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Without A Trace: A gripping story of a fight for happiness from the billion copy bestseller
Charles Vincent seems to have it all—a beautiful wife, two successful children, and a well-paying career. Yet happiness remains out of reach. He is trapped in a loveless marriage and his job is simply a paycheck. But his life changes forever as he drives along the Normandy coast, heading to their lavish château for the weekend. In one terrifying moment, Charles falls asleep at the wheel and veers off the road, plunging thirty feet down the face of a rocky cliff.
Miraculously, Charles survives. After gathering the courage to climb to safety, he starts to walk—bruised, bloody, and desperate for help. In the dark of night, he happens upon a cabin where he meets the kind and beautiful Aude Saint-Martin. Their connection is instant, and as she nurses him back to health, Charles begins to discover the passion he’s been missing for so many years.
In the aftermath of the crash, Charles has a startling realization—he doesn’t have to go back. He could simply choose to disappear, to walk away from his old life. When his car is discovered, he’ll be presumed dead, washed away at sea. If he stays with Aude, he has a chance at a fuller, happier life he didn’t know was possible. It all seems too good to resist. But Aude has secrets of her own and before long their pasts catch up to them, threatening everything they have fought to build.
What would happen if you were given a chance to walk away from everything in your life and start over with a blank slate, and you had a split second to decide? In Without a Trace, Danielle Steel tells an irresistible story of the risks two people are willing to take in exchange for a second chance at the life they’ve always wanted.
Miraculously, Charles survives. After gathering the courage to climb to safety, he starts to walk—bruised, bloody, and desperate for help. In the dark of night, he happens upon a cabin where he meets the kind and beautiful Aude Saint-Martin. Their connection is instant, and as she nurses him back to health, Charles begins to discover the passion he’s been missing for so many years.
In the aftermath of the crash, Charles has a startling realization—he doesn’t have to go back. He could simply choose to disappear, to walk away from his old life. When his car is discovered, he’ll be presumed dead, washed away at sea. If he stays with Aude, he has a chance at a fuller, happier life he didn’t know was possible. It all seems too good to resist. But Aude has secrets of her own and before long their pasts catch up to them, threatening everything they have fought to build.
What would happen if you were given a chance to walk away from everything in your life and start over with a blank slate, and you had a split second to decide? In Without a Trace, Danielle Steel tells an irresistible story of the risks two people are willing to take in exchange for a second chance at the life they’ve always wanted.
Hardcover
First published January 3, 2023
2004 people are currently reading
3833 people want to read
About the author
Danielle Steel
875 books16.5k followersDanielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world's bestselling authors, with almost a billion copies of her novels sold. Her many international bestsellers include All That Glitters, Royal, Daddy's Girls, The Wedding Dress, The Numbers Game, Moral Compass, Spy, and other highly acclaimed novels. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina's life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; Expect a Miracle, a book of her favorite quotations for inspiration and comfort; Pure Joy, about the dogs she and her family have loved; and the children's books Pretty Minnie in Paris and Pretty Minnie in Hollywood.
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Instagram: @officialdaniellesteel
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,104 reviews
January 23, 2023
A generous 2.5 stars
I haven’t read DS for years. I loved The promise and I commend her for still writing at 74.
This book had a good story but very repetitive and the writing was far from how she used to write.
I gave it a try because the title intrigued me.
Although she’s written a ton of books and is a best selling author I wasn’t feeling it with this one
I haven’t read DS for years. I loved The promise and I commend her for still writing at 74.
This book had a good story but very repetitive and the writing was far from how she used to write.
I gave it a try because the title intrigued me.
Although she’s written a ton of books and is a best selling author I wasn’t feeling it with this one
January 4, 2023
A bit of a rant follows and certainly not how I wanted to begin the new year:
I've read Danielle Steel's books for years and, for the most part, enjoyed them. But the last four years or so, she has steadily lost her appeal -- and this latest effort is the worst ever. So, with this one I'm parting ways with her and her books. The writing is terrible and the editing job even worse, there's not much appeal to the far-fetched story as it drones on and on about frivolous drivel while the errors and repetition complete the dumpster-dive. Within the first few pages into the story, readers are told that the main character's mom died when he was a young boy -- four pages later, we're told that Charlie's mother died while he was in college. And so it goes on and on.
I'm leaving this review "without a trace" of regret -- it's that bad. Steel needs to spend more energy writing one well-written solid story instead of releasing 8 or 9 in one year that aren't worth a toot. I wish I could return this book and get my $14.99 back -- but I pre-ordered and the timeframe expired before I was able to read it. And don't think I haven't learned a lesson about pre-ordering far too early -- ain't gonna happen again!
