When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin on audio was a reread for me. I enjoyed it the first time in physical format and enjoyed the audio version this time as well.

This book puts you in your feelings, I think every single person who reads this one will cry at least once. Some of the medical details are off, but don't let that effect your reading experience because this is a great story.

The narrator does a good job of bringing you into the story but a little more feeling in his voices wouldn't be a horrible thing.

I have and will continue to recommend this book especially when someone wants to read a book that will make them cry.

This book - like all of the author’s books - was an absolute treasure. It has a way of touching your heart and changing your soul. So many have trials in their lives with what seems to be no end in sight but it’s soothing to read books that touch on those trials and show that, not only in spite of them but because of them, there is hope, love, and redemption ahead. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did an amazing job of bringing the story and emotions to life so exquisitely. I cannot give this book enough stars!

Charles Martin is in a class by himself as an author. He writes special books that linger with you and affect you. I didn't know the topic when I chose to listen to the audiobook. It was fascinating. It tells the story of a young boy who had a young girl friend who had a problem with her heart and his unceasing study so that someday he could fix her problem. It's the story of the young girl who reminded him that the heart is also for love. Fast forward and it's about a heart surgeon with a broken heart and another young girl who needs him. It's about his brother-in-law who through tragedy reminds him to keep living. The characters are memorable. The story is poignant.

My son was born with an ejection fraction of 11percent. Five open heart surgeries later, he's a healthy 24 year old. There was a lot that I could relate to in this book and plenty I could not. It made me more thankful than ever for those who work in trauma rooms, and ORs, doing surgeries and transplants and whatever is needed to give their patients a good outcome.

I listened to the audiobook of this story. It moves back and forth in time but was pretty easy to follow. The narrator is good. It was hard to stop listening. There were a few twists. This is a beautiful story of love and friendship and healing and forgiveness. I'd highly recommend it. Thank you to Thomas Nelson for providing me with a free audio copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin was an amazing 5 star book for me! I can’t say enough good things about this heartwarming (and also heartbreaking) story of a heart surgeon who’s crosses paths with a young girl with issues of her own and both have journeys that will take them through a path of healing of body, mind, and soul.

The author’s intertwines these two totally random strangers stories, who meet one day by chance, and seeing how their journeys together and separately, help them both heal and grow and move forward in their lives is special to watch as the author’s presentation is just magnificent.

I listened the audiobook and the narrator was terrific. His slower pace was perfect for sleepy Southern small town the book is set. The narrators tone is perfect for the atmosphere of the book and makes the story easy to listen to.

This is easily one of the best books I’ve listened to this year and I will definitely be recommending it to others.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the alc.

I have come to learn when reading a story by Charles Martin that I can expect my heart to be ripped out and then tenderly replaced with so much love, redemption, and hope that it all ends up being worth it. As a healthcare professional who loves just about anything related to the heart, I was enthralled with his telling of the patient’s process and the intricacy and accuracy in the details. Hearing the perspective from a hopeless heart surgeon, a spirited little girl with enough hope for the town, and a blind witness to all the activities was so revealing. I loved the repeated messages regarding the importance of the heart, both literally and figuratively (particularly in the spiritual sense). As I was reading I knew there was so much more going on that what we were being told in that moment, and yet, it all played out in perfect cadence to an unbelievable crescendo.
As I listened to the audiobook, I do feel like I need to give kudos to the narrator who did a phenomenal job in capturing all the characters, accents, and personalities.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expresses are solely my own, freely given.

Charles Martin is a fantastic author writing Christian fiction that is so believable and just fun to read. I can cruel up with one of his books and get lost.
This story is both heartbreaking and heartwarming and absolutely worth your time.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins Christian Publishing for my advanced audio copy. The narrator does a great job also.

There is Always Hope-

This is one of the best books I have ever read. Charles Martin unfolds this story in such a way that it sets the reader into the emotional fray of its characters. I felt what they felt…I knew there were deeper regrets but didn’t know what they were. I wanted Reese to have his do-over. I wanted Annie to get hers, too. But who will step in to allow for that to happen?

The emotion displayed throughout this storyline shone through in this audiobook. Well done, Adam Verner.

