Author: Laura McNeill
Narrator: Lisa Larsen
Published: July 2015, Thomas Nelson on Brilliance Audio
Length: 10 hours 11 minutes
Source: Publisher
The truth could cost her everything.
Her whole life, Ava Carson has been sure of one thing: she doesn’t measure up to her mother’s expectations. So when Mitchell Carson sweeps into her life with his adorable son, the ready-made family seems like a dream come true. In the blink of an eye, she’s married, has a new baby, and life is wonderful.
Or is it?
When her picture-perfect marriage begins unraveling at the seams, Ava convinces herself she can fix it. It’s temporary. It’s the stress. It’s Mitchell’s tragic history of loss.
If only Ava could believe her own excuses.
Mitchell is no longer the charming, thoughtful man she married. He grows more controlling by the day, revealing a violent jealous streak. His behavior is recklessly erratic, and the unanswered questions about his past now hint at something far more sinister than Ava can stomach. Before she can fit the pieces together, Mitchell files for divorce and demands full custody of their boys.
Fueled by fierce love for her children and aided by Graham Thomas, a new attorney in town, Ava takes matters into her own hands, digging deep into the past. But will finding the truth be enough to beat Mitchell at his own game?
Center of Gravity weaves a chilling tale, revealing the unfailing and dangerous truth that things—and people—are not always what they seem.
My thoughts: I had my eye on this book for a while - I had heard nothing but good things about it and knew I wanted to read it, but just couldnt seem to fit it in - and then, I was offered the audio version of it! Problem solved!!! I seem to get through audio books much faster these days than print books.
This book grips you from the very beginning and doesnt let up until the end. Whether you have children or not, you cant help but sympathize with Ava and route for her as she fights for her children. Its so hard not to become completely invested in this book, to feel as if you know Ava and to want to hug little Jack and to want to kick Mitchell to next week and back!
The emotions I went through while listening to this ranged from despair to anger to disbelief to heartbreak to anger to frustration - I think you get the picture. This book is one heck of a roller coaster ride and filled with twists and turns that you just dont see coming. And what enhances that is the way the story is told - five different narrators, all giving their perspectives on what is going on. This is what really sets the story apart, because it really allows us to know the characters and what motivated them. Especially Jacks perspective - his parts just about broke my heart, his innocence at what was really going on.
I have not stopped thinking about this book since I finished listening to it - these characters have become real to me, this story felt like it was acted out in real life and thats a testament to Laura McNeills writing skills. I am absolutely adding Laura to my must-read list from now on...she is one author I do not want to miss!
Audio thoughts: I loved the audio production of this book...I think Lisa Larsen did a phenomenal job with the storytelling and the voices, especially Jacks. She was able to give everyone their own unique voice and added just the right amount of tension when needed. I will definitely be seeing what else she has narrated as this was the first time Ive listened to her.
