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Invisible
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In this riveting novel from Danielle Steel, a gifted young woman must grapple with the legacy of a troubled childhood in order to pursue her dreams.
Antonia Adams is the product of a loveless marriage between an aspiring actress and an aristocrat. As a child, she is abandoned in the abyss that yawns between them, blamed by her mother, ignored by her father, and neglected by both. Unprotected and unloved, she learns that the only way to feel safe is to hide from the dangers around her, drawing as little attention as possible to herself, to be “invisible.”
In her isolation, books are her refuge and movies her escape. A day spent being carried away by an unforgettable film in a dark theater is her greatest thrill. Her love of the movies turns into a dream to become a screenwriter, and a summer job at a Hollywood studio. There, a famous British filmmaker notices her, and suddenly she can remain invisible no longer. He wants to put her in a movie and make her a star. It is a dazzling opportunity but a terrifying one, as it strips her of the camouflage that made her feel safe. She is suddenly thrust into the public eye—and even more so when they fall in love.
She will never let go of her true dream of becoming a filmmaker, though, and if she wants to make that leap, she will have to expose herself in ways she never has before. When tragedy strikes, she must decide whether she will remain center stage or become invisible again, where she feels safest. Will she face her demons, or run and hide?
In this extraordinary novel, Danielle Steel tells the story of a woman who must decide how high a price she is willing to pay to pursue her passion—and whether it is possible to stay true to herself while she does.
Antonia Adams is the product of a loveless marriage between an aspiring actress and an aristocrat. As a child, she is abandoned in the abyss that yawns between them, blamed by her mother, ignored by her father, and neglected by both. Unprotected and unloved, she learns that the only way to feel safe is to hide from the dangers around her, drawing as little attention as possible to herself, to be “invisible.”
In her isolation, books are her refuge and movies her escape. A day spent being carried away by an unforgettable film in a dark theater is her greatest thrill. Her love of the movies turns into a dream to become a screenwriter, and a summer job at a Hollywood studio. There, a famous British filmmaker notices her, and suddenly she can remain invisible no longer. He wants to put her in a movie and make her a star. It is a dazzling opportunity but a terrifying one, as it strips her of the camouflage that made her feel safe. She is suddenly thrust into the public eye—and even more so when they fall in love.
She will never let go of her true dream of becoming a filmmaker, though, and if she wants to make that leap, she will have to expose herself in ways she never has before. When tragedy strikes, she must decide whether she will remain center stage or become invisible again, where she feels safest. Will she face her demons, or run and hide?
In this extraordinary novel, Danielle Steel tells the story of a woman who must decide how high a price she is willing to pay to pursue her passion—and whether it is possible to stay true to herself while she does.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 4, 2022
1515 people are currently reading
4170 people want to read
About the author
Danielle Steel
918 books16.9k 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 784 reviews
January 7, 2022
This is a Women's Fiction. This is another great book from Danielle Steel. She as this way of rip out your heart, and then she puts it back in. Great writing, and you feel so much while reading her books, and this book is no different. This book is character driven, and you will feel so much from the main character. I love that this book really shows how parents can take out so much on their kid, and how much that can mold the kid. I love this book so much. This is not an easy read like all her books, but if you love a hard hitting book you should give this book a try. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Random House) or author (Danielle Steel) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that. This book is schedule to be release on January 4-2022.
April 5, 2022
Library OverDrive Audiobook
…..read by Michael Braun
….8 hours and 37 minutes
The only other time I read a Danielle Steel book was in high school….
“Valley of the Dolls”
Feeling yucky sick yesterday - I downloaded this book….
The writing is often repetitive…
but I’m not sure editing matters when it comes to mind-numbing Danielle Steel….
does it?
I doubt I’ll become a die hard Danielle Steel fan
but “Invisible” was actually a pretty good character driven escape story for a sick day …[two sick days] ….
Plenty of love and heartbreak, drama.
3.5 ish.
…..read by Michael Braun
….8 hours and 37 minutes
The only other time I read a Danielle Steel book was in high school….
“Valley of the Dolls”
Feeling yucky sick yesterday - I downloaded this book….
The writing is often repetitive…
but I’m not sure editing matters when it comes to mind-numbing Danielle Steel….
does it?
I doubt I’ll become a die hard Danielle Steel fan
but “Invisible” was actually a pretty good character driven escape story for a sick day …[two sick days] ….
Plenty of love and heartbreak, drama.
3.5 ish.
June 5, 2024
I always love DS as a palate cleanser, and while mostly rating low, they absolutely serve their purpose. I had just finished reading The Body Keeps The Score and had my own definite plans for my next read, but decided against the planned book and leaned on my relied upon cleanse.
I don't have to focus, I can continue what I am doing and it's just too easy to listen to her stories. They aren't brilliant, they just 'are'.
This one was of course the standard fare, wealthy people, a tragedy along the way and a HEA. In this one I was confused somewhat, as a cold father began to love his daughter Antonia again momentarily, after casting her aside due to his hatred of his ex-wife. The hatred stemmed from her leaving them when she was only 7 years old, he just could not bear the reminder of his ex, and had this strong vehemence against the poor girl.
The love came back for a little while as he was so happy to meet his new wife, for it to just fizzle again, it seemed he had forgotten he changed his mind! Emotions built to just suit the storyline. Also, a dear friend was referred to much in the first third, to never truly reappear through Antonia's life, unfitting for the repetitive use of the importance of said friendship in the beginning.
Some parts of the narrative were eerily similar to another of her titles I began to think I'd already listened to it, but it seems she simply uses little ideas again. Nothing new at all, and funnily enough the book ended in my ears in an unexpected moment and I was left thinking 'what?!'
I listened to this via the Libby app and my public library, I will never catch up to this author's back catalogue so I will always have my supply of easy reads. Nothing hard, too easy.
I don't have to focus, I can continue what I am doing and it's just too easy to listen to her stories. They aren't brilliant, they just 'are'.
This one was of course the standard fare, wealthy people, a tragedy along the way and a HEA. In this one I was confused somewhat, as a cold father began to love his daughter Antonia again momentarily, after casting her aside due to his hatred of his ex-wife. The hatred stemmed from her leaving them when she was only 7 years old, he just could not bear the reminder of his ex, and had this strong vehemence against the poor girl.
The love came back for a little while as he was so happy to meet his new wife, for it to just fizzle again, it seemed he had forgotten he changed his mind! Emotions built to just suit the storyline. Also, a dear friend was referred to much in the first third, to never truly reappear through Antonia's life, unfitting for the repetitive use of the importance of said friendship in the beginning.
Some parts of the narrative were eerily similar to another of her titles I began to think I'd already listened to it, but it seems she simply uses little ideas again. Nothing new at all, and funnily enough the book ended in my ears in an unexpected moment and I was left thinking 'what?!'
