Self-Published Book Review: “Caledonia Switch”

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A Christmas Story for All Seasons

In “Caledonia Switch” by Steven Lane Smith, John Wesley Hardin is the resident genius in Caledonia, because that’s what everyone calls him. John doesn’t dare contest this title and why should he? With the cast of characters that make up his family and friends, John has no reason to think any different.

The story begins with his parent’s story and introduces the over-the-top personalities that make this book humorous and very entertaining.  John ends up with an obsession with numbers, memorizing things like the Periodic Table of the Elements in just several days. This obsession serves him well when he sets out to save his father’s business and keep them from financial ruin. At just a young age, John is an entertaining kid and as the story progresses, his young life seems to continue on in the same direction.

Steven Lane Smith has got a knack for writing. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and I have to say that I look forward to what he will come up with next. This lighthearted story has several ups and downs throughout and kept my attention, leaving me wanting more the entire time. Characters were well developed and there was not one unnecessary page in this book.

Overall, the read is light and was pretty quick for me, even with 472 pages. The title of this book lead me to assume I would know what the “switch” would actually be, and I was pleasantly surprised that it was NOT at all what I had assumed from the beginning. When the book ended, I had a feeling of closure with the story and was so excited that I got a chance to review this title.

“Caledonia Switch” by Steven Lane Smith was definitely funny and worth every minute I spent reading. I highly recommend this title to those who love a good heartwarming story with ridiculous characters giving the element of laughter at just the right times. Five HUGE shiny stars!

– Reviewed by Jennifer Hass for Reader Views

Other Reviews

Caledonia Switch is a book you will truly enjoy reading

In his first offering, Steven Lane Smith has really hit the mark with Caledonia Switch. This is an outstanding read and I highly recommend it.

Caledonia is a fictitious New England town and “Caledonia Switch” tells the story of a group of families who live there. We learn about their histories, their work and their relationships. We see John Wesley Hardin – the central character – grow and learn to face his strengths, weaknesses and the secrets that haunt him. This is skillfully offered in a swirl of people, events, humor, conflicts, disappointments, love, betrayal, selfishness and sacrifice perfectly placed in the moral landscape of Caledonia. Smith deftly draws the reader in, sets the hook early and springs the trap at the peak of addiction. As I neared the end of the book, I found a vague sense of dread that the end of my wonderful journey was looming.

We can only hope that we hear much more from Steven Lane Smith. “Caledonia Switch” is one of those rare books that infects your mind and changes your perspective. It is the best fiction I’ve read in many years; I strongly recommend it. Don’t miss fantastic book.

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