Peeking Between the Pages

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The Girl You Left Behind by JoJo Moyes (Audiobook)

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The Girl You Left Behind by JoJo Moyes is the She Reads Book Club Selection for October and what an excellent choice! We have yet to have a book that isn’t good over on She Reads. That’s a great track record I’d say! The Girl You Left Behind is a story of true love, romance, and the mystery of a painting all set against the backdrop of World War I and the present time.

The year is 1916 in a small village in France where Sophie lives with her family having seen her husband Edouard off to war. When the town falls to the Germans all of their lives are thrown into turmoil. When the new Kommandant decides that he wants Sophie to cook all of his soldiers meals she knows she has no choice despite her immense hatred of these men. Then the Kommandant notices the painting that Sophie’s husband did of her called The Girl You Left Behind and he becomes obsessed both with her and the painting. Eventually Sophie risks everything she holds dear to her heart in her hope to secure her husband’s safety.

Fast forward to present day London and we meet Liv, a young widow still trying to put her life back together after the sudden death of her husband. Liv was given a painting as a wedding gift by her husband and it just happens to be none other than the portrait of The Girl You Left Behind. After her husband’s death this painting took on an even deeper meaning for her and she treasures it above all else. Which is why after she meets Paul, the first man to interest her in a long time, she is horrified to learn he actually tracks down stolen paintings and unfortunately hers is one of them. Liv is shocked but even more than that she refuses to give up her painting. This sets Liv on a path to learn just who Sophie was and it changes her life.

I listened to the audiobook of The Girl You Left Behind which was narrated by Clare Corbett and Penny Rawlins and they do a fantastic job!  The different tones and emotion that they both brought to the telling of this story was amazing.  The Girl You Left Behind was a great read for me and one I would easily recommend especially to those who enjoy reading novels that span two different time periods with an amazing story to tell.  I thought this book was extremely well written and now I can see why so many love JoJo Moyes’ writing because now I’m one of them!  Be sure to check out more reviews of The Girl You Left Behind over on She Reads.

 

JoJo’s website, Facebook, and Twitter
Buy at: Amazon, Amazon Canada, B&N, and IndieBound

 

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Source:  Audiobook from my own library.

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Comments

  2. I read this in print, and I think I might have been better served to listen to the audio. I loved the modern story but really got hung up on the WWII plot thread. I don’t know what my problem was, I usually like stories in that time period.

    • Sandy, I liked both time periods. I do think you probably would have enjoyed it more on audio then as the narrator for that part was really good with her accents and such.

    • Audra, I have no doubt that listening captures my attention more especially if it’s a well done audio like this one. I am so hooked on audios now. LOL.

    • I have Me Before You as well JoAnn. I’m going to fit it in really soon especially after enjoying this one so much.

  10. I really, really need to try this author as I’ve read so many good reviews for her books! This does sound good and I definitely plan on reading it at some point soon!

  11. Sounds great Darlene, I’ll have to keep my eyes open for it. Maybe they will have it on the library online Wilbor site.
    Hope you are all well. Tell Sam hi from Darcy and Sophie…

  13. This definitely would have been a good one to have the dual narrators. I liked this one a lot to read but I think it sounds equally good on audio.