After We Were Stolen

By: Brooke Beyfuss

Narrated by: Jesse Vilinsky

Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

When nineteen-year-old Avery awakens to flames consuming her family's remote compound, she knows it's her only chance to escape her father's grueling survival training, bizarre rules, and gruesome punishments. She and her brother Cole flee the grounds for the first time in their lives, suddenly homeless in a world they know nothing about.

After months of hiding out, they are arrested for shoplifting and a shocking discovery is made—Avery and Cole were kidnapped fifteen years earlier, stolen by cult leaders they knew as Mom and Dad. Cole is immediately returned to his birth family, leaving Avery alone and desperate. She is uncertain if her parents survived the fire and is terrified to find out.

The loss of Cole and the trauma of her former life threaten to undo her, but when the police investigation reveals there may be more survivors, Avery must uncover the truth about the fire to truly be free.

Suspenseful, emotionally charged, and deeply thought-provoking, After We Were Stolen delves into the idea of family—those we're born into and those we make—resilience, and the lengths a cult survivor will go to finally be free of her painful past. Brooke Beyfuss's powerful debut novel sparkles with heart, grit, and extraordinary characters who will stay with you long after the last moment.

©2022 Brooke Beyfuss (P)2022 Dreamscape Media, LLC

What a treat!

Brook was my niece Georgia’s best friend. I listened to the book out of courtesy. Boy, Brook is a beautiful writer. Skillfully drawn characters and a nuanced handling of a theme that could have been overdone. Engaging and just splendid. Can’t wait for more!

Finished in less than 24 hrs

Very unique and creative story. I was entertained and I felt satisfied with the ending.

Excellent listen!!

I never write reviews. I couldn’t not write one for this book. It was superb!

Wow- what a story!

Couldn’t put this one down. Was an amazing story of a horrible story that I HAD to get to the bottom of. The character development and relations were gripping and the detailed yet, mysterious descriptions of what the character was experiencing really kept me glued. The narrator did an INCREDIBLE job of telling this story; different characters/voices, portraying emotions, never annoying or awkward. Would definitely recommend!

Good but

Amazing story well read just find it so hard to believe the police and other officials would have been so mean, accusatory, non empathetic, etc considering the circumstances. Hated those parts and feel she would have gotten more help and medical attention and mental support.

Couldn’t stop listening

Kept my through out the whole book! Scary to think this is probably a true story.

Uneven

AFTER WE WERE STOLEN starts off strong with Avery’s abusive experiences with her “family” that she doesn’t realize is a cult. She wants both to please and leave her “parents” and is closest and most protective of her “brother”.

I’m usually a big fan of narrator Jesse Vilinsky but her voice of Avery as a clueless victim didn’t match my feelings and thoughts about the main character, who seemed more deceptive to me.

As the story progressed, I became less interested in the plot which at times was anticlimactic to the buildup. Still, I’m interested enough for the sequel.

wow!

a rollercoaster read! I had no idea what was going to happen. such a beautifully written book.

Loved this book!!

Couldn’t put this book down! Read it in 3 days and would have read it in one day of time allowed!!

Meh

The sorry was alright. I was engulfed the first third, then once they were arrested, I had a really hard time. The procedure for re-unification and separation of the two kids seemed unreal. Something about the narrator’s male voice drove me nuts. It was an ok story.