Home Front

Home Front is so well-written and read so realistically. I could see the story as I listened to every word. Everyone should listen to this book. It made me more appreciative of everything our service women and men go through and what they sacrifice for us.

The portrayal of the characters and what they experience as the story evolves.

Courtroom

Jonelle

My father was a disabled veteran and an amputee. The experiences that were written about are so true and relevant to the whole story. What Jonelle experienced is really what they go through and so many people have no idea what they have lived through and are trying to do as they put their lives back together.

Evidently I don't share the same feeling about this novel as the editorial staff at audible. While the research involved - into recovery from traumatic war injuries - is thorough and detailed, the narration is too loud, too exaggerated and there is just too much crying. I have a very hard time listening to narrators crying, as the decibels are turned way up and the pitch reaches a dissonance that I can't tolerate. It is perfectly easy to portray crying in a softer voice.

The sullen daughter is overdone and nothing comes out of her mouth that isn't whiney, angry, shrieking and narcissistic. Granted, many kids her age are exactly like this, but the narrator made it much worse. I had to turn the iPod off several times just to get a break from this completely unlikeable person.

The story is a good one, just ruined for me by an overzealous narrator showcasing all the negative emotions in HD.

I wanted to like this book, but I didn't. I have listened to other Kristin Hannah novels before and enjoyed them. I almost "quit" a few times but I had made an investment. I didn't care for any of the characters. The main character was out of touch with reality and her "I have to be perfect" attitude drove me crazy. Her children did not act their ages. The 12 year old was beyond obnoxious and totally self centered. All the youngest child did was whine.

The narration really is was ruined it for me. A good narrator allows me to interpret the writing. Ms. Reed tried to force emotions down my throat. Too melodramatic. The childrens' voices were terrible, so over done and loud.

I will try Kristin Hannah again, but I will avoid Maggi-Meg Reed, the narrator.

This book pulled me into the world of Jolien and I couldnt it out of my mind. I couldn't wait to listen to this book. Be careful as this is a tear jerker. One of my favorites!!!!!

A wonderful story. The only thing that I did not enjoy was the readers voice of the childern. It was grating and over kill.

I have listened to (and loved, and recommended) every single book that Kristin Hannah has written. That being said, I couldn't even get through this one to the end. I appreciate very much (especially since I lost a family member in Afghanistan) that she's trying to enlighten her readers to the horrors of war and how PTSD affects a family -- especially one that's already a bit broken to begin with. But this book was just... I don't know. Heavy. Dark. Depressing. Frustrating! I hated the characters -- Betsy the teen was not like any 12 year old I've ever known, thank God. I wanted to strangle her. The husband wasn't much better, and the four year old was an odd mix of very grown-up talk and patty-cake.

The book had great reviews on Amazon, so I really, really wanted to like it. But I couldn't do it. I stopped listening with about three hours left. I couldn't take hearing one of the kids "bump into" Jolene again, hurting her and causing her to curse while the father just stood there. Hello? Wouldn't any REAL father chastise or even yell at those kids and tell them to be careful? But no. It keeps happening over and over. Anyway, if you listen, you'll see what I mean. There were some flaws in the narration (although maybe it was the book?) where a girl named Sierra is called "Sienna" a few times. The narrator did a great job otherwise. Overall the writing style was superb -- typical Kristin Hannah. But the story was one endless stream of anger and crying. It made me feel depressed.

Sappy, no plot, whiny characters, just stupid.

probably not

no but this one was good

ALL of them except the MIL

don't waste your credits.

This book could have been very good. I read Firefly Lane and liked it; so I expected to enjoy this book as well. The story line was interesting, war stories are not usually told with female military personnel in the lead character.
But I did not enjoy this listen very much. I did not like the narrator. Everything sounded whiney or loud. When Joleen constantly yells at Michael to "go away" I would have imagined it to be a soulful, and very sad "go away," not screams. Betsy's whiney voice got very annoying. And Betsy's behavior would not have been tolerated by the type of mother I envisioned Joleen to be.
Not my favorite.

This was such a wonderful and heartbreaking book to listen to at the same time. I thought the narrator did a fine job, but it was the book that touched me so deeply. Have told all my friends that this book is a keeper.

I cried several times throughout the book and will never look at soldiers in the same way again. It's an incredible read and well worth the box of tissues it requires. :)