3 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Phantom Reunions by Sal Nudo is a story about the life of Danielle Walton. When we meet Danielle, she is on vacation in Las Vegas playing blackjack at her favorite casino and contemplating where her life is going. Enter Lindy Parker who is in Las Vegas for an insurance industry conference. Lindy is from Indianapolis and looking for some fun after attending conference sessions all day. Lindy seems clueless when it comes to playing blackjack, so Danielle, being nice, helps him learn how to play. After playing blackjack for a little while, Danielle and Lindy decide they need some fresh air, so they choose to take a walk around the casino. As the time was getting late, Lindy offers to walk Danielle to her hotel room. I don't think I have to tell you what happens next, but let me say this, the night turned out to be much more memorable for Lindy than it was for Danielle.
After an unremarkable vacation, Danielle returns to her troubled and complicated life in San Diego. Her job as a dancer at a faux casino is a dead end job. Her boyfriend is into drugs and is always asking for money. Money that she doesn't have. She isn’t happy with her life, but she also doesn’t know what else she can do. It’s only after her boyfriend beats her up that she finally quits her job as well as the vices that go along with it. However, that’s not the end of her struggles or her troubles.
In the meantime, Lindy goes back to Indiana believing he’s found the one true love of his life in Danielle. He needs for her to know about his undying affection for her. So he gives her a call. Danielle isn’t interested in Lindy, but she doesn’t want to appear rude you know. So, of course, she says he can call again. However, the next time Lindy calls, Danielle is off that day, so he talks to her co-worker and friend Stephanie. Stephanie then becomes a reluctant go-between for Danielle and Lindy. All I can say is, after being told numerous times that Danielle was not interested and to stop calling, Lindy should have gotten a clue. But sadly he did not and threaded throughout the story we read about Lindy’s continued and futile efforts to reach Danielle and convince her of his everlasting love and affection.
I've struggled with how to explain this book. I didn’t love it, nor did I hate it. It’s a little sad, but a little sweet at the same time. It begins as a romance novel would, but quickly you discover that there's no romance involved. In my opinion, it is a general fiction novel that doesn't fit into any specific genre.
The reason I decided to read this book was its reference to Las Vegas. I am quite aware of the reputation of my beloved city, but I enjoy stories that take place there. What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas you know, that is unless they write a book about it. Anyway, I digress.
Even though I did not dislike the book, it isn't one I would typically choose to read, but yet I couldn't put it down. I was too engrossed in the story and I wanted to find out what happened next. The general tone of the book is depressing and it quickly delves into the depiction of a lifestyle of drugs, alcoholism, and domestic violence. All the universal themes of the adult entertainment industry. There is also a quest for revenge, mental health challenges, and complicated family relationships. However, as tragic as Danielle's life appears in the beginning, there are also some points of positive lifestyle changes, reconciliations, and renewed relationships.
What I can tell you is it's a book about life. Granted it's about the ups and downs and the seedy side of life. But, it's about life in general. It's not so much about Iife at its worst, even though at times we might be led to think that, nor is it about life at its best, which is what we yearn for. It's about the kind of life many of us live and experience every day, and that is a life that is merely okay.
What I like most, and what I look for in any book is that it includes relatable and true to life characters. I feel the author has excelled in this matter. Danielle, as it turns out, is a very sympathetic character. She is someone whom you can empathize with and relate to. The other characters are just as believable and just as realistic.
The author uses some unusual words occasionally, and this gave me pause in the initial reading, but it did not affect the overall flow of the book. Otherwise, it seemed well edited and did not contain any blatant grammatical errors that I saw.
It was just as difficult for me to rate this book as it was to describe it. However, after much deliberation, I have decided to give it a rating of 3 out of 4 stars for being an okay book. If you like depressing books or if you are looking for a short, killing time, on an airplane or vacation kind of read, this might be the book for you. I'd like to think you will get as caught up in Danielle's story as I did.
******
Phantom Reunions
View: on Bookshelves
Like Kareka88's review? Post a comment saying so!