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No Time to Blink
He knows the one thing that would destroy me would be to separate me from my daughter…
Catherine Clarke defied her family’s expectations when she married Gabriel, a handsome Lebanese businessman. After moving to Gabriel’s homeland and welcoming a baby daughter, Catherine knew she had to acclimate herself to the strange new world. Yet both her husband and her surroundings became more volatile and threatening than she could have ever imagined.
When Gabriel forbids her to return to the States, Catherine devises a plan to deceive him, but she vastly underestimates how far he will go to punish her. And after her daughter, Ann Marie, is abducted and taken deep into the mountains of Beirut—protected by family, culture, and law—the only thing on Catherine’s side is the fierceness of a mother’s love. She’s prepared to move heaven and earth to find her child.
Told from alternating points of view—that of a daughter whose past is a mystery and of a mother with painful secrets to share—this profoundly moving story of impossible risks will resonate with anyone whose love has no boundaries.
Catherine Clarke defied her family’s expectations when she married Gabriel, a handsome Lebanese businessman. After moving to Gabriel’s homeland and welcoming a baby daughter, Catherine knew she had to acclimate herself to the strange new world. Yet both her husband and her surroundings became more volatile and threatening than she could have ever imagined.
When Gabriel forbids her to return to the States, Catherine devises a plan to deceive him, but she vastly underestimates how far he will go to punish her. And after her daughter, Ann Marie, is abducted and taken deep into the mountains of Beirut—protected by family, culture, and law—the only thing on Catherine’s side is the fierceness of a mother’s love. She’s prepared to move heaven and earth to find her child.
Told from alternating points of view—that of a daughter whose past is a mystery and of a mother with painful secrets to share—this profoundly moving story of impossible risks will resonate with anyone whose love has no boundaries.
283 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 13, 2018
219 people are currently reading
2821 people want to read
About the author
Dina Silver
13 books635 followersDina Silver is an author, a wine lover, and an excellent parallel parker. She lives with her husband, son, and twenty-pound tabby cat in suburban Chicago. She’d prefer to live somewhere where it’s warm year-round, but she’s also a licensed real estate agent in Illinois, and she loathes the thought of having to take the broker exam again in another state. Dina is the author of five other novels, including One Pink Line, Kat Fight, Finding Bliss, The Unimaginable, and Whisper if You Need Me. To find out more about Dina and her books, visit www.dinasilver.com.
About books I review...
I am an author, so I appreciate the value of a 5-star review. I know that those stars mean more to an author, than they do to me as the reviewer who's doling them out. That being said, if I like a book at all, chances are I'm going to give it 5-stars. However, in the detailed description of my review is where I will attempt to explain what I actually thought of the book, so people can get a better idea of exactly how much I liked or loved it.
If I did not enjoy a book, or was unable to finish it, I simply will not review it. I have no interest in bashing anyone else's hard work.
About books I review...
I am an author, so I appreciate the value of a 5-star review. I know that those stars mean more to an author, than they do to me as the reviewer who's doling them out. That being said, if I like a book at all, chances are I'm going to give it 5-stars. However, in the detailed description of my review is where I will attempt to explain what I actually thought of the book, so people can get a better idea of exactly how much I liked or loved it.
If I did not enjoy a book, or was unable to finish it, I simply will not review it. I have no interest in bashing anyone else's hard work.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews
March 10, 2018
Last night I was at book club (this wasn't our book club book. We read something else.) Anyway, during book club I get this email from a dude named Paul (named change to protect the innocent. The real name of the person was actually Bowen, but we'll just call him Paul) who says he's a HUGE fan of the show Big Brother and they have watch parties and fantasy Big Brother leagues. And he was reaching out to me because I was one of his favorite Big Brother cast members and he wanted to know if I'd donate to his charity.
Okay, so let's get something straight. I've never been a contestant on Big Brother. I don't know why this dude 1) thought I was on Big Brother and 2) Assumed that I'd give him money simply because I was on Big Brother. Which I wasn't. Technically.
