It is like listening to a friend....

If you want to listen to a book that tugs not only at your heart, but is like listening to a new friend tell you their story--then get this book. While some may get frustrated with the back and forth between childhood and adulthood, just remember no life story is ever told chronological. It is told piece by piece-memory by memory. Beth Hoffman is a great story weaver--as story teller does not capture the essence of her talent.
Jenna's performance provides your imagination an opportunity to make the movie in your head. It is 3D without the hype. She adds dimension to each character, right down to all creatures great and small. And if you haven't listened to Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt, then add it to your list. Both are books that I could listen to over and over again. In fact, I have listened to Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt about four times in the last year. It is like watching your favorite movie, you never tire of the characters, the story, the way it moves your soul. Looking For Me is right there along side Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt. If audiobooks could ever look tattered, dog-eared, and tear-stained...

32 people found this helpful

Another fascinating story from Beth Hoffman!

As much as I enjoyed Beth Hoffman's "Saving CeeCee Honeycutt" I think I enjoyed her newest book "Looking For Me" even more. Ms. Hoffman does a great job conveying real Southern scenery & portrays truly charming Southern characters.
"Looking for Me" has a believable yet somewhat mystical story line that had me wanting to drive for just a little a while longer each day (in addition to my normally heinous daily commute to work) in order to hear just a little more of Teddy's story.
I do hope to read many, many more Beth Hoffman novels in the future.

31 people found this helpful

Great Second Novel

Love southern literature. I especially like that this novel is partially based in Kentucky (my home state). Loved Beth Hoffman’s “Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt.” This is a great second novel. Sometimes an author’s sophomore novel does not measure up the first. This one does. The characters are likable, especially Teddi. Teddi’s relationships are believable and real. She is a woman who has a dream and is passionate about that dream. Depicts Red River Gorge realistically. My favorite listen this summer.

25 people found this helpful

What a Great Read!

When I first saw this book, being a Southerner and reading Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt, I knew I had to have it … and it didn’t disappoint. Teddi Overman is one of those characters that we all love. She is a typical Southern girl who is independent, strong, and at the same time vulnerable. Her family dynamics are similar to what we all go through in one way or the other. Beth Hoffman has created a story that is captivating and charms the reader, while keeping the reading wanting more. It was one of those rare books that when I finished it I had a satisfied smile on my face and satisfaction in my heart.

15 people found this helpful

Delightful and Charming

Beth Hoffman is a wonderful story teller, she has a way of making you feel like you are truly in the story along with, her genuine and so likable characters. I just finished reading, "Saving Cee Cee "Huneycutt".  It was so good that I could not wait to see if she could follow it with another that had the same enjoyable quality. Thankfully, a repeat performance, this book was a bit more serious but an excellent story non the less. 

Teddi our main character has a fire in her belly and refuses to be a conformist. At a time when women were expected to be clerical workers Teddi refuses to let any one break her spirit or ruin her dream of becoming an antique dealer/rest-orator.  She moves from Kentucky to Charleston to follow her passion.  With some help from a seasoned antique shop owner and all the courage and perseverance she could muster, she eventually becomes the owner of her own shop. One year when she returns home for Thanksgiving things become very complicated with her family when, her 18 year old brother, who has always had an uncanny connection to nature, decides to disappear after an unavoidable, turned tragic, family conflict.  

A splendid journey through a honorable life.  Theodora is surrounded by love, complex family relationships, deserved rewards for good deeds, and a whole wonderful amazing cast of long term friendships.  A cozy bit of romance and a side-bar of mystery thrown in, makes this a well rounded, fantastic listen.

Jenna Lamia captures all the nuances of each character in their dialect and tone, she makes them all come to life. I realized that when the story was on a happy note her voice and pace made it happier and when it was sad she can make you cry.  Another bright success by Hoffman and Lamia, I hope we don't have to wait too long for another. Definitely credit worthy.

15 people found this helpful

A lovely book - beautifully narrated

This is a perfect example of a book that's so perfectly narrated it's hard to separate the book from the narration. It's a wonderful story - though not particularly deep. Death, life, ambition, destiny and love are all treated with classic southern sweetness and kid gloves.

There are some similarities to "The Goldfinch" that are interesting. The books were written at the same time so any kind of similarity is entirely coincidental I'm sure. I don't write spoilers in my reviews so I won't say more. What I will say is that in both this book and her first one "Saving CeeCee Honeycutt" the author makes it clear what a difference love and kindness can make in a life.

I zipped through this book and immediately listened to the first one. The author, her characters and Jenna Lamia are just made for each other. Both books are good listens. Not deep, not profound -- but lovely.

14 people found this helpful

Uneven (possible spoilers)

What would have made Looking for Me better?

I've read many books that jump back and forth between past and present but this book was very uneven. It didn't need to be strictly chronological because there's no fun in that, but past events introduced later in the book should have been earlier because they explained the characters' motivations. Instead, the characters, such as Teddi's mom and brother, seem to be randomly overreacting. I really found the "explanation" for Josh's actions unrealistic and unbelievable. He was very tiresome.

Also, Teddi clearly knows her own mind at a young age and the only issue in her life is her brother. Other than that, there is no drama, which is fine but an odd character for a book titled "Looking for Me." I guess there is a denouement but it's definitely less of a bang, more of a whimper.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Joyland

What about Jenna Lamia’s performance did you like?

Jenna Lamia is an incredible narrator and she creates a unique voice for each character. Truly a pleasure to listen to her.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Jenna Lamia's narration made this book bearable.

Any additional comments?

I truly loved Beth Hoffman's first book and felt it was a very well done story, so I'm disappointed by her latest book. But I hope she keeps writing.

14 people found this helpful

Hauntingly Beautiful and as Southern as Sweet Tea

The threads of this book seem to have woven themselves deep into my own soul as I listened . . . I, too, am from rural Kentucky. I know about the serenity, the corn fields, the hay loft, and escaping into the hills . . . I, too, love the acorns, the leaves, the seed pods, and all the animals that live there. When Josh made the corsage from the wonderful things that he had found and treasured in the woods, I could see it in my mind's eye. I'm very familiar with the "old ways" . . . how the people we love keep secrets . . . hide things . . . things that could have brought healing and understanding if only they had let them go . . . and let them out. Beth Hoffman is a master story teller, and Jenna Lamia narrates "Looking for Me" perfectly. You will love Teddi, the country girl from Kentucky, who is brave enough to chase her dream to Charleston, despite the objections of her mother . . . who tries her best to project HER OWN dreams upon her daughter. And you will ponder over Josh, her little brother, who is cut from a different cloth, and who has his own dreams. Don't miss this one, it will stay with you for a long time, whirling around in your head . . . and in your heart.

11 people found this helpful

A little slow

What did you like best about Looking for Me? What did you like least?

I enjoy southern literature and I love Jenna Lamia, the narrator. Looking For Me was a sweet story but the lack of drama left me wanting more. I kept waiting for something to happen when I finally realized it was just going to be a story about a girl who moves to Charleston and opens her own antique store. The storyline regarding the search for her brother was extremely limited. I just felt it was very slow and without much depth.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I would have made Teddy a little more complex and given the story a little more depth.

Have you listened to any of Jenna Lamia’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I love Jenna Lamia. She is the perfect narrator and was perfect for this book.

Did Looking for Me inspire you to do anything?

No

9 people found this helpful

Looking for Me

This is an excellent book about ordinary life and how it can become extraordinary when we least found expect it. The performance was also excellent.
This is the second book I’ve read/listened to by Beth Hoffman and have not been disappointed by either. I highly recommend this book and Beth’s book Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt.

5 people found this helpful