Kindle book. Quirky, but fun read.KIRKUS REVIEWIn Barrett?s debut farcical novel, a 30-something man living in a managed care facility finds unlikely allies in two middle schoolers.New Jersey computer programmer Frank Johnson expects reimbursement after his grandfather dies prior to his stay at the Hardy Managed Care Facility. But as Ed Hardy refuses to refund Frank?s one-year advance payment, Frank moves in (perfectly legal, since he shares his name with his late grandfather). After six months of living in Room 422, he and Hardy are at a stalemate. Frank then meets Elroy, a 12-year-old foster kid, who?s at the facility as part of Rudolphsville Middle School?s newly minted Outreach Club. Elroy is just there to read to Frank, but this arrangement becomes an opportunity for Frank to enjoy time off campus. Hardy, of course, won?t let Frank choose a destination, but he likes Elroy?s idea: take Frank to a Catholic church for confession, an outing Hardy assumes Frank will despise. Frank?s excursions soon include the only other Outreach Club member, Sally Berman. Incidentally, Frank?s confessions inspire him to ?fix? the church by providing what he believes is missing: intimacy. Though Frank revels in impudence (he wears and periodically endorses adult diapers), his gradual affection for his preteen pals is endearing. For example, Elroy?s elation at merely spending time with someone else?s family gets an emotional response from Frank, a self-professed ?pretty hard-edged loner.? Elroy is a sympathetic character, enduring school bullies and living with an elderly couple unsuitable for fostering. Sally, too, recently lost her beloved Aunt Sadie to suicide and, burdened with an indifferent mother, becomes suicidal herself. The bond among the main characters, including the kids? potential romance, is charming. Less engaging, however, is Frank?s plan regarding the church. But it?s a great excuse for the trio?s frequent bouts of hilarious banter.Witty, occasionally crass, and an unqualified delight.

I received a free copy thanks to LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

This book was a quick, fun read.

The main character was a bit like many characters that Owen Wilson has played in movies - a rather annoying anti-hero, who I of course found myself cheering for later on and of course turned out to have some redeeming qualities.

At first I thought that this book was quite predictable - two separate narrators, one the lonely anti-hero, Frank, and one a lonely boy in foster care. Hmm, might they possibly meet and become friends? The main characters were male (I'm going to assume they were white, but I don't think it was actually stated), but some of the minor characters were interesting and female (and probably also white). However, part way through some more interesting things started to happen, there was a bit of a twist and I even wondered if it was it going to turn into some kind of self-help, start your own religion book disguised as a novel!

"Managed Care" caught my eye on the Early Reviewers list because it sounded like a fun book with an unusual setting. A thirty-something living in an old people's home because he wants a refund? I was intrigued.

Here's the description from Early Reviewers:
"Is it too much to ask that a managed care facility refund a year's advance payment when your grandfather dies before he can move in? Frank Johnson doesn't think so, which is why the thirty-three-year-old now lives in a nursing home, locked in a chess match feud with management that doesn't occupy nearly enough of his time.
When foster kid Elroy is thrust into his life, Frank decides to turn this forced relationship to his advantage - launching a string of absurd decisions, inappropriate behaviors and unexpected glimpses of tenderness that ultimately turn a New Jersey suburb upside down. A laugh-out-loud celebration of bad choices for good causes, Managed Care is an offbeat story about three misfits on the social fringes of suburbia and their ridiculous campaign to introduce an unfiltered version of intimacy to their stale, impersonal community. Because, according to Frank, it's probably what Jesus would have wanted."

Things I liked: unusual setting, Elroy, Sally
Things I didn't like: Frank's treatment of his sister-in-law, racist stereotyping of a minor character
Things I found a bit odd: Elroy liking music and movies that I remember from the 80s/90s, rather than more up-to-date stuff. I suspect that the author is about my age!

I would read other books by Joe Barrett, and I'd recommend "Managed Care" to others, including young adults. ( )

This was the best book I've read from Early Reviewers. It was laugh out loud funny and sweet too. Such a lovely surprise. It wasn't perfect, certainly a few exchanges had me rolling my eyes a bit (soap addicted wife, anyone?!), but overall a really great read and I'd look up other books by Joe Barrett as a result. ( )

I've tried to read this four times and cannot get into it. It was not hilarious although the premise was a good one. I hate to give a bad review but this is one. Keep writing joe. ( )

An entertaining read, that will unfortunately not age very well. It had specific references to items and TV shows from about 2014/2015. However do recommend to those who enjoy a story that is light hearted, amusing, and has a good ending ( )