Without a Flaw

by Michele Ashman Bell

Gripping story of one woman's courage to take back her life

Genres: Lds Fiction, Romance, Mystery, Lds, Fiction, Christian Fiction, Suspense

Audio Cassette

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

I grew up in St. George, Utah, where a lot of my family still lives, but now reside with my husband and family in the Salt Lake City area. My favorite thing to do is support my kids in their many interests. Between basketball, ballet and piano lessons we squeeze a lot into a week, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Reviews

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

okay, i've been wanting to read this for so long. now i have. i honestly couldn't pull myself away from it. it was so riveting. you always wondered what would happen next the whole time.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

book topic contains spousal abuse and the courage of a wife to break away and live for herself. Isabelle has been in a abusive marriage for 5 years. She has stayed only because her husband never is gone long enough to allow her to escape. He controls her ever move, who she talks to, her hair and clothing styles,that they don't have children,and where and when she is allowed to leave the house. Isabelle has no family that she is aware of. Her mother and father have passed away and her brother left when she was younger. She gets the opportunity to get away and fakes her death after receiving a letter from her great aunt in England that had been delivered to her neighboor by mistake. She flees to her aunt and in the process finds her brother and Ethan and Ian Scott. She learns to trust and be loved again unconditionally, but then her husband James comes after her. He is a suspect in a "conflict diamond" smuggling case and although Isabelle doesn't want to see James again or return to Boston, she does to prove that her husband did do those things he's accused of. She also finds out that she is pregnant with James' child and finds that being back in England brings back memories from her childhood...castles and the Church she belongs to when younger. Her faith is tested. I liked when they talked about trials and finding happiness by looking outside yourself to give and serve and love and help others. No one can make you happy.

[Ryviera Shayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michele is an amazing writer and a great friend!! I love her stuff and she is an inspiration to me. Without a Flaw is one of my favorites of her novels! I am envious of her travels but know that it is also one of the things that helps to bring her books to life! This story is of a wife and how she fakes her death in order to get away from her abusive husband and start somewhere fresh. But fear always lurks in the shadows and she knows he will find her and is moving in. Her focus, of course is on the good things but she weaves a wonderful tale!

[Melanie]

I liked this book just as much the second time I read it as the first time I read it. It's easy to read and you can relax while reading. It's not hard to remember characters and events if you have to leave it alone for a few days. It's just a "feel good" book.

[Jessica Liza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know this book is crazy and psycho (with the abuse that goes on) but for some reason, I really like it! I like how she finds the strength to move on and be a better person. Again - you may think I'm weird but I really like!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It only took me a day to read!

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me so much anxiety! I was always thinking ahhh James is gonna get her! A fun thriller.

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy Bell's style. It keeps my attention and offers a great escape.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isabelle gains enough courage to face her greatest fear--her husband!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book to read!

[Janaca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book kept me on edge! Very suspenseful right from the beginning. I love her writing style!

[Hope Garfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fluffy, but fun LDS read

[Linnae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Isabelle's husband is a handsome, very sucessful lawyer, from one of the founding families of Boston. Yet ever since their marriage, he has systematically cut her off from the outside world, and become more and more abusive and controlling. Finally Isabelle reaches the breaking point and realizes that her situation must change--or she won't survive it.

A letter from her Great-Aunt in England comes as an answer to prayer, as does James' unexpected business trip. So she fakes her death and runs--not knowing if she'll be welcomed, or what she'll do with her life.

As Isabelle builds a new life in England, she is haunted by her past and certain that James will not be fooled for long--and when he finds out where she is, he will be coming to take his vengeance.

I'm wavering between 3 and 4 stars on this one. The characters mostly felt authentic. The "good" guy was a little too good to be true, but that's what makes it a romance, right? And though the plot was a bit predictable, Bell kept up the suspense with her timing of events you knew had to be coming. Satisfying conclusion.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit that in the beginning, this book made me not want to get married for a really long time. The main character's first husband was horrible to her, I could not believe the things that he did! When she meets guy #2 I became my normal self again... eager to get married...eventually! haha Overall, I thought it was a great book, the characters had realistic plots and the setting was awesome! I love England! I always love reading stories about characters who find their way back to the gospel; it's amazing, to me, to realize that through even the unthinkable, Heavenly Father is always there.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I took this book on a recent trip to read while we were either flying or waiting at the airport. The author had a good plot and there was some good character development, along with some contrived things here and there. But it didn't take away from the enjoyment of reading the book.

If you have ever experienced severe abuse and have strong feelings about it, you may not want to read this book. It won't take away from the story to say that the main character experienced abuse by her husband; this comes out in the first chapter. And the description is pretty vivid.

There is a happy ending and that's always nice.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book about three times, and I never tire of it! This book tells the story of a woman caught in an abusive marriage who finds a chance to escape it by faking her own death. After she escapes she discovers that her husband has been involved in illegal diamond smuggling and that only she has the proof to put him behind bars. It's a fabulous read, and has no objectionable material either!

[Brooke · Rating 2 out of 5]

eh. I feel like I wasted my time. This was not poorly written for LDS fiction as far as prose goes, and the plot was fine, but bland. Overall I just feel... blah. None of the characters really shone, nothing really made you feel. The content was about an abusive husband, but no emotions were invoked in the descriptions... maybe she was just trying to keep it really soft for the publisher. I don't know. Not a total waste of time, I suppose, but I can't help feeling like it was.

[Trina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Isabelle has found herself in an abusive, controlling marriage; and in order to get out, she fakes her death and escapes to England to be with her 'long lost' Aunt. But that's just the beginning....I liked how well the author brought in reasonable, believable drama that kept my attention to the end. The author also did a fine job of helping me feel connected to the main character so that I could better enjoy the story.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was good. It got a little preachy at some points, but it was alright. I didn't particularly love the book, and it was forgettable considering I stopped caring about it the moment I finished it. But I gave it three stars because it was a good story and kept me entertained. I saw right through the mystery though. I had it all figured out at the first mention of beanie babies, which is on the first few pages so I don't think I'm spoiling anything.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! I didn't know Michele Bell did such great suspense books. If you need a fun, quick read with suspense, set in a lovely English countryside, this is for you! I really liked the description of the town, and the story sucked me in right from the get go. This is LDS suspense/romance genre... lot of fun :)

[Jaymie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read this book about 5 times. I really like Michelle's style of writing, although sometimes the descriptions go on for awhile. (I'm a dialogue kind of person.)But it's a fun escape from your day to day life.

[Jenny Camac · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a page-turner! Very exciting and thrilling. It has some suspense and a romantic undertone. It proves the strength of the human soul is greater than the trials we are subjected too. A must-read! Read it in a weekend.

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's about a lady whose husband is abusive and controling so she fakes her death and goes to live with her great-aunt who lives in England. She gets converted to the church and has turned her life around.

[Kenzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is really good.I felt so bad for Isabelle throught the whole book. James was so creppy. She should have left him way before the time that she did. I wanted to cry when ever he hit her or got angry.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little bit mystery, a little bit thriller, and a little bit romance all rolled into one. Ended a little too quickly and neatly, but loved the mid-point cat and mouse kind-of thing it had going. An enjoyable read.

[Danni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Michele Ashman Bell. I would recommend anything by her. She is teriffic.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light read (I can't read something to awesome with kids around).

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's one spot where I actually screamed! It's once of my favorite books written by Michele Ashman Bell.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

thought provoking about a girl who leaves an abusive marriage.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Own: Book/Tape