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    Under the Influence: A Novel
    Under the Influence: A Novel
    Under the Influence: A Novel
    Audiobook9 hours

    Under the Influence: A Novel

    Written by Joyce Maynard

    Narrated by Joyce Maynard

    4.5/5

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    About this audiobook

    The New York Times bestselling author of Labor Day and After Her returns with a poignant story about the true meaning—and the true price—of friendship.

    Drinking cost Helen her marriage and custody of her seven-year-old son, Ollie. Once an aspiring art photographer, she now makes ends meet taking portraits of school children and working for a caterer. Recovering from her addiction, she spends lonely evenings checking out profiles on an online dating site. Weekend visits with her son are awkward. He’s drifting away from her, fast.

    When she meets Ava and Swift Havilland, the vulnerable Helen is instantly enchanted. Wealthy, connected philanthropists, they have their own charity devoted to rescuing dogs. Their home is filled with fabulous friends, edgy art, and dazzling parties.

    Then Helen meets Elliott, a kind, quiet accountant who offers loyalty and love with none of her newfound friends’ fireworks. To Swift and Ava, he’s boring. But even worse than that, he’s unimpressed by them.

    As Helen increasingly falls under the Havillands’ influence—running errands, doing random chores, questioning her relationship with Elliott—Ava and Swift hold out the most seductive gift: their influence and help to regain custody of her son. But the debt Helen owes them is about to come due.

    Ollie witnesses an accident involving Swift, his grown son, and the daughter of the Havillands’ housekeeper. With her young son’s future in the balance, Helen must choose between the truth and the friends who have given her everything.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperAudio
    Release dateFeb 23, 2016
    ISBN9780062257796
    Author

    Joyce Maynard

    Joyce Maynard is the author of twelve previous novels and five books of nonfiction, as well as the syndicated column, “Domestic Affairs.” Her bestselling memoir, At Home in the World, has been translated into sixteen languages. Her novels To Die For and Labor Day were both adapted for film. Maynard divides her time between homes in California, New Hampshire, and Lake Atitlan in Guatemala.

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    Reviews for Under the Influence

    4.5/5

    101 ratings10 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Outstanding writing and story. My first by this author, quickly downloaded everything else she’s written. I rarely write reviews but loved this book!

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      If you like breathing, you better pass on this book. Moment after moment, I found myself simply unable to take a breath! It’s a book that causes unease and questioning as a young mother works her way through her imperfect life and relationships. But in the end, you are gifted with a most satisfactory exhale. Go ahead! Who needs air!

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Original story and entertaining the whole way through . Loved the narration

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      One of my very favorite authors. Every book that she has written stays with me forever.
    • 4/5
      Although I felt there was a certain predictability in the storyline and a stretch in believability- I did enjoy the author’s ease of drawing me into the intimacy of the characters and becoming enveloped in her story telling style.
    • 5/5
      Wonderful in every way,beautifully narrated, characters true to life, you feel like your part of the story
    • 5/5
      Excellent! Great story beautifully written and read. Explores some interesting themes about friendship true and false.
    • 5/5
      Great story loved it very entertaining from the first page I was hooked
    • 5/5
      Incredible written storyline, amazing narration made me enjoy this audiobook very much! Deep emotion described in every sentence and true validation of things that matter the most in life..
    • 5/5
      Love it. Engaging and entertaining.
      Nicely narrated. Recommended read/ audio