A Place to Call Home

By: Deborah Smith

Narrated by: Kymberly Dakin

Length: 14 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

Twenty years ago, Claire Maloney was the willful, pampered, tomboyish daughter of the town's most respected family, but that didn't stop her from befriending Roan Sullivan, a fierce, motherless boy who lived in a rusted-out trailer amid junked cars. No one in Dunderry, Georgia - least of all Claire's family - could understand the bond between these two mavericks. But Roan and Claire belonged together...until the dark afternoon when violence and terror overtook them, and Roan disappeared from Claire's life.

Now, two decades later, Claire is adrift, and the Maloneys are still hoping the past can be buried under the rich Southern soil. But Roan Sullivan is about to walk back into their lives....

By turns tender and sexy and heartbreaking and exuberant, A Place to Call Home is an enthralling journey between two hearts - and a deliciously original novel from one of the most imaginative and appealing new voices in Southern fiction.

©1997 Deborah Smith as Leigh Bridger (P)2012 BelleBooks, Inc.

Riveting

Any additional comments?

This book was not what I was expecting. I must have cried ten times at the struggles this couple went through. Great story.

Heart Wringer!

I really loved this story, the first part while Clare and Roan are children, the second part as adults. It is about family - the joys and failings. Wonderful old people, amazing young members of family.

incredible

I love love stories. I love mysteries. And I love history. This novel combined everything I want in a novel. As soon as I heard that it was finished, I gave this quick review and started the novel again. I need to memorize every word.

Transported

Where does A Place to Call Home rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

A little long in places and thoroughly predictable but a great listen. The author's use of colloquial language creates a sense of being there and the strong close and extended family ties in the rural South give a ring of authenticity to the story.

What did you like best about this story?

The romanticism of a young girl standing up for someone "just 'cause it's the right thing to do." I liked the full-circle happy ending.

What does Kymberly Dakin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

A gritty emotion to her voice at times that was quite poignant.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. I wouldn't have enjoyed it as much. I listened over a two week period for a couple of hours a day, giving myself time to think about the characters and what they were experiencing before listening on.

Any additional comments?

I understand that Roan's father was the "bad guy" in this story but I think the story would have been just a bit more valuable if, after 20 years, there had been some enlightening information revealed about why he did some of the things he did...he went from being a war hero to abusing his son and attempting to rape a little girl and that didn't sit well with me. I felt his character should have been rounded out a little bit more so that Roan's perspective could have grown along with Matthew's (and the rest of the town's).

Still one of my faves!

I haven’t listened or re-read this book since the 90’s I believe. And, I’m glad I did. It still warms my heart.

Uneven Reading of a Good Book

This was one of the first novels I read by Deborah Smith, and I wanted to revisit it. It is not a favorite of mine, but I can see why I stuck with her and her talent her is unmistakable. The reader is uneven in her voice of the narrator and it is jarring at times. I preferred the younger voice but the way it came and went was a little irritating- but no more than that. Really just a solid story!

One of the best books I have read/listened to

great book. family tale predictable but thoroughly enjoyable! it left me wanting more, to know what Clare and Ronys life tirns out to be.

Not super impressed with the reader

I’m not super impressed with the reader but the story is great. It’s wonderful to find another book without steamy sex but great romance. Heartfelt story about family dynamics and the mysteries we hide.

Great book!

This was a funny, sad, up lifting and heart breaking story. The book is in 2 parts. Part one is when they are children. The things the little girl says and does mad me LOL... at work no less. The author really had a way with a child's point of view. Great Job! Part 2 jumps 20 yrs later. They come together and help one another threw past and present problems. This book is a true romance of the heart and sole. (So, not a steamy sex filled book.)

Still My Favorite

I loved in when I read it years ago and thoroughly enjoyed the audio version. It is one of the few books I have kept to read again.