There was this one time I was in Pinoy with Tarryn Fisher and we were on our way to CBS to be interviewed and we passed the Big Brother Pinoy house. We freaked out because we're huge fans of the show and so we tweeted our readers in The Philippines and begged them to tweet CBS to let us on the show. AND IT WORKED! We were interviewed by the hosts that night on the Live Big Brother show in Pinoy. AND we got to go in the diary room. So maybe this PAUL guy just googled Big Brother and came across my name and assumed I was a contestant on the show. I don't know. But if that's the case, PAUL, you are NOT as big of a Big Brother fan as you say you are or you would know I was never a contestant!
Oh, and one time me and Tarryn were in New Orleans and randomly went to a hair salon and the lady who cut our hair was a contestant on Big Brother. Not sure how Paul would know that, though.
Whatever. The point of this review is simply to express to Paul, should he ever read this review, that I'm not sending you any money, you wanker.
Okay, so let's get something straight. I've never been a contestant on Big Brother. I don't know why this dude 1) thought I was on Big Brother and 2) Assumed that I'd give him money simply because I was on Big Brother. Which I wasn't. Technically.
There was this one time I was in Pinoy with Tarryn Fisher and we were on our way to CBS to be interviewed and we passed the Big Brother Pinoy house. We freaked out because we're huge fans of the show and so we tweeted our readers in The Philippines and begged them to tweet CBS to let us on the show. AND IT WORKED! We were interviewed by the hosts that night on the Live Big Brother show in Pinoy. AND we got to go in the diary room. So maybe this PAUL guy just googled Big Brother and came across my name and assumed I was a contestant on the show. I don't know. But if that's the case, PAUL, you are NOT as big of a Big Brother fan as you say you are or you would know I was never a contestant!
Oh, and one time me and Tarryn were in New Orleans and randomly went to a hair salon and the lady who cut our hair was a contestant on Big Brother. Not sure how Paul would know that, though.
Whatever. The point of this review is simply to express to Paul, should he ever read this review, that I'm not sending you any money, you wanker.
July 18, 2018
A riveting and poignant story, No Time To Blink delivers an emotional punch as it takes readers through the haunting tale of socialite Catherine Clarke and the depths to which she goes to be reunited with her daughter. Dina Silver is a gifted voice in women's fiction.
February 7, 2018
4 loving but heart breaking relationship stars
This was quite a moving story of how far a mother would go to keep her child overcoming obstacles and fighting for what she wants and who she loves.
Catherine Clark is a young girl, accustomed to living well in Greenwich Connecticut. Her life has been a good life so far, one of luxury and privileged. Her mother and father are somewhat staid not showing much in the way of emotional love for their daughters. Catherine (CC), meets a young man Gabriel, who is very different from the country club set she is use to. He is Lebanese and there is an instant love connection between the two. Eventually, they elope, and move to Chicago for a few months and CC finds herself pregnant. One day, after only living in Chicago for a few months, Gabriel, comes home and announces they are moving to Beirut. After the move, CC realizes this is not the life she wants as her husband moves more and more into the direction of being the person who directs and leads this marriage. As their marriage crumbles, CC makes plans to take Ann Marie and flee to the states.
The struggles CC has keeping her child, arriving back home, and finding peace are portrayed and as the story continues we meet her daughter, Ann Marie, who is all grown up and experiencing issues of her own with a faithless husband and three young sons. As we learn of Ann Marie's problems, we also discover more and more of CC's problems as they are revealed through journals she has written of her life.
This is a twofold story of mother and daughter and the love they share and the things they will do to protect the ones they love. It is also a story of the relationships between husbands and wives and how a once loving relationship can turn into something bitter and nasty.
Thanks you to the author, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
This was quite a moving story of how far a mother would go to keep her child overcoming obstacles and fighting for what she wants and who she loves.
