The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni

I'm struggling a bit with this one. It has received many positive reviews and ratings online, and I was thrilled to be able to start reading it. The first part of the book was great... nice pace, well-written, interesting characters. But somewhere in the second half, it became more melodramatic and predictable with a heavy dose of religion thrown in.

This is the story of one man, Sam Hill, better known as Sam Hell to some of his friends. He was born with a condition that causes his eyes to be red. His parents are wonderful and loving, and support him throughout the book. However, he is bullied as a child because of his eyes. As the novel jumps from his youth to his adulthood, we follow Sam's ups and downs - and his lack of self-confidence. He doesn't feel he deserves the good things that happen to him, and he is not "good enough". 

Interesting. At times, humorous. But disappointed that I felt a bit manipulated at the end. - June