50 Hours on June 30th 2017
Pages: 288
Format: eARC
Goodreads
THE STORY: Franco Allessi is a broken, lonely man who wants nothing more than to outrun the ghosts of his past. For years, he tries to numb the pain of his wife’s death with cheap beer and whiskey. When he’s convicted of drunk driving, the judge revokes his license for six months and orders him to serve fifty hours of community service. Franco chooses Savannah Falls Hospice for no reason other than it’s walking distance from his dilapidated house trailer. On his first day on the job, he meets Aubrey Brewer, a woman whose time on earth is quickly ticking to a stop. Their unusual connection teaches powerful, life-changing lessons about friendship, acceptance, and the importance of appreciating that precious treasure called Life.
MY TAKE: I’ll start out by saying this: this past January, I celebrated 24 years of uninterrupted sobriety through the grace of God. As a person who knows what it means to drink your pain away, this book was really touching to me. Franco Allessi is drowning in the sorrow of losing the love of his life, his wife, by drinking his life away. He has lost his business, he’s resorted to doing jobs he never thought he would do, he lives in a run-down trailer, and now, in case it can’t get any worse, he’s stuck doing court-ordered community service for – you guessed it – 50 hours. His AA sponsor “encourages” him to serve his 50 hours at a local hospice for chronically diseased and dying patients and he agrees since he can’t drive, along with the fact that the center is within walking distance. …..and then there’s Aubrey Brewer – a woman who – you guessed it – has 50 hours to live. As much as you would think the two of these people and the title of the book are predictable, let me stop you right now and let you know that is not the case. Nothing about this story is predictable in fact. The two main characters are really the bulk of the story, but there’s also a cool little added “character” – a blue jay who appears at several key moments in the story. The details of the bird are really sweet and it really added a bit of “mystery” to the story. It’s not a love story either – there’s love, but it’s God’s love shown through the characters. Of course, due to the subject matter involved in the story, there’s some sadness. There’s also some happy tears involved as the story shows the unlikely pairing of friends and the healing in helping someone else achieve something they love. I never write spoilers, so it’s a little hard to really share the story without sharing the story. What I can tell you is this: you will be disappointed if you miss out on this great book. I loved the characters, I loved the story line, and I especially loved the healing in Franco’s life thanks to him staying sober and doing the next right thing. I’ve never read any other books by Loree Lough, but I can promise you I will be reading them in the future!
You’ll laugh, you’ll cry… 50 Hours is an unforgettable tale of healing, redemption, and the cost of true love. With a delicate pen, author Loree Lough writes an honest and poignant view of what cancer patients face with commendable bravery. A must-read for readers of every kind! – Rachel Muller, author of bestselling World War II series, Love & War, and the newly released, Phillip’s War Loree Lough took a difficult subject and turned it into a compelling read with light humor to soften the inevitable sadness that comes with a depressing disease. – Emma Gingerich – author of Runaway Amish Girl; the Great Escape 50 Hours is a book you won’t be able to put down, and its messages of love and compassion will linger with you long after you’ve turned the last page. – Kate James, award-winning author of Sanctuary Cove, Silver Linings, and The Truth About Hope The novel is a reminder that life is indeed short, but always worth living. And almost always… one life will touch many others. Great job Loree! – Robin Bayne, author of Reunion At Crane Lake. www.robinbayne.com Emerson said, “To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded.” Aubrey and Franco succeeded. Believe me when I say, THIS IS THE KIND OF BOOK THAT WINS PULITZER PRIZES. – Catherine Lanigan, author of Romancing the Stone, The Jewel of the Nile, and over forty-five novels and non-fiction To read the complete praises and accolades, visit the 50 Hours Book Page at Book Unleashed. Purchase Links
Available now. Grab your copy today. Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Progressive Rising Phoenix
About Loree Lough
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