This book is suitable for teens and older with no inappropriate intimate scenes and no bad language. I received this audiobook from the author/publisher free of charge, with no expectation of a positive review. I also purchased the ebook.

Audiobook
NARRATION:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Somewhere in Georgia along the banks of Lake Burton, Jonathan Mitchell, aka Reese, is a grief-stricken man. One day, he hears the call of a young girl selling fresh lemonade. Taking notice of not only the girl but the scar on her chest as well, he knows more about that scar than he's willing to admit to himself currently. Seeing an accident about to happen, he swiftly aids the hurt young girl, and their lives become intertwined more than either could have imagined.

Annie is a young girl born with a heart problem with the extent not fully known. Being raised by her Aunt Cindy,money is tight, and health care, never mind insurance, is expensive. Doing the best they can to raise money for testing and such, Annie is a humble spirit, and the whole town is behind her.

Reese, having recently returned to Lake Burton, is working with his older brother in law Charlie to earn a living the best he can. Reese is burdened down by guilt and grief for mistakes and a loss that has left him a former shell of himself. As he settles back into town and begins establishing friendships with Aunt Cindy, Annie, and other people in town, he slowly starts to work through his troubles.

But it's Annie that really gets to him. Her zest for life, her outgoing personality, love for town folk, her faith in God, and the belief her heart can be fixed inspires him and motivates him to try and help.

Reese is more qualified than anyone, but a few people know. But it will take a lot of hard work on his part to work through his grief and guilt to allow himself to be a better man than he was before. If Annie can be such a light in the world after facing such hardship, just maybe there's more than enough hope and faith for them both.

I really enjoyed the give and take between Aunt Cindy/Annie and Reese, and their friendship begins to grow into something bigger. I also enjoyed the relationship between Charlie and Reese. Charlie was a force that knew when to push Reese or when to stand back and let Reese work through something on his own.

The story isn't a cheesy, feel-good story like some. It's full of characters living good times and hard times but never standing still in self-pity for too long. They just keep persevering along the way and supporting each other as they can. The ending through me for a bit, but the author did a great job of smoothing it out for a solid ending.

The narration was top-notch! Distinct voices for the individual characters with a pacing that reflected a true Southern lake town. Highly recommend to anyone looking for an audiobook with a worthwhile story that will stay with you long after it's done.

Many thanks to NetGalley and other applicable entities for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

This story was both heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time.

Annie is a seven year old girl that sells lemonade on the street to save up money for a heart transplant that she desperately needs. Reese is a man with a past that works on boats with his brother in law, Charlie. Both Annie and Reese are suffering from a broken heart but for different reasons. While Annie's is a physical ailment, Reese is suffering because he lost his wife to the same health issue that Annie has. They start a friendship that turns into more as Reese befriends Annie's aunt. But there are things in Reese's past that will change all of their lives forever.

This was literally such a good read. Just heartbreaking because of what Reese went through in the death of his wife but also so hopeful because Annie is such a brave kid who has the faith of giants.

Note: Reviewed as an audiobook courtesy of Harper Collins and NetGalley. Narrated by Adam Verner who does an excellent job.

A seven year old girl, Annie, is selling lemonade on a street corner in Lake Burton, Georgia when a delivery truck rounds the corner and slams into her. Johnathan “Reese” Mitchell was a renowned heart surgeon who walked away from his profession when his wife, Emma, died from heart problems he could not fix. He happens to see the accident and is able to keep Annie alive until the EMT’s arrives. Thus begins a wonderful story that covers a wide range of emotions - sadness, humor, redemption,and so much more. The story alternates back and forth between his life with Emma (until she dies) through his “exile” to his lake house until he meets Annie and how he is working to get her a new heart (Reese having quickly recognized Annie’s health situation when he saw the scar on her chest).

This is the first book I have read written by Charles Martin - an author recommended to me by several friends. It did not disappoint. I have not read other books in this genre in the past nd found it to be very uplifting without being offensive in any way. And I will be reading more from this author in the future. My thanks to Harper Collins and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for my review.

I have to say, it completely caught me off guard. I don’t usually pick up romance novels, but this one had me hooked from the first chapter. The chemistry between the two main characters was electric—it wasn’t just about the physical attraction, but the way they challenged and supported each other. I found myself rooting for them, even when they were making mistakes or letting their insecurities get in the way.

