Putting the will in willpower.
Josh McCain has two years to reinvent himself. Stripped of everything that made life a swanky, booze and babe-filled breeze, Josh embarks on a grueling and often hilarious two-year regimen of self-discipline that targets his mind, body, and spirit.
Along the way, skeptics mock him; his own past taunts him; and saboteurs resolve to stop him. But Josh is determined to complete his “bucket list from hell,” and prove that who he was is not as important as who he can become.
Operating in unfamiliar territory, Josh turns to a cast of quirky characters to aid him on his secret journey; persons he’d have previously shunned. Upbeat and inspiring, The Will is an enthralling story of goofs and grit, of the regenerative power of friendship—and if Josh doesn’t blow it—real love.
Click below to purchase at Amazon.com.
The Will: Paperback / Kindle
The Will 2 – Recalled
(Just released!)
The past is a harsh mistress.
It’s six years and three bucket lists since the conclusion to The Will. Now, Josh is about to face his greatest test yet—only this time, failure comes with a death sentence.
As Josh contemplates a new direction, his plans are smashed broadside after his father’s friends call him in to enlist in a battle Josh never saw coming.
Once again, Josh finds himself operating in unfamiliar territory, and he will have to rely on his wits, strength of character, his friendships, and what he’s learned from the past six years if he’s to stave off the disaster of his life.
You can forget your past, but your past hasn’t forgotten about you.
Amazon Reviews
| “Benjamin Laskin is a splendid storyteller with a flair for the dramatic and a talent for characterization.”
—James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief, The Midwest Book Review “In The Will, Laskin has created a thought-provoking, funny, and inspiring novel that can potentially encourage readers to take a hard look at their own lives, make a personal to-do list, and perhaps even embark on their own challenging journey towards self-improvement.” —John Staughton, Self-Publishing Review (SPR) |
FantasticAwesome sheer will and determinationA journey from self-absorbed to self-improvedThe will, as in Last Will and Testament, has a catch. Josh has to complete a bucket list of seemingly meaningless tasks before he can claim his inheritance.
It’s a story of Josh’s journey from self-absorbed to self-improved. There are lessons for all of is this story. Especially meaningful to me are the lessons that we learn from people that seem to not having anything to give. The guy on the street corner, the chronically sick child, and others show us that life isn’t what it seems to be at first glance.
Some of his tasks and that he was able to complete them seemed to be a little far out but not impossible to accomplish.
Must read if you like cheering for the underdog! I loved it. Great story! Five big stars!Tied for FirstVery inspiring!This is absolutely the best book I have read in a long time. I found myself rootingFun to read.There were lots of fun twists and turns and with every chapterThis was such a heartwarming, humorous and thought provoking story. There were lots of fun twists and turns and with every chapter, I liked the main character more.
Enjoyed the characters A truly truly awesome book !
Original Content
I truly enjoyed this book
excellent pace.
I’ve never met a Benjamin Laskin book I haven’t loved! And this one was even better The Will Excellent book, Very entertaining
Worth the read
I began reading this book, not knowing what to expect. His concept is terrific and he pretty much pulls it off well, leaving me hoping for a sequel. A few minor issues, like confusing segues between scenes and clarifying whether or not he was ultimately successful or not, but otherwise – I loved this book.
The main character makes such a complete – but believable – change in his life, it is inspiring. I highly recommend.
Awesome bookFour Stars
Great Book
What an absolutely, lovely book!
Where did I find the best book I’ve read in a long time? A great weekend tead! Very Refreshing BookThis is one of the best books I have read in a long time
This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. I couldn’t put it down. It really made me realize the importance of being a human being and not self centered. His fathered who left him a list of items he was to do before he could get his inheritance . You will have to read this book to see if Josh was able to complete his father’s wish.
How to be accountable for your life
Great message for everyone about taking responsibility and improving one’s life regardless of circumstances.
Absolutely loved this bookI would recommend this book to anyone who believes in never giving up on your dreams and to persevere. Awesome read.
Helping others is how we help ourselvesAbove all this is a book about redemption. And that it is never too late to change if you have sufficient motivation. I will guarantee at least one chance at tears before the end of the book.
Josh is your stereotypical spoiled manchild. His father’s wealth has allowed him to be lazy, cruel and self-centered. When his father dies instead of stepping into the massive inheritance he expected, he is told he has two years to complete a list of 28 tasks, a sort of self improvement for a-holes or he can forfeit the money and it will go to his Aunt. Additionally all of his daddy provided comforts are being removed; no nice apartment, Porsche or credit cards.
Once his tantrum is over; and it takes an uncomfortably long time, he realizes that he wants to accept the challenge. Along the way he meets people who will help him with his quest. He learns about himself and others and becomes a better person. Of course there has to be a baddy and that is his Aunt Brooke who is trying in every way she can to thwart him.
This is a nice book about being a better person.
Should be on your must read list
Very well written without being hi-brow. Inspirational and fun. Would give it a five but saving that for the great masterpieces.
4 1/2 Stars. Good book!
