Rattlesnake

Jimmy is the quintessential drifter of the American mythos – a man with a murky, mysterious past moving across America without roots. That life is less romantic and more banal and tiring and dusty and sad than legend would have you believe. Jimmy’s been moving on for over 25 years, until he can’t imagine anything else, until putting down roots and staying somewhere, making a home, feels alien to him.

When an obligation to deliver a letter lands him in a quiet little town, in a back-water bar, his normal MO would be to do what he has to and move on the same day. And then he meets Shane, and attraction sparks. Of course he plans for it to be a one time thing, but a moment of uncertain empathy, a non-starting car, and some people who are warmer and more accepting than usual, persuade him to stay a little longer, and a little longer… Jimmy’s still planning to leave, though. Any day now…

This is a sweet, steady-build, low-drama story. I’d call it slow burn – it feels that way, waiting for Jimmy to get a clue – but in fact the relationship moves very fast. The book only covers a few weeks. The feel is one of anticipation, though. The good-small-town and family atmosphere and the array of secondary characters add to the comfort-read quality of the book. Both the MCs seemed younger than their years, less angry, and a bit less gritty than I’d have expected for their histories. This lent a warmth to the story, perhaps at the cost of a bit of conflict or complexity. But it lets the atmosphere be one of hope, not apathy or despair.

Kim Fielding does damaged guys and hurt-comfort very well, and this book is another good one. A story to curl up with after a tough day when you want to be reassured that good things can come even to someone whose damage is long-established and who is not looking for love.

Jimmy Dorsett is a drifter with no family, no place to go and no hope for his life or what the future will hold. After a brief encounter with a stranger Jimmy has one job to do and that is to deliver a message to Rattlesnake and move on to another place. Seems like life had another idea in mind for Jimmy.

Shane Little is a bartender at The Snake where one fateful night he meets Jimmy. Shane is full of life despite having been through a terrible accident that altered his life. In the small town of Rattlesnake everyone adores Shane especially his close nit family. As Shane and Jimmy start to form a friendship the town is skeptical of the new guy Shane can’t seem to stay away from.

This book was not full of angst, drama or action but it was a beautifully told slow telling of a story about two men just trying to make it through. Shane is struggling with this past and Jimmy is struggling with his past and what could possibly be a future for him for the first time. I got emotional a couple times, but the end really got me. It had me crying like a baby because of how true and real it felt to me. No one had excessive amounts of money or was over the top beautiful. This story was real, it was raw, and it was so much more than I could have expected.

First time I have read this author. This is a MMS contemporary story set in the USA. Main characters are Jimmy and Shane. Told from Jimmy’s POV. A wonderful story of a drifter finding his home and forever person. This book will be on my re read list.

Finding this story, felt like finding a gold nugget in a pile of iron pyrite. This book was a beautiful surprise. Other stories might look shiny, but this one has real value.

I rarely offer up five stars to a book. My literary standards are high. Rattlesnake was decidedly worthy.

The characters were so incredibly real and identifying with their life challenges was easy to do. The setting was perfect. I grew up next to small towns like Rattlesnake. I could almost smell the alfalfa and horses. I could hear the wind racing through the tall weeds. The plot was masterfully constructed. The story felt like a parable. The resolution … was lovely.

The narration was also well done. a few spots had a long gap between chapters, but a few seconds feels long when you are listening to this book.

I only had one complaint. Not all of South Dakota is plains. I know some people consider it a plains state, but SD has the Black Hills National Forest! I used to race mountain bikes there. The mountains are old and worn down, but you can still reach an altitude change of well over a mile! Anyway..

Read/listen to this book. There might be a few tears, but the experience is worth any sorrow.

I thought this novel was beautifully written. Subtle, but with true depth, and the story kept moving forward –– (it didn’t fizzle-out in the third act the way many books do).

When I first finished this book last week, I couldn’t wait to write my review to tell everyone how amazing I thought it was. I’m not sure l can fully explain how I felt about RATTLESNAKE and all the feelings the book evoked. I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED IT! There is so much sweetness and kindness between Shane and Jimmy right from the get-go. I just knew it was heading in a direction I would love and I was right. Yes, Shane’s life in his little town is lonely and he’s suffered and survived unimaginable damage to his body and his heart while he also carries immense guilt. Surrounded by a large network of family and friends who support him completely has prevented him from becoming bitter or cynical. He’s basically a good guy trying to get by and gain some independence from his over-protective clan. Jimmy’s isolation is different in that he and Shane couldn’t be from more different worlds yet, he too has a spirit that has overcome all the ways life has hurt him and at his core, he’s a very kind and good human being. Watching their friendship quietly take shape as easily and quickly as it does and then, James’s realization that he’s closed himself off to finding a place to call home with a person who will be HIS person makes this story fun and hot and oh-so-sigh-worthy. Although James is physically more mature, stronger and healthier than Shane, it’s Shane who picks James up and saves him from his life of solitude and just barely getting by. The author’s writing is excellent in all ways. The surrounding cast of characters is memorable and helps the story move along. I read a lot and this one is one I’ll remember forever. I highly recommend this book.