Locked Inside

By: Annette Mori

Narrated by: Heidi Bindhammer

Length: 6 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

How much does the power of love matter to someone who has overcome obstacles greater than most people face in a lifetime?

Carly, a beautiful and vivacious young woman, sees something in the semi-comatose Belinda, and they form an unusual bond. Can Carly help Belinda break free from her emotional prison? Will Belinda’s fears allow their relationship to evolve into something deeper? Find out in this wonderfully evocative romance that is sure to touch your heart.

©2015 Lisa McDaniel (P)2021 Lisa McDaniel

Love the special bond between them.

I was intrigued by the storyline and special bond the two women have. The story is recounted in the POV of Belinda who spent the first part semi-comatosed. While in locked-in syndrome, a sort of friendship builds between her and a young and beautiful stranger, Carly. The bond Belinda and Carly share is amazing, with Carly being the first to notice Belinda's awareness and ability to communicate. I love Carly's role in all of it, from discovery to recovery. She's the best friend, caregiver and the target of Belinda's crush. And I can see why Carly is easy to fall for.

This story is unrealistic on many counts. For one, Belinda is highly perceptive, sharp and incredibly smart for somebody who had been in a long-term coma since the age of 10. And Carly is too wise and caring for her young age. And let's not go into Belinda's miraculous recovery and reintegration into academic life. But somehow I enjoyed the story and went along with the ride. At least for the first half.

The second half is the reason I avoid YA books but by this time I was so invested in the characters, I had to pursue it until the end despite how little communication the two women suddenly had between them and it was frustrating as hell to watch that special bond between them fade a little in between.

I do still like this book overall. It is one of those that will leave an impression on me for a while. The narration was okay though I thought that Bindhammer could have done a better job making Belinda and Carly's voices a bit more distinguishable.

Interesting story

I really enjoyed this book. It was different from anything I've read before and I liked most of the characters. It was interesting to hear the point of view of Belinda who was in such a vulnerable situation, and I absolutely loved how all the others encouraged her throughout the book.

Beautifully Intense Story

OMG it is hard to describe my reaction to the story. The emotions that the story elicited has been intense, and the author did such an expert job of describing the emotions in all the characters. This is a beautiful love story underlying a very difficult and inspiring journey by the lead character. This is absolutely a must read. As always, Heidi Binndhammer did a beautiful narration of the story. I love her voice and how she captures all the characters

You are locked inside only by your own limitations

I have loved this book since I bought it in Aug of 2019. I had begun a journey through reading Annette Mori books. This captivated my heart so when it became an audible I just had to listen. Heidi Bindhammer did not disappoint as she brought the story to new life. She embodied in her voice the struggle Belinda had as her journey to regain her body. Locked Inside for too long she faced so many challenges. Carley is the one who saw her and took every very step to help Belinda find herself. A powerful story made more precious by hearing characters I love. A must listen story.

Wonderfully sweet story

This is a story about a survivor that endures some of the toughest struggles a person can go through and the love of another that brings beautiful strength, compassion and love. Very well written and narrated.