Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: The River’s Edge
AUTHOR: Jordan Castillo Price
PUBLISHER: JCP Books LLC
LENGTH: 69 pages
RELEASE DATE: July 3, 2023
BLURB:
Two lost souls…one uncanny journey.
Cynic, enforcer, and all-around dangerous guy—Gino is hardly surprised to find himself dumped on the riverbank. His gun, wallet and cellphone are long gone, though he has been left with one hell of a splitting headache.
But Gino’s not the only one in dire straits. Soon a damaged young man named Shane discovers his party friends aren’t really friends at all, and now he too is stuck in the middle of nowhere.
One man is a blunt weapon, while the other has never quite measured up—neither with any good prospects for a bright future. But when their paths collide, they embark on an extraordinary journey of redemption and self-discovery. Together, they confront the unknown and forge an unbreakable bond that defies the odds. Will they find solace and salvation, or will they be consumed by the secrets of their past?
REVIEW:
Gino is a mob enforcer who finds himself on a river bank with a helluva headache – remembering that somehow he got conked on the head by his boss. And that’s the last thing he remembers. He’s trying to figure out what to do – minus his gun, wallet, phone, anything really. Also every time he moves it’s excruciating. Then he hears footsteps. A very young looking guy stumbles upon him in a new suit – also sans wallet or phone and clearly in distress. Last thing Shane remembers is being at a drug party.
Gino and Shane try to find their way back to civilization and maybe some help. But it doesn’t go very well. Strange things keep happening to thwart their progress. They spend more time together and they each share some of their past as they try to figure out what has brought them to this place. The more they know, the more the find solace in each other.
OK. Well this was totally unexpected. It’s a wonderfully atmospheric story filled with dread and uncertainty and confusion. But it also has some very powerful redemptive and cathartic moments as well. I don’t want to spoil this novella for anyone so I won’t share any more particulars because I think it would ruin the reading experience for anyone else. Its secrets should only be revealed by reading the story. Gino and Shane are characters that seem to have nothing in common on the surface, but just “fit” as they decide to stick together. JCP is a master at creating a mood and a place with words and this is no exception. The story is very engaging and the reader is truly taken along on the journey with these men. Recommended.
RATING: 
BUY LINK: