Heather R

The twist was good but the plot dragged

Revisado: 03-06-25

I wish the writer had cut out a lot of the first 2/3 of the book. It was hard to follow, and honestly most of it felt like filler, having little bearing on the story. It took me forever to finish this, and I’m an avid listener, but this one just about did me in. Disappointing.

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Best narration yet!

Revisado: 09-17-24

I love Kristin Hannah’s writing, and the narration by Julia Whelan is the icing on the cake. She LIVES the story for you, adding the layer of insight and emotion that is sometimes lost, whether while reading or even listening. I wasn’t sure if I would like this book, given that it seemed like it might be a redo of Grapes of Wrath. I couldn’t have been more wrong. There is something extra special about this novel. I can’t decide if it’s the story, the characters, or both…but it is outstanding and quite honestly, I wish that THIS were the required reading for students because the writing is exceptional, not to mention the narration.

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This book touched me deeply

Revisado: 09-06-24

I don’t think there are appropriate words to describe the experience I had listening to The Great Alone. It exceeded all of my expectations and then some. The intrigue, the drama…and the inability to put down my phone during the last third of the novel all speak to just how wonderful the writing and narration came together. Truly a masterpiece in every way. Don’t hesitate to get started listening.

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Mediocre…my unfortunate least fave

Revisado: 08-27-24

I had read this book years ago and decided to listen on Audible. Unfortunately listening did not make the story any more palatable.

Marriages are indeed flawed, and when kids are involved along with every day life, it is tougher yet. The personality flaws within Claire are only magnified by the way her husband treats her, and unfortunately that lingering desire to fulfill her own needs is what draws her to Locke.

I’ve never read a Hildebrand novel where ALL of the characters are so messed up and drama-laden. Even her best friend, Siobhan, is downright mean and overly righteous. With all of the drama and plot issues needing to be resolved, it is no wonder that I came away from reading feeling as though none of the conflicts had been fully resolved.

What happened to Isabel? Did Gavin go to jail? What about Carter? Did he get help with gambling? Most importantly, did Claire ever tell Jason about her infidelity? The readers are left to draw their own conclusion, and while I don’t mind novels that leave something to the imagination, this one leaves a LOT to the reader. For these reasons, it’s the one Hildebrand book I can’t review very high.

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One of my favorites!

Revisado: 08-14-24

Excellent book by Elin Hildebrand. I read this in written form many years ago and listened to it over the summer - it’s even better on audio!

My only criticism is of the musical breaks that aren’t even between chapter, but between chapter segments - they’re weird and seem more like a stopping place or a commercial pause. Other than that, the story is fantastic, and now I’ll listen to all over her books on audio, especially now since she’s “retired” from Nantucket books!

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Heartbreaking but so good

Revisado: 06-04-24

I loved everything about the way this book was read. The subject matter was so difficult to read, and more than angered me in moments, but those things are what made this novel so good. It is a book that will stick with me a long while. Excellent yet poignant read.

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A well-told novel about a point in history I didn’t know

Revisado: 05-24-24

Thoroughly enjoyed what can only be described as a production of an outstanding novel. I was blissfully unaware of the true humble beginnings of our space program, and while I feel that as an American who not only did not serve in any war, nor was alive during this period…it is easy to lay judgement and blame, it is remarkable to know how quickly after such a war were the histories of hundreds of German families rewritten. It makes me wonder about some of the families I’ve known over the years whose fathers and grandfathers came from Germany and were working at some of our space programs. Regardless, any book they can dive this far into history and pull out an incredibly engaging story and discussion of social culture and divide deserves a read.

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Tried to finish but couldn’t

Revisado: 05-17-24

Honestly. If you have to use the term “boy” to describe the male interest in a book involving a 40+ female, that’s a sign.

For me, the 20 year old kid is, in fact, A KID. The frontal lobe of their brains aren’t even fully developed at 20. While it’s true the law considers 18 to be the age of consent, the fact remains that my 24 year old son upstairs is still a KID. I couldn’t get past that. While some get off on the idea of taboo subjects, all I could think of was that when I ran a fan site for a popular band from
my own youth - I regularly interviewed and ran into 20 year old boys that were indeed cute, but still boys.

The book itself may have been well written, but I felt the narration was just as cringe-worthy as the read, and I decided enough was enough and quit reading.

The one good thing I will say is that Robinne did her research about fandoms and what it is like to be a groupie - or mother of a groupie - well. Then again, I think being a fan of Duran Duran will do that to you. Yes, I caught the references, and remember the “sh*t that DD fans say” all too well. Although I just couldn’t quite finish the book, I am thrilled for Robinne and her success.

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It is a typical DS book

Revisado: 05-17-24

There was nothing really wrong with this book, but it wasn’t necessarily a great read, either. In recent years, I have found that Ms. Steel’s books are either page turners, or so formulaic they are boring. Unfortunately, this is the latter. Plot holes, dull narration, and an ending chapter that tries to tie everything together very quickly without reasonable explanation of resolution make it tough for me to continue finding the glorious needles in the haystack of DS novels.

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An interesting way of telling a story we all unfortunately recognize

Revisado: 05-07-24

Good, solid storytelling about active shootings and the aftermath. I appreciated the way the plot engaged me, and the fact is - I had a hard time putting it down. Some of the dialogue felt a just a bit cliche, and I must admit it felt just a little too much like an overdone plot line with a victim(s) and hero…and a little on the weird side with the relationship between the hero and the grandmother.

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