September 30, 2023
An odd little story. I only liked the second half which had a bit more speed and story.
April 24, 2023
Without A Trace
Wow, I am speechless on how much I loved this book. I have read some of Danielle Steel, but the more I keep reading, the more I fall in love with each new adventure.
I started my journey with Steel last year, and with every book I was amazed with how much I loved how she wrote with ease, caught your attention in an instant, and held a story with twists and turns to the very end. On my journey I have had a few set backs. If I recall correctly, there was maybe less than 3 books that let me a little disappointed. I loved her writing, however, she sped to the end once it got right in the middle. I did not enjoy the rest knowing it was dropped of the cliff near the end and felt like it was unfinished, but not in an exciting cliff hanger way.
Nonetheless, "Without A Trace" is a winner. She ingulfs you right away with an amazing detailed background of the main characters, setting in which the story will take place, and their history and life together; as well as, the perfect introduction to the plot of the story before the climax. Just when you think you saw where the story may have gone, "smack!" Steel twists your head around and blows your mind in this romantic, suspense, adventure and heartfelt novel. I am pleased to say that this was a good one from her, and stories like these make me not want to wait for my next adventure with her.
Ill leave you with this food for thought... In the story, it has a way of giving you a perspective on what life could be like if you just decided to get up and walk away. So I ask you, "What would you do if you had the chance to start all over, but have your loved ones left behind without knowing where, when, or if you will return"?
Happy readings my friends =)!
Wow, I am speechless on how much I loved this book. I have read some of Danielle Steel, but the more I keep reading, the more I fall in love with each new adventure.
I started my journey with Steel last year, and with every book I was amazed with how much I loved how she wrote with ease, caught your attention in an instant, and held a story with twists and turns to the very end. On my journey I have had a few set backs. If I recall correctly, there was maybe less than 3 books that let me a little disappointed. I loved her writing, however, she sped to the end once it got right in the middle. I did not enjoy the rest knowing it was dropped of the cliff near the end and felt like it was unfinished, but not in an exciting cliff hanger way.
Nonetheless, "Without A Trace" is a winner. She ingulfs you right away with an amazing detailed background of the main characters, setting in which the story will take place, and their history and life together; as well as, the perfect introduction to the plot of the story before the climax. Just when you think you saw where the story may have gone, "smack!" Steel twists your head around and blows your mind in this romantic, suspense, adventure and heartfelt novel. I am pleased to say that this was a good one from her, and stories like these make me not want to wait for my next adventure with her.
Ill leave you with this food for thought... In the story, it has a way of giving you a perspective on what life could be like if you just decided to get up and walk away. So I ask you, "What would you do if you had the chance to start all over, but have your loved ones left behind without knowing where, when, or if you will return"?
Happy readings my friends =)!
July 4, 2024
Completely and utterly a fluff piece, and red flag morally grey!
I’m not sure why DS is consistently fixated on the themes of awful women, always hateful toward their husbands, women who want EVERYTHING for NOTHING, refusing to work and entirely lacking any shred of goodness. They pop up everywhere, and the men they marry often are happy to put up with this, until they are not. Entitled, repetitive and tiresome. These women are gluttonous and shallow, I suppose this author is a little similar in general terms, it’s just all I’m getting from her lately.
There is nothing new here, apart from the strange situation of a man happy to allow his children to believe he is dead, when he is clearly living and breathing, and not in the afterlife!
The story arc is never challenging, but as always, as I read so much heavy nonfiction, I can’t always jump to my next planned read, which are so often memoir and serious reads. They are too easy to make me feel like I’m reading without having to try for it! And my life is busy, it adds a level of ease.
A generous two stars from me, and again I will reiterate that the audio narration could use a female narrator to freshen the experience.
I listened to this via the Libby app and my public library. At a VERY fast pace.
I’m not sure why DS is consistently fixated on the themes of awful women, always hateful toward their husbands, women who want EVERYTHING for NOTHING, refusing to work and entirely lacking any shred of goodness. They pop up everywhere, and the men they marry often are happy to put up with this, until they are not. Entitled, repetitive and tiresome. These women are gluttonous and shallow, I suppose this author is a little similar in general terms, it’s just all I’m getting from her lately.
There is nothing new here, apart from the strange situation of a man happy to allow his children to believe he is dead, when he is clearly living and breathing, and not in the afterlife!
The story arc is never challenging, but as always, as I read so much heavy nonfiction, I can’t always jump to my next planned read, which are so often memoir and serious reads. They are too easy to make me feel like I’m reading without having to try for it! And my life is busy, it adds a level of ease.
A generous two stars from me, and again I will reiterate that the audio narration could use a female narrator to freshen the experience.
