With Chosen, debut novelist Chandra Hoffman has earned immediate comparisons to Jodi Picoult and Anna Quindlen. This riveting tale features a young caseworker embroiled in the aftermath of an extortion attempt between adoptive and birth parents. Suspenseful and adroitly colored with the many shades of the human condition, this is a novel readers will not soon forget. "Gripping . a heartfelt story well told."-Kirkus Reviews
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"Now, one of my top 10 favorite books! Each character in this cast of intermingled, web-like nexus of relationships could stand alone as a novel. Not only was it a page turner (for me), but I either loved or hated each and every character, which -- I guess is one of the main standards of quality for a novel. Read it!"
— Gerri (5 out of 5 stars)
" This was a good book, kind of slow in areas & a little predictable, but over all worth the read!! "
— Margie, 2/19/2014" There was an intriguing review in my newspaper of record -- USA Today (okay, laugh, but they DO support books, big time) -- which led me to buy the book. Wish I'd waited for a library copy. Marketed as the story of three couples in various stages of the adoption process, plus a kidnapping, I thought it'd be interesting. It wasn't. I couldn't bring myself to care about any of the couples, and the actual main character, a woman working at the adoption agency, was a snore. You already know how the kidnapping is going to end, and the one "forbidden" love affair never gets off the ground. 2 stars, but no recommendations. "
— Randi, 2/14/2014" This novel started off interesting and had me hooked. I never wanted to put it down. The last few chapters were very disappointing. "
— Alicia, 2/9/2014" Interesting look at open and closed adoption, and the "trials" couples go through to give up children and to try to have/adopt children. Quick read with some weighty themes. "
— Cindy, 1/22/2014" Three couples' lives, bound together in a world of failed fertility treatments and endless adoption papers, unravel throughout this debut novel, Chosen by Chandra Hoffman. Chloe, a tough as nails adoption caseworker, is torn between making the affluent McAdoos dreams come true while crushing the lives of Penny and Jason, the desperate parent's to be. Enter the Nova family, lucky to be expecting after years of heartbreak and failed processes. Happiness is just around the corner for each of these couples. Or, is it? A simple mistake, one desperate action and an impulsive abduction force each player to examine their true emotions with unexpected consequences. It turns out, things are not always as they appear. "
— Kristin, 12/28/2013" I really loved this story. I wasn't crazy about the ending, it felt a little rushed but I would recommend reading it. "
— Leslie, 12/4/2013" very detailed and realistic I thought. some parts were hard to take but I liked it! "
— Jamye, 12/1/2013" This was a very powerful book about adoption and how one event can lead to a chain of other events both good & bad. I really felt for the families affected in the story & I keep feeling as I read that this could really happen. "
— Sue, 8/22/2013" I could not put it down! Very riveting! "
— Sonja, 8/9/2013" "'With my mother's death, all settled happiness, all that was tranquil and reliable, disappeared from my life. There was to be much fun, many pleasures, many stabs of Joy; but no more of the old security. It was sea and islands now; the great continent had sunk like Atlantis'" (page 186). "
— Monica, 5/2/2013" A good read - not that exciting but a scary twist on the whole adoption process. I didn't find the main character very genuine or believable. "
— Jenny, 1/13/2013" Interesting story. Kept my interest up to the end, but I was a bit dissapointed with the ending. I don't know what I expected, but somehow I wanted more justice. "
— Heidi, 12/11/2012" I think this book was absolutely amazing. It really shows the roles of social workers (case workers), adoptive parents, and even relationships. I loved how there were a few twists that you would not expect. I recommend this book to anyone. It was well written and had great descriptions. "
— Katie, 11/21/2012" Quick and easy read, but definitely mid-range writing. I haven't been exposed much to the world of adoptions so it was interesting to read about it. The book was pretty disturbing at a couple of parts when a baby was being abused. "
— Bojana, 7/5/2012" This is honestly one of the best books I have ever read- I simply could not put it down! The characters are so interesting, the story line captivating, and the subject real. "
— Hillary, 5/3/2012" A pretty good story that was sensitively written. "
— Carmen, 5/7/2011" I think this one will stay with me for awhile! Makes you think about adoption, babies, and family. "
— Jamie, 12/17/2010Susan Bennett, Earphones Award-winning narrator, has enjoyed an extensive career as a vocal artist. She has worked with major agencies on such accounts as Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, AT&T, Blue Cross, Goodyear, and Club Med. She also dabbles in the music industry as the singer and keyboardist for The Interactive! Band. Along with her guitarist husband, Rick Hinkle, she is the co-owner of Audiocam Music, a full-service recording studio.