A Holiday Shopper’s Look at…’Reunion: A Story’

Wednesday, December 17, 2025 — Orlando, Florida

“Nearly every writer writes a book with a great amount of attention and intention and hopes and dreams. And it’s important to take that effort seriously and to recognize that a book may have taken ten years of a writer’s life, that the writer has put heart and soul into it. And it behooves us, as book-review-editors, to treat those books with the care and attention they deserve, and to give the writer that respect.”
— Pamela Paul, New York Times Book Review editor, in a Poets & Writers interview
(Something for all reviewers to think about) — Madeline Sharples, Leaving the Hall Light On

As the holiday shopping season enters its final, frenzied week, I’ll be sharing my three Jim Garraty stories (available primarily through Amazon), along with selected customer reviews, over the next few days. First out, naturally, is the novella that started it all…

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Reunion: A Story

(Book One of the Reunion Duology)

It is June 1983. Jim Garraty is a senior at South Miami Senior High. He’s a staff writer for the school paper, a college-bound scholar who plans to become a historian and author of books on military history. Well-liked by his peers and teachers, his future looks bright.

But as commencement approaches for the Class of 1983, Jim faces unfinished business. The girl he loves from afar is also graduating, and rumor has it she’ll be leaving for the summer before starting college in the fall. Worse still, Marty doesn’t know how deeply Jim’s feelings run—unless he tells her.

When an opportunity arises on the last day of classes, Jim hesitates… and the window of possibility closes.

Now, fifteen years later, James Garraty is an up-and-coming history professor whose literary career is on the rise. Respected by colleagues, admired by students, and enjoying both popular and critical acclaim, Jim seems to have it all. Except for one thing: true love.

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Selected Reviews

Patti Aliventi’s Review:
I loved this story. Graduating in 1984, I could really relate to the setting and the time. Things were so different then compared to what I see with my kids now, and the author captures that era and its social mores beautifully. I felt like I was right there watching the story unfold and could empathize with the feelings of “lost love.” I hope he shares more stories with us in the future.

Maggie Wunderlich’s Review:

I was captivated from the start by the author’s descriptive and easy style of writing. I could picture everything so well, and it definitely took me back to the angst oftentimes felt in high school when a lack of confidence could get in the way of pursuing a love interest. The author captured the 1980s well, and it was easy to follow the flashbacks and present tense when the character reflects on the choices he made. Hindsight is always 20-20, and we can see how our decisions in our youth greatly impact our lives, but the author really makes you see how our younger selves may be too insecure and self-sabotage our happiness. I highly recommend this novella that will resonate with you long after you read it.

Excellent work Alex! Your South Miami co-editor is so proud of you! ~~Maggie Wunderlich

Thomas Wikman’s Review:
A successful history professor is forced to confront the fact that he let a love interest slip away due to insecurity and the lure of promising opportunities. This novella presents a profound “what if” scenario, poignantly but beautifully told. It is a sad love story about regret and loss, but also a story about friendship. The book reminds us how differently teenagers and adults view life—and themselves—and what the consequences can be.

The character development is excellent. The characters have personality and depth, and the author describes their feelings and thoughts in a way that is both realistic and easy to relate to. The story is compelling and well written; it draws you in and has something important to say, especially to young people.

I had planned to read it over a couple of days, but once I started, I couldn’t put it down—I finished it in one sitting. Later, I read it again, more than once, which is why I updated this review. It’s a truly great story, one of the best I’ve ever read, and one you can revisit many times. I highly recommend it.