Catherine Clark is a young girl, accustomed to living well in Greenwich Connecticut. Her life has been a good life so far, one of luxury and privileged. Her mother and father are somewhat staid not showing much in the way of emotional love for their daughters. Catherine (CC), meets a young man Gabriel, who is very different from the country club set she is use to. He is Lebanese and there is an instant love connection between the two. Eventually, they elope, and move to Chicago for a few months and CC finds herself pregnant. One day, after only living in Chicago for a few months, Gabriel, comes home and announces they are moving to Beirut. After the move, CC realizes this is not the life she wants as her husband moves more and more into the direction of being the person who directs and leads this marriage. As their marriage crumbles, CC makes plans to take Ann Marie and flee to the states.
The struggles CC has keeping her child, arriving back home, and finding peace are portrayed and as the story continues we meet her daughter, Ann Marie, who is all grown up and experiencing issues of her own with a faithless husband and three young sons. As we learn of Ann Marie's problems, we also discover more and more of CC's problems as they are revealed through journals she has written of her life.
This is a twofold story of mother and daughter and the love they share and the things they will do to protect the ones they love. It is also a story of the relationships between husbands and wives and how a once loving relationship can turn into something bitter and nasty.
Thanks you to the author, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
January 8, 2018
They loved each other once, madly and deeply, and despite all the ugliness from their past, maybe she thought I would need him now more than ever.
This book is very much outside of the usual genre I read. I prefer romance or mystery at the forefront of my novels, and this was very much a women’s fiction book – but a very compulsively readable one at that!
I’d initially requested an ARC of this book based on the gorgeous cover, and I was worried I’d be unable to get into it once I started reading, but it surprised me by pulling me in instantly and making me unable to put the book down until I was finished. Two sittings was all it took!
I would have loved to see a romance angle in this – what is it like to love someone this cruel? It would have been an interesting aspect, and one I definitely haven’t seen explored before.
Nonetheless, No Time To Blink was a compelling, fast-paced read that was beautifully written. It would make a great TV film in my opinion!
Would recommend for: fans of women’s fiction told in beautiful prose and mother-daughter relationships. This one was so beautiful!
February 22, 2018
I read this book in 2 days! No Time To Blink is so good, so touching and sweet and it will captivate you from the begining to the end!
This is a story of two women- two mothers who are strong and wonderfully brave and their journey thru Motherhood.
Read this book, it will touch your heart as a Mother and a daughter.
5 big stars!
This is a story of two women- two mothers who are strong and wonderfully brave and their journey thru Motherhood.
Read this book, it will touch your heart as a Mother and a daughter.
5 big stars!
February 10, 2018
4.5 STARS!
I love Dina Silver books—I love her ability to take from real-life experiences making something completely unique and her own and doing it in such a way that her stories are completely addicting and mesmerizing.
No Time to Blink is women's fiction, not something I read often, but perfection all the same.
This book is told in dual POV's and told from the perspective of Catherine Clarke in the 70's, her marriage to a Lebanese man Gabriel, the birth of her daughter Ann Marie and ultimately her struggle to return to the home she had always wanted to escape from, all the while protecting her beloved daughter.
Interestingly enough, the other POV is from Ann Marie in the present day and her own struggles with her marriage, all the while trying to take care of her three children and providing them with as normal of a childhood as she possibly can given the circumstances.
The bond between mother and daughter touched my heart and as I read this story made me hope and pray for that close of a bond with myself and my daughter as she grows and matures. I LOVED how as a reader I could feel that love emitting from the pages. I also thought that the author did a great job in allowing the reader to immerse themselves into the Lebanese culture... I could smell the foods, I could see the country from the eyes of Catherine, and it truly made me feel like I was part of the story.
And let me tell you... I was IN this story... I was vested in every way.
