On Ice

By: J. D. Faver

Narrated by: Anne Hancock

Length: 11 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

A terrified woman erases her past to escape her abusive husband. Taking her children, she disappears from Texas only to reinvent herself as a teacher in a remote Alaskan village. She fights to survive the harsh environment, while ever mindful of the danger stalking her.

A complication emerges in the form of her new boss who is unaware of her entanglement and pursues her with a passion. Hungry for a father figure, her young children immediately take to him, but she is haunted by the cruel man who battered her. Can a good man heal her scars and gain her trust?

As she evolves in her new role, she becomes stronger as a person. Back in Texas, her sister draws the abuser's fury and becomes his new victim. When her past catches up with her, she is not the same woman who ran away. She puts her life on the line to protect her children. But will she survive the wrath of a sociopath bent on revenge?

©2012 J.D. Faver (P)2014 J.D. Faver

Cring worthy and hard to finish

I don't like leaving negative reviews but there are so many things wrong with this book. I don't even know where to start. I am so happy I didn't use an actual credit on this book. It was so hard to finish and on the synopsis, I expected it to be engaging from start to finish.

1. It was way too long. The story dragged on and on. Certain times were interested. Most parts are so dull my mind would wander to what I am doing for dinner this week.
2. Waaaay too many storylines going on. I love multiple POVs when they are necessary to the storyline. Part of the reason this book was so long was all the unnecessary and frankly boring POVs and secondary and other minor characters. Drove me crazy.
3. Who talks like this?! What year is this supposed to be?! The dialogue in this book is so unbelievable and cringy throughout. If I didn't know any better, I would think this was set in the 1950s due to how everyone seems to talk in this book. The naration is so dramatic, it just adds to the cringe. If it weren't for the references to modern conviences and such, I would definitely assume this was a 50s period piece.
4. I don't mind instalove but holy cow. The instalove in this book is so out of the blue and unbelievable I don't get how anyone can buy into it. Usually I don't mind instalove. especially when the characters have such undeniable chemistry, that it just makes sense. But there is little to no chemistry between these couples who find instalove in this book. They spend limited time together, a few longing glances and thoughts. Then BOOM! Instalove. *yawns*
5. Lastly, there were very few characters in this book that were genuinely likable. Minus the cute kids in the book. The Hero was alright. But as much as I respect Renee and Maddie. I couldn't stand them. Especially Maddie. She was the strong independent sister to our female lead. I respected her for how much she did to help her sis and the kids. But my God, how can someone be so dumb! Her poor husband would have to put up with her crazy outbursts towards him and half-cocked ideas.

If you read this, and continue to listen. I truly hope you have a better experience and enjoy it more than I did. I really wanted to love this book. A story of redemption and a woman finding her innerstength for herself and her children is something I am all for. Those stories are my absolute favorite. But the execution on this one, completely missed the mark.
(sorry for the long and negative review. it hurts my heart to leave such a negative review on a book topic like this)

Cartoonish Characters

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Someone who doesn't require realistic characters and dialogue.

What was most disappointing about J. D. Faver’s story?

Nothing wrong with the plot....but these characters - yikes! First off, inept adults who talk like a bad who-dunit movie. No one - at least not in my world - talks like this. My dear, darling....sounds ok - but when put into the story - not so much. There's a PI in the story that is so inept it's hard to understand why she would ever be trusted. And don't get me started on the Scottish luxury car rental driver who bodyguards because - hey he's really big. And he goes trotting off to the US of A to play bodyguard. First thing that happens - he gets knocked out because he never saw anyone coming at him. Wow. Some bodyguard. Then you have the main character up in the wilds of Alaska. Falls in love with her boss and everything is la, la, la....perfect. Suddenly she goes from being a scared rabbit to amazon woman. Really? And the crazy, sadistic husband that's hunting for her? Cartoon whack job is what he is. Must have gotten his character from Villains 'R Us.

How could the performance have been better?

The performance couldn't be any better because the content being read was so lousy.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Yeah, it finally ended.

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