The Ones We Leave Behind

By: Deanna Lynn Sletten

Narrated by: Jennifer Groberg

Length: 12 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Diane picked up her mother’s phone. “How do you feel about your mother being let out of prison today after 65 years?” the reporter asked. Diane stared at her mother. “My grandmother is alive?” That one phone call hurled shock waves throughout the entire family.

1955 - Anna Bergman Craine’s life changes in an instant when she commits a crime of passion and is sentenced to life in prison. Leaving behind two young children, she is left alone in the world, never to hear from family or friends again. Decades later, she is set free and finds she has a family that has chosen to forget her. What caused this beautiful, intelligent, young woman to commit such a drastic deed that would pull her away from everyone she loved.

2020 - Diane Martin is shocked to learn that not only is her maternal grandmother alive, but she’s just been released after decades in prison. Against her aging mother’s wishes, she visits the older woman and soon hears a tale of the events that led up to that tragic day in 1955. Diane realizes that her own life has mirrored that of her grandmother’s and, had circumstances gone differently that fateful day, she might have experienced the same fate.

A heart-wrenching story of a family torn apart because of a moment in time and trying to put the pieces back together after being separated for decades.

©2020 Deanna Lynn Sletten (P)2020 Deanna Lynn Sletten

Stilted narration.

The story was just ok but the narration but the narration was not. Cringe worthy pronunciation and word emphasis.

Not my favorite book.

Story was sad. Did not care for the narrator. A little predictable. Would not recommend.

Interesting and intriguing story.

The Reader did an excellent job of using different voices for the various characters throughout the book.

Great story

What a great story. Relatable in so many ways. The voice of the narrator takes some getting used to. But it you stick with it you’ll enjoy the story.

Wow wow wow.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I didn’t have any problem with the narrator as some have said. It was tragic and beautiful at the same time. I wonder if it was based on a real life experience because it was so moving. There is a saying: “ Only God can turn a mess into a message, a test into a testimony, a trial into a triumph, and a victim into a victory.” This could be the theme of this book. I highly recommend it.

Loved it!!

Loved it. Great story, Good narration. Be sure to grab tissues at the end, tear jerker.

A beautiful story about family, love, losses, and healing.

I loved the relatinships that grew out of tragedy and brokeness but changed lives forever. How misunderstandings can lead to downhill spirals, yet after years can be cleared up and turn things into joy.

Poor narration

This was a good story period we’ve had no twists or turns it was very straightforward Aryan the narrator was very poorly matched to the content of the book period so it was difficult to listen to it seemed very simplistic period also the author did not leave much room for the readers imagination period everything was spelled-out period this left no suspense period not a lot of character development with characters that were not main characters period I would like to return the book period

loved the story

I was not fond of the narrator. but got used to her by the end.

interesting

interesting but a bit predictable. Joan being directly involved would have been a nice twist. Narration was very good.