Carolyn

I thought this would be a typical romance/mystery novel - nice "bubble gum for my brain and a fairly good beach read." However it was more. I do not want to spoil the surprises, so I will not say more. I really enjoyed the characters and the surprises.

I liked too many to pick just one.

It was a perfect name.

The reader's accent did not sound like any Mississippi accent I have ever heard. I live in New Orleans, next door to mississippi. It was a little annoying at first, but I got used to it and it grew on me. I wonder how it would have sounded without the accent. He had a good expressive voice.

I read several of her books many years ago. I enjoyed them and I thought I might like this one. I guess I did not realize how much romance novels have improved over the last 20 years. The Ms. Rogers' plot now seems simple and formula driven. It is boringly predictable. The characters are one dimensional and not very interesting.

Tear it up and start from scratch.

The narrator did a fine job.

Perhaps on the Halmark channel.

Do not waste a credit on this one.

This is the best of the 25+ audiobook book I have listened to this year. I occasionally read silly romances, I call them bubble gum for my brain. I need light fluff after some heavy reading. I thought this would be just one more forgetable book. It was not.

I liked the intricate plot that just kept drawing me further into the novel. I did not know where it was going, but I wanted to find out.

I liked the scenes describing the Hollywood sleazy producer. The scenes involving cluture classes. The scenes describing Italy.

The title is perfect.

I recommedned this book to my book club.

The story being presented from completely different points of view,

That would be telling. At first it was hard to believe the end, but after some thought It could only end that way.

When the diary's purpose was revealed

There were so many twists and turns that it almost made me dizzy. My only concern is that both of the characters are not sympathetic in the end. That is why I gave the story a 4. The story certainly swept you along. I stayed up until 2 in the morning reading.

Fascinating story of a woman and the girl-woman she was hired to chaperone. The story was a trip through the sexual morals of the 20th century and what happens when sexual identities are suppressed. Lives are sadly changed and coping skills are twisted to conform to society expectations. The book definitely held my attention. The writing was fast paced, but still had many parts that caused me to think and reflect on what life was like throughout the twenties, thirties, forties, fifties and sixties. I plan to recommend this book to my book club.

Parts of it reminded me of "East of Eden," other parts reminded me of "The Thorn Birds," and of a book I recently read, "People of the Book. It really was unlike any other book I have read.

I liked the part when she finally discovered the reasons for her charges behavior and how it changed her perception of who she was.

No, it was a bit too long for that in my hurried life, but I was anxious to get back to it when I could not listen to it.

I really tried to read listen to this book. It was recommended by the New York Times Book Review and other critics praised it. However, I was easily distracted listening to it. I got about half way through, found myself totally confused about the identity of the characters and started listening from the beginning again. After a few chapters I realized that I did not care about the characters and I thought why am wasting my time listening to this book when I could be listening to another book more to my liking. Perhaps, it would have been better in a book form. I was a little sorry I wasted one on my credits on the book. Perhaps someone else will love the story, but I did not.

better character developement and fewer minor characters.

He was a good reader, but some parts were read too softly to hear well. Perhaps that was my device and not the reader

Definitely disappointment

I kept waiting to care about at least one of the characters. Unfortunately I did not come to care for any of them. This was a dull slow book. After reading other reviews I thought it would be a great book. I was sadly disappointed.

The book is mildly entertaining at times, just not enough times. I learned more than I ever wanted to know about custom made shoes. The main character's family is not like any Italian family I know. Their portrayal is almost insulting. The ending just trailed off - nothing resolved. It is a story of a very self absorbed woman. I could not relate to the heroine. I thought it was supposed to be a romance; it is not. It is just a book about how to make shoes.

The information in the book is excellent, however it was a little hard to listen to it for any length of time. The narrator has a very soothing voice that frankly made my mind wonder. I had to keep reminding myself to pay attention. When I did manage to listen the information was interesting and enlightening.