Official Review: A Tough Journey by Evelyn Cole

lesler · Post by **lesler** » 28 Jun 2018, 12:10

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "A Tough Journey" by Evelyn Cole.]

4 out of 4 stars

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In the book A Tough Journey by Evelyn Cole, Bernie Perkins is the editor-in-training for his fathers' weekly newspaper in the haven of Huntington Beach, California. He and his wife Judy live with their four-year-old son in a wonderful cul-de-sac in which everyone knows one another, and cares about their happenings. A tragedy early in the book changes the trajectory of how Bernie lives his life, with the only constant being his neighbors. This story is full of grief, anger, love, and mystery as Bernie struggles to find himself during the year after he loses everything close to him.

This book is classified as "other," which I would agree with, but it is also so much more. There are multiple romances, a series of violent murders, and an enthralling mystery that involves Bernie Perkin's neighborhood in Huntington Beach. Initially, the book appears to be a story about the tumultuous relationship between him and his father, who is also his boss, but it becomes so much more. There are many sub-storylines throughout this book, which ends as a romance. This sounds baffling, but instead, it makes the book engaging to its core.

The story was initially hard to follow, but it smoothed out by the book's middle. While being roughly four hundred pages, the development of the characters and different events happening is incredible. I love how the main character was a sort of flawed protagonist, with his confused ideas about monogamous committed relationships and warranted hatred towards many others in the book. There was quite a bit of medical terminology in the novel in regards to mental health, which I enjoyed learning.

The author personifies the characters wonderfully, especially the main character. This novel takes place between Bernie's thirty-first and thirty-second birthday, and the amount of growth and heartache he has experienced really helped me connect with him. There is quite a bit of sexual imagery, along with graphic violence to both humans and animals, so maturity must be had to enjoy this book. I found myself reading about Bernie making a willing mistake, and forgetting that he was not real. It was a such a good book to get lost in for a few afternoons.

I give A Tough Journey by Evelyn Cole 4 out of 4 stars, for its excellent writing flow, wonderful development of characters, and realistic imagery provided. I recommend this novel for a mature reader looking for a realistic character living everyday life and facing terrible circumstances with terrific consequences.

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A Tough Journey
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AmySmiles · Post by **AmySmiles** » 01 Jul 2018, 11:31

I'm curious the picture on the book appears to be titled Hurricane Love, but the title is actually A Tough Journey? I don't see that anywhere on the book cover. Strange. I enjoyed reading your review. I might just have to pick this book up sometime. I love a great mystery and a romantic story. Thanks for the review.

Cecilia_L · Post by **Cecilia_L** » 01 Jul 2018, 15:44

I enjoyed your review, as I always appreciate a good mystery. However, I have been baffled by the book's title and cover having different names. I noticed the inconsistency before reading your review. It seems like a significant issue that the author would want to address.

Kristy Khem · Post by **Kristy Khem** » 01 Jul 2018, 21:40

Sounds like an engaging read, but there seems to be a disconnect between the cover design (and title on it) and the real name of the book. I don't think I'd appreciate the graphic scenes, especially the violence. Glad you made it through the 400 pages, especially as you said it was initially hard to follow.

stacie k · Post by **stacie k** » 02 Jul 2018, 01:05

There seems to be a lot going on in this book! Too bad it was hard to follow at the beginning. I’m not sure I could enjoy it due to the graphic violence. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Samantha Simoneau · Post by **Samantha Simoneau** » 02 Jul 2018, 12:20

AmySmiles wrote: ↑01 Jul 2018, 11:31 I'm curious the picture on the book appears to be titled Hurricane Love, but the title is actually A Tough Journey? I don't see that anywhere on the book cover. Strange. I enjoyed reading your review. I might just have to pick this book up sometime. I love a great mystery and a romantic story. Thanks for the review.

The discrepancy with the photo confused me as well when I was browsing books to review. Anyway, this was a great review, but I'll pass due to graphic content.

Jackie Holycross · Post by **Jackie Holycross** » 02 Jul 2018, 13:43

Maybe it's in other fiction because it's such a combination of genres. It sounds interesting. Thanks.

Post by **Emy Katherine** » 22 Jan 2019, 12:04

This story is full of grief, anger, love, and mystery as Bernie struggles to find himself during the year after he loses everything close to him.

Sounds a moving story! Really glad that the development of the characters is excellent. I am curious about Bernie's story, so I added the book to my TBR list!Thank you for the detailed review!

gali · Post by **gali** » 22 Jan 2019, 12:06

A book revolving around the life of a Photojournalist and combines many genres sounds intriguing. That the book is full of grief, anger, love, and mystery adds to the intrigue. Too bad about the slow start, but at least there is a good characters development. Thank you for the review!

britt13 · Post by **britt13** » 22 Jan 2019, 12:07

It sounds like there is a lot to offer in this read but I do not like books that take half the book to get to the good parts so I do not think that this one is for me.

Ferdinand_Otieno · Post by **Ferdinand_Otieno** » 22 Jan 2019, 12:08

This is an other fiction novel with romance, grief, anger, murder, and mystery. The book is free on Kindle Unlimited and has an amazing OnlineBookClub review. I rated the book 3 out of 4 stars. Congrats @evyCole for the BOTD.

Scerakor · Post by **Scerakor** » 22 Jan 2019, 12:12

It is great when a book can expertly span multiple genres and topics. From romance, to murders this one seems to take an amazing approach to character development through multiple story-lines. I'm looking forward to reading more on Bernie and his experiences in Huntington Beach.

Post by **Sanju Lali** » 22 Jan 2019, 12:15

This book "A Tough Journey" by Evelyn Cole follows Bernie Perkins, who is a co-editor for a newspaper at the Huntington Beach, California, and the story is a mix of grief, anger and love, as experienced by Bernie. The character development seems awesome as Bernie's character is a sort of flawed protagonist, who has confused ideas and hatred towards others in this story. The plots seems quite realistic and interesting to read.

Ruba Abu Ali · Post by **Ruba Abu Ali** » 22 Jan 2019, 12:17

Such a rich read! Absolutely my kind of book. Thanks for the enlightening review..

Mabel6 · Post by **Mabel6** » 22 Jan 2019, 12:17

The book spans multiple genres and has a bit of everything...not sure I would like this as it would be confusing for me and not a fan of the medical terminology so I will pass for now.