Cover Image: Unplugged

Unplugged

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Member Reviews

Unplugged takes readers on a wild journey as Dan Johnson, tired of the materialistic life, retreats from the digital world to rediscover himself. With dark humor and unexpected encounters, this offbeat coming-of-middle-age tale delivers a thought-provoking reflection on genuine connections amidst our hyper-digitized society.

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Thank you for providing me the opportunity to review “Unplugged”. I am appreciative and leave my sincerity review voluntarily.

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This is one of those books that as soon as I downloaded it I wanted to read it and even though I had to wait every time I open my Kindle I was so tempted to sort it and now that I have an finished it I just want to say this book is one of the funniest books I have ever read. When Dan decides to give up life as he knows it it seems the book just gets funnier if you need a pick me up and are in a place where you can laugh out loud read unplugged by Joe Barrett I love his books in this one totally did not disappoint. He is one of those authors you know you’re in for a good laugh and I love that about his box. I highly recommend this book not only for the happy ending but for all the lol moments in between. Are you really happier when you have less? I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

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A winner! I read this and laughed way too loud. I was reading parts to my husband.!! Finally, found a good book during our stay-at-home year. I did buy a copy to keep in the guest room.I actually got my husband to read it, he laughed and thought it was just "out there"

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This certainly wasn't something I expected from the title. Funny, a bit weird, but clever, this book is really a unique read. Most of the characters were pretty annoying, but it somehow managed to make the experience of reading it even better. It's a quick read and I can recommend it to everyone that wants to read a charming but somehow different love story.

Thank you NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

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The characters in this book! WOW. Words won't do them justice. They're smart, witty, funny, original, and so much more. Without giving too much away, I can say that this book felt totally original to me. The subject matter is so relevant to me right now after working on a computer since March. I might follow in the footsteps with less of the problems!

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

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I enjoyed this for what it was--a fun, quirky, and quick read. Unplugged provided a fresh and interesting take on what can happen when one actually, well, unplugs! This was laugh out loud funny and the unique premise of the story kept me engaged the whole time. I gave it 4 stars as I did find it ventured into the absurd at times. If you're looking for something out of the ordinary, it would definitely be worth your while to plug into Unplugged,
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The only problem with getting everything you ever wanted is that it forces you to reassess everything you ever wanted in the first place.

Thirty-two-year-old Dan Johnson has it all; a nine-digit net worth, a gorgeous fiancé and a luxury riverside brownstone. The only problem is, he doesn’t want any of it. And the endless distractions of digitized society give him no head space to figure out what he does want.

So, Dan unplugs. He abandons all things digital technology, effectively retreating from society to live an analog lifestyle geared at perfecting the art of avoidance. When a case of mistaken identity launches Dan into a series of bizarro relationships and absurd events, it represents an unexpected path to reconnect him with a world he never knew existed.

Dark, offbeat and laugh-out-loud funny, Unplugged is a coming of middle-age story about finding authentic connections and meaning in today’s hyper-digitized society.

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This is a chapter in the life story of Dan, a guy who made a gazillion dollars selling his app at the perfect moment and proceeds to throw his phone into the river, ergo the title. His life is peopled with the most outrageous characters. Clancy is Dan’s ex-fiancé, an apparent body exhibitionist, refuses to be disabused of the idea that the wedding is off. Gwen is Clancy’s best friend, the architect who was renovating Dan’s apartment until he decided he liked the demolished space with a bunch of tents better than Gwen’s vision of what was supposed to be her career uptick. Bill is Dan’s brother; he often takes Dan’s identity while on his dog walking duties. Bill lives in the basement apartment in a constant state of being stoned with his horror of a wife and their baby. Sluggo, Dan’s best friend, is a shameless pervert, often referred to as the “best friend’s girlfriend’s best guy friend”. (Just another ridiculous description within another ridiculous conversation). Sarah is a volunteer with the Way-Point project and a possible love interest. The best for last, the O’Shaughnessy crowd, a group of lads who one and all have their Doctorates in Philosophy, are in a constant drunken haze, and whom Dan has chosen to “populate his group therapy sessions”.

Oh, this was a hoot and a half with some laugh-out-loud moments. Very clever, a little bit dark and if my characterizations have not swayed you the fault is all mine. If you do not pick up this book you will never know what you have missed and who wants to miss out on some great fun?!

Thank you NetGalley and Black Rose Writing for a copy

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This is quite good. It includes lots of interesting characters and situations, an d humor and the author has a natural writing style. With nice pacing and an engaging plot, I read it rather quickly. Recommended for literature fans.

I really appreciate the ARC for review!!

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What can I say? I really liked this book; it wasn’t quite what I expected but was so much more! This follows the story of Dan, a young and unintentionally retired 30-year-old. When all your dreams come true and more what do you do next?

His friends and family think he has lost his mind, he has everything but has chosen to disconnect and live very unconventionally with nothing left to achieve or gain Dan isn’t looking for a new challenge, he drifts through life. Very reluctantly, he helps his brother out with his dog walking gig one day his eyes are opened; Dan discovers a whole new world outside his current reality.

There are some slightly strange additions to the story, mostly in the form of his new group of friends, his strange ex-fiancé who can’t seem to keep her body covered up for five minutes, and Dan’s brothers’ odd stories. With new perspective, Dan meets and makes some brilliant new friends and finds a whole new life, something with more purpose, which fulfils him more and maybe another lovely addition along the way.

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I'm on the fence with this story.... I have a hard time with the somewhat stereotypical portrayals but there was humor injected so it worked in most aspects but not in all. The grand and explosive finale for some characters is what I don't think plays for me in this. I'm also a mom without the 60 lbs or the haircut referenced so there's that.... the window through which the main character views everyone needs better illumination for people to want to root for him. But the premise and interaction with the characters was really fun and entertaining. I would give this author another read and appreciate the opportunity to read and review this book. Thank you.

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Thank you #Netgalley for the advanced copy!

This book follows the path of a young 30 year old Dan, a man who sold his tech company and is now "unplugging" from social media and technology. He purchases a brownstone and has his brother become the handy man. During his time at home, Dan helps out his brother by walking some tenants dogs. Little did he know that this small act would change his perspective on life. During this experience, he meets new people and learns about how others live.

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I don't understand why this book exists. Main character makes a fortune and decides he had had enough of technology and unplug from it all. Wealthy beyond words, he buys a building, rents out the lower floors and keeps the top two floors for himself. Renovation consists of combing those two floors into a penthouse that he refers to in a nauseating number of times as his gIant brick and concrete box.
Girlfriend from the past, who refuses to go away and considers herself present girlfriend and her mother can't seem to keep their breasts covered. Woman who was helping him renovate the place has a different idea of how to do it in a way he likes. Brother in law, stay at home lower dad and dog walker, pretends he is his brother. Neighbor Sluggo has strange friends. The homeless guests show him he has a lot to learn.
None of these people are likable and after a third of the way through, this book is going nowhere. I'm done.
That you NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest opinion.

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This is not a typical book I'd read, but I'm glad I did!
It was interesting. The characters were truly quirky but likeable. It's a fun, crazy, unusual book. A fast read. Sometimes you'll laugh. Sometimes you'll scratch your head, but the story is always interesting!

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