So much filler and moved too slow for me...

*Slight Spoiler* That Night by Cecily Wolfe sounded really gripping from reading the summary. Unfortunately, the book missed its mark with me. I found myself over halfway through the book wondering when anything was really going to happen. I mean, besides the obvious heroin overdose at the beginning. I found that the rest of the story, except for the final chapter, could have been shortened down tremendously, as it seemed that not really much happened each day. Yes, they found the dealer, yes, there was sadness and the three main characters coped with their feelings all differently, but it just couldn't hold my attention for almost 7 hours.

Sharmila Devar did a good job narrating this story. While some reviews stated that she didn't have much emotion in her narration, I feel that was pretty accurate for how the characters were acting. There wasn't much in the way of major outbursts where a lot of emotion was needed. I would imagine that I would be fairly numb and unemotional too, once the initial crying and shock of it all had subsided. So, while she didn't read with tons of emotion, I feel that it fit the story just fine. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher for an honest review.

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Excellent YA

Excellent story, really captures many real life issues and emotions. I enjoyed the characters. The narrator does an excellent job bringing the characters to life!

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Everyone needs to hear this story

This book didn’t play out how I expected; it was better. The focus of the story wasn’t on the one that passed, but those that were left behind. The author did so well with the narrative, and it can really open a person’s eyes to not only addiction, but those who are left behind due to addiction. Great props to the author and narrator. Also, I loved the author’s note at the end.

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Mundane

I wasn't overly fond of this book. It was incredibly mundane though I think a lot of that was by design.
Man, the narrator was bland and gave no emotion even though the content was supposed to be emotional. Her voice was so plain, that I had to stop and go back because I wasn't hearing the words.
Overall the story, walks you through each day Kayla's friends live after her death of a drug overdose. What shouldn't be emotional isn't. The author is trying to portray that even every day things are ruined by death but the narration betrays any feelings.
there were some highs as the characters dealt with depression and injuries and how Kayla's death affected those aspects of their lives. This is where the book is at it's best, truly develing into the psychology of those left behind.
Wolfe ends with a small bang. It explains something but not enough. And that's the most weighty issue here: we don't always know everything.

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1 person found this helpful

Teen Overdose Heartache

The heartbreak of losing a teen to drug overdose is real. This story is real. And it digs deep into the thoughts and feelings of the friends who were left behind. The ache. The questions. The sorrow. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for that kind of read. The narrator wasn't overly emotional, but I felt that she did a good job conveying the numbness that the characters were feeling.

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All teenagers should read this book

The author tells a story about how easy it is to lose someone to a Heroine overdose. Even if it’s the first time they’ve ever used it.
The story is well done. Shows how friends and family are affected when they lose a someone to heroine overdose.
The narration is also done well giving this book life, bringing the characters alive.
Well worth a listen too.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher free of charge for a honest, unbiased review.

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Real and raw

That Night is a story that most people wouldn't talk about. I think that all teens should know more about drugs and not just sex. This will help them to understand that it could happen... to anyone. This is a real and raw story that makes you think this could happen to my kid if they aren't careful. Kayla’s death was a huge impact on the people (some she wasn't even that close too) around her. You're own life has impact on others. Remember that!

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Grief

This book is not a story of drug abuse. It is a story of friends and family grieving and learning to go on, even after a loved one is taken from them far too soon.

The story focuses primarily on Cass, Sarah, and Paul. The two best friends and boyfriend of the girl who unexpectedly dies from a heroin overdose.

But Kayla wasn't a drug addict. Or was she?

Cass, Sarah, and Paul all follow very different paths as they deal with the shock of her death, the police investigation, and the rumors making their laps around the school.

This book is a good reminder to young people about just how dangerous drug use can be, that we aren't all immortal, and how sometimes terrible things can happen regardless of if they are deserved or not.

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YA Genius on real life issues

I had first read this book a year ago and I rated it five stars then and I was honestly worried about its translation into an audiobook because the narration is so vital for its success. Consider this a success. The character came even more alive than before. The feelings could be felt through the multiple voices voices by one person.


She delivered a story with truth, honesty and the reality that is now, then and the future. What I wasn’t prepared for was the depth in which I journeyed too. I expected a story of what had happened and why it happened. Bada bing Bada Boom. This was not that.

Wolfe opened up to a world of many different healings. I was left with the feeling of wanting to pick up the phone and call my best friend and remind her how important she is to me.

Kayla’s death was sudden. While we faced her death and were left with the open question of why, we saw the aftermath. The lives of those Kayla had left behind. The aftermath of how coping isn’t the same for everyone. How people can be cruel, they can be kind and they can be broken.

We follow Kayla’s best friends Cassidy and Sarah, Paul the boyfriend, Mia the younger sister and Danny the house it happened at, the closest. But neatly tucked away you a get a glimpse of the soccer team, her parents, other kids parents, coaches and school officials. A lot happens within That Night besides the main premise of the novel.

It’s a very complex story but it the most positive way. I think that because of how real the situation is, the complexity is all to understanding.

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2 people found this helpful

Gripping and emotional

That Night is a great audiobook that really captures the emotional impact of losing a close friend at a young age in such an unexpected manner. The characters are well developed and each one deals with their grief in unique ways. The narrator gives an excellent performance that is well paced with lots of different character voices.

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