Mattyboy

While the author's voice and the characters are very fresh and original, I already have some clear narrative expectations for the plot: 1) Jasper's gonna go through Toby's stuff 2) Jasper's gonna go through some stuff.

Hurray for Ty! And for Seth assessing the situation with his mother and standing up for himself, but without being cruel to Stacy. Hope Blake is alright. Seems like there's a plan to go look for him, at least. Excellent backbone from both Ty and Seth in their choices. And, quite a good bone, by all accounts.

Oh, it's certainly realistic. And perhaps Vera is trustworthy for reasons you haven't shown us yet. Creates a frisson of uncertainty, though. Was that scene to show us that Denise is alright? or foreshadowing of trouble? I actually quite like the tempo. We're getting to know your characters (who, in different ways, all have some backbone and minds of their own), but stuff is happening.

I know that's the way people old women behave with their close tea-friends, but not a huge fan of Denise's first thing after reading that letter was to blab about it to Vera. Then Vera tells her other friend, who's good friends with Jasper's Mum, and then Brian does need to call a solicitor.

Fun story, and a fresh set-up. Does "chapter 1" mean this is the launch of a serial? or is this it?

Or this may be that this - when nothing else ever could - will finally unify the factions.

"I whispered to Roni, “I want to go home.” “It will be okay, Seth,” she replied. “We’ll have one drink and then leave.” " If the road to chaos had one central point from which all the chaos flowed. This might well be it. But I guess chaos tends to be more diffuse and random? Still feels like this is it

Yeah, that's very hot and cold from Amber. And a weird struggle to find the fridge in her own house.

There's an Easter Egg in The Best Year, I understand

He'll be back here in good time. I trust in Laura . . . and the implied promise of a high-energy Slicky-and-Rybalt climax in which Connor's schemes face catastrophe and Rusty gets the cat-ass trophy

I feel Ronyx has painted quite a fine portrait of the complicated problems of Ellis' work. It's a moderately common position, he's an advocate and a facilitator, but his only powers are helping people think things through, and knowing who to call in his networks of trusted people. He had to know that the scene with Blake's parents-and-lawyer was very bad. But he's trapped that "respectably employed and church-going" will fly in front of family-court judge or a CPS panel. And he needs to play by the rules so his network will trust him next week. I guess we as readers have some extra insights that Ellis hasn't, but he may well be familiar with that curse of knowing it's already very bad and having to wait until it's even worse. The recent sweep of the "parents-rights" movement in North America shows the power-base that Ellis is up against. I took a shot at Ellis above in the comments, but I'm impressed with how Ronyx has built the character. His problems are common in the real world, but it's not a role we see represented that often in this genre of story. So 👏👏👏 @Ronyx But I'm with you @Summerabbacat on your passionate assessment of the situation and on who deserves what. And in particular that Craig's Mom has earned a "least-bad" commendation, and maybe can do even better than that.

Ellis (to Seth): "Does that mean I should remove you from your home?” Well, yes, Mr. Ellis, it probably does. Right after you go get Blake out of his "home" or conversion camp or whatever hell his parents have packed him into. Seth should call Amber, pronto. Chaos meter seems to be ticking into the red nicely, though, so my narrative expectations have been met, @Ronyx

I've enjoyed the sweet tension of the weekly (ish) instalments, but I'm sure this will be an absolute banger to read as a finished novel.

In this situation only, Columbus Day would be better than Thanksgiving

Hooboy this seems to be happening. (we won't have to wait ages for the cliffie to be resolved?)

oh, yes, you should! It's a great ride, and there's plenty of it.

Ha, excellent chapter! And there's been a deep background hum that there's something fishy with Don and money for quite some time. Keen to find out what Sue stirs up

"So what do ya'll think?" Just along for the ride. But this was an unexpected twist!

I still trust in Laura. It's darkest before the dawn at Sunny Hill.

ooh boy, that just got darker! love the swing into detective noir

"Stacy has blabbed" has been an extraordinarily safe bet in the past. Blackmail with sexy Craig pics might backfire on Seth at some point. Hopefully not on Blake. But that would be more chaos and I'm on the record as calling for that, so . . . and indeed Good Luck, Blake

"Somebody gets into trouble, then gets out of it again. People love that story." Just think of it as an implied promise for more chapters. We might not last out the school year, but looks like Laura's taking us for a couple more loops around Sunny Hill at least.

Ellis is definitely helping, and I guess he sees a need to play it soft, but Seth was assaulted by two different people in his first five minutes back in the house, and should have said that out loud. I realize Ellis doesn't have any power to lay-down-the-law, but ouch he played that soft when hard was needed. Julie-Mom is not competent, and I mean that in both legal and mental senses.

Dammit Travis; kiss, then fireballs. Otherwise you miss the kiss. Argh, kids these days.

Ooh, Otis seems to be new at this, but he seems to have talents and an excellent teacher.