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The Word Game cover art

The Word Game

Written by: Steena Holmes
Narrated by: Kristin Watson Heintz
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Publisher's Summary

For overprotective parent Alyson Ward, any time her daughter, Lyla, is out of sight is reason to panic. So it's a big step for her when she lets Lyla attend a sleepover at her cousin's house. Comforted by the knowledge that her sister, Tricia, is the chaperone, Alyson does the one thing she never thought possible: she lets go and trusts that her daughter will be safe.

But Alyson's sense of peace is short lived. When Lyla comes home the next morning, she reveals something that could tear apart not only their family but also the entire community. Now, Alyson and Tricia must confront their painful shared past as they come together to help a little girl who they fear might be harboring terrible secrets similar to their own. Will the sisters be strong enough to face their demons in order to protect the child, even if it means telling their most private truths?

©2015 Steena Holmes (P)2015 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

What listeners say about The Word Game

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  • Lana Lee Plum
  • 2018-02-06

Hidden Secrets

Intersting subject about family secrets. The characters were mostly viewed through the eyes of the mother who was desperately trying to avoid revealing the secrets to her daughter. There are three generations in the book and the differing views were fascinating.

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2 people found this helpful

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  • Nana
  • 2019-02-13

Heartfelt story about trust, truth and family.

Heartfelt story about trust, truth and family.

It is sad to know that rape, child molestation and suicide attempts happen often and are not always known by parents, family and friends. I totally agree that talking about these subjects, as hard as it is, is the best way to first stop it from happening again, heal and eventually move forward a stronger person.

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1 person found this helpful

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  • I. Ray
  • 2020-05-28

Great book but it may trigger some

I enjoyed listening to this book. It deals with serious subject matters that is one of a parents' worse nightmare. I think the author did a great job at showing all the emotions and situations each character had to go through. The way things came together was believable and expected. It was easy to understand why each character did what they did. I think the author did a good job dealing with the subject matter. The narrator did a great job reading the book as well. I think she was able to bring a unique voice to each character. This was the first book that i have listened to by this author and narrator. I would highly recommend both of them to others. I will be investing more time into listening or reading more books by this author.

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  • ELkB
  • 2019-11-16

very realistic.

very good & true to life. The loss of a child is impossible to get over.

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  • Tena Burnes
  • 2018-11-11

Protecting Your Family

What may seen overprotective to some may be what is necessary to survive for others. Family and secrets seem to go together. But, will they tear you apart in the end. An issue that is very hard to address and it never seems the right time to address it. #familysecrets #trustissues #notjustyou #Tagsgiving #Sweepstakes

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  • Angela M. Dokos
  • 2018-04-26

Good story

It’s a good story. It’s just missing something for me. I didn’t really feel the connection with the characters. I couldn’t believe some of the reactions some of the characters had to some of the situations. And adding the German talk didn’t really add anything to the story like I think the author intended. I didn’t dislike the book, I just didn’t love it.

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  • Yvonne Cherry
  • 2017-06-11

The Word Game

I enjoyed the book very much. The narrator got a little annoying in some parts, with her high pitch, but not enough to make me not want to listen. I would recommend this book to anyone. It tells the story of family and friends and how much they can be depended upon when one of their daughters has been sexually abused. This was very well told by the author.

I really enjoy reading books by Steena Holmes.

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  • Alicia
  • 2017-01-16

ahhh!

Book touched on an important topic; but fell short of resolving a lot of the individual stories. perhaps should have been longer to better hight light the troubles relationship between the sisters and their mother.

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  • Tori Snyder
  • 2016-06-01

hmmm

Good intentions, but came off as a PSA instead. The different points of view were interesting.

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  • Mrs Mommy Booknerd (Mrs Mommy Booknerds Book Reviews) #MMBBR
  • 2016-02-20

Great

Any additional comments?

This book is powerful, touching, real to life and emotional. It was compelling and brilliantly written and one that I will not soon forget. I finished the book a few days ago and I cannot stop thinking about it. That to me is sign that a book touched me, made me feel both the story and the characters! I was already of fan of Holmes, but after this she may become a new favorite! 5 stars!!!

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