An Amazon CA No. 1 Hot New Release in Psychological Fiction
Eric Hoffer Award da Vinci Eye Finalist & E-Book Cover Design Award Winner
Ten months—that’s how long twenty-six-year-old writer and aspiring actor Jay Sakovsky decides to stay and teach in the bohemian beach town of Soul City, California, to save up cash and overcome his anxiety before moving on to Hollywood.
But after several “friendly chats” with the vice principal about hangover sweats and black eyes from ballroom brawls, Jay sees a therapist who helps him connect his self-destructive tendencies and artistic blocks to his undiagnosed OCD, setting him on a ten-year healing journey that drives him to near madness as he explores the limits of his heart, creativity, and psyche.
A surreal, darkly comic, and psychologically epic novel, The Soul City Salvation explores mental illness, friendship, aging, masculinity, modern love, the creative process, spiritual awakening, and fighting for respect in an uncaring world.
Critical Acclaim for The Soul City Salvation
“Jay is revealed to be an intriguing soul to follow, and LaPoma seamlessly depicts aspects of Jay’s mental illness… A highly readable tale of a struggling but well-meaning schoolteacher.”
— Kirkus Reviews, Recommended Review Selection
“A philosophical story of growth, insight, and discovery… Readers looking for an introspective journey will relish The Soul City Salvation for its ever-changing evolutionary realizations.”
— Diane Donovan, California Bookwatch
“So honest that it hurts… I absolutely devoured this story! It’s one of those ‘Just one more chapter!’ books… Jonathan LaPoma has insane talent.”
— Audrey, Warped Shelves
“I love how easy it was to relate to Jay, because he was human—he was imperfect, difficult, weary, sweet, hopeful, creative, loving, scared… everything in one.”
— Dora Okeyo, Author of The Crown of the Sea
“Such an emotional read… The author conveyed this struggle with Jay and his journey, along with how people come into your life just when you need them. I found it to be realistic.”
— Cristie Underwood, NetGalley
“I loved the internal struggle with OCD and anxiety… seeing his childhood trauma present itself in the forms of anger, poor judgement in search of love, and lack of self-confidence was dark and beautiful.”
— Abbyturnsthepage
“Soul City Salvation read kinda like a Homerian epic to me… Perfect pacing for a story that speaks to perfect divine timing in real life.”
— Sistah Gurl, Author of The Incredibly True Confessions of a Black Female Union Steward