The Things We Do for Love

A Novel

Years of trying unsuccessfully to conceive a child have broken more than Angie DeSaria’s heart. Following a painful divorce, she moves back to her small Pacific Northwest hometown and takes over management of her family’s restaurant. In West End, where life rises and falls like the tides, Angie’s fortunes will drastically change yet again when she meets and befriends a troubled young woman.

Angie hires Lauren Ribido because she sees something special in the seventeen-year-old. They quickly form a deep bond, and when Lauren is abandoned by her mother, Angie offers the girl a place to stay. But nothing could have prepared Angie for the far-reaching repercussions of this act of kindness. Together, these two women - one who longs for a child and the other who longs for a mother’s love - will be tested in ways that neither could have imagined.

©2004 by Kristin Hannah. (P)2004 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“[Kristin] Hannah is superb at delving into her main characters’ psyches and delineating nuances of feeling.” (The Washington Post Book World)

“Wonderful . . . enormously touching . . . The warmth and complexities of these characters grab hold of the heartstrings.” (RT Book Reviews)

“Wrenching, convincing . . . bittersweet.” (Publishers Weekly)

I'm an old guy

Okay. I'm an 80 year-old man, and I like chick flicks. So humor me.

Right. I must be just a sentimental old fool. Yes. That has to be why I loved this book. I have been listening to audible books for almost twenty years now, and this has to be one of the best.

Whether I was driving or brushing my teeth or putting drops in my eyes before going to bed, I listened as the people in this book came alive. I felt like I was there--almost part of the family.

Oh, there were twists that sort of pushed the limits of credibility, but they never quite crossed that line. In the end, I learned a lot about love. Maybe you will too.

Human kindness and Love

I enjoyed this book very much! It was well written and very hard to not finish all at once. Parts triggered real sadness but there was always great love and true family support! Excellent!

Awesome narration

I had read this book about 2 years ago
And I am sure I liked it but it didn’t make an impact on me. I actually ordered it on audible before I realized that I already had read it. I am so glad I decided to listen to it anyway. The narrator made it come to life and o couldn’t stop listening I remembered the general storyline but don’t remember getting an emotional response I cried many times listening to it. I felt like I was there. Thank you Kristen and A big thank you to Susan Erickson

Heartbreaking and Lovely

As always the author does not disappoint in conveying hard feelings. There is so much sadness but hope wrapped up in this story, so much so that at times you want to put it down but can’t because you want to keep believing that things will get better. Highly recommend but not for the faint of heart if you have had a rough childhood or suffered loss or miscarriage.

Inviting story!

While predictable, the story is inviting with easy to love characters. The performance was very well done! Another loved Kristin Hannah book!