Every woman makes choices. And no one has made more difficult choices than Olivia Grayson. The enormously successful businesswoman missed out on much of her children’s lives while she built her legendary home-furnishings empire. In Danielle Steel’s character-rich novel, Olivia faces the past, tries to balance the present and make amends where due, while still running her vastly successful business.
As a way of making up to them for time lost, Olivia spends months each year planning a holiday that everyone in her family will enjoy. This summer she has arranged a dream trip in the Mediterranean on a luxurious yacht, which she hopes will be the most memorable vacation of all. Her lavish gesture every year expresses her love for them, and regret at all the important times she missed during her children’s younger years. Her younger daughter, Cassie, a hip London music producer, refuses the invitation altogether, as she does every year. Her older daughter, Liz, lives in her mother’s shadow, with a terror of failure as she tries to recapture her dream of being a writer. And her sons, John and Phillip, work for Olivia, for better or worse, with wives who wish they didn’t.
In the splendor of the Riviera, this should be a summer to remember, with Olivia’s children, grandchildren, and daughters-in-law on board. But as with any family gathering, there are always surprises, and no matter how glamorous the setting, things don’t always turn out as one hopes.
Family dynamics are complicated, old disappointments die hard, and as forgiveness and surprising revelations enter into it, new bonds are formed, and the future takes on a brighter hue. And one by one, with life’s irony, Olivia’s children find themselves committing the same "sins" for which they blamed their mother for so many years. It is a summer of compassion, important lessons, and truth.
The Sins of the Mother captures the many sides of family love: complex, challenging, funny, passionate, and hopefully enduring. Along the way, we are enthralled by an unforgettable heroine, a mother strong enough to take more than her fair share of the blame, wise enough to respect her children for who they really are, and forgiving enough to love them unconditionally.
©2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc (P)2012 Danielle Steel
"Loved it"
The story, this is the best Danielle Steel book I have read in years. I rarely purchase her books if the narrater is male. I find a female suits this type of story so much more.I could not put this book down and will read it again.The story is so complete you enjoy every bit I just did not want it to end. It was a pleasure to listen too. I have some of her books with a male narrator but find them a trial it is like listening to a speech sometimes, particularly one male who is really bad. Altho I would like to buy some of these book I do not and will not buy her books again unless we have a female narrator.
Olivia she was so well read but then again Cassandra was amazing with every character.
The name was perfect.
It is a great book my favourite Danielle Steel ever and much better than any of her recent books.
wichita, ks
"danielle steel writes another great book!"
yes. i thoroughly enjoyed the background of the characters. i could have done with more background on the youngest daughter but life goes on!
amanda. she was a person i loved to hate!
the two weeks on the lady luck
i felt the action of adultery was a little too glorified for my taste. i understand the reasons behind the adultery, but i felt the characters almost made it seem like there was a certain nobility to it, like there was a respectable reason behind it. maybe i was reading it wrong but that's what i got out of it. i heard very little of one of the wife's feelings during the story. (i know of a couple going through hard times over an adulterous relationship and that's why it hit me so hard.)
i haven't wanted to read a danielle steel book in ages. this story was great and i highly recommend it to one and all!
"The Sins of the Mother...."
It has been years since I have read Danielle Steel. She was the writer who knocked you down then kicked you in the gut. Her writing was too depressing for me. Read the reviews and thought maybe I could handle this one. Also sick of recent purchases of books written for the younger set. I kept waiting for something to happen. It really didn't...I'm glad no one was killed, the boat wasn't hit by a tsunami or anything. This isjust family&how family is with one another. I really liked it, but didn't find any "Wow" . I liked all the characters. I really like Olivia. I found the transition of Phillip to be somewhat not believeable. I was happy for their successes and realizations. But this is a family story of a very successful family. I think I was holding my breath expecting the heartbreaking event but thankfully my heart wasn't hurt in the reading of this book.
"Blah, blah, blah..."
It was very boring and predictable.
I just shouldn't read Danielle Steel.
The rock star boyfriend Danny Hell. Would the baby's name be Ariel Hell?
"Very enjoyable"
I enjoyed the story, and the narration was great.
Alex was my favorite character.
I listen to audio books when I run and this one definitely kept my attention. I really enjoyed the story and the great narration.
Blue Mesa Jan
"Snoozer & Preachy"
No. This was my first Danielle Steel book.
Slow & uninspired
This book was a platform for the author to tell us the correct way to handle life's situations - affairs, working mothers, homosexuality, children out of wedlock, breast cancer - and, by the way, having tons of money makes everything o.k. I'm not saying I disagree with the author's viewpoints, I just don't appreciate spending my time being preached at in a thinly veiled attempt at fiction.
"NO "WOW" factor... blah"
Probably not... the story was really bland and predictable. Casssandra's voice is really soothing, in fact sometimes it just put me right to bed. I was sure to bookmark often.
The most disappointing thing was nothing happen that excited me. It was warm and sometimes you were able to relate to the characters, but definitely not entertaining. I soon realize I was only still listening to get my "credit" worth.
Predictable. Boring. Simple.
no. all the pieces fell exactly where you figured they would in the end
On to the next book...
"Good Story"
Audio works best for me. I love to read but don't have time. So, I listen while I get my stuff done.
Loves the main character. She recognizes her short commings while standing by her decisions.
"A bit of brain candy"
Not much into Danielle Steel but this one was a decent listen. The setting was enjoyable.