I just read ‘Julie’s Gift’ written by Kevin Kirsch, a husband who is not a feelings sharer, but through this novella lets us all know (including his wife) that he does have deep feelings. It is a nice light read that may make you look at your unromantic partner a bit differently since it reminds you that just because feelings are not shared doesn’t mean they’re not felt. The plot is not riveting and you won’t find a car chase, but that’s the best part. It revolves nearly a couple’s anniversary trip to London, England. The husband admits his thought of a trip is from the couch to the fridge, but goes out of like for his wife. It unfolds from there. The coolest thing about this book is that it was penned in secret by the husband and presented to her as a Valentine’s surprise! Julie’s Gift has fantastic try out itineraries (how they really spent their days in London) as well as the author’s Top Ten London Travel Tips for the Guys (amusing and useful list).

Not everyone is romantic or able to share feelings aloud, and many of those public are men. This book is a thoughtful and dare I say passionate shout to his wife to tell her that even when he doesn’t say so, he is pleased and lucky to be with her.

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A. B. Goodman “agoodteech” (North Potomac, Maryland USA) –

  

In a straightforward and objective style, Kevin Kirsch needs no metaphors to express his like for wife Julie. Though writing is often evaluated via the use of literary devices and author’s craft, Kirsch must be appreciated for the simplicity of message and for writing from the heart. He has set the bar high for expressions of like and he has done it with humor and honesty.

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Lynn A. Weber “lwjk” (Columbia, MD) –

  

I have to say upfront that I’m a friend of the author, Kevin, and the subject, Julie, of this book, and bought the book out of excitement. But when the book arrived and I sat down to read it, I found a small gem, a slim but amusing and moving tale of one man’s journey—both to a new house and to a new house in his heart.

Kevin is a brisk and amusing writer, like this description of his lack of interest in international travel: “My definition of traveling involves going from the couch to the refrigerator and back, and trust me, in that respect, I’m a normal flyer.”

But my favorite parts of the book were his similes of how he learns to let go of the thought that we should always place up a front, not give in to our spouses or let them know they’re right. You can feel the freedom as he gives himself permission to embrace things he normally wouldn’t have, and to give Julie credit for those things.

I also loved the parts where he describes what it feels like to really like someone. At the beginning of the trip, Kevin and Julie are on a tour bus; they can’t see much because of the fog and their seats are wet. Kevin looks over at Julie and sees that she’s tiresome to place a courageous face on her disappointment. “I looked over at my wife and she had that fake look of ‘It’s fine, I’m having a fantastic time’ on her face, even though I could tell she was disappointed. This is how I know I truly like my wife, because I instantly felt sad for her.”

It’s nice to see a glimpse of the inner life of someone not given to self-expression, and how we never really know what’s going on inside a person. A very nice book.

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