I listened to this via the Libby app and my public library, I will never catch up to this author's back catalogue so I will always have my supply of easy reads. Nothing hard, too easy.
July 22, 2022
This is a Women's Fiction. This is another great book from Danielle Steel. She as this way of rip out your heart, and then she puts it back in. Great writing, and you feel so much while reading her books, and this book is no different. This book is character driven, and you will feel so much from the main character. I love that this book really shows how parents can take out so much on their kid, and how much that can mold the kid. I love this book so much. This is not an easy read like all her books, but if you love a hard hitting book you should give this book a try. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Random House) or author (Danielle Steel) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
September 16, 2022
Short, but I enjoy stories around women with strong character and this story has it multiple times. 9 of 10 stars
January 10, 2022
Storyline was good, but that's it
The only rreason i gave it 2 stars was for the storyline. The story was good. I have to say that the constant repeating is ridiculous. It's like she is trying to fill pages or up the word count. No other author can put out the amount of books that she does and it shows. She has, once again, substituted quantity over quality.
The only rreason i gave it 2 stars was for the storyline. The story was good. I have to say that the constant repeating is ridiculous. It's like she is trying to fill pages or up the word count. No other author can put out the amount of books that she does and it shows. She has, once again, substituted quantity over quality.
October 17, 2021
This is my 41st book by Danielle Steel and once again, she did not disappoint. She tells the story about Antonia and her journey to adulthood from her horrendous childhood years. Her mom and dad are horrible parents from the get go. Why they had kids who knows!? Antonia beats all odds and grows up and becomes a very successful screenwriter/actress. I really enjoyed this story as only DS can write it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.
October 12, 2021
Invisible by Danielle Steel is a pleasant story about a young woman who wants to be, and stay invisible. The timespan covers post-war Paris, and modern New York City.
Invisible covers the story of Antonia and follows her from her neglected childhood to her career in film. She’s the daughter of an aspiring actress and a businessman and grew up in a home where she was neglected. Her mother didn’t want a baby and eventually left the family to pursue an acting career. Her father blames her for his wife’s leaving and buries himself in his work, neglecting poor Antonia. She decides it’s best to stay invisible as that keeps her out of trouble. As she gets older she finds refuge in the movies and goes to the movies as often as possible. She decides she wants to be a screenwriter and applies to NYU film school.
I enjoyed Invisible, but it’s not one of my favorite Danielle Steel books. The romance between Antonia and her mentor, Hamish, was just a bit off. I don’t like romances where there is such a huge age gap, especially when the woman is so young at the start of the relationship. I understand that the author has a good reason for setting up Antonia and Hamish, as he’s a father figure for her, but it just didn’t sit right to me. But, others may not be as turned off by the relationship as I was. The story was good, but I never laughed out loud, or cried, or gasped, it was just a pleasant story that was just interesting enough to keep me turning the pages.
I did like the film business background information in the story as well as her time at NYU film school. I enjoyed Antonia’s stepmother, Lara, who tried her best to get her and her father back together. It was a nice book, and I don’t regret reading it. Also, I will continue to read books written by Danielle Steel as she usually writes books I really enjoy. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Invisible covers the story of Antonia and follows her from her neglected childhood to her career in film. She’s the daughter of an aspiring actress and a businessman and grew up in a home where she was neglected. Her mother didn’t want a baby and eventually left the family to pursue an acting career. Her father blames her for his wife’s leaving and buries himself in his work, neglecting poor Antonia. She decides it’s best to stay invisible as that keeps her out of trouble. As she gets older she finds refuge in the movies and goes to the movies as often as possible. She decides she wants to be a screenwriter and applies to NYU film school.
I enjoyed Invisible, but it’s not one of my favorite Danielle Steel books. The romance between Antonia and her mentor, Hamish, was just a bit off. I don’t like romances where there is such a huge age gap, especially when the woman is so young at the start of the relationship. I understand that the author has a good reason for setting up Antonia and Hamish, as he’s a father figure for her, but it just didn’t sit right to me. But, others may not be as turned off by the relationship as I was. The story was good, but I never laughed out loud, or cried, or gasped, it was just a pleasant story that was just interesting enough to keep me turning the pages.
I did like the film business background information in the story as well as her time at NYU film school. I enjoyed Antonia’s stepmother, Lara, who tried her best to get her and her father back together. It was a nice book, and I don’t regret reading it. Also, I will continue to read books written by Danielle Steel as she usually writes books I really enjoy. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
March 11, 2022
This was the first book that I've attempted to read by Danielle Steel, and unfortunately, the writing style is not for me. I only made it to chapter four and had to stop, the repetition was so blatant that it felt like I had memory problems and needed a constant reminder of events that happened on previous pages as I continued to read. After reading chapter two and realizing these faults in writing I began to second-guess my opinions, that maybe Steel is trying to imprint something into the mind with a writing technique. No. I was wrong and found that many others have the same opinions on the writing and some even stating that the writing is "a classic Danielle Steel."
Although Danielle Steel's writing is horrific by my criticism, I wouldn't doubt that the plot would have been grand as most others have been talking about and I just wish I could see that for myself. Danielle Steel is not for me and I will sadly say that I will be staying far away from even considering reading any other books by this author.
I'm one who likes to finish books but I just could not get through another chapter full of repetition to this extent, those looking into reading Danielle Steel, this is a warning.
Although Danielle Steel's writing is horrific by my criticism, I wouldn't doubt that the plot would have been grand as most others have been talking about and I just wish I could see that for myself. Danielle Steel is not for me and I will sadly say that I will be staying far away from even considering reading any other books by this author.
I'm one who likes to finish books but I just could not get through another chapter full of repetition to this extent, those looking into reading Danielle Steel, this is a warning.
March 28, 2022
INVISIBLE
BY: DANIELLE STEEL
This was a heartbreaking novel from start to finish, but one that I enjoyed because not everything was wonderful and it had a more authentic feel. Brandon who is an American visiting Paris meets a dazzling young women who they get married. His wife wants to be an actress and when she gets pregnant she is miserable because the baby is interfering with her dream. She is very narcissistic and soon Brandon feels like he made a mistake marrying her because she hates being a wife and mother to their daughter Antonia. Antonia made me feel so sorry for her because she often hid or disappeared because she felt like her mother flew into rages because she thought being a wife and mother was keeping her from becoming an actress. Brandon spends more and more time away from their apartment working to avoid fighting with his wife. He is a very successful business man and has made a fortune in developing successful companies. Antonia tries to stay small and hidden and feels it is safer for her to be invisible. She has heard her parents fight and feels it is her fault.
