Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Depth of Focus
SERIES: Natural Hearts #1
AUTHOR: J.D. Chambers
PUBLISHER: self-published
LENGTH: 207 pages
RELEASE DATE: November 20, 2018
BLURB:
Growing up, Travis hated his small town, Slat Creek, and everyone in it. His only goal was to escape for good, and at the age of twenty-one, he thought he had finally achieved it. But when his sister struggles with the death of their mother, he has to return home to care for her.
Whitman grew up believing in the healing power of books, but it wasn’t until he moved to a small town in Oregon as their new librarian that he sees that belief in action. He’s living his dream professionally. But personally, he’s lonely and wondering if he made a big mistake, until he meets a sad teenager and takes her under his wing.
Might an observant and helpful librarian be enough to tempt Travis to stay?
REVIEW:
Oh. My…..geez Louise. I bawled like a baby through this whole book but it was so GOOD! So emotional, heartbreaking, heartfelt, sweet, and the list goes on. Be very prepared for a box of tissues but it’s worth it.
Being from a small town myself, I can imagine how Travis felt. Everyone in your business, gossip galore, and small mindedness. Bullies. Etc. Travis wanted away. In a place where no one knew him and he could be free to be himself without everyone knowing. Not that he was ashamed of being gay, but still. He finally had gotten away, too, until a drunk driver changed his life. Killed his mom and now his guardian of his little sister back in a town he hates. His sister isn’t doing well and he needs a break from having to watch her constantly. But how?
When Whitman moved to this little town, he hoped he could bring life through the little library. With the old library retiring, he had shoes to fill and a council to win over. Of course, he had heard the gossip about everyone in town, but seeing it with his own eyes was something different. Something about Travis called to him on a deep level and he wanted to help. Hiring Travis’s sister seemed to finally help. And being able to be close Travis was even better. But everything was coming to a head. The past was making an appearance and Whitman didn’t know if he’d get to start anything before it ended.
Man I don’t know who I wanted to hug more in this book. Caity, Travis’s sister, Whitman or Travis himself. Honestly, I think I wanted to hug Travis more. Caity has been through hell, don’t get me wrong, but Travis has been thrust in a parental position at 21, he lost his mom, had no dad, having to hold down 2 jobs, keep an eye on a suicidal sister, and no time to breath or grieve. He has so !ucb on his shoulders, it seems like anything could make him break. Amd actually, it does. I cried for him so much. He loves his sister so much, and will do everything he can for her, but his life was just starting.
And then Caity. Losing her mom and best friend all in one. Being a teen on top of it. What a mess. I love her though. She’s a fighter. In spite of wanting to and almost giving up. She’s still a fighter. She just needs to know life is still good and goes on.
And Whitman. Starting work in this small town library. Wanting to bring the town alive and together. Wanting to make a difference. And tackling a situation with Travis and Caity most people would run from.
I love these guys. So much brings them together. They cry, laugh, fight, but love and try to make life better. I love Caity for being a fighter. Travis too. I love Travis for stepping in a role not many would. And Whitman, for seeing a way out to help. Three definitely flawed and broken characters but beautiful in their own way. I love, too, that Travis and especially Whitman are just normal, everyday looking guys. No need for the gym or to make an impression. Although, who doesn’t want to look good. But I love they were just people. Just people trying to survive.
This book is so good. I’m still tearing up writing this. It touched my heart so much. And the surprise Travis gets at the end makes it even better. Sometimes it takes a bad situation to see who really loves you. A great book
RATING: 
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