I listened to this via the Libby app and my public library. At a VERY fast pace.
June 20, 2023
One of Ms. Steele's better stories in my opinion. 8 of 10 stars
January 6, 2023
Happy Publication Day!!!
Edited to correct a large mistake
How can Ms. Steel write eight books in 2022 with another four lined up for very early 2023? I don't want to falsely accuse someone of using ghostwriters, but I cannot see how this is physically possible. I did like the book The Whittiers, which came out in November, and that is why I agreed to read the next two books, this one (published in January 2023) and Worthy Opponents, which I hope isn't as far-fetched as this book was.
I almost gave up on this book after the first few chapters. But, I must admit that Ms. Steel does bitchy, money-grubbing wife really well, so I keep going. But, unfortunately, the story got increasingly ludicrous as it went on. I must say that it took me a while to understand that while in America, the family would have had to wait a number of years for him to have been declared dead since there was no found body, and then they could split the estate. I was surprised at how fast everything works in France.
SPOILER ALERT>>>>>>>>>>SPOILER ALERT>>>>>>>>>>>>SPOILER ALERT
The gist of the story- The husband hates his job, quits his career is out of work for two years and takes a loan from the money-grubbing wife's father. He finds another job and makes even more money but again hates his career and his employer. Then, one night as the money-grubber is having a party in their fancy chateau, he falls asleep at the wheel as he is coming home and drives off of a cliff into the ocean. Yep, you heard me. And get this-he lives and makes his way to a lovely little YOUNG french woman and makes love to her within several hours of her rescuing him.
Long story short-he feigns his death until one day, his hotties ex-husband breaks out of jail (yep, in there for murder) and makes his presence known to them. So the husband decides to return from the dead and make things right with his family and his finances *snort* so he can spend the rest of his life with his young hottie.
Now, what do you think the money-grubber will think about this? She already has issues with splitting his estate with their two children.
Well, the rest I will leave up to you to imagine. I've read about 80%, and while I'm still interested in how the greedy wife is going to take him to the cleaners during their divorce and just what is going to happen to the hottie and her escaped ex. But get it from the library if you can.
*ARC was supplied by the author, the publisher Delacorte Press, and NetGalley
Edited to correct a large mistake
How can Ms. Steel write eight books in 2022 with another four lined up for very early 2023? I don't want to falsely accuse someone of using ghostwriters, but I cannot see how this is physically possible. I did like the book The Whittiers, which came out in November, and that is why I agreed to read the next two books, this one (published in January 2023) and Worthy Opponents, which I hope isn't as far-fetched as this book was.
I almost gave up on this book after the first few chapters. But, I must admit that Ms. Steel does bitchy, money-grubbing wife really well, so I keep going. But, unfortunately, the story got increasingly ludicrous as it went on. I must say that it took me a while to understand that while in America, the family would have had to wait a number of years for him to have been declared dead since there was no found body, and then they could split the estate. I was surprised at how fast everything works in France.
SPOILER ALERT>>>>>>>>>>SPOILER ALERT>>>>>>>>>>>>SPOILER ALERT
The gist of the story- The husband hates his job, quits his career is out of work for two years and takes a loan from the money-grubbing wife's father. He finds another job and makes even more money but again hates his career and his employer. Then, one night as the money-grubber is having a party in their fancy chateau, he falls asleep at the wheel as he is coming home and drives off of a cliff into the ocean. Yep, you heard me. And get this-he lives and makes his way to a lovely little YOUNG french woman and makes love to her within several hours of her rescuing him.
Long story short-he feigns his death until one day, his hotties ex-husband breaks out of jail (yep, in there for murder) and makes his presence known to them. So the husband decides to return from the dead and make things right with his family and his finances *snort* so he can spend the rest of his life with his young hottie.
Now, what do you think the money-grubber will think about this? She already has issues with splitting his estate with their two children.
Well, the rest I will leave up to you to imagine. I've read about 80%, and while I'm still interested in how the greedy wife is going to take him to the cleaners during their divorce and just what is going to happen to the hottie and her escaped ex. But get it from the library if you can.
*ARC was supplied by the author, the publisher Delacorte Press, and NetGalley
January 10, 2023
Okay, this is the second worst Danielle Steel book I have ever read, the worst being the affair...
the best part of the book was Kookie9200 hilarious and spot on review:
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.
This. Book. Is. Awful. I don't say that lightly. I try to be as fair as I can because I realize how hard it is to put a book out and let the world see a piece of your work. But some books should not be written or published and this is one of them. Steel has been skating by for at least 15 years being one of the top authors in the US and this book is a prime example. Why? Let me tell you.
