The Hippie Whisperer

Title: The Hippie Whisperer

Author: J.D. Walker

Publisher: Amber Allure

Publisher URL: http://www.amberquill.com

ISBN/BIN: 978-1-61124-671-1

Genre: {M/M} Contemporary / The Arts 

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Rose Nymph

On the surface, Carl Neilson seems very happy with his life. He enjoys his role as counsellor at the local community college and has done a fantastic job raising his son Chester. No one can question his dedication, but those close to him are starting to realise that there is one person Carl has definitely been neglecting all these years…himself!

Carl has been able to ignore the gentle jibes of his friends, but now even Chester is joining in, criticising everything from Carl’s dress sense to his understandably cautious way of life. It’s not that Carl doesn’t know how to have fun; it’s just that Chester has been his priority for so long now that Carl has simply forgotten how to live for himself.

He is struggling to come to terms with the fact that Chester is old enough to take care of himself now. With his son’s tactless interfering and a not-so-chance meeting with shoot-from-the-hip artist Ben Brooker, Carl is given the perfect opportunity to open his eyes – and his heart – to the world again

I like Carl and I can respect his choices in life so it bugged me at first when those close to him seemed to be picking him apart. I certainly felt his frustration at Ben’s frank assessment of his life. In the end, I’m glad that Carl didn’t lose his sense of self, even after accepting that those around him may have a point about change being needed. He acted with more dignity than I would have done if people were picking at my clothes and being argumentative. He realised he wanted to change, regardless of what others were saying, and that made it okay. I struggled slightly to connect with Ben, as his character was a bit of an enigma, but he and Carl make a very cute couple and it was a pleasure to read their story. The Hippie Whisperer was fun, sweet and left me wanting more.