Reviewed by Danielle
TITLE : A Heart for Robbie
AUTHOR : J.P Barnaby
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 214 pages
BLURB:
Waiting for someone else’s child to die so yours can live is the worst kind of Hell
Celebrated Young Adult author Julian Holmes pits the heroic characters in his Black Heart series against all different kinds of monsters. But when a critical heart defect threatens his son’s life, he finds he has no champion. No amount of books, classes, or practice can prepare Julian for the fight to save his beautiful son’s life.
Suddenly there are hospitals, transplant lists, and the nightmare of insurance red tape to navigate. In the midst of his trouble, Julian meets Simon Phelps, the insurance coordinator for Robbie’s case. Simon lives so deep in the closet he might never find his way out, but he dreams of exactly what Julian has. Then one night, drunken need and desperation brings them together, and a new fight begins
REVIEW:
Incredible, sincere, real, heart breaking, heart-wrenching, sad, uplifting, hope, character, strength, love, support, drama, relationships, friendship, hurt, courage, emotions…
There are just a few of the words that come to mind after reading this powerful book.
In a way I feel honored that I had the opportunity to read this story. It’s so emotional…so complete and so much more than just a novel.
Reading the blurb I cannot deny I was a little scared of what this story would put me through as a reader. I mean, the high level of emotions are already there in that short premise.
And the emotions I got were all over the room. This book had me shivering in fear, clutching my own hand in hope, bawling like a child in despair and shining in love.
We meet Julian as he is about to become a daddy through surrogacy with his best friend Erin, who gives him the gift of Robbie. But Robbie is not well. He has a major heart condition and the long struggle begins for Robbie, Julian and their family and friends.
During this he meets Simon who works at the hospital and where they meet again when Simon steps up for Julian when the father is at his lowest in worrying about Robbie. Things get out of control and they both give in to their urge to be together. Out of this tragedy with Robbie there grows something incredibly beautiful between both men, found in loneliness and bringing them together.
To find out what this story brings you on Robbie’s story as well as Julian and Simon’s I would like to encourage you to read this yourself. I can state facts here but I rather choose to go with the emotions and the feeling it gave me as I mentioned in the beginning of this review.
For me this story is a must read. Where I can appreciate the different levels of writing by Miss Barnaby (who is known for the award winning books Aaron and Spencer as well as the Rentboy series to name just a few of her works) this book is on a level of its own. Author J.P Barnaby made something so personal and private into a complete story that will break your heart and built it up from scratch again.
Thank you for sharing this with us although I feel a mere thank you is too little to express
Danielle
RATING: 
BUY LINKS:
I finished Aaron and Spencer on my last two days off. It’s very rare than an author can so honestly and realistically capture what it means to be a survivor of sexual (or any kind of) trauma. She is a new to me author and I look forward to reading more. Since I finished Spencer last night and it having been such an incredible story, I’m going to get a Heart For Robbie and read it next.
ok, going to have to read this one. Thanks for the review!
(and that cover is just so damn adorable!)
Well you’ve definitely convinced me Dani. Nice review 🙂