Sometimes life doesn’t go as we planned, and this story is about a man who needs to learn how to deal with a new reality. Garrett has a very hard time with it, and even though his injury may not seem all that serious if compared with losing a limb or paralysis, pain and loss is often in the eye of the beholder. For him, not being able to use his arm any longer comes close to being the end of the world. It means he has lost the job he always wanted to have - an arborist needs to be able to climb trees - and Garrett no longer can. This novella takes him from utter despair and self-pity all the way to a new understanding of his role in life, and I loved watching him grow and change. L.J. LaBarthe did an amazing job getting into the head of a man who suddenly doubts his own value, only to discover that as long as he is alive, there is hope.

Garrett is not a very nice person in the beginning of this story. He doesn’t even like himself! He figures he has every reason to feel sorry for himself – after all, his life is now ruined. He never asked for the accident that ended up damaging his rotator cuff, but he now has to deal with the consequences. I wanted to shake him a couple of times, just so he’d realize how much he still had to live for.

When he goes on a trip to Havelock Island in India for some pretty special therapy, his eyes open in more than one way. He meets Jai, a nurse, and he gets to swim with elephants. Jai impresses him with his easygoing, gentle nature and the elephants – well, I am a fan of them myself, and I think spending time with them can probably cure pretty much any metal agony someone is feeling. Garrett makes a few discoveries on that trip, and when he returns home to Australia, he is mentally an spiritually refreshed and much better equipped to deal with his new realty. Yes, it will not be easy, but at least he is no longer despondent. He is ready and willing to give life another try.

If you like thoughtful stories about men who go through a life-changing experience, if you enjoy reading about emotional and spiritual journeys, and if you’re looking for a read with deep emotions and some sweet romance to top it all off, then you will probably like this novella as much as I did.


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
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