The Good Goodbye

By: Carla Buckley

Narrated by: Ali Ahn, Suzy Jackson, Eva Kaminsky

Length: 12 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

Two cousins, Rory and Arden, lie unconscious in a hospital burn unit. The fire, which broke out in their shared college dorm room, killed another student, and the police want answers. Tension between Rory and Arden's parents was already at an all-time high before the fire, owing to a recent financial crisis and the decline of the family business. As the parents huddle anxiously in the waiting room, carefully avoiding the subject of their own unraveling relationships, disturbing truths come to light. This is the deeply moving story of a family's struggle to hold together while their secrets threaten to tear them apart.

Carla Buckley is the author of The Deepest Secret, Invisible, and The Things That Keep Us Here, which was nominated for a Thriller Award as a best first novel and the Ohioana Book Award for fiction.

©2016 Carla Schwarz Buckley (P)2016 Recorded Books

phenomenal both literarily as well as performance.

loved it. couldn't wait to get back in the car. a new author for me!

A poignant exploration of family relationships

A beautifully crafted story about the relationships between parents and their children, and how far the bond of friendship can be stretched. Although I struggled to like Rory, in the end I felt nothing but a deep sympathy for her, and a much better understanding of her motives and her behavior. I loved Arden - a deeply insecure character who struggles in the shadow of Rory. It's been a long time since a book has touched me this much. The narrator for Natalie was especially impressive, moving me to tears more than once. One of my best reads so far for 2016.

Keeps you guessing!

I liked the overall storyline and the twists & turns it took. There were several times I was really surprised, times I was mad, & a variety of other emotions. There were times I felt the story was slow - maybe a little too much detail? But, I'd find I had to go back & re-listen because the story had lost me to a hair of boredom. Overall, though, I really liked it!

The readers

This book was very emotional and a great listen. The three readers were awesome and made it difficult to stop listening. I would highly recommend this book!

The Intertwined Lives

This story could be about any family. It takes you on a journey with two families held together with love, jealousy, secrets and lies. Each character plays their part in good times and tragedy. There is intrigue, deception and love. This book was a great read.

I couldn't turn it off!

I am not typically one to listen to a book and a full sitting however I could not turn the story off the characters immersed you in their lives. Rory and Arden the girls next-door or your cousins, there every day lives are engrossed in one another. However the deep secrets that of been capped so carefully tucked away are exposed layer by layer until there's nothing left of pill back in each girl has to decide whom she is at her core.

Emotional read!

As a mother it was hard to imagine the pain the parents must experience as their 2 daughters lay in the hospital. Well written. I liked the way the author knitted the relationships of all the characters.

Still not sure I can finish this

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

This story just drags along. Each character endures terrible burdens, made worse by a very real sense of loneliness. The parents don't talk to each other, the kids can't communicate with the shut-down parents. The sad thing is that I couldn't care less about what happens to these self-absorbed people. What a drag.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Not there yet and might never get there.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No way!

Any additional comments?

The narration was the only thing that keeps this book moving forward, but even that isn't enough to keep listening for 12 hours. Too many books, too little time.

College Freshman...Parents Beware!

It's a well woven story line with well developed characters. But if you have concerns about sending your child off to college, you should either pass on this one or spend some time reminding yourself this story is fiction.

Enjoyed

The twists were unexpected. It's tough being a parent and trying to do the right thing. Good ending!