Six Years

This book will grab you, throw you back in your seat and make you hang on for dear life because it is going to be a heck of ride! This was so hard to put down because it didn’t let up for a minute. It is very hard to write a review with no spoilers and not so much gushing.

This is my favorite Harlan Coben book yet this had so many twists and turns that when you think you know what is going on it changes, yes, I was right on a few things but there were more aspects that left my jaw dragging on the ground. There were times when you have to roll your eyes at Jake, or maybe that’s just me because I am about as unromantic as they come. And there were times when you wanted to yell NOOOO at him as he charged from one dangerous situation to another (I actually did yell this once luckily I was in my car by myself!). I really liked that Coben even had me wondering about Jake’s sanity for awhile I was beginning to wonder myself if Natalie was real or if it was a figment of his imagination, but that is what made this book so great even the reader starts questioning Jake. Okay I need to stop here because everything else I am thinking of writing is spoilerific but man do I want to discuss this book with someone who has read it!

The narration by Scott Brick was as always fabulous, he is the voice of Harlan Coben for me. I will always listen to his stand alones on audio because Scott Brick brings the characters to life for me with, just right narration, nothing over the top but great character diversity so you always know who is talking.

If you haven’t figured out yet I loved this book, if you are looking for a thrill ride full of twists and turns you need to read this book!

4 ½ Stars

You’re at a wedding, except it's the wedding of the love of your life to someone else. Coben spins obsession and suspense early in the fantastic new novel: Six Years. I had this novel on my pre-order list for a while and thanks to travel I was able to listen to the whole thing in almost one continuous stream. The story unfolds in layers and the character development is excellent and starts from the first sentence. You can’t help but see the flaws in Jake Fisher. Coben sets you up, gives you clues, offers false starts and little hints that keep you on the edge and wondering and speculating.

The novel is performed by Stott Brick. He is one of my favorites! Of my favorite performances is his narration of the Pendergast series by Preston and Child. He does exceptionally well within this genre and he doesn't disappoint.

This novel is going to please anyone who likes a good solid "search for the truth". There is no technology in this mystery, but you won’t miss it. I wouldn’t recommend it for the teen to young adult crowd, it’s not the subject matter, the story line won’t likely appeal. I give this a solid must listen, at 10 hours, it will hold you interest and then some.

I have enjoyed many of Harlan Coben's novels - and Scott Brick is an accomplished performer. Furthermore, the concept of Six Years seemed to have a lot of promise. Though the plot was intriguing, unfortunately, the character was not. For a big, strong ex-bouncer turned poly sci professor and critical thinking devotee, the protagonist was a study in contradiction. Scott Brick's interpretation of the character further emphasized these contradictions. Given the issues with the main character, I found it difficult to immerse myself into the story.

Usually like Scott Brick but the overly dramatic and breathless narration on this is really annoying. I am almost finished with the book and find that I dislike the main character intensely and do not know whether it is the story or the narrator because the narration is so extreme.

Really good listen.

Jake was my favorite character even though he was a flawed, flawed man. Perhaps it was his flaws that made him likeable. If he were my brother or friend, I'd advise him to see a therapist for his inability to let "sleeping dogs lie." But it is also one of the elements that kept this story moving like a freight train through the night.

Scott did a reasonably good job with this material. I've heard better interpreters, but I've also heard worst. He worked for me.

Victim or villain?

I "read" audio books when I drive, clean house, walk the dogs, or work in the yard. However, I could not turn this one off. I've got the cleanest house in the neighborhood and I have this book to either thank or blame.

I agree with Lynn, Gail and Malia. Malia said: "Drop the soapy love obsession. It got old after the first few times; I found myself saying, all right already. And I really wished the guy would quit getting beat up. I wanted someone I could cheer on; instead I found myself joining the other characters who told Jake, DROP IT ALREADY!!"

That is a very good summary. I was hoping Jake would get beaten up again or even killed. I hated this obsession book.

I am also getting tired of Scott Brick. Lynn said: "Usually (I) like Scott Brick but the overly dramatic and breathless narration on this is really annoying. I... dislike the main character intensely and do not know whether it is the story or the narrator because the narration is so extreme."

The book had a snail's pace progress and Scott Brick dragged that out even longer. I just kept wishing this book would end. I almost stopped reading it a number of times but I had already invested so much time. Plus I wanted to be able to truly rate the book and felt that if I had not listened all the way I could not accurately rate it.

The ending was easy to guess. I knew who the "killer" was by about half way through.

This is easily Coben's worst book ever. I have decided to stop buying his stuff unless it's a Myron Bolitar novel.

No just more stand alone Harlen Coben books

I used to like Scott Brick. Now I find that he is way over the top with his breathless narrations and long pauses and very slow reading. I am going to avoid his books for a while.

Every long sappy introspection by the main dopey character.

Avoid this book!!!

I've read all of Coben's books and while I never expect too much, I hope for an enjoyable, light read dealing with normal people who are suddenly thrust in to intense, often bizarre situations full of twists and turns before culminating in a place unimagined at the beginning of the story...ergo fun to experience. In his previous books, even if I thought the overall story was a bit of a "miss", I always identified with the protagonist(s) and could imagine being there with them. I think only a love sick pre-teen could identify with the ludicrous actions and idiotic love-sick declarations with which the character implied justified as "rational motivators" for his insane, uber-selfish actions throughout the story. It was also odd that Coben foreshadowed...even spotlighted each upcoming "surprise twist" to the extent that the reader knows what is going to happen before it does. Why? Also, in this case, one of my favorite narrators, Scott Brick can't be accused of over-dramatizing his reading of this particular story. Surely, no human alive has ever really held internal dialogue with the silly pathos as this guy does over and over and over again in this story. It is so corny it is almost funny and SNL skit worthy. I'm not saying not to read this if you are a Coben fan. There are enough nuggets evocative to his good work to perhaps make it worth your credit. It's just akin with the adage, with friends like the main character, who needs enemies? He is as awful as the bad guys.

I'm not a big Harlan Coben fan and I don't often write reviews, but I LOVED this book! Extremely suspenseful with lots of twists and twists on twists. Book had me from page one.

Yes!

One of the best thrillers I've heard. Coben kept me intrigued throughout the entire story. This is one of the few thrillers I've read that I couldn't figure out how the story would end. Scott Brick did a wonderful job of narrating this book. I would recommend this to anyone who likes thrillers!

Drop the soapy love obsession. It got old after the first few times; I found myself saying, all right already. And I really wished the guy would quit getting beat up. I wanted someone I could cheer on; instead I found myself joining the other characters who told Jake, DROP IT ALREADY!!

Oh I'll pick another Colben book since the last 3 was outstanding. This was really, really bad and I'm glad it wasn't the first I had read from Colben or I would never have bought another.

He made Jake sound stupid as well as love sick.

the second and third attack. Come on the guy is supposed to be big as well as a professor and he can't keep from being attacked???