Don't Let Me Go

By: Jamila Mikhail

Narrated by: Katie Frechette

On top of battling the normal teenage angst that everyone goes through, Joanie is also reeling from her parents' bitter divorce and having to cope with her mother's new boyfriend and father's new family. Alone in a new town and without friends, she turns to passing the time by indulging in her longtime hobby of making toy models of soldiers and is both amazed and shocked when one of them comes to life.

Despite her millions of unanswered questions and having to make sense of new mysteries every day, Joanie comes to find a loyal and trustworthy companion in Adler, a lieutenant in the Wehrmacht and a member of the German Resistance during World War II who must also find a way to handle living in modern times on top of being invisible to most of the population. The two of them will have to fight several battles on many fronts in both the physical world and unseen realms as they both try to comprehend Adler's new existence and piece Joanie's broken life back together.

©2018 Jamila Mikhail (P)2018 Jamila Mikhail

5 Stars

Jamila Mikhail's "Don't Let Me Go" is an evocative and poignant exploration of love, loss, and the complexities of human connection. This novel captures the heartfelt journey of its characters with such finesse that it resonates deeply with readers of all ages.

Mikhail’s storytelling is exquisite, weaving a tapestry of emotions that draws you in from the very first page. The characters are richly developed and relatable, each grappling with their own struggles, making it easy for both teens and adults to connect with their experiences. Themes of vulnerability and resilience flow throughout the narrative, reminding us of our shared humanity and the importance of reaching out to others.

The audiobook edition of "Don't Let Me Go" takes the experience to an entirely new level. The narrator brings a fresh perspective to the characters, infusing the story with a dynamic energy that enhances the emotional depth. The subtle inflections, the pacing, and the ability to convey a range of emotions make the listening experience unforgettable. It’s as if the story is unfolding in real-time, allowing listeners to immerse themselves in Mikhail’s world completely.

This book is not only a great read but also an engaging listen for those who prefer audiobooks. Whether you’re commuting, exercising, or simply relaxing at home, "Don't Let Me Go" effortlessly captures your heart and mind.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to both teens and adults alike. Its universal themes and captivating storytelling make it a perfect addition to any bookshelf or audiobook library. Jamila Mikhail has undoubtedly created a work that will linger in the hearts of readers long after the last page is turned—or the last chapter is listened to. Don't miss out on this beautiful and moving story; it’s an experience you won't soon forget.

Entertaining and Uplifting

Some fictional stories take place in a world very different from our own: think of The Lord of the Rings or Star Wars. But my favorite kind of fictional stories are ones that take place in our world, where everything is exactly as we know it... EXCEPT FOR ONE BIG THING, and it's that one difference that causes the drama. "Don't Let Me Go" is exactly that kind of story. The settings are a real world city, house, and high school we could easily live near. The protagonist is the kind of young teen girl we could easily sit next to on the bus, and barely take notice of. Her family problems are as real as they are raw... and then the author brings in the ONE BIG FANTASTIC ELEMENT to give the heroine some very unique ways to deal with her troubles. I won't reveal too much of the plot and spoil it, but I'll say I found the story entertaining and uplifting. It's easy to root for the main character Joanie, it's good to watch her grow through the story, and the characterization of Adler is perfect in his near-perfection. An enjoyable tale!

Narration could have been better

Great writing! I loved that Adler was there for Joanie and helped her get through all the difficult experiences she was going through. The story flows pretty well.

At times, Joanie seemed much older than 13-14. How Adler came into existence isn't as clear as one would hope.

My biggest complaint is the narration/audio editing. The narrator repeats lines often as she is reading, this should have been edited out. You can hear a sound a few times that sounds like she is setting the book down. She isn't consistent in her speed or the amount of emotion she is including. There are periods where she is relatively monotonous as far as emotion and then there are periods where she sounds very emotional and dramatic. There is potential here, just needs practice and better editing.

I received a review copy and have voluntarily left this unbiased and honest review.

LOVELY INSPIRATIONAL STORY

This is not my first introduction to Jamila Mikhail, and certainly won't be my last. She's a lovely person, and an amazing writer :)

Very personable and inspiring story about a young lady (well, teenager) who has to start all over after moving to a new city when her parents divorced. Very real emotions and setting - it's a very stressful situation, after all. We've all had problems like these - well, most of us :)

In times of great stress, our minds work in mysterious ways.

Joanie finds a very interesting and unique way to cope with the stresses she's under - one of the toy soldiers she's made is ALIVE! She finds solace with Adler, a lieutenant in the "Wehrmacht" (had to look it up LOL! - the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1946) and a member of the German Resistance during World War II. No one but Joanie can see Adler, and they strike up quite an intriguing relationship.

GREAT STORY, beautifully written and narrated, I love Jamila's work! Definitely recommended :)
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Don't Let Me Go

Katie Frechette does a good enough job narrating, but the editing could be a lot better. I gave it a 2 star instead of 3 because of that. The volume changes quite a bit and it's easy to tell certain sections were spliced in. Also in certain places the narrator fixes (aka rereads) what she just said. That should be edited out.

Besides that, I enjoyed the story. I felt sorry for Joanie and the situation she was in. I'm glad she was able to find a friend with Adler.