Griffin McCabe and his twin sister Deena were raised by loving parents, but that was before their mother died of cancer. Her death changed everything, and 30 years later, Griffin’s life is still influenced more by the aftermath than even his fondest memory of a special celebration with his father the day he turned 6. Is it possible not to forget but to forgive?

Following the Prologue, the story is told in 5 parts: The Before, Intersect, Connect, Descend, and Disconnect. It is a gripping and page-turning story that draws the reader into Griffin’s thoughts, emotions, and actions, how he survived his father’s abuse, and how it affected every aspect of his life on the path forward. It is a novel of introspection, grief, abuse, trauma, acceptance, forgiveness, and hope. It is realism, beautifully written, and powerful.

Highly recommended. ( )

Let me start off by saying, "wow!" This was such an emotional rollercoaster ride for me. The author has developed the character's so well that anyone can identify with them. His main character Griffin is carrying around a lot of baggage. We see Griffin and his father together at a fair. They are celebrating his birthday, while his mom and twin sister are out celebrating hers. We are shown a loving father who loves his son, until the mother dies. This father, a lawyer by day, becomes a monster by night, spewing his anger our on his son. Fast forward many years and we see grown up Griffin. He works out and runs to excess when he is stressed, which seems to be all the time. The woman he loves tries to help but has her own baggage. All of his actions are pushing her away. Then the unthinkable happens. Griffin is in an accident and the person who hit him is his estranged father. Old feelings return and threaten to destroy him. Griffin learns his father has Alzheimer's. You will just have to read the book to find out what happens. The turmoil in his life is one so many go through. Whether you have been through anything like this or not it puts fresh eyes on relationships and I would recommend it to everyone. ( )