Ruined Wings

By: Ashley Fontainne

Narrated by: Andrea Emmes

Seventeen-year-old Callie Novak is on the cusp of changing her life as she warms up for the final heat in the Women's 1600-meter track and field competition. While she sets a new state record, her family's worst nightmare is just beginning. When tragedy strikes the Novak family, every listener will feel the pain of grief, the perils of drug abuse, the despair that leads to a shocking downward spiral, and the strength that is needed to overcome addiction.

©2016 Ashley Fontainne (P)2016 Ashley Fontainne

Hit me in the feelers

Callie Novak's story may be based on a fictional character, but let me tell you, it is a true story. One that can, and has, touched too many families. Ashley Fontainne shows in this story just how easy addiction can hit a family and just how fast it can take someone who has everything going for them straight to rock bottom and ruin a life with so much potential. However, she also shows that with help and courage, someone suffering with addiction can overcome and move forward with life. That doesn't mean there aren't a lot of hurts and consequences, but there can be healing.
I recommend this book to anyone that suffers with addiction or has a loved one who suffers with addiction. It is a heartfelt story, for sure.
I listened to the audio and this is the first one that I have heard Andrea Emmes narrate. She does a fantastic job with the characters and the attitude of the characters. The narration is said with a lot of intention and at no time was I bored or drifted off. I loved the Arkansas accent of the characters, as well. Well done.

Ruined Wings

Any additional comments?

This audiobook touch such a serious topics, drugs and death. My heart ache for the characters and in one way or another will touch our personal lives

Gripping Tale of Addiction and Salvation

17-Year old track star Callie Novak has been living a charmed life until reality comes crashing down when her twin brother Colton and her father are both killed in an auto accident. When it’s determined that Colton was the driver and under the influence of drugs, Callie goes in search of answers, but the answers just bring further heartbreak.

Soon Callie finds herself on the very same path that led to her brother’s death as she begins to self-medicate as a means to cope, this begins a devastating downward spiral that Callie is helpless to stop. Callie has to dig down deep to find the strength that her brother lacked to turn her life around.

This book is suitable older young adults because it deals with the gritty realities of drug addiction and contains violence, strong language, and sexual exploitation. Ashley Fontainne packs a lot of story into this relatively short, but well-written book. The audiobook is over 3 hours in length and the fully voiced, expressive narration by Andrea Emmes was perfectly suited for the age of the main character and the genre. The sound quality was clear throughout the production.

I look forward to seeing what’s in store for both this author and narrator! This audiobook was gifted to me exchange for an unbiased review!

nitty-gritty dirty underbelly of the drug world

Callie had it all; loving parents and a twin brother (all with their own demons) and an athletic prowess that gave her a chance at a free ride to the college of her choice.  Disaster strikes and Callie hits rock bottom, not once and not even twice but multiple times before her guardian angel helps her to cope.  Driven to pills and heavier drugs to deal with her emotional issues, Callie finds herself walking the dark side and faced with decisions that no one should have to make especially one fresh out of high school.

Ashley Fontainne writes a captivating book that takes the reader on an emotional rollercoaster from page one through to the end.  Fontainne is an excellent author who uses vivid prose to connect the audience to each character and situation.   Fontainne takes her audience, willingly and unwillingly, into the world of addicts and criminals, not only showing us the nitty-gritty dirty underbelly of the drug-fueled world but also making us feel every single emotion and pain that Callie and her friends and mother experienced.

I enjoy Fontainne’s work because of this and her brilliant imagination; her talent to make her books real is amazing.  I finished this book on my way into work this morning; I had to, of course, explain why I was misty eyed so early.  I didn’t mind though as this book was well worth the moment or two of discomfort.

Fontainne is flexible in her writing crossing the genres and she does it very well! I highly recommend this book.  It is well written, characters are expertly developed and the story line flows smoothly.  A definite must listen!

Andrea Emmes does an excellent job at narration.  She speaks clearly and with emotion, assuming the character of Callie perfectly and smoothly.  Emmes speaks with a smooth cadence that while soothing elicits excitement and passion at the drop of a hat.  Emmes is Callie - I hear her speak and I see Callie. Well done!

There were no issues with the audio production or quality of this book, it was well done, clear and without issue.

Audiobook was provided for review by the author.

Please find this complete review and many others at my review blog

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Such a sad story

Any additional comments?

Such a promise of hope as a teenager loosing her reality as she knew it growing up to become and addict. This story really moved me, made me angry and sad. This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom

Wonderful Story about a Tragic Fall from Grace

I really enjoyed Ruined Wings it almost felt like a true story and I was listening to a personal account of Callie's life. The story easily unfolded from one gut wrenching event to another.
The turning point that really captured my attention was when Callie had her breakthrough in therapy. The narration was also done really well making for a easy listen which was nice.  This book was given to me in exchange for honest review

Heartbreaking.

