May 27, 2025 | Editorial reviews, International Review of Books, Memoir
A Pleasant Fiction: A Novelistic Memoir by Javier De Lucia is perfect for readers who find meaning in quiet, character-driven stories of resilience, compassion, and emotional depth—especially those who appreciate narratives that offer both perspective and hope in the face of life’s harshest trials.
.
Which line stood out from all the others in the book?
“Not everyone has to become their disabled baby brother’s guardian and watch him die in between their parents’ deaths.”
General Summary for Context:
This isn’t exactly a tearjerker—but it’s not far off, either. At its heart, this is the story of one man’s quiet resilience in the face of relentless tragedy, loss, frustration, and a crisis of faith. He’s not an angry man—just someone who has grown disillusioned with God after a lifetime of hardship. Frankly, if I had gone through even half of what he endures, I’d be screaming at the heavens and everyone in earshot.
It begs the question: Does God ever ask more of us than we can bear?
The protagonist of this book is, in many ways, my personal hero. How is he still standing after enduring the unimaginable—his wife’s seven miscarriages (yes, seven!), a medically necessary abortion, a brother with severe disabilities who later loses the use of an arm, and the death of both parents? Meanwhile, I found myself upset today because my nail polish had a hint of orange in it. Perspective, much?
This book reminds you what truly matters. It’s deeply human, quietly powerful, and lingers long after the last page.
Concise Review:
This isn’t quite a tearjerker—but it brushes close, in the most human and hopeful of ways. At its heart, this is the story of one man’s journey through profound challenges: personal loss, frustration, and a crisis of faith. Yet what sets this book apart is not the weight of the sorrow, but the quiet strength and joy the protagonist continues to find amid it all.
Despite enduring his wife’s seven miscarriages, the heartbreak of a medically necessary abortion, the daily demands of caring for a severely disabled sibling who later loses use of an arm, and the death of both parents—he never hardens. He never turns bitter. Instead, he remains a gentle, altruistic soul, deeply connected to his wife, his son, and his circle of devoted friends. His career brings him moments of purpose; his family, moments of warmth. In a world that could have broken him, he chooses compassion over despair.
Reading this made me reflect on my own priorities—I mean, I caught myself feeling dramatic over nail polish with an orange tint. Perspective, right? This book doesn’t just make you feel—it makes you recalibrate. A quietly powerful read that reminds us that the capacity for joy and goodness can persist, even under the heaviest of burdens.
General Thoughts on the Novel:
This book compelled me to reflect deeply on my own values—on what truly matters beneath the surface noise of daily life. (Nail polish disasters included.) The protagonist’s journey is marked by profound adversity: not even a fleeting taste of fortune—his family’s brief, ill-fated lottery win—could shield him from life’s unrelenting trials. And yet, he endures. Not with bitterness or cynicism, but with a quiet determination to live meaningfully, to love generously, and to keep moving forward.
What moved me most was not simply his resilience, but the grace with which he faces each setback—personal and professional alike. He emerges not hardened but luminous, retaining a fundamental gentleness and a desire to contribute positively to the lives of others. That, to me, is the essence of true strength. An inspiring and humbling read.
.
READ JAVIER’S BOOK ON AMAZON
May 15, 2025 | Interviews, Business, Memoir, Non Fiction
Today, we’re talking with Brandon Cox about his book, Hustle Reimagined
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
I’ve been incarcerated longer than TikTok, the iPhone, and Instagram have existed — and yet I’m more connected to today’s hustle than most.
Why do you write?
I write because I’m building something that lasts. My children, my community, even strangers I may never meet — they deserve to know that success doesn’t require perfection. Writing allows me to leave behind more than fabric and fashion — it’s how I leave behind legacy, lessons, and light.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
The inspiration for Hustle Reimagined came straight from my reality — 18 years incarcerated, stripped of freedom, but never of vision. I realized I had two choices: let the time break me, or let it build me. So I used that time to learn, to grow, and to turn my pain into purpose. This book is the blueprint I wish someone had given me at the beginning. It’s not just a story — it’s a strategy.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
What I enjoy most is the impact. This genre isn’t just about storytelling — it’s about soul-shifting. Knowing that my words might reach someone who’s on the edge of giving up, and actually pull them back from that — that’s powerful. That’s why I love it.
How would you describe your writing process?
Writing for me is like hustling — it’s gritty, it’s daily, and it’s all about momentum. I jot down ideas during lockdown, rework chapters during rec, and edit through noise and chaos. But that’s the beauty of it. My process proves that even in restriction, you can create something limitless.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
Everything. Social media is the modern-day megaphone. Authors no longer have to wait for a publisher or a PR team to tell their story — we are the media now. Whether you’re dropping gems from your book, connecting with readers, or sharing the behind-the-scenes hustle, social media lets you build a real tribe around your words. For me, it’s not about just selling a book — it’s about building a movement. One post, one story, one reel at a time.
What advice would you have for other writers?
Stop waiting for the perfect time — it doesn’t exist. I wrote Hustle Reimagined from a prison cell with no laptop, no comfort, and no silence. But I had something more powerful: a story worth telling. If you’ve got a message, write it. If you’ve got a purpose, push it. Don’t let fear, doubt, or your circumstances stop you — because somebody out there needs your words.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
For me, the title has to hit like a punchline — it needs to tell you what you’re getting and make you feel something. Hustle Reimagined came from flipping the script on what hustle usually looks like. People expect grind, struggle, maybe even street talk — but I wanted to show them the evolution of hustle. The mindset. The transformation. That title is my mission in two words.”
“As for the cover, it has to represent the brand and the journey. I think about what will stand out on a shelf or in a scroll, but also what will feel timeless. I want the cover to match the energy of the content inside — clean, bold, and unapologetically real. Every design choice is intentional. I treat my book cover like I do my clothing designs: it has to speak before I say a word.
What’s your next step?
My next step is to build on the momentum of Hustle Reimagined and take the message even further. I’m already working on my second book, which dives into how people can use AI — like ChatGPT — to overcome limitations, start businesses, and create opportunities no matter where they are in life. At the same time, I’m continuing to grow my streetwear brand, Crookd Crown Clothier, and give back to communities and kids who’ve lost a parent to the system.”
“This isn’t just about books or clothes — it’s about legacy. It’s about proving that even after 18 years of incarceration, I can still impact the world in a positive way. So the next step is to keep building, keep inspiring, and keep redefining what royalty looks like — one project at a time.
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
Honestly, it’s one of the most gratifying feelings I’ve ever experienced. Knowing that Hustle Reimagined is actually reaching people and inspiring them — that’s everything to me. Each new review feels like a win, not just for me, but for everyone who’s ever felt stuck, silenced, or overlooked. I wrote this book hoping it would light a fire in someone, and seeing that it’s doing just that? It’s humbling. It reminds me that even from where I am, I can still make a difference.
FIND BRANDON’S BOOK ON AMAZON