I felt that Antonia was such a well behaved child but my heart went out to her as no child deserves to be treated to feel unwanted as her mother makes abundantly clear. Her father is always away so Antonia is left alone and constantly hiding so as to feel safe. Suddenly her mother deserts both her marriage and her only child and Brandon can't believe how selfish his wife is and feels like he made a huge mistake by bringing this cold Parisian women into his life and he agrees that his marriage is a disaster. He is left to take care of their daughter. Brandon becomes obsessed with working and hires a live in babysitter to take care of Antonia. Antonia was only a child when her mother abandoned her and her father and Brandon becomes remote and closed off from his daughter. I worried that Antonia would grow up and have issues with attachment since both parents never made her feel wanted or loved. Normally when a child prefers to be invisible so as not to be seen and heard and most of all loved they grow up and have problems with relationships since they can't trust that they are unworthy of love.
Antonia is a well behaved child and fears that her father could possibly send her away since she is a reminder of the woman he married that had turned out to be a mistake. Antonia spends all of her Saturdays going to the movies by herself when she is not reading. She hopes she will see her mother on the screen. Antonia also writes and dreams of going to college and becoming a screenwriter. The years pass and finally her father meets a kind woman named Lara who can see that Antonia's father blames her for what her mother did. Lara is warm and tries to include Antonia with outings with her and Antonia's father. Her father has become remote with Antonia and she feels as if he can't wait for her to go off to College. I was surprised at how well adjusted Antonia is and she has plans of going to study in California at a prestigious screenwriter program. Her father wants her to attend College locally and pick a more practical career like a lawyer or an accountant. Antonia with Lara's help gets accepted at a New York University where she is close to home.
She is extremely focused on her goals and her father warns her that if she becomes an actress he will never speak to her again. Antonia has no plans on being an actress because she doesn't want to be visible. She prefers to make scripts and write screenplays and maybe become a movie producer or a director. She is beautiful and meets young men in College that are studying to become actors and she is urged to become an actress which she has no interest. I again can't emphasize enough how well adjusted and likable Antonia is after being so neglected by her mother and then her father. She is determined to study hard and she isn't interested in dating, but she meets a nice young aspiring actor who invites her to spend Christmas in San Francisco and she agrees and it turns out to be the best Christmas she has ever had. There isn't any romance the young actor and her develop a mutual respect and become life long friends. Antonia feels like she is even more unwanted when her father turns her bedroom into a home office. It is Lara who tries to include Antonia and her father is only interested in his new wife and feels his job is finished with Antonia away at College.
I was so amazed at how Antonia was so successful having been a witness to her mother and father's constant fighting and growing up knowing her mother abandoned her to become an actress. Then her father became so indifferent to her treating her with so much indifference. I felt terrible for Antonia but seeing as this is fiction she overcame her terrible childhood. This was interesting and a lighter read for me that I still enjoyed because of the resilience and triumph over adversity. I needed a break from some of the heavier novels and Non-Fiction that I had been reading before this. Danielle Steel can be somewhat repetitive, but this was a book that was well written and different than most of her books in everything wasn't perfect. In Antonia she has created a unique character who is able to thrive despite her cold mother and then her father's neglect to show her any warmth. This is just the beginning of Antonia's life trajectory. What I have included in this review will not reach spoiler territory as it is just the beginning. I would rate this about 4.5 stars. I am so grateful to have read this as it was imaginative and was unpredictable. I read this Author's book "Beautiful," which was powerful and this was enjoyable but not as in depth. Still all in all I won't soon forget this and it is one of this Author's favorite novels. I would recommend this and I loved Antonia. You will have to read this for yourself to find out how the story reaches its arc.
Publication Date: January 4th, 2022
Thank you to Net Galley, Danielle Steel and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine-Delacorte Press for generously providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
#Invisible #DanielleSteel #RandomHousePublishingGroupBallantineDelacortePress #NetGalley
BY: DANIELLE STEEL
This was a heartbreaking novel from start to finish, but one that I enjoyed because not everything was wonderful and it had a more authentic feel. Brandon who is an American visiting Paris meets a dazzling young women who they get married. His wife wants to be an actress and when she gets pregnant she is miserable because the baby is interfering with her dream. She is very narcissistic and soon Brandon feels like he made a mistake marrying her because she hates being a wife and mother to their daughter Antonia. Antonia made me feel so sorry for her because she often hid or disappeared because she felt like her mother flew into rages because she thought being a wife and mother was keeping her from becoming an actress. Brandon spends more and more time away from their apartment working to avoid fighting with his wife. He is a very successful business man and has made a fortune in developing successful companies. Antonia tries to stay small and hidden and feels it is safer for her to be invisible. She has heard her parents fight and feels it is her fault.
I felt that Antonia was such a well behaved child but my heart went out to her as no child deserves to be treated to feel unwanted as her mother makes abundantly clear. Her father is always away so Antonia is left alone and constantly hiding so as to feel safe. Suddenly her mother deserts both her marriage and her only child and Brandon can't believe how selfish his wife is and feels like he made a huge mistake by bringing this cold Parisian women into his life and he agrees that his marriage is a disaster. He is left to take care of their daughter. Brandon becomes obsessed with working and hires a live in babysitter to take care of Antonia. Antonia was only a child when her mother abandoned her and her father and Brandon becomes remote and closed off from his daughter. I worried that Antonia would grow up and have issues with attachment since both parents never made her feel wanted or loved. Normally when a child prefers to be invisible so as not to be seen and heard and most of all loved they grow up and have problems with relationships since they can't trust that they are unworthy of love.
Antonia is a well behaved child and fears that her father could possibly send her away since she is a reminder of the woman he married that had turned out to be a mistake. Antonia spends all of her Saturdays going to the movies by herself when she is not reading. She hopes she will see her mother on the screen. Antonia also writes and dreams of going to college and becoming a screenwriter. The years pass and finally her father meets a kind woman named Lara who can see that Antonia's father blames her for what her mother did. Lara is warm and tries to include Antonia with outings with her and Antonia's father. Her father has become remote with Antonia and she feels as if he can't wait for her to go off to College. I was surprised at how well adjusted Antonia is and she has plans of going to study in California at a prestigious screenwriter program. Her father wants her to attend College locally and pick a more practical career like a lawyer or an accountant. Antonia with Lara's help gets accepted at a New York University where she is close to home.
She is extremely focused on her goals and her father warns her that if she becomes an actress he will never speak to her again. Antonia has no plans on being an actress because she doesn't want to be visible. She prefers to make scripts and write screenplays and maybe become a movie producer or a director. She is beautiful and meets young men in College that are studying to become actors and she is urged to become an actress which she has no interest. I again can't emphasize enough how well adjusted and likable Antonia is after being so neglected by her mother and then her father. She is determined to study hard and she isn't interested in dating, but she meets a nice young aspiring actor who invites her to spend Christmas in San Francisco and she agrees and it turns out to be the best Christmas she has ever had. There isn't any romance the young actor and her develop a mutual respect and become life long friends. Antonia feels like she is even more unwanted when her father turns her bedroom into a home office. It is Lara who tries to include Antonia and her father is only interested in his new wife and feels his job is finished with Antonia away at College.
