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The Echo of Old Books  By  cover art

The Echo of Old Books

By: Barbara Davis
Narrated by: Vanessa Johansson, Steve West, Sarah Zimmerman
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Publisher's summary

A novel about the magical lure of books and summoning the courage to rewrite our stories by the Amazon Charts bestselling author of The Keeper of Happy Endings and The Last of the Moon Girls.

Rare-book dealer Ashlyn Greer’s affinity for books extends beyond the intoxicating scent of old paper, ink, and leather. She can feel the echoes of the books’ previous owners—an emotional fingerprint only she can read. When Ashlyn discovers a pair of beautifully bound volumes that appear to have never been published, her gift quickly becomes an obsession. Not only is each inscribed with a startling incrimination, but the authors, Hemi and Belle, tell conflicting sides of a tragic romance.

With no trace of how these mysterious books came into the world, Ashlyn is caught up in a decades-old literary mystery, beckoned by two hearts in ruins, whoever they were, wherever they are. Determined to learn the truth behind the doomed lovers’ tale, she reads on, following a trail of broken promises and seemingly unforgivable betrayals. The more Ashlyn learns about Hemi and Belle, the nearer she comes to bringing closure to their love story—and to the unfinished chapters of her own life.

©2023 Barbara Davis (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“[The] dueling timelines, packed with twists and turns, should appeal to fans of Kate Atkinson’s Life After Life and Taylor Jenkins Reid’s The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.”Booklist

“The author’s ability to present two different, but related, heartbreaking stories inside her own novel and keep all the voices distinct is so impressive. The fascinating characters and the beauty of the writing pull the reader in…Highly recommended.”Historical Novels Review

“Delightful! …very satisfying. Barbara Davis endings usually are!”Midwest Book Review

What listeners say about The Echo of Old Books

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Loved this book!

Fabulous! I loved this story. I did not want it to end. Narrated beautifully as well.

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4 people found this helpful

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I love books about books

This was a great now and before book. I loved the way the two time frames were meshed.

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4 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Good for Love Story

I'm usually not the love story type, but this book was pretty good. The two books that were being read and the mystery of their lives were pretty intriguing, honestly. And how these books brought new love together was a cute addition. The narrators did a good job as well. I would recommend this book.

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3 people found this helpful

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Loved it.

Wasn’t sure at first but stayed up all night finishing this story. I hated for it to end.

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2 people found this helpful

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Love it!

Loved all the characters and the narration was beautifully done! You have likely never read a story like this one.

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2 people found this helpful

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Delicious Story Through and Through

I really enjoyed this book. Love lost and found while dragged along by misunderstood events.

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2 people found this helpful

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couldn't stop listening

it was so beautiful a love story! the descriptions and emotion really come through!

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2 people found this helpful

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If you need a dose of romance….

This is it! So very romantic. This story spans generations and will make you laugh and cry.

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1 person found this helpful

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Beautiful story

Beautifully woven together tale like a tapestry. Each thread absolutely necessary to create this work of art. Don’t miss it!

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1 person found this helpful

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Good read

Interesting story
I like that the author wrote it like letters and the bouncing back from current to the past

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