A Borrowed Life

A Novel

By: Kerry Anne King

Narrated by: Teri Clark Linden

Length: 10 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

From the Amazon Charts bestselling author of Whisper Me This comes an emotional and sharply witty novel about how life’s unexpected detours can ultimately bring you home.

For thirty years Liz has perfectly played the part of Mrs. Thomas Lightsey, exemplary pastor’s wife and mother. But maintaining appearances for the congregation and catering to her demanding husband takes a toll, and she’s lost herself in meeting the expectations of others. When Thomas suddenly dies, Liz feels shock, grief, and, to her surprise, the siren song of freedom. Dare she dream of a life to call her own?

Despite the resistance of her daughter, Abigail, to even the smallest changes, Liz lands a role at the community theater. Inspired by new friends and the character she plays, she explores life’s possibilities, including an unexpected - and steamy - relationship with her leading man.

Just when Liz thinks she might be winning, life hits her with an unthinkable shock. She’s pregnant at forty-nine. Torn between conflicting loyalties to her daughter, her lover, her unborn baby, and herself, can Liz find a way to rebuild her dream life one more time?

©2020 Kerry Anne King (P)2020 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Loved this book!

I also love this author! Each book of Kerry Anne King that I listen to I get immersed in the story and connected to the characters. The performer, Teri Clark Linden was also incredible, keeping the sound of each character’s voice distinct, and carried that throughout the whole novel! I am in awe of them both! Kerry Anne King is an expert story teller! Her ability to create characters that I become
Invested in how their lives turn out, what will happen to/for/with them in the novel, is a gift for the readers! I’ve listened to 3 of her books and am listening to one currently. I highly recommend them all!! I also highly recommend any books performed by Teri Clark Linden! Her pace, the feelings in the words she performed, all so well done!!!! And her voice is pleasant to listen to in general.
I highly recommend this book and the author’s other books as well!

Mixed message embedded in this tale

I initially really enjoyed this story about a passive, unassertive woman who finds a new life for herself after her preacher husband's death. However, near the end of the tale when the woman was STILL blaming her deceased husband for influencing her thinking, her pitiful finger-pointing was just too much. Lady, why not just take responsibility for your mistakes and move on? Apparently, both the protagonist and the author believe that it's the man's fault if his wife is unable to assert herself. In addition, the fairy tale ending didn't seem to match the realistic story that preceded it. Overall rating: 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 (a gift)

49 is not too late to begin life.

This story was refreshing, not everybody's life is perfect. Not everybody's children are perfect, and as parents we can only do our best.

a love story later in life...

Liz was married young. She married a pastor. They had a daughter named Abigail. Liz abided by her husband's rules. He ends up having a heart attack and dying. Now Liz is on her own with her daughter. Her daughter idolizes her father. Doesn't see any wrong he's done. Liz finds letters from her mother in a locked drawer that was her husband"s. Also, college acceptance letters for her daughter. They have never known about them. Liz meets someone new. And gets pregnant. But she this she's in menopause. Her new partner has an ex-wife of his own. What will happen with this storyline?

Loved

This was a wonderful story and the narrators brought the characters to life so well. I would highly recommend.

down with the patriarchy!

Boy, talk about a sad state of affairs. I can see this book being a little controversial because our main character is a pious, submissive, and dutiful preacher's wife, and when her oppressive husband and his strict and old-fashioned views of marriage and "wifely duties" suddenly and unexpectedly dies one day, Liz finds herself free from the chains she's lived with for years and years. She decides to live her life for herself for a change, much to everyone else's dismay, of course, including her adult daughter.

I found this to be a fun and interesting read. Liz's liberation leads to some interesting predicaments but also some great new friendships and the ability to learn about herself and who she really is. Much more will come to light before it's all said and done, and you'll find yourself hating the patriarchy if you're anything like me while reading this. The ending, though, was very much satisfying, and I think those who enjoy more seasoned romance and women's fiction will enjoy this meaningful story.

Overall a good listen with some twists and turns.

Slow to start for me but glad I pushed through and listened all the way through. I like the storyline and the twists and turns as the book unfolded.

Worth it!

For the first thirty or so minutes I thought if this doesn’t get better soon it’s not worth it. It did and it was so worth it. I came to love the strong characters, the loving and supportive community that grew around Liz as she reclaimed herself by saying yes to life for the first time in 30 years. In the process she slowly sheds the encasement of expectations and judgement she has been trapped in, finding her voice and charting her new path. So worth it!!!

What a gem of a story

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and the performance. Many times laughing and then tears at the heartbreaking moments.

not worth the credit

I found the characters very hard to like, and the story predictable - was definitely more "romance" novel than I expected