Official Review: Jake's America by Glen Daniels

CommMayo · Post by **CommMayo** » 30 Nov 2019, 15:24

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Jake's America" by Glen Daniels.]

2 out of 4 stars

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Glen Daniels kicks off Jake's America by letting the reader know exactly how Jake Mathews feels about the direction his country is heading when a certain democratic president is reelected. Jake, who has done quite well for himself after surviving action in Vietnam, vows to leave the chase in New York City and buys a ranch in Montana. He quits his job, drops $83,000 on a deluxe truck, and kits himself out in the best Western-wear money can buy so he can start his off-grid adventure on the right foot.

Meanwhile, Lydia, a struggling widow with two children, is looking for a place for her small family to have a fresh start. She strikes gold when she walks into Marge’s Café and lands a job and a place to stay behind the restaurant. Lydia meets Jake while serving him at the café and serendipity strikes as he offers her a full-time, live-in housekeeping position. Despite an age difference of over twenty-five years, they strike up a friendship that has the potential to grow into something deeper.

Daniels paints a romanticized view of living the cowboy lifestyle in rural Montana. There are adventures on horseback, cattle thievery, and a colorful Mexican-American ranch hand named Paco that practically conveyed with the property. Beautiful Montana landscapes are lavishly described as a juxtaposition to the tortuous rat race Jake left behind in the city.

Advertised as a romance, the main focus of this allegorical novel is the political disgruntlement of a baby boomer who comfortably cashed out and spends an inordinate amount of time decrying those who are still working to get by in this economy. His constant ultraconservative diatribes are reminiscent of the uncle you try to avoid at Thanksgiving. Jake is constantly complaining about millennial and Generation X snowflakes ruining America, how Christ needs to be force-fed in public schools to solve most of our problems, and that women should know their place (hint: it is not equal to men). Ironic since he represents a generation that lost their minds when a black person used the same door or water fountain as a white person.

Daniels continued to lose my respect as I got deeper into the novel. The American-born Paco was one Hispanic stereotype after another as he spoke in pidgin English and kowtowed to Jake. Lydia points out to Jake that she is the more confident horseback rider as her years of experience put her above his mere months of learning to ride; Jake’s reaction to the perceived emasculation is to label her as a woman libber. This phrase is used as an inappropriate slur on multiple occasions. Jake is represented as a good Christian man; however, that includes drinking, lying, and using nepotism to try to help guilty family members escape legal repercussions. In addition to the unrealistic plot and disturbingly implausible insta-love on the part of Lydia, the text is riddled with major spelling and grammatical errors.

I kept waiting for Jake to experience some sort of sea change in order to redeem the novel. Surely, reality would sink in and he would learn that being a cowboy is more than $100 handshakes and dressing the part. Unfortunately, there is no positive growth on the part of any of the characters. I’d reluctantly suggest this book to anyone who is very conservative or someone who believes that the separation of church and state should be dissolved in America. Most women should avoid this book to avoid ocular injuries from excessive eye rolling. I rate Jake’s America 2 out of 4 stars. There are a few people who may enjoy this book, but it needs to be clearly identified for what is: a censorious boomer complaining about anything progressive while ignoring the vast privilege that put him on his high horse.

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Jake's America
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mmm17 · Post by **mmm17** » 08 Dec 2019, 17:23

"Most women should avoid this book to avoid ocular injuries from excessive eye rolling."

Such a refreshing and witty review. I loved it! Thanks!

EvaDar · Post by **EvaDar** » 09 Dec 2019, 17:09

I will heed the warning and skip this one. I appreciate the candid review. It sounds like Mr. Daniels needs to write a nonfiction book and own his beliefs, instead of using them to afflict the lot of his fictional characters. Thanks for the insightful analysis.

Juliet+1 · Post by **Juliet+1** » 09 Dec 2019, 20:30

The book sounds appalling, but your review was wonderful, absolutely wonderful. And I think you were kinder to the author than he deserves. I'll definitely be avoiding those ocular injuries.

Post by **kandscreeley** » 09 Dec 2019, 20:32

Nope. Definitely not my type of book. I don't enjoy a book that's disguised as something else. If it says it's a romance, it should stick to that and not try to make a statement of our times. I'll skip this. Thanks.

Post by **Alice Heritage** » 10 Dec 2019, 01:54

A grumpy old man who can't stand my being better at something than he is would be more likely to trigger insta-nope than insta-love! Your review was a fun ride though.

Bianka Walter · Post by **Bianka Walter** » 10 Dec 2019, 02:58

His constant ultraconservative diatribes are reminiscent of the uncle you try to avoid at Thanksgiving.
-This is one of the best things I've read.

Great review!

Prisallen · Post by **Prisallen** » 10 Dec 2019, 08:38

I loved your review! It had me chuckling. I know people like the main character in the story, who I try to avoid. Thank you for the great review!

Manang Muyang · Post by **Manang Muyang** » 10 Dec 2019, 13:57

I appreciate the frank review. Women deserve better literature. And better men.

kdstrack · Post by **kdstrack** » 10 Dec 2019, 19:10

We've all gotten our eye exercise just from reading about the author's writing! Thanks for the honest and insightful comments about this book.

Dentarthurdent · Post by **Dentarthurdent** » 11 Dec 2019, 13:54

I like how palpable your frustration with the book and author is! I must say, deservedly so.
In situations like these, I feel like the author projects too much of himself in a character, then sets up situations so as to show what he thinks, like how he brings Lydia down for daring to imagine she can do something 'manly' better than a man.
The book's setup would've been perfect for a redemption arc, and it's a shame it disappoints.

Your review, however, does not. Beautiful stuff!

Post by **Adina Lutinger** » 11 Dec 2019, 16:51

It's rare for me to be disgusted by a book, but this is what I feel right now. I'm disgusted by the chauvinistic and hypocritical messages, and even more disgusted (if it's possible) by the fact that they are disguised as a romance. Thank you very much for the insightful review.

La Cabra · Post by **La Cabra** » 12 Dec 2019, 08:10

if I had to review this book, I'd have left it at 'Ok, Boomer,'. No, no, I'm only joking (that meme's really been beaten to death oof). I'm very impressed that you finished the book, it sounds horrendous! But love this review you've written, great stuff

AvidBibliophile · Post by **AvidBibliophile** » 15 Dec 2019, 00:15

Misogyny, hypocrisy, politics, high horses, AND that uncle you try to avoid at Thanksgiving?! My goodness, what a cornucopia of potential pitfalls and penumbrances. I appreciate your honesty and ability to entertain me with a review! Kudos to a job well done.

Nerea · Post by **Nerea** » 15 Dec 2019, 01:45

Jake took a bold stand to turn down his job and the little token. I'm sorry that you did encounter some issues with the book that made you lose interest. I hope the author will make some adjustments for the book to sound more appealing in future. I enjoyed reading your review.