Title: Lost DecemberAuthor: Richard Paul Evans
Genre/Audience: Christmas fiction, adult
Publication: 2011
Source: Library
Summary: When Luke graduates college with his MBA, his father is ready to hand over the reins to his Fortune 500 company, Crisp's Copy Centers. Luke has other plans though, and breaks his father's heart by refusing the business and running off to Europe with his friends and his million dollar trust fund. After just 40 days, his trust fund is completely gone, spent on extravagant luxuries and gambled away by his "friend" Sean. Now that he's broke, all of his friends, including his girlfriend, leave him. Alone, broke, and living on the streets, a kind man takes him in and saves his life. Shortly after, Luke takes an entry level job at one his father's copy centers, only to learn that the business has been handed over to a corrupt man, Henry Price, who has ruined the giving and generous spirit his father worked so hard to provide for his employees. While working there, and keeping his identity a secret, he meets and falls in love with a struggling single mother. When she is fired by the horrible Henry Price, Luke decides it's finally time to go home again and face his father, hoping for forgiveness and love. This is a stunning modern retelling of the story of the prodigal son.
My Thoughts: Simply amazing. Richard Paul Evans melts my heart every single time. I don't know how he does it, but he truly has a way with words and the power to create stories that will tear at your heartstrings and stick with you for a very long time. I loved this story of redemption, regret, and forgiveness. Most of all, I enjoyed the unfaltering love between parent and child, and the generosity and kindness shown to Luke during his time of need, by a stranger, Carlos, who picks him up off the street and gets him back on his feet.
Luke's character was incredibly strong developed and in depth. I enjoyed watching him grow and make up for his transgressions by adopting his father's giving and generous spirit for his own. This book is simply beautiful. I have just two small complaints though that brought my rating down slightly from a 5. The first would be with the story line with Rachel, the single mother he meets in the copy center. I really liked this twist in the story, however, she goes from hating him one second, to loving him the next. I would have liked to see this develop at a more reasonable rate. Also, when Luke returns from Europe, he is told that his father has disowned him, which is why Luke ends up on the streets. However, [*start spoiler* when he is reunited with his father, he is overjoyed to see Luke and welcomes him back with tears of joy, so clearly, he did not in fact disown him. I am assuming this was a lie Henry made up in order to keep Luke away so he could take over the company, but this is never explained. I would have liked an explanation for this, even if my assumption is correct. *end spoiler*]
Other than these two things, this story is basically pure gold! I cannot recommend it enough! This is my fourth RPE book and it will NOT be my last. He never disappoints and has easily become one of my favorite authors.
My Rating: 4.5/5
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I just checked this one out! I brought it home to my mother in law, who loved it, but had to bring it back because it was due. I also have the Christmas List checked out, too. Hope to read both of them this Christmas season.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good one.
ReplyDeleteWanted to stop by to wish you a wonderful Holiday; hope it means special time with family and friends.
I love this book C:*
ReplyDelete