First, the whole plot hinges on a man driving off of a cliff and walking for over an hour while marginally injured. Already off to a rocky start, but sure, we'll go with it. He manages to stumble upon the house of a gorgeous younger woman living on the outskirts of town who opens up the door and lets said injured, bloody man in. A little hinky, but okay, I'll let it slide. Within hours they're intimate. Not long later we discover she is a victim of domestic violence and her ex-husband is in prison for murdering her last boyfriend eight years before. And THAT'S where I said, "this wouldn't happen." No person with a history of domestic violence like that is going to up and let a strange man into her home. She is for sure not going to sleep with him hours later. So from then on, I am just reading in a rage because it's simply SO implausible. But it gets WORSE. After this random hookup, the man is so enamored with this gorgeous younger woman that he lets his family think he is dead for MONTHS. There's more, but that's the gist of this novel.
If the plot wasn't bad enough, the characters of this book are just...I don't even know. First, they aren't likable. They don't read as real people. They're the same stereotypes Steel loves to use. Gorgeous young blonde. The icy older wife who is money hungry. Poor, put upon rich white guy. There wasn't a single character of substance in this book. Plus, the main character, Charles is a garbage human. Anyone who can let their children think he is dead for months is no hero. The fact that Steel thought she could make him the hero of this book shows how out of touch she is.
All in all, this leads me to my point. I used to love a DS book. She wrote some really, really strong character-driven books that kept me enthralled. That has changed, however. I don't know who her ghostwriter is or if she's just winging it now, but the books she puts out now feel like afterthoughts. They're always repetitive, vapid, and silly. Even if they are about serious subjects the impact of the storytelling is missing. It honestly makes me angry because I know there are probably some incredible authors out there looking to publish books that will knock us out of the park but they won't get the chance because DS has such power in the publishing world. This book is drivel, and it's taking up space in a competitive market just because of the author, and that author is no longer doing work that is worthy of being published.
December 15, 2022
Three and a Half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭒
Without a Trace by Danielle Steel is a fast-moving romantic suspense set in France, about a man who decides to change his life after a near-fatal accident.
Story Recap:
Charles Vincent appears to have everything he’s always wanted in life, his two children are grown and off doing their own thing, and while his marriage isn’t perfect, he’s worked hard to keep it together. His job pays well, which helps his wife maintain the lifestyle she desires, but his job isn’t what he’s always wanted to do. But, overall he’s content with his life, but he hasn’t felt true happiness in a long time.
On a trip from his office in Paris, to his château in Normandy, his car swerves off a cliff, and Charles and his car plunge into the ocean, far below the road. Charles manages to get out of the car and swim to safety and even manages to climb up the cliff and back onto the road, where he walks, in the dark, until he finds a remote cabin. There he meets the beautiful, Aude Saint-Martin, who takes him in and helps tends to his injuries. But, when Charles discovers that the police think he’s dead, he thinks about just staying with Aude and living a simpler life.
My Thoughts:
I’ve always wondered about people who can just walk away from life, and in Without a Trace, we get to see a man walk away from a lavish lifestyle, his wife, and two grown children.
The setting is gorgeous, part of the book is set in Paris, some of it is set in Charles’s lavish château in Normandy, and part of it is set in Aud’s small cabin, also in Normandy. All of these places are well described and made for a bit of escapism.
The characters were not very likable for the most part. Although I could sympathize with Charles in wanting to leave his old life, I didn’t like that he actually let his family believe he was dead. Also, the romantic relationship between Charles and Aud was very rushed and not all that believable to me. Aud wasn’t very well developed and although she had a rough past, I didn’t understand her rush into a new relationship.
Recommendation:
I recommend Without a Trace to anyone who enjoys romantic suspense. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Without a Trace by Danielle Steel is a fast-moving romantic suspense set in France, about a man who decides to change his life after a near-fatal accident.
Story Recap:
Charles Vincent appears to have everything he’s always wanted in life, his two children are grown and off doing their own thing, and while his marriage isn’t perfect, he’s worked hard to keep it together. His job pays well, which helps his wife maintain the lifestyle she desires, but his job isn’t what he’s always wanted to do. But, overall he’s content with his life, but he hasn’t felt true happiness in a long time.
On a trip from his office in Paris, to his château in Normandy, his car swerves off a cliff, and Charles and his car plunge into the ocean, far below the road. Charles manages to get out of the car and swim to safety and even manages to climb up the cliff and back onto the road, where he walks, in the dark, until he finds a remote cabin. There he meets the beautiful, Aude Saint-Martin, who takes him in and helps tends to his injuries. But, when Charles discovers that the police think he’s dead, he thinks about just staying with Aude and living a simpler life.
