Reviewed by Dee
TITLE: Orientation
AUTHOR: Rick R. Reed
PUBLISHER: Wilde City Press
LENGTH: 192 pages
RELEASE DATE: July 25, 2016
BLURB:
Robert and Jess may just be the world’s most unlikely couple—a gay man and a lesbian. But there is something mysterious going on here: Is Jess the reincarnation of the lover Robert lost to AIDS more than two decades ago? Can they transcend sexual orientation and find true love…again? Before this question can be answered, both must confront a deadly peril just waiting to pounce…
Note: Second Edition – This is a previously published work.
REVIEW:
This is the first book I’ve read by this author, and wow does he have a way with words. The first chapter ripped my heart to shreds. In the 80s I worked with the most awesome man who succumbed to AIDS so this story hit home something fierce.
Chapter two begins twenty-four years later, and thus begins the story of Robert, his live-in much younger partner, Ethan, their tumultuous relationship, and the introduction of Jess.
While the leading characters in this story are gay, the story is about so much more than sexual orientation. Ethan has a huge drug addiction and sees Robert as nothing more than a ‘sugar daddy.’ While high he carries out many dangerous acts, including partaking in club scenes, gangbangs etc. For a longtime I couldn’t fathom why Robert didn’t kick him out. Further on, I got it.
Jess is an interesting character, close to despair when a chance encounter, (or is it by chance?) puts her in the path of Robert and the two form a close bond.
The story is told from four point-of-views, so you get into the heads of Robert, Jess, Ethan and around the 60% mark Ethan’s dealer, Tony. I personally could’ve done without hearing the drug dealer’s POV. The reason I say that is because once I’m privy to a character’s thoughts and feelings I want to know more, and he kind of drops off before the curtain comes down.
I saw this story tagged as paranormal and worried it might take a turn for the unbelievable. However, the issue of whether Jess was Robert’s lover reincarnated, or not, was more fascinating than weird, least for me.
Even though the ending felt a little rushed, and the resolution rather unorthodox, the fact the leading characters were happy left me smiling and sated.
RATING: 
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