The Reading Bud

Book Blog by Heena Rathore-Pardeshi

ARC Review: Cenotaphs by Rich Marcello

Book Details:

Author: Rich Marcello
Release Date: 26th July 2021
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Slice-Of-Life, Literary Fiction, Romance
Series:
Format: E-book 
Pages: 200 pages
Publisher: Moonshine Cove Publishing
Blurb:
AFTER A CHANCE MEETING, AN OLD MAN AND A MIDDLE-AGED WOMAN CHART AN UNCONVENTIONAL PATH FORWARD.
When Ben Sanna, a contemplative retiree with a penchant for helping people, and Samantha Beckett, a secretive New York City hedge fund manager, meet by chance in a small Vermont town, they enter into a tenuous relationship. Over several weeks, Samantha and Ben open their pasts inch by inch, sift through their futures consciously, and come to terms with the strength and depth of their bond. A meditation on redemption told in alternating chapters of musings and scenes, Cenotaphs is about platonic love; the ways we close ourselves off in reaction to pain and what happens when we open ourselves up again; and the deep, painful legacy of loss.

Book Review

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Watch this review on my YouTube channel

Cenotaphs by Rich Marcello is a beautifully written book about platonic love. It is an unusual love story about a retiree and a girl who is decades younger than him.

The characterisation was brilliant and helped me feel a strong connection to the main characters, Ben and Samantha. The writing was great and complimented the story beautifully. The concept is unique and engaging and the execution of the plot was flawless.

I’d highly suggest this book to all readers, especially those who like a well-written love story that goes way beyond the normal conventions and explores the depth of characters’ emotions.


You can also read this review on:


Goodreads


Amazon


YouTube


I love reading your comments, so please go ahead…

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

I’m Heena

Welcome to The Reading Bud, my cosy corner of the internet dedicated to all things books and authors. Here, I invite you to join me on a journey of discovering under-represented books, independent and small press authors, and all things book with a touch of love and loud purrs. Let’s get Reading!

July 2021
M T W T F S S
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031  

Reading is like breathing to me.

Recent Posts

  • Book Review: Corporate Coach Approach: A Systematic Guide to Career Development by Nicole Fronek

    Book Details: Author: Nicole FronekRelease Date: 28 June 2025Series: Genre: Continuing EducationFormat: E-book Pages: 158 pagesPublisher: Painted Gate PublishingBlurb:In the modern corporate environment, career advancement does not typically occur by chance, but rather through intentional action. Corporate Coach Approach…

  • Book Spotlight: Time’s New Dawn: A Dark Time Novel by D Gordon

    Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring D Gordon for their latest release, Time’s New Dawn. Book: Time’s New DawnAuthor: D GordonSeries: Dark Time (Book #1)Publication Date: 12 August 2026Publisher: Pages: 320Genre: Science-Fiction, ThrillerAvailable in:…

  • Book Review: When Squirrels Fly by D. E. Carr

    Book Details: Author: D. E. CarrRelease Date: 28 July 2026Series: Genre: Format: E-book Pages: 347 pagesPublisher: She Writes PressBlurb:For fans of Connie Willis, Lucy Lyons, and Janet Evanovich, a debut cozy mystery with a speculative bent, set in…

  • Book Review: Constants by E.B. Miller

    Book Details: Author: E.B. Miller Release Date: 6 July 2026Series: Genre: Science-Fiction, Speculative FictionFormat: E-book Pages: 286 pagesPublisher: Evil Eye PublishingBlurb:Mark Robson is trapped in flux.Every 18 minutes and 32 seconds he wakes up in a new reality, then…

  • Book Review: Throwing Shade (Magic After Midlife Book 1) by Deborah Wilde

    Book Details: Author: Deborah WildeRelease Date: 15 March 2021Series: Magic After Midlife (Book 1 of 7)Genre: Women’s Fantasy, Paranormal Urban Fantasy, Humour, Jewish FolkloreFormat: E-book Pages: 342 pagesPublisher: Te Da Media Inc.Blurb:Middle-aged. Divorced. Hormonally imbalanced. Then she got…