My Thoughts:
I’ve always wondered about people who can just walk away from life, and in Without a Trace, we get to see a man walk away from a lavish lifestyle, his wife, and two grown children.
The setting is gorgeous, part of the book is set in Paris, some of it is set in Charles’s lavish château in Normandy, and part of it is set in Aud’s small cabin, also in Normandy. All of these places are well described and made for a bit of escapism.
The characters were not very likable for the most part. Although I could sympathize with Charles in wanting to leave his old life, I didn’t like that he actually let his family believe he was dead. Also, the romantic relationship between Charles and Aud was very rushed and not all that believable to me. Aud wasn’t very well developed and although she had a rough past, I didn’t understand her rush into a new relationship.
Recommendation:
I recommend Without a Trace to anyone who enjoys romantic suspense. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
September 25, 2022
Without a Trace is Danielle Steel’s latest book and my 47th book of hers I have read. Charles is in a loveless marriage and as he is driving alone on a very windy road, he veers off the road and nearly dies. Somehow he managed to survive and he finds himself at a lovely girls house, Aude. They fall madly in love and he “fakes” his death for several months. Everyone thinks he has died. I won’t give anything else away but this was a quick read for me. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.
February 24, 2023
I can’t even finish this book. I got 30 pages in and the writing is awful. The author consistently repeats the same general idea in slightly different wording. I feel like a middle schooler wrote this book. If you made it further I hope it got better.
May 3, 2024
"He was rich now, but not happy."
February 7, 2023
It is very unusual for me to have a Danielle steel book less than five stars but this one was a Shakey four stars. I almost gave up on the book after the first chapter because it was so boring. I later realized that the first chapter was trying to convey what a boring life Charlie was leading. He was not happy at home and he was not happy with his job. Things just seemed to get worse and worse for him leading up to a car accident. Charlie does change his life situation when he meets the love of his life. He goes from a very prestigious job to being a car mechanic. The whole book was very predictable.
July 1, 2022
Without A Trace
Danielle Steel
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Danielle I feel like stepped out of her comfort zone on this book, but it 100% was one of the best works I’ve read. Finished in one setting and definitely kept me intrigued from the absolute beginning…. I feel like doing the exact same thing this guy did sometimes!!!
#bookcommunity #bookobsessed #bookstagram #goodreads #goodreadschallenge2022 #ilovebooks #booknerdigans #currentlyreading #library
#readersofinstagram #readingtime #weekendreading #bookworm #readmorebooks #bookwrapup #igbooks #bookreview #bookrecommendations
Danielle Steel
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Danielle I feel like stepped out of her comfort zone on this book, but it 100% was one of the best works I’ve read. Finished in one setting and definitely kept me intrigued from the absolute beginning…. I feel like doing the exact same thing this guy did sometimes!!!
#bookcommunity #bookobsessed #bookstagram #goodreads #goodreadschallenge2022 #ilovebooks #booknerdigans #currentlyreading #library
#readersofinstagram #readingtime #weekendreading #bookworm #readmorebooks #bookwrapup #igbooks #bookreview #bookrecommendations
June 26, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.
This. Book. Is. Awful. I don't say that lightly. I try to be as fair as I can because I realize how hard it is to put a book out and let the world see a piece of your work. But some books should not be written or published and this is one of them. Steel has been skating by for at least 15 years being one of the top authors in the US and this book is a prime example. Why? Let me tell you.
First, the whole plot hinges on a man driving off of a cliff and walking for over an hour while marginally injured. Already off to a rocky start, but sure, we'll go with it. He manages to stumble upon the house of a gorgeous younger woman living on the outskirts of town who opens up the door and lets said injured, bloody man in. A little hinky, but okay, I'll let it slide. Within hours they're intimate. Not long later we discover she is a victim of domestic violence and her ex-husband is in prison for murdering her last boyfriend eight years before. And THAT'S where I said, "this wouldn't happen." No person with a history of domestic violence like that is going to up and let a strange man into her home. She is for sure not going to sleep with him hours later. So from then on, I am just reading in a rage because it's simply SO implausible. But it gets WORSE. After this random hookup, the man is so enamored with this gorgeous younger woman that he lets his family think he is dead for MONTHS. There's more, but that's the gist of this novel.
If the plot wasn't bad enough, the characters of this book are just...I don't even know. First, they aren't likable. They don't read as real people. They're the same stereotypes Steel loves to use. Gorgeous young blonde. The icy older wife who is money hungry. Poor, put upon rich white guy. There wasn't a single character of substance in this book. Plus, the main character, Charles is a garbage human. Anyone who can let their children think he is dead for months is no hero. The fact that Steel thought she could make him the hero of this book shows how out of touch she is.
