redhat queen

This book was a fantastic story. I read it as I was listening to it. Gina you are a great writer and a fantastic narrator. I reviewed this book on Amazon.

1 person found this helpful

Unforgetable

I had read the book about a year ago and I have to say I got book hangover from it. I’m not going to restate the book’s story since the blurb gives away much of the tone. This is just one of those stories that really got to me and after I finished it I just couldn’t get into another book for awhile. It is so easy to relate to these characters. I really hated Michael for most of the book yet since I’m no teeny bopper anymore. I know how people change with time and regret. This book has so much emotion all the way through. I went through so many different emotions such as the love for a bff. How I handle adversity. How I handle loss. I have had so much advice and opinions all through Jill and Michael’s journey. I understand the story is based on the author’s experience and that makes me sad that she had to live through so much of this. She is so much stronger than I have ever been.
This time I’m reviewing the audio edition and not only did it do all the same for me as reading the story but it was even stronger since the author/narrator really brought the characters more to life. This is one of those stories I will always recommend and remember.

1 person found this helpful

heartbreakingly beautiful

For the author to not only put her life into a book but then narrate it herself was incredible!
Jill & Michael's story is a heartbreaking one. I sat and listened to her as she explained how she fell in love with a man 10yrs her senior when she was still in high school, how she found herself married and pregnant at 17. All the trials and tribulations they went through. Some parts were very difficult to hear bringing back so many memories of my own life. I would guess that's what makes a fantastic author though doesn't it. I certainly laughed with her and cried with her. Thank you for following your dreams to give us such a wonderful gift to make our days better.

1 person found this helpful

Wow!

A story of a lifetime, Gina crafts an amazing story and then delivers a powerful presentation. I did not really care for the raw language, and graffic intimate parts as It's something I usually don't read stories involving these things. But Gina had me hooked within the first 5 min. I cried, laughed, and Gina had my emotions running the whole story. I lost a nights sleep because I became so invested in this story, I could not walk away til THE END!! Having the author telling her story made it so real, she made you join her as a beloved neighbor, vested in there lives! Amazing Audiobook!

1 person found this helpful

GREAT READ!

I really enjoyed it! The narration was great and kept me entertained! The author did a great job with the character builds and plot. This was my first book from this author but definitely not my last! I look forward to reading more of her books! I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

1 person found this helpful

Beautiful Heart Wrenching Love Story

Sigh… where to start? There are sooo many emotions. I stayed up until almost 6am trying to finish the book because I was so emotionally invested. Love, joy, concern, perseverance, strength, anger, deep heart break, devastation, many many second chances following Jill's life. 

I truly can't say too much without any spoilers other than I believe that it is relevant to everyone's heart and life. The characters are wonderfully developed and completely relatable. I enjoyed her well thought out and described world building. 

As an author she's, also, a great narrator surprisingly. And honestly, I've come to really prefer an author narrating their own stories. It gives a wonderful depth to the characters and overall story. 

Ahhh the ending… well, I'd say my favorite color well describes it. Bittersweet. I was satisfied but wept for at least 10 minutes. If you love stories such as Fault in Our Stars, 5 Feet Apart and Me Before You, you'll absolutely love this book. 


My star ratings include these 5 elements:

1★ story line
1★ engaging characters
1★ use of world building/descriptions
1★ the ending
1★ narration or editing

"I was given this free review copy/audiobook at *MY* request and have voluntarily left this review."

1 person found this helpful

The best of everything

I am speechless after this listen. Not only is this book heart breaking but heart warming all at the same time. Jill has a strength about her from the very beginning. I love how Jones takes us from the past to the present. This book will take you on an emotional roller coaster but WOW what a ride. I am completely in awe - this has got to be one of the best books I've ever listened to. The nuggets of wisdom along the way, the character growth the tragedies the hope - there is nothing about this book that is not amazing!

