John & Jackie, TJ Klune
Rating: 5 Stars
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Genre: Gay Romance
Tags: Angst, Contemporary
Reviewer: Cindi
Purchase At: Dreamspinner Press, amazon.com
This is a love story spanning seventy-one years. Told over a series of recounted stories and memories, the reader is allowed to watch as John and Jackie meet at the young age of twelve and follow along as they become friends and then lovers a few years later. Not just lovers. John and Jackie are soul mates and this is evident from the moment they meet. Now both are eighty-three and one is close to the end of his life. John and Jackie have been inseparable for decades. It has always been just John and Jackie. To say I cried would be an understatement. You know early on how the story will play out so the emotions are constant the entire time you are reading.
I have read all of TJ Klune’s books. I always read them on the day of release. I have loved them all but John & Jackie? I have to say this is his best work. I said that when I finished Into This River I Drown but I think John & Jackie has taken over that spot for me. This is one of the most touching and sweet love stories I have ever read. You feel the heartbreak. You feel the love. You feel it all. The ending is brilliant.
I know going into this author’s books that I will no doubt shed a few tears. He is good at drawing on your raw emotions. But never would I have dreamed that I would have one get to me like this one. Kudos, TJ, for writing another beautifully written story. You write true love well.
I read the first edition of this story within days of the release. I have since read others by this author, all of which I loved, but I will say that John & Jackie is his best work ever. If you can read this story without shedding more than a few tears, I’d be very surprised.
This review was originally published on May 19, 2013, in my Crack The Darkest Sky Wide Open anthology review.
Check out Kazza K’s Goodreads review here.
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I find this such a hard book to read right now and I’m glad I had the privilege of reading it earlier. A lovely review, Cindi, for such beautiful storytelling.
Thank you. It’s such a beautiful love story and I remember when I read it the first time saying that it was his best work yet. I stand by that and you know I’ve loved all of his books.
I’m glad you read it too.
That’s a touching review, Cindi. Has this love cynic feeling the love 😉
You’d definitely be feeling it if you read the story, Jay. It would make a love cynic like you all mushy and teary I believe. 😀