All in all, this leads me to my point. I used to love a DS book. She wrote some really, really strong character-driven books that kept me enthralled. That has changed, however. I don't know who her ghostwriter is or if she's just winging it now, but the books she puts out now feel like afterthoughts. They're always repetitive, vapid, and silly. Even if they are about serious subjects the impact of the storytelling is missing. It honestly makes me angry because I know there are probably some incredible authors out there looking to publish books that will knock us out of the park but they won't get the chance because DS has such power in the publishing world. This book is drivel, and it's taking up space in a competitive market just because of the author, and that author is no longer doing work that is worthy of being published.
This. Book. Is. Awful. I don't say that lightly. I try to be as fair as I can because I realize how hard it is to put a book out and let the world see a piece of your work. But some books should not be written or published and this is one of them. Steel has been skating by for at least 15 years being one of the top authors in the US and this book is a prime example. Why? Let me tell you.
First, the whole plot hinges on a man driving off of a cliff and walking for over an hour while marginally injured. Already off to a rocky start, but sure, we'll go with it. He manages to stumble upon the house of a gorgeous younger woman living on the outskirts of town who opens up the door and lets said injured, bloody man in. A little hinky, but okay, I'll let it slide. Within hours they're intimate. Not long later we discover she is a victim of domestic violence and her ex-husband is in prison for murdering her last boyfriend eight years before. And THAT'S where I said, "this wouldn't happen." No person with a history of domestic violence like that is going to up and let a strange man into her home. She is for sure not going to sleep with him hours later. So from then on, I am just reading in a rage because it's simply SO implausible. But it gets WORSE. After this random hookup, the man is so enamored with this gorgeous younger woman that he lets his family think he is dead for MONTHS. There's more, but that's the gist of this novel.
If the plot wasn't bad enough, the characters of this book are just...I don't even know. First, they aren't likable. They don't read as real people. They're the same stereotypes Steel loves to use. Gorgeous young blonde. The icy older wife who is money hungry. Poor, put upon rich white guy. There wasn't a single character of substance in this book. Plus, the main character, Charles is a garbage human. Anyone who can let their children think he is dead for months is no hero. The fact that Steel thought she could make him the hero of this book shows how out of touch she is.
All in all, this leads me to my point. I used to love a DS book. She wrote some really, really strong character-driven books that kept me enthralled. That has changed, however. I don't know who her ghostwriter is or if she's just winging it now, but the books she puts out now feel like afterthoughts. They're always repetitive, vapid, and silly. Even if they are about serious subjects the impact of the storytelling is missing. It honestly makes me angry because I know there are probably some incredible authors out there looking to publish books that will knock us out of the park but they won't get the chance because DS has such power in the publishing world. This book is drivel, and it's taking up space in a competitive market just because of the author, and that author is no longer doing work that is worthy of being published.
September 28, 2022
Without a Trace by Danielle Steel
Geeezzz, …. If I would have had Charles’s life before his accident, I would have walked away too. Not quite in the way he did, but to each his own. The writing was good, Charles not so much. This was definitely a story of second chances. I loved the premise and the lesson it taught. I found it a tad dark, not one of the typical stories she tells. I think this would be a cool movie to watch.
Many thanks to Danielle Steel, NetGalley, and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Geeezzz, …. If I would have had Charles’s life before his accident, I would have walked away too. Not quite in the way he did, but to each his own. The writing was good, Charles not so much. This was definitely a story of second chances. I loved the premise and the lesson it taught. I found it a tad dark, not one of the typical stories she tells. I think this would be a cool movie to watch.
Many thanks to Danielle Steel, NetGalley, and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 17, 2024
I choose to read this book because it was available on a free audiobook library app (Libby) and the reviews on Goodreads weren’t great but I desperately wanted a book going on in my background and honestly this one was perfect for it. If I was reading a physical version of this I don’t think I would have liked it that much. Honestly though, I was super invested in the characters, like I wasn’t listening to the audiobook and was still hoping that one of the characters would be okay. It felt like a really long AITA Reddit story where the person clearly in the wrong gets exactly what’s deserved. It was a quick and satisfying read. 8/10
September 5, 2022
Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this. Charles is unhappy with his life. He loves his two kids but is unhappy with his marriage and his job. His wife has never worked enjoys spending and redecorating her home. Charles falls asleep while driving and miraculously survives. He meets an artist and is unsure if he wants to go back. This book makes you question that very decision.
January 10, 2023
I picked this up, my first ever Danielle Steel novel, because my New Year's Resolution for 2023 is to read every NYT hardcover fiction bestseller as they come out. To experience the full range of what's out there dominating sales.
