Blue

by Danielle Steel

Happiness can be found in the most unexpected places . . .

Ginny Carter was once a rising star in TV news, married with a young son – until her whole world dissolved on a freeway in a single instant. In the aftermath, she somehow pieces her life back together, but struggles to truly find meaning in her life.

Then, on the anniversary of the fateful accident, she meets thirteen-year-old Blue Williams, who has been living on the streets, utterly alone. Ginny reaches out to him and slowly their friendship grows, each becoming the family the other lost.

But just as Blue is truly beginning to trust her, she learns he has been hiding a shocking secret. Ginny wonders if she can help Blue to feel whole again, and at the same time heal herself.

Blue is an emotionally gripping story of dark secrets revealed, second chances, and the power of love and courage to overcome life’s greatest challenges.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Drama, Chick Lit, Audiobook, Christmas

336 pages, ebook

First published February 23, 2016

About the author

Danielle 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.

Facebook.com/DanielleSteelOfficial
Instagram: @officialdaniellesteel

Reviews

[Geo Just Reading My Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Translation widget on the blog!!!
O poveste de viață cutremurătoare despre cum este sa suferi atunci când pierzi totul si despre speranța. Despre a doua șansa.
Recenzia mea completă o găsiți aici:
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[Rebbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the best Danielle Steel novel I think I've ever read. Yes, it's true that her writing is simplistic and many of the sentences are not structured as well as they should be. But there's a reason she's so popular, and part of it has to do with the fact that readers can bank on what her stories are about: she's Ol' Faithful, steady and reliable since the very beginning.

Not this time.

She strayed from her formula of riches + romance = bestseller. She took a gamble, and she won. Yes, there's an understated love that blossoms slowly over the course of the book, but that's not at all what the book is about.

Ginny Carter is a young widow who is running from her past and the overwhelming grief that resides in her heart by avoiding the life she had made for herself. She was once an acclaimed tv reporter, just one of the beautiful, well-dressed, perfectly-coiffed women we see on television everyday. A Beverly Hills wife with money to burn, and more importantly, a proud mother to a 3 year old little boy.

She became the sole survivor of a car accident that took the life of her husband and son, and on top of the survivor's guilt was the realization that her husband was drunk behind the wheel. Was it her fault? Of course not. But that didn't stop her from blaming herself.

So she ran...across the country, across the world. She gave up her earthly possessions, her glamorous job, even her friends, in order to enter the darkest recesses of our planet: war torn countries where women endure the silent holocaust of being treated worse than we treat our unwanted animals. It was as if she was trying to accomplish the impossible task of saving her husband and son by saving strangers.

And it's during one of her breaks from these nightmarish rescue missions that we meet Blue Williams: a 13 year old runaway that's seen too much and that the world has forgotten about. What's left of his family doesn't want him, so he faced the cruelty of the world all alone. Well, at least until he met Ginny. Who saved whom? You get to decide that for yourself.

[Suz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid 4 Steely stars for a feel good story. Easy listening while driving and being a busy mum. The poor narrator was a bit sad, his voice was very very deep, and at stages it almost sounded like he was spitting! It turns out the protagonist is 'Ginny' and I thought all the way through she was 'Jenny', of course being shortened from Virginia. I'll blame the narrator for that one!

Serious issues such as abuse of boys within in the Catholic Church are spoken about in detail, so if this is an issue for you, you should beware. Ms Steel also speaks in some detail about the Middle East and global affairs, which was unexpected.

Nice wrap up, nice characters all round. 'Blue' is a 13 year old homeless boy in New York and this is his story. Happy to come across a DS which I rate highly, as this is not always the case.

[Suzzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Blue is one of my favorite Danielle Steel books I have read so far. It’s a great story with an amazing set of characters. Loved it!

[Stacey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I haven't read anything by Danielle Steel. A lady in my book group said it was different than her typical books so I thought I'd give it a try.

So predictable. Too neat and tidy. Not plausible. No tension. Skim, skim, skim to the end. There could have been tension and a little suspense with the situations she wrote about, but there's not. Not my cuppa and my last Danielle Steel.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blue is not your typical Danielle Steel novel. She takes some very intense subjects, such as homelessness, Alzheimer's, death, relationship with a sister, death and abuse 'of trust' in the Catholic Church. Hoping Steel writes more books of substance in the future.

[Laura Wonderchick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always feel centered after finishing a DS book. She has a knack of bringing a heart breaking story to a conclusion that leaves you with maybe not a happy ending but feeling it ended just right.

