In the Family

The Friessens, Book 9

By: Lorhainne Eckhart

Narrated by: Melanie Taylor

Length: 3 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

Those we love always come home.

Christmas has always been a happy affair for the Friessens, but this year, as the family returns home, they are faced with more than a few challenges - from the crazy whirlwind of an on-again, off-again romance to a fairytale marriage now on the rocks, with more secrets than the family knows what to do with.

Can the Friessens pull together this holiday season, and will the gift of love be all they need?

©2017 Lorhainne Ekelund (P)2018 Lorhainne Ekelund

Too short

I enjoyed this. Started in a middle of a series will have to go back and start from the beginning. The audio book is short.

very good

Loved it !! this story. the narrator is so fantastic it's like your really there!! good overall

I loved this one!

I'm a somewhat new fan of Lorhainne Eckhart's books. I actually have about all of them in Kindle format but just haven't made time to read them. As a fairly new audiobook addict, I've jumped at the chance to receive a few of her audios in exchange for a review, including this one. The only problem with this is that I've listened to her series out of order. It didn't matter for some of the books but I really wished I'd read books 6-9 in order.

That being said, In the Family was a wonderful book and I don't regret listening to it out of order. I know this sounds like I'm contradicting myself but just because I prefer reading/listening to series in order I don't want to discourage anyone else from picking this up even if they haven't read the preceding books.

In the Family, as you probably guessed from the title, is all about the Friessen family but the primary focus is on two young couples, Katy and Steven and then Becky and Tom. I knew about both of these couples from listening to First Love and In the Moment.

In the Family really got all of my emotions involved. For a while I thought it was going to be too depressing for me but it didn't turn out to be that way at all. I actually think that it's one of the most realistic Christmas season books I've ever experienced. Christmas isn't always wonderful every year for all families and this year the Friessens are coping with things they never really imagined would happen. I don't want to say too much else because it would give the story away.

While a lot of In the Family dealt with unhappy things there were also light-hearted moments. I cried both happy and sad tears while listening to it – and this is my favorite kind of book. If you are already a fan of The Friessens series you absolutely will want to read/listen to this book.

I almost forgot to say anything about the narration… In the Family is the first book I've listened to by Melanie Taylor and I liked it very much. She's great at doing different voices, including the male ones, which I think a lot of female narrators have trouble with. The only thing that kept me from giving the performance 5 stars (and this quite possibly was not her fault) is that there was almost no space when going from chapter to chapter which was a bit disconcerting. I also hate it when audiobooks have too long of a pause between chapters but I think I prefer that to having almost no pause at all, which was the case for In the Family.

I've been somewhat critical when reviewing the performances of a few of Ms. Eckhart's books but Melanie Taylor was really, really enjoyable to listen to.

Great story

This was a very good book it could’ve been a little longer but all in all it was a very good book this whole series of the books that I’ve read have all been good books

Heart Wrenchingly Real!!

This was a fantastic book from Lorhainne Eckhart. The Friessens are back for a Christmas celebration that will bring joy, heartache, and annoyance to the table. Becky and Tom are getting married, the children are struggling, and Katie is dealing with issues that Brad and Emily were unaware of. In true Friessen style they all band together to help and giving assistance where needed like a family should. Filled with depression, feelings of not being good enough, a secret wedding, and a slew of other real life obstacles that every body faces, and love, this is a must read that readers will love and won’t want to stop listening to. I absolutely loved this book and I can’t wait to listen to more from the Friessen series.

I the Family great book

A family Christmas that has a lot of things to overcome and be handled with love. Becky and Tom's courthouse marriage. Katy and Steven's separation are the main problems but there are other things that come up to be sorted out. This is a story that helld my interest throughout. A story I recommend.

In the Family

I love how these stories are so real. Not everything in life is picture perfect, but families do come together to help out when things are tough. This story focuses on Katy and Steven, and Becky and Tom.

Lorhainne Eckhart has done a great job of building this series surrounding the Friessens. I’m looking forward to experiencing more of her stories.

This is the first narration by Melanie Taylor that I’ve listened to, and I’m sure it won’t be the last.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.

Love this book, just like I love all of her books!

I really enjoy reading all of Lorhainne Eckhart's books & getting to know the members of the various families. This book was particularly interesting because it brought the whole family together. The Friessens are such a tight family & will do anything to help the others. It hit home for me with the couple with 'trouble in paradise', where nobody knew there were such serious issues.