Chad Michael Murray

Interesting tale that is part travel journal, part adventure, and part love story. The twists and turns through Brazil include wonderful characters as well, who seem so genuine they feel like old friends. This is also a good examination of the effects of war on the young, and how PTSD can impact families. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An entertaining journey of an ex-military Iraqi veteran, River Roulet who's traveling though the Brazilian countryside, during his travels he has flashbacks of his time spend in the war. Then one day he comes across this beautiful attractive Brazilian woman Natal, who captures his heart and soul, only too find out that she's another mans woman. The climax will leave you speechless in thoughts.

This book took a while to get into. The description of Rio and the Brazilian countryside was too drawn out. I felt an empathy for River dealing with flashbacks of his war experience. There was little action in this book, a bit of a departure for Heather Graham. The surprise ending was not what I expected. It was a good read, more thought provoking than action packed.

It took some time to get started with this book, and to realize what was really going on, with the flashbacks of wartime Iraq and to discern what this drifter's personality really was like.
It might be too painful for a veteran just returned to read this book, as it seemed extremely raw in places, and makes the reader empathetic with someone who has a lot of decompressing from the war to do.
Later on, the book takes a turn and in the end, while somewhat resolved, the ending does seem show more especially sad for someone who has fought to keep the homeland safe and secure.
The descriptions of Rio and Brazil, I hope are accurate, they seem so vivid, colorful, and seem to make the people and culture, he encounters come so alive.
I would recommend this book for any adult who wants to understand what PTS can do to people, and how you should just be calm and understanding of people with it. And I'm sure we will be dealing with men and women returning form Irag and Afghanistan, who all too many are dealing with similar feelings. show less