Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Book News

The US Review of Books (USRB) highly praised “Playing Hurt” by Gerald L. Nardella 

Amanda Hanson of the US Review of Books reviewed and commended the excellent book by Gerald L. Nardella, “Playing Hurt.”

Gerald L. Nardella was born and raised in Livingston, Montana, and he served in the U.S. Army. He married Peggy, his high school sweetheart, in 1962. They have two children: Michael and Terri. 

Gerald received a degree in accounting from Montana State University, Bozeman, in 1968. He worked for a national CPA firm before starting his own CPA practice in Billings in 1974. Gerald enjoys golfing, reading, and working on the family cabin in the Crazy Mountains.

The author was inspired to publish this masterpiece due to the fear and insecurity of growing up in a small town that offers little opportunity and few role models, exacerbated by an uncertain future and pressure from emotions difficult to control.

“Playing Hurt” by Gerald L. Nardella was set in the 1960s and features high school students Brian Wheeler and Deanie Cummings, who are madly in love with each other. But recently, Deanie has been quite distant towards Brian after their first time having sex. 

To make matters worse, Deanie’s ex-boyfriend, Bill Slater, is back in town. The last time they saw each other, things did not go so well. Since his return, he has been pursuing Deanie, even though he knows she has moved on with someone else. 

One day, Bill forces her to have sex with him. Deanie is in shock and doesn’t tell anybody about it. Brian senses that something must have happened between Deanie and Bill, so he breaks up with her. This breakup affects her deeply, and she spirals out of control with consequences that will affect her future.

Here’s an excerpt from the US Review of Books that highlights:

“Nardella dives into the characters’ emotions and psychological state. For instance, she shows how Deanie is conflicted by her sexual activities. She feels guilty and remorseful, which leads to tears after she has sex with Brian. From there, she wants to take things slowly. She had planned to remain a virgin until marriage. However, as a result of her actions with Brian, she feels like she has broken a promise to herself. Nardella uses a confessional technique popular in narratives by having her protagonist reveal these thoughts to her friend, Karen. Deanie then establishes a sharp contrast between Karen and herself. Karen was able to stand firm and refuse to sleep with her boyfriend, while Deanie feels that she gave up too easily. Deanie’s intense struggle with her thoughts and emotions helps make her relatable to the reader. Many will likely appreciate this book because the characters express their emotions with honesty.” 

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