If You Find Me

Yes, this was read by Tai Sammons and much feeling came forth.

When Carey found out the truth about what happened to her.

Carey for sure. Nessia was great too.

If you find me.

I originally got this as a library book. Then because I loved it so much I bought both the audio and the kindle version of it. Thank You very much!

Emily Murdoch’s debut novel and is heartfelt, harrowing, and lovely all at once. This is a tough issue book about abuse and survival that is hard to hear/read at times but very powerful and uplifting too. Tai Sammons’ performance makes the story feel even more realistic.

If You Find Me is the story of 15-year-old Carey and her 5-year-old sister Jenessa. They live in the woods in a camper with their unstable mother who frequently leaves them alone to find drugs. Carey is more like a mother than a sister to Jenessa and they only have each other to rely on. One day, Carey’s father and a social worker suddenly appear to rescue them from the woods. Now they must adjust to life in the real world, including school, technology, what to wear, and how to act. But the woods still haunt them in various ways, and secrets can’t be kept forever.

The descriptive writing would sometimes distract me with its elegance and I’d get lost in the story. Even though the subject matter is disturbing, Murdoch adds lighter moments like a new friend, or a cute dog, to brighten the mood. But at the same time there are certain recollections of Carey’s that hurt like a kick in the gut. The reader learns about Carey’s backstory through flashbacks that hint at the mystery behind Jenessa losing her voice.

Carey has an artistic spirit and a unique way of thinking and expressing herself. She is such a mature character, that it was easy to relate to her from one mother to another, even though she’s still a teen. The sisterly bond is strong understandably, and I rooted for them both to get some well-deserved peace and happiness. My heart soared with each small victory on their journey, and ached for the pain that lingered.

Tai Sammons’ reads the audiobook, and this is my first experience with her narration. Her dialect is spot on and she conveys Carey’s emotional state of being well. The book is set in Tennessee and Sammons’ gives the book an authentic feel with her Southern accent. Sammons’ gets to use her talents on different types of voices like the mean girl, authority figures, and a child’s voice for Jenessa. I’d listen to this narrator again- she delivers a strong, nuanced performance that made me feel all the emotions. Though the book is powerful on its own, the audiobook made me connect even more with the story.

If You Find Me is a great choice for realistic contemporary readers, and one you won’t want to put down.

I was riveted by this book. I usually want my credits to be used for longer titles but this book is outstanding. Narrator was perfect. I listened to it in about 24 hours but every time I re-started the app, the cover graphic was so poignant. It's really just a great listen, excellent book and worthy performance.

Ranks very high

Getting evaluated for placement in the school

The step sister comming around

no

it is a great story

Murdoch's writing weaves a vine for readers and listeners to climb colored with the mixed past and present so often experienced by survivors of childhood trauma. Her characters are relatable and admirable to her intended audience, as she captures the essence of life as a teenager amidst the peculiar struggles of her protagonist. Definitely not easy to put down, the only unfortunate takeaway was the lisp of the narrator (possibly purposeful, but not evidently so, and not adding to the prose as a result.) The narrator was otherwise impassioned and expressive.

This is not my typical book choice but it was on sale so I grabbed it and Wow. Just WOW! I wish I was good at reviews because I know I wont do this book justice! What a heartbreaking, great, powerful story. This book really makes you think. I can't imagine living their lives. The characters were great! Carrie is AMAZING! And what an exceptional person! The way she took care of her sister and everything! Janessa...loved her... Her Dad & Melissa were great & even though the step sister was "the way she was"; you understood her too!

I don't know I've only listened tot eh audio edition. I'd like to see the print one... just to see if the audio edition missed a few pages though.

Yes, I'd be willing to give this author another listen. While I do have some issues with the book itself I did enjoy the story overall.

The narrator helps carry the story along, providing distinct voices to most characters and just provides polish to the story.

A few scenes could have moved me if they'd been executed better.

I don't know if it's the author's fault or the narrator's but there's spots in the book where scenes shift without much lead in. For example, in one scene Carey and her family are around the table eating. An argument breaks out. Carey's dad says he'll talk with Del (Carey's step-sister) after dinner. He never does and the author loses a chance for some character development.

The book could be 4 or 5 stars, except that it feels more like a teen-fiction checklist. It sometimes felt like the author had a checklist and she was writing stuff to cross those items off rather then a full story. There was quite a bit of insta-love going around too.

I did really like the idea and quite a bit of the story. It was the execution that brought the quality down.

This was a compelling story, well-narrated. The depth and complexity of the human condition is stunningly portrayed through the eyes of Carey, the teenage protagonist. This story brought a sheen to my eyes more often than any other book that I've listened to.

It's a hard listen at times, but gripping. It's not my usual choice, but I truly found it one of the most memorable stories.

Moving, heart-wrenching, wonderful

I felt that she BECAME Carey. She was not a performer, but the embodiment of a character... great job!

Yes!

I loved this book.. the descriptions of Carey and Jenessa's worlds - old and new - the good character, the not-so-good characters... I LOVED it. Sure, it relies a bit on coincidence and people too good to be true, but both the descriptions and the performance of Tai Sammons more than made up for it.

About halfway through this book it began to dawn on me that it seemed to be written for a younger audience. I looked it up and ...SURE ENOUGH...it's designed YA. This is the second time this has happened to me on AUDIBLE and I'm sort of miffed. I'm well over the age of 15!

Only if she writes something that's not written for teens.

I can't even answer this question.

No

PLEASE let your members know when a book is YA!