Someone to Believe In

O'Neil Family, Book 1

By: Kathryn Shay

Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer

Length: 10 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

Kathryn Shay creates a world of politics, gangs and her forte - the problems of teenagers. This is the first in the O'Neil Family trilogy.

Bailey O’Neil, aka, the Street Angel, has been the archenemy of Senator Clay Wainwright since he was a district attorney and she a young, idealistic social worker. He put her in jail for harboring a teen offender and never looked back. Eleven years later, she’s a thorn in his side as an anti-gang specialist trying to get kids out of gangs. While Clay wants to put them in jail, Bailey is determined to help these troubled teenagers make good lives for themselves. But when Bailey and Clay are thrown together on the mayor’s task force, the impossible happens - they’re attracted to each other. Their passion erupts early on, and only grows stronger the further they get into a relationship. When they fall deeply in love, their conflicting views drive a wedge between them. Both the Street Angel and the Senator must find a way to deal with their differences in order to make a life together.

Available also: the O’Neil brothers’ stories in Close to You and Taking the Heat.

©2004 Kathryn Shay (P)2014 Kathryn Shay

Critic reviews

" Someone to Believe In is a wonderfully written, emotional and extraordinary read and truly deserves a five-star rating." ( Affaire de Coeur)

"Shay shines in this starkly realistic story of gang members and people involved in prevention and intervention programs. Shay pulls no punches when describing brutal events, and secondary characters... are especially well developed." (Shelley Mosley, American Library Association)

Someone to Believe In

Excellent narration. The story is well written with great characters that are easy to follow and full of their own life. The narration did not detract from the story which can happen in this case the narrator only enhanced the storyline with a rich deep voice.

A good love story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, it has suspense and romance

Who was your favorite character and why?

Baylor

Which scene was your favorite?

All of them, to many to choose from.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me laugh. The interaction between all the characters.

Controversy, Love, Trust.

Great drama with lots of twists and turns that cause lots of trouble! I enjoyed reading this book very much! Or should I say loved listening to it! Great narration!

Serious Issues Mixed with a Romance

Bailey O'Neil runs an underground organization that attempts to help gang members walk away and start a new life away from the violence, drugs, and hostilities. It's very dangerous, yet has helped countless youth get back on track. The problem? Ms. O'Neil, aka The Street Angel, harbors teen fugitives in her quest to bust up gangs all over. For this, Senator Clay Wainwright has her tossed, unceremoniously, into jail.

Fast forward a number of years. Bailey has been out of jail but is still running her operation to get kids out of gangs. In an effort to secure some federal funds to expand Bailey's operations, she ends up on a task force that also includes Clay. When sparks fly between them, both the career of Senator Wainwright and the Street Angel's agenda may burst into flames. Will such different people with different ideals be able to push aside the disagreements in order to make a relationship work?

I really enjoyed the story behind Someone to Believe In. There wasn't just a lot of flirty eyes and hot sex; there was a plot with importance. Gangs area a huge issue in the U.S. Kids join them rapidly and I found Bailey's dedication to finding them and helping them escape such a dangerous lifestyle honorable. She didn't just pick this life path; there is some history as to why she so fervently works to remove kids from bad situations and even goes into schools to talk about gangs to administrators.

Clay comes off a little strong sometimes. There really is no question that he's used to getting everything that he wants politically and career-wise. He's a bit controlling but his pairing with Bailey brings him down a notch or two. Clay and Bailey really are great together if you can get past the bickering and unnecessary drama.

Two of the biggest issues throughout the entire book was Bailey's resistance to doing what is best for her and her son and her resistance to Clay. Yes, Bailey and Clay started off as enemies - he sent her to jail, for goodness sake - but once they were thrust together in a task force, the chemistry between them exploded. Her insistence to remain independent is respectable except that her insistence and inability to trust Clay, time after time, got to be a bit much and became irritating.

Now, let's discuss the narrator. Jeffrey Kafer does an excellent - and I mean EXCELLENT - job of narrating Someone To Believe In. He has the voice that soothes as he talks about gangs, families, and relationship woes. His ability to change up his voice (tone, pitch, etc.) leaves no questions about who is speaking. The way he spoke in Clay's voice drove me wild - Bailey is, at some points, a complete idiot - the deep tone would have had me melting into a puddle on the floor, in his bed, on the stairs.....Anyway *waves face with a fan* ~ Jeffrey does a great job and I can't wait to listen to another book narrated by him.

Audiobook provided to me at no cost from Audible.com in exchange for an honest review.

First book by author

Very endearing story. Thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to reading more from this author.

I'm Enjoying Kathryn Shay's Books

Where does Someone to Believe In rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I'm really enjoying Kathryn Shay's books. I started with the America's Bravest series and enjoyed the characters. When I decided to try the O'Neil Family series, was a little hesitant. After listening to the book, I would answer this question as middle of the pack. Mostly I enjoy most of my book choices so this isn't a mark down. It doesn't rank with my favorite books but I definitely enjoyed the emotional pulls in the book. When the final conflict started I was thinking there was no way I would forgive but Kathryn Shay's working through it surprised me and I was pleased with the ending. (That isn't true a lot of the time - when I had paper books I'd throw them across the room in frustration). :) Truthfully I was impressed with how it resolved.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I'm going to say that there was a moment in the book that moved me to nearly horrified. I know that isn't what the question is asking but... I really didn't need to hear the narrator, Jeffrey Kafer, imitating an orgasm. That just wasn't necessary and I wanted to rip my earbuds from my ears.

Any additional comments?

As the title said, I'm enjoy the author's books. So far, just after book 1, I loved the characters of the America's Bravest / Hidden Cove series better. I'm hoping the over-protective O'Neil brothers tamp it down a little but I will still listen to the entire series because I have hope that Ms. Shay will tame them, one by one.

O'neil book1

I loved this story and Bailey O'neil and Clay Wainwright. Theirs is a great love story through trials and tribulations. The plot was great and I truly love the family first message throughout.

very good

Loved it !! this story. the narrator is so fantastic it's like your really there!! After listening to this story,. I totally enjoyed reading this book. It’s well written and the characters were uniquely fantastic. I would suggest this book to my friends that like this sort of genera. this was a good book. The narrator was great.

Stupid and Boring DNF

This book made no sense. Why did the author keep saying "Gang Kids"? It sounded so stupid. This book was boring. The senator was in love quickly. I just hated this story and I could not finish it.

Predictable Storyline

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Yes, the lame story

What do you think your next listen will be?

Rosalind James book

What aspect of Jeffrey Kafer’s performance would you have changed?

Female voices should sound more feminine

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No

Any additional comments?

The author used every predictable romance storyline in this story - but not successfully