Get 3 audiobooks free with a 30-Day Free Trial Sign Up Free

The House We Grew Up In

Author:
Lisa Jewell
Read by:
Karina Fernandez
Read Read Own Own

Unabridged Audiobook

Listen Free Now
  • Listen free with a 30-day free trial
  • Choose 2 bonus VIP books
  • Enjoy 10,000 always free books
Ratings
Book
255
Narrator
92
Release Date
September 17, 2019
Duration
13 hours 26 minutes
Summary
Meet the picture-perfect Bird family: pragmatic Meg, dreamy Beth, and towheaded twins Rory and Rhys, one an adventurous troublemaker, the other his slighter, more sensitive counterpart. Their father is a sweet, gangly man, but it’s their beautiful, free-spirited mother Lorelei who spins at the center. In those early years, Lorelei tries to freeze time by filling their simple brick house with precious mementos. Easter egg foils are her favorite—craft supplies too. She hangs all of the children’s art, to her husband’s chagrin. Then one Easter weekend, a tragedy so devastating occurs that, almost imperceptibly, it begins to tear the family apart. Years pass and the children have become adults, while Lorelei has become the county’s worst hoarder. She has alienated her husband and children and has been living as a recluse. But then something happens that beckons the Bird family back to the house they grew up in—to finally understand the events of that long-ago Easter weekend and to unearth the many secrets hidden within the nooks and crannies of home.
Reviews
Profile Avatar Christine A. Mar 2020

The book was fascinating. It wasn’t captivating in a way that a great novel often is but you can’t help but want to know what’s next. I would recommend to someone who’s looking for something different. I really enjoyed the narrator. I thought she was excellent. Narrators can make or break an audiobook.

Profile Avatar Anonymous May 2022

I felt that the whole "plot" was carefully and thoughtfully worked out by the author and much of it rang true. The story is about how one (emotionally damaged) member of a family can affect the lives of all of the family. I found the story engrossing and true to life. It is as much about PTSD as it is family relationships. An often difficult story to read/listen to because of the pain that many of the characters carry inside, but is worth it. The end of the book was a little too optimistic to seem likely, but it did provide answers for all that had gone before. I recommend the book to anyone who wants to be able to get a better look at her/his own life and family relationships. The narrator was first-rate. I felt that she must be a professional actress because she really took on the voices of the various characters and projected them out to the listener. Excellent.

Profile Avatar Anonymous Feb 2023

I liked the book and the narration except the Australian accent. Most Australians don’t speak like that at all.

Profile Avatar Danita N. Jan 2023

Wow! What a fantastic read! The characters were developed with depth. The story…oh my goodness…it actually gave me anxiety. I found myself cringing often. What a hot mess of a family—and don’t we all have a story and a mess of our own. I couldn’t stop listening.

Profile Avatar Anonymous Jan 2023

Lesbian lovers tale of discovery. And a whole of of other plot tales. Kindof exhausting for me. But the narrator was stellar.

Profile Avatar Anonymous Mar 2024

Scary how relatable this novel is in some places! Had me calling my mom to see if she had dehumidifiers in her hoarded home.

Profile Avatar Lee K. Feb 2025

Oh, I really loved this one so much. Midway through the book, I thought, wow, this is is one of THE most dysfunctional families, and they were. I’ve read most of Lisa Jewel’s thrillers, but only a few of her other stories, but in a way, I almost like them better. This story was a little gut wrenching , but so worth it.

Profile Avatar TorriLyn Jul 2024

Excellent novel, not my usual genre but I loved it. I found it to be emotional and captivating. The narrator was fantastic as well. I will definitely purchase more books by this author.

Profile Avatar Ken B Jul 2024

Wow, good book. Don’t know what to think.

Profile Avatar Anonymous Jun 2024

Loved this book. Relevant in surprising ways to my own life - the brokenness of family. The only thing I disliked was the "kisskisskisskisskisskisskiss..." that went on too long us many places. I'm not sure if that was in the writing or in the narration but I found it so over-the-top annoying it occasionally almost made me stop listening. The story, however, was so engaging that I continued. Besides that annoyance, quite enjoyable!

Profile Avatar Christin T. Apr 2024

Some of the themes of this book were relatable to me- sibling loss, hoarding. I thought it would be difficult to listen and at times I did cry. That being said, it completely sucked me in. I didn’t want to stop. The family dynamics are too much for me to wrap my head around and didn’t feel realistic. As an oldest sibling I related to Meg.

Profile Avatar Anonymous Feb 2024

excellent narrator

Profile Avatar Hajnalka S. Dec 2023

Well written but not my style. The narration is excellent

Profile Avatar Amanda L. Apr 2023

Was free VIP selection. It is not my usual genre either. It drags a bit in the middle, but overall, it's not bad.

Profile Avatar Ger Faughnan Mar 2023

The first hour was slow & I wasn't sure if I was going to listen through to the end but it hooked me thereafter. Brilliant book. Intriguing and unpredictable. I ended up being hooked & skipping reading, TV etc to listen to hear what happened next!

Profile Avatar Madeline P. Mar 2023

The story was fine, I didn't find it riviting like Lisa Jewell's other works, but it was a good look at how a traumatized family deals with it in their own individual way.

Profile Avatar Tali B. Mar 2023

LOVED everything about this book interesting story amazing narrator highly recommend

Profile Avatar KateinSD Mar 2023

I LOVED this book! So well written and narrated. It was suspenseful and fun and interesting to listen to with a surprising ending. So many instances of family dysfunction and coping that kept me wondering what was next. This author hasn’t disappointed me yet with this and her other books. Highly recommend!

Profile Avatar Lynay B. Feb 2023

LOVED this book!!

Profile Avatar Jamie Feb 2023

What a great and somewhat tragic story. This book kept me enthralled. Characters were well developed, and the narrator was perfect.

Profile Avatar Nancy S. Feb 2023

Excellent, well thought out story. I savored every moment. The narration was SUPERB!

Profile Avatar Jackie H. Feb 2023

I enjoyed the plot as it moved reasonably quickly. Great narrator.

Profile Avatar Gabriela M. Feb 2023

The narrator was outstanding. The book itself I felt dragged on more than it needed to. By the time you arrive to the big reveal, you’re too exhausted to be “shocked”. I just wanted it to be over and done with. That being said, it had a nice plot.

Profile Avatar Kat M. Feb 2023

Took me a while to get into it,but glad I persevered. Narrator was lively and not at all annoying

Profile Avatar Anonymous Feb 2023

The book was good, interesting story of family traumas and how they manifest in every individual. The narrator was absolutely superb, really made the book for me.

Profile Avatar Petar V. Feb 2023

Lisa knows how to write a great story!

Profile Avatar Carrie D. Jan 2023

Excellently written. Wonderful character development. Plot is laid out so well!

Profile Avatar Bianca1976 Jan 2023

This was a really interesting book with a real in-depth look into family, drama, mental illness, relationships. the narrator was brilliant great book.

Profile Avatar Thorn Jan 2023

Loved the narrator really getting into the story. Enjoyed the different perspectives all contributing (not repeating) towards the central story line. A gentle read on a tough topic.

The House We Grew Up In

The House We Grew Up In

Author: Lisa Jewell
Read by: Karina Fernandez
Listen Free Now Get any book plus
2 bonus VIP books
1 book added to cart
Subtotal
$24.99
View Cart