What a great premise! Josh, a rich, irresponsible, lazy, self-absorbed young man finds himself in a predicament. His father dies suddenly and when the will is read, Josh learned he is cut-off. No apartment, no car, no phone; nothing. He has two years to complete a list of fifty things his father and his friends compiled for him. If Josh is able to complete the list, he would get his inheritance.
Josh’s journey was a delightful read. It was humorous, heartfelt, educational, and very personable. It is a great reminder of the abilities of the human spirit. I really, really liked it!
Wow profound What was that? Well written story sharing Some great life lessons!“The Will” inspired me to realize that anyone no matter the odds or background, who reached down deep to “their will” can accomplish anything they set their mind too and change if they lay a plan and take action!
Inspirational fun! A book everyone should read SweetI really liked this book. An over-entitled son is given a list of accomplishments he must complete before inheriting a fortune and no funds to help him. His growth is sweet.
One of the best books I’ve read in a long time
Nice to read something with a moral compassEnjoyable book. Nice to read something with a moral compass.
Another Special TreatBy camping corgi on December 31, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition
This is a well-written, thoroughly enjoyable story that leaves the reader with lots to think about. Such a sweet story!
Loved itBy Doublemorgan on November 9, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition
Want an upbeat book that is fun, is something you would want your kids to read and then discuss it with them? Want something so very rare in this world, a book without murder, mayhem, swearing, sex scenes, child abuse, depressed alcoholic characters? Yet a book that is very enjoyable to read? This book is for you. We need more authors like this one
absolute best novel I have read in a long timeThe absolute best novel I have read in a long time. I was engaged with the story from the first chapter and could not stop reading it til I finished the whole book several hours later!
Entertaining and uplifting I enjoyed the book Delightful read!
It’s not often that I pick up a book and hate to put it down. This book was well written, funny, sad, and just plain fun to read.
Will Power“Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” it is said, and in this case a recently deceased father’s will has been written to guide his son’s way. Josh has a set of nearly impossible, highly worthwhile tasks to complete within two years if he is to inherit millions of dollars. We follow his ups and downs and his gradual development from a shallow slacker to an admirable young man.
Enjoyed this greatly, and I will probably buy another Laskin novel soon. He writes well, and this was uplifting.
Great Uplifting Book!Another great book by Benjamin LaskinI look forward to reading Benjamin’s other novels. It is rare that my whole family enjoys the same book, but we all enjoyed this one.
Growing upBoth fun to read and inspiringI made the mistake of starting this book after midnight when I was having a difficult time sleeping. Unfortunately, the writing and story were so fantastic that I stayed up another half of the night unable to put the book down! I wasn’t at all sure that I was going to enjoy Josh’s character at first, and thought that the bucket list might be a bit heavy handed as a plot element, but I was easily wrong on both counts. Instead, by the end of the book I was feeling so inspired that I am making my own bucket list to commit to. 🙂
Great story for everyoneWhere there’s a will…I’m an avid reader and need to read to get to sleep. I finished the ‘Murphy’s Luck’ in two nights and ‘The Will’ between 5 AM and noon today. Your characters are well developed and the overall concept is different from other genres like mystery/thriller and sci-fi. I’m an agent with Baltimore Life and often deal with clients wills. That got me interested and then the addition of a book list in the plot which I’ve got about half covered along with many motivational quotes had me taking my kindle to work for the first time EVER! Everyone goes thru diversity, hardship and loss. It’s how we respond that matters.
Walter Malone’s ‘Opportunity ‘ quote is now on my wall. Thanks for reaffirming my belief in God, my family and myself.
5.0 out of 5 stars – Five Stars5.0 out of 5 stars – Awesome5.0 out of 5 stars – Loved it5.0 out of 5 stars – “Bucket List”5.0 out of 5 stars – VERY INSPIRING!5.0 out of 5 stars – I so very much loved this book and how the story played out to …5.0 out of 5 stars – Glad I discovered this book5.0 out of 5 stars – Inspiring5.0 out of 5 stars – Favorite5.0 out of 5 stars – Life changing inspiration
5.0 out of 5 stars – Good story
5.0 out of 5 stars – Where there is a will…Found myself in tears from time to time, sentimental fool that I am.
A lovely work of art!
5.0 out of 5 stars – There’s A Way
I highly recommend this book.
| 5.0 out of 5 stars The Will. So inspirational. Loved it.By K Rad on June 3, Kindle Edition – Verified PurchaseWhen I started this book, I had no idea how inspirational it would become for me. Sometimes “people or things” come in our life for a reason and this book was one of those “things” for me. I started reading this book last week. Yesterday, I was given news by my doctor that I had to make some drastic lifestyle changes for my health – can’t get around the genetics. Reading about Josh making drastic lifestyle changes, in the manner he did and in the timeframe he did gives me the inspiration I need to make the necessary changes in my own life. There are not many books that have such an impact on me, but this is one of those. I very much enjoyed reading the story of Josh’s 2 year journey. |
5.0 out of 5 stars GOOD BOOK!!!!!
By Windy on June 2, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
If I could give this book more stars I would, it was delightful. Although there was insinuating sex mentioned, no graphic descriptions, I enjoyed every minute of it and my family was probably wondering what I was laughing about every so often.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read!
