Stay a Little Longer

By: Dorothy Garlock

Narrated by: Susan Boyce

Length: 8 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

Louise Watkins has her hands full. Her mother had been the town midwife, but after her daughter Alice died under her care, she refused to assist in another childbirth. So Louise has assumed the work. She also takes care of Alice's six-year old, Charlotte, because the child's father was lost in World War I. But Louise's principal job is running the boardinghouse that is the family's main source of income.

One day, Charlotte befriends a stranger ill with influenza, a man who has taken refuge in an old cabin in the woods nearby. Although badly scarred by wounds suffered in the War, he is strong and slowly recovers. When he gradually takes on odd jobs around the house, Louise accepts his help. She is drawn to him despite his disfigurement, and his voice is comforting, yet vaguely familiar....

©2010 Dorothy Garlock (P)2010 BBC Audio

Somewhat predictable, but clean and enjoyable

The plot was somewhat predictable, but not enough that it bothered me most of the time. The reader whispered too quietly to be heard well at times but was generally good.

Enjoyable but don't expect great writing

The Publisher’s Statement is somewhat “off”. The main character’s name is Rachel, not Louise. She learns the strangers identity before he leaves his sickbed, he never does odd jobs around the house and his voice has absolutely no relevance. Other than that, the gist of the plot is there.

This was a nice enough little romance. But the reader was not all that good. And the writing was a little amateurish, with overly trite similes, somewhat unnatural dialogue and characters that did not stay in character.

That being said, I did want to listen to the end and enjoyed it reasonably well. As long as you are not expecting great literature you might enjoy it, too.