To the outside world, they seem to have it all. Cassie Barrett, a renowned anthropologist, and Alex Rivers, one of Hollywood's hottest actors, met on the set of a motion picture in Africa. They shared childhood tales, toasted the future, and declared their love in a fairy-tale wedding. But when they return to California, something alters the picture of their perfect marriage. A frightening pattern is taking shape-a cycle of hurt, denial, and promises, thinly veiled by glamour. Torn between fear and something that resembles love, Cassie wrestles with questions she never dreamed she would face: How can she leave? Then again, how can she stay?
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"I have never understood before why a woman would stay in a physically abusive relationship. It seemed so clear cut to me.... you get out. Jodi Piccoult created characters I came to really care about. And the insidious way abuse was weaved into the relationship was really eye-opening."
— Petra (4 out of 5 stars)
" Lovely story about what is important in life. Picoult never disappoints with characters you can relate to and cheer for! "
— RoseMary, 1/2/2019" 200 of pages were useless to read "
— Anuj, 2/18/2014" Normally I really love Jodi Picoult books but this one just completely missed the mark for me. The Alex Rivers character felt flat and I never seemed very convinced that the story, or any of the parts, involving him were real. I liked what the story was telling me and the idea of it, but the characters just fell a little bit flat. "
— Knemesis, 2/18/2014" Picoult deals with a very powerful subject in this story. This book made me sad and mad at the same time. "
— Julie, 2/17/2014" The book was great in terms of style, writing and imagination but it left me feeling uneasy. I wanted a different, happier ending. "
— Apryl, 2/15/2014" Geat story! you can totally relate if you or someone you know has been abused. "
— Gale, 1/31/2014" This is early Jodi Piccoult for me and I really enjoyed this story. As usual, her character development is wonderful! "
— Jana, 1/16/2014" A very interesting character study of abuse in a marriage. I have to admit that I was captivated and couldn't wait to get to the end. "
— Michele, 1/13/2014" A good read but not the best novel by Jodi! Still enjoyed this book, the first one I ever read from this author. "
— Anna, 12/25/2013" I really found the domestic violence aspect interesting. I bet she hit the nail on the head again with this one. Picoult's books are always amazing stories of very serious topics in families. Loved it! "
— Hanna, 12/24/2013" Pretty good, not her best. It was a really long book for not too much to happen. "
— Michele, 12/21/2013" Attempted to read a few times but just couldn't get into this one for some reason! Lacks the depth of some of her other books I feel. "
— Pip, 12/21/2013" Loved this book. It drug on a little bit more then some of her other books but over all it was really good. "
— Krystal, 9/7/2013" I was not blown away by the book. The plot was kind of the same and related to a lot of different books. The same old guy not getting over his past and being abusive. And the girl not having courage to speak up and also not saying because she is in love withe the guy. "
— Sumaica, 4/26/2013" I have to agree this was by far one her worst books. It was whinny and predictable....would not recommend it! "
— Sandy, 2/18/2013" Not my favorite Picoult...the ending left much to be desired. "
— Brandi, 1/25/2013" This one was good and had a happy ending for me. Yahoo! "
— Dominique, 12/26/2012" Thought I'd try another of hers--she seems to take an issue and ride it--she's definitely readable though. this one's issue is domestic violence. "
— Leslie, 11/16/2012" The amazing thing about this book is the way it got my blood boiling and my heart pounding. I even got light-headed. This is not to say I enjoyed it-- but if a book could upset me that much, it has to be quite a piece of work! "
— Angela, 9/8/2012" Definitely a good book, but found it difficult to read emotionally from top to bottom.. so, I gave it three stars. Still unsure about how I feel about the story and the ending. Not my favorite book by her, but well worth the read. "
— Kim, 6/17/2012" The dissolution of a marriage at the hands of a very sick man. Very sad. Jody Picoult writes of human emotion afflicting people every day which makes her books so sad....they're so real. "
— Barbara, 5/14/2012" Enjoyed it, but not my favourite book of hers. "
— Anna, 4/9/2012" It was all a little too far fetched to be a very believable story. "
— Heather, 3/21/2012" Not her best work, but still a good read. I was slightly confused and kept wondering what would happen next...even on the last page! "
— Melissa, 1/29/2012" This wasn't a normal Jodi Picoult read for me. I thought it was OK but I wish there was more loose ends tied up at the end of the book. Her books usually give me more closure. "
— Kim, 12/21/2011" This felt like a "bodice ripper" as I was reading it for about three quarters of the book unlike any other Jodi Picoult books I have read. In the end maybe it could inspire someone to leave an abusive love. I was disappointed. "
— Gail, 8/31/2011" This was a Book-on-CD read. I do CD for driving. <br/>While the entire plot was completely predictable, I did gain a new insight into domestic violence. I have studies the processes of DV, and Jodi portrayed a victim's perspective in a realistic light.<br/>With all that said, still a 2 star read. "
— Jen, 5/19/2011" Yet another great one by Jodi Picoult. Life is sometimes like a movie ...You only see what they want you to see but so much happens behind the scenes. This is something that Picoult manages to point out in this book. "
— Kristen, 5/16/2011" Easy read. Not one of her best. "
— Janay, 5/15/2011" I liked the multicultural/biracial parts. "
— Caroline, 5/15/2011" This is a great book. Not sure about the ending, but I have read it multiple times. "
— Katherine, 5/12/2011" The book was OK but it was not the Jodi Picoult I love to read....more Joy Fielding-ish "
— Lori, 5/8/2011" It was strange to read a Jodi Picoult novel that wasn't about a controversial topic! Nothing extraordinary about this book, but definitely an interesting read, and I found myself getting wrapped up in Cassie's life and experiences. "
— Amanda, 5/7/2011" Not my favorite by Picoult, but definitely worth a read. "
— Lindsay, 4/30/2011" Once again, Picoult has selected a somewhat controversial topic and develops a story around it. Domestic violence is the cornerstone here. As usual, I read it quickly, not able to put it down easily, until it was finished. Picoult's books always grab me! "
— Linda, 4/27/2011" this is a fantastic book when i read it you could feel the characters emotions and how they would react great use of story line and shows how hard it would be in those sitations "
— Jo, 4/21/2011" This is an older one of Picoult's, I did not enjoy it as much as I have the others. The amnesia, Native American reservation was a bit too far fetched. "
— Sue, 4/19/2011" Kept my attention - not one of her best, but thought-provoking subject. Done it way that helped me understand a woman's feelings in this circumstance. "
— Elizabeth, 4/10/2011" Good but very boring ending..... "
— Diane, 4/1/2011Jodi Picoult is the #1 New York Times and London Sunday Times bestselling author of twenty-four stand-alone novels and three series, through the genres of fiction, romance, young-adult romance, mystery, and science fiction. She is the recipient of multiple awards, including the New England Bookseller Award for Fiction, the Alex Award from the YA Library Services Association, and the NH Literary Award for Outstanding Literary Merit. She studied creative writing at Princeton University and received her masters from Harvard. Visit her website at JodiPicoult.com.
Amanda Cobb has narrated numerous audiobooks, including titles by Michele Hauf, Samatha Hunter, and Jayne Ann Krentz. She won an AudioFile Earphones Award for her reading of Let’s Get Lost by Adi Alsaid.
Brian Hutchison is an Earphones Award–winning audiobook narrator and a professional theater actor who has appeared in numerous Broadway, off Broadway, and regional plays.