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    What It Seems
    What It Seems
    What It Seems
    Audiobook9 hours

    What It Seems

    Written by Emily Bleeker

    Narrated by Jess Nahikian

    4.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    A page-turning novel of suspense about the perfect family, and the perfect lies, by the bestselling author of When I’m Gone and The Waiting Room.

    Adopted by her controlling foster mother at the age of eight, twenty-year-old Tara has seen little of the outside world. Lonely, punished for the slightest offense, her only distraction comes from watching the Feely family’s online videos. They’re an affectionate vlogging quintet and an internet sensation. Most important, they are Tara’s mental refuge. Then the opportunity arises for them to be something more. When Tara accepts an internship with the close-knit clan, they’re her escape.

    Daring to run away, and defying Mother’s rules, Tara is welcomed into the loving fold. But the more Tara gets to know them, the more she realizes that not everything is as it seems. As secrets slowly surface, the image of the perfect family begins to crack. For Tara, it’s another trap.

    To claim a life of her own, she’ll need a new escape plan. Because as the show’s popularity explodes, reaching even more fascinated viewers, Tara can’t shake the feeling that Mother is among their ranks. She’s watching. She’s waiting. She’ll never let her go.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBrilliance Audio
    Release dateMar 17, 2020
    ISBN9781799750185
    What It Seems
    Author

    Emily Bleeker

    Emily Bleeker is a former educator who learned to love writing while teaching a writers’ workshop. After surviving a battle with a rare form of cancer, she finally found the courage to share her stories, starting with her debut novel, Wreckage, and followed by When I’m Gone (a Wall Street Journal bestseller), Working Fire, and The Waiting Room. Emily currently lives with her family in suburban Chicago. Connect with her or request a Skype visit with your book club at www.emilybleeker.com.

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    Reviews for What It Seems

    4.5/5

    387 ratings29 reviews

    What did you think?

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 5/5
      Im so glad I stumbled upon this author. The book is excellent. Very detailed and nuanced. I loved the story and learned a lot. Its a must read. I highly recommend this one. Cant wait to dive into her other books.

      3 people found this helpful

    • 5/5
      I love reading and listening to audiobooks. A lot of times I stop an audiobook an hour or two in because it can’t keep my attention. This Audiobook was the best I have listened to since, “ No Exit.” It kept me up all night. Never have I had emotional and physical reactions to an audiobook. If you have any type of Anxiety get a paper bag, fan and a support friend to call because this WILL take your breath away!

      2 people found this helpful

    • 3/5
      Predictable which sucked, but the book was a good pace and the youtuber aspect was unique

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      We’ll paced and smartly plotted. No unreliable narrators. No was it a murder. An original and compelling plot.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 3/5
      The last 3 chapters seemed too rushed. Leaving unanswered questions.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 3/5
      It was OK. I feel like the writing could've been a bit better. There was a lot of parts that could've been edited out. The voice of the narrator made me very sleepy. Overall a good story though.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Compelling story and terrific narration. Kept me listening and fully engaged.
    • 5/5
      I was pleasantly surprised with this book! Love the narrator and story line! Highly recommend
    • 5/5
      Y
      This book would make a great movie! I loved it!!
    • 4/5
      Was a very uncomfortable read..near the end I couldn’t stop. Kind of a weird book, but I did like how it made me want to keep reading.
    • 5/5
      Excellently written!!!! A fab beach read! I want to devour the rest of this authors books!
    • 5/5
      Wow, what an incredible story! This is the first time I've listened to a book by this author. I'm so glad it was suggested! Go ahead, take a listen you won't be sorry you did.
    • 1/5
      The voice was disturbing and sounded phonfor me.
      Not for me!
    • 5/5
      I really enjoyed this story.. A good read. I liked Henry he was loyal throughout even when she was dirty and smelly. I didn't understand why she hadn't ditched the fake belly at the beginning before the interview. The narrator 2as good too.
    • 1/5
      It’s a sad tale - I wasted an hour of my life on this book.
    • 5/5
      What an unexpected twist! Finished in one day; couldn't "put ut down."
    • 5/5
      One of the best books I have listened to in a long, long time!! This is the second book I have listened to by this author and I have not been disappointed! The narrator was awesome as well! Looking for the next Emily Bleeker book to start on right now!
    • 3/5
      It was actually a good story with a good ending. But it was kind of immature and why would mother want that girl back knowing the risk is higher and the mother acted alone middle age on up easy to take on. If mother was part of an operation it would make sense but an aging woman weird. Fun read if you can’t find something better
    • 5/5
      One of my Best Finds in 2022. A mix of beautiful, thrilling, and heart-warming with the best ending possible! You wouldnt wanna ask for more ❤️??
    • 5/5
      This was Barry entertaining. I wanted to jump in the book and help! You gotta read it.
    • 5/5
      Except for the cringe worthy abuse scenes (I skipped a couple), this was an outstanding story!! Absolutely loved it!
    • 5/5
      Thanks a million for the narrator she helped us enjoy the book the book is a page turner i love it
    • 2/5
      Another distasteful "captivity" situation begins the narrator's account, complete with lurid descriptions of extreme psychological and physical abuse of a child. No thank you!
    • 5/5
      Unpredictable in a great way. I highly recommend this book.
    • 4/5
      This is a captivating and suspenseful novel that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The story follows Tara, a single mother who finds herself entangled in a web of secrets and deception. As the plot unfolds, Bleecker skillfully weaves together a tale of twists and turns, leaving readers guessing until the very end.

