Review: The Life O'Reilly - Brian Cohen

Genre: Fiction
Pages: 276
Published: 2009

On the outside, Nick O’Reilly has it all: a high-flying legal career, as a partner of an elite Wall Street law firm, and financial security, with an apartment overlooking Central Park. Having grown up in a working-class family, as far back as Nick can remember this was his dream. But at the age of thirty-six, after several years of sacrificing his personal life for professional gain, Nick has started to ponder his future and consider the mark he wants to leave on society both professionally and personally—his legacy.


After being chastised in the press for turning a cold shoulder to the community, the firm calls upon Nick to help rehabilitate its image by handling its first pro bono case. Nick is asked to represent Dawn Nelson, a domestic violence victim who is fighting for custody of her young son, Jordan. A far cry from Nick’s speciality of defending the misdeeds of Corporate America, it is up to Nick to set Dawn and Jordan on a path to a better life. But Nick gets much more than he signed on for, as Dawn forces him to reassess his life choices and, ultimately, be true to himself. Only when Nick finally realizes what is truly important in life does he face his toughest—and possibly final—challenge: a battle for his own survival.

This was a wonderful book about a man finding himself, and love. Nick is a hot-shot lawyer, he works long hours, he doesn't always get that much respect from his superior, and he has no time for a personal life. The firm is everything. But then he gets a pro bono case, and realizes that he does want more.

I liked Nick, he seemed like a really decent guy who was starting to have second thoughts about doing what he was, making rich people richer. He deserved more, and there was this longing in him. The he meet Dawn, the woman he was representing. She was nice and wanted more too, after being in a abusive relationship. Of course the whole client-lawyer thing is a big fat no, so it's easy to figure out that it will have an impact.

It was a great tale about a man making some big changes in his life, and how he dared to take that chance when loved showed up. They did seem meant to be. The story was compelling, and I even peaked ahead a bit.

What the story also made me feel was sadness, yes there were tears near the end. Happiness, sadness, curiosity about where the story went, and a nice sweet romance.

The story made me think too, about making what you want out of life, taking that chance on love, life, a new job, anything.

A good story, with characters that felt real.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: Simple yet so beautiful

Reason for reading: From the author.

Final thoughts: Good