Calves in the Mud Room by Jerome Brown
5 stars
(Excerpt from Goodreads) Wade Summers wants nothing more than to go on his date tonight with high school hottie Glory Schoonover.
Unfortunately, a fierce February blizzard has blown in and a couple of first-time heifers are calving early. Way too early.
And Wade’s never delivered a calf all by himself before. (His grandfather was always there to show him the way).
Simmering under the teenage hormones and unexpected birthing is a conflicted son who finally confronts the abuse of his shady stepfather and a betrayal by his somewhat disengaged mother.
Kirkus Reviews called this coming-of-age story “An exciting, elegant debut.”
It’s rough around the edges, full of brute hardship, raw strength, and pure heart.
Wade doesn’t have the best home life. Both his mother and step-father are alcoholics and don’t want to have anything to do with Wade and his younger siblings. They live on a farm that his grandfather ran but since his passing it’s been up to Wade. This is another thing that his step-father doesn’t want to deal with.
Today is the day that Wade is supposed to take Glory Schoonover to the Valentine’s dance. Everything seems to be going his way until he has to resort to using his late grandfather’s pickup, cows are caving way early, and everything else seems to be going to hell. He wants to have the attitude that he is just going to go to the dance for him but he knows better and goes to work helping the cows. After that he tries to meet up with Glory but she has all ready gone to the dance. Although Wade rushes to get there things go from bad to worse.
I felt bad for Wade but I have to say that he is a great kid for all that he is going through you can still see how responsible he is. I grew up on a farm and I understand exactly what Wade goes through. I’ve also been in his shoes regarding a similar situation to Glory. Although things don’t work out it is true that they were not meant to and something better is on the way.
This is more of a short story on a teenager trying to figure out what to do in his life. But I really liked it and would like to read more about Wade.
This is a great story and I think you should add it to your list. It’s one worth reading and will make you want to read more from Jerome Brown.
For more information on Calves in the Mud Room or to purchase the book make sure to check out Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, and Jerome Brown’s website.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
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