Where Did We Go Wrong?

By: Monica Mathis-Stowe

Narrated by: Hillary Hawkins

Length: 8 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

True friends help you through the consequences of poor judgment when no one else will. Best friends Gabby, Maxine, and Joy protect each other at all costs, even if it means keeping secrets that turn their lives upside-down. Gabby has no boundaries when it comes to getting what she wants. She pulls out every trick in the book to keep her daughter's married father out of their lives but keep his money in her bank account. Maxine lives for her family but when her husband's excessive spending lands them in more debt than they can handle, the stress takes a toll on their perfect marriage. After Joy's loyalty to her controlling mother causes her to lose the only man she's ever loved, she marries a man she barely knows. After her wedding, she quickly realizes she made the biggest mistake of her life and it puts everybody she loves in danger. Unfortunately, someone will have to pay the ultimate price with their life.

©2012 Monica Mathis-Stowe (P)2013 Monica Mathis-Stowe

Where Did We Go Wrong

Any additional comments?

I first read the Kindle eBook version, and listen to the Audible.com, audio version, narrated by Hillary Hawkins. I kinda liked these two novels. I will admit it took me a minute to get into the story. I will not blame the author, Monica for the slow start, I blame the story itself. The three main characters in, "Where Did I Go Wrong," were... simple said, was young. Their issues were, juvenile, but don't undermine the story and here's why. I'm in my mid/late 50's, with over 36 years of marriage, and I lived these issues when I was the of these three young ladies, but I stuck with the novel because the writing was good enough to get me involved emotionally and mentally.

The Kindle edition was nice and clean, no funny coding or weird stuff. The Audible.com edition was 8 hours, and 51 minutes long, published by, The Literary Publishing Group, and again the narrator was Hillary Hawkins.

The novel has a lot of characters, the author Monica, does a good job in the character development. The subplot and plot points were set good, the story did move well, although the ending was abrupt. The error the author made here is one of the same I committed as well. I learned ending the story at a critical climax doesn't make the reader anything other than PISSED OFF. I learned the hard way I was sculled, received threats, and was punched at two separated readers. So hopefully she received some advise on closing and opening sequels

Narrator Hillary Hawkins she did a good job with separating the many characters employed within the pages of this story, but I don't think she was suited for all the characters, I think a male narrator could have been used, and for this reason Narration received a 3.

The story is full of drama, and as I always say, I love drama, and if you love drama you will not be disappointed. These three young ladies will take you through a range of emotions as they cause and work out their particular problems, and boy do they have some issues. Most of the storyline is believable. There were some flags, but the author ironed them out and them seem plausible, so overall the read, or listening is good.

What did I find out of place, annoying, or totally unbelievable? -The two central characters Joy and Allen. Now this is where I see the book was written by a woman for women. Joy should have been Allenless, because her constant whining and distrust with Allen just pissed me off. The man done took a bullet, and nearly died for you, so who cares if he didn't tell you about everyone he sexed while he was living his life without you in it! --Is what I wanted to say. (Okay granted the crazy chick tried to kill her, but that's different). --And was just too good to be true. He did most things what a would do for his woman, but he was too concerning, too protective, just plain old overbearing. Baby this, and baby that, baby, baby, baby. If she farted he wanted to know if it hurt her, and then he would analyzed it to see if the gas mixture is okay. A man like that has issues, they're over possessive. But other than those two wacky relationship, the two novels are a good read. My overall rating for both novels is 3 stars.

~LW~

ok

horrible narration by Hilary Hawkins. She did this-squeaky,high pitched whiney delivery, especially when voicing the maxine character
narrator's voice better suited for teen fiction

Joy and Gabby were both selfish women. I thought it was a believable depiction. I disliked both so the author did her job :)
Joy put everyone else in front of her man and is shocked when he'd had enough.
After a few dates with another man, she's pregnant and going to marry a stranger.
Her "true love' comes back and all the "I'll do anything to be with you went out the door. She expected him to submit to her demands yet again.

I like the addition of Dean as a villian. Trent's character was believable, because his backstory is true for so many. Maxine her character made no impression. I'll save that could have something to do with the narration.

I would've like some backstory on Gabby & Maxine to understood why the way they are.

AWESOME NARRATOR!

Where does Where Did We Go Wrong? rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I like it a lot!

What did you like best about this story?

I like how the narrator changed her voice for all those different characters. That made it interesting.

Which character – as performed by Hillary Hawkins – was your favorite?

Allen!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A story about friendship

Any additional comments?

Can't wait to hear the sequel!!

Narrator captured my attention. (EXCELLENT!)

What did you love best about Where Did We Go Wrong??

As mentioned I enjoyed the colorful narration. I think her name is Hillary Hawkins. Great job!!!!

What did you like best about this story?

The way the narrator portrayed Monica's Characters, I was captivated in particular with Gabby and her trails and tribulations.

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

First time, but I look forward to her next work.

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

A little of this, a little of that.

Any additional comments?

It's good to hear refreshing talent both literary and performance.

Narrator's voice as Maxine was a little annoying..

The storyline was good. I enjoyed the book & I look forward to listening to the next book to find out who got shot.

Voices

I did like the story but I found the voice was not easy to listen to.

Story Good...Narrator TERRIBLE

Where does Where Did We Go Wrong? rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It is fair to middle in comparison. I have to say the story is good, but the narrator is terrible & she steals the joy of the story.

What other book might you compare Where Did We Go Wrong? to and why?

I can't think of any book to compare it to. I'm use to strong women & this story seems to have weak women.

What aspect of Hillary Hawkins’s performance would you have changed?

All of it. The men always sound angry. The women sound weak. Her inflections are wrong. Her tone is horrible. Her reading is just bad.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

None. I wouldn't want to see this book in a film. All stories aren't meant to be movies.

Any additional comments?

Please find another narrator. This one is horrible.

Not what I thought

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I think the book would have been better is there was a different narrator. There was too much unnecessary emotion when she read. The true characters could not shine through at all.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I enjoyed the ending very much., I am actually reading a hard copy and it's better and better with me reading it myself.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Hillary Hawkins?

I like Cary Hite and Honey Jones. This narrator made all the ladies sound like they had an attitude when they didn't. She made the men sound angry and slow all the time. Then at others the women sounded as though they were winning and crying all the time. There was never a regular tone or any in between in any of the conversations.

I really liked Cary Hite and Honey Jones sound effects and emotions when they read. This narrator had emotion but it was misplaced.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

no

Any additional comments?

New Narrator

Entertaining and enjoyable storytelling

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend it because it tells a story that is entertaining and that people can relate to.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Where Did We Go Wrong??

One of the most memorable moments is when Maxine is beaten. That part of the story is heart wrenching. Domestic violence is something that many people try to sweep under the rug like it does not exist.

What about Hillary Hawkins’s performance did you like?

I really enjoyed Hillary's performance. I felt like she took the time to bring each character to life, giving them different personalities and voices that made them come to alive. She truly used her voice to bring the story to life.

If you could take any character from Where Did We Go Wrong? out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I would go out with Joy because she is the one I resonate with the most.

Any additional comments?

If you are looking for something enjoyable to listen to while you drive to work, wash the dishes, or comb your hair this is it.

Terrible Narrator!

The storyline is strong. The narrator is really terrible. She used the same pattern to read the entire story and her inflections fell in the wrong places. I had to concentrate really hard to listen past her voice to hear the story. Now, if this book would have been narrated by Patricia R. Floyd, it would have been great!