Without a Trace- A Novel by Danielle Steel
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Web ID: 17341882Disappointed
I think she got Lazy with this one story so unbelievable! He happens to find beautiful women living alone in woods and fall in love immediately baloney sounds like bad romance novel which it was. And I’m tired of her CONSTANTLY putting the female lead with men always way older, 20 years! What is it with this theme, as an older woman I’m offended by this plot all the time!
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Without A Trace
Would you fake your death when you are so unhappy with your life. Charles is a very unhappy person with his personal life and his career, when his life changes after a vehicle crash that he survives but everyone thinks he is dead. He meets Aude, younger woman with an instant attraction. For many months he lives a simple life but decides to come clean with his past life. Aude has secrets from her past that will catch up with her. The first half of the book was slow and repetitive but the second half of the book I could not put down. Loved Charles and Aude, so perfect for each other.
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I wish to thank NetGalley and Random House Publish
Years ago I was a huge fan of this author and read all her books. It has been a while since I read her stories.and I must say she has not lost the ability to captivate me as a reader and I loved this one. There are times in life when you wish you could just walk away and begin life a new somewhere new and different. That is the premise of this story when an unhappy wealthy businessman is faced with such an opportunity. I read this one in one day as I was totally absorbed in the details. The characters are beautifully described and predictable. We all read for different reasons. Sometimes it is to learn, sometimes to escape, and sometimes for pure enjoyment. If you are looking for an escape read this is an absolute must for you. Do not miss this one. I highly recommend it. Danielle Steel is once again one of my favorite authors.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Charlie is great!
Charlie Vincent is CEO of Jansen Plastics in France. He is married to Isabelle and father of Olivier and Judith, both grown and on their own. Charlie’s successful career in publishing crashed when he disagreed with adding some of the books. Being unemployed for two years took a serious toll on his marriage until he got his job in plastics. Now, he has become very wealthy. Isabelle is a woman who loves to spend as much money as she can. In addition to their Paris apartment, Charlie bought a beautiful chateau in Normandy where Isabelle enjoys throwing huge parties and entertaining. She was never a caring mother to their children and they always came to Charlie for comfort. On his way to the chateau, Charlie falls asleep at the wheel and his car goes off a cliff into the water. Before sinking, he is able to escape. He walks down the road and sees a house. Aude is an artist living alone in her small home. She sees Charlie’s injuries and brings him inside to treat him. They immediately fall in love and Charlie is very happy never to return home. He lets everyone think he is dead and stays with Aude. Although his car is found it is presumed that his body washed away, so a memorial service is held for him. Charlie gets a job and he and Aude are very happy. Charlie feels like he now living his life the way he wants it. But what about the family he left behind? He knows he needs to let his children know he is alive but when and how will he do that? I really liked this book and as with every one of Danielle Steel’s books, she is always clever in finding new plots that are mesmerizing. While some readers may not like how Charlie took some time before letting his children know he was alive, I felt that he needed that time for himself for once. Too often, parents are expected to never consider their own wants and needs and feel they must always sacrifice themselves for their families. Great story. Don’t miss it! Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Women's Fiction
This is a Mystery/Women's Fiction. This is a very fast moving book, and I really enjoyed the storyline in this book. The characters were great. There was a lot going on in this book, but I really felt it was done so well. I really loved the ending of this book. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
exciting and intresting story line
Without a Trace by Danielle Steel is a standalone novel. The story revolves around Charles Vincent, who is married, has two grown up successful children, and a high paying job; but he is currently trapped into an unhappy marriage. His wife (Isabelle) never works, spends money, enjoys being considered wealthy and lives a glamorous life. Charles had been in the publishing field, making very good money, until he quits his job, and money becomes an issue for two years, with Charles borrowing money from his wife’s father; his wife constantly threatening a divorce. Charles finally gets another job, making even more money, but he does not like the work and his boss. One night, Charles’s boss keeps him late, and when he drives along the coast to their lavish chateau for the weekend, he falls asleep at the wheel and goes over a cliff into the Ocean. Expecting his death during the fall, Charles manages to survive, and he is badly bruised as he desperately walks in the dark to find help. He comes across a cabin, where he meets a kind woman, Aude, who nurses his wounds, and allows him to rest and sleep in her cabin. In a very short period, Charles begins to discover the passions he never had, and both Aude and Charles fall in love. Being presumed dead, Charles realizes that he can choose to disappear and have a happy life with Aude. Everyone thinks he has died, with funeral services done, and lawyers working on his will. Charles will learn that Aude has some secrets of her past, that will threaten their lives. With many months having past, together Charles and Aude must decide which was the best way to go for their lives together. Do they disappear forever, or have Charles make amends to face his family? Without a Trace was an interesting and different kind of story, with the entire focus on Charles’s unhappy life, at least until he meets the woman who will change his life forever. What follows is an exciting and tense last third of the book, with Aude’s past coming back to haunt her; as well as everyone learning the truth about Charles’s disappearance. Without a Trace was well written by Danielle Steel.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Too much repeitition!
Without a Trace by Danielle Steel is a fast-paced romance with a touch of suspense. We travel to Paris, France where Charles Vincent lives with his wife, Isabelle. The couple have a grown son and daughter. Charles is unhappy with his job and his life. Charles and Isabelle have not had a real marriage in years. She cares more for the money Charles earns than the man. After another argument with his boss, Charles is heading to the chateau they own on the Normandy coast where Isabelle is hosting another weekend party. It is late on Friday evening and Charles is tired (and it is a three hour drive). He drifts off while driving and his car ends up taking a header off a cliff road. When the car finally stops moving, Charles is able to get free and swim to the surface. It is a miracle he survived. He finds his way to a cabin in the woods where Aude Saint-Martin, an artist, lives. There is an instant attraction between Aude and Charles. He needs a break from his real life and makes a decision to walk away. I can understand Charles’ desire to walk away from his life. He has a greedy, ungrateful wife and a job he does not enjoy. Of course, then he is unable to contact with his children. Life is full of choices as we see in Without a Trace. I enjoyed the beautiful descriptions of Paris and the Normandy coast. I especially liked Aude’s cabin. The majority of the characters are unlikeable. The most likeable is Aude who has not had an easy life. The romance between Aude and Charles seemed rushed. I thought it should be slower considering Aude’s experience with her ex-husband. There is a lot of repetition of key details (way too much). I enjoyed the story though there are some disturbing sections. Without a Trace does have some good life lessons (being honest, facing hard truths). I believe at one time or another we have all dreamed of walking away from our lives. Without a Trace lets us see what happens when one man does just that.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
An addictive delve into "what ifs"
Quick to catch my attention and hold it throughout! Danielle Steel always has a way of weaving a character into my soul in a way that has me entrenched in the outcome of their happiness even if I don't always agree with their methods of getting there. Moral boundaries are straddled as passion ignites in the most unorthodox of ways that nonetheless left me rooting for the happily ever after from start to finish. Another addictive read from Steel! I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a look in the life of someone that will take extreme measures when life on the other side looks brighter. The characters have a personable quality to them and while some of his actions are questionable, a delve into the depth of his despair shows the reader his thought process and makes him fairly redeemable.
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