Review of The Final Act

[Brenda Creech]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Final Act" by Bruno Amato.]

---

4 out of 4 stars

---

Share This Review

---

The Final Act by Bruno Amato is the heartwarming story of friendship between Danny Vitello, a top Hollywood actor and former Iraq veteran who has Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD), and a young boy named Sam battling cancer. Sam's father died in Iraq, and his mother, Maria, is the local district attorney (DA).

Danny Vitello had destroyed his career after surprising his wife, Angie, and her co-star, Brett, in her dressing room in a compromising situation, and Danny attacked Brett. Maria, Sam's mother, was the DA when Danny had to face charges for the attack. She recommended Danny get 200 hours of supervised community service instead of jail time. Danny met Sam while doing his community service in the pediatric unit of Cedars Sinai Hospital, where Sam was a patient. Danny was to direct the annual Christmas play for the children. During this time, Danny was also trying to revive his career in acting. The bond between Danny and Sam grew swiftly, and an attraction was building between Maria and Danny. When Danny inadvertently breaks a promise to Sam, both Sam and Maria refuse to see him. Can Danny and Sam mend their relationship? Is Maria still attracted to Danny, and will she forgive him? Does Danny get his acting career back? Does Sam win his battle with cancer? Those are questions I will leave for the reader to answer.

Bruno Amato wrote an emotional account of an actor struggling to conquer his PTSD and turn his life around and a young boy fighting for his life against cancer. Amato was adept at expressing the characters' emotions, so the reader feels like they are actually in Sam's hospital room and the courtroom as Danny awaits his fate. The reader can sense the terror Danny feels when he has flashbacks of his tour in Iraq and Sam's fear when he hears he will have to have another surgery.

The relationship between Danny and Sam is the essence of the story. What I liked most was Sam's determination. His favorite saying came from one of Danny's movies, and Sam recited it before every procedure he had to face. It is, "giving up is not an option." That one small quote gave a little boy the strength to fight the biggest battle of his life and a grown man the ability to believe in himself again. Another favorite part for me was how the book ends. Amato wrote the perfect ending to the story, and it will leave the reader with belief in the saying "giving up is not an option."

There isn't anything I disliked about this book, and I found very few errors which led me to believe the book had professional editing. For the lessons of unconditional love, determination, and friendship portrayed in this book and the professional editing, I am rating it 4 out of 4 stars.

I recommend this book to those who enjoy remarkable stories of love, friendship, determination, and faith in oneself. There is very little profanity, but a couple of intimate scenes are graphic and would not be suitable for anyone under eighteen. The flashback scenes of war may also disturb younger readers.

******
The Final Act
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[Gabriella1997]

I love reading love stories, I hope Sam and Maria forgives Danny, I would really love to read more about this book, beautiful review.

[Chinaza Nnabuenyi]

Mending a broken friendship is necessary but not an easy thing. Friends will always come around but there is a friend you can never replace. Great review!

[Brenda Creech]

I love reading love stories, I hope Sam and Maria forgives Danny, I would really love to read more about this book, beautiful review.

Thank you so much! I hope you get to read it.

[Brenda Creech]

Mending a broken friendship is necessary but not an easy thing. Friends will always come around but there is a friend you can never replace. Great review!

Thank you! And you are so right about the friend we can never erase!

[Ntombifuthi Londi]

I'm rooting for Sam to win his cancer struggle, and I'm hoping the characters' friendship can be repaired. Forgiveness is everything, especially when it comes to the people we care about. I enjoyed reading the review, and I plan to add this book to my collection. Great review

[Humera955]

Great review
Issue ofPTSD has been addressed, that's a good thing

[Brenda Creech]

I'm rooting for Sam to win his cancer struggle, and I'm hoping the characters' friendship can be repaired. Forgiveness is everything, especially when it comes to the people we care about. I enjoyed reading the review, and I plan to add this book to my collection. Great review

I think you will enjoy the book. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

[Brenda Creech]

Great review
Issue ofPTSD has been addressed, that's a good thing

Yes, I was glad PTSD was addressed! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

[marta baglioni]

Danny and Sam seem so vivid characters! Just reading this I am fond of them: thank you for the great review

[Luchris_michael]

The book is an interesting one and it's emotional. I would love to read. Good review.

[Salah bourouba]

sounds like a heartwarming story of friendship, love and illness, love it, great review

[Brenda Creech]

Danny and Sam seem so vivid characters! Just reading this I am fond of them: thank you for the great review

They are interesting characters! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

[Brenda Creech]

The book is an interesting one and it's emotional. I would love to read. Good review.

Thank you! It is a good read. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

[Brenda Creech]

sounds like a heartwarming story of friendship, love and illness, love it, great review

Yes, that is exactly what it is! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!