Cover Image: Invisible

Invisible

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Invisible by Danielle Steel is a heart-breaking story with a sweet end. It features Antonia Adams who learned as a young child to stay invisible. Her father had fallen head-over-heals for her mother, Fabienne, when she was a young waitress in France and he was a young American businessman. He went back multiple times to see her and finally asked her to marry him. He was in love. She saw a ticket to the US where she had a chance to become an actress. That was all she saw. She took lessons, she worked out, she auditioned. Then, she got pregnant. It was not what either of them had wanted, at the time. She was sick for 9 old months. Having the baby was excruciating, but finally it was out of her and she could go back to her life. Brandon, Antonia's father fell instantly in love with his daughter, but all that ever did was start a fight with Fabienne, so quickly he learned to curb that. It didn't help, though and eventually Fabienne left him. She never looked back. Meanwhile, it was too late for Antonia and her father. He worked and paid for a succession of nannies and baby sitters. They had no relationship. Then Lara came into his life. She didn't sneak out after spending the night. She talked with Antonia and went to the movies with her. Eventually Brandon and Lara married. At last they were a family . . . kind of.

Antonia had numerous scars from her childhood. It took a lot to cure her and form her into a mature adult without tons of baggage. Lara had a lot to do with it, but so did Antonia's husband. Marrying him started her life anew. They had a baby and life was so good. Then, it wasn't and Antonia had to cope. But, it was not easy. She stayed strong and true to her vision. It took years for her to regain her sense of self. This was definitely a work of women's fiction. It is typical Steel but so much more. The plot was good and the personalities were well written and anything but flat. The story arc encompassed 50 years, many of them happy ones. I cried, but only once, and not at the end. This book is why I read Danielle Steel.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Invisible by Delacorte Press, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #netgalley #delacortepress #daniellesteel #invisible

Was this review helpful?

Invisible, like most Danielle Steel books takes you through a whirlwind of emotions.
Antonia learns to become Invisible at home as she is the center of the bitterness between her parents and finds it easier to hide than endure them. Her mother leaves them when she is seven and her father resents her even more.
Antonia finds her love in college as she is pursuing a filmmaking career. Tragedy strikes and Antonia instantly wants to be invisible again.
Danielle Steel always finds a way to emotionally entwine you in her stories.
Thank you Netgalley and publisher for an arc for my honest opinion.

Was this review helpful?

Invisible by prolific author Danielle Steel is the story of Antonia whose life is shaped by the selfishness and cruelty of her parents. Her father thinks providing financially is his only obligation to his family. When her mother abandons them for a hopeful movie career her father only sees Antonia as a reminder of his failed marriage.

Antonia quickly learns that the less she is seen the less fighting there is since just her presence causes strife. Like many she finds an escape in books and movies. As Antonia learns to stay hidden in any circumstance we see her struggle to come into her own while her beauty and intelligence demand she be seen by the world.

Like all of the author's books this story kept me reading all night. I really wanted to hug Antonia and tell her she was being seen. I enjoyed getting a complete life story for Antonia but the ending was a bit rushed. I appreciated that through everything Antonia knew who she wanted to be and despite obstacles stuck to her own life compass. You are always in the right direction reading a Danielle Steel novel.

I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via #netgalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Another good solid story from Danielle Steel. Antonia grew up in a loveless marriage and learned to make herself “invisible” to avoid conflict. It certainly affected her life, until she was married and had her own children. The story line included much dramatic family interactions. I was relieved when Antonia finally was comfortable enough with herself to become “visible” to others. I was hoping to read how her own childhood affected the way she parented her own children as that would have been more insightful to me.
Steel’s books always have passages that bring tears to your eyes and this book is not an exception to that. Brandon was a true puzzle to me. At times I felt he was coming around and realized his failings as a parent, but then it never happened. I loved Lara, who was determined to help Brandon and Antonia reconnect.
Many thanks to Danielle Steel, Random House, and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to read an arc of this soon to be published book.

Was this review helpful?

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

I have been a fan of Danielle Steel’s since I was a teenager. This story is typical of her writing and a wonderful read.

In this story we meet Antonia who has always been a wallflower. She has learned to be silent and invisible to protect herself. But when she meets Hamish Quist her life changes in so many ways. But then as the story continues life goes on and Antonia faces decisions.

Steel is one of the best in the romance/women’s lit genre. She drags you in from the meeting of her main character and keeps you interested the whole time. This is no different. The characters are intriguing and the emotion as always is palpable.