What really stood out to me was how real the story felt. The dialogue was sharp and natural, and the emotional moments hit hard without feeling overly dramatic. I could see pieces of myself in the male lead, especially in how he struggled to open up and be vulnerable. It made me think about my own relationships in a way I didn’t expect.

The pacing was perfect, with just enough tension to keep me turning the pages. And while there were moments that felt predictable, the journey was so enjoyable that I didn’t mind. By the end, I was smiling like an idiot—it was that satisfying.

When Crickets Cry is one of those books that lingers in your soul long after you turn the last page. Charles Martin has a way of weaving together heartbreak, hope, and redemption into something truly special, and this story is no exception. His writing is emotional and lyrical, and he knows how to craft characters you feel deeply for.

The story follows a mysterious man named Reese, a former heart surgeon who has walked away from his past, and a young girl named Annie, who runs a lemonade stand in a small Southern town. Their worlds collide in a way that neither of them could have expected, setting off a journey of healing, faith, and second chances. The themes of love, loss, and the power of resilience are beautifully woven throughout.

Adam Verner does an incredible job narrating this audiobook. His tone, pacing, and ability to bring emotion into every word made the story even more immersive. If you’re an audiobook lover, this one is a fantastic listen.

I’ll be honest, this book broke me a little. It’s one of those reads that makes you feel everything. If you’re looking for a story that’s poignant, deeply moving, and full of heart, I highly recommend this one.


🏥 Medical elements
💔 Second chances
🌿 Small-town charm
😢 Emotional and thought-provoking
🙏 Faith and redemption
📖 Beautiful, lyrical writing

Charles Martin is a favorite author of mine, and of many others, for a reason. He can tell a story with beautiful prose and draw the reader into a world of which we may not really have an understanding. This is one of his best offerings, in my opinion, with raw story-telling and not just a somewhat unrealistic view of only good things happening. Instead it is a story of redemption and hope, where Reese makes purposeful decisions in the present to help heal the trauma of the past. The way Martin brings the events together to show how God can truly make things work together for good for those who love Him, despite what circumstances seem on the surface, is masterful.
I think Adam Verner has just the right soothing voice to encompass these characters and portray the Southern character without being overstated or too dramatic. I recommend this to anyone wishing to read something a little different and hopeful.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for this ARL. All opinions are mine.

This is a beautifully woven tale of grief and hope. The writing was exquisite, balancing raw emotion with moments of quiet resilience. Every character felt real, their struggles and triumphs pulling me in with every page. I wish the story had moved a little faster in parts.

What truly elevated my experience was the audiobook. The narration was outstanding, bringing the characters to life in a way that made the story even more immersive.. This is the kind of book that stays with you long after the final chapter. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a story that is both deeply moving and beautifully told.

I must confess I'm not a huge Charles Martin fan; I find that the books of his that I've read have been hit or miss for me. Personally, I enjoyed "Chasing Fireflies" but struggled through "The Water Keeper." "When Crickets Cry" was a definite hit for me. I became truly invested in this story, and found myself having to remind myself NOT to pray for the characters. I was completely absorbed in the plot. This would be an excellent read/listen for those who enjoy books by Chris Aubry, Cynthia Ruchti, and Catherine Ryan Hyde, maybe even Nicholas Sparks although I've only seen movies based on his books; I haven't read Sparks' actual books. The audiobook narrator did an excellent job of interpreting the characters. I highly recommend this audiobook.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 Stars (Outstanding)
Setting: Small, picturesque Southern town
Genre: Contemporary Christian Fiction

Where has Charles Martin been my whole book-reading life? His writing is simply beautiful—lyrical, deeply moving, and the kind that lingers in your soul long after the final page. When Crickets Cry is a masterpiece of love, loss, redemption, and the quiet miracles that shape our lives in unexpected ways.

Set in a charming Southern town, the novel follows Reese, a man burdened by a past he can’t outrun, and Annie, a spirited little girl with a lemonade stand and a heart condition that has shaped her young life. When fate—or perhaps something greater—brings them together, their stories intertwine in ways that are both heartbreaking and hopeful. As Reese’s carefully guarded past unravels, the novel takes readers on an unforgettable journey of healing, faith, and second chances.

