Play Audiobook Sample
Fireworks Over Toccoa: A Novel Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(3.02) - 1,222 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
Publisher Description
Every so often that story comes along that reminds us of what it's like to experience love for the first time-against the odds, when you least expect it, and with such passion that it completely changes you forever. An unexpected discovery takes eighty-four-year-old Lily Davis Woodward to 1945, and the five days that forever changed her life. Married for only a week before her husband was sent to fight in WWII, Lily is anxious for his return, and the chance to begin their life together. In honor of the soldiers' homecoming, the small Georgia town of Toccoa plans a big celebration. And Jake Russo, a handsome Italian immigrant, also back from war, is responsible for the elaborate fireworks display the town commissioned. But after a chance encounter in a star-lit field, he steals Lily's heart and soul--and fulfills her in ways her socially-minded, upper-class family cannot. Now, torn by duty to society and her husband--and the poor, passionate man who might be her only true love--Lily must choose between a commitment she's already made and a love she's never known before. Fireworks Over Toccoa takes us to a moment in time that will resonate with readers long after the book's unforgettable conclusion. A devastating and poignant story, this debut novel will resonate with anyone who believes in love.
Download and start listening now!
"Awww, this book is so sweet and romantic and heart-breaking and poignant! It's a quick read about a couple who meet in the heady days as World War II are ending and fall madly, irrationally in love. This is a story about passion over duty - or is it the opposite? Have to read it to find out! It's one of those books that you can't put down because you just have to know how it ends. Reminded me a lot of Nicholas Sparks' "The Notebook" and I can totally see this becoming a wonderful movie."
— Kathy (4 out of 5 stars)
Fireworks Over Toccoa Listener Reviews
-
" Nice book...quick read! "
— Allison, 2/15/2014 -
" All I can say: Nicholas Sparks meet Jeffrey Stepakoff. Very moving love story. I kept thinking of the notebook thru some of the sad parts. "
— Lisi, 2/10/2014 -
" Did not like. Kind of stupid. "
— Janssen, 2/9/2014 -
" Light summertime novel - and there's nothing wrong with that. It was just predictable "
— Shawn, 2/4/2014 -
" recommended by Lisa Hughes "
— Christi, 2/2/2014 -
" Too unrealistic. Way, way to unrealistic. If life could be lived without punishment, than maybe I'd give it a second thought. "
— Zoe, 2/2/2014 -
" Good but not wonderful. "
— Joan, 1/28/2014 -
" This was a war torn relationship story. I think it was an easy read and held promise to be a really good love story. The story has it's moments. "
— KrisT, 1/19/2014 -
" Wonderfully written story. Beautiful "
— Lindsay, 1/15/2014 -
" Jamie this would be a good book to get from library. Easy book and short to read, but good "
— Deanna, 1/2/2014 -
" This book was such a quick and easy read. Finished it in less than 2 days. Very romantic and it reminded me a lot of Nicholas Sparks. I would recommend it to anyone who like WWII era stories, romances or coming of age stories. "
— Brenna, 12/27/2013 -
" Wonderful love story! I was kind of shocked by the ending but what good book doesn't have a surprise ending? I rated it a 5 star because it had everything I was looking for in a good romantic story! Nice job! "
— Teddi, 12/20/2013 -
" Received this as an advance readers edition. Jeffery Stepakoff writes a love story that puts you inside the lives of Jake, and Lily. You feel every emotion they do. I couldn't put this book down. "
— Regina, 12/13/2013 -
" This book was cute and touching. It was a very quick read which left me with a feeling of ease. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a simple love story. "
— Nicolette, 12/4/2013 -
" Good book. Interesting read as I know this area. "
— Emily, 11/25/2013 -
" I liked this book for the most part. I would have liked a different ending but will live with the current one. This is the second book in a row that I have read about true love lost. It makes me question whether true love can really concur all. "
— Gabrielle, 9/26/2013 -