      The characters in "What It Seems" are well-developed and relatable, making it easy to become emotionally invested in their journeys. Bleecker's writing style is engaging and descriptive, painting vivid pictures of the settings and enhancing the overall reading experience.

      With its intricate plot, unexpected revelations, and thought-provoking themes of trust and betrayal, "What It Seems" is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. Emily Bleecker's storytelling prowess shines through in this gripping novel that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew.
    • 5/5
      Experimental Excellence. With this book, Bleeker does something she's never done before - writes a tale in first person. And for this particular tale, that was likely the only way to make this story as good as it is. This story involves some pretty heavy abuse, but that actually drives the reader to want to find some resolution... and drove me to complete the 304 page book in less than 12 hrs, which is a rarity even for me. An excellent take on the not-what-it-seems side of a popular cultural phenomenon, while also an excellent tale of survival and what a person will do just to get to the next day. Truly great work from an author I've been following since her debut a few years ago now. Very much recommended.
    • 3/5
      Review of eBookTara, now twenty, has spent twelve years with her controlling adoptive mother, frightened into obeying her demands to shoplift in order to escape cruel punishment. Locked in and drugged to sleep each night, she finds her only freedom in the hours Mother sleeps and she’s alone in her bedroom, free to talk to her dolls, to feed Sampson the sparrow, and to watch the Feely family’s online vlog. A series of fortuitous events allows Tara, who’s often dreamed of freedom but never actually tried to leave, to see her way clear to escaping from Mother’s home and accepting an internship with the Feely family. Although the Feely family warmly welcomes Tara/Angela, it isn’t long before she discovers they aren’t quite as they’ve portrayed themselves on the vlog.Has Tara/Angela moved from her imprisonment in Mother’s home to a new trap with the Feely family? Is Mother relentlessly tracking her down? Will she ever be able to claim her own life?Life has taught us that, in certain circumstances, kidnappers are able to keep their victims for many years and, although readers want to think it’s improbable, real-life kidnapping victims have been held for more than eighteen years before being freed and returned to their families. Traumatized Tara/Angela tells her own heart-wrenching story, slowly revealing the important backstory that helps readers understand her thoughts and actions. Tension builds throughout the narrative and, although there are a couple of unexpected twists, the grim, creepy, trauma-filled story generally unfolds as readers expect. While Angela’s apparent ease at adapting to life outside Mother’s control, especially near the end of the story, tends to perplex readers, they are sure to be cheering for her to succeed. Recommended.
    • 4/5
      This book gives you a knot in the pit of your stomach from Chapter 1, and gives new meaning to “a wolf in sheep’s clothing”. You see evil and unthinkable acts, but you see resilience and the will to live. But, things are not always what they look like. Sometimes you just never know what you are capable of, until you have no choice.

      Little Angela is running away from home, mad at her mom for yelling and not paying attention to her. An accident happens and she comes to live with her foster ‘Mother’. Here, she learns a whole different life. Now, at age 20, she gets the courage to take control of her life, by applying for an internship with her favorite you tube family. But, are things as perfect as they seem?

      The storyline is fast paced, coming together well. Great characters that make your emotions go from 0 to 360 in a few paragraphs. First book I’ve read by this author, I look forward to reading more.

      Thanks to Ms. Bleeker, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.

    • 3/5
      Tara was adopted by her controlling mother when she was a little girl and sees very little of the outside world. One of her only joys is watching videos of families on YouTube, especially the Feely’s. The Feely’s are the perfect family and when they post a video seeking an intern, Tara jumps at this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The only problem, how is Tara supposed to get away from Mother?Although relatively entertaining, it didn’t feel as suspenseful as I was expecting and the plot was pretty predicable. I received a reviewer copy of What It Seems by Emily Bleeker from the publisher, Lake Union Publishing, through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.