Review: Audiobook Review by Caroline
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 22, 2014
My Rating:  3.5 of 5 stars OverallStory Rating: 4 of 5 starsNarration Rating: 3 of 5 starsFor original review see The Prism Book Alliance Blog onlineStory ReviewCole Alston escaped an abusive relationship 2 years ago that nearly killed him and his been almost on the run ever since, making sure he stays hidden from his past. He suffers flashbacks, nightmares, panic attacks and is scared of his own shadow. He lives in very real fear that Martin will find him and drag him back to his old life.If you have ever watched any TV programmes about hoarders you will have seen how debilitating an illness it is and just how much ‘stuff’ fills their homes. Coles mum was that person. House filled to brimming with objects that she may someday need but never did. Cole would go without the things he needed as a child because his mum had spent the money on another treasure. The hoarding kills her in the end when she gets stuck under a box that has fallen and dies in a pretty grim way.Her funeral is the first time in a couple of years that Cole has been home and the dread he feels at having to enter his childhood home and deal with his mothers ‘crazy’ that fills every room is palpable. His childhood is another thing he is hiding from and he is deeply embarrassed of the way his mother lived her life.Jeremy Collins owns an antique shop in town and has been itching to get in the Alston house for years to get a better look at exactly what is there. When he introduces himself to Cole on his first day back in town he agrees to help Cole clear the house in return for buying whatever he finds that will sell in his shop.Jeremy is dealing with his own sadness from his past and as the two men strike up a business deal that leads to friendship Cole finds himself with a friend for the first time in years. Jeremy senses Coles fear and gently starts coaxing him to talk about his past and help put his demons to rest but Coles fears are very real and this isn’t an easy task.I think the author did an excellent job dealing with and describing the after effects of what happened to Cole. It felt very real, both in the flashbacks of what had happened and the crippling effect it was still having on him. The ending felt a little rushed but I did feel happy for Cole that he was finally able to start moving on and face his fears and that he was a able to feel some closure where his family was concerned when he finally got the house cleared.Narration ReviewThis was my first time listening to JP Handler. It was just ok for me. This is a book that is filled with raw emotion and hurt and needed the narrator to speak with more inflection in his voice to give you a better feel for things. It fell a bit flat for me.