Looking for Me

By: Beth Hoffman

Narrated by: Jenna Lamia

Length: 12 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

The latest New York Times best seller by the beloved author of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt.

Beth Hoffman’s best-selling debut, Saving CeeCee Honeycutt, won admirers and acclaim with its heartwarming story and cast of unforgettably quirky characters. Now her flair for evocative settings and richly drawn Southern personalities shines again in her compelling second novel, Looking for Me.

Teddi Overman found her life’s passion in turning other people’s castoffs into beautifully restored antiques. Leaving her hardscrabble Kentucky childhood behind, Teddi opens her own store in Charleston. She builds a life as unexpected and quirky as her many customers, but nothing alleviates the haunting uncertainty she’s felt since her brother Josh mysteriously disappeared. When signs emerge that Josh might still be alive, Teddi returns to Kentucky, embarking on a journey that could help her come to terms with her shattered family - and find herself.

©2013 Beth Hoffman (P)2013 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

Winner of the Ohioana Book Award for fiction, 2014

"Hoffman's novel of a woman putting the pieces of her family's secrets together combines a deep dramatic impact with Southern charm." (Publishers Weekly)

"Hoffman has a good ear for dialogue, and Teddie and her friends are realistic, appealing characters. Perfect for fans of family-centered women’s fiction, this book will have special appeal to readers interested in antiques and 'shabby chic' style." (Booklist)

Wow! Perfection All Around!!

Such an incredible writer. Love the details and the characters. You care about what happens to them. Beth Hoffman is fantastic! Keep ‘em comin Beth!

The narrator is unbelievable! Beyond perfection. How in the world does she do this? Such distinctive voices for each character. She is the absolute best I’ve ever heard!

Can I just move to the South please!

Where does Looking for Me rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It ranks right up there at the top. Don't know why I'm drawn to the Southern lifestyle theme. It seems like a simpler life that I would enjoy being a part of.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Looking for Me?

Teddie did not have things come easy for her in any way. She became a success through adversity and by hard work and a belief in what she wanted to do with her life. She had the ability to help out someone along the way and what she did to help a young man just starting out was amazing.

Have you listened to any of Jenna Lamia’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

The story is well told. Sometimes it's difficult to write a story that skips between present day and the past. This was well done, I never questioned which character I was listening to, the child or the adult.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Nothing! this narrator is perfect for books written with a southern theme. Now I have never been to the south so I have no experience with how they really speak, but I felt like I've been there now.

Any additional comments?

This is a feel good book. If you are struggling in any way, read this and you will feel good about life again. Enjoy with an open heart!

Don't judge a book by it's title.

If you could sum up Looking for Me in three words, what would they be?

Lovely, heartbreaking writing

Who was your favorite character and why?

Josh. Such a mysterious boy . . .

What about Jenna Lamia’s performance did you like?

I was AMAZED at how easily she slips in and out of character for all the various people in this beautiful, funny, sad, smart book. Truly one of the best readers/actors I've heard on audible.com!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes, I didn't expect to. Loved Ms. Hoffman's other book, SAVING CEE CEE HONECUTT and expected this to be a light, summery read (listen:-) It was that, but it broke my heart more than once with the beauty of her writing, the intricate storytelling, and the complicated characters.

Any additional comments?

I enjoy audible so very much . . . and among the many terrific books I've loved here, this is my favorite. So far:-)

Wouldn't listen again

I read the glowing reviews for this book, and had liked Saving CeeCee Honeycutt, so I was very disappointed in this book. Although Jenna Lamia was great in SCCH, her reading was really clunky here. I was distracted over and over by a tone or phrase reading that jarred me, and should have been read differently. Maybe the author wrote the main character as flippant and superficial, but I don't think so. It sounded like a 13-year old reading the dialogue of a 30-something, with no clue as to how that should sound.

The story itself was okay, though it was beyond my belief that the young woman could just whip up not only a successful antiques business, but buy and restore an Italianate Revival home for pennies on the dollar and restore it to its former beauty in her spare time. The author clearly doesn't have experience in what she writes about.

It would have been a pleasant, though not believable read, but with Jenna Larnia reading it, I would not recommend this book or listen to it again.

Wonderful Book!!!

Beth Hoffman is my new favorite author and this narrator makes this story come alive. I could not imagine a book better than Saving Ceecee Honeycut, but this book is right up there with that. The only disappointment I have is that there were no other books on audible by this author!!

Wonderfully enjoyable story

This is a gentle, endearing, heartwarming story of courage and determination. I was constantly drawn to hear what happens next.

Hauntingly Beautiful and as Southern as Sweet Tea

The threads of this book seem to have woven themselves deep into my own soul as I listened . . . I, too, am from rural Kentucky. I know about the serenity, the corn fields, the hay loft, and escaping into the hills . . . I, too, love the acorns, the leaves, the seed pods, and all the animals that live there. When Josh made the corsage from the wonderful things that he had found and treasured in the woods, I could see it in my mind's eye. I'm very familiar with the "old ways" . . . how the people we love keep secrets . . . hide things . . . things that could have brought healing and understanding if only they had let them go . . . and let them out. Beth Hoffman is a master story teller, and Jenna Lamia narrates "Looking for Me" perfectly. You will love Teddi, the country girl from Kentucky, who is brave enough to chase her dream to Charleston, despite the objections of her mother . . . who tries her best to project HER OWN dreams upon her daughter. And you will ponder over Josh, her little brother, who is cut from a different cloth, and who has his own dreams. Don't miss this one, it will stay with you for a long time, whirling around in your head . . . and in your heart.

Stunning narration

After listening to Jenna Lamia's narration, I can't imagine why anyone would want to read this book rather than listen to it. Lamia steals the show and brings each character to life with brilliance and sincerity. Her voice is remarkably versatile, and even the male voices are believable. I cannot praise her performance enough.

The story itself is a bit slow and somewhat anti-climactic, but to be perfectly honest, with Lamia's narration you don't feel it - I started listening to this on a rainy Sunday and stayed home the entire day listening until it ended.

The worst part about experiencing such an amazing performance is finding a follow-up book. It seems like everything else will feel somewhat disappointing.

In case I haven't gotten the point through, this book is awesome. Highly recommended!

What a Privilege....

Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt is among my most favorite books. What a privilege to read another book by Beth Hoffman. This book awakened such nostalgia. I was a child at the end of an era...when life was slower, going to town was a big deal. Community was a nucleus of familiar characters, family, and very hard work. This author captures that, is able to take you there with words. It is just beautiful. Jenna Lamia is The Southern Voice. Thank you so much for this story...so rich with story...and like the South things happen in there own time. Perfect timing, I can hear some people thinking this is slow but I highly recommend you wrap yourself in this wonderful story and let it become a part of you.

Fantastic all around

Jenna Lamia is the best narrator/reader I have listened to.
The story is so wonderful I didn't want it to end. The writing is almost prose. Loved the similies and analogies which brought so many things to life for me. No wonder it's been 3 years since her last book. Beth Hoffman deserves many awards for this novel of a life explored and lived.