Thirty Days Hath September by Ronald Dwinnells

River Grove Books (March 26, 2024)

Medical Fiction/Historical Romance Fiction

Wealthy fourth-year medical student Jack is miserable and mean. An elderly patient, seeking her long-lost lover, is about to send him on the journey that will change his life.

Aimless Jack Maizel is a slovenly medical student who is unlikeable, arrogant, and slightly manic. Persuaded by his influential parents to pursue a medical career, he cannot hide his contempt for the profession and even for some of his neediest patients. His classmate, Ahgri, a well-mannered and gentlemanly former Tanzanian mountain guide and coffee plantation worker, is an unlikely best friend.

When Maizel begins a month-long clinical rotation on the first day of September in 1982 with a hospital admission work-up for elderly and soft-spoken Mildred Dixon, he has no intention of doing any more than he has to. As the month goes by, she recounts a tender and passionate romance with a young U.S. Army Air Force lieutenant headed off to bombing runs over Germany. She appeals to Jack for help in her last wish of finding the love of her life again.

As the days run out on September, Mildred and Ahgri’s collective wit and Mildred’s touching plea eventually lead Maizel to a life-altering experience. The astonishing twist that ignites a path for Maizel’s future will leave readers with a poignant lesson on how we learn to live and love. Dwinnells’s memorable characters and his message of hope, kindness, forgiveness, and redemption will appeal to readers across genres.

REVIEW

Thirty Days Hath September is told with a dual timeline and genre. A rare read with the main character that is truly unlikeable; he is arrogant, mean, and has no compassion. He is doing something that he does not enjoy and is just a miserable person. I enjoyed the progression of friendship between Jack & Ahgri and  I loved how Mildred handled Jack’s behavior. I did find it a so-so read until Mildred’s request takes Jack on a journey of self-discovery. Once the entire story is read it really stuck with me.

Reviewed by Comfy Chair Books/Lisa Reigel (10/1/24)

eBook copy provided by Stress Free Marketing

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ronald Dwinnells is a pediatrician and healthcare executive who lives and works in northeast Ohio.

He has written and published scholarly medical articles, local and trade publications, and numerous grant proposals to help support his health care organization. Dwinnells is also the President of the non-profit charity foundation, Butterflies and Hope that supports mental and behavioral health problems in children and young adults.

He is the author of the Axiom Gold Medal-winning leadership book, Don’t Pick Up All the Dog Hairs and the historical romance fiction novel, Thirty Days Hath September.

Mountain climbing, running road races, hiking, reading, writing and traveling are his primary hobbies along with keeping fit through physical and mental exercises as well as a healthy diet.

He lives in Poland, Ohio with his wonderful family.