TM

Magnificent piece of art!

Revisado: 03-28-24

Wow! I’ve been an audible member for years and an avid fiction lover since a child. Of course, then majoring in English literature and then teaching it as an educator. This work is now my favorite! Not only is the novel brilliantly written, I can’t imagine having experienced it without hearing Meryl Streep performing it. As she did indeed perform it. It’s like she must’ve collaborated with the author herself! She inserted giggles and you could hear the laughter and joy in her voice in parts, the nostalgia during the flashbacks, I mean it was simply amazing. The book is nostalgic with some sadness but still ended up being a feel good read. I don’t know how the author pulled that off. We get flashbacks to a previous time as the mother tells her story to her three adult daughters, as they are experiencing the pandemic. It describes the “quarter life crisis” perfectly, having me reflect and reminisce on my years when I was 24. The setting descriptions were so vivid without being exhaustively detailed, I felt like I was watching a movie. I could close my eyes and see the characters and the places they were. I could see Michigan, New York, LA, and Tom Lake. I feel like these characters were people I know, that I had my own Peter Duke love and heart ache, and hope for the love that Lara has as well as the fulfillment. Sheesh. That’s what I felt at the end, fulfilled. Beautiful. Poignant. Profound. Insightful. Definitely a must read. Absolutely loved it. Will definitely check other works from this author and anything Meryl Streep narrates. I’m so glad I encountered this read through her voice. Beautiful collaboration and experience. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Just okay glad it was free

Revisado: 01-05-23

Not a bad story. Not a great story. Just something to play while I’m busy doing other things. Like when you turn on the TV for something to play in the background. It’s isn’t suspenseful, very predictable. Within the first two or three chapters I already figured out what was going to happen, who did what and why. Basically as soon as Kiki was introduced. It was still alright to continue, and I would just say it was okay overall. Just don’t go in with any expectations, and it’s not something you have to pay attention to—distractions will not keep you from missing anything.

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Wow. Just wow.

Revisado: 01-03-23

I listen to audible daily. There are some decent free ones, but none that’s really worth writing a review on. This one, I’m blown away by. Emotional tugs throughout, strong characterization, very real story. Definitely could be like a tragic true documentary. The first free audible book that I would’ve happily used a credit on. It’s an emotional journey, following the story of a family that experiences trauma from early on. It explores themes of abandonment, post party’s depression, the way the legal system comes short, and makes you question “right” and “wrong” in the department of child services. It is a book that will stay with me for awhile. Very well narrated as well.

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Excellent! I laughed out loud so many times!

Revisado: 05-31-22

I absolutely enjoyed this. I’ve actually listened to it again three times already. First, the narrator is superb. I am looking into other stories he has narrated because he did such a phenomenal job matching the characterization that it truly helped me in becoming immersed in the story.

Second, I have taught middle school and high school for the last fourteen years. For parents who have reviewed this, let me tell you, this is exactly how teens speak. You may think and want to believe your teen does not cuss/curse/use profanity, but I’m here to tell you that just about all of them do. Even the “good” ones.

I have downloaded and saved this story, and will continue to come back and listen again.

They chose the perfect narrator for this story, and the story was so funny that I really was cracking up out loud while I was driving and listening. I wish I could go into more detail, but I don’t want to give any spoilers away.

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Good thing you don’t waste a credit. Meh.

Revisado: 05-31-22

I really don’t understand all of the five star reviews. I appreciate that it was a free read/listen, and it was short enough to give a try, but it definitely still dragged on and was hard to get through. There was a lot of inner monologue from the initial protagonist that was unnecessary and definitely should’ve been cut out. It added nothing to the plot, it wasn’t beautifully written to add flair to setting or characterization, it was just pointless inner rambling that didn’t contribute to any plot elements and was a little agonizing.

I did appreciate the different narrator who served as Seb’s voice. He did a really good job and I so needed a break from Simon’s narrator.

