Hold Her Down

By: Kathryn R. Biel

Narrated by: Lisa Beacom

Length: 9 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Elizabeth Zurlo is lost. She's a wife, a mother, a teacher, a PTA volunteer - but somewhere along the way, she has lost herself. Depression and despair can lead to desperate measures, and when she is pulled back from the brink of suicide, Elizabeth slowly tries to rebuild her marriage and reclaim her life.

Just as she has finally started to put herself back together, a scandalous novel rocks her small town...and costs Elizabeth her social standing, friendships, and ultimately, her marriage. However, the man who seemingly destroyed Elizabeth's life helps her realize who she is and what she needs to do to become the woman she's capable of being, and the woman she used to be.

©2014 Kathryn R. Biel (P)2015 Kathryn R. Biel

I liked it a lot.

Really liked this book & the raw honesty of dealing with depression. It was a great read with very realistic characters.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review.

Pleasantly surprised

At first, I thought the book was formulaic and blend of Gone Girl and 50 Shades, not that it would be horrible.

I was so wrong. Liza/Elizabeth struggles as many young mothers to find an identity of her own. A weekend lost, old prom date, gossipy housewives and a best selling erotic book turn Elizabeth's world upside down. One of my favorite parts is having a spouse describe his wife "you're my wife, the children's mother". What are you she replies "I'm an engineer, play golf...." no identifying words of husband or father.

I was pleased by the twists and turns the book took as Liza rediscovered her life and personal passions as a woman.

The narration was good but not great. The best example I can give was early on in the book during a car crisis Elizabeth says the F-word. There was emotion and volume that was never heard again in spite of broken relationships, emotional torment and extreme levels of stress. I would have expected to hear it as well as being told.

I recommend this book.

I was given a copy of this audiobook in return for an honest review.

MOST WOMAN CAN RELATE!!! REALLY GOOD BOOK!

I couldn't stop listening to this book. I finished it in one day. It caught my attention and held it from the first chapter on. There was a brief moment of confusion because it does go back and forth but once I caught on... WOW! I'm not going to get into specifics because I don't want to spoil it for the next reader but I do recommend this book. I myself can relate to Elizabeth, I think many woman can. We get caught up being a wife and mother that we forget to take time for ourselves. Which can cause one to loose their own individuality.
"I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher."

Interesting read for me.

This was a bit different then what I normally listen to which is romance with a HEA. This is about a woman's journey to find her herself. It's an interesting story. It was a little slow to start but I'm glad I stuck with it. I was happy with the ending too. The narration was good. I received a free copy for an honest review.

I want to hear more

I love the personality this narrator gives each character. she makes you really feel it.

This audiobook beat my expectations

This is a very good audiobook which I got on audible. I didn’t expect the audiobook to be the way it was. The audible was nicely organized and blew me away by how structured it was! I Surely suggest it.

Relatable

I got this book via audiobook boom. This story showcases the life of a woman who has always put others before herself. She is a wife, mother, teacher and middle aged and has lost her way. Then a writer produces a book that is loosely based on her life and her town and her husband turn against her. She has never done any of the things portrayed in the book but no one believes her. She has to experience many things including contemplating suicide and divorce before she makes the final decision in the book. She chooses to be herself. She does not have to choose a path dictated by others. We all have had to make some of these decisions even if not under these circumstances. But choosing to be who you are rather than following the dictates of others is an awesome responsibility. So many shy away from doing that.

Excellent!

Where does Hold Her Down rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This audiobook ranks above others I've listened to, due to the narrator.

What other book might you compare Hold Her Down to and why?

Reminded me a little of The Girl on the Train due to similarities of the main character.

What about Lisa Beacom’s performance did you like?

The narrator of the audiobook was excellent and brought all of the characters to life. Despite the fact that the book was written, and thus narrated, in the third person, it was easy to associate the narrator with the character of Elizabeth. I knew early in the book that Elizabeth’s voice was the narrator’s voice. The narrator was able to change her voice enough for the other characters so that it was not confusing to listen to dialogue, as it is with some book narrations.

If you could take any character from Hold Her Down out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Definitely Elizabeth, because I can relate to her story even though my life's circumstances have been different.

Any additional comments?

This was a great “listen” and most women will really relate to this. Some reviews of the book have discussed the repetitiveness of the descriptions of the dark feelings of the main character, and I agree that at times the super-focus on Elizabeth’s depression and lack of self-confidence was a bit tiring. However, anyone who has gone through similar experiences knows that is exactly how one’s mind operates when one is “held down”. It was very realistic in that aspect and I could relate to it on a personal level, despite my circumstances being a bit different from Elizabeth’s. I was delighted that I arrived at the same conclusion that she did, before I reached the end of the book.

The narrator of the audiobook was excellent and brought all of the characters to life. Despite the fact that the book was written, and thus narrated, in the third person, it was easy to associate the narrator with the character of Elizabeth. I knew early in the book that Elizabeth’s voice was the narrator’s voice. The narrator was able to change her voice enough for the other characters so that it was not confusing to listen to dialogue, as it is with some book narrations.

Overall, I give the book and the narration an Excellent rating!

Self discovery

A great story of a woman, who’s a wife, mother, teacher trying her best to be accepted and make everyone else happy but, her self. Then some unexpected circumstances makes her reevaluate her life and start her in her path of self discovery and happiness.

A must read

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book to friends and have done so several times. The excellent
narration by Lisa Beacom made the
characters very realistic.

What did you like best about this story?

Surprise ending.

Which character – as performed by Lisa Beacom – was your favorite?

Elizabeth

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Cry, because of the difficult decisions that Elizabeth had to make.

Any additional comments?

Very much enjoy this writer and this narrator.