The hurt and pain—all the emotions really—in this book was real, relatable, and above all stunning. This is Dina Silver's best book yet. A MUST READ for readers who enjoy women's fiction, who want a powerful story that will give you all the feels and keep you hooked until the very end.
I love Dina Silver books—I love her ability to take from real-life experiences making something completely unique and her own and doing it in such a way that her stories are completely addicting and mesmerizing.
No Time to Blink is women's fiction, not something I read often, but perfection all the same.
This book is told in dual POV's and told from the perspective of Catherine Clarke in the 70's, her marriage to a Lebanese man Gabriel, the birth of her daughter Ann Marie and ultimately her struggle to return to the home she had always wanted to escape from, all the while protecting her beloved daughter.
Interestingly enough, the other POV is from Ann Marie in the present day and her own struggles with her marriage, all the while trying to take care of her three children and providing them with as normal of a childhood as she possibly can given the circumstances.
The bond between mother and daughter touched my heart and as I read this story made me hope and pray for that close of a bond with myself and my daughter as she grows and matures. I LOVED how as a reader I could feel that love emitting from the pages. I also thought that the author did a great job in allowing the reader to immerse themselves into the Lebanese culture... I could smell the foods, I could see the country from the eyes of Catherine, and it truly made me feel like I was part of the story.
And let me tell you... I was IN this story... I was vested in every way.
The hurt and pain—all the emotions really—in this book was real, relatable, and above all stunning. This is Dina Silver's best book yet. A MUST READ for readers who enjoy women's fiction, who want a powerful story that will give you all the feels and keep you hooked until the very end.
February 24, 2026
I’ve had this book on my shelf for ages and finally picked it up. The beginning felt a bit disjointed—the dialogue didn’t flow well, and I honestly thought it was going to be a rough read. I’m glad I was wrong. It turned into a heartwarming, relatable story that completely pulled me in. I flew through it in two days.
The ending wasn’t what I expected at all; the mid chapters give off Not Without My Daughter vibes, but without saying too much it goes in a different direction. Overall, the storyline made it an easy four‑star read for me.
The ending wasn’t what I expected at all; the mid chapters give off Not Without My Daughter vibes, but without saying too much it goes in a different direction. Overall, the storyline made it an easy four‑star read for me.
December 25, 2017
I went into this book thinking it was going to be like Not Without My Daughter, which I never actually read. However, I didn't really know what to expect and I was surprised throughout. Even though setting the story in two different timelines shows that the mother and daughter eventually get reunited, how they get to that point is a harrowing struggle, and I was nervous for Catherine during that time.
I like how the story was told in two perspectives and how Catherine and Ann Marie's stories parallel each other in some ways. What they were going through reminded me of situations I've seen friends and acquaintances have to deal with (one is very similar to Ann Marie's situation). However, Catherine seemed to have it easier than the people I know, since she had wealth and connections on her side. Not every woman has this working in her favor. I felt these connections trickled down to Ann Marie a bit too. I still wanted to see both of them "win" though. They had been through enough.
Overall, this was a compelling novel that I had a really hard time putting down. Even when I did have to pause, I couldn't stop thinking of and worrying about Ann Marie and Catherine. It even made me want to read (or watch) Not Without My Daughter. When it releases in February, I encourage you to add it to the top of your TBR piles!
Movie casting ideas:
Catherine (1970s): AnnaSophia Robb
Gabriel (1970s): Elyes Gabel
Ann Marie (2000s): Emmanuelle Chriqui
Scott: Dina suggested John Krasinski, but I was picturing Eric Winter
Todd: Alex O'Loughlin
Yasmine: Morena Baccarin
Brigitte: Sarah Shahi
I like how the story was told in two perspectives and how Catherine and Ann Marie's stories parallel each other in some ways. What they were going through reminded me of situations I've seen friends and acquaintances have to deal with (one is very similar to Ann Marie's situation). However, Catherine seemed to have it easier than the people I know, since she had wealth and connections on her side. Not every woman has this working in her favor. I felt these connections trickled down to Ann Marie a bit too. I still wanted to see both of them "win" though. They had been through enough.
