THE GIRL FROM HOME

5 stars out of 5

Right off the bat, I'll admit that feeling sympathy for any kind of Bernie Madoff wannabe who, by his own admission, wants what he wants and will do anything to get it, just isn't in my emotional wheelhouse. Honestly, I never really "liked" Jonathan Caine right up to the end of this book (in fact, especially not at the end). But in the final analysis, that matters not a whit; I thoroughly enjoyed this well-written story that held my attention throughout. 

As Jonathan's efforts to turn a few billion bucks in the market turns nasty, he leaves his trophy wife Natasha at their expensive penthouse condo to attend his 25th high school reunion. There, he spots Jacqueline Williams, who (you guessed it), was well out of the reach of Johnny from the 'hood back then. She's still as gorgeous as ever, and the now filthy rich Jonathan decides to try for what he wants despite being married. As it turns out, she's married as well - to a high school football star with a penchant for spousal abuse. 

That fact only increases Jonathan's intent to conquer, and he's delighted when he finds she's receptive to his attentions. Jackie is unaware, though, of Jonathan's pending financial crisis (which he's kept to himself in the fear that she'll dump his sorry butt), so that revelation looms over their affair. Jonathan does, however, share the fact that his father is on his deathbed - after all, that's just another speed bump in his as perfect as he can make it world. But as their relationship intensifies, Jonathan begins to contemplate what's really important and what he must do if he wants to turn his life around.

That, of course, brings up questions: Is he serious, or are his feelings simply another case of this, too, shall pass? If it's real, how can he and Jackie dump the spouses neither of them wants? Can Johnny avoid life-altering fallout from his financial plunders and blunders? And will he get the comeuppance I think he deserves?

To get those answers, you'll just have to read the book. As for me, I thank the author and publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read an advance copy in exchange for a review (it's scheduled for release on April 5, 2016). Now, I'm planning to take a look at the three other law-related books by the author, an attorney himself, BTW: A Conflict of Interest, A Case of Redemption and Losing Faith. 

The Girl From Home by Adam Mitzner (Gallery Books, April 2016); 336 pp.