No Place Like Home

By: Barbara O'Neal

Narrated by: Kristine Thatcher

Length: 9 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

RITA Award Winner, Best Contemporary Single Title, 2003

No Place Like Home tells the unforgettable story of a family bound together by tradition - and the emotional journey of an estranged daughter risking everything for a second chance at life and love.

Twenty-one years ago Jewel Sabatino left her childhood behind and never looked back. After a magical taste of fame, she found herself alone with a son to raise and not much else. She survived with the help of Michael, her one true friend. But now Michael is too sick to care for himself, and Jewel has run out of options. She leaves New York for the hills of Colorado, unsure if the family she ran from will welcome her back.

For Jewel, coming home is falling back into a world that smells of Italian restaurants and home-baked pies. It is the laughter of sisters preparing for a summer wedding, and the peaceful haven for a treasured soul mate's last days. It also means facing the unforgiving eyes of a father betrayed by his favorite child - and letting go of a son who is ready to become a man. But most of all, it is the love she discovers in her own wary heart when Michael's brother Malachi unexpectedly arrives on her doorstep.

©2002, 2014, 2024 by Barbara Samuel. (P)2001 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

great story of human relationships

I always love her stories... the graphic sex is actually good because it shows healthy sex between adults but it's not the only part of the story... some people say it wanders but that's how life is... true emotions

the performance was excellent. I wish the author

would publish a recipe book
l'm not a cook and all the cooking took away from following the story

Family ties and estrangements. Grief.

STORY BRIEF:
Jewel and Billy had one son Shane. Billy died three years ago. Jewel’s best friend Michael is gay and dying from AIDS. Jewel, Shane, and Michael move to Colorado to be near Jewel’s family during Michael’s last days. Michael’s brother Malachi comes to stay during this time. He and Jewel fall for each other, but they both know he will leave after Michael dies. Malachi has psychological problems about staying in one place. Jewel and her father are estranged.

OPINION:
You can lose yourself in this large family with a lot going on, but it’s a tear jerker. Some readers will love it because of what’s going on in their life, or they’re in the mood to cry. Toward the end I cried about eight times, over different things. I don’t want that. I want entertainment and other things, so this book is not good for me.

A lot of grief and sadness about Michael who is dying. A lot of memories of the past. Not enough story or plot. It doesn’t feel like it’s going anywhere. It’s smells, sounds, sights, memories. It’s days in the life of ordinary people with everyday conversations. Example: “Do you want a beer? I’ll get it.” “No, you stay there, I’ll get it.” But it does have a folksy, homey, comfy thing going on.

AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR - Kristine Thatcher:
There were three sex scenes. I was uncomfortable listening to them due to the narrator. She sounded like an elderly lady and it was not sexy or sensual. I didn’t want to watch. I normally like reading sex scenes, but not these.

I did not like the narrator’s voice for Shane. He’s 6'2" and 17 years old. He should have a man’s voice. She read him like he was a little boy.

Other than that, her narration was good.

Narrative mode: 1st person Jewel.
Genre: womens fiction, grief.

Great summer read

I liked that this was an easy read. Good story to read outside on patio!

A Story That Touched Me Deeply

i listen to about 10-15 books a month. This is the first book in a very long time that touched me deeply enough to make me laugh out loud and make me cry. I could definitely identify with Jewel as the black sheep of a large extended family. Thank you, Barbara Stanley, for reminding me of the power and importance of Family in our lives.

Gambit of Emotions

Great book, I was laughing and crying, loved the story line and the ending too.

I loved it!

A great story made you laugh and cry the whole way!!! I will read again and again.

family

magnificent. I cried...I laughed. it's been a long time since I have cried over a book. The ending was predictable but beautiful.

The author has written a fantastic novel!

The author has written a brilliant novel, full of intrigue and suspense! The narration is superb, bringing the characters to life!

Story did not disappoint

A story about love and family. I really enjoyed it. I sometimes laughed and sometimes cried. The performance was strong. I recommend it.