Book Review: Finding Parker by Scott Hildreth

 Finding Parker

Scott Hildreth

Genre: New Adult

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 Synopsis:

"Life's greatest treasures will never be held, purchased, or bartered for. They will only be felt."

 Parker Bale has is a gentlemen in all respects. After graduating college and beginning the exhausting search for a job, he’s offered employment, unlimited expenses, and a new BMW by an extremely wealthy eccentric stranger. His new job?

Finding a woman to love. Not a particular woman, but he must look in a particular place. And he must sign a contract. Eagerly, he signs the contract without reading it.

Victoria Fisker’s father died immediately after her birth. Her bed-ridden mother’s addiction to pain pills requires her to be at home every moment she isn’t working as a prep cook. She has never been in love, nor does she feel loved at home. She doesn’t particularly trust people, has no faith in the male species in general, and lives a quiet life keeping to herself.

When Parker meets Victoria, he’s immediately intrigued by her lack of interest in people and her comfort in being alone. Victoria, on the other hand, only recognizes Parker as being a male and believes therefore he can’t be trusted.

Finding Parker’s characters embark on a journey. A journey in which they soon realize they’re finding love where they least expect it. Love for friends, love for family which may not be blood related, and for that one person…

The one who gives you reason to believe for the first time love just may actually exist.

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My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

“How easily we become distracted by beauty.  It’s quite sad.  If only we could close our eyes and become attacked to what’s on the inside,”

“Life is easy.  All we have to do to live it is breathe.  Making all the right choices regarding life and living it takes some serious thought, though.”

“As I felt myself collapse onto the floor, I was certain I would die on my first date with Victoria.  A mouth full of sandwich and a piece of salami lodged in my throat, the paramedics would announce my death upon arrival.  Parker Bale.  Dead at twenty-three, a victim of being a stupid sandwich eating fool.”

 “You know, we fear what we don’t understand and find serenity in what we’re incapable of understanding.”

“Parker caused me to feel.  Simply stated, I stand afraid I’ll never be the same.  I am forever ruined by his simple, caring, thoughtful, and often silent ways.”

“Almost immediately, he covered his mouth with his hand and began to bounce up and down.  He resembled a four year old boy who desperately needed to pee and couldn’t find a place to do so.”

 

 My Review:

I am more than a bit stunned by my reaction to this surprisingly poignant book.  If you have read any of my reviews, you know that I am a cold-hearted cougar who likes steamy books.  I loved this book and - gasp - there was zero sex.  I have even more shocking news… while it is a fact that I rarely cry, I found myself blinking back an unaccustomed moisture that suddenly filled my eyes… and I will also cop to the fact that I had to put my beloved kindle down several times - as I was sobbing!  Finding Parker was a quick and easy read, simply written, oh so touching and moving, yet not maudlin at all.  I enjoyed the well-placed and sneaky use of humor, and the unexpected use of expletives.  I laughed aloud at the piccolo joke.  I adored each character and would love to know them personally.  The writing was well-paced, well crafted, easy to follow, and totally engrossing.  I read it in one sitting and wanted more.  But, I'm greedy like that.

Empress DJ