The end was jarring and unbelievable. I get trying to add a plot twist but this didn’t flow naturally or seemed to be part of the initial story, it more felt like the author decided it while writing the end because it didn’t make sense. When it’s done well, you have the “Oooh wow!” feeling and think “Oh my gosh! I can’t believe it but it totally falls into place and makes sense!” However, how this was written left me thinking “Huh?! Psh, this is nonsense.” It wasn’t realistic, didn’t flow naturally, and was jarring to the story. It didn’t go with natural cadence and didn’t make sense to the characterization that was built up for that character throughout the whole story. I would definitely pass if I could do it again. Very disappointing.

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Mediocre at best, for Hallmark lovers.

Revisado: 05-21-22

I used my credit because I am a fan of mystery, thriller, suspense - and this fell under that category. I love a good time travel, but this book is more in the romance genre - definitely not a thriller mystery. If you are a fan of Hallmark movies, this is definitely for you. If not, you should pass.

The thing that bothered me the most is the age of the characters didn’t match what they are saying, doing, and behaving. I won’t give any spoilers, but Jack is 46 in this. He meets and falls in love with Samantha, and they speak of marriage and children. So, I’m not saying it’s impossible but it is improbable. I don’t believe we get her age, but even if they rush their marriage, a child would happen in another year or two when he’s 47-48? She can’t be much younger than him, it just would’ve been easier to digest if the author made him 36 instead of 46. The characterization also just didn’t match their age. The other one that bothered me is the house maid, Addie. She’s 70 in the story, but when her age was given I literally snorted out loud! You’ll understand when you get to that part of the story to why that threw me. This also alluded that the gardener was the same age. Again, would’ve been easier to digest if they were a decade younger.

The details made a difference to me, and were too distracting for me to get fully immersed in the story. The characterization was just not believable, and a little too cheesy for me. But I’m just not a romance genre person, nor a hallmark person. I can see how this would be perfect for those who are very modest and more conservative, again the best way for me to describe this is it reminded me of a Hallmark movie. This is perfect for those who watch the Hallmark channel. Just definitely should not be in the thriller category. I also pretty much figured out the story by chapter 7, which made it hard to get through.

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Mixed feelings. If you’re from the South, probably pass

Revisado: 05-14-22

I have mixed feelings about this book. Initially, it was hard to get through. At around chapter 7, I was going to quit because it was so cringey listening to the forced southern accent and stereotyped phrases. I was born and raised in the south, and even for the time period it was set in, it’s clear that the writer is not from the south and doesn’t know much about it other than stereotypes. I kept wondering why they couldn’t get a real southern narrator instead of someone who was trying to affect a southern accent. It was hard to read the reviews of praise for the narrator when it was such a poor attempt at a southern accent, but it’s probably because for those who don’t know, don’t know. It reminded me of Terrance Howard and his infamous attempt at a Memphis accent. Further, the phrases and speech were simply filled with the stereotypes of southern affectations and not truly how people speak in the south.
However, as an Asian American, (half white and half Asian) born and raised in the South, with lack of representation and mirrors, I believe it’s important for this book to exist. I grew up looking through windows and never mirrors, so it’s nice to see a book that will provide a mirror for those like me. The ending was nice, and the representation important.
The most difficult thing for me was the fake southern accent and stereotypes, and the very unrealistic portrayal. Considering the time period, considering gender and race, it’s just implausible for some of the situations and difficult to not be distracted by how unrealistic some of it was. I had to remind myself that this is a YA read, and that it was fiction. It makes me think of how Bridgerton is a wonderful fictional remake of history to represent people of color. So when I look at it through that lens, I can appreciate it. However, getting through it was hard until the end where I was able to put that lens on and appreciate it. It’s just too much of a stretch for a young asian American girl to have been in certain situations and say things and act as the protagonist did (hard to explain without giving spoilers). So, if you’re from the south like me, you’ll probably cringe a lot and have a hard time getting through it. However, for representation and providing children with a healthy selection of culturally rounded literature, it’s a nice addition. It’s just not an accurate portrayal of the south or southern living, simply an imagined setting that someone created which makes sense as the author is from California.

