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  • A Friend of the Family

  • Written by: Lisa Jewell
  • Narrated by: Helen Duff
  • Length: 11 hrs and 47 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (136 ratings)

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A Friend of the Family

Written by: Lisa Jewell
Narrated by: Helen Duff
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Publisher's Summary

Brothers Tony, Sean, and Ned had the perfect upbringing, but now that they are grown-up, real life is starting to get in the way. Tony’s dealing with divorce and a weight problem, novelist Sean is up against a serious case of writer’s block and a shock announcement from his “perfect” new girlfriend, and their parents have a new lodger, Gervase. Why is Bernie, their mother, so keen to give this unsavory waif a home? And what is the real reason for kid brother Ned’s surprise return from his travels in Australia?

©2020 Dreamscape Media, LLC (P)2020 Dreamscape Media, LLC

What listeners say about A Friend of the Family

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Sweet story, light drama

I love Lisa Jewell, and as great as some of the characters and relationships are in this, I’m used to heavier thrill and complication in her writing. Lovely book, not my favourite of hers.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Heartwarming

A bit confusing at the start but blossoms to a beautiful heartwarming story.. Helen Duff is an excellent narrator! Definitely worth a listen!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Helen Duff is incredible. This is another great read

Lisa Jewell books have never failed me. I am always disappointed when they end and I want to know and read more about the characters. Helen Duff is the best narrator and I laugh with amazement thinking how she pulls off so many characters. Thank you

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent novel.

Love, love this book. I couldn’t wait to listen to it on my walks and free time. Highly recommend it.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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This author never disappoints!!

I cant get enough of Lisa Jewells stories, love her writing style, love her characters

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great Book - Loved it!

Loved this book, the story and the characters, I really enjoyed this book. I have read so many of Lisa Jewell's books and have loved them all!

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Family Dynamics

I enjoyed everything about this listen, from the sibling rivalry to the quirky interloper..all woven together with a heaping helping of brilliant parenting.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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Boring

Nothing really going on throughout , was bored the whole time but managed to finish thankfully

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Wonderful❣️

I love this book. It just kept getting better as I listened. It's a book I'll listen to again❤️

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Another great book by Lisa Jewel

Took a little bit to get into. But so good once you are into the story.

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  • Adele
  • 2020-02-05

Over use of blasphemy

I am not a religious fanatic or a prude or easily offended, but that exactly what this author managed to achieve with the constant “Jesus!” and “Christ!”, I got to the point where I was waiting for it.... and it was just too much!!

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107 people found this helpful

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  • Bitten and Seven Are The Best Kitties In Heaven
  • 2020-02-06

Brilliant

I absolutely loved this book. The characters are so well developed and the nuances of love, life, pain, and family are masterfully explored. LJ can definitely be hit and miss but this one is a big, big hit. It is the true masters of storytelling who can, without the exploitation of things like violence/sex/drug use/disturbing content, maintain ones attention and have you rooting for each and every character involved for sometimes completely different reasons...There is gorgeous, descriptive language making it easy to see, hear, and feel these places and people in a way that is utterly human and real. I didn’t want this book to end. I am a hardcore mystery/suspense enthusiast so I sort of went out of my comfort zone with this book. I am so glad I did. I wish that there were ten more books about this family because I would read each and every one of them. Very, very well done.

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45 people found this helpful

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  • Silvia
  • 2020-01-28

Awul, just awful.

could hardly finish it.Did Jewell really write this?? The story is boring, the conversations are awful. i thought something would turn this book for me, but no. Really awful.

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34 people found this helpful

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  • ivonne duque
  • 2020-02-15

A Friend of the Family

The worst book written by LisaJewell.
Flat characters, predictable and typical happy family ending. Terrible!

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21 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • JimKnott
  • 2020-01-31

Done in Again!

Lisa Jewel’s work is always a refreshing break from the Post-Apocalyptic, blowing shit up, people dying stuff I read and listen to most days. A Friend of the Family is an inspirational and uplifting tale. This middle aged sentimental American man will revisit it again and wait enthusiastically for her next work of art.

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18 people found this helpful

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  • Andrew Dunne
  • 2020-01-26

So good!

I am a super fan of Lisa jewell’s work and this one is just amazing. I honestly did not want this to end. Love love love. Love the narrator as well.

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13 people found this helpful

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  • huh
  • 2020-05-28

Good story!

I liked it, it wasn’t so much suspenseful as it was more “real life” kind of story, it was pretty good!

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12 people found this helpful

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  • Florida Man
  • 2020-04-24

It wasn't bad but it just never went anywhere

I really like a lot of Lisa Jewell's books but I find that because there are so many, they're hit and miss a lot. This one was a miss. It wasn't bad, and I was entertained enough, but it was just "meh" overall. So while I wouldn't recommend it, I also wouldn't necessarily dissuade someone from buying.
I guess it sort of reminded me of the type of book an author just churns out to hit a deadline

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11 people found this helpful

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  • Adam C. Simpson
  • 2020-07-24

Another great story!

This one did start out a bit slow, but just like all her other books ive read , i end up loving the storyline and characters. No mystery or suspense, but certainly lovable!

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8 people found this helpful

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  • Lalala
  • 2020-05-20

Good book. excellant narration.

I love Lisa Jewelll's writing but this book wasnt my favorite. It was still a good story.

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8 people found this helpful