Suspenseful. Read it in one sitting.

Where does Payback rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I'm not sure. The story was brilliant. I like how Jacobs builds up the suspense slowly, along with the esculating domestic abuse. I thought the story itself was brilliant, I started it, and next thing I knew I'd finished it! I couldn't stop. I had to know what happened. Took me a while to warm to the narrator, but once I got used to her voice, it made it easier. I think some of the characters didn't match her style of narration, but I think she did ok.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jamie. She was vulnerable, and typical teenager. I found myself feeling angry and her parents over protection on a 17 year old, but when what happened happened, I felt very sorry for her. She knew she'd made a mistake that she couldn't get out of. I wanted to help her myself....

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

I'm not sure she was the ideal narrator for this book. She did the women well, but I don't think she pulled the male characters off that well. Hence my 3-5 rating of the performance. I don't know if I read other books narrated by her, but the plotline grabbed me, and when that happens, I do my best to put the narrator out of the equation.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, and I did.

Any additional comments?

If I was going to compare this to anything, even slightly, it would be in to the darkest corner, by Haynes. Though not exactly the same, the element of domestic abuse and violence is the same, and the way he treats her in the end is the same. Controlling, possessive, he sheds tears when he hurts her etc, just as Lee did in Haynes novel. If you've read that, you really should read this. Very good story.

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Family Drama

This is a truly remarkable tale, one of a family's love overcoming all odds. It follows Marta and her family. Marta is a woman who always plays by the rules, much to her sister's chagrin, but even she can be tempted to let loose. It happened once, only once. She enjoyed herself but vowed 'never again'. But it seems,  no matter all her efforts, this mistake will not leave her alone. Not just in her conscience, but her family life, her career. This is a woeful story of cause and consequence, chain reaction, you too will be tempted to play the blame game. But at its core, this is a story of the strength of love. It's not just a gushy tale, but quite true to life. Marta's family is ordinary but her one mistake leads to them becoming a news story.

Everybody makes mistakes. No one is perfect yet even a single regrettable incident can remain difficult to live with. A catastrophic choice like Marta's, for instance. The themes explored in this novel were compelling to a fault- I  can't stop thinking about them!  Can one forgive themselves for one moment of foolishness? What if said foolishness places one's loved ones in the face of danger? Is it right to blame the victim for their misjudgement (as unfortunately happens in real life only too often)?

This really could be a true story, it was stunningly realistic. Jonnie Jacobs writes with subtle finesse of relationships and how they play out. An author who captures readers' attention for her striking details. It becomes immediately clear  that this is a writer who is also a conscientious observer of the human nature and all its flaws.c

The narration by Cindy Piller was also unquestionably suitable: emotive in all the right places, but not overly so, and not at all difficult to follow along with. She did a fantastic job with this, connecting listeners to characters.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

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Great story

Any additional comments?

This was a really enjoyable listen. Although initially I found Marta a little bit pious, I found myself warming to her as the story played on. In fact, I ultimately thought that she was excellently drawn as a product of her environment. The dependable big sister who had to be in charge. All the other characters were believable and well thought out. The story moved along at a brisk pace and I was desperate to find out what happened as the villain was so evil I felt he was capable of anything. The ending was highly satisfactory and I am so honoured to have received this book for free that it is a privilege to leave a 5 star review and to highly recommend Payback to everyone as a thoroughly enjoyable read/listen!

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