Another good story from Danielle Steel.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Danielle Steel's latest focuses on Antonia who was invisible for so long. The story shares Antonia's backstory and how she comes to be seen on her terms. As always Steel provides a readable story for her fans, though it does rush to a conclusion. If you like Steel you'll enjoy Antonia's story as a pleasant way to spend a day. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

What a wonderful way to start the New Year by reading a new novel by the fabulous Danielle Steel. I couldn't put it down and neither will you. As always her stories will grip you from page one and not let go until the very end. Don't miss out on this winner of a book. Happy reading!

Was this review helpful?

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.

Was this review helpful?

I'd like to thank Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Delacorte Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a pretty heavy story to start the year out with. Trigger warning would be parental abuse and neglect.

Antonia learned early on that she was not wanted by her parents and even as a young child made herself invisible to them. Her mother had wanted an acting career and having a baby did not fit into her plans. When Antonia was 7 years old her mother left for good which made her already absentee workaholic father more obsolete.

As an escape, Antonia spends her Saturday's at the movie theater hoping to catch a glimpse of her mother on screen. This is where she finds her dream to be a film maker. Against her fathers wishes she goes to college to pursue screenwriting and interns in L.A. for a famous producer/screenwriter. He sees her as more and wants to put her on the other side of the camera as an actress. This is where she finds love and is forced to be in the limelight. The tragic death of her famous husband sends Antonia and now with two children back into her solitude life. Where she finally takes the leap into being the producer/screenwriter she dreamed of being.

This was a very heavy book. There was so much tragedy for Antonia and she was able to grow through all of that and stay true to herself and the person she wanted to be. She knew when to cut ties with those who were toxic to her and hold close to the relationships that strengthened her. I guess the message that I got from the book is that no matter what circumstances you are dealt with you can still follow your dreams and choose the life you want and the people you want in it.

Was this review helpful?

Danielle Steel is and always has been a wonderful author. I used to read every book of hers and when I saw Invisible I was excited to read her again. Ms. Steele does not disappoint in her stories. She writes true to life and makes you feel like you are a part of the story! Invisible is a novel of child neglect/abuse and the outcomes it has on the child. Antonia is born to a narcissistic Mother who wants nothing to do with her and a Father who sees her mother in her everyday! She learns to become”invisible” until a stepmother shows and teaches her the life of being loved and wanted. I highly recommend this book! It is a heartbreaking tragically beautiful story only Danielle Steele can do justice to.

Thank you NetGalley, Random House Publishing/Delacorte Press and Danielle Steele for an advanced copy of this truly wonderful book in exchange for my honest opinion.
#netgalley #randomhousepublishing
#delacortepress. #invisible. #arc #daniellesteele.

Was this review helpful?

This is an author that I have been reading most of my life. Her books pull you in and her characters pop off the pages and into your heart. This book is no different. It is a well written story that has characters that are strong, engaging and really just pop. This is a story about Antonia and her search not only of herself but also what she is willing to pay for passion. It is a great story that took me on an emotional roller coaster ride throughout. It has great growth of the plot as well as character growth. I found this book to be fast paced and hard to put down. It is a must read story and one of my favorites by this author so far. I highly recommend this book and this author.

Was this review helpful?

I have read several of Ms. Steele's books in the past, but this is my first one in several years.
Her books are easy reads for the most part, but extremely predictable.
Wealth, beauty, fame.
A much older rich man falling for younger, beautiful damsel in distress. It is a common theme in her books. This book was no exception.
I liked it because like I said, an easy read. She writes good stories, but none of them seem to have any real depth to them.

Was this review helpful?

Antonia had a horrible childhood. She grew up with a narcissistic mother who aspired to be an actress and a father who worked night and day. She was raised by babysitters and shown no love whatsoever. Her father resented her mother, who had aspirations to be an actress, who abandoned the family when Antonia was a child. As she was growing up, Antonia had no contact with her mother.
She wants to be a writer of screenplays. This displeases her father as he thinks she really wants to be an actress as her mother. After Antonia finishes high school, she goes to college at NYU and has interesting summer internships in the film industry. She has a wonderful friend in college and begins to see what loving family looks like.
Can Antonia find love in her life? Will she achieve a career as a screenwriter? Who will mentor her? It's all vey intriguing. It is amazing that Antonia is strong enough to not let the lack of love she experienced in life deter her in any way.
Who doesn't love a Danielle Steel book? I love the main character of a strong woman, like Antonia, who overcomes such diversity.
Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to review this book.

