The Girl From Home

When I read my first book by Mr. Mitzner I liked it and thought this is an author I need to keep an eye on as I want to read more by him. The next 2 books I read I did enjoy. Yet this time is the first time that I really could not get into the story or the characters. I read the first 16 chapters but there was nothing endearing about Jonathan or his situation. His clients were whiny and I felt indifferent to them. In addition, Jonathan and Jackie could have been any couple coming together. Sadly, I felt no need to read anymore of this book. I know Mr. Mitzner can do better so I am hoping that this was a one off time and that the next book will be back up to par showcasing what I know Mr. Mitzner can do.

Jonathan, a hedge fund trader who has the world by the balls, reaches his pinnacle and falls hard. Jackie, the beautiful prom queen who married the quarterback, wishes her life were over so she and her kids didn't have to endure her husband's abuse any longer.
As Jonathan fights to keep his freedom and Jackie fights to gain hers, the fight for survival and the hope of love get them through.
A well written and witty story. There's a lot going on by the end, such as a financial investigation and a murder investigation...but when a bit of trickery gets them both, mainly off the hook, all's well that ends well! In all, an interesting and engaging read!
(I received an arc for an honest review)

A special thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Adam Mitzer returns following Losing Faith, landing on my Top 50 Books of 2015 Best Legal Thriller meets psychological game of power with THE GIRL FROM HOME – a different twist, than the author's previous books; a man who loses it all, returning to his roots and the girl he fell for in high school.

Jonathan Caine has an entitled attitude— Manhattan hedge fund manager thinks he deserves nothing but the best. Very self-centered, a narcissistic personality disorder, with an inflated sense of their own importance-- a deep need for admiration and a lack of empathy for others.

Of course, behind this mask of ultra-confidence lies a fragile show more self-esteem that's vulnerable to the slightest criticism. Coming from a small town, he makes his way to Wall Street, now a millionaire with a trophy wife.

However, he falls from grace, and loses it all. A scandalous securities-fraud scheme and is faced with possible jail time and danger. He still is not humbled, and returns home to New Jersey, to care from his elderly father and stays at his childhood home while his dad is in a care facility. He decides to return to his twenty-fifth high school reunion to catch a glimpse of the girl he once loved. He was a nerd back then and she dated only high school jocks. (who goes to a high school reunion when they have lost everything)?

The Homecoming beauty queen, Jacqueline (Jackie) Williams married her football jock. She is not so happy, got pregnant—he is an alcoholic, abusive, and jealous. Jackie is miserable; however, stays in the marriage, trying to protect her two kids--she has no skills or money to leave him.

Now Jackie looks at Jonathan as successful, wealthy, and he shows her attention. A way out. However, he is not honest with her about losing his wealth and is homeless, plus a criminal. Can he change? Can he save his love, or himself? What can he offer her?

His wife has found someone new, and does not care about her hubby, now that he has lost his money—she has moved on with her real estate broker. While residing in his old childhood home, he gets to know his sister Amy and his dad--hiding from an angry husband. In between, he begins spending time with the girl of his dreams. He may look at his dad a little different than he did previously.

Unfortunately, there were no likable characters here and a simple, rather boring story done many times over. The main character does not seem to learn a lesson and none of the characters seemed genuine or well-developed. The depth, and suspense were missing; very disappointed, since all three of his previous books were strong legal crime thrillers (5 Stars)----this one fell flat for me. Hope the author returns to his legal thrillers, which seem to be his sweet spot. show less

This was a very entertaining story. Jonathan has a saying that he lives by 'I want what I want' and he doesn't care what it takes to get it done. He's a hedge fund manager on Wall Street. He lives in a very expensive Manhattan apartment with his wife who only cares about status, drives a leased Bentley and is trying to get enough millions to buy a house on the ocean in East Hampton. But a client wants his $250 billion dollars back and wants it now so Jonathan does a few illegal moves to be able to pay the client back and not have anyone notice. The book goes back and forth between this issue and a few months later when he attends his 25th class reunion and meets Jacklyn Williams, the pretty girl from his class who married the show more quarterback. Slowly the book finds the two time differences merging. Or the background information catches up with what is currently happening with Jonathan. There are a few surprises, especially at the end. Very interesting and well worth the read.

I read an advanced copy through my Goodreads group. show less