Member Reviews
This is an author that I have been reading for many, many years. One of the things I enjoyed about this author is her writing skills. She is able to create a story that is fast paced and pulls you in the characters world. This book is no different. This is a well developed story where the characters bring the story to life. They pulled me into their world with ease and kept me there until the end. A story that will make you question if you had a chance to have a blank slate, a do over with life, what would you chose to do. Charles and Aude are faced with just that. Secrets and pasts that come crashing into the present, you don't want to miss what happens. I enjoyed what they added to the story. Their twists and turns are like no other, page turning for sure. I loved reading this book. I highly recommend this book and this author.
A quick moving story about a man who finds himself at a crossroads after a terrible accident. There was one twist in the middle, but aside from that the story was pretty predictable. All in all, a nice, easy read.
Thank you to # Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Delacorte Press, and Danielle Steel for the ARC of #withoutatrace.
Would you fake your death when you are so unhappy with your life. Charles is a very unhappy person with his personal life and his career, when his life changes after a vehicle crash that he survives but everyone thinks he is dead. He meets Aude, younger woman with an instant attraction. For many months he lives a simple life but decides to come clean with his past life. Aude has secrets from her past that will catch up with her.
The first half of the book was slow and repetitive but the second half of the book I could not put down. Loved Charles and Aude, so perfect for each other.
What would you do of you had a chance to start over? Charlie Vincent is unhappy with his life so when a tragic accident happens he takes the opportunity to change things. You can’t pick and choose though, life as he knew it is gone. In the end he keeps his new life but goes back for his children - it just goes to show that his life was not all bad. This story has some dramatic and exciting parts. I throughly enjoyed the story. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
I always enjoy a good Danielle Steel novel and this one was excellent.
I didn’t not much care for the main character, Charles, but I can see why he would do what he did. If given the chance possibly anyone in an unhappy or bad relationship might do the same. Though it is unfair to the children.
This book takes you into Charles and his wife and the woman who helps him’s lives. You get to know them and may or may not like any of them. I didn’t but I did love the story. It’s a great storyline and the setting is perfect. The prose is great. It keeps you tuning the pages and it’s really enjoyable despite not liking most characters. Lol
Thank you NetGalley and Random House for this ARC.
4.5 stars
A bit of a departure from a typical DS. There was love, mystery and intrigue. Charles is caught in a loveless marriage and a job that is unfulfilling. When involved in an accident he takes the opportunity to change his life. Aware there are repercussions for his actions he takes time to reassess the situation and puts a plan in place. Once again I always find comfort in the latest by this iconic author. If given the chance to reinvent your life what would you do? A bit of love, a touch of intrigue with a dash of mystery. Ty #NetGalley for the ARC.
Charles Vincent is in a loveless marriage. He has two kids and a high paying job . His wife is only interested in his paychecks. He left a publishing job and was out of work for two years before getting a high paying job with a plastics company making toys. One evening he had an argument with his boss over putting safety labels on toys. He was driving home and fell asleep at the wheel. He was driving along the Normandy coast veered off the road. He plunged thirty feet down a cliff. His car door opened and he was able to get out. He walked until he came to a cabin where he meets Audi Saint-Martin. They fall in love and he stays for a few months. His family thinks he died. Audi persuades. him to go back and make things right. Charles goes back to let his kids know he's alive and to divorce his greedy wife. He comes back to Audi only to find out that her ex-husband kidnapped her. He hires a detective. They locate them and notify the police. They rescue Audi. Charles and Audi move into his apartment.
Full review to come on Goodreads and Amazon. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a review copy.
Thank you for allowing me to read this book as an ARC.
I used to love DS's books and would devour them but this one was not good at all. Tbh, it was awful. The storyline was so unrealistic and fake and the numerous repetitions were making it boring and predictable. Also, whoever edited tnis book needs some more training or classes, the story should be consistent with what is said from chapter to chapter.
The characters were all totally unrelatable and also unlikable! The story was very unrealistic and so far fetched that I had a hard staying focused and wanting to continue reading it.
I strongly believe this is going to be my last D.S. book as her writing style has majorly deteriorated over the last few years.
