Jackson“It’s time to get my shit together. Time to tell her that I love her. Time to right wrongs and put the past behind me. But I have an addiction, one that haunts me, that takes over my body and mind. One that leaves scars.”Summer“It’s time to get my shit together. Time to tell him that I love him. Time to move on from my past. But he has an addiction, one that scares me, one that I don’t … addiction, one that scares me, one that I don’t feel capable of dealing with.”
Jackson – Son of a wealthy, abusive man finds peace in art. Whether that art be on his body or walls, it gives him an outlet.
Summer – A woman in mourning, finds peace in the arms of her friend.
Together they can fight their demons, they can put the past behind them – or can they?
Can two broken people have the love they both desire? Or will dangerous, harmful outlets and loss forever consume them?
Angsty romance for over 18’s. This novel contains scenes that could be a trigger for some. Please feel free to contact the author or refer to the Jackson section on the author’s website -www.TraciePodger.com
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This is the first full length novel that I have read by Tracie Podger and it certainly won’t be the last. Jackson made my heart ache all the way throughout this story. This man has more baggage than Heathrow Airport and I wasn’t certain that he would ever be able to put his past behind him.
This is not an easy story to read, but sadly Jackson’s story is someone’s reality and I must thank the author for not shying away from writing those tough scenes. I understood why Jackson’s childhood affected him so badly – no child should ever go through what he did. Witnessing his coping strategies affected me and I’m certain they will affect you too, but I loved how the author explained the reasons for his actions and I appreciated that she included even the smallest of details.
I loved the complexity of Jackson and Summer’s relationship. These two friends have had feelings for each other for quite some time but they both fear that taking the next step may result in their friendship ending, plus it is not only Jackson that has demons to put to rest. I have to thank Summer for loving Jackson so much, that she was willing to put her own needs and fears to one side and be there for him even if that meant spending time apart. As I’ve said, Jackson has tons of baggage which he has kept hidden from so many people and I admire Summer for not running scared as she learns just how bad things can be for him. All I wanted was to see them both happy as they truly deserve nothing less.
I certainly recommend this book to you to read but please take note of the trigger warning. I would love to learn more about Dexter and D-J and hope that if their stories have not already been written, that the author may consider doing so in the future.
Favorite Quotes:
In one way he was so vulnerable, in another so brutal. He was a contradiction.
I chuckled bitterly at the checkout— my basket was full of the usual break-up crap. I had two tubs of ice cream, a bottle of wine, and chocolate.
You know what we could do? We could pretend that we’re practicing to get pregnant…
My Review:
Jackson is the type of book I generally avoid yet I felt the lure and sirens’ call of an intriguing and emotive Tracie Podger story. I needed to take occasional reading breaks and put my Kindle down, as the narrative was an angsty, gritty, dark, disquieting, sensual, and cringe-worthy tale that was several steps outside of my comfort zone. Yet while I was fraught with tension and found my shoulders in my ears a few times, the end result was well worth my anguish and inner conflict. The character of Jackson had been severely traumatized throughout his childhood, which resulted in disturbing and self-destructive behaviors that only worsened and mushroomed unabated into adulthood. I experienced a full spectrum of feels while reading as in turn I was fascinated, frustrated, repulsed, intrigued, distressed, relieved and elated. Tracie Podger seems remarkably adept in excavating intense emotion from her readers as well as her broken characters before yielding their transformation and redemption. Angst will never be among my favorite things but I am willing to cowgirl-up under the right circumstances, and I am ever so glad I decided this was one of them.
Two beautifully flawed people fight their demons to come together for the future they both deserve. Jackson was abused by his father because the man blamed him for the death of his wife during childbirth. His only true allies are his sister and his deceased best friend’s wife, Summer. Both have a problem admitting their love for each other, Summer because she’s recently widowed and Jackson because he harbors too many dark secrets. This story is a beautiful journey to join the two soul mates and heal their hearts.
Ms. Podger weaves a tale of secrets, guilt, angst, and passion. Her characters are brilliantly developed and highly likable. The secondary characters add color and flavor to the mix. The misfits, as Jackson calls them, provide him with a sense of belonging and family. The banter between the characters is lively and often shows the reader an unexpected side of Jackson.
The story is well paced and pulls the reader into the action by the heartstrings and refuses to set the reader free until the very last page
Another fantastic book by this author. Is there anything she cannot write…?
Jackson is such a great story, heartbreaking too, I love Tracie’s writing she draws you into the book and does not let go until the last page. I went to bed last night and kept thinking I need to read more.
I adored every minute of this book. The topic in this book is hard to read my heart really did break for Jackson. You feel his pain. Yet I have to say I think he is my favourite character of Tracie’s to date.
I am not going to say much about the story as I think you should go on Jackson journey and live through him through Tracie’s words.
It is a beautiful story of two broken characters for different reasons. Soul mates brought together to heal. They are very likeable characters and well developed.The other characters are so likeable too.
This story will pull at your heartstrings so have some tissues handy. Enjoy this beautiful story.
When I read Letters to a Lincoln by this author I truly believed she couldn’t write another story that would break me. I was wrong.
I started this one night expecting to read a few chapters and put it down. Again I was wrong. I ended up sitting into the early hours of the morning to read it all. I could not put it down.
Jackson and Summers story is do heart breaking I felt my heart was being pulled apart. My heart aches so much for those two.
I’m not gonna go into the storyline- read the blurb and heed the trigger warning. If your like me and you love a story full of angst then I highly I mean HIGHLY recommend you read Jackson. Tracie has written another amazing read. I can’t wait to see what else she has up her sleeve.