Review by Nerea -- The Juicy Fruit Man by LaMar Going

Nerea · Post by **Nerea** » 05 Aug 2020, 13:15

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Juicy Fruit Man" by LaMar Going.]

4 out of 4 stars

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From a Ranger to a Juicy Fruit dealer. What could have inspired this drastic transition?

Vietnam’s demons of war became Declan’s best friends. No matter what he tried to erase the memory and kill the demons, it didn’t work. He decided to use marijuana, also known as Juicy Fruit, to isolate the demons. Additionally, Declan and his cousin, Rachel, ventured into the Juicy Fruit business that brought them a fortune. People known and unknown to Declan overheard about the fortune and got envious. He also became a person of interest to the authorities, which got him and his cousin into trouble. Did they survive the trouble? Did Declan break free from the demons of war? Grab a copy of the book and find out.

Narrated from the first-person perspective in a hearty and conversational tone, The Juicy Fruit Man: A Declan Noakes Thriller Book 1 by Lamar (not LaMar) Going is a character-driven crime thriller that introduces the reader to Declan’s life experiences. It vividly highlights traits like betrayal, greed, and power.

The writing style is incredible. I didn’t trace any grammatical errors whatsoever. The author’s way of building and describing events in the story is enthralling. I liked how he firmly established the scene that featured the raiding at some characters’ homes. Another well-established part was the narration of the events that took place in Vietnam. The descriptions instilled in me chills and suspense. I felt like I was watching a movie. The plot twists were surprising. The characters backstories painted the story, creating better grounds for the reader to understand the story better. The ending was somewhat unpredictable. That said, I award the book 4 out of 4 stars.

One of the characters that I liked was Rachel. She displayed courage and boldness. She also seemed to be a supportive cousin and a caring mother.

I hated Ben Fisher. He was one of the Vietnam veterans and a close associate to Declan. After Vietnam’s war repercussions, Fisher changed his way of dealing. He became ambitious, violent, and extortioner. His role contributed to the chills and suspense in the story.

Besides being an engaging book, it answers the following questions. What makes humans change their way of dealings? How do humans react when circumstances push them to the edge leaving them with no way out? Can the authorities be trust to care for its citizens and bring them justice?

I enjoyed reading the book. I can’t wait for book 2. I didn’t detect sexual references of any sort nor religious teachings. If you fancy reading stories that touch on historical wars blended with some degree of criminal activities, then here’s your treat. Readers who are sensitive to drug smuggling deeds, violent/gruesome depictions, and obscene languages will not find the book appealing.

The lesson I drew from the story is that it takes effort to trust a friend, but less effort is needed to break the trust.

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The Juicy Fruit Man
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Rodel Barnachea · Post by **Rodel Barnachea** » 11 Aug 2020, 04:25

The Juicy Fruit Man reminds me of a TV show I've watched before. Great review!

Maria Esposito · Post by **Maria Esposito** » 11 Aug 2020, 08:13

I like the nickname Juicy Fruit for marijuana! The lesson you drew from the book is very thought-provoking, and the fact that it taught you this shows that it truly is a great piece of work. Great job!

Teele · Post by **Teele** » 11 Aug 2020, 11:12

An outstanding review! I'm so tempted to read this book now.

Olabode Joshua · Post by **Olabode Joshua** » 11 Aug 2020, 11:19

The title of this book alone is innovative enough for me to decide that the author is no novice. The Vietnam war keeps on haunting its veterans although I wonder why I've not heard much about Viets who also fought the war. Great review!