Callie Novak is a track star and lives a good life, until one night when her world comes tumbling down! Her father and twin brother are killed in a car accident and when the truth comes out about the fact that her brother was driving while under the influence of drugs, it hits her hard. Digging into her brothers life, she finds that he was a drug addict, she realises that she knew the signs but with her busy life, she just didn't want to believe it. Now it's too late!

But Callie's life is about to spiral into the realm that her brother took and she can't seem to stop it. Things hit rock bottom for her and her life disintegrates, how can she find the strength to do what her brother couldn't? Will she face her greatest fear and admit she has a problem?

This was such a heartbreaking read. It deals with the harsh reality of drugs and the level addicts will go to to get their next fix. It's raw, it's gritty but it's also happening every day to someone. It's a hard book to read if you know someone dealing with any kind of addiction, but it's also a much needed one too. It gives a little glimmer of hope in the midst of darkness and shows that not all is necessarily lost.

As always, Ashley Fontainne knows how to tell a great story filled with emotion and one that will grip you till the very end. She has an amazing ability of making you immersed into all her books and this is no different. This book is a compelling, heartbreaking read and one that will stay with me for a long time!

I haven't listened to a book narrated by Andrea Emmes in a while and it reminded me what I was missing!! She has such an easy to listen to voice and can bring any book to life. You can tell that this book moved her too by her emotions while reading it. Definitely worth a listen!!

*I received a free copy of this but voluntarily reviewed it. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts.*

This book needs to be heard!

I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

This book was really something. It was so very relatable and masterfully told. The narration was quite good too. The way you have to watch this family fall apart due to the introduction of drug use hit so close to home. This is a book that SHOULD be listened to by anyone who has either experienced this in their lives. Moreover, if you have younger family, I would recommend having them give it a listen as a cautionary tale. I grew up with multiple family members who destroyed their lives with addiction. I've felt the misplaced guilt and powerlessness that comes with watching those you love do this to themselves and those around them. I was fortunate, in that it made me stear far clear of that stuff and work hard to pull myself out of that influence and build a life. Not everyone is so lucky and need that kick in the ass to wise up. This book was powerful. It moved me to tears on more than one occation. It is thought provoking. It reminded me of what drove me to keep strong and demonstrates to readers/listeners that, even though things are dark and despair is thick, there is still a reason to hope. Seriously folks, this book is important and should be heard.

Tragic and touching

This was a good book, but a tough subject, showing how easy someone can get trapped into starting drugs and some of the dangers of them. The narrator was okay, but some of the characters sounded too much alike.

A downward spiral into drugs

“Ruined Wings” by Ashley Fontainne, and narrated by Andrea Emmes, is a story of a young woman having an exceptionally normal life who has it all. A loving and caring family, a coach that cares for her success, and friends who look up and respect her. She is at the top of her running game. Callie is so good at her sport that she is given her choice of colleges to attend because of her athletic aptitude. What could be better or what could go wrong? Her life quickly spirals out of control when a tragic family event occurs. At this point, Callie’s life goes from what it had been to a life of drugs, addiction, and prostitution.

Let me start by saying that I often do not seek out this genre, but Ashley is able to craft a story that nearly anyone can enjoy. This book, like a few of her others (Fine as Frog Hair), was quite realistic in its portrayal of life. This book though shows the ravishing effects of a teenager whose life is out of control from the use of drugs. The book takes its reader on a rather dark and emotional rollercoaster ride. It contains some great emotional high points. However, I found there were often more low and even lower points expressed until we see Callie reach rock bottom where the ride stops. I felt for Callie, her family, and those around her because of what each had to go through because of the bad decisions she made. Ashley did a good job of bringing the characters and the story to life and keeping them real.

For me, as much as the book seemed realistic, I had a very different childhood growing up than what was expressed in this book; thankfully. The family seemed “normal” in the first half of the book, however once drugs were introduced it quickly became dysfunction and never seemed to fully heal from the many wounds. Because of my lack of experience with the subject matter, it was difficult for me to judge the author’s experiences or research of the material.

As for the book’s narration, Andrea Emmes did an exceptional job of telling the story. She has quite a few other titles under her belt, along with various genres and lengths; including a best seller on Audible. I, like many others, enjoy her voice and her ability to voice multiple characters. I believe she was a good fit for this book. The audio was professionally done, and I do not remember hearing any audio artifacts while listening.

Although the book is not categorized as young adult (YA), I would highly caution younger readers due to the book’s subject matter. Although it starts rather clean, the book quickly dives into the darker aspects from the use and effects of drugs. Vulgar language is frequently used along with conversations and acts involving sex are scattered between its pages. Because of its main storyline, the book also openly addresses drug addiction along with usage and all the baggage that comes from it. I would not recommend this book for young audiences; I do not believe the author has classified it as such either.

Disclaimer: I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator.