Nine Lives by Danielle Steel

  Nine Lives

Book Summary

A woman who longs to avoid risk at all cost learns that men who love danger are the most exciting in this moving novel from New York Times bestselling author Danielle Steel.

After a carefree childhood, Mary Margaret Kelly came of age in the shadow of grief. Her father, a dashing daredevil Air Force pilot, died when she was nine. Maggie saw her mother struggle to put their lives back together. As the family moved from one city to the next, her mother warned her to beware of daredevil men and avoid risk at all cost.

Following her mother's advice, and forgoing the magic of first love with a high school boyfriend who was too wild to feel safe, Maggie instead sought out all the things her mother had lost--a predictable partner, a stable home, and a regular paycheck. She chose to marry a dependable, kind man who was a reliable husband and successful accountant. Together they had a son and found happiness in a conventional suburban life. Until tragedy struck again.

Now on her own, feeling a sense of adventure for the first time, Maggie decides to face her fears, setting off on a whirlwind trip from San Francisco to Rome, Paris, and Monaco. But when her travels reconnect her with the very same irresistible, thrill-seeking man she's spent thirty years trying to forget, Maggie becomes terrified that rushing into love and sharing his life may very well end in disaster. But ultimately, while Maggie tries to outrun her fears and painful memories of her past, fate will surprise her in the most astounding of ways, as she walks the tightrope between danger and courage, and between wisdom and love.

My Thoughts

Nine Lives by Danielle Steel shows us how loss affects a woman’s life and those of her loved ones. Maggie Kelly lost her father and her brother to airplane crashes.  While she fell for an adrenaline junkie in high school, she opts to marry a safe accountant.  Unfortunately, tragedy strikes again with Maggie suffering another loss.  When she encounters her old high school crush thirty years later, Maggie must decide if she can be with someone who lives on the wild side (adrenaline junkie).   Will Maggie live a safe life without love- or live-in constant fear that another person she cares about will die?  It contains Danielle Steel’s trademark writing (which means a quick, easy read). I did feel that some details were repeated a little too often (I got it the first time) and some of the pacing is off (things happens quickly with a lack of emotion), and a predictable storyline.  I have been reading Danielle Steel’s books since I was twelve (I have read all but one of her books). Some of her books I just love, and others are just so-so.  Nine Lives is an okay book.  I wish Maggie had been a stronger protagonist.  She came across as weak and lacking depth.  Maggie’s son, Aden was my favorite character.  He was mature for his age, a caring man who had depth.  I believe he has a bright future.  Nine Lives is a light, summertime read.

Nine Lives can be purchased from Amazon*.  Danielle Steel has Complications releasing August 17,  The Butler on October 5, Flying Angels on November 23, and Invisible on January 4, 2022. You can find Danielle Steel's other novels here.  Thank you for stopping by today.  In addition to Nine Lives, the other books out today are Fallen by Linda Castillo, Love's Dwelling by Kelly Irvin, A Fatal Footnote by Margaret Louden, A Pumpkin Spice Killing by Lynn Cahoon, and The Moonshine Shack Murder by Diane Kelly (which I am featuring on July 9).  I hope that you have a stellar day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

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