Before and Again

A Novel

By: Barbara Delinsky

Narrated by: Mary Stuart Masterson

Length: 14 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

From Barbara Delinsky, the New York Times best-selling author of Blueprints and Sweet Salt Air, a brand-new audiobook about a woman in hiding finding the courage to face the world again.

Mackenzie Cooper took her eyes off the road for just a moment, but the resulting collision was enough to rob her not only of her beloved daughter but ultimately of her marriage, family, and friends - and thanks to the nonstop media coverage, even her privacy. Now, she lives in Vermont under the name Maggie Reid, in a small house with her cats and dog. She’s thankful for the new friends she’s made - though she can’t risk telling them too much. And she takes satisfaction in working as a makeup artist at the luxurious local spa, helping clients hide the visible outward signs of their weariness, illnesses, and injuries. Covering up scars is a skill she has mastered.

Her only goal is to stay under the radar and make it through her remaining probation. But she isn’t the only one in this peaceful town with secrets. When a friend’s teenage son is thrust into the national spotlight, accused of hacking a powerful man’s Twitter account, Maggie is torn between pulling away and protecting herself - or stepping into the glare to be at their side. As the stunning truth behind their case is slowly revealed, Maggie’s own carefully constructed story begins to unravel as well. She knows all too well that what we need from each other in this difficult world is comfort. But to provide it, sometimes we need to travel far outside our comfort zones.

From a multimillion-selling master of women’s fiction, Before and Again is a story of the relationships we find ourselves in - mothers and daughters, spouses and siblings, true companions and fair-weather friends - and what kind of sacrifices we are or aren’t willing to make to sustain them through good times and bad.

©2018 Barbara Delinsky (P)2018 Macmillan Audio

Life is a Balance of Holding On and Letting Go

Have always loved her books but this one - this one was different for me. Resonated in me, spoke clearly to my soul, uncovered a pain that had been living in the shadows of my life. Thank you for the words and ideas expressed so eloquently. Wonderful story of people coping to figure out their lives and what made them whole. Story of strength and looking for peace amidst the chaos of life. Life goes on whether we want it to or not. And Mary Stuart Masterson delivered it so well - would not have been the same experience without her performance.

Would have been a better read then audible.

I have always loved Barbara Delinsky and never miss one of her stories. This was another great story, but wishing I had gotten it in ebook instead of Audible. The reader just was not up to what I am use to listening to. There was no definition in the characters' voices...including male/female. At times it was hard to figure out who was doing the speaking. There were several sections I had to go back and listen to a 2nd or 3rd time to figure out who was saying what.

Great book!

This is a sad and gentle account of one woman’s enduring grief and struggle to survive emotionally after a horrible event in her life. I felt the narrator was “spot on” as the story is told by Maggie. My impression of Maggie was that she was quiet, gentle and soft spoken. The narrative carried that throughout. The need for different voices and charisma was insignificant. I would highly recommend this book.

So So

I've read better Delinsky books. It was okay, just not very engaging. Almost stopped but half way through decided it was worth finishing.

Interesting but a little slow

This book is slow paced but it's a good story. Interesting but a little predictable.

So So

Story is too long. Takes too long to get to the plot and then seems it just ends. Reader is too monotone.

well written

As always, another well written book by Barbara Delinsky. To get the point of view of someone who had been in a situation then was able to help another who also had gotten into one

Boringly slow

Many have suffered loss I just kept thinking Get over yourself! Life goes on! ugh!

Couldn't stop listening.

I loved this book, but then Barbra Delinsky never fails me. The path this book took was one I didn't entirely anticipate. It was a pleasant surprise. It only took me 2 days for this one. Fast for me.

One of Ms Delinsky best, terrible narration

Have you ever wondered how 30 seconds can completed change your life forever .. just ask Mackenzie Cooper. While driving her little 5 year old daughter, Lilly to a play date Mackenzie just took her eyes off the road to check her GPS .. that 30 seconds not only stole her daughter from her it destroyed her marriage, her relationship with family and friends; it landed her in jail – it even stole her privacy. Now 4 years later, Mackenzie has reinvented herself as Maggie Reid, lives in a small town in Vermont with her dog and 2 cats in a cute little house in the woods where all her secrets are kept. She has new friends, some with their own secrets to hide. Maggie is a well respected and talent makeup artist at the lavish local spa. Clients love how Maggie can help remove all evidence of tiredness, or sickness or even cover up an injury … after all she master at covering up these types of scars up.

Keeping under the radar is all Maggie wants to do but all will coming crashing down when one young 15 year old boy, the son of her best friend decides to hack into schools, spa and twitter accounts. It pulls in the media, the FBI and her parole office into town. More surprises await Maggie when a new group has purchased the Inn and Spa that will force Maggie into looking at the past to discover her future.

Before and Again by Barbara Delinsky is a story about loss, loss of a child, loss of a man and marriage, loss of who you were as a person. It is also a story about being a true friend, of the strength to overcome hurt and self blame to forgive yourself and let you rediscover that family, friends and the man you once loved are worth fighting for.
I was total absorbed with Before and Again, I love how Ms. Delinsky tells a story, it had all the feels. Her characters are not flawless – they are all have strength and flaws, some likable some not.

Before and Again gets 4.5 stars .. a story that will linger on and highly recommended.

This audiobook was narrated by Mary Stuart Masterson. I will have to say her narration of this book was a big disappointed. She basically read the book, at time she was monotone; she did very very few voices so it was hard to distinguish who was talking. Because it got a tad better towards the end I give this performance only get 1.5 stars.