Between the Lines

By: Jodi Picoult, Samantha Van Leer

Narrated by: Robert Ian MacKenzie, Suzy Jackson, Nick Cordero

Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

For her first-ever YA novel, #1 New York Times best-selling author Jodi Picoult collaborates with her teenage daughter Samantha van Leer on an exhilarating work of cross-generational appeal.

A story of romance, adventure, and humor, Between the Lines features high-schooler and social outsider Delilah, who discovers a charming fairy tale in the school library and can’t resist turning to it again and again. But one day she finds the book has hidden depths—and that the story’s handsome prince has somehow stepped from the page into her very own world.

©2012 Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer (P)2012 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"A compulsively readable charmer. The teen dialogue and interior monologues feel authentic, while Picoult’s practiced hand balances humor with larger issues such as abandonment, hope, and existential quandaries related to fate and human nature. Both silhouette and pencil drawings abound; characters climb in and around the text to excellent effect. Younger readers and their parents will appreciate the gentle, wholesome romance, with nary a shred of paranormal action. The tender, positive tone and effective pacing that builds to a satisfying finish will inspire readers to pass the book to a friend—or reread it themselves." (Booklist)

"A clever YA romance about the magical relationship between a loner and her fictional “Prince Charming.” Elements from Picoult’s other novels—alternating character viewpoints with distinguishing fonts, snappy chapter endings—are present, and the story is peppered with pop culture references to The Hunger Games, the Kindle Fire, and the X-Men, as well as comic relief in the form of characters like a talking horse that thinks it has a weight problem. Readers...will be swept up by the romantic premise." (Publishers Weekly)

Teenage crap. Dont bother.

This was written for a teenage audience. As a big fan of Jodi I was exteremely disappointed. Couldnt be bothered to finish it in the end.

It was bad enough to almost sour me on Jodi all together.

I really wanted to love this book.

So close but not quite where I wanted it to be. Seemed like a middle school age book. I loved the idea of the characters in the fairytale being alive, the whole plot was great, but it just fell short. I also found myself wanting to skip over the reading of the fairytale pages, they kind of bored me. I feel like I was waiting for the story to really start and kick off and then it never did.

Duped.

I bought this book as soon as it came out because I love Jodi Picoult and I have never been disappointed with one of her books. When I bought it, the book was unreviewed because it had just come out. I had no idea that her teenage daughter had written it. I guess this story would be delightful for a pre-teen girl...

I tried twice to read it because I hate to waste a credit and sometimes books do improve...
The first time I tried to read it was when I first bought it. I got to the beginning of chapter 2 and put it away... I had a ton of books that I would rather have been reading. I ran out of credits 2 days ago and I decided that before I would buy another pack, I would make a point to finish any unfinished books. One of the books turned out to be a delightful surprise. I thought that maybe this one would surprise me as well. I put aside all of my earlier reservations and delved in.

This one just kept getting worse.
This last time I got about halfway through the story before I quit in disgust.

Do not waste a credit on this story. Jodi Picoult.... shame on you for putting your name first. I was a loyal listener but I will never make that mistake again.

I wish I could get my credit back... not to mention the time I spent listening. So frustrating...

A great idea that was poorly executed

I loved the idea for this story... a reader that fell in love with a book character. A book character that wanted to escape the book and explore a world where endings were unknown. Unfortunately, the best part of this book was the authors note at the beginning. The characters were flat, unbelievable, and not interesting. The story, which had so much potential, disappointed in cliches and character decisions that were unrealistic and out of character. I usually love this author, but I struggled to not put this book down because I kept thinking it would get better and reach some of the potential the overall story had, but it didn't. It wasn't worth listening to and was a disappointment.

Definitely for young adults!

Would you try another book from Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer and/or the narrators?

I love Jodi Picoult, but this was not her style.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

I like the way the narrators changed for each chapter. Each character had their own voice.

Any additional comments?

The story was much more fantasy that I imagined Jodi Picoult could write. I stuck with it to hear the end, but only because I know her endings involve great twists.

Disappointing

This book was performed beautifully. Unfortunately the story itself was a load of rubbish. Background noise worthy at best

Not what I'd hoped for...

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

It's really my fault! I saw "Picoult" & jumped to listen w/o even reading the synopsis. That's how much I love her stories. Definitely for young readers. I like her usual style. This story was cute, but not for me....Looking forward to her future, more thought-provoking, books.

too stupid to even finish

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

maybe a third grader on psychotic medication

What was most disappointing about Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer ’s story?

The whole thing

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

None. I simply turned it off after three hours of listening

Any additional comments?

I've listened to Jodi Picoult before, this book is NOT up to her standards.

What's happening?

I continued through this entire book waiting to hear what was really happening. I absolutely love Jodi Picoult, but I must have totally missed the real subject matter.

What a large amount of time wasted. The narrator was great. That's it.

I love all of Jodi’s books. But I’ll pass on this one

This just isn’t my favorite of hers. I’m not much for Fantasy, but the story line is cute. Maybe for younger readers.