True Love Way

By: Mary Elizabeth

Narrated by: Jeff Hays

Length: 6 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Some days are brighter than others, but Penelope Finnel has been taught she can be invisible behind the colored lenses of her heart-shaped sunglasses.

Her mind is her worst enemy, and simply waking up in the morning is risky. For a kid like her, staying in bed is easier, especially when the day has come to start school in a new town with new kids who don’t understand that the clouds are not the only reason everything is so gloomy.

Dillon Decker is a typical boy from a typical small town who radiates light and happiness. Under the hovering glare from her father, Dillon leads Penelope around on his bicycle’s handlebars, hoping he is the cure to her madness.

But when friend turns to lover, and lover turns to caretaker, how much can either of them tolerate before they’re swallowed whole? A story about moving trucks and rollerblades, candy for smiles, and notes across lawns. First loves and the struggle to keep it sane. The true love way.

©2015 Mary Elizabeth (P)2016 Mary Elizabeth

Excellent Story of those with Depression!

Any additional comments?

I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Blast. I was very impressed with how the author depicted those who suffer from depression along with their loved ones and others around them. I have suffered from depression and high anxiety since childhood (although not to the extreme of this character) and could relate to this story. The author did an excellent job bringing the characters and story to life. My only suggestion to the publishers would be that if you have a female POV in a book, it should be narrated by a female character. Jeff Hays did an excellent job performing the female POV, but I am a believer that a female performer helps the listener transition between characters much better, and that it only helps to enter the authors' depicted world much easier. I loved this audiobook and highly recommend it! 5 Stars!!

Great read and listen

Firstly, I enjoyed the book of TLW so listening to it come to life was a joy.

Jeff Hays did such a good job of bringing the book to life, there wasn't a character he couldn't do.

I think I cried and laughed more while listening to this audiobook than I did while reading it and that's saying something!!

I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author in exchange for an unbiased review.

An Amazing YA Love Story!

A while ago I listened to Mary Elizabeth's 'Low' and that book ended in my favorites pile! I love the writing style of this author - it's beautyful, lyrical and smoking hot! I had high hopes for 'True Love Way' and I wasn't disappointed.

This book is a YA novel about two teens starting at age 12. The most interesting part is Penelopes story, where Penelope is going through a depression. I felt depressed with her and wanted to hug her a hundred times. The book is filled with quirky and lovable characters and it's telling you, that no matter where you come from, you can have a difficult life. This is also a story about unconditional love and a strong development of a relationship over years.

Narrator Jeff Hays jumped right into my heart and became my #1 favorite male narrator. I've never heard any male narrator before who can pull such authentic female voices. I had to check Audible again to see if there were 2 narrators on this story, but no - it's only him. In the beginning of this book the characters are just kids/teens and those young voices were very impressive done. Jeff Hays can do any voice and he does many in this book. He also made me laugh out load many times because he nailed the humor of the story spot on! Thank you, for being so REAL, Jeff!

*This book was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review.

Audio that shines

First the story... Mary Elizabeth wrote a beautiful book about parental struggles, childhood sweethearts, mental illness and unconditional love.

I laughed and I cried as I rode this emotional roller coaster. My favorite parts were the way Pen's dad protected her. I laughed every time he would yell at Dillon. There was a lot of uncomfortable moments as the reader is exposed to mental illness and the difficult choices that Pen's parents have to make and how much Dillon would accept.


I absolutely loved every minute of this audio. I have read the book previously and sometimes I get nervous that the audio won't live up to the written word. I didn't need to worry with this book. Jeff Hays does an amazing job, especially with how many different characters he had to portray. I was thoroughly impressed.

"I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom."

True Love Way

Any additional comments?

This is the second book by Mary Elizabeth that I have listened to, and while they may not be at the top of my list for favorite books I can say that they were both unique, creative and unusual.

While I listen to a lot of romance stories this was completely different from any that I have listened to before. The story was a bit slow in the beginning to and it took me a while to really get interested in the story. Although the story was an interesting, entertaining and unusual listen, for me it was also kind of depressing.