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review. (and I am so glad and thankful to have been given this opportunity)

1 person found this helpful

Jill & Michael’s Devastatingly Beautiful Journey!

Jill And Michael’s Emotional Journey Is Devastatingly Beautiful. Sometimes Love Is Found At The Wrong Time With The Right Person, And The Consequences Are Crushing.


Jill Hudson, seventeen, was captivated by Michael Danforth when she first saw him in the parking lot of his apartment building. He was her brother’s friend from college and a full decade her senior. He was too old for her but common sense had nothing to do with her attraction to him. And when he looked at her she almost thought he felt the same. But she knew better, because as her brother Scott explained, Michael could and did sleep with any girl her wanted. It confused Jill when Michael flirted with her one moment and went on a date the next. But eventually they kissed, and later, despite the fact that he kept fighting his attraction to her, knowing it was wrong, he took her innocence as they consummated their relationship.

Michael had plans. He enjoyed late nights, women, and adventure. He had no plans for marriage. Professionally, he was an engineer. He was from nearby Indiana, but he met Scott at Michigan State where he received his master’s degree. A job at Whirlpool brought him to St. Jo, Michigan, but that was only ever a stepping stone for Michael. His goal was Seattle. Boeing was based there, and that was where he could get a job in aviation engineering.

Michael and Jill carried on a secret affair and he seemed crazy about her. But when Jill became a pregnant teen everything changed. Michael fought against anything that tied him down, and the last thing he wanted was to marry Jill or have a child. He didn’t want her to keep it. He reluctantly married her with the intention of helping her through nursing school then moving on, and everything after their wedding day became an arrangement.

Fast forward about twenty-five years. Monica Danforth is marrying Jordan York, the man of her dreams. Jill is so happy for her daughter and sees Jordan’s sincere love for her. The wedding day will be a dream come true for Monica, but for Jill the day will be a challenge because the man she and her daughter haven’t seen in twenty years, Michael, will be walking Monica down the aisle. And apparently he has done well for himself in their decades apart. He is now the owner and CEO of Danforth Jet Center. He has stepped into his father role, despite his complete absence from Monica’s childhood, and is paying for Monica’s wedding.

Jill never did remarry. She once considered marrying Drake Daniels, but it ended when memories of Michael got in the way. The damage their relationship had done to her colored her outlook on men and she had grown skeptical; she would not allow a man to destroy her again. It was easy to choose to make Monica the center of her life. It was a safer choice. So when Michael shows up at Monica’s wedding with the patience of a saint and declarations of everlasting love, Jill is rightfully angered because her Michael had never been capable of loving anyone but himself.

Jill and Michael’s emotional journey is devastatingly beautiful. Sometimes love is found at the wrong time with the right person, and the consequences are crushing. Some synchronicity is at play as the story unfolds. It is an emotional rollercoaster that will rip at your heartstrings and build you back up before its conclusion. It is almost impossible to imagine in the midst of it, but the story does end on a positive note. There are tears throughout (at fourteen points by my count). The story is nicely written. The plot is very complex. The story is powerfully woven, alternating between past and present. The characters are deep and well-developed. I rate this book 4.5 stars.

As for the Audio: it is mostly consistent with the book and is well performed.

wow

If you have ever had your heart broken by your first love, then you can understand Jill's feelings. Forgiving may be easy but forgetting is harder. Emotional and tear jerker.

It's hard to love Michael.

Oh my, what an emotional read! I dont think I could have ever forgiven Michael. Jill has a heart of gold. What a stand up wife and mother! I love emotional books and this one takes the cake. Be prepared to be angry. Be prepared to be sad. Be prepared to be in awe. Be prepared to be in love.
We are told this is based on real life events in the authors life. That makes this book all the more interesting. I have been married for almost 50 years and my favorite part of this book was the "Love is" speech near the end. I highly recommend this book. I'm keeping it to read/listen to again.
I listened to audiobook version performed by the author. She did excellent job. Crisp, caring, easy to follow.