Review: Mandatory Release by Jess Riley

Title: Mandatory Release

Author: Jess Riley

Publication Date: July 16, 2013

Synopsis:

Thirty-year-old Graham Finch spends his days trying to rehabilitate inmates and his nights trying to rehabilitate his heart--until a new coworker, his high school crush Drew Daniels, walks through the prison gates one hot summer morning. Drew is on the run from a painful past that's nearly crushed her faith in love. Together, they might have just what it takes to mend their hearts. If only finding their way to one another were easier than working with convicted felons.

Loaded with twisted humor and pathos, Mandatory Release is a darkly comic look at friendship, forgiveness, and love. It's a story about broken people putting themselves back together and learning that no matter what you lock up--a person, a secret, or your heart--sooner or later, everything must be released.

My Thoughts:

I knew as soon as I opened this book that I was going to love it. How did I know? Because of the dedication page that read "For my parents, who met in prison. They worked there together. But for a second it was pretty exciting, wasn't it?" That one little line and I was hooked. I'm also very happy to report that I was not at all disappointed in the following pages. 

Mandatory Release is told in alternating chapters through Graham, a paralyzed prison counselor and Drew, his high school crush who has just moved back to town after a heartbreak. We meet Graham first who immediately charms us with his hilarious self-deprecating humor and quick tongue. Even though he is in a wheelchair, he isn't going to let that stop him from moving on with his life. From hanging out with his rather perverted (yet still adorable) friends to dinner dates gone wrong, Graham keeps a rather humorous outlook and never stops cracking jokes. He was by far my favorite character in this story, always good for a laugh even when you knew how badly he was hurting. But I understood his way of thinking. Sometimes life deals you a bad hand and you just have to make the most of it. 

Then we meet Drew. Back in her home town and once again living with her parents, she is recovering from a broken heart. We don't exactly know what happened between her and her boyfriend Ben, and even though we do get some small hints along the way, we don't find out the whole story until just around the end of the book. This drove me a little crazy but it did keep up the suspense. I liked Drew for the most part, I felt sorry for her. I understood why she made some rather reckless decisions and even when she knew she shouldn't. I wanted to see things work out for her and to possibly end up with Graham who was still harboring a pretty serious crush. 

Mandatory Release is a remarkable story about heartbreak, depression, death and even love. You will fall in love with Graham and Drew immediately, desperate to see them find ways to overcome their obstacles, whether they are emotional or physical. Jess Riley has a way of making you laugh at even the hardest parts of life and I for one can't wait to read more of her books. 

I very highly recommend Mandatory Release to book lovers of all kinds, whether you are a fan of Chick Lit, tough issues or are just looking for something quick to make you laugh. This book has all you need within its covers and you don't want to miss it. 

For more about Jess Riley and Mandatory Release, visit her website here.

Purchase:

Amazon

B&N
The Book Depository

*I received this book for free in exchange of my honest review. This did not influence my opinion in any way and all views and opinions expressed are 100% my own.