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Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite
In The Vulnerable by Ed DeJesus, after entering a relationship with Robin O’Rourke, Dan DeCosta is driven into a dangerous situation involving her violent former partner, legal consequences, and the threat of financial and physical collapse. His father, Dick DeCosta, a former climate activist who had moved to Florida to avoid hostile groups, is compelled to return to Boston when Dan’s situation worsens. As Dick attempts to help his son, his wife falls seriously ill and his daughter evacuates due to advancing wildfires. At the same time, an investigator named Meghan McCormack begins to examine the case, uncovering evidence of concealed identities and long-suppressed truths. As events ratchet up, the DeCosta family faces multiple personal and external pressures that challenge their safety, stability, and relationships.
The Vulnerable by Ed DeJesus is a simmering, well-written novel that goes a long way in pulling readers into a world inhabited by realistic characters facing genuine life situations. Dan’s experience with substance use, Joanna’s health anxiety, Jim’s quiet grief, Meghan’s fatigue with responsibility, and Rachel's fears, among many others, are portrayed with honesty in their flaws, allowing their humanity to shine through as people who feel authentic. I found Rachel's state to be the most interesting, and the presence of Sean, even when he is not there, and the lingering trauma he causes create a persistent psychological toll that kept me invested emotionally in her story. DeJesus thoughtfully incorporates social concerns such as police misconduct, workplace toxicity, and the influence of social media to ground the storyline by showing how these issues affect the characters’ lives. Through clear, straightforward prose and skillful development, DeJesus strikes gold. Very highly recommended.
