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The Secret of Everything

A Novel

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The Secret of Everything

By: Barbara O'Neal
Narrated by: Angela Dawe
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About this listen

In this spectacular novel, Barbara O'Neal delivers a generous helping of the best in life - family, food, and love - in the story of a woman's search for the one thing worth more than anything.

At 37, Tessa Harlow is still working her way down her list of goals to "fall in love and have a family". A self-described rolling stone, Tessa leads hiking tours for adventurous vacationers - a job that's taken her around the world but never a step closer to home. Then a freak injury during a trip already marred by tragedy forces her to begin her greatest adventure of all.

Located high in the New Mexico mountains, Las Ladronas has become a magnet for the very wealthy and very hip, but once upon a time it was the setting of a childhood trauma Tessa can only half remember. Now, as she rediscovers both her old hometown and her past, Tessa is drawn to search-and-rescue worker Vince Grasso. The handsome widower isn't her type. No more inclined to settle down than Tessa, Vince is the father of three, including an eight-year-old girl as lost as Tessa herself. But Tessa and Vince are both drawn to the town's most beloved eatery - 100 Breakfasts - and to each other. For Tessa, the restaurant is not only the key to the mystery that has haunted her life but a chance to find the home and the family she's never known.

©2009 Barbara Samuel (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.
Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Women's Fiction

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Barbara o'Neal fan

The narrator was off putting! Screechy and intonation bad. The book was great! As always!

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Great story but poor narration

I really struggled to stay listening to this book due to the narrator and her style of speech which sounded more like monotone news reading. But persisted as I like the author and really wanted to hear the end of the story. The narrator improved when there was more dialogue and using different character voices. I would be hesitant to listen to the same narrator again. Overall I really enjoyed the book so was able to focus on the content and love Barbara O'Neal's understand and portrayal of people who've been through traumas and how these then play out on their lives and relationships. I was tempted to try some of the recipes too.

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Irritating narration, lovely story

First, the narrator almost ruined my enjoyment of this book, overemphasizing (different to articulating) almost every word, only relieved during the narration of character dialogues other than the main character Tessa. I sort of learned to ignore it, and could concentrate on the journies of the characters and the lovely tenderness that ms samuels can bring to the relationships between the characters, lovers, parents and children, and friends. I think that and the intimacy that she can express so well is one of the reasons i have enjoyed some of her contemporary novels. i love the way she explores the tenderness and care of beautiful fathers towards daughters - very attractive traits!

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Dreadful narrator

I couldn’t enjoy this story as the narrator was so shrill and inept. I can’t understand why someone so untalented would offer herself for a job like this. Please don’t ruin it for any more listeners,

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