Overall, this was a compelling novel that I had a really hard time putting down. Even when I did have to pause, I couldn't stop thinking of and worrying about Ann Marie and Catherine. It even made me want to read (or watch) Not Without My Daughter. When it releases in February, I encourage you to add it to the top of your TBR piles!
Movie casting ideas:
Catherine (1970s): AnnaSophia Robb
Gabriel (1970s): Elyes Gabel
Ann Marie (2000s): Emmanuelle Chriqui
Scott: Dina suggested John Krasinski, but I was picturing Eric Winter
Todd: Alex O'Loughlin
Yasmine: Morena Baccarin
Brigitte: Sarah Shahi
February 20, 2018
This book was amazing! It took time getting through the last chapter because of my crying but so worth it!
February 14, 2018
Wow! I really wasn’t expecting to cry at the end of this book but it really was a roller coaster of emotions. You truly feel what CC went through fighting to get Ann Marie back from Gabriel. How she wasn’t going to give up.
How Ann Marie had the same fight in her as her mother but just needed to use it in a different manner.
For those of you that like family drama novels, this one is for you.
*I received this book from the publisher*
How Ann Marie had the same fight in her as her mother but just needed to use it in a different manner.
For those of you that like family drama novels, this one is for you.
*I received this book from the publisher*
February 10, 2018
Once I started this story about a mother and her daughter, I couldn't put it down. It was a fantastic and addictive read that asked the question - how far would you go to protect your children. The story is told in dual time lines by the mother and daughter as secrets are revealed and questions are answered about their pasts.
Ann Marie is the mother of three sons and is in the midst of an ugly divorce with a cheating and vindictive husband. Her mother, Catherine comes to help her out and has decided that she needs to share her earlier years with her daughter through the journals that she kept. When Catherine was in college, she fell in love with a businessman from Beirut, much to her rich parents disapproval and ended up living in Beirut in the early 70s when her daughter was born. Her husband refuses to allow her to see her family and locks up her passport so that she can't go back to America with her baby. I really don't want to tell any more about the plot so that readers can experience the tense times in Catherine and Ann Marie's lives. I highly recommend this book - once I started it, I didn't put it down until the end because I was so invested in the struggles in the story. This is definitely a profound story of the love between a mother and her child.
Thanks to the Great Thoughts Great Readers Ninja review team for a copy. All opinions are my own.
Ann Marie is the mother of three sons and is in the midst of an ugly divorce with a cheating and vindictive husband. Her mother, Catherine comes to help her out and has decided that she needs to share her earlier years with her daughter through the journals that she kept. When Catherine was in college, she fell in love with a businessman from Beirut, much to her rich parents disapproval and ended up living in Beirut in the early 70s when her daughter was born. Her husband refuses to allow her to see her family and locks up her passport so that she can't go back to America with her baby. I really don't want to tell any more about the plot so that readers can experience the tense times in Catherine and Ann Marie's lives. I highly recommend this book - once I started it, I didn't put it down until the end because I was so invested in the struggles in the story. This is definitely a profound story of the love between a mother and her child.
Thanks to the Great Thoughts Great Readers Ninja review team for a copy. All opinions are my own.
February 1, 2018
This was a fast paced book that kept my interest.
A young girl from a wealthy family in Greenwich Connecticut, falls in love with a slightly older, and handsome Lebanese businessman, who is visiting his sister. Despite the families objections, Catherine decides she will marry him and after a short time they end up going back to his home country. Pregnant and having a hard time adjusting to her time there and having to play a very different role as a woman than she was used to, she longs for home. Friction arises between them and when certain circumstances arise, where she doesn't feel like she has control of her life, their relationship becomes a series of cat and mouse games.
I would rather the reader find out for themselves what happens in the story, so I will leave it as that.
