A North Shore Story

By: Dean Economos, Alyssa Machinis

Narrated by: Doug Reynolds

Length: 3 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's Summary

For the teenagers of Chicago's North Shore, everyone has something to hide.

In a daring attempt to impress the elusive Sophia, Michael makes the biggest decision of his life, stealing over a hundred thousand dollars from St. Theodore Community Church.

That same night, Nichole's insecurities are finally forgotten with a drug she soon won't be able to control.

When Michael makes his getaway, he sees his friend Joseph cheat on his girlfriend with the priest's daughter and knocks over a candle that sets the church ablaze.

As the consequences of that night unfold, Joseph is blamed for the fire and the missing money. Can the teenagers of the North Shore confess their vices to help their friend? Or will their greed, infidelity, and jealousy change all their lives forever?

©2016 Dean Economos (P)2016 Dean Economos

Fantastic narration!

The narrator of this story is phenomenal! I definitely want to listen to more of his stories!

Great portrayal of choices, mistakes, and consequences facing a group of high schoolers.

There are lots of intertwining stories and a plethora of friendships, relationships, and betrayals.

A YA book about actual teens - not vampires!

All too often these days YA books for high school aged teens make the characters out to be adults who happen to be in high school. They think like adults and deal with adult situations that most (not all) teens don't have to deal with. And then there are the supernatural elements that are currently so popular: vampires, werewolves, and witches seem to make regular appearances in teen life.

A NORTH SHORE STORY does away with this. The teens are dealing with their relationship problems, financial issues, and general social world the way teenagers do: generally without thinking it through all the way. They are impulsive and emotional. Poor decisions lead to big problems and they have to deal with the fallout the only way then know how.

While the writing is a little rough and the some of the situations are a little hard to believe (Why are there lit candles in an empty church at 11pm?) this is a story about generally good kids who have made some impulsive choices and they have to live with the consequences.

Narration by Doug Reynolds. (Bias disclosure: Doug is a friend of mine.) The book is well read and has a nice pace. It is relatively short at 3hr 15min. It is a nice listen for the weekend.

Nicely done!

It's a griping story! The narration is great! This book is full of life lessons, cause and effect, and everyday struggles! I feel like I have a bit of a fresh perspective on the issues of today's youth!