It takes a special kind of person , one with patience, understanding and unconditional love to be able to continually stand by someone who has a sickness or mental disorder. When that person is "the one" you will do whatever it takes to love and support them.
Couldn't help but feel bad for Dillon. He never knew from day to day which Penelope he was going to get. That's one heck of an emotional roller-coaster. Dillon definitely carried the relationship. Loved Penelope's dad.

Jeff Hays does a great job with the narration as usual. Good character voices. While he is one of my favorite narrators for this book I think dual narration would have been a better fit. Voice for Penelope's dad was fantastic. He was able to bring the emotions of the characters to life.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator or publisher at no cost in exchange for n unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com

"It's me, not you"

Would you try another book from Mary Elizabeth and/or Jeff Hays?

I would listen to another book narrated by Jeff Hays

Any additional comments?

I understand what the author’s intention was with this story and if the reviews and high ratings are any indication, she accomplished it. For me though, there was a case of “it’s me, not you” with this novel. While I appreciated the story and saw the beauty shine through at certain moments, I couldn’t get the full effect. I couldn’t connect to the characters and their story on a deeper level.

What bothered me the most was the emotional abuse that Dillon endured at the hands of Penelope and her illness. It was very difficult to read through their interactions when it wasn’t all sunshine and roses (which seemed like only 5% of their relationship). Their relationship was not healthy at all and the codependency didn’t send out a positive message.

I wanted to know more about just Penelope and just Dillon. Yet all I got was Penelope and Dillon. Never independent of each other. The two characters I felt most connected to were Dillon and the father of Penelope, but most of what I was feeling was sympathy and pity for them.
Both the plot and character development was very staccato. I didn’t feel like it really had a steadily increasing tempo, which caused the overall story to fall flat.

The quirks within the story itself, however, did manage to brighten it all up. There was a high amount of angst, and the writing flowed.

Yet again, the ending was especially unsettling. It tied up too neatly and that was just not realistic. Penelope’s illness was clearly not an easy one to manage and their situation in the end was highly implausible in my eyes. Also, I saw the 5 different epilogues unnecessary when they could’ve just been regular chapters.


*I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.

Just not the book for me

Would you try another book from Mary Elizabeth and/or Jeff Hays?

I would consider narration from Jeff Hays

Would you ever listen to anything by Mary Elizabeth again?

While this wasn't the book for me, if the book came highly recommend if consider a different one.

What three words best describe Jeff Hays’s performance?

The only reason I was able to get through this book was the narration.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment

Any additional comments?

I really wanted to like this book, unfortunately it wasn't the book for me. It was a rather depressing story and I felt that the love was one sided. While I didn't care for Penelope I enjoyed Dillon and Penelope's father and the banter they shared. I can also appreciate the commitment of Pen's family through her struggles.

While I didn't personally enjoy this book due to the story line, others may. The writing itself wasn't bad and with a different (more uplifting) storyline I could attempt to read this author again.

I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.

1st True Love

Where does True Love Way rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top 5Beautifully written, it took me back to those early days when your first love was everything. When you thought your life would end if you couldn't be with that person forever.

What other book might you compare True Love Way to and why?

As far as that first love aspect I would say Bully & Revil by Penelope Douglas, that young special pure first love.

Which character – as performed by Jeff Hays – was your favorite?

Honestly I can't choose just one, I am blown away by Jeff Hays talent I can't believe how many charators he performed in this book. He was outstanding, ok maybe Penelope's mum and dad, no can't choose I loved them all.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes when Dillon came to the realisation that he couldn't live without Pen,not matter what had happened between them in the past. And most importantly knowing what he would have to endure by wanting her in his life/future

Any additional comments?

This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.

great book!

This is a good book. You will laugh and cry during it. It is very worth the read. The narrator did an excellent job bringing this story to life! and it worth the listen!
as did the writer!
I was gratefully provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator for an unbiased review via Audio Boom..

Loved!

Found a new top favorite male narrator! Also, I love this book so much!!