I was so amazed at how Antonia was so successful having been a witness to her mother and father's constant fighting and growing up knowing her mother abandoned her to become an actress. Then her father became so indifferent to her treating her with so much indifference. I felt terrible for Antonia but seeing as this is fiction she overcame her terrible childhood. This was interesting and a lighter read for me that I still enjoyed because of the resilience and triumph over adversity. I needed a break from some of the heavier novels and Non-Fiction that I had been reading before this. Danielle Steel can be somewhat repetitive, but this was a book that was well written and different than most of her books in everything wasn't perfect. In Antonia she has created a unique character who is able to thrive despite her cold mother and then her father's neglect to show her any warmth. This is just the beginning of Antonia's life trajectory. What I have included in this review will not reach spoiler territory as it is just the beginning. I would rate this about 4.5 stars. I am so grateful to have read this as it was imaginative and was unpredictable. I read this Author's book "Beautiful," which was powerful and this was enjoyable but not as in depth. Still all in all I won't soon forget this and it is one of this Author's favorite novels. I would recommend this and I loved Antonia. You will have to read this for yourself to find out how the story reaches its arc.
Publication Date: January 4th, 2022
Thank you to Net Galley, Danielle Steel and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine-Delacorte Press for generously providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
#Invisible #DanielleSteel #RandomHousePublishingGroupBallantineDelacortePress #NetGalley
January 13, 2022
Classic Danielle Steel.
February 25, 2022
Antonio Adams had a tough childhood with cruel parents. A narcistic mother who abandoned her as a child seeking a career in the movies. A bitter father who resented her for driving his wife away. When he looked at his child, he only saw the woman who he believed ruined his life. To survive and avoid further disappointment, Antonio learned to stay unnoticed. She escaped at the movies. As she grew up, her desire was to become a screenwriter. While a student at NYU, summer employment with a famous British filmmaker changed everything for her.
Danielle Steel is one of the most prolific writers we have. Her books can be predictable. They can feel repetitive. But for me, they serve as a pleasant break from all the heavy books I normally read. Invisible was enjoyable. I had taken a break from reading Steel’s books for over a year, but this storyline seemed appealing and the right one to jump back in. I’m glad I did.
Rated 3.75 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
Danielle Steel is one of the most prolific writers we have. Her books can be predictable. They can feel repetitive. But for me, they serve as a pleasant break from all the heavy books I normally read. Invisible was enjoyable. I had taken a break from reading Steel’s books for over a year, but this storyline seemed appealing and the right one to jump back in. I’m glad I did.
Rated 3.75 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
September 28, 2021
I loved the beginning of the book. How Antonia grew to be her own person, and didn’t let her childhood and the treatment from her parents sway her. But I felt like the middle on was predictable. I miss the days of the Danielle Steel books literally taking your breath away and making you cry.
March 9, 2022
Repetitive, poor character development. Felt like I read the same paragraph 385 times
January 24, 2022
The story began with an agonizing 50+ pages of explaining why the main character, Antonio, preferred to be invisible -- BORING! This could have been managed nicely in half the length. Once we get past that the story is actually very good. The author redeems herself with a nice ending, earning an additional star rating. 6 out of 10.
April 18, 2023
*2.5 stars
“I’m not an actress, Mr Quist, and I don’t want to be. I don’t want to be in front of the camera. I only want to write, and one day direct like you. I have no desire to be an actress. I like being invisible so no one can see me.”
Invisible is another contemporary fiction tale from prominent author Danielle Steel. A story of family, trauma, the past, distance, escape, perseverance, love, ambition and hope, Invisible is a novel of self-belief.
Antonia Adams heads Invisible by Danielle Steel. As a child Antonia desperately craves love and affection from her parents. But unfortunately the divide between Antonia’s mother and father is too wife. In response Antonia distances herself from her model mother and business entrepreneur father. Antonia seeks solace in the world of movies and this gives rise to her interest in becoming a screenwriter. Antonia is lucky to cross paths one summer with a highly regarded filmmaker, who sees Antonia’s talent. This filmmaker plays an essential role in helping Antonia become a celebrity and while she makes steps to become a famous star Antonia also falls in love. Antonia’s ambition to become a filmmaker never abates, but a tragedy forces this talented woman to make a decision about where she is better served. Can Antonia take the pressure of being placed at the centre of the action, or will she take the comfortable route and retreat once more?
Danielle Steel has released over half a dozen releases in 2022 alone, which is a significant achievement for any author. It amazes me that an author can produce so many titles in such a short space of time. Invisible relays the story of Antonia Adams, a woman who provides a glimpse into the film industry thanks to her life story.
There is a pragmatic and rational tone of Danielle Steel’s storytelling. There were times I was reminded of my late great aunt’s memorable tales while I was reading this story. Steel doesn’t seem to issue us with a full ticket to her event, rather we seem to be on stands. The strong focus on telling the story rather than going into a full explanation or degree of depths of events was evident yet again in this release. I did feel sorry for Antonia, the lead of Invisible. Steel does allow us to sympathise with this young woman’s rough start to life. I would have loved a lot more on this and a greater exploration of Antonia’s full family background. What we are presented with is simple, straightforward and very pleasant.
Spanning a number of years and different places, yet again Steel takes a cosmopolitan view to her featured locations. There is a narrowed focus on the film industry, with a specific look at the screen writing industry. I did find this an interesting set up, but again it left me feeling like I had scratched the surface only. The lead is well drawn and the support cast were fairly good too. I wasn’t entirely comfortable with the romance aspect in this one, but others my warm to it. With themes of neglect, estrangement, persistence, forgiveness, acceptance, tragedy and accomplishments, Invisible does cross some interesting areas. I managed to follow this one until the end but I have to say it is not one of Steel’s best novels by far.
A story about forging ahead with your hopes and dreams despite the weight of the past, Invisible is a tale of positively, personal morale, dignity, adversity and poise. As with most Danielle Steel novels of late, this was largely a miss than a hit, but if you are a diehard fan of this popular US author’s work you will probably appreciate Invisible.
“I’m not an actress, Mr Quist, and I don’t want to be. I don’t want to be in front of the camera. I only want to write, and one day direct like you. I have no desire to be an actress. I like being invisible so no one can see me.”
Invisible is another contemporary fiction tale from prominent author Danielle Steel. A story of family, trauma, the past, distance, escape, perseverance, love, ambition and hope, Invisible is a novel of self-belief.
