? Brutally attacked her
world is changed forever. Can Roxanne ever move past what happened to her that
horrible not? Love is a funny thing it doesn’t care who you are or what you
have done. What happens when the one you love is not what you expected? Do you
give up, forgive or deny it ever happened?
Present:
Adam and Roxanne find comfort in each other. He is
exactly what she needs someone to talk to, feel safe with, and expects all of
her flaws. Unfortunately not everyone is on the love train. Erika, her best
friend is straight forward in how she feels Adam is no good for her friend.
Although I wouldn’t call Erika much of a friend but more of a hater with an
agenda. Because of Roxy’s past she has issues with trust but, she continually
deals with someone like Erika who spiels hate towards her every second she
gets. They are what I would call frienenemies. Despite Erika’s nastiness Adam doesn’t
buy into her games and continues to love Roxy with everything he has in him.
But what happens when your relationship is built on lies?
This story is told in the form of layers each
character is interconnected with the next and not always in a good way. Dealing
with issues like drug abuse, rape, and violence this read is not for the faint
at heart. I like that this author stepped outside of the box and told a tale
that would get readers to question themselves.
However I did find a few issues as a reader with this
story. I didn’t understand the timeline. For instance one second Roxanne was being
attacked the next it is three years later. Same for Adam. His mother was
writing a letter to the parole board and a few scenes later he was working at
an oil shop. Because this story deals with such heavy issues I would have liked
to see the author explore the characters emotions behind these issues. It was
said this was a story of redemption I didn’t find that to be the case. I was
left with more questions. i.e. How did Roxanne every deal with overcoming her
attack? Was Adam transition from prison to society a smooth one? How did Adam redeem
himself? His prison story was that of someone who is privileged. We didn’t get
much of his time in prison or how he even overcame his drug addiction. Because let’s
face drugs are in prisons. At one point in the story there is one of many big
reveals on Adams part. He confesses something to her about his past life and
her reaction really was a non-reaction. I don't know if it's because she had
such a secret of her own. The next day they just go along as if nothing has
changed. It was mentioned in the story that Roxanne avoids issues but at what
point was she going to get her head out of the clouds?
I wanted more of a reaction then avoidance. As a
couple they dealt with such an emotional scene and honestly a deal breaker in
some relationships and it was glossed over with a sex scene and a Beyoncé song.
About 85% in the story we got to the real emotional depth of the story that
leads readers to ask some very tough questions. Certain things in the story didn’t
make sense as a reader because the timeline just moved so fast. You are dealing
with such heavy issues and the emotional depth was just lacking at times. There
are a few twists and turns in this story that will leave you angered, and
questioning your own beliefs.
I am glad that the author took a chance and told a
story such as this. I look forward to reading what else she has in store. Like
I always mention judge this story for yourself and not based on this one
review.
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