Scott MacIntyre is an artist and aspiring journalist who has never been aligned with the values of contemporary society. He’s a jaded, reclusive workaholic. Denyse Kersey is shrewd, quippy, and disciplined. She recently transplanted to Portland after a hard upbringing in the South Bronx. Together, they discover a perfect connection and unveil irresistible bliss. James Severen is a naive kid from the country whose life experience has been hard work, poverty, abuse, and neglect. He witnesses a violent flashpoint at work and immediately escapes to seek a new life. Scott, ever the champion for corporal mercy, finds James and gives him guidance. Their encounter alters the lives of everyone in the periphery. Advance reader consensus is that this novel is profoundly emotional and devastating. What advance readers are saying: — “I was begging for mercy. No book has ever had me weeping for more than a moment. This had me for the last third.” — “Devastating. Brutal. Beautiful. I haven’t felt this much in a long time. It really resonates. I have to rest now.” — “Often hilarious. Then, goosebumps. Then, more goosebumps.” — ”It’s been years since I came across a new album I wanted to listen to twice in a day, or even two days in a row. I’ve never gotten through a novel in a day until now. I’ve never wanted to read a book the very next day. But this is sitting with me so hard that I want to read it again immediately and get back into that world. I’ve never read a story that made me feel like I was in love, and made me hurt to tears….for hours! For me, this is a perfect book.” Advance reader consensus is that this novel is profoundly emotional and devastating. What advance readers are saying: - "I was begging for mercy. No book has ever had me cry for more than a moment. I wept for the last third." - "Devastating. Brutal. Beautiful. I haven't felt this much in a long time. It really resonates. I have to rest now." - "Often hilarious. Then, goosebumps. Then, more goosebumps." - "It's been years since I came across a new album I wanted to listen to twice in a day. Or two days in a row. I've never gotten through a novel in a day. I've never wanted to read a book the very next day. But this is sitting with me so hard I want to read it again immediately and get back into that world. I've never read a story that made me feel like I was in love, and made me hurt to tears....for hours!" Craig MackIntosh is a multidisciplinary creator living in Portland, Oregon, with his wife and daughter. He's a woodworker, metalsmith, painter, sculptor, and illustrator. He designs and builds furniture, writes fiction, art analyses, and essays. "If I Should Lose You" is his debut novel. Some of his work can be seen at www.craigmackintosh.com