Antonia Adams heads Invisible by Danielle Steel. As a child Antonia desperately craves love and affection from her parents. But unfortunately the divide between Antonia’s mother and father is too wife. In response Antonia distances herself from her model mother and business entrepreneur father. Antonia seeks solace in the world of movies and this gives rise to her interest in becoming a screenwriter. Antonia is lucky to cross paths one summer with a highly regarded filmmaker, who sees Antonia’s talent. This filmmaker plays an essential role in helping Antonia become a celebrity and while she makes steps to become a famous star Antonia also falls in love. Antonia’s ambition to become a filmmaker never abates, but a tragedy forces this talented woman to make a decision about where she is better served. Can Antonia take the pressure of being placed at the centre of the action, or will she take the comfortable route and retreat once more?
Danielle Steel has released over half a dozen releases in 2022 alone, which is a significant achievement for any author. It amazes me that an author can produce so many titles in such a short space of time. Invisible relays the story of Antonia Adams, a woman who provides a glimpse into the film industry thanks to her life story.
There is a pragmatic and rational tone of Danielle Steel’s storytelling. There were times I was reminded of my late great aunt’s memorable tales while I was reading this story. Steel doesn’t seem to issue us with a full ticket to her event, rather we seem to be on stands. The strong focus on telling the story rather than going into a full explanation or degree of depths of events was evident yet again in this release. I did feel sorry for Antonia, the lead of Invisible. Steel does allow us to sympathise with this young woman’s rough start to life. I would have loved a lot more on this and a greater exploration of Antonia’s full family background. What we are presented with is simple, straightforward and very pleasant.
Spanning a number of years and different places, yet again Steel takes a cosmopolitan view to her featured locations. There is a narrowed focus on the film industry, with a specific look at the screen writing industry. I did find this an interesting set up, but again it left me feeling like I had scratched the surface only. The lead is well drawn and the support cast were fairly good too. I wasn’t entirely comfortable with the romance aspect in this one, but others my warm to it. With themes of neglect, estrangement, persistence, forgiveness, acceptance, tragedy and accomplishments, Invisible does cross some interesting areas. I managed to follow this one until the end but I have to say it is not one of Steel’s best novels by far.
A story about forging ahead with your hopes and dreams despite the weight of the past, Invisible is a tale of positively, personal morale, dignity, adversity and poise. As with most Danielle Steel novels of late, this was largely a miss than a hit, but if you are a diehard fan of this popular US author’s work you will probably appreciate Invisible.
October 25, 2021
3.7 rounded up
I read my first Danielle Steel novel back in 1977; I was a big Danielle Steel fan for many years and could not wait until her next novel was release. I drifted away from Romance/Chick-Lit to psychological thrillers however, now forty novels later there is a loyalty magnet that has a hold on me as I still have soft spot for Ms. Steel’s novels.
This story was far more emotional than I expected.
Story follows Antonia Adams from childhood to adult.
Before she was born, her mother Fabienne was clear that she DID NOT want to have a baby. However, Brandon her dad was so sure once baby was born she would change her mind. He did the entire baby prepping for the nursery etc. Dad tried but nothing worked and he soon resented Antonia as she was the reason his wife left. He turned into a mean person.
Antonia has learned early on how to be invisible so not to cause any more difficulties and tried to hide from her father’s resentment.
Antonia loved the movies; they were a great escape for her. She wanted to be a screen writer and wanted to attend NYS’s Film school. She gets a job as the ‘tenth assistant’ on a movie production that was being produced by famous British Producer/Director Hamish Quist.
As he was trying to fill the role of a young female, he found something wrong with each of the girls who applied ~ they were too young/or too old, too heavy/too skinny. He was getting discouraged when one day Antonia walked in with some papers. It appears she was his Goldilocks as she looked ‘just right’ for the role. She told him she wasn’t an actress. He said, “Not necessary all you have to do is walk; there are no lines.
She accepted.
When her father found out she was offered a role in a movie; he was irate and threw her out of the house. Hamish took her under his wing as though she were a little lost bird.
Their relationship grew however, she is fearful that heartbreak may once again follow her.
In a way it does ~ she is delirious happy but something does happens. (I’ll let you read the rest.)
Want to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine ~ Delacorte Press for this eGalley. This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form for an honest professional review.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for January 4, 2021.
I read my first Danielle Steel novel back in 1977; I was a big Danielle Steel fan for many years and could not wait until her next novel was release. I drifted away from Romance/Chick-Lit to psychological thrillers however, now forty novels later there is a loyalty magnet that has a hold on me as I still have soft spot for Ms. Steel’s novels.
This story was far more emotional than I expected.
Story follows Antonia Adams from childhood to adult.
Before she was born, her mother Fabienne was clear that she DID NOT want to have a baby. However, Brandon her dad was so sure once baby was born she would change her mind. He did the entire baby prepping for the nursery etc. Dad tried but nothing worked and he soon resented Antonia as she was the reason his wife left. He turned into a mean person.
Antonia has learned early on how to be invisible so not to cause any more difficulties and tried to hide from her father’s resentment.
Antonia loved the movies; they were a great escape for her. She wanted to be a screen writer and wanted to attend NYS’s Film school. She gets a job as the ‘tenth assistant’ on a movie production that was being produced by famous British Producer/Director Hamish Quist.
As he was trying to fill the role of a young female, he found something wrong with each of the girls who applied ~ they were too young/or too old, too heavy/too skinny. He was getting discouraged when one day Antonia walked in with some papers. It appears she was his Goldilocks as she looked ‘just right’ for the role. She told him she wasn’t an actress. He said, “Not necessary all you have to do is walk; there are no lines.
She accepted.
When her father found out she was offered a role in a movie; he was irate and threw her out of the house. Hamish took her under his wing as though she were a little lost bird.
Their relationship grew however, she is fearful that heartbreak may once again follow her.
In a way it does ~ she is delirious happy but something does happens. (I’ll let you read the rest.)
Want to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine ~ Delacorte Press for this eGalley. This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form for an honest professional review.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for January 4, 2021.
September 26, 2021
Danielle Steel brings us Antonia Adams who becomes the target of her parents' bitterness and hatred relishes the feeling of being invisible to the world. We follow Antonia as she goes through life being ignored by her parents making her reliant on herself. After her mother leaves to pursue her Hollywood dreams of becoming an actress, Antonia spends time getting lost in books and movies.
After many years of being the good little girl, she starts to explore her passion of film making. When she makes a filmmaker who encourages her passion of being behind the camera by having her explore being in front of the camera. Falling in love exposes her even more to the public. When tragedy strikes, will Antonia go back to being invisible or will she persevere and pursue her passion?
Danielle Steel always brings us stories that pull on your heartstrings and brings you into the world of the characters. It is always a page turner wanting to see what happens next. I look forward to read more from this author.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Delacorte Press for this privilege.
