NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERMarshall Everett has traveled a twisting, perilous road from the jungles of South America to the streets of Paris. As an undercover DEA agent, Marshall penetrated a powerful cartel and became the trusted right-hand man of a ruthless drug lord. The price he paid was devastating, costing him everything—and everyone—he loved. Back in the U.S., on temporary assignment to the … temporary assignment to the Secret Service, on the presidential detail, Marshall performs an act of heroism that changes his course forever.
Ariana Gregory has her whole future ahead of her, with an exciting life in Manhattan and a coveted job at an online fashion magazine. But when her father, recently widowed, is appointed U.S. ambassador to Argentina, she reluctantly agrees to accompany him to Buenos Aires. Then an unthinkable act of violence shatters her world.
Nearly a year later, Ariana arrives in Paris, on a fragile road to recovery. There, as she strives to bury painful memories forever, she crosses paths with Marshall Everett. But dangerous forces watch her every move, and Ariana and Marshall will once more have to fight for their survival.
In this breathtaking and psychologically penetrating novel, #1 New York Times bestselling author Danielle Steel explores the consequences of trauma and the perseverance of the human spirit. In Marshall and Ariana she has created two unforgettable characters confronting extraordinary challenges—who no longer need to face them alone.
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This book was very good. It took me a while to get in to it.
Audible Review: (Abridged Version)
Overall 3 out of 5 stars
Performance 5 out of 5 stars
Story 3 out of 5 stars
I’m here for Alexander Cendese.
I couldn’t tell you the last time I read a Danielle Steel novel- it was probably back in the 80s. I mainly got this one, and one other, because of Alexander Cendese. I grabbed them during Audible’s big sale- I was looking for more books narrated by him and they were both only $5 so I figured why not!
I didn’t pay attention when I bought them, but after starting Undercover I realized both of the ones I grabbed are abridged versions. I’m not sure how much of the story is left out of these abridged books, although I could certainly tell the story was condensed. I am kind of curious now to go back and read the book, to see how it was changed and to see if I would appreciate the story more. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it, I did. And while, for the most part, it didn’t necessarily feel rushed, it definitely seemed like there could have been more.
I’m not sure I really liked how the story was broken up- we get Marshall’s pov at first, which was basically a complete short story for him, which I really liked- except for that one jaw-dropping moment! All that was really missing from his story was a resolution. And then the book switches over to Ariana’s pov, and her story is given the same treatment, until time catches up and their stories finally overlap. Again, this might have worked out better in the full length novel, with the abridged audio this is where it did feel a bit rushed. I liked when the two of them were brought together, I wished more time had been spent on them.
I’m going to have to see if my library has a copy of the book, because the more I think about it, the more I want to compare and see what was missed.
Alexander Cendese is one of my favorite narrators and I love seeing the range of books he’s narrated. I haven’t been let down by any of the books I’ve listened to of his, and this was no different.
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This is not a normal Danielle Steele theme, I absolutely LOVED it, it was fun, fun, fun to read. I wish she would write more like this one. Sometimes I get bored with her same very predictable story lines. This was fun to read!!!
It’s been a long time since I’ve read a Danielle Steele novel. I was hooked on DS books for much of my adult life and then I did I erred other authors. Well I returned home with Undercover, the audio version.
I really enjoyed how she tells a story, the flow between past and present and from character to character. Her books tell a life story, not simply a love story. And Marshall and Ariana are wonderful characters.
Their lives are not the lives of the typical person. Marshall is DEA and has been undercover. He then goes Secret Service. In both instances, he’s left completely traumatized and alone. Forced to retire, he’s left searching and alone. And finds himself in Paris with his adopted pet, Stanley.
Ariana is the daughter of the US Ambassador to Argentina. She’s already lost her mother so it’s just her and her dad. She’s the perfect hostess for all his events, until she is kidnapped. She’s mistreated and manipulated for months until she is rescued. She rapidly finds herself orphaned; completely alone. She embarks on a journey to hide and ultimately, heal. She also finds herself in Paris.
Their first encounter will change their lives. Danger is not a new concept to either of them and she seems to be unaware of how much danger she is in. He is very aware, ever the agent. What happens next changes them both forever. Neither could anticipate just how much.
The narrator was good and easy to listen to. I enjoyed my return to DS novels.
I never read A Danielle Steele book that I didn’t enjoy.
A very good book to read I love reading Danielle Steel books!