When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin
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Web ID: 16836474Blew me away!
I was unprepared for this story. It’s one I saw in a book list one day, decided it sounded interesting enough to put on my someday/maybe audiobooks list, and not long after, I remembered it and decided to give it a try. This book had so much more depth than I anticipated! It took a while to start understanding Reese and where he was coming from, but once his backstory started being revealed, I fell in love with the guy—and hurt for him. This book is written in a very slow-burn style—it felt like it took ages for anything to be revealed, but I never once lost interest in what was happening or what was behind it. I loved watching Reese change and grow as the story went on, and enjoyed getting glimpses into what made him Reese. I also loved all the other characters in this book! It doesn’t have a big cast, but the ones that are there are vivid and unique. There’s the little girl who just stole my heart, Reese’s sidekick with a great sense of humor and a pile of determination, the lost young man who just needed some love and care, and the older man who had a unique way of running a bar and restaurant. It was all intriguing, and I loved meeting each one. The story itself…what can I say? It pulled me in, and wouldn’t let go until I got to the end with a sigh. And yes, I may have stayed up a bit late one night to finish the audiobook, just because—like a stubborn 7-year-old—I couldn’t stand to wait until morning to find out what happened. If you enjoy stories with a lot of internal conflict, a touch of the medical side, some sweet friendships, a hint of romance, and a strong faith journey, you’d likely love this book. I’m already eager to dive into something else by Martin, because if it’s anything like this one, I already know I’ll love it.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Incredibly heartwarming story!
Oh. My. Goodness. Such a heart warming gripping story. Reese is running from what he does best of all. He's very good at hiding who he is from others. Then, there's the adorable seven year old little girl, Annie, who sells lemonade and has faith that puts most to shame. So as not to spoil the story, I won't say what Reese is running from, or what Annie saves her lemonade money for. The entire town loves this little girl, whom her aunt is raising. I can promise you will be blown away by this story. This was just an absolute wonderful story that will draw you in. Highly recommend it! I was given an advanced ecopy from the publisher, Thomas Nelson through Netgalley. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
This book has heart!
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the ARC e-book for review. All opinions are my own. This was a perfect book. The characters were all developed and all had a full-circle moment - they each had an issue at the beginning of the book that was solved by the end. I learned, I laughed, I cried, I felt uplifted. I was captivated by the book and read it quickly because I had to know what happened to the character.. Reese is a widower in his mid-thirties who is a bit of a mystery. He is a stand-up guy with a shadowed past he doesn't speak of. He has suffered a great trauma in his life and because of it has sworn off the one thing he was born to do. That is until Annie, a young girl with a heart condition, enters his life and challenges him to be the miracle she needs in her life. I loved all of the the relationships in this book - the (mostly) easy-going friendship Reese shares with his brother-in-law despite their past, the unconditional love he gives to Annie even though she reminds him so much of his deceased wife, the trust Annie's aunt gives to Reese when he takes on Annie's care, and the way he gently takes Termite, a rudderless young man, under his wing. I have read a few books by Charles Martin and have always enjoyed them. I know Martin is a Christian author but I didn't find this book to be overly so. 4.5 stars
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Great read
What a sweet heart warming story about a little girl with an unhealthy heart and the doctor who would give anything to save her. It was a nice feel good story that I could hardly put down, easily 5 stars!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
So glad I chose to read this book
I usually avoid books with a medical based storyline, but this is Charles Martin! How could I pass this book by? I am so glad that I didn't. The beautiful language in this book is a key reason for not missing out on When Crickets Cry. The intriguing storyline is another reason. It moves between the main character's earlier years and his present day circumstances, allowing readers to understand the decisions that led him to live the life he is currently living, a life that has seemingly lost purpose and meaning. The story explores the theme of hope, its perseverance in lives where one might see little reason for its continued presence, and its resurgence when it would appear all hope is lost. The heart in this story is viewed not only as an organ that gives the body life, but also as a spiritual organ that impacts how one lives the life they've been given. There are many lessons here for one whose heart is inclined to listen. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of When Crickets Cry from Thomas Nelson without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
you will not want to put the book down
I know if people read my reviews they believe I rate every book as the best I have ever read. But once again I need to give a book 5 stars. When Crickets Cry was a moving and touching story. I do not want to put in spoilers, so I will just write that Charles Martin can grab hold of the reader's heart and really give it a tug ... or two ... or three! What a great story of love and dedication and forgiveness. Definitely take the time to get involved in the story of Annie and all of the people who are part of her life. You will not want to put the book down...even after you have read the last page. Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own. For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted! Adult Adult Fiction Book Club Christian Christian Fiction Contemporary Fiction Inspirational Novels
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Beautiful Heartfelt Story
This book is one of the most heartfelt stories I’ve ever read. The characters are lovable, determined, and relatable. Reese, now using his middle name and hiding behind an unkempt beard, seeks to disguise his true identity as a renowned heart surgeon. Growing up, Charlie was his best friend, while Emma, Charlie’s younger sister, battled a defective heart. Reese and Emma fall in love, marry, and Reese dedicates himself to becoming an exceptional heart surgeon in order to save her. However, when Emma dies, Reese becomes a recluse, living by a lake near Charlie, who is now blind. Annie, a six-year-old girl living with her aunt after the death of both her parents, also has a heart defect. To raise money for the heart transplant she will eventually need, Annie sells lemonade in her small town. I have read other books by Charles Martin, and each one has captured my heart from the very beginning. This book is no exception. It is beautifully written and filled with charming characters that take the reader on an emotional journey. Themes of faith, forgiveness, and perseverance resonate throughout the story and lingered with me for days after I turned the last page. I received a complimentary copy of this book; all opinions and comments are my own.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Amazing
Premise: Reese is a man haunted by memories and guilt, living quietly as a boat repairman. His life takes an unexpected turn when he meets Annie, a precocious seven-year-old who sells lemonade and wears a heart monitor strapped to her chest. What begins as a chance encounter soon unravels into a poignant journey where Reese must confront his past and the pain he has long buried. This is a deeply emotional, tenderly written novel that delves into themes of grief, redemption, love, and the transformative power of second chances. Set in a small Southern town, the story follows Reese, a mysterious man with a tragic past, and Annie, a spirited young girl battling a life-threatening heart condition. The prose is lyrical and atmospheric. The setting is written in such rich and descriptive detail. The pacing allows the emotional beats of the story to land with power. The heart-wrenching scenes that don’t feel overly sentimental, balancing hope and sorrow with grace. Overall one of my absolute favourite reads, I would recommend this to everyone!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com