Guiding Emily

A Tale of Love, Loss, and Courage (Guiding Emily, Book 1)

By: Barbara Hinske

Narrated by: Fred Berman, Julia Whelan

Length: 7 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's Summary

Sometimes the perfect partner has four paws....

Emily Main had it all: a high-powered career with a leading technology giant and a handsome fiancé bounding up the corporate ladder. Their island wedding and honeymoon were idyllic, until a tragic accident causes her retinas to detach.

Her well-ordered life is shattered as all treatments are unsuccessful and she slips into blindness. How will those around her cope with her tragedy? Can she rebuild her life in this most unwelcome new normal?

Meanwhile, a black Lab puppy named Garth fulfills his destiny to become that most esteemed of all creatures: a guide dog.

Guiding Emily is a heartwarming tale of love, loss, and courage as Garth and Emily make their way to each other.

©2020 Barbara Hinske (P)2020 Podium Audio

A lovely story

I’m always hesitant to read books with blind protagonists because, so often, the authors make the blind person an object of pity or incredibly sappy inspiration porn. This book was recommended to me by a very reputable source, and when I found out that it was a story of a woman who learns to rebuild her life with a guide dog by her side, I knew I had to try it. The story was lovely, and both narrators were absolutely incredible. I feel petty offering feedback but it is obvious the author did substantial research, and I’m hoping she will take my words into account if she continues writing about Emily and Garth. The guiding techniques described for a person walking with a sighted person are inaccurate. The blind person would grip the guide’s elbow because it offers more feedback than a person’s shoulder. At all of the Guide Dog schools throughout the United States, there’s no command “step up” to cue the dog to get onto a public bus. Most importantly, no one but the handler should ever offer a guide dog treats under any circumstances while the dog is working or, as newly matched as Garth was in this story. And my last word of critique is that a guide dog is not required to wear both.a harness and a service dog vest. The harness is all that is necessary to indicate that the dog is in fact a trained guide dog. I really enjoyed this story of loss and healing, and I deeply, deeply appreciate how the author was able to tell a story while educating us on so many aspects of blindness and the guide dog lifestyle. PS: The fake service dog chapter is incredibly relevant and one of the most realistic moments in the book.

Inspirational

I just finished listening to the audio book and I am currently reading it in Braille. I am visionally impaired so this story really struck a nerve and spoke to me in so many ways. I really enjoyed that there was a separate narrator for the dog’s perspective and it would Switch, chapter to chapter. Highly recommend listening to this audio book .

you get twice the info

when you read it on your own, you put alot of your own emotions in it, but, with the 2 narrators you get twice the info and the emotions from them sets a different tone.
the author is brilliant and you can tell she put her whole heart into research n development of this novel to bring true to life with the characters.
I can't wait for another novel of hers to continue the series. we're just getting started!
Ms Barb does it again in this amazing addition to such a well loved, thoroughly researched novel that has you Feeling you have a front row seat.
This story captures your heart and I absolutely love it that she includes all frame of minds and their experiences.
Well written and leaves more dialog for these well established characters.

Inspiring

Loved the book. It was easy to visualize the scenes. The narration was done well. I won't comment on the voice changes as I have read other critiques and disagreed. I think it is all subjective. ENJOY!

An Exceptional Read!

The book plot was interesting and informative. I gained so much knowledge about blindness, guide dogs, and how they work together. The book conveys determination from what could be a “sit down and give up” situation. Definitely a “feel good” read.

guiding Emily

what a lovely story of challenge, disappointment, strength, acceptness, and success. loved the story

Wonderful story

I loved this book so much. I really like the narrator’s voices. I really loved the dogs chapters and the voice for Garth.

loved the creative story and I feel more aware

reading performance was top notch. couldn't stop listening. I came back to see what else this aurthor wrote after LOVING her Rosemont series. she is vety gifted -amazing!

great story

the author of really captures the feelings of Emily and the guide dog and the book is just wonderful. you won't want to stop listening to it and the narration by Fred Bergman and Julia Whalen really makes the story.

LOVED THIS BOOK!!

this is the first time I've ever listened to a book by this author and everything about it just makes you feel so warm and fuzzy. the narration was fantastic and the way the story was told gives great insight into the life struggles and feelings of someone who has lost their sight by accident after being sighted all their life. I wish there was a sequel to this book and I'm looking forward to trying more books by this author . I highly recommend this book you will not be disappointed

great book but inaccurancies

its a fantastic book. i really did enjoy it. however being a blind person myself... certain things just didnt fit & could miss lead people.... dogs cant find all doors or places you instruct them to. it is the person that has 2 learn the skills to get the dog to be able 2 find said place. they are very very clever but there not people. nevertheless this is 1 of my new fave books.

Magical story.

This was a fantastic story. I felt i lived emily’s journey with her. Really loved the fact that the story was told from both points of view of both Emily and Garth. I loved the two narrators and felt they were perfect for this book. As a blind person myself i felt that the blindness was very well researched. I really hope that Audible do the sequel of this book and the same narrators read it. I loved the support that emily had from Druve and Zoe specially. I really did not like Connor from the start, i understand that being newly married and your wife going blind is a big adjustment however I don’t feel he really tried, everything was all about him and what he wanted.

brilliant book defo worth listening

loved this audio book story is inspirational and captivating u from start to end.

only downside is I felt there needs to be a second book on what happens next and the decline of the dog as dogs don't live forever