Release Day Review: A Nice Normal Family by John Terry Moore

Title: A Nice Normal Family

Author: John Terry Moore

Release Date: September 30, 2016

Category: Contemporary

Pages: 350

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Jackson “Jacko” Smith is dyslexic, but like many people affected by the learning disability, he is highly intelligent. His best friend Sammy Collins helps him get through school and unlocks his potential. Jacko progresses through the ranks of local government until Mother Nature intervenes and the straight boy and the gay boy become a couple.

As Jacko and Sammy start a family and challenge social mores, Jacko enters politics, horrified at the direction the Australian government is taking. With Sammy by his side, he can achieve anything and rises through the ranks to the highest office in the land, driving Australia away from its British colonial roots and engaging with its neighbors in Asia like never before. Economic growth results, and while most Australians are supportive, a small group of extremists might endanger everything Jacko has built—including his life.

Through the love and the strength of their partnership, Jacko and Sammy rise above their ordinary lives. Because love is never ordinary.

This is the story of Jackson “Jacko” Smith and his best friend Sammy Collins and how they fall in love, build a life and a family. How Sammy helps Jacko successfully achieve and maintain a political career and how when they are threatened they fight to keep everything they hold dear. I'm not sure what it was but this story simply did not hold my attention. From the first page, I just wasn't feeling the connection. I can't pinpoint what it was in particular, whether it was the characters or the fact that it's written as if I'm being told about the events that take place. I felt very removed from the story and it became impossible for me to connect to it. Over half the book is packed with talk about Jacko's political career. I thought this part of the story should have been kept more in the background, instead of being such huge part of the story. While this wasn't a horribly written book it just wasn't for me. 2.5 Stars! ***A copy of this book was provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest and fair review***