J.T. was really over the top as a character; he belonged in a Sandra Brown novel. I didn't really care for him, so this kept the book from a 4-star rating. Was it the annual five-day drinking binges, the masochistic behavior such as stubbing a cigarette onto his arm, or the totally unrealistic relationship that developed between him and Tess? It's hard to say. I'm just glad that Gardner's writing has improved since this.