Jeremy Asher

Clarion Review                                      https://www.forewordreviews.com/reviews/insignificant-moments/​

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Each life has its share of turning points—of sometimes seemingly small moments that have the potential to change everything. In Insignificant Moments, debut author Jeremy Asher explores this concept and follows his characters as they discover how deeply such unanticipated moments can affect their lives.

Asher’s story begins with Jaye, an assistant librarian whose dissatisfaction with his life leads him to an uncharacteristic attempt to hike up a formidable mountain. While there, he meets an injured young woman to whom he feels an instant attraction. Yet he fails to act on his instincts and allows her to slip away before even learning her name.

Disappointed in himself, Jaye is inspired to write an email in which he explores the importance of finding courage. “This moment is the greatest gift you will ever receive, for in this moment anything and everything can be enjoyed,” he writes. The email goes viral, becomes an inspiration for other people who feel similarly stymied, and provides a thread that eventually weaves together the lives of several people in their quest for individual fulfillment.

Though the story begins with Jaye, it follows the stories of several other characters as well. Among these is Julie, an accountant who commits to an unfulfilling marriage and begins to lose her sense of self; Anna, a young widow trying to find the strength to make her way in a world she had never imagined facing alone; and Philip, a talented doctor whose self-absorption ultimately affects both his marriage and his medical practice in the worst possible ways.

Asher has an appealing writing style, and his technique for tying together the seemingly unconnected story lines is clever. The novel is virtually free of grammatical errors, and, for the most part, dialogue is natural.

Although the writing is crisp and mechanically sound, there is an occasional tendency to tell rather than show. For instance, a doctor updates his patient on an illness by first summarizing all that has occurred during past appointments. This forced attempt to provide backstory through dialogue lacks credibility and interrupts the narrative’s natural flow.

Asher’s creative treatment of multiple story lines does build anticipation and hold the reader’s interest, but the narrative structure itself can be confusing. Switching from character to character—and from past to present and back again—may leave some readers floundering to make sense of the chronology. This technique also leaves a few blank spots in terms of the development of personal relationships.

Asher’s spare style will appeal to many readers, and Insignificant Moments remains a satisfying read with interesting characters and an uplifting message. This is a solid debut from a skilled writer who is worth watching.

JJJJJeannine Chartier Hanscom
November 9, 2011 

Reviews for Across the Creek

• This is a great book, an easy read full of great characters. The plot twists and turns are more than interesting. What a great mind Asher has--full of detail and humor. Thoroughly enjoyable book!! Can't wait for your next one, Mr. Asher, a sequel!! Yeah!!
• Another well written book by Mr. Asher! I was hooked from the first page! Great job! Can't wait for the next one!
• Wow! What a wonderful novel. Fast-moving plot with characters who made me happy, angry, and sad! The ending was a total surprise. I can't wait to read the next one.
• Jeremy Asher has put a lot of thought into the characters in this book. The main characters, Jesse and Sarah were perfect. I will look forward to more books about Jesse Malone. There were exciting plot twists and many other interesting people in the book and it kept my interest all the way through to the end. This novel was one of the best from a new writer (this is only his second book) that I have read in years.
• Was hooked from beginning to end. Jeremy did a great job at making you want to know more about these characters and how there story unfolds. An easy read for a lazy day. Can't wait to read the sequel.
• Hooked on the story from the beginning of the book and found it difficult to put down. So many emotions in the story keep me interested until the last page. Can't wait for the next book and hope there are many books to follow.