Hold Her Down

De: Kathryn R. Biel

Narrado por: Lisa Beacom

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.

Surprisingly Good!

This book is different than most books I have read. I usually prefer fantasy with HEA conclusions that are not realistic but leave you with a warm happy feeling. For me books are a scape from reality. This book was very different though. I could relate to the main character and feel her pain and frustration. I'm a mother of three and understand how being a wife and mother can consume your life so much you are left empty and frustrated.

I started listening to it and it did take a bit to suck me in but once it captured my attention I could not put it down. It goes back and forth between present and past then it jumps almost two years without explaining what happened and slowly you learn what happened to help change her life. When everything seems to be going well something awful happens and she is abandoned by all her "friends". That type of public humiliation she had to endure is more than I could have gone through.

IMO her husband was honestly stupid and clueless. He had no regard or affection towards her. I don't know many marriages that can survive without love. Her husband acted more like a roommate than a partner. He also behaved like a cheating husband. He never looked at her, never was intimate, and showed total lack of interest. Pretty sad...

Jack is a total jerk. IMO He was never an option for her. After all he did to her, it is insane that she ever gave him the time of the day. What he did is unforgivable. I would have despised him for it.

The narration was excellent and it brought the story to life. It was easy to differentiate between characters.

The book wrapped up with a surprise ending. Honestly, it caught me by surprise but it was the best decision for her. The book was very well written and narrated.

**This audiobook was provided free of charge in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion**

I have discovered an awesome author and narrator that are both new to me...

This story could have been very mundane for me, because I have lived much of it. But it is told in such an interesting and thought provoking way, that I listened almost straight through... the combination of a captivating storyline and excellent narration kept me hooked. In fact I looked for a continuation when I was done because the narration truly drew me into Elizabeth’s life from the start!

This book is very well written and I will definitely be reading more from this author. I also plan to seek out more books from this narrator. They make an awesome pair!

Wonderful

A truly great book that I feel a lot of women can absolutely relate to in one way or another. The narrator Lisa Beacom does amazing.

Loved this!

When I first started listening to this book, I felt like I was listening to a description of my own marriage (currently in the process of a divorce). I have also been where she is in the depressive (not recently, but many years in the past) state and visualized actually causing a vehicle crash...but didn't due to my child. Katherine Biel's ability to bring the character's thoughts and feelings to life is an outstanding gift and I love her work.
As I said, I listened to this book on audio and the narrator, Lisa Beacom, is perfect for this book. What her steady, silky voice brings to the story is class. Pure and simple. So many narrators 'read' the story. Lisa Beacom is telling the story as if it were hers to tell, bringing it to life.
I highly recommend the book and the narrator!