After many years of being the good little girl, she starts to explore her passion of film making. When she makes a filmmaker who encourages her passion of being behind the camera by having her explore being in front of the camera. Falling in love exposes her even more to the public. When tragedy strikes, will Antonia go back to being invisible or will she persevere and pursue her passion?
Danielle Steel always brings us stories that pull on your heartstrings and brings you into the world of the characters. It is always a page turner wanting to see what happens next. I look forward to read more from this author.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Delacorte Press for this privilege.
December 8, 2021
true Danielle Steel style, this book takes you through all the emotions and feels of family dynamics. Invisible deals with the repercussions of trauma as a child.
Antonia grew up in a dysfunctional family-her mother wanted nothing more than to be an actress and not a mother and her father resented her for not being a mother to their child. Once her mother leaves to pursue her career, Antonia is left with her father to raise her, and he has no idea what to do and is resentful of it so he builds a wall up and pushes Antonia out. Antonia deals with this as she always does, and puts her nose to the grindstone at home and at school and makes herself invisible by doing everything that is expected of her and not drawing attention to herself. She dreams of becoming a screenwriter so she goes to university to study it and it changes her life. When she meets her future husband, a famous director, he puts her in front of the screen so she won’t be invisible anymore. She also meets her best friend, falls in love and it changes her future and how she looks at her past.
Thanks to Random House and Netgalley for this Arc in exchange for my review.
Publication date: February 1, 2022
Antonia grew up in a dysfunctional family-her mother wanted nothing more than to be an actress and not a mother and her father resented her for not being a mother to their child. Once her mother leaves to pursue her career, Antonia is left with her father to raise her, and he has no idea what to do and is resentful of it so he builds a wall up and pushes Antonia out. Antonia deals with this as she always does, and puts her nose to the grindstone at home and at school and makes herself invisible by doing everything that is expected of her and not drawing attention to herself. She dreams of becoming a screenwriter so she goes to university to study it and it changes her life. When she meets her future husband, a famous director, he puts her in front of the screen so she won’t be invisible anymore. She also meets her best friend, falls in love and it changes her future and how she looks at her past.
Thanks to Random House and Netgalley for this Arc in exchange for my review.
Publication date: February 1, 2022
May 16, 2022
AUTHOR Steel, Danielle
TITLE Invisible
DATE READ 05/16/22
RATING 4/B
FIRST SENTENCE .Antonia Adams was a tiny, elfin, delicate child from the time she was born.
GENRE/PUB DATE/FORMAT/LENGTH Fiction/2022/library lp/ 322 pgs
SERIES/STAND ALONE SA
CHALLENGE Good Reads 2022 38/127
GROUP READ
TIME/PLACE Present/NY, England, CT
CHARACTERS Antonia/screenwriter;
COMMENTS Antonia did not grow up w/ loving parents and was always hiding away from their fighting. Becoming invisible became a way of life for her. She did eventually learn she was not the cause of her parent’s discontent but still shunned the limelight and chose screenwriting/directing rather than acting as her career, despite her talent.
TITLE Invisible
DATE READ 05/16/22
RATING 4/B
FIRST SENTENCE .Antonia Adams was a tiny, elfin, delicate child from the time she was born.
GENRE/PUB DATE/FORMAT/LENGTH Fiction/2022/library lp/ 322 pgs
SERIES/STAND ALONE SA
CHALLENGE Good Reads 2022 38/127
GROUP READ
TIME/PLACE Present/NY, England, CT
CHARACTERS Antonia/screenwriter;
COMMENTS Antonia did not grow up w/ loving parents and was always hiding away from their fighting. Becoming invisible became a way of life for her. She did eventually learn she was not the cause of her parent’s discontent but still shunned the limelight and chose screenwriting/directing rather than acting as her career, despite her talent.
March 9, 2022
Pleasant, easy-to-read women's fiction - suitable for a quiet weekend or a rainy day.
'Invisible' is probably one of my least favourite Danielle Steel books. Antonia's relationship with Hamish felt a little weird because of the age gap, but I know it worked for the formula of the plot. Some mental health counselling prior to this point in the story would not have gone astray - but those are my personal feelings. The story was good, but there were no big moments (happy or sad), so I'll stick with 'pleasant' as my novel descriptor.
'Invisible' is probably one of my least favourite Danielle Steel books. Antonia's relationship with Hamish felt a little weird because of the age gap, but I know it worked for the formula of the plot. Some mental health counselling prior to this point in the story would not have gone astray - but those are my personal feelings. The story was good, but there were no big moments (happy or sad), so I'll stick with 'pleasant' as my novel descriptor.
January 7, 2022
Dear god that was atrocious. This woman cannot write. I found one typo, several instances of repetition, and a ton of awkward writing. All she did was tell, no showing at all.
Antonia is the TradWife version of the manic pixie dream girl and Hamish’s pedophilic/incestuous perspective on her was Fucking Concerning.
Never again, Steel. Never again.
Antonia is the TradWife version of the manic pixie dream girl and Hamish’s pedophilic/incestuous perspective on her was Fucking Concerning.
Never again, Steel. Never again.
January 27, 2022
Fairly boring and very predictable. Typical Danielle Steele. I kept waiting for it to get interesting and it never did.
October 28, 2025
Me ha parecido una historia entretenida y fácil de leer, con un mensaje positivo sobre el crecimiento personal y la superación del pasado. Sin embargo, la manera de escribir y el desarrollo de los personajes me han resultado algo superficiales. Todo se cuenta con rapidez, sin demasiada profundidad emocional ni matices. Aun así, es una lectura ligera y correcta para quien busque una novela sencilla y optimista.
December 9, 2025
This review was written in that dim corridor of days between the 22nd and 28th of October, 2025—a week blurred by the hiss of oxygen and the slow drip of IV lines at Bellona Nursing Home & Diagnostic Centre Pvt. Ltd. I was then a reluctant guest of illness, recovering from an infection that had seized both lungs and kidneys. Forgive, therefore, the infrequent tremor in my language; it bears the soft delirium of painkillers and the fragile clarity of a mind half-dreaming between fever and thought. But Slime does that annoying, delightful thing some tales do—it pretends to be campy horror and then quietly slips a mirror into your hands.
In this novel, Steel’s protagonist, Antonia Adams, grows up in a home where neglect isn’t an event but an atmosphere—a constant, invisible fog. Steel, who has always written trauma with surprising tenderness, takes Antonia’s early childhood and crafts a portrait of survival that is both heartbreaking and quietly triumphant.
Antonia’s mother abandons the family early; her father, an emotionally absent writer, retreats into his own bitterness. The little girl learns the trick most children in loveless households master: becoming invisible to stay safe. Steel uses this psychological invisibility as the novel’s central metaphor.
Antonia is present but unseen, living but unnoticed, human but unacknowledged. And yet, she absorbs the world with a rare sensitivity—like someone listening through walls for evidence of tenderness.
