Winners

A Novel

By: Danielle Steel

Narrated by: Dan John Miller

Length: 9 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Even the most perfect lives can be shattered in an instant. In this moving, emotionally charged novel, Danielle Steel introduces listeners to an unforgettable cast of characters striving to overcome tragedy and discover the inner resources and resilience to win at life - once again.

Lily Thomas is an aspiring ski champion training for the Olympics, a young woman with her heart set on winning the gold. But in one moment, Lily's future is changed forever, her hopes for the Olympics swept away in a tragic accident.

Dr. Jessie Matthews, the neurosurgeon who operates on her that night, endures a tragedy of her own, and instantly becomes the sole support of her four young children, while her own future hangs in the balance.

Bill, Lily's father, has pinned all his hopes on his only daughter, his dreams now shattered.

Other lives will entwine themselves with theirs: Joe, a financial manager, faces a ruined career at the hand of a dishonest partner. Carole, a psychologist at Mass General, is a breast cancer survivor, her body and heart scarred by what she's been through. Teddy, with a spinal cord injury worse than Lily's, dreams of college and becoming an artist.

From the ashes of their lives, six people fight to alter the course of destiny and refuse to be defeated. When Bill builds a remarkable rehab facility for his daughter, countless lives are forever altered, and each becomes a winner.

Winners is about refusing to be beaten, no matter how insurmountable the challenge. And when Lily gets on skis again and enters the Paralympics, the battle to brave life again is won. Winners is about more than surviving; it is about courage, victory, and triumph. When all appears to be lost, the battle has just begun.

©2013 Danielle Steel (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

I am not a Danielle Steel fan.. But...

I haven't considered buying and reading a Danielle Steel book since I was in the seventh grade. All avid readers know that Steel uses the same formula, the same story- just different names and locations. I must have bought 'Winners' on some kind of Audible sale. I downloaded it to my iphone on a business trip and I found, surprisingly, that I really got into the story!

I was surprised that the story not only held my attention, but I really wanted to continue listening to it. The narration is told by different characters, and although it's non plausible and 'too good to be true,' I still essentially enjoyed the story.

We have a young promising Olympic skier who is injured and is told she would never walk again. Then we have her hard nosed father who refuses to accept his daughter's injury. The night the teen skier is brought to the hospital, there is a terrible storm and the doctor on call's husband dies in a horrific car accident. The lives of the skier, the father, and the doctor continue to collide, and they develop a heart warming relationship between the three of them.

Yes, this is typical Danielle Steel, however I do think that her writing has improved. The characters in 'Winners' were thought provoking and gritty, and I enjoyed this book so much I am considering looking for another Steel book to listen to. Any suggestions?

4 stars

Would only ever buy this on sale

This narrator was terrible! His attempt at a female voice was a joke. Entertaining story, but terrible writing. Story wasn't very realistic. A tragedy happens in the beginning but then afterwards literally everything is perfect? Also I think this authors favorite word is "pleased" said it at least 5 times a chapter. It was worth the cheap price I paid for since it was on sale, but I would never buy this full price.

Reader

Him reading in different voices wasn't the preferred method for me. The story line was nice though. Thank you again

One of my favorites from Danielle Steele

If you could sum up Winners in three words, what would they be?

Heartwarming, inspiring

Who was your favorite character and why?

Liked them all and how they each needed each other at the moment they came together.

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

Has to be Terry. I felt so sorry for him. Wouldn't it be great if parents like his were fiction? We all know better though.

Great story. Very touching.

Loved the book it was very touching. I didn’t care for the narrator. But definitely worth listening to :)

A wonderful few days

Great story. Great writing. You did it again, Danielle. Thank you so much for sharing your talent.

Awesome read

This was a wonderful book. You will fall in love with the characters. They are all strong and entertaining.

Depressing…. I couldn’t even finish it.

I’ve read and listened to most of Danielle’s books since they offer me an escape from a boring life. But what the heck?! A book about a depressed paralysed young woman?! What a depressing waste of time

Men reading women’s voices

I loved the book but cringed everytime the narrator talked for the ladies and girls. It is terrible. I have listened to many audible books that have a male and a female narrating!

this is a really good story but bad recording

great story but the recording of the book kept cutting and skipping.. it made it very hard to listen to. i even deleted and reloaded it but still really poor recording

winners by Danielle steel

If you could sum up Winners in three words, what would they be?

Great story and great to be able to listen to it while able to do other things.

What other book might you compare Winners to, and why?

Any other story written by Danielle steel, sad in places but always have an amazing ending

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

First book I've listened to so can't really comment

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes but never have that sort of time

Any additional comments?

Will be listening to more books so thanks

Enjoyable

My first audio book and having read the book a long time ago I again enjoyed it.

Marie62

This was my 1st audio book and really enjoyed it. Always been a fan and wasn't disappointed in the story.

Really good

Where does Winners rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I enjoyed this story, although it was fairly predictable, but this made it "easy" listening.

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed discovering the characters and seeing how they developed.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The final one

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

Both in equal amounts!

Any additional comments?

Really good.