" I did enjoy this and even had a few sniffles even though this read like a screenplay. The story was strong enough for me to overlook this. "
— Missk2u, 8/9/2013 -
" Loved it - a good romance without so much sap. "
— Lorie, 8/8/2013 -
" It was o.k. I mostly read it for the landmarks. "
— Sheldon, 6/29/2013 -
" I think this is a good book about forbidden love set in WWII "
— Teechbiz, 2/5/2013 -
" I liked this book. A good love story that does not end the way I wanted it to, but was enjoyable. Warning steamy at times, nit for the light hearted. I know I know I read everything. "
— Rosemary, 1/22/2013 -
" I really liked this story. It is by a local author. It reminded me of titanic in the beginning and the end of the story and also reminded me a bit of The Notebook. "
— Jodie, 6/27/2012 -
" based on a true story. Enjoy it and was a quick read :) "
— Nikki, 6/3/2012 -
" This is a powerful, beautiful and bitterweet love story. Fireworks over Toccoa is an emotion and thought-provoking triumph! "
— Anne, 3/30/2012 -
" The best secrets are in the family. History is who we are. "
— Ieleen, 12/16/2011 -
" Moving tale that read like a short story, interesting historic information about fireworks, Coca Cola CO. and soldiers returning to the south at the end of WW2. "
— Heidi, 8/5/2011 -
" Didn't really like the ending, but the story was good. "
— Mackenzie, 8/5/2011 -
" bland and stupid "
— Susie, 6/14/2011 -
" Beach read. Entertaining for a couple of hours. Stretching coincidences. A little interesting history -- just a little. "
— Nancy, 5/18/2011 -
" This book is a very easy book to read. The plot and writting style are great. I was intrigued by the love story, it is quite different from any other book that I have recently read. The reader's heart will jump at the suspense of this well-crafted and heart-wrenching tale. "
— Renae, 5/9/2011 -
" One of the best love stories ive ever read! It made me root on for this couple to be able to be together. It really makes you appreciate the person you love even more. "
— Samantha, 5/4/2011 -
" Pretty much Bridges of Madison County meets The Notebook, which was a perfect read for a beach or recovering in a hospital. also, it had a lot of Southern history, which was interesting. "
— Jennifer, 4/11/2011 -
" This could be made into a movie...and I will go see it! "
— Sarah, 4/10/2011 -
" Read a like for Nicholas Sparks. Great star-crossed lovers story and historical trivia about Coke during WW2. "
— Kelaine, 4/4/2011 -
" Shades of Robert James Waller!!!! "
— Laura, 3/30/2011 -
" I loved the cover of the book...the storyline was interesting. I like the main character Lily who seems to find more about herself. This book was different for me to read. I think it was an okay book. <br/> "
— Everydaylittlegems, 3/27/2011 -
" This was a sweet book and short - bonus points for that. The point of view, though was all over the place and distracting for my writer's sensibilities, but once I shut the writer up, I enjoyed the story and characters. I had hoped for a happier ending, but it was thought provoking. "
— Maria, 3/17/2011 -
" Loved this story set not too far from where I live. He tells a great story that moves along with emotion. "
— Cate, 2/15/2011 -
" I really liked this book. I'm not a love story type person, but this was really good. It was believeable and a very easy read. It kept me very interested. "
— Jessi, 2/4/2011 -
" It was o.k. I mostly read it for the landmarks. "
— Sheldon, 1/24/2011 -
" How many times can we do the story of Titanic and the Notebook... "
— Carrie, 12/30/2010
About the Authors
Jeffrey Stepakoff wrote for the Emmy-winning shows The Wonder Years and Dawson’s Creek, where he was co-executive producer. He holds a BA in journalism from UNC-Chapel Hill, an MFA in playwriting from Carnegie Mellon, and is a graduate of the prestigious Eugene O’Neill National Theater Institute.
Kathleen McInerney won the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration in 2011 and was a finalist for the Audie in 2010 and 2015. Her narrations have also earned several AudioFile Earphones Awards. She has performed in New York and around the United States in both classical and contemporary theater. Her credits also include television commercials, daytime drama, radio plays, and a broad range of animation voice-overs.