Gail

Not the perfect life, not the perfect family - ordinary.... like our family. Having all the normal ups, downs, sibling tiffs and mundane daily activities. However, compared to what's in store, this ordinary life was certainly one to be appreciated. I was drawn into Mary Beth's family, felt like I got to know each one and felt like I had a second family. Without giving away any specifics in the story, I can say that it makes you contemplate, appreciate & see your own life through a different lens. The author is WONDERFUL..... she makes you feel the pain, makes you experience the parting of the pain and makes you see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. I FELT this story and that just has to be because of the superb writing and the definitely the narration (which was far beyond 5 stars). I highly recommend this audiobook.

I had high hopes for this what seemed to be an interesting story. I quit about 2/3'rds through when I realized I had no idea which character was which. Also realized that I could care less whether I returned to the book or not. It just couldn't hold my interest. All of the characters (except Hallie) seem to run together. Even the names of some are similar. The story seemed to drag and I was lost in the technical/scientific descriptions. Also, when I bought the book, I didn't realize that this was the second book for the main character, Hallie. That might explain why I felt that there was a lot missing regarding her character. I personally wouldn't recommend the book.

After reading the five star book SUSPECT by Robert Crais, I was so looking forward to reading another of his books. Hostage was such a disappointment. I recommend, if you're thinking about buying this book based on SUSPECT..... pass it up. The depth of feeling, the quality of writing and the ability to pull a reader into the story is lacking in Hostage. If you'd take a CSI television show or a made for movie television show and write a book about the show, this would be the book. My feeling of HAVING to get back to the story - can't wait to hear more - just wasn't there.

I was hooked on 'time-travel' after reading the Outlander series and hoping for something with just a hint of those books. While this book was okay, I found myself wishing it would go into more depth. I felt the characters were flat & wooden and the events in their lives were quickly glossed over without any fleshing-out. As by a reviewer before me, the book seemed to have been recorded in someone's home. There were distracting background noises (conversations, water running, possible a TV, etc). This was the first of many, many books where I've encountered this. If you're looking for a romantic time-travel type book, try the Outlander series and also Ferney by James Long (which isn't quite time travel, but similar).

One of the ways I judge books is by how long I'll remember and be contemplating them. There have been a handful of books that have fallen into this category - ones that at the end of the book I wish for more, wish it hadn't ended and just can't get it out of my mind. This story won't be one of them. It's not bad..... and it's not great. Just mediocre. The book jumps back and forth between the past and present. At times, the jump was a bit subtle and I wasn't sure which I was hearing (after a couple of paragraphs though, you figure it out - probably would have been more evident in an actual book).

Would definitely recommend this story! Any book that can keep me guessing - wondering how in the world it could possibly all come together - is one that I like! I've never listened to anything by the author and am now on my way to buying a few more. His style of writing is excellent - not a bunch of fluff and filler. And the ending - you'll be so surprised!

This audiobook kept me listening, although pretty much from the start, I knew how it would be ending. I've enjoyed listening to Scott Brick narrate other audiobooks. However, he seems to be getting way too dramatic!! His voice gave the main character (as well as other characters) a overall depressed personality. In fact, he turned the book from what could have been exciting, to quite a bit depressing. I'd still recommend the book.

I know most everyone else loved this book. Sorry to disagree, but I thought it was pathetic, flat and contrived. What could have been an interesting story, turned to mush after Elizabeth went into hiding. Let me say that I enjoy the Lifetime Nora Roberts movies. Maybe because they're condensed - not as full of filler as was this story. The plot dragged on and on, the townspeople's side stories were thrown in as filler, as was the stupid, stilted dialogue between the two main characters. No one, supposedly as smart as Elizabeth/Abagail can be as socially naive & stupid as we were led to believe of the character. There was no depth (alot of repeat of the same facts) and the silly narration of the book should be an embarrassment. The ending was a disappointment - although in line with the rest of the book. I made myself finish the book, but it was after the first couple of chapters that I wanted, and should have given up.

This is an interesting book. It made me consider what it would be like if some sort of catastrophe occurred locally (or globally) and how close to the happenings in this story things would get. Too close for comfort I suspect!! My one main gripe about the story was the many, many, many characters. This is the first book I've ever had to literally make a list of characters, who they were & what they did and their family ties. I'd definitely recommend making such a list to anyone considering this audio book. Another gripe would be the ending. I really don't know what I expected, in fact, I kept wondering how things would be finished off. I found the ending disappointing, but then again, how else could it have ended (you'll see what I mean when/if you get the book). There are many gruesome descriptions and bad language (I normally don't mind a few f words, but this is loaded with them). Killings & death left and right. I'd still recommend the book, but be aware, it's a LONG story!

I couldn't get past the first hour. Here's a warning...... LISTEN TO THE SAMPLE BEFORE ordering this audiobook!!! The narrator is by far the worst (in about 100 audiobooks) that I've come across. Besides the gravelly, mucousy quality to his voice, the inflections are all wrong. Then, on top of that, the story itself is unbearable. Such drivel, silly, inane descriptions and totally unnecessary filler were made 100 times worse by the narrator. I was looking forward to a good mystery with a twist, and all I got was a wasted credit.