Very well written and a great story.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC of this book
A young girl from a wealthy family in Greenwich Connecticut, falls in love with a slightly older, and handsome Lebanese businessman, who is visiting his sister. Despite the families objections, Catherine decides she will marry him and after a short time they end up going back to his home country. Pregnant and having a hard time adjusting to her time there and having to play a very different role as a woman than she was used to, she longs for home. Friction arises between them and when certain circumstances arise, where she doesn't feel like she has control of her life, their relationship becomes a series of cat and mouse games.
I would rather the reader find out for themselves what happens in the story, so I will leave it as that.
Very well written and a great story.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC of this book
December 24, 2017
Nothing quite like the first chapter in a book throwing you for a loop and making your head spin. Dina Silver has a way of sucking you in to the story by ending almost every chapter with a cliff hanger. I didn’t want to put it down
There were a few parts that were a bit far fetched but not enough to sway me from the story. I don't want to discuss here what I found a bit unbelievable because I don't want to give any spoilers. I found this to be a quick easy read that kept me engaged from the beginning.
And last but not least the cover is stunning.
I received an advance reader copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
There were a few parts that were a bit far fetched but not enough to sway me from the story. I don't want to discuss here what I found a bit unbelievable because I don't want to give any spoilers. I found this to be a quick easy read that kept me engaged from the beginning.
And last but not least the cover is stunning.
I received an advance reader copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
February 9, 2018
Solid 4.5 Stars.
No Time to Blink is written in dual timelines and perspectives - a mother in the early 70’s, and her grown daughter in the late 2000’s. I really enjoyed this book and getting to read two sides of connected lives and histories. A lot of the story takes place in a country and culture that I know nothing about, so it was interesting to read about. And, of course, the drama is fantastic and the story is very well written. I looked forward to reading the author’s other books, as she is a new author to me.
I received an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions. All opinions are my own.
No Time to Blink is written in dual timelines and perspectives - a mother in the early 70’s, and her grown daughter in the late 2000’s. I really enjoyed this book and getting to read two sides of connected lives and histories. A lot of the story takes place in a country and culture that I know nothing about, so it was interesting to read about. And, of course, the drama is fantastic and the story is very well written. I looked forward to reading the author’s other books, as she is a new author to me.
I received an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions. All opinions are my own.
April 25, 2018
This book - based on a true incident- made me wonder if it was going to be filed in fiction and it is!
heard the author at the Christamore Guild luncheon.. she couldn't reveal the plot past the first page..and I see why... the story gets going right from the beginning...
heard the author at the Christamore Guild luncheon.. she couldn't reveal the plot past the first page..and I see why... the story gets going right from the beginning...
February 19, 2020
not really what I thought it was going to be like, thought it would be a different type of mystery tho I guess it was one in a way, was heartfelt and touching but the family dynamics were super weird and yea idk how you can just be chill with someone who did that and how what the mom "did" is chalked up to some "we don't see clearly when were angry" bs. like uh no she did what she had to, rightfully so. and the fact that they top it off with the whole "you did it first" thing is just WOW. Parents have lied to their children about their other parent for less. idc how they try to frame it in the book but that was not an okay relationship and anyone being treated like that has the right to do whatever they have to. lock away my passport? nah. I don't think so.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2018
This book is captivating and beautiful
April 30, 2022
Catherine Clarke defied all of her family's expectations for her when she married Gabriel, a handsome Lebanese businessman. She knew she would have to acclimate to a strange, new world when she moved to Gabriel's homeland and welcomed a baby daughter. But, Catherine had no idea just how volatile and threatening both her husband and her new surroundings would become. When Gabriel forbids her to return to the United States, Catherine devises a plan to deceive him and return home. She vastly underestimates the lengths he will go to punish her. After her daughter, Ann Marie, is abducted and taken deep into the mountains of Beirut, she's protected by family, culture and law, all of which are intent on keeping Catherine away from her. The only thing Catherine has on her side is the fierceness of a mother's love. She will move heaven, earth, and everything in between to find her child.