I am so excited to be able to review a Danielle Steel book. When I first started reading as an adult, I was a dedicated reader to only Danielle. I have since branched out and started reading more but I stick with Danielle's book. My favorite of hers is called Lone Eagle. I will never forget the way it made me feel. Without a Trace is another wonderful story of Steel's. The story as always is character and plot rich. This is the story of a man who's life changes at the instant due to his own mistake. Throughout this story I felt that there was just so many emotions we are going through with Charles. The happiness and finding what he was looking for but also the guilt he felt. As usual it is a beautifully told story that will make you smile, tug at your heart and make you most of all, glad you read it.
Charles seems to have it all, except he isn't happy. On his way to the lavish chateau that he bought his wife, he falls asleep at the wheel and tumbles down a rocky cliff. Amazingly, Charles survives, and he walks in the dark until he finds a cabin. Aude nurses him back to health and they find themselves in love. Does he have to go back to his old life? Or can he play dead and live the life he wants with Aude?
Another great story by Danielle Steel.
**Small spoilers**
I enjoyed the premise of Danielle Steel's newest release, Without a Trace - who wouldn't want an opportunity to start over and realign what needs fixing? However she took a little too much liberty with the extremes... his wealth versus his horribly callous wife versus his loving children, not to mention living so long without paperwork - and the insurance payouts without jail time?? I couldn't quite get in line with this one simply because it stretched the seams of my imagination a little too far - 3.5 stars. However, I devour everything she publishes the moment it is released and definitely look forward to her next publication. Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to review #WithoutATrace by Danielle Steel.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy. This was a typical Danielle Steel book with relationships, drama, death, and conflicts. It was kind of strange, but entertaining.
I love Danielle Steel so much, she is a sure thing for me. I fell in love with Danielle at a young age and watching her books becoming TV specials. So I was beyond excited to get another book from her! I loved this storyline, who wouldn't want a do over in life right? I love how she mixes some really dark situations in a book that makes you feel good. Danielle gives you real life, all the pretty and all the ugly!
We all want to escape our lives sometimes, Can Charles St. Vincent do it? driving home after a long day his car goes off a cliff, presumed dead he starts a new life with a woman who seems to love him for him and not his social status. Fantastic book
Without a Teace by Danielle Steel is a good book that readers who wonder about a different life will enjoy. Charlie doesn't just leave his old life and family behind, he finds himself fighting for someone else's life.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an exchange for an honest review.
Very interesting read. Recommend it.
WITHOUT A TRACE
Danielle Steel
Women’s Fiction
After disappearing from everyone in his family and social circle, Charles Vincent must chose whether or not to stay disappeared or rejoin life with the new love of his life, Aude.
This was an exciting book with plenty of twists and turns. It also presents what might happen if someone did disappear then reappear after a year or so has gone by. I would give this book a solid 5 out of 5 stars
For the first pages of this new Danielle Steele novel the main character of the book, Charles Vincent seems to have it all. He is successful, well-married, and has two grown children. As the book continues the reader gets the back story of his life. He is unhappy in his job, in a loveless marriage, and tired of the life he is living. On an unfortunate drive home to his chalet on the Normandy coast, he is in an accident. That accident changes his life. Due to the circumstances he is befriended by a young woman he comes to know and love. His accident is life-changing and he literally goes off the map for a few good weeks and find solace in the simpler things of life. But there is more to the story. One cannot remain off the grid forever. There are obstacles to his return, there are things in both his past life and those of the woman who befriends him that stand in the way of a future. Ms. Steele weaves a fascinating story of finding oneself in "Without a Trace". Thanks to #NetGalley#WithoutaTrace for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Without a Trace by Daniel Steel. A life that has a monetary value and a tangible substance, or a life that you value, filled with meaning and substantial purpose? Worth, or worthwhile. The opportunity to walk away, leave it all behind, and start over, or recognizing the need to go back in order to move forward and start over. Choices, decisions. What would you choose? I'm really surprised at some of the low star reviews that this book received. It kept me coming back, kept me on the edge of my seat, had a character everyone will love to hate, and a few everyone will love. I enjoyed this story...👍