By Julie A. Massey “jayyy_emm” on June 2, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
This story gave me hope again. What a beautifully crafted book. I loved the premise and the storyline just got better as I continued reading.
| 5.0 out of 5 stars I totally enjoyed this bookBy edith bucciano on May 31, 2015Format: Kindle Edition Verified PurchaseI totally enjoyed this book. It had me rooting for the main character through the entire book. It was light heartted, hopeful, had more than one wonderful message in it and I would highly recommend it |
5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly enjoyed
By Nancy on May 31, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
A great uplifting read that makes you think about integrity, friendship, and living a worthwhile life. Enjoyed the humor and by the end I was laughing (and a bit teary-eyed). Plan to read another by this author soon.
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely loved it!
By MARGARET on May 29, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
A father leaves his son a list of things his son must do in order to inherit his father’s money. These were all things that the father would have liked the son to complete while he was alive because he loved his son very much. It was a wonderful story.
5.0 out of 5 stars Well-written story with depth and meaning
By zzzon May 29, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
A very well-written novel. And, a read of depth and meaning that made me think about my life, even while I so enjoyed reading the unfolding story. I thoroughly enjoyed and cheered for the main character as I watched him learn, grow and develop. Wonderful quotes to live by are part of this story, as well as so many reminders about how we create (and can re-create) ourselves. Here’s one to read again in about a year. Well-edited — a pleasure to read.
5.0 out of 5 stars The Will
By MARSHA RENSTROM on May 29, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Joshua thought he had a great life. He knew he was wealthy,loved his Porsche, women and alcohol. What others saw was that he was a complete overweight slob that only thought of himself. Then his wealthy father died, and when the will was read Joshua was more than shocked and angry what he heard! He had 2 years to change his life based on a list he had to complete in order to inherit millions of dollars. Can he do it? This is a fun book and I really recommend it!
5.0 out of 5 stars I really enjoyed the character development in the book
By MarieIG on May 29, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
As others posted, this book is about a young man who is basically cut out of his father’s will unless he can complete a “to do” list within two years. The list was meant to help the character grow spiritually, emotionally and physically. I really enjoyed the character development in the book, as the young mean went though the list.
5.0 out of 5 stars Very moving book, brought tears to my eyes.
By becky on May 28, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
I found this story of a father’s faith in his son to be very inspirational. I’m making my own list for myself and each of my children
5.0 out of 5 stars Old idee well done
By Nath Drouin “tell me about books” on May 28, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
This is an old story. We have seen it many time yet this time it works fine again. I don t know if it s the main caracteror the writing but even if you know the ending before it een start, the book eorks. Great read.
5.0 out of 5 stars I liked everything about this book
By Jean at Tralfaz on May 28, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
I liked everything about this book. It was funny, but had some sad moments also. The characters were unique and likable. Like other readers I found myself rooting for Josh as he slowly changes from a good, but totally self-centered person into the man his father felt he could be. As an added bonus, it was well edited.
5.0 out of 5 stars Good book
By Linda Collins on May 28, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Good read! Josh’ growth throughout the story was inspiring. I will look for more novels written by Benjamin Laskin. Enjoyable!
5.0 out of 5 stars what a great story…..
By Lachula on May 27, 2015
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
For me this was a fabulous book, it was so much fun to see how the main character Josh McCain deals with an unexpected challenge that his father left him in his Will. Even though one could feel it is a bit predictable, that did not matter to me as I became very invested in all of the books characters, and was rooting for Josh the whole way through. This is a book that gets you thinking not only about your life, and how you live it, but it is also full of such wonderful messages. I found this to be a book that I did not want to end.
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow
By Curt James on May 26, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
I read this book in one day at work. Amazing story. I absolutely could not put it down. Great characters, excellent plot and quite a few tear jerking scenes. Talk about rooting for the underdog. I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read. Great job, Mr. Laskin!!!
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!
By Stk on May 26, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
This was a wonderful, encouraging story. I loved the way the author used famous quotes to give life lessons. This is a must read for any age.
5.0 out of 5 stars Where there’s a will, there’s a way
By liberty grove “Ellen” on May 26, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
The hero had quite a challenge. In living up to this, he gained a new lifestyle and a new extended family. I laughed and cried. It was a very enjoyable book.
5.0 out of 5 stars A book that will make you think about the path you’re on
By Bibliophile 76 on May 26, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
I really liked the story. It was very heart warming. I also liked that it was peppered with a lot of quotes from a lot of great people.
The perfect story to make you reflect on your life, your choices, and the path you’re headed down By Taylor B.on May 5, 2015 This is the sort of book that stays with you long after you’ve finished, but not because it was overly dramatic or sad. It does, however, make you look at your life and your choices, and it allows you to reflect on things you can change to make yourself a better person for both you and your family. I loved the characters and the way Benjamin brought each and every one of them to life, and I loved how descriptive and like real life the story was. We could all stand to read this book, not only because it’s a wonderful read, but also because of how it can make you a better person, family member, and friend. |
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books I’ve read recently!
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved It 5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing things were achieved with this fictional character5.0 out of 5 stars It was very entertaining …5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent story!
February 4, 2015
By Dawn O
