1105 Yakima Street

Cedar Cove, Book 11

De: Debbie Macomber

Narrado por: Sandra Burr

1105 Yakima Street
Cedar Cove, Washington

Dear Reader,You’ve probably heard that my wife has left me. Rachel’s pregnant, and she says she can’t handle the stress in our household anymore. My 13-year-old daughter, Jolene, is jealous of her. Maybe it’s my fault. As a widower I spoiled her - Jolene was reading over my shoulder just now and says that’s not true. She claims Rachel ruined everything. But that’s not true. The real question is: How can I get my wife back? I don’t even know where she is. She’s not with Teri Polgar or any of her other friends from the salon. The other question is... when will Jolene grow up and stop acting like such a brat?

Of course, I’m not the only one in town with problems. Linc Wyse’s father-in-law is trying to destroy his business. And you know Charlotte Rhodes? Seems she’s becoming forgetful, and the family’s worried about her and Ben. Lots of other stuff going on - but Rachel is better at keeping up with it than I am.If you have any idea where my wife is, give me a call. Please.

Bruce Peyton

©2011 Debbie Macomber (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

horrible dialog

whiney kid with a spineless father... immature story lines for all of the characters. way past time to end the series

Plenty of Saccharine and neurotic characters

At the risk of upsetting die-hard Debbie Macomber fans, this was the least favorite of her books that I've read. I found myself rolling my eyes most of the time. Why do these characters play such games? Grace, refusing to fall in-love with a puppy. I can't even remember the characters names anymore, and I just finished the book-- the whiny pregnant girl who ditched the hunky doctor (in the last book). Will and Miranda... good Lord, that was a boring and predictable thing waiting to happen. Worst of all was the whole Rachael fiasco-- with the bratty daughter. My eyes almost rolled permanently in the back of my head, when Rachael refused to accept money from Bruce, while pregnant with his child. Really? It seems like all the characters are just playing games-- heaping on the guilt and stubborn pride. All the story lines wrapped up in a neat little bow-- as predictably as I figured they would. This is good, clean reading. Nothing wrong with that, but I guess I've outgrown the Harlequin romance type of novels. Now, for an exciting history fiction-- with knights sweeping damsels onto the back of their horses, swords, fights, and all that stuff-- I'd rather read about women of character who have guts and courage. You won't find it here.

Annoyed. Disappointed.

This book isn't about one couple, but is about an ensemble of several couples with equal attention. It also felt like it should fall into the 'inspirational/religious' category even though religion wasn't mentioned. It strongly emphasized traditional roles: the women do the cooking and the cleaning, and the men take care of the women. With so many stories going concurrently, with similar dynamics, it quickly felt like I was being preached to about the ideal family and the proper, responsible behavior of each person in that family.

The reader did a very good job, and if this type of story appeals, then it would be enjoyable. For me, it was not what I was expecting, and I found it pushy and increasingly annoying.

couldn't get through the first chapter, just awful

What disappointed you about 1105 Yakima Street?

flat, predictable story and writing. The writing itself was just impossible for me - I couldn't stand it.

What didn’t you like about Sandra Burr’s performance?

Overacting. I guess it went with the cutesy-ness of the story.

Disappointed

What would have made 1105 Yakima Street better?

I felt, early on, there were too many characters. Maybe this is because I didn't start with the first book in the Cedar Cove series. I started with this one. The pretty cover picture pulled me in. At times, I felt like the writing seemed almost childlike. I could envision a high school senior typing away. I had a difficult time with most of the characters and their complaisant personalities. No one seemed to have any strength at all......everyone walks away from adversity and hopes it will all work out.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Probably going back to mystery...Lee Child or James Patterson.....even better, Michael Connelly.

Would you be willing to try another one of Sandra Burr’s performances?

I felt her performance was probably decent for what she had to work with.

Any additional comments?

This is one of the first books I actually want to trade in....get a refund. Was glad to see that might be possible. I have 4 more chapters to go. I kept hoping the writing was going to get more interesting. Too late, now.