Four Seconds: A Memoir

By: Laura Andrade, Jean Knight Pace

Narrated by: Belinda Lams

Length: 7 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

“I’m not going to try it,” I said.

“You’ll like it,” she argued.

“I know I’ll like it,” I said. “That’s why I’m not going to try it.”

“Try it just this once and I’ll never ask you to do it again.”

That was a deal. I slipped back into the driver’s seat while Pam corn-rowed two neat lines of the silky white powder on the back of a plastic cassette tape cover.

Fifteen hundred dollars every month, an abusive boyfriend, a molested child, a lost family, hotels for houses, a ruined leg, a gun to my head, a knife to my butt, and a jail cell all my own. Black eyes, bruised days, broken hours. Looking back, it seems strange what I gave up to get my roommate off my back.

In her debut memoir, Andrade tells of her years with cocaine and crystal methamphetamine using, then selling, until all she had left of the life she wanted was a chalk outline and a pack of cigarettes.

This is the story of her use and recovery, of the people who frustrated and inspired her, of the decision to leave the drug world. It is the story of her slow, often unsteady walk home.

©2019 Laura Andrade and Jean Knight Pace (P)2020 Laura Andrade and Jean Knight Pace

a unique journey

The beginning of the book got me hooked but it started to lose steam about half way through. I do appreciate her telling her story and admire how she turned her life around. That in itself is 5 stars.

A True Overcomer

This was a great read about a woman who, very much on her own, battled her individual demons to win her daughter back and regain her life. Laura is a strong and lasting lesson to all who have battled addiction that they can find a way through the haze of drugs and alcohol and actually come back stronger than before. In her case, it was her love for her daughter that was the motivating factor to begin the arduous process of shedding her long-held addictions, re-establishing herself as a caring mother, and creating a new life for herself. With her addictions behind her, she began to have a remarkable passion for pure living, a genuine love for others, and real life from the Giver of Life.
This is a book I can heartily recommend--especially to those who enjoy seeing someone with grit and determination triumphing over their own self-inflicted difficulties and come out stronger, wiser, and better equipped for life!

A True Story Of Redemption

There are to many good things I have to say about this book. I know this Woman Personally & before this book was written; & to see how she is now makes her book come to life.

This book has the ability to relate to many people in many ways. Whatever your Situation, I’m positive you can find some principle to relate to.

Read, Study & Use this Book to help you Overcome Challenges. It is beyond a great book.

Don’t give up hope

This is an amazing story of redemption. I loved it and applaud Laura for her bravery in sharing her story.

Inspiring!

I was engaged throughout the entire thing. The authors experiences with hardship and transformation through Christ were very moving. The beginning chapters were a bit heavy and very real, but gave me a new perspective on life. The narrator has a great voice for this story!

Inspiring!

I loved this memoir. Often I feel trapped by life circumstances and this story brought me hope that anyone can change and become more! Thank you Laura for sharing your story and for it’s beautiful message of hope!

Wonderful story of hope and redemption

Jean and Laura masterfully write a real story of how one person through Christ can overcome the most difficult challenges and find joy. I couldn’t put it down. Thank you both!

An Interesting Memoir

The beginning of this story grabbed my attention. I admired the courage and strength that it took for Laura Andrade to tell her life's story. The story had its ugly side as Laura was addicted to several substances, some legal and some not. Her addictions drew her into a world of abuse and terror. The tale had its bad side, as Laura detailed a lot of the bad decisions that she made throughout her life and the ramifications of those decisions. The book had its good side as well as Laura related her road to recovery. Belinda Lams' narration was fine, and she kept my attention with her performance. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.

Book was hard to finish

About 95% of my audible listening collection is compiled of memoirs, it’s my favorite genre. This book however fell short of my liking due to multiple factors. I had a very hard time making myself finish this book, it just didn’t have a storyline that was a page turner for me. It was very repetitive and seemed to drag on and on. I also didn’t enjoy the performance of the narrator.

Four Seconds

I think the book was well written but a tad long in the tooth towards the end