As a mother, this concept is utterly terrifying. It definitely reminds me of the movie "Not Without My Daughter". This is a fast paced, intense story with incredible storytelling. It alternates between that of a daughter whose past is a mystery even to her and that of a mother who has painful secrets to share. Silver manages to tell a heart wrenching, action packed story and captured my attention from the very first paragraph. I am definitely looking forward to reading more of her writing.
**FTC disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect the content of my review in any way.**
As a mother, this concept is utterly terrifying. It definitely reminds me of the movie "Not Without My Daughter". This is a fast paced, intense story with incredible storytelling. It alternates between that of a daughter whose past is a mystery even to her and that of a mother who has painful secrets to share. Silver manages to tell a heart wrenching, action packed story and captured my attention from the very first paragraph. I am definitely looking forward to reading more of her writing.
**FTC disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect the content of my review in any way.**
June 8, 2020
This was a wonderful, engaging, well-written book. Whoever edited this book was masterful.
The genre is a mix of thriller and drama eloquently weaved into a 'love at first sight' romance. The drama surrounded family and the relationships between mothers and daughters, fathers and daughters, best friends, and sisters.
If you can imagine coming from a close-knit family and then suddenly ripped away from them by your new husband and thrown into a foreign country, that would be horrific enough. Now imagine being told the phone bill was too high (by your wealthy husband) and banned from calling your family, and ultimately, being banned to visit them in the States by hiding your passport.
Oh, and did I mention, you were pregnant with your first child? Yeah, mind-blowing is an understatement.
The women in this book showed incredible strength and resilience and only reinforces what I already knew about the fortitude of all women. We are survivors.
This book also reinforces my own opinions as a writer on journaling. It is so important, and in this case, became the voice of the mother, when the mother could not speak due to health reasons. It told the story of her daughter's true childhood.
As the daughter begins to read the journals, she uncovers a childhood she never knew about or remembered. One that will haunt her for a long time to come, while on the road to healing and a place of peace.
The genre is a mix of thriller and drama eloquently weaved into a 'love at first sight' romance. The drama surrounded family and the relationships between mothers and daughters, fathers and daughters, best friends, and sisters.
If you can imagine coming from a close-knit family and then suddenly ripped away from them by your new husband and thrown into a foreign country, that would be horrific enough. Now imagine being told the phone bill was too high (by your wealthy husband) and banned from calling your family, and ultimately, being banned to visit them in the States by hiding your passport.
Oh, and did I mention, you were pregnant with your first child? Yeah, mind-blowing is an understatement.
The women in this book showed incredible strength and resilience and only reinforces what I already knew about the fortitude of all women. We are survivors.
This book also reinforces my own opinions as a writer on journaling. It is so important, and in this case, became the voice of the mother, when the mother could not speak due to health reasons. It told the story of her daughter's true childhood.
As the daughter begins to read the journals, she uncovers a childhood she never knew about or remembered. One that will haunt her for a long time to come, while on the road to healing and a place of peace.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2018
I LOVED this book, it was truly amazing. The cover initially caught my eye but the story pulled me in and I didn't want to stop reading. I would have to say it's one of the best books I have read this year.
The story is told in the alternating points of view of Catherine and her daughter Ann Marie. Catherine married Gabriel, a Lebanese business man, and a few short months after the wedding she finds herself living in Beirut and pregnant. Shortly after giving birth to her daughter, Catherine's life with her husband changes. She is forbidden to return home to the States and even has her passport locked up. Gabriel finally allows Catherine to return home with Ann Marie, but the joy is short lived. Gabriel abducts Ann Marie and takes her back to Beirut. Ann Marie is unaware any of this happened to her as a baby and doesn't find out until she is meets with a divorce attorney who happened to know her mom.