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esto le resultó útil a 10 personas

Narration prevents me from experiencing the book

Revisado: 10-10-21

I’ve never stopped halfway through a book to write a review and abandon it. I just started a Liane M binge; I read Little Big Lies, My Husband’s Secret, and What Alice Forgot (excellent reflective read!). I was excited to start this one, and I seriously can’t even get through it. I read the reviews and thought to myself, “the performing narration can’t be that bad.” It is. It is so hard to continue. I wish I would’ve picked up the book and read it. Whoever is reading this on audible should never read another fiction piece for it again. It is monotonous. I will come to the end of the chapter and realize that it’s from another character’s POV and have to restart the whole darn thing. I can’t tell which character is speaking, and the lack of emotion/personality from the performer definitely ruins the book. I feel awful for the author! I can’t finish this, the book is not good. However, I do wonder if I would like the book if I didn’t listen to this on audible from this performer. I want to know what happens, but I can’t bear another 9 hours and I’m frustrated I’m halfway through. I’ve sat through bad performance narration, but this one is so significant that I had to stop and write this. Fair warning, I should have heeded the other reviews.

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Enjoyed all the twists!

Revisado: 05-21-21

Ok, my first read with John Marrs was The One and I was not impressed. In fact, I thought I would not enjoy any other piece by him. Still, the reviews about his other books piqued my interest and so I went ahead and tried this one. I’m so glad I did! First, let me mention the narrator was brilliant! I will definitely look into more books read by her! Ok, now. There were a lot of parts in this book that I saw coming, but I was happily surprised by some twists and turns that did surprise me. We jump in and out of mother’s and daughter’s head, so it was very effective in making us feel for each one. I don’t want to give details and ruin it, but I feel the characters were well developed and the plot grabs a hold and doesn’t let go. By the end, I could not stop. At all. It was gripping and so well done. Definitely will read another by him!

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Interesting Read. Book vs Netflix?

Revisado: 04-27-21

Out of honesty, I only looked up this book after watching season one on Netflix. I will happily report they are absolutely different plots and only share the concept of DNA matching. The characters are all different.

I will have to say, the book hooked me immediately. It was always hard to stop. I would give myself just a “little longer” and then delayed dinner for an hour with my whole family upset. Ha, so it was definitely engaging enough to keep me from wanting to stop and get back to real tasks in my life.

That being said, I am disappointed in the portrayal of the women’s characters, and didn’t pay attention to the author’s gender until the one part where one female character gets pregnant and the men complain about the lack of sex due to it — I thought what??? This MUST be a man! Women KNOW that during pregnancy the hormones have your libido and sex drive in overdrive - I have never enjoyed or wanted sex more in my life than when I was pregnant, and honestly asked my OBGYN if there was a hormonal pill that could also produce the same libido and sex drive effect. So, that’s when I looked back and saw the author was a man. No, I’m not familiar with his work but will look into it after, simply for how engaging the book was.

However predictable, it still had you wanting to hear what would happen next. It wasn’t a surprise for me, but I wanted to see how the characters would handle the next “surprise.” I agree with another reviewer that interestingly the most developed character was the psychopathic killer, with Alex following right behind. I was very disappointed in the desperation in Mandy, a very stereotypical misperception of single, childless women in their 30s or close to the end of childbearing age. Jade’s character was also disappointing. Her character had no depth, and so her actions and story line just very surface & I would forget about it often until the author went back to it to continue the story. The most engaging storylines again were that of Christopher, our psychopath, and Alex. Yet again, the women that accompanied them were disappointingly portrayed and it’s evident that the author is a man as he misses the mark on developing realistic women that aren’t created from misperceived stereotypes.

Still, it is an enjoyable read simply to see how it all pans out for them all. I don’t feel you’ll be surprised, it’s all very predictable before it happens, but the voices/performances of the readers kept me engaged as well as wanting to see how the characters would react to the next “surprise” coming at them. I would recommend this book to those who aren’t heavy readers, but not within my close circle of friends that I know read often out of mild embarrassment of the women’s portrayals in the book.

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