Martin’s storytelling is nothing short of exquisite. His descriptions breathe life into the setting, his characters are raw and achingly real, and his ability to capture human emotion is unparalleled. Reese is a protagonist who is both flawed and deeply compassionate, while Annie’s innocence and quiet strength make her impossible not to love. Their connection is tender and beautifully developed, reminding readers of the power of love to heal even the deepest wounds.

When Crickets Cry is more than just a novel—it’s an experience. It’s the kind of book that makes you pause, reflect, and hold your loved ones a little closer. If you haven’t yet discovered Charles Martin, this is the perfect place to start. His writing is the kind that stays with you, and this story is one you won’t soon forget. #netgalley #whencricketscry #booked_this_weekend

I will say that this book is technically well-written but I don’t like it when a book starts out with a fact we don’t know and keeps building around that. I deduced that the narrator is a heart surgeon whose wife has died (probably from heart problems) and afterwards he goes « incognito », taking great pains to disappear. But then he attends a medical conference in disguise, and doesn’t appear to listen to half the information, and it’s supposedly to keep up his licence. Well, how do you do that under a false name? Then he checks the names on his flight home to make sure no one from the conference is on the flight. How do you do that?? I’ve never been able to find out who is on my flight! Then there’s the scene where he’s tending the little girl but manages to fight off TWO big local boys who think he’s harming her. How do you do that?? At this point I’ve only listened to 12% of the book, but I don’t feel like continuing. However, I do….but it becomes more and more of an effort.

There’s a scene from the past where he’s an intern, helping out for the first time on a cardiac bypass. The attending surgeon fakes fainting in order to see if our hero can complete the surgery. Apparently, the surgeon does this all the time to interns and everyone is in on it! Wow! That sounds very unrealistic, not to mention unprofessional. I wouldn’t want to be the person laying on the table with their chest open!

Also, the poor little girl who needs a heart is living in abject POVERTY because every penny she and her aunt earn is to save for care and surgery. However, the book is very Christian-based with lots of stuff about prayer and good morals…. In Canada, yes, we pray too, but because the whole country has agreed to the moral obligation of helping the less fortunate, EVERYONE can get surgery for free. No one lives in poverty when they need chemo or surgery. It just clashes with my values to think the « Christian South » would never vote for universal healthcare, but it’s completely normal for a little girl with a failing heart to live in poverty and spend her time selling lemonade and crickets just to pay her medical bills.

That being said, I only recommend this book to Christians who can suspend disbelief and accept the very contrived, heroic plot, and who don’t believe in universal

And there, I remembered that I was once good at something, and that I once knew love.“

With every Charles Martin book I read, the more I am convinced that I need to read everything he writes. His characters are always incredibly lifelike. They’re full of dreams and hopes, heartbreak, flaws, and enough personality that you wish they were actually real so you could, possibly, get to know them. The only exception are his villains. They’re incredibly written, as well, but they’re absolutely despicable. There aren’t any actual villains in this story, nobody to hate, or try to figure out. Instead, the “villain” is the human heart and the ways it can breakdown and not function properly. This beautiful story deals with heartbreak, forgiveness, hope and second chances in a way that only Charles Martin seems to be able to. His writing is so descriptive that you can see the story playing out as if you were actually there, experiencing everything with his characters. I don’t think there’s been a single book he’s written that hasn’t made me cry. I truly hope that this book is written into a movie so my non-reader friends can experience this beautiful, inspiring story!

I was so happy to get the audiobook for this title and it didn’t disappoint. So heartbreaking and captivating story so emotional and I really like the narrator.

Charles Martin writes a novel-long metaphor regarding the heart. This exposition occurs between Reese, a heart surgeon, and Annie, a young girl who has a heart condition. Martin juxtaposes Reese's hardened, grieving heart against Annie's heart which is filled with joy, awe, and faith of a child. Their interactions are the foundation for Martin to discuss learning to love again after traumatic loss. Love leads the way to joy and renewed faith in living a fulfilled life. Martin is not overly pushy with Christian rhetoric in his writing. This makes the narrative pleasant for those part of or outside of the Christian faith.

Thank you #CharlesMartin, #HarperCollinsPublishing, #ThomasNelsonFiction, and #NetGalley for my e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.