The book focuses on family and love. I loved the story, characters and style of writing. A few tears may have been shed. I definitely recommend it and want to read more books by the author.
Thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the author, Dina Silver, for a free electronic ARC of this novel.
The story is told in the alternating points of view of Catherine and her daughter Ann Marie. Catherine married Gabriel, a Lebanese business man, and a few short months after the wedding she finds herself living in Beirut and pregnant. Shortly after giving birth to her daughter, Catherine's life with her husband changes. She is forbidden to return home to the States and even has her passport locked up. Gabriel finally allows Catherine to return home with Ann Marie, but the joy is short lived. Gabriel abducts Ann Marie and takes her back to Beirut. Ann Marie is unaware any of this happened to her as a baby and doesn't find out until she is meets with a divorce attorney who happened to know her mom.
The book focuses on family and love. I loved the story, characters and style of writing. A few tears may have been shed. I definitely recommend it and want to read more books by the author.
Thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the author, Dina Silver, for a free electronic ARC of this novel.
March 12, 2018
5* Emotional Stars
The story is told in two voices, Catherine the mother and Ann Marie the daughter. The chapters alternate between the past 1970’s and the present late 2000’s. These two ladies were very strong willed women who had to overcome hardships in their lives that in a way paralleled each other. The tight bond between mother and daughter was felt in every chapter.
This was a very emotional story and will tug at the heart of any mother who has children.
This well written story was fast paced and flowed well and was very powerful and realistic in every sense of the story.
If you are in the mood for a story about families, love, heartache and forgiveness then I highly recommend this book, as I loved every page read.
Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read this wonderful book for an honest opinion
The story is told in two voices, Catherine the mother and Ann Marie the daughter. The chapters alternate between the past 1970’s and the present late 2000’s. These two ladies were very strong willed women who had to overcome hardships in their lives that in a way paralleled each other. The tight bond between mother and daughter was felt in every chapter.
This was a very emotional story and will tug at the heart of any mother who has children.
This well written story was fast paced and flowed well and was very powerful and realistic in every sense of the story.
If you are in the mood for a story about families, love, heartache and forgiveness then I highly recommend this book, as I loved every page read.
Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read this wonderful book for an honest opinion
February 9, 2018
A thoroughly engrossing excellent read! I could not put it down. Recommended!
April 4, 2018
courage and love. what a beautiful story that unfolded over these pages.
April 18, 2018
This was a much more nuanced character study than the plot line would lead you to believe. I loved the familial relationships and the way the author unfolded the story.
Read
June 18, 2019Solid read. I enjoyed both the ereader and audio version. The bundle on Amazon for both was a good deal I could flip back and forth.
April 28, 2025
The ending felt so rushed and there was a lot left unanswered.
April 28, 2018
My first Dina Silver book ever and easily one of my favorite reads of 2018. The story had me hooked from the beginning and I ended up finishing it in a day. I loved the way Dina threaded the past and present of both mother and daughter, making an already emotional journey even more incredible.
December 18, 2022
i cried, and that’s all there is to say.
March 4, 2022
"There is a part of me that feels I deserve to know everything, and part of me that is scared of the discovery."
March 23, 2018
Another beautifully written, captivating read from the talented Dina Silver. I could not put No Time To Blink down... So many emotions, so many feels. I promise this is one story that is going to hit you right in the heart!
It's been a long time since I binge read a book in less than a day but, right from the very first chapter I knew there was no way I could put this story down. Beautiful characters, a gripping story that had me on the edge of my seat with my heart in my throat through most of it, No Time To Blink is not to be missed.
If you are looking for an epic read, I can't recommend this book enough.
It's been a long time since I binge read a book in less than a day but, right from the very first chapter I knew there was no way I could put this story down. Beautiful characters, a gripping story that had me on the edge of my seat with my heart in my throat through most of it, No Time To Blink is not to be missed.
If you are looking for an epic read, I can't recommend this book enough.
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