Stuck In Oz (Tales from Kansas)

Title:  Stuck in Oz

(Tales from Kansas: Book 2)

Author:  Andrew Grey

Publisher:  Dreamspinner Press

Length:  176 pages

Rating:  B List

Quad Shot of Love

 

 

Blurb:  Tales from Kansas

When Jeremy and Petey’s mother died, their house was taken to pay the debts she left behind, leaving them homeless. Afraid Petey will be put in foster care, they have no one to turn to but their Uncle Milt, so they pack up Jeremy’s beat-up car and leave San Diego for Wamego, Kansas.

They arrive in the middle of a snowstorm and stop at the local diner to contact their uncle, where they meet Nate. Nate and his aunt help them contact Uncle Milt, and he agrees to help. 

Jeremy and Nate hit it off quickly, but Jeremy runs when he’s made to believe their new home isn’t permanent. Nate goes after him, finds him, and convinces him that he’s wanted. However, just as Jeremy and Nate begin to trust each other, Petey’s estranged father appears and threatens to tear Jeremy’s new life and fledgling family apart.

 

Review:  Stuck in Oz is the second book in this series, I enjoyed this read far more than book one. The characters are sweet and likeable. It is a fairly cute story, despite Jeremy’s appalling childhood.

Jeremy is a teenager that strives to survive, and he’s quite ballsy for a quiet young man. He does his best for his younger brother, putting the little one first. Parenting Petey is not easy for Jeremy; he loves his baby brother and works hard at it in spite of their parents lack of love and support. Neglected and beaten Jeremy plans ahead, with little money and possessions he heads for his uncle. Not knowing how he and Petey will be received, it’s a chance he has to take, or he could lose Petey forever. I loved Jeremy, he has had a tough time, he feels he is not worthy of love and attention. Jeremy expects people to walk away and not give him the time of day. He hurts, and he deserves to be loved. 

Nate is little older that Jeremy, and he has had a much different upbringing. Nate carries a lot of emotional baggage around with him and doesn’t realise all that he has and has had his entire life. Until he meets Jeremy, wanting to mend and love this younger man’s heart. Nate is determined to get Jeremy’s attention, but with Jeremy lacking in confidence it’s no easy task. I love what Nate does for Jeremy and how he learns more about himself during the process. 

A new chapter begins in the lives of the two young men, which includes Jeremy’s uncle Milt and three year old Petey. The yellow brick road is not without it’s twists and turns, there are fears along with guilt to overcome, hopes to be achieved, with love to find and keep. 

Reviewed by Teddy