Bocas: A Novel

By: Thomas M. Barron

Narrated by: Patrick Zeller

Finalist - Tuscon Festival of Books

Finalist - IAN Book Awards

Semifinalist - Kindle Book Awards

George thought he’d finally escaped Shawna by picking up an easy bartending gig in Bocas del Toro, Panama.

With an extra 400 dollars per month to edit an online love column keeping him afloat, he spends his days swimming and drinking beers with his roommate PJ.

Does the occasional female tourist ever sleep over? Sure. But that’s nothing compared to PJ’s scorecard. PJ should be registered with the center for disease control.

Warm water, cold beers, and no Shawna - life couldn’t be better on the island. Until George takes a little road trip to Colombia. Raúl, his boss at the bar, offered him a free ride. He always knew Raúl moved a little bit of cocaine. Who doesn’t? But guns?

So...he absolutely should not write Shawna. That clever soul-crushing beauty destroyed him. Maybe it would be ok if she came for just a week? Just one week....

©2018 Thomas M. Barron (P)2018 Thomas M. Barron

Fun read

Are you looking for a fun easy read? I highly recommend that you read (or listen as I did) to Bocas! It’s a romantic comedy with amazing characters that will feel like you know them. Since it’s written in the first person I felt like I knew George and loved the insight into his life. I can’t wait until the author releases the next book!

Raw and Beautiful

Don’t judge Bocas by it’s cover - it’s not just about a white guy’s adventure on a tropical island. It’s a captivating story of life’s beautiful imperfections.

I started listening to this book as it was highly recommended by a friend. However minutes into the story, I could not stop. I ended up listening to the entire the book in one day.

I was really drawn in by the tenderness and vulnerability of the main character George. His takes on sex and relationships are comical, unapologetically real yet respectful. And his insights about friends and life are refreshing and drew many chuckles throughout the day.

But the book is not all talk. The plot builds nicely with an unexpected twist towards the end - to make Bocas even more endearing.

Patrick Zeller’s narration is wonderful. His performance added warmth, depth and empathy for the book’s multiple heroines and heroes.

Hats off to Thomas Barron for not being afraid to write a story that exposes imperfection of humanity. And doing so in a way that is gentle and spellbinding.

Great mental vacation and fun read (or listen)

Love the whole series (Bocas, Bronte, and Bolinas). I listened to them all on Audible while i was driving in my car or walking my dog. Fun and entertaining reads, cool characters, great balance of adventure, romance, dangerous escapades, and people (largely) doing the right thing while somewhat avoiding ‘real life’. Total mental vacation. Fun to read the actual books (as I did first with Bocas) as well as to listen to them through Audible (as I did for all three). Enjoy!