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story about Ginny who takes in a homeless boy and discovers he has been the victim of abuse. She has her own demons to deal with as well, and together with the help of a lawyer they eventually gain justice for Blue. The narrator was so easy to listen to as well. I really enjoy Danielle Steel's novels, and this is no exception.

[Jennifer Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were so many holes in this story. I hardly think you can just go about enrolling kids in school and starting a law suit against the Catholic church without any sort of documentation. Not once did any social worker investigate where Blue was living. It was just ridiculous.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I picked this book up Friday when I scanned the new book section at the library. Danielle Steel was my late mother's favorite author, and she collected all of her books right up until the end. I now have her collection, but havent touched them in the 5 years I've had them. I got bored with her books a few years ago because they all seemed the same. Something changed. I don't know whether it is my ever changing tastes or if someone convinced her that she needed to change. Whatever it was, I'm glad. This book was freaking fantastic! I haven't been this engrossed so quickly in quite a while.
The book does involve the awlful shame of Catholic priests abusing their power with little boys. So, it may not be the book for sensitive people. It certainly made me cry. Very powerful book.

[Angela · Rating 1 out of 5]

Maybe I shouldn’t be so hard on this book. I decided to read it because I wanted a no-brainer that I wouldn’t have to think about. It delivered and then some, almost to the point of insulting my intelligence.

[Siv30 · Rating 3 out of 5]

בין 2.5 ל 3 כוכבים.

קצת סיפור אגדה מודרני. מאוד פשטני מאוד מסודר ונקי.

ג'ני איבדה את בעלה ובנם בתאונת דרכים מחרידה. במשך 3 שנים היא מסתובבת באיזורי עימות בעולם, במחנות פליטים בכדי לסייע לכל מוכי הגורל ובכך להשתיק את מצפונה שמייסר אותה. ג'ני ויתרה על חיי הזוהר והפאר שחייה ועברה לחיות חיי התנזרות והסתפקות במועט.

לאחר אחת המשימות היא חוזרת לניו יורק לדירה הנזירית שלה ובמר יאושה שוקלת להתאבד בקפיצה מגשר, אבל תופסת אותה דמות שנעה בקצה עינה.

ג'ני עוקבת אחר הדמות ומגלה שזהו ילד חסר בית בגיל 13 המתגורר במחסן פרוץ של העריה. היא מתחברת אליו ולוקחת אותו לאכול ומהקשר הראשוני הזה צומח קשר עמוק שישנה את חייהם של כל המעורבים.

הספר מאוד פשטני: ישנם טובים וישנם רעים. הוא גם מאוד נקי ומסודר והכל מתקתק בו כצפוי. הכל נקרא כמו סיפור אגדה אורבני מודרני.

בניגוד לקטגוריה שהוא משובץ בה, זה לא רומן רומנטי. והפשטות שבו והעמדות החד משמעיות שבו מקלות על הקריאה הקולחת והמהירה. אני תמיד שמחה לקרוא סופים טובים, אבל פה זה קצת היה יותר מידי נקי, מסודר ובכלל לא מבולגן כמו שהחיים הם בדרך כלל.

[Author Annabelle Leigha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always knew Danielle Steel was a master, but WOW! This book had me angry, like punch a wall angry, in tears from heartbreak, and smiling from joy! Blue is the most amazing young man, and I wish there were more kids like him. This is the best book I've read of hers and I will be purchasing it in hardback for my library!

[Suzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the BEST Danielle Steel novels to date. Awesome, heartfelt story. Even though it was fiction it made me believe there really are some good, decent and kind people left in this world. Highly recommend!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always enjoy her books.
This one was great!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audible Review
Overall 4 out of 5 stars
Performance 4 out of 5 stars
Story 4 out of 5 stars

I love Alexander Cendese, but...
I find it funny that he's who was chosen to narrate this book, when it's told from the pov of a female! I mean, I could listen to him all day long, don't get me wrong, I just find it a little odd that they didn't use a female narrator.

This is another audio I grabbed during the half-price sale, not relealizing it was an abridged version of the book, I have to say though, with this one I didn't mind. Of course I'm a little curious as to what was left out, but I feel like I got a full story. There were a few times that I thought there was probably more to the scene than I was getting, but it didn't affect my overall enjoyment. Except at the very end, I do think something pretty important may have been cut.