As she grows older, Antonia discovers film—not as an escape, but as a revelation. Movies don’t just entertain her; they show her the possibility of lives built on connection, passion, and choice. Through film, she discovers a world where people pay attention to one another. Steel cleverly uses this obsession as both a narrative and emotional pivot. Antonia begins building a sense of self not through the love she never received, but through the ones she witnesses on screen.
The novel’s structure reflects Antonia’s evolution. In the beginning, the prose is quieter, edged with loneliness. As Antonia moves into adulthood, Steel lets her narrative voice widen, brighten, and gain texture.
Antonia becomes a behind-the-scenes force in Hollywood—competent, intelligent, observant, and still comfortable blending into the background. But Steel knows invisibility can become both shield and prison.
Antonia’s refusal to step into the spotlight is less about humility and more about the old fear that visibility leads to pain.
Enter the love interest—but in a Steel book, romance is rarely the point; it’s the catalyst. Antonia’s partnership with a filmmaker pulls her gently into the light. Not with fireworks, but with steady recognition.
Someone sees her—and not just her talent, but her. Steel leans into emotional subtlety here, focusing on trust, vulnerability, and the terrifying beauty of being truly known.
The novel also deals with the theme of choosing visibility. Antonia has built a life where she can fade when she needs to, but Steel urges her to consider whether invisibility is self-protection or self-erasure. That conflict gives the novel its tension — not dramatic confrontations but internal reckonings.
Steel’s writing here has a softness that fits Antonia’s worldview. Even the painful moments aren’t sensationalised. Antonia’s childhood trauma isn’t written for shock; it’s written with empathy. Her success isn’t triumphalist; it’s tender. The quietness of the book becomes its strength.
By the final chapters, Antonia steps gradually into a life that feels chosen rather than endured.
The transformation is subtle but powerful—she goes from being unnoticed to being self-known. Steel doesn’t give her a dramatic rebirth; she gives her a gentle unfolding.
In Invisible, Steel reminds us that sometimes the bravest thing a person can do is simply allow themselves to be seen.
And the novel, with all its quiet resilience, becomes a soft anthem for anyone who ever learnt to disappear to survive — and is now learning to return.
In this novel, Steel’s protagonist, Antonia Adams, grows up in a home where neglect isn’t an event but an atmosphere—a constant, invisible fog. Steel, who has always written trauma with surprising tenderness, takes Antonia’s early childhood and crafts a portrait of survival that is both heartbreaking and quietly triumphant.
Antonia’s mother abandons the family early; her father, an emotionally absent writer, retreats into his own bitterness. The little girl learns the trick most children in loveless households master: becoming invisible to stay safe. Steel uses this psychological invisibility as the novel’s central metaphor.
Antonia is present but unseen, living but unnoticed, human but unacknowledged. And yet, she absorbs the world with a rare sensitivity—like someone listening through walls for evidence of tenderness.
As she grows older, Antonia discovers film—not as an escape, but as a revelation. Movies don’t just entertain her; they show her the possibility of lives built on connection, passion, and choice. Through film, she discovers a world where people pay attention to one another. Steel cleverly uses this obsession as both a narrative and emotional pivot. Antonia begins building a sense of self not through the love she never received, but through the ones she witnesses on screen.
The novel’s structure reflects Antonia’s evolution. In the beginning, the prose is quieter, edged with loneliness. As Antonia moves into adulthood, Steel lets her narrative voice widen, brighten, and gain texture.
Antonia becomes a behind-the-scenes force in Hollywood—competent, intelligent, observant, and still comfortable blending into the background. But Steel knows invisibility can become both shield and prison.
Antonia’s refusal to step into the spotlight is less about humility and more about the old fear that visibility leads to pain.
Enter the love interest—but in a Steel book, romance is rarely the point; it’s the catalyst. Antonia’s partnership with a filmmaker pulls her gently into the light. Not with fireworks, but with steady recognition.
Someone sees her—and not just her talent, but her. Steel leans into emotional subtlety here, focusing on trust, vulnerability, and the terrifying beauty of being truly known.
The novel also deals with the theme of choosing visibility. Antonia has built a life where she can fade when she needs to, but Steel urges her to consider whether invisibility is self-protection or self-erasure. That conflict gives the novel its tension — not dramatic confrontations but internal reckonings.
Steel’s writing here has a softness that fits Antonia’s worldview. Even the painful moments aren’t sensationalised. Antonia’s childhood trauma isn’t written for shock; it’s written with empathy. Her success isn’t triumphalist; it’s tender. The quietness of the book becomes its strength.
By the final chapters, Antonia steps gradually into a life that feels chosen rather than endured.
The transformation is subtle but powerful—she goes from being unnoticed to being self-known. Steel doesn’t give her a dramatic rebirth; she gives her a gentle unfolding.
In Invisible, Steel reminds us that sometimes the bravest thing a person can do is simply allow themselves to be seen.
And the novel, with all its quiet resilience, becomes a soft anthem for anyone who ever learnt to disappear to survive — and is now learning to return.
September 18, 2022
Awful. One of the worst bits of literature I’ve ever read. It’s repetitive, says the obvious and gives no emotion or poetry. There’s no descriptions or in depth picture of anyone or anything. I didn’t bond with any of the characters.
I wanted Antonia to be ok, I guess, but knew she would be as it was about her so there was no jeopardy.
The story was basic, naive, and formulaic. I was sick of the repetition by page two, and the narration of the story was such that I felt DS knew nothing about what she was writing. She gave no indication she’d ever been to London, France, New York or anywhere else. The writing was Antonia did this, she felt this (signposted emotion and saying the same thoughts over and over), OKAY, yes, we get she wanted to be invisible. That’s the title of the book.
It was written like I used to write when I was ten. Really simplified action, she did this, it went well, she worked hard got good grades, this went wrong, she felt bad, then this happened and it went well but the thing that went bad still upset her.
The story arc was vaguely interesting, if it had been written by someone with more interesting language, and from about page 250 or so, things actually happened … but that’s when her writing sped up and she shortcut everything. More so that previously. The last five chapters were rounding up the story … this this and this happened and twenty years had passed and they all lived happily ever after.
Steele’s writing is basic, lowest common denominator, trying to be shocking but just throwing events into the story with little or no reaction to them; the dialogue was so stunted and these books are clearly written to a formula. The grammar is awful. You don’t start sentences with “and,” and the paragraphs were such a mishmash; one notable one she went from gift giving at Christmas out with Lara to something completely different with Jake or some thought about the past completely unconnected.
The grammar and writing style annoyed me in the first page and I’ve NEVER groaned each time I turned a page before because it was such dross I was reading.
I would give this book one star but for the bones of the book… the story COULD have been well written and I’d have really related to a Antonia, it’s actually a decent concept tho very simple and unbelievable. Steele’s formula works, clearly, but her actual writing is possibly the worst I’ve ever read and I’m including 50 shades and teen vampire YA novels in that.