The concept of this novel--a man taking advantage of a car crash to disappear from his life for several months, as he ponders who he really wants to be--is interesting and could be the basis of a compelling novel or short story in the hands of a capable writer.
This is not that book.
I can't judge how Steel used to write when she was young and hungry, but at this point her writing is truly awful, prompting me, over and over again while reading, to ask, "where is the oversight at Delacorte Press?" Are they too intimidated to edit the great Danielle Steel? Or do they just figure that no editing is necessary since her name alone will sell the book?
Her writing is simplistic to the point of cringe. Characters are either completely evil sadists, grasping, soulless status seekers, or honest, upstanding, hardworking folks beautiful in both body and soul. And none of this is shown to us through their dialogue or action--it's all just told in summary form by the narrator (thus breaking the first, most basic rule of fiction writing taught in every freshman composition class--show, don't tell).
Neither the characters nor the narrator are ever in any way funny or witty or interesting, so the reading is a slog.
Their simple-minded character traits are told to us over and over again, without any variation or development, as if the author never self-edits and thus doesn't realize how repetitive she's being, or, perhaps worse, assumes that her audience is so dim-witted they need this relentless duplication and triplication--Oh, his wife Isabelle just wants him for his money and doesn't love Charlie for himself? That's right, I forgot you said that five pages ago, and five pages before that. Thanks for reminding me. Again.
To give credit where credit is due, the book is quite short and can easily be finished in a sitting or two, no speedreading necessary.
BTW, there is no SWAT team in France. They're called the GIGN. It took me all of a 10-second Google search to pin that down.
The concept of this novel--a man taking advantage of a car crash to disappear from his life for several months, as he ponders who he really wants to be--is interesting and could be the basis of a compelling novel or short story in the hands of a capable writer.
This is not that book.
I can't judge how Steel used to write when she was young and hungry, but at this point her writing is truly awful, prompting me, over and over again while reading, to ask, "where is the oversight at Delacorte Press?" Are they too intimidated to edit the great Danielle Steel? Or do they just figure that no editing is necessary since her name alone will sell the book?
Her writing is simplistic to the point of cringe. Characters are either completely evil sadists, grasping, soulless status seekers, or honest, upstanding, hardworking folks beautiful in both body and soul. And none of this is shown to us through their dialogue or action--it's all just told in summary form by the narrator (thus breaking the first, most basic rule of fiction writing taught in every freshman composition class--show, don't tell).
Neither the characters nor the narrator are ever in any way funny or witty or interesting, so the reading is a slog.
Their simple-minded character traits are told to us over and over again, without any variation or development, as if the author never self-edits and thus doesn't realize how repetitive she's being, or, perhaps worse, assumes that her audience is so dim-witted they need this relentless duplication and triplication--Oh, his wife Isabelle just wants him for his money and doesn't love Charlie for himself? That's right, I forgot you said that five pages ago, and five pages before that. Thanks for reminding me. Again.
To give credit where credit is due, the book is quite short and can easily be finished in a sitting or two, no speedreading necessary.
BTW, there is no SWAT team in France. They're called the GIGN. It took me all of a 10-second Google search to pin that down.
April 14, 2023
Another Danielle Steele winner!
A classic in every way.
A classic in every way.
June 28, 2023
This book was written in a way I found to be very juvenile. As the story progresses, it seems to get a little bit better, but the first few chapters I was turned off by the writing style. There were many times I felt the story was repetitive and the same points were being made over and over again.
I found the overall message in the book to be powerful, but the story was lacking depth in my opinion. Charlie’s wife is an absolutely terrible human being and I felt absolutely no remorse for her. She was more worried about herself than anyone or anything else. She was happy with taking from her kids. 0/10.
This was my first read by her and I wasn’t impressed.
I found the overall message in the book to be powerful, but the story was lacking depth in my opinion. Charlie’s wife is an absolutely terrible human being and I felt absolutely no remorse for her. She was more worried about herself than anyone or anything else. She was happy with taking from her kids. 0/10.
This was my first read by her and I wasn’t impressed.
February 19, 2023
This is only the second novel I've read by Ms. Steel, and I seriously can't figure out how she's sold millions of books.
This was like a guilty pleasure--without the pleasure.
This was like a guilty pleasure--without the pleasure.
January 9, 2023
Thank you Pan Macmillan for sending us a copy to read and review.
This latest effort from the popular author is one for the worst book of the year award.
Charles Vincent has the perfect life.
So it seems from the outside.
One day he has a chance to change it all.
He accidentally drives off a cliff and miraculously survives.
He stumbles to a cottage in the middle of nowhere where a beautiful woman lives.
Aude has secrets and is also hiding from the world.
It’s lust at first sight and they become lovers.
Then he has a brainwave and decides he can disappear as no one knows where he is.
