In Lieu of Flowers

by Arlene Webb

Family calls for help and I run to the rescue like I always do, to work cheerfully and politely, for as long as it takes. And I wind up in a jam. Mocked by flowers and non-existent fiends, I do what comes natural, perfectly normal for a guy who doesn't want to hang in a retail shop or funeral home—I freak out and hide. Then—she—joins me in my dark and cramped isolation, and I do something that goes beyond natural, surpasses supernatural and becomes, for me, a cosmic phenomenon. Struck not by lightning, but lust. A once in a blue moon, great-balls-on-fire infatuation. To get to the point—without knowing who the girl is, what she looks like, or anything about her—I fall for her. My name is Joel. This romance is the story of my death and my life. Trust me, after you read you’ll understand.

110 pages, Paperback

Published April 2, 2015

Reviews

[Cre · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all I really don't read that many books outside of urban fiction, but this right here was a very different book. In Lieu of Flowers was a good book with a lot of potential. I could see myself reading part 2 because I know Arlene can't leave us hanging like that. We need to know more about Norton and Joel's relationship. What will happen with Erin? Will this become love? This is a book that I would recommend to others to read.

[Edith Parzefall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never before enjoyed reading New Adult fiction so much. I could hardly put the book away. Joel's trials and tribulations are hilariously entertaining. At the same time, of course, I commiserated with the poor guy. I'm still grinning as I'm recalling events. In Lieu of Flowers is certainly a book I highly recommend to readers of all ages.