UNLIMITED
Audiobook9 hoursThe Quiet You Carry
Written by Nikki Barthelmess
Narrated by Felicity Hart
4.5/5
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About this audiobook
Now, dumped into a crowded, chaotic foster home, Victoria has to tiptoe around her domineering foster mother, get through senior year at a new school, and somehow salvage her college dreams . . . all while keeping her past hidden.
But some secrets won't stay buried—especially when unwanted memories make Victoria freeze up at random moments and nightmares disrupt her sleep. Even worse, she can't stop worrying about her stepsister Sarah, left behind with her father. All she wants is to move forward, but how do you focus on the future when the past won't leave you alone?
Editor's Note
Tough inspiration…
Author Nikki Barthelmess knows what it’s like to be thrown into the gears of the foster care system: She lived through it herself. “The Quiet You Carry” isn’t based directly on her own life, but it deals with the many issues foster kids face, from sexual and domestic abuse to dealing with the stigma of being “unwanted” by their own families. It’s an emotionally tough read, but also an inspiration and an important wake-up call to those unfamiliar with what foster kids endure.
Nikki Barthelmess
Nikki Barthelmess is an author of young adult books, including The Quiet You Carry, Quiet No More, and Everything Within and in Between. While growing up in foster care, Nikki found solace in books and writing. A former journalist, Nikki lives in sunny Santa Barbara with her husband, daughter, and diva of a corgi. When not reading or working on her books, Nikki loves advocating for the rights of current and former foster youth, jogging near the beach, and trying to convince her abuelita that feminism means it’s okay that her husband does all the cooking.
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Reviews for The Quiet You Carry
216 ratings14 reviews
What our readers think
Readers find this title to be a beautiful and emotional story that holds their interest throughout. The characters are believable and the plot is great. The book tackles difficult topics and reminds readers to stand in their truth and speak up. It is recommended for preteens, teenagers, and young adults, but even older readers can enjoy it. Overall, this book is a must-read that leaves readers on the edge of their seat and wanting more.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I would like to thank NetGalley and Flux/North Star Editions for presenting me with an advanced ARC of The Quiet You Carry by Nikki Barthelmess for my honest and unbiased review.
Nikki jumped right out and grabbed me with the first page of her book. Victoria’s father throws her out of their home she shared with him, her step-mother, and her step-sister Sarah in the middle of the night in the bitter cold with no coat, no shoes, just the clothes on her back. Victoria ends up at CPS to sleeping on their couch until morning comes and they can put her into the foster system.
Nikki brings us a story with a subject that nobody likes to hear about, not alone talk about it or read about it. Nikki had quite a bit of knowledge of how well the foster system operates being a former foster child herself. She captured all the characters and Victoria’s story so vigorously that came out in a heart wrenching and heart breaking story that you will not soon forget.
Would I recommend this book? Yes, I would highly recommend The Quiet You Carry, but know that you may get angry, cry, and maybe even have to put it down sometimes. However, when you are done you will be glad you picked it up and read Victoria’s story. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book is the best audiobook I’ve listened to in a while!! It had my attention from start to finish. Pulled at the heartstrings a bit, but had a great ending :)
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This was a great read. I know so many who can relate with this book. I love the ending and pray there are many more out their with the same.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book was amazing I loved this book highly recommend this book to anyone. It is a worthwhile read
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book held my interest throughout the story. The characters were believable and each had a unique background. I was especially impressed how the foster mother's past was revealed as the story progressed. Listening to the author's acknowledgements at the end left me emotional. It confirms that no act of kindness is ever wasted, even the ones you believe are small.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Absolutely lovely book! I hope that next part of this book will be available here really soon :) it's hard to read stories like this the same time it's giving that moment of truth that we not notice daily.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I may be 62, but I love YA books. They are good stories that almost always hold my attention. This was no exception and when I got to work helping a friend, it drove me nuts all day not being able to listen to the last 37 mins of this one for the next 12.5 hours.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Dull, boring, draaaaaagy and repetitive. This story is long but goes nowhere.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book hits me in the heart, I know what it is like to carry that in your soul. Thank you for reminding us to stand in our truth and speak up.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Absolutely beautiful written and read so well. Left me on the edge of my seat in anticipation of what was coming next.
2 people found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I'm 40 years old but I truly enjoyed this audiobook! It's a must read for preteens, teenagers and young adults. Growing up is hard and some situations make it even harder, and sometimes it even feels unbearable. This book is a little treasure to help you keep going and growing!
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Interesting book about the difficulties of children exploited and not listened to. Let's hope we can always keep listening and help children tell their truth. This is a complex story well written you could certainly feel the young girls anguish as her father changed.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Excellent story telling. Great plot Line. I would recommend this to anyone.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Victoria's step mother, Tiffany, walked into her room as her father was trying to force himself on her. Stating that it was the other way around, that Victoria was trying to seduce him, he kicked her out of the house. Tiffany believed him. Thus starts Victoria's life in the foster care system in Silver Valley, NV, several hours away from her home in Reno.
Victoria refuses to tell authorities what really happened because she wanted to protect her father, promising her mother, who died of cancer, that she would take care of her father...even though it's the parent's job to take care of the children.
Victoria keeps her foster home life a secret from the small town high school she attends, until she can't any more.
The Quiet You Carry is a telling story about life as a foster child, the life of a teenager being abused by a person of authority, a person who is supposed to care for you and about you. While it's not a gritty book, it certainly tells the tale well. A recommended read.1 person found this helpful