I will avoid Danielle Steele in future.
Warning: book contains sexual assault themes that are not pleasant but very VERY badly dealt with. The first one, Jake makes a “joke” which no self respecting friend would ever utter and it made me totally cringe. There’s a few chapters she just throws around the r*pe word like she’s talking about chocolate. It makes me think the author has no idea about emotion AT ALL and made me disrespect her writing even more. Both - at least one - of the events were totally not pertinent to the story and making it just about her beauty is irresponsible. It would’ve been more believable if Antonia had SOME dates but the boys turned out to be idiots, just about her looks, or cheated or she just didn’t like them.
I add the above paragraph as that was the nail in the proverbial coffin for me. I wasn’t enjoying the book up until then but that made me ACTIVELY dislike it. Towards the end I was reading the first two sentences in a paragraph knowing that the rest was repetition, unless there was the bland dialogue, but the last two chapters were ok.
At a few points in the book I thought that a computer would have written a more emotive book. It was that devoid of … well, it wasn’t gripping or thrilling or surprising at all. At no point was I invested or even interested. I read it only as it was set by a book club I’m in. It was black and white, words on a page. No colour or shade.
I wanted Antonia to be ok, I guess, but knew she would be as it was about her so there was no jeopardy.
The story was basic, naive, and formulaic. I was sick of the repetition by page two, and the narration of the story was such that I felt DS knew nothing about what she was writing. She gave no indication she’d ever been to London, France, New York or anywhere else. The writing was Antonia did this, she felt this (signposted emotion and saying the same thoughts over and over), OKAY, yes, we get she wanted to be invisible. That’s the title of the book.
It was written like I used to write when I was ten. Really simplified action, she did this, it went well, she worked hard got good grades, this went wrong, she felt bad, then this happened and it went well but the thing that went bad still upset her.
The story arc was vaguely interesting, if it had been written by someone with more interesting language, and from about page 250 or so, things actually happened … but that’s when her writing sped up and she shortcut everything. More so that previously. The last five chapters were rounding up the story … this this and this happened and twenty years had passed and they all lived happily ever after.
Steele’s writing is basic, lowest common denominator, trying to be shocking but just throwing events into the story with little or no reaction to them; the dialogue was so stunted and these books are clearly written to a formula. The grammar is awful. You don’t start sentences with “and,” and the paragraphs were such a mishmash; one notable one she went from gift giving at Christmas out with Lara to something completely different with Jake or some thought about the past completely unconnected.
The grammar and writing style annoyed me in the first page and I’ve NEVER groaned each time I turned a page before because it was such dross I was reading.
I would give this book one star but for the bones of the book… the story COULD have been well written and I’d have really related to a Antonia, it’s actually a decent concept tho very simple and unbelievable. Steele’s formula works, clearly, but her actual writing is possibly the worst I’ve ever read and I’m including 50 shades and teen vampire YA novels in that.
I will avoid Danielle Steele in future.
Warning: book contains sexual assault themes that are not pleasant but very VERY badly dealt with. The first one, Jake makes a “joke” which no self respecting friend would ever utter and it made me totally cringe. There’s a few chapters she just throws around the r*pe word like she’s talking about chocolate. It makes me think the author has no idea about emotion AT ALL and made me disrespect her writing even more. Both - at least one - of the events were totally not pertinent to the story and making it just about her beauty is irresponsible. It would’ve been more believable if Antonia had SOME dates but the boys turned out to be idiots, just about her looks, or cheated or she just didn’t like them.
I add the above paragraph as that was the nail in the proverbial coffin for me. I wasn’t enjoying the book up until then but that made me ACTIVELY dislike it. Towards the end I was reading the first two sentences in a paragraph knowing that the rest was repetition, unless there was the bland dialogue, but the last two chapters were ok.
At a few points in the book I thought that a computer would have written a more emotive book. It was that devoid of … well, it wasn’t gripping or thrilling or surprising at all. At no point was I invested or even interested. I read it only as it was set by a book club I’m in. It was black and white, words on a page. No colour or shade.
October 1, 2021
Thank you Danielle Steel and Netgalley for the chance to review this book early!
Here's what I enjoyed: This is the best book that Danielle Steel has released in awhile.
- I really enjoyed Antonia. She was perfect like all Danielle Steel heroines, But she wasn't boring.
- I enjoyed Lara, Antonia's stepmother, She gave Antonia some love and compassion when it was pretty clear that Antonia's dad was incapable of showing love or compassion.
- I liked that was saw Antonia's live through her 50's. She lived a full life and was entrancing.
The Negative
- I can't believe that I am typing this in 2021, But Danielle Steel made a comment in this book, which I find truly repugnant, Someone in this book was describing their own Divorce and compared it to the Holocaust.. I was so offended by that.. Does Danielle Steel understand that Around 6 million people died in the holocaust? This isn't okay...
October 12, 2021
Invisible is a winner! If I said nothing else about this book, those four words would sum up my feelings about this book. We follow a young woman, Antonia Adams, from childhood to adulthood. The things that she has to endure as a child will break your heart, but she finds a way to endure the heartbreak. As a young adult, she discovers someone who loves her for her and embarks on a lovely journey, but of course, as we know, all good things come to an end…sometimes. Antonia manages to become the person she wants to be in spite of her upbringing and rises above her pain to eventually love again. Danielle Steel writes books that tug at your heartstrings, bringing you into the world of the characters and making you care about what happens to them. This book is no exception. It is a definite page turner that I thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book.
February 18, 2022
Antonia was a beautiful little girl whose parents hated each other. They fought all the time and when her mother left when she was seven, her father just disregarded Antonio. This was the way it was for her all through high school. She had nannies, babysitters, and maids. The bright spot of her childhood was when her father married Lara. Lara was a wonderful person and loved Antonia. She did not understand her husband‘s attitude towards his daughter. Antonia did not want to be an actress but wanted to write screenplays. Her father called her every name in the book and told her she would be just like her mother if she was an actress. Even though she did do acting for a while, she ended up being a famous screen writer and producer. It was a very sad book
in places but overall a very peaceful book. I enjoyed this book very much.
in places but overall a very peaceful book. I enjoyed this book very much.
October 29, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC of Invisible. Danielle Steels books are always such a quick and easy read for me. This one didnt last long and was so good. Talk about a disfunctional family, mom and dad were a total mess, and it is truly amazing that Antonia turned out so completely good and normal. I really wanted to just grab her dad and shake him for his insane craziness. Antonia had a great friend who was always there for her and then met an amazing man who was the love her life. Through loss and children she finally fulfilled her dreams and led a wonderful life. This book had was so insanely good, but i always devour Daneille Steels books.Thanks again to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
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