Was this review helpful?

Invisible. That’s how Antonia Adams feels. The product of a loveless marriage between a wealthy entrepreneur and a would-be actress, the only thing that Antonia’s life lacks is love. Raised by a succession of babysitters and nannies, she has wanted to be a screenwriter since childhood. While studying film at NYU, she’s selected for an internship on famed British director Hamish Quist’s new film. He’s enchanted by her beauty and begs her to take a small part in the movie. This will forever change Antonia’s life.

The plot of each Danielle Steel novel is remarkably the same: a beautiful young woman finds love, confronts tragedy and survives to find a better life. It’s both simple and satisfying. That’s why her books sell in the millions. Invisible is no exception so settle down with a cup of tea and enter Antonia’s world of wealth, travel, glamor and love. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and Danielle Steel for this ARC.

Was this review helpful?

4 1/2 STARS!

A gut-wrenchingly raw rendition of the emotional abuse a child can suffer at the hands of neglectful parents. In INVISIBLE Danielle Steel uses her powerful voice to tell the tale of a child who suffers the consequence of being born to a narcissistic mother and an easily led father. The emotional depth is spot on and the story very attention grabbing. I was highly entrenched into the book right up until the huge changing point in Antonia's adult life and then I felt the story lessen in the emotional connection. I would have liked to have seen a bit more in the later part of the book, but overall a really great story with so much emotion.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys jumping into the deep end with the character and living their life one day at a time with them as emotions run high, opportunities arise and tragedy strikes.

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed Antonia's character, for the most part. There were a few nuances that were annoying, but overall, she was a decent, sympathetic character. I liked her relationship with Hamish - given her upbringing, it made a lot of sense, and I thought Hamish was a good influence on her. I really enjoyed Lara's character as well and her relationship with Antonia. Finally, I enjoyed seeing the progression of Antonia's life, and how she overcame so many personal issues to find success and happiness.

Antonia's brief reconnection with her mother was obvious and contrived. It felt forced and fell completely flat, adding next to nothing to the overall storyline. Antonia's relationship with her daughter as she was growing up also felt forced and obvious. I ended up hating Antonia's father, which was probably to be expected, but I found myself wishing his relationship with Antonia had taken a different path as she got older.

As a final thought, I felt that while Antonia's character stayed true to her desire to be invisible as she was growing up, she evolved into a strong, self-sufficient and incredibly successful adult, which didn't entirely jive with the book title and overall premise of the storyline.

Despite some of my somewhat trivial issues with the book, I enjoyed this one and would recommend it to Danielle Steel fans.

Was this review helpful?

I just finished this book & my heart is feeling so content with the story & the characters. Danielle Steele is a mastermind at writing stories that anyone can connect with & stories that everyone can love. I highly recommend this book.

Was this review helpful?

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.

Was this review helpful?

I always wonder how Danielle Steel keeps coming up with such great books, and I have yet to figure it out. I am always looking for a good read and Danielle Steel always delivers.

When we meet Antonia Adams, she is a baby that is unwanted from the very moment of conception by her mom, a young model looking to make it big. Her mom does not want to be tied down with a baby nor be bothered by being a mom to Antonia. Antonia's mom ends up leaving and her dad is left to raise her. Antonia's dad is not fond of raising a child on his own so Antonia is left to be raised by sitters that she doesn't even really know. This causes Antonia to do what she has to in school and just become invisible so that she doesn't cause any problems for her father.

Antonia keeps herself busy on Saturdays by going to the movies in hopes of seeing her mom on the big screen since that was the whole reason she left in the first place, to be a model and movie star! Antonia never sees her mom in any of the movies she watches but she learns tons about screenwriting from the movies.

Antonia's father has harsh feelings against modeling and acting since that is what took his first wife away from him so when Antonia grows up and says that she wants to do play writing, This sets her father off and says that he will only pay for Antonia's college if she promises that she will not become and actor. Antonia has no interest in becoming an actor, she just wants to write and produce movies. When Antonia takes a summer job and meets a well known British film maker, things take a turn for her.

You will not regret picking this book up and reading it. I have not read a Danielle Steel book that I have not enjoyed, and I have read tons of her books. Reading Antonia's story had it's ups and downs and left me longing for more of her life in this book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and all opinions are my own. Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and of course Danielle Steel for an advanced copy of this book!

Was this review helpful?

Invisible by Danielle Steel is a well written book. I will never understand how Antonia parents could be so cruel to her.

Was this review helpful?