The Acquittal 1. Chronicles from the Orchard

This is an exceptional story. Put it in the mystery/romance genre. The plotting kept me on edge waiting for the next chapter--and I hate reading serials. I usually search for 'complete.'

The author had me identifying with the protagonist more emotionally than I thought possible. Not kidding. Sitting in my recliner cussing at the computer, and at the author when things weren't going my way. That is a rare event for me, and I'm curious to see further reviews.

When I thought about writing my first review I figured the strong character identification would be my main point, but the insight that the author has into the human condition (that's what we called it in English Comp 101 in 1970) just worked me over; pulled my strings; pissed me off; and finally converted me.

Don't read it too fast. You'll feel empty when you have to leave their world.

This story had me hooked from the start. From the very first scene I wondered what could have happened to make this attorney so relentless, so unforgiving. The flashbacks promised answers and deliver them. It has been fascinating to work on the puzzle of understanding the characters. Whenever I could I reread the chapters and found details I had overlooked. This story bears reading several times. It never gets boring.

I also love that it leaves gaps, jumps time and allows the readers to form their own conclusions again and again.

Thank you for a great reading experience.

I am looking forward to reading more of your stories.

This story is a romance, family saga, and court room drama all rolled into one. The characters, dialogue, and pacing are all terrific! The story opens several years after a major family conflict. As the story unfolds we learn what happened and how the characters are trying to move forward. The well written characters grabbed my heartstrings and wouldn't let go. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and highly recommend it.

If GA had Amazon’s technology, this would have been Recommended For You! So many of my friends were reading this as it was posted and I had no clue. On the one hand, I didn’t have to wait for new chapters to be posted, I could just click on the next one as soon as I wanted to. On the other hand, I didn’t get to interact with everyone because I got here a year later than everyone else. (Some of you are glad about that!)
;–)

It’s difficult to believe this was a first effort from a new author! The structure was sophisticated and well crafted. The characters were complex and interesting. And the situation was unique and engaging. This story has a very real feel and does not shy away from difficult issues.

You will find yourself eager to read yet another chapter until you realize how late it’s gotten. And you’ll want to get back to the story as soon as you can. You won’t regret the time you spent!

A captivating story of young love, dreams,  heartbreak, reconciliation and finally, happiness. Superbly written by an author who draws his readers into the very lives of his characters, and  subjects them to just about every possible emotion there is.

A fantastc read that I would recommend to anyone on this site.

I very nearly didn't read this story, because the title suggested to me that it would only be a courthouse drama type of story. How glad I am that I did finally read it!

Fantastic characterisation, along with love found and lost, and hopefully found again, and a genuine look at what the meaning of the word 'family' really is, made it a joy to read. And the author at times would certainly keep me guessing, which just made me more eager to keep on reading.

I felt almost sad when I finally got to the end. But that sadness is tempered by the fact that I know the author has other stories that involve at least some of the same characters.

Thanks for this, @Jdonley75. It was well worth the read!

It's a well written and a very true to life story which considering it is fiction is brilliant. A real roller coaster of emotions are there for every reader.

I have read this story twice, about a year apart and after having read the other stories.  It is extremely well written and has a depth not found in so many "romance" stories:  it reflects true and raw emotion: passion, hurt, anger, forgiveness, hope.  The second read (even knowing what was coming) allowed for even more appreciation of the situations and characters.  Definitely worth reading and experiencing the excellent writing!

This is a fantastic story! It is very well written, it has different plot twists that you do not see coming. When you think you know how it will go, the whole story is shaken up. The characters are well worked out, you can identify with each of them. The main character simultaneously conjures up admiration and sympathy. You hope he gets his emotions back on track.

A wonderful story with well-drawn, multi-dimensional characters. It truly brought home the power and importance of family (blood and chosen), and forgiveness.  

A great story of personal growth through tragic miss-understandings. I am sorry, although there was a happy ending that it came to an end.

I do understand though that at the rate J was putting out chapters, he did need to break it off at some point before he burned out.

