Only One Life

A Novel

De: Ashley Farley

Narrado por: Sophie Amoss, Elizabeth Wiley

A reunion between an estranged mother and daughter opens a world of secrets in a poignant novel by the bestselling author of Magnolia Nights.

Julia Martin grew up wealthy, but it wasn’t until she met her husband, Jack, that she knew true happiness. He made her feel worthy and loved. Their marriage was also an escape from her sister’s bullying, her father’s scrutiny, and her chilly and enigmatic mother. But when tragedy strikes on the night she gives birth, Julia’s happiness is shattered. She has no choice but to return home to her family’s South Carolina mansion, where the grief and guilt buried in her mother’s past await her.

As a young woman trapped in a bitter marriage, Julia’s mother, Iris, once needed her own means of escape. In Lily, she found a best friend. In the flower shop they opened, she discovered independence. Then came a transgression - unforgivable, unforgettable, and unresolved - that changed Iris’s life forever.

Now, in Iris’s most desperate hour, her only hope is to regain the trust of the daughter she loves - and to share the secrets of the heart that could rebuild a family’s broken bonds.

©2019 by Ashley Farley. (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Predictable

If you need a nice quiet cozy read, this is your book. Extremely predictable - I could doze off in places and not have to rewind.

First time reading this author

Will definitely be looking for more books by Ashley Farley! A great story about a dysfunctional family, mistakes too long hidden, and reconciliation.

Pretty good listen

I enjoyed the narrator. The story had deep subject matter but performed in a light and airy way. Southern charm I guess. Multiple tragedies and unraveling brings a mom and daughter back together.

Secrets

A prime example of the impact secrets can have on people. I loved the friendship between Iris and Lilly. I would have loved to have known more about Alex but was pleased with Julia's ending after all her tragic events.

Beautiful story

I laughed, I cried, I got angry and I was overwhelmed with joy!! Any book that can elicit that kind of emotion deserves 10 stars!! Well done, Ms. Farley, well done!

Only One Life

Unlike others’ reviews, I found this a real life, hard-knocks, yet always a hopeful story. Any less tough times, and it would fall under a fluffy read.

I do enjoy a happy ending, and this was that yet not unbelievable.

Only One Life

As with.the.other books ive.read.by.this.author, I emjoyed this one immensely..She gives such depth to.her.characters.that one can't help but identify with them and.root for their happy ending.

Storyline is full of the ups and downs of living

Ms. Farley has delivered another beautifully developed storyline full of pain, forgiveness, redemption, healing and love.
The narrative is told from the mother's perspective, Iris, as a young woman in flashbacks in the beginning and then in the now. It's also told in one of the daughter's perspective, Julia, on the now setting and remembering back. Both women share a special connection. Unlike Iris other daughter, Alexandra, and her husband Max.
Their is also a best friend key to the story, Lily, and Lily's husband.
There is old Southern money versus coming from nothing/having no family pedigree. The many taboo topics covered in the storyline make it quite a book. I found it to be good plus worthwhile.

a story of family secrets, with love and betrayal

this was a nicely told story about Iris and Julia's struggles and lives. Their lives were full of struggles, joys, and Love.

Mostly good read

I just didn’t like the actress who narrated Julius’s part. She was monotonous and depressing. Alex and Maxi’s characters were rather extreme. Mostly a good story.