Reviewed by Karen Pirnot for Readers' Favorite

Jamie Kerrick has written a "dramedy" novel for gay alcoholics and addicts, which is both entertaining and tragic. His main character, Joey, appears to have an underlying character disorder which is never really addressed, as he waxes and wanes through a life of loneliness, heartache, and addiction.

Joey's father taught him to always roll with the punches. While good advice, it appears to the reader that Joey, in fact, appeared to seek out the punches and to then place himself directly in the line of fire with his ongoing maladaptive choices.

Trying everything, short of leveling with himself, Joey goes from one place to another, seeking help for his addictions and his sense of personal loneliness, while failing to level with those attempting to assist him. This is undoubtedly why it takes the man a good five decades to begin to address his own issues. Kerrick has done a good job of fleshing out his lead character and one does have to identify (if in a negative manner) with Joey D. and his haphazard approach to facing personal pain and rejection. In the end, Joey must learn what we all have to learn; only by facing the truth does one's life truly begin to make sense.

Kerrick has provided an interesting look into the life of the disordered personality, be it in the form of the sexually confused or the addicted and lonely personality. The problems are common, with the individual circumstances varying from one scenario to another.