The Fifteenth of June

By: Brent Jones

Narrated by: Wyatt Baker

Length: 5 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

Can we lose a loved one without losing ourselves?

Twenty-eight-year-old Drew Thomson is haunted by a troubled past. After struggling for years with alcoholism and antisocial behavior, he ends a stable relationship with his girlfriend and finds himself without a home, job, or purpose.

Just as he learns that his father is terminally ill, he meets a stranger who offers him a flicker of hope for a better future. But is he ready to bury the past?

Rich with dark humor and a keen insight into the human condition, this debut fictional release from author Brent Jones delves into life's most pressing trials - destructive relationships, love, loss, and pursuing happiness.

©2017 Brent Jones (P)2017 Brent Jones

A life-like (for all too many) story with hope...

Although this story was one of a life-like struggle, I found it an easy (though not light) listen and it kept my interest, throughout. The narration by Wyatt Baker certainly helped in that cause. Even as the book delves into alcohol, sex, and drugs, along with the language of such, it illustrates that nobody is beyond hope if only they are open to the possibility of a changed life.

This book is certainly worth the cost of a credit for anyone interested in this topic and especially anyone that has a family or friend enduring similar struggles.

A review copy audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in return for this unbiased review. My hope is that this review helps in your decision to obtain this book.

Great Read

Any additional comments?

The Fifteenth of June by Brent Jones was a good read. Drew Thomson finds himself haunted by his past and living a constant struggle. This sometimes took dark twists and turns that the reader will never expect. I really enjoyed reading this book.

Moving. Sad. Eventually Hopeful

Where does The Fifteenth of June rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The Fifteenth of June is outside my comfort zone of usual reading / listening. It isn't an easy listen. The protagonist, Drew, isn't easy to like, yet I identified with him. I understand the impact of an event that has the power to negatively impact an entire family for the time frame of almost a generation. And how eventually, we find how to overcome it and not be destroyed.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Fifteenth of June?

There are many. The culmination of the family's and individually, Drew's letting go is a strong moment in the story.

What does Wyatt Baker bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I haven't read the print or ebook edition. Wyatt Baker does an admirable job! A strong listenable voice, an ability at dramatic narration without being cartoonish. A good choice for this work.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I mentioned that I identified with the book. And I titled the review to represent my reaction.

Any additional comments?

This is well thought out and well written. The narration was excellent, professional.
I appreciate those attributes.

It was entertaining and worth the time investment involved.

Thanks for the opportunity to listen and offer my opinions on this work!A review copy was gifted to me at no charge. In return, I am happy to provide an honest review. Also at no charge.

The Fifteenth of June

I enjoyed this book a lot.I found it witty with 'laugh out loud' moments.Wyatt Baker was a fine narrator for this book.“I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.”

Moving with twists and turns

What made the experience of listening to The Fifteenth of June the most enjoyable?

The plot and sequence of events and it impacts. The narration was well done.

Any additional comments?

This review copy audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost."

Mostly typical self destruction drama.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

For most of the book, there wasn't anything exceptional. It's the typical fare of person losing a loved one and hurtling on a self destruction path. Some non-typical character arcs would've been nice.

Did The Fifteenth of June inspire you to do anything?

To not waste my life in alcohol, drug and sex, to begin with. :P And to keep my loved ones closer and make every moment with them memorable.

Any additional comments?

I received a free copy of this book from the author / narrator / publisher and I'm leaving an unbiased review.

A Truly Moving Drama

The Fifteenth of June was a good interpretation of what seemed to be criminals in the making. I think Drew was despicable and Neil even more so. I'm not sure how someone could behave that way and treat women or girls the way they did at the party and suddenly change.

In places, this audiobook was hard to listen to. I was 'sort of' reminded of a story that's been in the news recently regarding a frat party. At least in this story, Drew was remorseful when his dad died and changed his ways.

Wyatt Baker's performance was perfect for the story. His voice inflections were just right. He really hit the mark with his characterizations. A great job!

"This book was gifted to me for free and at my request. I provided my honest, voluntary review."

The downward spiral.....

I just finished listening to this book and it has left me feeling thoughtful. It's a difficult book to review as I didn't particularly like Drew Thompson for most of the book, yet it's hard not to empathise with him as he travels along the road to self-destruction.

The trigger for himself, his father and his brother, was the murder of his mother when Drew was just a teenager. Each of the men coped with his agonising loss in a different way and Drew chose to drown himself in a sea of alcohol, drugs and sex. As the book begins Drew is 28, leaving his long-standing girlfriend and moving into an apartment in a rough area. He's been sacked from his job for being drunk and high, and his life seems to be spiraling out of control.

He applies for a job at a call-centre and at the interview meets Kara, a Barbie-doll type character, who gives his life some meaning, at least for a while. But just as things seem to be taking a turn for the better, he discovers that his father, Russel, is terminally ill and doesn't have long to live. While Russel is ready to return to the side of his beloved wife, Drew struggles to take this added stress on board and the cracks begin to show.

I couldn't see where the author was going with this sorry character intent on his path of self destruction, but by the end I found I was actually beginning to like Drew and respect his decisions, which was refreshing.
An interesting debut, very different from my usual reads, but worthwhile, and I'm glad I chose to request a review copy from Audiobook Boom.
(I should possibly add a bad language and explicit sex warning.)
3 1/2 stars.