Everyone thinks he’s dead and he can be happy.
But nothing ever stays in the past because the past catches up with you.
A ridiculous storyline that has so many plot flaws I couldn’t count that high.
This is a really disappointing Steel story.
Repetitive, silly, unrealistic, far-fetched and without giving away character or theme storyline’s, I keep saying, “there’s no way that person would do that”.
A book I would very much avoid.
This latest effort from the popular author is one for the worst book of the year award.
Charles Vincent has the perfect life.
So it seems from the outside.
One day he has a chance to change it all.
He accidentally drives off a cliff and miraculously survives.
He stumbles to a cottage in the middle of nowhere where a beautiful woman lives.
Aude has secrets and is also hiding from the world.
It’s lust at first sight and they become lovers.
Then he has a brainwave and decides he can disappear as no one knows where he is.
Everyone thinks he’s dead and he can be happy.
But nothing ever stays in the past because the past catches up with you.
A ridiculous storyline that has so many plot flaws I couldn’t count that high.
This is a really disappointing Steel story.
Repetitive, silly, unrealistic, far-fetched and without giving away character or theme storyline’s, I keep saying, “there’s no way that person would do that”.
A book I would very much avoid.
February 10, 2023
I began and finished this all within a day which is the primary reason I’m giving it 3 stars. It was a little repetitive but I kept reading and reading because I had to see how it ends. The story kept me engaged for sure but was far fetched and slightly predictable, but I still couldn’t stop reading.
June 30, 2023
I admit, I’m one of the few folks in my demographic (gender and geographical) that has never read a Danielle Steel book/story. Idk how or why this is so, but I had a gift card & saw this as a “new release” by a legit big-name author, so I downloaded it. I’m at not quite 25% (Nook), and I’m already soooooooooooooooo tired of it. Just seems rather, idk, repetitive? Boring? Immature or dumb downed, so to speak? Hmm.
Is this just a “one-off”, perhaps? I kind of hope so, but maybe I’m not a fan of Ms. Steel’s. I’m surprised though. Any thoughts, friends?❓
Thank you for reading! 🤓
Cheers!
Lisa (NurseLisaFromOH) ✌🏻
Is this just a “one-off”, perhaps? I kind of hope so, but maybe I’m not a fan of Ms. Steel’s. I’m surprised though. Any thoughts, friends?❓
Thank you for reading! 🤓
Cheers!
Lisa (NurseLisaFromOH) ✌🏻
July 3, 2022
This is a very dark book, not resembling the Steel books I generally enjoy. I couldn’t identify with the protagonist and I couldn’t engage with the plot.
Charles is an incredibly unhappy man who uses the opportunity of a car accident to reshape his life. Honestly, I found him cowardly and despicable since there are many other ways to deal with unhappiness.
I think Steel fans will find this book disappointing. I always seek charm. I’m willing to ignore some of the unlikely events, but this was too much for me.
Thank you Netgalley.
Charles is an incredibly unhappy man who uses the opportunity of a car accident to reshape his life. Honestly, I found him cowardly and despicable since there are many other ways to deal with unhappiness.
I think Steel fans will find this book disappointing. I always seek charm. I’m willing to ignore some of the unlikely events, but this was too much for me.
Thank you Netgalley.
May 8, 2025
ik begrijp niet helemaal waarom Danielle Steel zo beroemd is in auteurwereld, want dit was echt heel slecht. Zó oppervlakkig, voorspelbaar en totaal geen mogelijkheid om een band te ontwikkelen met de personages... zeker geen aanrader en verleidt niet tot meer boeken lezen van haar.
May 26, 2023
I’m going to dot point this book 📕
• boring
• repetitive dialogue
• totally unbelievable plot lines
• lame and dumb characters
• terribly sexist
• 👎🏼
• boring
• repetitive dialogue
• totally unbelievable plot lines
• lame and dumb characters
• terribly sexist
• 👎🏼
November 29, 2024
This is a book I read based on a promise. The main thing I learned after reading this book is to never make a promise like this ever again. The book constructs a fairly generic story structure based around a man in a unhappy marriage who has a near death experience and it changes his life as he meets a woman who nurses him to health and falls in love with her. I do like the message behind the book, which is that you should never settle and always pursue happiness even if you think you are trapped.
However the themes are not enough, it is a generic read, the writing is lazy and spends most the time giving us exposition and the characters often seem shallow.
However the themes are not enough, it is a generic read, the writing is lazy and spends most the time giving us exposition and the characters often seem shallow.
December 16, 2022
Snoooooooooooze. I hate to say this but I didn’t love this one. The story was simplistic. At some points implausible. It was short and lacked depth. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for review
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