I felt so sad for Ginny and I'm so happy she and Blue found each other. I hated how life had treated Blue, it makes my heart ache to know that there are kids like him out on the streets.
I really hated certain family members in this book- I don't understand how people can act like they did. I know it happens all the time in the real world, and that just breaks my heart.
I kind of saw the "twist" coming, but I still enjoyed it- although "enjoyed" is kind of a weird word to use when it comes to that part of the book.

Blue was an entertaining and thought-provoking story.

[Bookread2day · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must buy, must read. Danielle Steel is one my top favourite writers. I guarantee that this story will touch your heart and keeping you turning the pages. I just loved this story about a homeless boy.
Ginny Carter and her husband Mark had a marriage and life that were the envy of their friends and to all that had known them. They had a gorgeous home in Beverly Hills. But very sadly her husband and her son died in a car crash. Ginny has a heart of gold bless her she decided to work for a human rights organization going to places like Africa and Afghanistan, helping women and children that need food, water, medicine or shelter.
Becky who is Ginny's older sister and what I thought was rather sweet is the fact that the two sisters respected and loved each other.
Becky and her husband live in Pasadena with their three children and seem to lead an orderly life. Ginny can't go inside her Beverly Hills house any more and sets up a home in New York.

While Ginny is out walking she finds a young boy sleeping rough in a freezing cold shed. Even though Ginny doesn't know any thing about this young boy she is so kind-hearted that Ginny holds her hand out and lets thirteen-year-old Blue Williams come to sleep at her place in the nice and warm. Happiness can be found in the most unexpected places.
Loved the character Ginny Carter she holds her hand out and helps everyone.

[Carol Storm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another lovely modern fairy tale by Danielle Steel. A TV news anchor woman turned aid worker adopts a homeless boy off the streets of New York. Some powerful writing about sexual abuse and a tragic accident in the heroine's past. Some of the most inspiring scenes in any Steel book I've read.

[Allison ༻hikes the bookwoods༺ · Rating 2 out of 5]

How on earth does this woman sell so many books? Horrible writing, predictable plot.

[Irene Azuaje · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un libro espectacular, el hecho de que los protagonistas se hayan encontrado de maneras tan diferentes.
De verdad que no me desilusionó para nada.

[Cathy Hooper · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t dislike this book. I actually liked the storyline and the characters. However, the writing was deplorable. I honestly don’t know how Steele is a best seller. Yet she is, so that just proves we all have different tastes. This is supposedly different from most of her other books as far as subject matter. Romance is not a major component of this story. Blue is a homeless boy befriended by a grieving woman. As I said, I like the idea behind the story. I just kept wondering what it would have been like with a more masterful writer.
The omnipotent viewpoint made sure we knew what each character, major and minor, thought and felt at every turn. The perspective changes were so rapidly done I got literary whiplash. It was quite confusing when in the same paragraph, one person was quoted, then we were told what everyone else thought and the paragraph concluded with another quote. Sometimes I wasn’t sure who was talking.
In addition to over “telling”, and very little “showing”, plot holes were big enough to drive a Mack truck through, and a few of the characters (particularly Ginny’s sister) seemed to have multiple personalities. It was quite predictable, and pleasant enough if you like simple stories with happy endings.

[Mohamed Shoaib · Rating 4 out of 5]

هما روحان ضائعتان عثرتا على بعضهما البعض .. جيني و بلو
الشابة المحطمة المتطوعة للعمل الميداني لمنظمة حقوق الإنسان
والفتى اليتيم المشرد يلتقيان في شوارع نيويورك بطريقة اقرب إلى نداء من ملاك هبط ليجمعهما سويًا

أتدري هؤلاء الناس الذين يظهرون في حياتك بدون سابق إنذارليقلبوها رأسًا على عقب و يحولونها إلى جنة ؟ لا ؟ انا كذلك لكنى اقرأ عنهم و هذه الرواية بها اثنين منهم .. بلو ظهر في حياتها لينقذها من انتحار كانت على وشك القيام به و هي ملاك الرحمة الذي انقذه من مستقبل مؤلم في مدينة بلا قلب لا ترحم
الرواية إنسانية من الدرجة الأولى مليئة بقيم لم يعد لها وجود في عالمنا هذا.
توازن ممتاز بين السرد من الكاتبة و الحوار بين الشخصيات .. يؤخذ عليها فقط انها "رغاية" لا تتوقف .
ناقشت القصة جوانب عديدة مهمة في المجتمع الأمريكي .. كالتشرد و التحرش بالأطفال.

