Title: Long The Mile
Series: Home for the Holidays Collection
Author: Ally Blue
Genre: Contemporary/Christmas/Homeless
Length: Novella (140 Pages)
Publisher: Riptide Publishing (December 2nd, 2013)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5Hearts
Blurb: Sometimes it takes losing everything to find what you really need.
When Judah went to prison for insider trading, he lost everything he thought was important: his business, his money, his power. But when he gets out, homelessness strips him of the one thing he has left: his self-respect. When another homeless man saves him from a beating, he begins to learn to rely on the goodness of those around him.
For Toby, life on the streets has become familiar. Comfortable. So comfortable he wonders if he’s given up on changing his life for the better. Then comes Judah. Formerly rich, newly homeless, all his pride and attitude gone along with his material possessions. Helping Judah feels good. Their unexpected connection—physical and beyond—feels even better.
Their shared situation nurtures a growing closeness that blossoms into something deeper. But when change comes knocking, it will take all their strength to keep fear and insecurity from tearing them apart.
Product Link: http://www.riptidepublishing.com/titles/long-mile
Reviewer: GiGi
Review: Even though this book is about homelessness, it is a feel good story. The homeless aspects seem to be portrayed through rose-colored glasses. The real aspects of homelessness, illness, injury, arrest, hypothermia, crime, seem to be missing. There is one instance of near mugging, other than that, the homeless characters always seem to find some sort of shelter, safety and fairly regular food and hygiene facilities.
But this is written to be a Christmas story, so I do understand and appreciate the warm and fuzzy for that purpose. Long the Mile does open eyes to how easily one can become homeless, and does the job of giving the homeless an identity when we so often overlook or dehumanize homeless people. There is also an interesting dynamic written regarding finding one’s purpose again, picking up the pieces, and starting over after hitting rock bottom, and realizing we must each find it for ourselves, not depends on others to do it for us. We see this specifically in regards to the relationship between Toby and Judah; it was a difficult choice, a hard path, but in the end …well…you’ll just have to read the end!
A worthwhile read that sheds light on a very real and growing social issue.