I Hope You Find Me

By: Trish Marie Dawson

Narrated by: Erin Spencer

Life for Riley ends when her young children die in her arms…victims of a global viral outbreak that claims the lives of everyone she’s ever known. Left to fend for herself with only a dog as her companion, she sets out on a journey to find others, leaving notes everywhere she goes…hoping that one day someone will come looking for her. When Riley meets the handsome yet mysterious Connor on the streets of Downtown San Diego, they form a bond unlike either has experienced before. When the things that go bump in the night turn out to be more than nightmares, the trio sets off for the mountains in search of an isolated resort where they can hunker down, away from the ominous shadows of the dead city streets. The peace and tranquility of the woods isn’t enough to keep the darkness away for long though and soon Riley and Connor are forced to accept that the World and the few people left alive in it will never be the same. The shadows of their past may haunt them forever…threatening to destroy what little dreams they have left of a future unless they fight to stay in the light and never lose their hope.

©2012 Trish Marie Dawson (P)2014 Trish Marie Dawson

Standing Ovation! Encore!!!

What made the experience of listening to I Hope You Find Me the most enjoyable?

The story was brilliant and well edited. The narrator really brought the characters to life.

What did you like best about this story?

How strong Riley was with everything she had to go through.

What does Erin Spencer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The voice of each character was very distinct and original. She did an amazing job of putting me on the scene with each of the characters. Well done!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Fight to stay in the light and never lose hope.

Any additional comments?

I am simply blown away by the originality of this story. Trish Marie Dawson is now one of my favorite authors. Awesome job! Well done! Grabbing book two now!

My new hero - Riley

What made the experience of listening to I Hope You Find Me the most enjoyable?

When I first began listening to I Hope You Find Me and learned that Riley was a mother of two children, the voice I heard gave me a bit of a disconnect. The narrator did not seem to have a voice old enough to have two children, even small children. However, after learning a little more about Riley's personality, the voice became Riley and was appropriate.

What other book might you compare I Hope You Find Me to and why?

Though I can't think of another book that I would compare "I Hope You Find Me" with very closely, I do kind of think of it in the mold of "The Stand" but with the young, energetic full of life characters of more recent novels such as Divergent, The Maze or Hunger Games. Though Riley is probably 10 years older than those protagonists, she displays the same energy and determination.

Which scene was your favorite?

Favorite scene - simply because it so strongly portrayed the fact that life and love did still exist, even in the world as it was, I loved the scene at the pavilion when Connor approaches Riley privately. I'll say no more.

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

There are so many, from the scene of Riley comforting her daughter in need, to the passion with Connor, to the pure fury at Matt. Riley is a woman of vast emotion, like most of us are. Trish Dawson is a master at showing us Riley's full array of passion.

Any additional comments?

I typically read what I call “big books,” those with 800-1000+ pages, and that run anywhere from 40 to 60 hours on Audible. This novel is much shorter at just shy of 10 hours on Audible. As would be expected, the “big books” involve a lot of detail which lends to setting the stage, environment and atmosphere of the story. In “I Hope You Find Me,” Trish Marie Dawson manages to bring the reader into just as an intense immersion of the story with far less text. From moment one of listening to this book, I was connected to the main character and my attention never wavered from that moment. I was only sorry that due to my own schedule I was not able to listen non-stop. “I Hope You Find Me” is set in the aftermath of a world-wide calamity - - one that could conceivably occur, one that, though not the exact scenario, I have often imagined what I might do if found in a situation such as the one Riley has found herself in. I admire the way the author had Riley do some things that would, in normal circumstances, just make no sense at all - - but, of course, there is no such thing as normal circumstances in Riley’s life now. Any prospective readers - - if you enjoy post-catastropic stories of human survival and behavior, including the pain and the joy, you will not be disappointed in this one. I am looking forward to the next!

I hope you find me

What was one of the most memorable moments of I Hope You Find Me?

This novel was always interesting, well written, and amazing storytelling. Moves well, wonderful development in meaningful relationships and conflict.

Definitely worth Reading and listening to

*possible spoilers*

I have both the kindle book and the audible version, so I read and listened intermittently. That aside, I absolutely loved this book. It had me hooked from the very beginning. Rylie is a strong character, who has held it together and survived the traumatic loss of her entire family. From time to time, her fragility shows through, and you often wonder if she has it in her to go on, living and to a survival center. She leaves a trail of notes, meant for family, but really, for anyone left amongst the living. When she meets Connor (well, when he saves her life), your first thought is, yay another human! But Rylie is still having a hard time dealing with her inner demons, and while desperately lonely, she has a wall up against Connor. Whether it's because she doesn't trust him, or because she's too scared to lose more people she cares for, you'll never know. When her and Connor are all but forced to leave the luxury hotel they been staying in, they set off into the new world and relative unknown.
Upon finding the center, her hopes are deflated when they find one lone survivor.
And end up bringing along some very unwelcome visitors.
This is an incredible book, the characters are well developed and given personalities all their own. I was so sad to have finished this book, but knowing it's a series, with more to come, I look forward to more of Rylie's story.