يأخذ على القصة انها كانت مسالمة على مدار صفحاتها .. لم تصدمني بشيء مفجع كانت الأمور سلسة و انا اتوجس خيفة من هذه الأمور

لقائي الأول بالكاتبة و بالتأكيد لن يكون الأخير.

[Brad Jae · Rating 5 out of 5]

HAIL DANIELLE STEEL !! 5 out of 5 stars *****


"Blue" by Danielle Steel is absolutely one of my all time favorite books by her . Recently her books has been hitting some major topics in society , nowadays . Which is wonderful , informing the reader on a matter of different subjects while weaving together the right amount of her creativity as a writer . I won't go into much detail about this book SPOILER . Which is very bleak . I enjoyed the characters of this book, setting , and the writing style had improved tremendously . Something about the book is very believable I many ways .

Hail Danielle Steel !!!

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best books that I have read by Danielle Steel. GInny was a well known reporter until her husband and son were killed in a car accident days before Christmas. Three years later, Ginny works in dangerous areas helping the less fortunate. Areas include Afganistan, Syria, and India and she is there for 3 months before returning to New York. She meets Blue, a homeless boy, and her life changes instantly. She befriends him and both of their lives change for the better.blue has been molested by a priest and Ginny finds justice for Blue. An ex-priest represents them and becomes a love interest. Read in two nights!

[Jo Damato · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would like to give this negative stars. Poorly written, bad plot, took a weird turn halfway through, writer skipped over creating dialogue by writing in messy paragraphs of thought instead. That said, I only read this book because I was sitting at the pool at my parents and my mom offered it to me as a quick pool read.

[Dawn ♥ romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a powerful story that had me riveted from beginning to end. It is mostly about dealing with tragic events in life. Very emotional although only a little romance at the end. Ginny becomes an human rights worker after she loses her husband and son in a car accident. On the three year anniversary of their death she meets and befriends a homeless thirteen-year-old boy.

[Malayna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blue was a great story, but I didn’t think the characters were developed as much as they could have been. It seemed rather simplistic. With that being said, I understand why Danielle Steel is such a popular author. It was an inherently dark story but still rang in as a feel good novel... a good book to pass time without requiring too much thought.

[Ellen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was boring.

[The Cats’ Mother · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blue is a heartwarming contemporary fiction novel set in New York, that was published in 2016, about a woman finding a reason to live again after losing her family in a terrible accident. I had read a few Danielle Steels years ago and had her firmly in the “schmaltzy romance, not for me” category, but my neighbour lent me this and recommended it so I decided to give it a go, and ended up quite liking it in spite of the banal repetitive writing and too-good-to-be-true characters. It’s like someone lent her a Catherine Ryan Hyde book and she thought “I can do that!”

Ginny Carter is contemplating suicide on a snowy night, when she is distracted by the discovery of a young boy hiding in a park shed. Feeling she must help him, she buys him a meal, and discovers he’s homeless with no family he can stay with. Her busy life as an international human rights worker leaves no time for a child, but when she discovers his shocking if unsurprising secret, knows she can’t leave him on the streets.

This was a completely predictable feelgood tale that I finished within a day. It’s about friendship and family rather than romantic love (although there is a low-key romance subplot, she hasn’t strayed that far from her usual!) I won’t be rushing to read any more as Ms Ryan Hyde does this sort of thing so much better, but I enjoyed it despite the weird obsession with people having blue eyes! 3.5 rounded up for exceeding expectations!

[Melanrocks Booktok · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5⭐️

Attention,《trigger warnings》
*Deuil, *Pé***hilie, Décès

Ginny, suite à un tragique drame survenu il y a trois ans, travaille présentement dans l'humanitaire. Sa vie, n'ayant plus d'importance à ses yeux, y est désormais complètement dédiée.

Après une longue période à l'étranger, elle est de retour chez elle, à New York. À tout hasard, elle y fera la rencontre de Blue, un jeune adolescent sans domicile fixe et sa vie changera du tout au tout.

Avec le temps, une confiance s'installera entre les deux et Blue lui fera part de certains détails troublants de son passé, laissant Ginny alarmée.

Prenant le garçon sous son aile, elle s'assurera d'un bon avenir pour lui, entreprendra des démarches judiciaires et elle et Blue se battront pour gagner leur cause.

Bien que ce roman soit quelque peu prévisible, les thèmes abordés et les enjeux sont vraiment intéressants et avec une note de 4.5/5⭐️, cette lecture m'a vraiment plu, j'ai passé un moment très agréable. À bientôt!