J poked lightly at some of the issues that we experience and have to deal with in our day to day living. Some solutions were offered on how to react positively instead of negatively to the conclusions we reach to certain situations we are faced with at face value.   Negative reactions can and normally result in a world of hurt that can take years to sort out, bring closure and healing.

I am glade that the needed interventions took place especially with Andy. For those of use who have served and have experienced the horrors of war, find it extremely difficult to talk about our experiences in fear of flash backs. So when you see a person spouting of in a bar, you can be fairly certain they are full of shit and don't have any first hand experiences as they claim. People with true experiences or have suffered consequential loss, generally get irked by such persons. 

Enough rant. I hope that J has a follow-up story line on how these guys progress in their future.

Last thought - cherish good friends and family and the support structures they provide.

Great story. Thanks.

An exceptional story. Very well written with a true life feel that kept you hooked from the very first chapter. Highly recommended.

Read this over a couple of days and enjoyed the well-defined characters, the twists and turns and the revelations contained within this excellent family saga. It’s one I shall savour on a second reading. Looking forward to reading more about these characters.

This is one of the best stories I have read in years. It never got boring or slow, just traveled forward at it's own pace.

THANK YOU,

Brad

Ok, I'm doing this backwards...I reviewed the second story first. Dude, this is amazing work. I was drawn into the world you've created from the first chapter to the last word. Your characters are real, honest, broken, flawed, wonderful people, and I thank you for sharing them with us.

Kyle's delicate home-work balancing act that he's taken on as a double-mantle is heavily threatened by an emergency call from home. Will his haunted past pull him under, or will he rise above it to forge an uncertain new life? Get ready for a tale of intrigue, romance, drama, and action as @Jdonley75's beautifully rendered characters seem to leap right out of the page to drag you right into their team; their family. 

Jon's writing pulls you in from the very beginning, with a core conflict in the story that he approaches from both the past and present while juggling a large number of characters. While the plot is what draws you in, the characters are what make you stay. Jon's ability to develop and make you feel a personal connection to each and every character he writes is exceptional, and leaves you wanting to be a part of the tight-knit family he's woven into this story.

It's an amazing, feel-good tale of people working through their problems together as "the team," and without a doubt one of my favorite gay romance stories I've ever read. Give it a read - you won't be disappointed - until you run out of story to read!

18 well deserved 5 star reviews before this one so there is nothing I can add to what's already been said. 

I will say two things to anybody who hasn't read this yet you will be blown away that this is this author's first story talk about a gift.

Second this author chapters are somewhat longer then the average GA story and that may scare away some perspective readers.That would be a mistake because there isn't one wasted  or unnecessary word used here and it contributes to story being so great

Highly recommended enjoy

Superbly written, authentic engaging characters, emotionally charged and challenging. This story is a wondrous work from an exceptionally talented and generous author. Just writing this review has me yearning for more, which fortunately I will be able to satisfy with the continuation of the series.

This review is actually on all four books in this series that has been written at the time of this review. It has become my favourite serie in gay genre so far. I highly recommend it and hope more people will discover the books and enjoy getting to know David, Andy, Troy, Tanner, Matt, Aaron etc. They are friends. They are family. They are everything you wished for, warts and all.

As someone closer to 50 than 40, I grew up in a time where gay marriage and family acceptance was more a dream than something achieveable. Gay content were hard to find and most were pornographic. It tends to give one a skewed view of gay life. The Chronicles from the Orchard books are about the ups and downs of family life for a bunch of gay and straight friends. It talks about trauma, addiction and other difficult subject without bogging the reader down in the dirty details. Critics may say that it is a Disneyfied depiction but I’ll take it. What I want is not the puking scenes but the healing. The books have made me cry over the wounds the characters have suffered, and the healing and support they have provided for each other. It has given me a view on what a bunch of friends and family can do to support each other through lives ups and downs, without having homosexuality being an issue. 

With that said, the books are not just about doom and gloom. Far from it. Their struggles is what drives the plot but the books flows with lots of funny and heartwarming scenes from the adults to the kids. I found myself loving all the characters and wanting so desperately to be part of this extended and unconventional family. The feelings I get after reading them is heartwarming and cozy. I hope more readers will get the chance to experience it.