I hope you find me ? Yes I did and very glad.

Where does I Hope You Find Me rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Not a fair question, as most of the books I find are great books. I tend to return the bowzers (not up to my par) books. I will return for a re-listen again.

What was one of the most memorable moments of I Hope You Find Me?

I was happy when she and the dog were gotten out of the water.

What about Erin Spencer’s performance did you like?

She did well on the voices, which makes it more interesting than someone who just reads the book. Voice changes make the book come alive.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I didn't laugh or cry, although there were great highs and lows in the book. The opening was when you realize she has just had the children and paramour bodies burned, then to find her mother dead as well.

Any additional comments?

I would recommend this book for more mature readers/listeners due to the deaths and the virus that has taken out most of the world population. Not a good read for younger readers.

I Hope You Find Me

Would you listen to I Hope You Find Me again? Why?

Absolutely!! Loved listening to this book, I had read it but listening added so much , it reminded me even more why I enjoyed this book!'

Who was your favorite character and why?

I loved Riley! She has to overcome so much heart break and tragedy. She's a strong heroine but also sensitive and resilient!

What does Erin Spencer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Erin helped me put more of a personality and face to the character , she added a whole new view to the main character.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Surving the apocalypse and finding love

Any additional comments?

Trish Dawson did such an amazing job with this series!! The world building and character development was so spot on, she brings her characters emotions and the journey they endure to the forefront with exemplary writing and story telling. It was a believable story of love and survival. I loved listening to their story and the things they had to face, how they made it through them and the development of Riley and Connor's love story. Can't wait to listen to book 2!

Loved this book from page 1

Would you consider the audio edition of I Hope You Find Me to be better than the print version?

I had previously read the print version and loved that. My experience with audiobooks has been poor so I wasn't holding out high hopes for this one. It took a bit to adjust to, my inner voice sounded a bit different than the narrator did, but after a couple of chapters, I was pulled into the audio version 100%. I really enjoyed it and might even give audiobooks in general another try.

Have you listened to any of Erin Spencer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not heard her before but I very much enjoyed this performance. Other narrators that I have heard in the past tend to drone on with little to no emotion in the reading, leaving me bored and disconnected. I did not have that experience here with Erin Spencer. I felt drawn into the story and really felt it was her story to tell. Well done.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There were scenes in this book that broke my heart. Being a mother I can not imagine what it would have been like for the main character to have to live through what she has. Every scene is well written. The reader feels every emotion that the characters feel. It was wonderful.

Any additional comments?

From page 1 I loved this book. Riley is a strong character that you can't help but like and relate to. I actually felt horrible for her. Even as she lay in bed ready to give up, I really couldn't blame her. Most people probably would have done the same. It's really only her sense of duty to her mother that pulls her up and gets her moving. She makes some choices that aren't perfect, but hey, she's despondent and in shock, few of us would be thinking any clearer. As Riley travels, she meets several other characters. Some of them are friendly, some have more sinister intentions. But they are all interesting and have purpose. Even the dog. The dog is very important, as they usually are. :-)This is the first book in a series but it stands alone well. There are some loose ends but those will just drag you back for Book #2 which I promise, is also a great read! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys post-catastrophe stories or stories of strong women with a heart.

I hope you find Riley

Would you consider the audio edition of I Hope You Find Me to be better than the print version?

Absolutely! Hearing the heartbreak in Rileys voice is just agonizing. Then hearing the rest of the cast come to life. Hearing the sturggles played out. Amazing

What did you like best about this story?

Hope is never lost. Its an amazing tale of Love and Hope

Which scene was your favorite?

I cant pick just one. I can tell you when Riley leaves her house for the last time. Was the worst.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Balled like a baby!

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend anything and everything written by Trish Marie Dawson

My favorite novel is now my favorite audiobook!!

My favorite novel is now my favorite audiobook!! I normally only listen to Doctor Who.

Not what I expected

I had high hopes for this book, since I love post-apocalyptic fiction. But this was just mediocre at best. It was pretty dull for most of the book. Riley starts out as a likeable character, but as the book progresses she just keeps doing really dumb things that make you shake your head in frustration. It boggled my mind that there was so much sex and sexual attraction. It's the end of the world, and everyone is dead of a virus, and yet much of the book reads like two horny teenagers who haven't gotten laid in years. Riley kisses several guys, and in the end, you end up hating her for her stupid decisions. I'm sorry to be so harsh because the book was very well-written as far as style and dialog go, but the plot was just ho-hum. I bought the second book at the same time as the first based on recommendations, so I'll give it a listen just to see if things get any better. I wasn't fond of the whole ghost/zombie storyline, either. I would've liked to have more specifics about the virus and the events leading up to it, rather than bloody ghosts with outstretched arms. It just added to the juvenile tone of the novel. The narrator was a good one.