Welcome to the Garratyverse—a universe where nostalgia, hope, and the quiet heroism of everyday people intertwine. If you’re someone who finds old yearbooks tucked away in a closet, or who occasionally wonders what might have happened if you’d taken a different path, then you’ll feel right at home here. The Garratyverse isn’t just about stories; it’s about memories we all share, heartbreaks that shaped us, and the persistent belief that second chances might be waiting around the next corner.

These stories are for dreamers, for anyone who’s ever been haunted by the one that got away, and for those who believe that life’s most important lessons aren’t found in textbooks but in the conversations we have late at night. With warmth, wit, and a touch of wistfulness, the Garratyverse invites you to explore lives lived boldly and quietly, mistakes made bravely, and love that refuses to fade. So, pour yourself a cup of coffee—or maybe something a little stronger—and join me in revisiting the places and people that make our hearts ache just a little, in the best possible way.

Reunion: A Story: A Novella (The Reunion Duology Book 1)

Originally Published: July 2018

Revised and Republished: March 2023

Available in paperback, Kindle e-book, and Audible audiobook editions

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. He’s well-liked by his peers and teachers, and his future looks bright.

But as commencement draws near for the Class of 1983, Jim must deal with unfinished business. The girl he loves from afar is also graduating, and rumor has it that she is going away for the summer before starting college in the fall. Worse still, Marty doesn’t know how deeply Jim’s feelings for her are – unless he tells her. But when an opportunity arises on the last day of classes at South Miami High, Jim hesitates…and the window of opportunity closes.

Now, 15 years later, James Garraty is an up-and-coming history professor whose literary career is on the rise. Respected by his fellow faculty members, liked by his students, and recipient of popular and critical acclaim, Jim has it all. Except for one thing. True love.

What Readers Say About Reunion: A Story

“…The character development is excellent. The characters have personality and depth. The author describes the feelings and the thoughts of the characters in a manner that is both realistic and easy to relate to. The story is compelling and well written, it draws you in, and it has something important to tell us, especially young people.” – Thomas Wikman

 “…[A] lyrical tale of regret for chances not taken, told in dreams and memories. It speaks to anyone who has been to high school and anyone who remembers the one who got away.” – Denise Longrie

“In this bittersweet story of the innocence and naivety of youth, the reader is transported back to his or her own high school days. We’ve all been Jim. We’ve all had our Marty. Wrapping the story in today while jumping back to days past is not always easy to pull off, but it works here. A recommended read.” – John Staradumsky

“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.” – Maggie Wunderlich

Reunion: Coda: Book 2 of the Reunion Duology

Published: April 2025

Available in hardcover, paperback, Kindle e-book, and Audible audiobook editions

In Reunion: Coda, Jim Garraty’s journey continues as he navigates the intricate dance between past regrets and present hopes. Now a successful history professor, Jim’s life is a tapestry of unspoken love, haunting memories, and the pursuit of emotional closure.

As Jim reflects on his high school years and the profound impact of his relationships, he grapples with the lessons learned from missed opportunities and the unpredictable nature of life. Through introspective moments and heartfelt letters, Jim uncovers the strength to confront his deepest fears and embrace new beginnings.

Reunion: Coda delves into the complexities of love, loss, and the enduring power of memory. It also explores the significance of friendship and the unpredictable turns that shape our lives. This poignant novel is a heartfelt exploration of the choices that define us, the connections that sustain us, and the hope that guides us on the journey of self-discovery.

What Readers Say About Reunion: Coda

 “….I very much enjoyed Reunion: Coda by Alex Diaz-Granados. I had high hopes for this book and he delivered. If you enjoy a poignant, thoughtful and well written book- this one is for you. I highly recommend it.” – Pooja Gudka

“Another lyrical book from Mr  Diaz-Granados. A very satisfying sequel to his first novella about high school love and the problems with that. Without giving away too much of the plot, our hero, Jim Garraty, is now a history professor and seems about to find love again after his failed marriage and divorce but there’s something different about this new relationship. Add to this a history student who doesn’t agree with his professor’s way of interpreting events, and you have an explosive mix.” – Meg Learner

“A good read! The author does a very good job of telling a story in which the characters feel natural, and the themes are relatable. I was struck by how genuine the thoughts and emotions in the story are; it reads and comes off like the characters are real people, with unique personalities and human thoughts, and aren’t just used as plot devices. A good story and easy read to get lost in.” – Scott Dickert

“Alex’s book is a thrill. It’s heartbreaking at times and hilarious at others. He writes lyrically, resembling the great writers of the past. There are no wasted pages or unnecessary details. He has a special gift of describing situations and painting pictures with words. There is never a dull moment. And the novel is simply emotionally captivating.” – Amazon Reader

“Readers will be swept away by this nostalgic tale, a great read that deeply considers the impact of life’s choices.” – Peter Warn

Comings and Goings – The Art of Being Seen: A Jim Garraty Story

Published: June 2025

Available in paperback, Kindle e-book, and Audible audiobook editions

Boston, 1984. A party Jim Garraty never wanted to attend. A girl who didn’t look away. A night stitched together by mixtapes, quiet courage, and the ache of choosing to stay.

Jim isn’t chasing romance—he’s just trying to outrun the noise. But when Kelly Moore enters the room with her drink, her Rachmaninoff references, and her uncanny ability to see without pressing, everything shifts. Over cassette tapes and Heineken beer, conversations deepen, touch becomes language, and for the first time, intimacy feels less like performance and more like breath.

Comings and Goings – The Art of Being Seen is a quietly luminous companion to the Reunion Duology, capturing one night’s transformation from awkward beginnings to the kind of closeness that rewrites your inner dialogue. It’s about music, memory, and the rare kindness of someone meeting you where you are—with patience, humor, and unexpected grace.

This isn’t a story about first love.

It’s a story about the first time you didn’t have to explain yourself.

What Readers Say about Comings and Goings – The Art of Being Seen

“In this book, Jim Garraty is a first-year student at Harvard, and he is attending a party where he does not know anyone except for a fellow student who is quite busy elsewhere and leaving him on his own. He feels lonely, awkward and out of place until a girl, Kelly Moore, takes interest in him, and his miserable night turns into quite an adventure. What stands out about this book is the realistic description of emotions, inner thoughts, and dialogue. It serves as a prelude to what to expect from his other books. I highly recommend this short novelette.”  – Thomas Wikman

“…Comings and Goings is a snappy read that gives the reader a great deal of satisfaction. Whether one reads this alongside the two books in the “duology,” or reads it as a stand-alone, the reader will not be disappointed.” – Paul Schingle

“At a party where Jim is more observer than participant, a young woman approaches him and asks him, “You’re not having a good time, are you?” Feeling dejected, disliking his beer, which by now has grown warm, Jim is struck by the confidence of the woman who introduces herself as Kelly. Kelly listens and does not push, mock, or judge (other than to call Budweiser “horse piss.”) She sees, something Jim, invisible up to that point, is grateful for.

The story is not a romance, but rather an enjoyable, insightful journey into empathy and the importance of human connection. It portrays the gift of intimacy set against a backdrop of alienation—college, often one’s first time away from home. The author adds music to the narrative, not only to evoke the 1980s (UGH), but also to enhance the conversation between Jim and Kelly.” – Denise Longrie

“The pacing is so good you will not stop reading till the end….You will not put this book down.” – Adria K. Hernandez, Goodreads Reviewer