Regardless of what you’re looking for—be it action, adventure, suspense, romance, intrigue—there’s a genre for everyone. In Hiram Davis’ SQUEEZE: A Romantic Adventure, readers will certainly find a healthy dose of romance-tinged escapades, but the unassuming title ultimately fails to convey the novel’s depth. The story begins in earnest with the unassuming Cooper Landry reeling in the wake of an unexpected (and somewhat avoidable) break-up. While some serious emotional house cleaning is in order, Landry opts instead to leave his past (and presumably, his problems) behind by accepting a new job in Belize. Unfortunately, Landry’s globetrotting daydream of a plan failed to account for a run-in with a notorious drug cartel. Held against his will in a nightmarish place with no prospects for escape, Landry once again flirts with the depths of despair. Fortunately, Quinn Daltrey, Landry’s ex, has gotten wind of Landy’s disappearance and is on the case. Quinn might not have a clue as to how she’s going to conduct the rescue, but the woman who unequivocally broke Landry’s heart just so happens to be his one and only chance for survival.

Most genres are bound by rules—rules that often inspire expectations in readers and writers alike. Painting outside the proverbial lines affords an author far more freedom, but it’s not without risk. With SQUEEZE, Davis attempts to pair a offbeat rom-dram premise with an action/thriller outline resulting in a series of tonal shifts that are, at times, a bit jarring. For instance, the opening chapters establish a solid foundation for Landry, but the graphic descriptions of domestic sexual abuse would carry far more weight as a flashback in later chapters. Here, the opening pages are merely an unsettling introduction that may deter readers in search of the “romantic adventure” promised by the subtitle. Laundry’s irrepressible naïveté also makes for a protagonist who’s difficult to root for. The ever-resourceful Quinn proves to be the novel’s saving grace, even if she is ultimately relegated to a supporting role for much of the story.

Timeline quibbles aside, Davis’ writing is notably polished, and his ability to conjure one distinct location after another is exemplary. The same can be said for the dialogue, which inevitably does much of the heavy lifting when it comes to exposition. Some readers may struggle with the novel’s admittedly ‘slow and steady’ pacing, but Davis’ methodical approach ultimately results in a captivating final act. There’s also something to be said for atmosphere–Davis’ subtle, satirical tone hearkens back to the likes of Graham Greene (“Our Man in Havana” immediately comes to mind). Mileage will obviously vary, but fans of superb writing will inevitably enjoy SQUEEZE, provided they see it through.

With SQUEEZE: A Romantic Adventure, Hiram Davis offers readers a true genre ‘blender’ that speaks to the wounded ‘ex’ in us all.

~James Weiskittel for IndieReader