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A Familiar Stranger

By: A. R. Torre
Narrated by: Christina Traister, Chris Ciulla, Patrick Lawlor, Leon Nixon
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Publisher's summary

Such a quiet and ordinary wife and mother. Who will even notice what she’s done?

Lillian Smith leads an unexceptional life, writing obituaries and killing time with her inattentive husband and disconnected son. Then she meets David, a handsome stranger, in a coffee shop. Lured into an affair, she invents a new persona, one without strings, deadlines, or brooding husbands.

Lillian has never felt so reckless, unpredictable, or wanted. But as her affair with David intensifies, she withdraws from everything that’s real, even her closest friend. When evidence of her life as a secret lover finds its way onto her son’s social media, she risks ruining much more than her marriage or reputation.

As lies beget lies, Lillian’s two worlds spiral dangerously out of control. And betrayals run deeper than she imagines. Because Lillian isn’t the only one leading a double life.

©2022 Select Publishing LLC. (P)2022 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved
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Critic reviews

“A whiplash suspenser that’s a model of its kind.”Kirkus Reviews

“The author skillfully reveals the characters’ many lies and secrets. Torre knows how to keep the reader guessing.”Publishers Weekly

What listeners say about A Familiar Stranger

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Wow. Wow. Wow!!!

Wowzers. This book is really good. It will keep you on your toes, because it kept me on my toes. OhMgee because I don’t want to spoil it. Let me just say the affair Mike had, I was not expecting who he had it with. And the way it ended it has me wondering are we getting another book or a novella?! Awesome story a must read or listen. I was able to do both because of Kindle Unlimited!!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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interesting

Even though this book has a beach on the cover it isn't a summer read and I am glad I read it! So many twists and turns, there's a very small chance you will be able to actually guess the ending!!!!!

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No truer words "a familiar stranger"

Very enjoyable read, many twist, and an unexpected end. I purchased both the Kindle and audible so I can switch back and forth as well as listen while I read.. Excellent narration. I reccomend this book.

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    4 out of 5 stars

Good story awful narration

Don’t waste a credit on this title just read the actual book!!
Good story ruined by the narration

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Excellent story- Horrible Narrator and production!

I NEVER write anything negative here so I’ll start with the book and story- true to AR Torre- the book is awesome! Took twists that until I was upon them I didn’t see coming! I will always be a fan of Torre!
Ok - that being said, the production and female narrator were awful! Someone needs to go back in and edit again and again.
Better to pick up this book and read as opposed to listen so it does this author the justice she deserves!

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Her best yet!

I've been waiting on this for months and when it appeared at 3am eastern, I started it and less than a day later I'm done!

It was even better than I expected. Don't read too many reviews. Go into it with only the basics and enjoy the ride! The twists were madness! TBH in the first half, I had fun but thought it wasn't going to meet my expectations, it was funny and interesting tho, but when it really took off it exceeded my expectations.

I kinda wish she'd make this one a series. I'm not done with these people!

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Living a double life can be dangerous

Lillian was a troubled woman who held conflicting thoughts about her happiness. After twenty years of marriage she was ready to figure out who she is. For the entirety of her marriage she became what her husband expected of her. It was not her own life anymore. She wondered who she would be without Mike so she searched for another life more exciting than our own. Lillian often wondered what would have happened if she’d chosen a different path in life.
An opportunity presented itself when she met David. David offered her an adventurous life. After being a creature of habit who’s life was boring and uneventful she decided to invent a new persona.
As Lillian gets locked into her own agenda her friendship with Sam takes a nosedive. Her relationship with her husband is nonexistent. Her son could care less about bonding with his mother. Lillian is far removed from the woman who was a wife and mother that she doesn’t realize that her husband’s life is unfolding into dangerous territory and her sons life is put on public display.

I felt the situation with David was left unfinished. I’m still unclear about the motives involving that last comment. The relationship with Jacob was one that wasn’t entirely flushed out.
This is a tricky story. My original thoughts didn’t lead me into the direction I thought Lillian’s character was going. Not to mention I looked too deep into some of the other characters searching for something that didn’t pan out.
This is the type of story that needs to be read with the understanding that AR Torre has a purpose and when she’s ready to reveal that you’ll understand.

Narrators:
I listened using the audible app at 2.1x. I prefer listening to thrillers rather than reading them on my own. I purchased both the audiobook and ebook and allowed the performers to bring life to these characters. It’s the best way to experience a story.
Christina Traister
Chris Ciulla
Patrick Lawlor
Leon Nixon
Christina’s performance was my favorite. Her voice acting skills transported me into Lillian’s character.
As for the three male performers I couldn’t distinguish who was whom. They all sounded about the same. There performances weren’t as powerful or convincing as the female narrator.
Overall I enjoyed the audiobook.

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Plot Twist

Good book. I was not at all expecting the twist at the end! Worth the listen.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A fast-paced cat and mouse page turning thriller

A.R Torre writes a suspense thriller, I'll read it.
With the short chapters and fast pace of this story, I was hooked from the beginning.
Easy to follow and easy to listen to, this audiobook flowed well from beginning to end. I did not enjoy the way it ended, but only because I wish the things that happened weren't true.

Lillian is an obituary writer, but her life isn't all what's it cracked up to be. She has a teenager that's well, a teenager. Her husband has been pulling away from her for awhile and she assumes he's having an affair. The only person that is truly in her life is her best friend Sam. When her husband admits to the affair, he tries to make their life better. But is it too little too late??

Told in multiple POV's but mainly Lillian's, we follow a woman that feels like she's lost herself but looking for a bit of herself in others. The lies, cheating, deception and living another life begins to pile up for all parties involved and we get to follow along with the characters.
I felt for Lillian but didn't 100% connect with her until some truths came out. I didn't like that it was a "tit for tat" type of deal with her husband, but once some of the lies came to light, I really began to hate the people in her life that were supposed to be by her side. I liked the little twist Torre gave us when it came to her POV in the last part of the book. It did make me feel for Lillian, but it was a cool little twist.

Overall, A Familiar Stranger was a story that had me filled with a bit of anxiety and wishing it didn't have to end the way it did. I liked the overall arc of the story, but man do I hate when certain people get away with crimes they shouldn't have. But then again, that always makes for an interesting twist when it comes to thrillers. As for the audio, enjoyed the overall performances but did not like the fact that one of the male performers changed his accent mid chapters. Understood why, but didn't like the way it happened.

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Story line was great!

Accents of narrators were off. Still a great book but accents made it cringy. Loved the story line!

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