The Second Sister

By: Marie Bostwick

Narrated by: Angela Brazil

Length: 12 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

From New York Times best-selling author Marie Bostwick comes an emotionally rich, inspiring new novel about family, second chances, and the connections that bring women together in hope and healing.

Years of long workdays and little sleep as a political campaigner are about to pay off now that Lucy Toomey's boss is entering the White House. But when her estranged older sister, Alice, unexpectedly dies, Lucy is drawn back to Nilson's Bay, her small, close-knit Wisconsin hometown.

An accident in her teens left Alice mentally impaired, and she was content to stay in Nilson's Bay. Lucy, meanwhile, got out and never looked back. But now, to meet the terms of Alice's eccentric will, Lucy has taken up temporary residence in her sister's cottage - and begins to see the town, and Alice's life, anew. Alice's diverse group of friends appears to have little in common besides an interest in quilting. Yet deep affection for Alice united them, and soon Lucy, too, is brought into the fold as they share problems and stories. And as she finds warmth and support in this new circle, Lucy begins to understand this will be her sister's enduring gift: a chance to move beyond her difficult past and find what she has long been missing.

©2015 Marie Bostwick (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Good Story, But ...

The story is very good. I do hope it becomes a series as the characters were interesting and all have more life in them.
My only complaint is the reader. I found her voice irritating and the way she emphasized every few words in a sentence was annoying and unnecessary. It got in the way of m enjoying the book as much as I would have with a better narrator.
Honestly, I wish I'd read the book instead of listening to it.

so so story. ..annoying narration

Story starts off with promise - if you can get past the narrator's emphasis on every single word. The story becomes overly burdened with what I imagine the author feels is the fabric of the narrative - but it weighs down the plot and keeps it from moving forward. As for the reading, it was frustrating in that every single word is read with equal weight. not worth 14 hours of your time...

Can't bear to listen to this for one more minute!

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Anyone who doesn't mind the way the narrator reads in a singsong, over emphasized, talking to a toddler tone of voice. Harsh, but I had to abandon this book for that reason.

What could Marie Bostwick have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

I have loved Marie Bostwick's books and this one has been on my wish list for a long time. I thought the main character was not a likeable person. She said her mentally challenged sister was her priority, but she hadn't been home for Christmas for 8 years?! Her feelings and reactions to situations were shallow and superficial.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

I thought she would settle down once she got into the rhythm of the story, but she did not. I was so annoyed by the way she spoke as mentioned above, that it detracted from the story.

Any additional comments?

I think I learned my lesson from this book. I will listen to the excerpt before purchasing a book that other listeners have found difficult to listen to.

Needs a new narrator

I was excited to listen to this book after loving The Promise Sisters. However, I couldn’t get past the first chapter because of the way the narrator speaks. This makes or breaks an audible book.

Ho-Hum

I found it strange that the main character didn't seem very affected by her sister's death. Ok story overall, would be good to read around Christmas time. imagery and setting were well done.

Not my favorite

A nice story but a bit predictable. Seems like it is written for a young audience and the narrator who is supposed to be in her 30's talks like a teenager. A bit disappointing.

mesmerizing

I truly felt like i was there watching and experiencing every word. Can't wait to listen to the next book.

Good story

The was something about the narrator’s voice that I wasn’t a fan of. The story was good, though predictable (but that’s what you want with these books right?)
I loved the characters and the message.

I found it somewhat boring and very hard to listen

the storyline is very slow. the reader takes on the voice of a sister with brain damage and manages to keep that same voice through parts of the book for all characters which was very annoying

Narration was the downfall

Story was okay but the narration was difficult to work through. Like other's said, she over accentuated words and it sounded like she was reading to a group of toddlers. I had no idea prior to listening that the story was set in Door County, but delighted when the setting was revealed. I was born and raised in Wisconsin and spend a lot of time in Door County......I have yet to hear the "thick Wisconsin accent" as performed in the reading. Yes we have an accent, but it sounds absolutely nothing like that!