Without A Trace
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- Create Date：2023-01-04 10:51:47
- Update Date：2025-09-06
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- Author：Danielle Steel
- ISBN：1984821865
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Summary
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Danielle Steel， a powerful story about fighting for a chance at happiness—whatever the cost。
Charles Vincent seems to have it all—a beautiful wife， two successful children， and a well-paying career。 Yet happiness remains out of reach。 He is trapped in a loveless marriage and his job is simply a paycheck。 But his life changes forever as he drives along the Normandy coast， heading to their lavish château for the weekend。 In one terrifying moment， Charles falls asleep at the wheel and veers off the road， plunging thirty feet down the face of a rocky cliff。
Miraculously， Charles survives。 After gathering the courage to climb to safety， he starts to walk—bruised， bloody， and desperate for help。 In the dark of night， he happens upon a cabin where he meets the kind and beautiful Aude Saint-Martin。 Their connection is instant， and as she nurses him back to health， Charles begins to discover the passion he’s been missing for so many years。
In the aftermath of the crash， Charles has a startling realization—he doesn’t have to go back。 He could simply choose to disappear， to walk away from his old life。 When his car is discovered， he’ll be presumed dead， washed away at sea。 If he stays with Aude， he has a chance at a fuller， happier life he didn’t know was possible。 It all seems too good to resist。 But Aude has secrets of her own and before long their pasts catch up to them， threatening everything they have fought to build。
What would happen if you were given a chance to walk away from everything in your life and start over with a blank slate， and you had a split second to decide？ In Without a Trace， Danielle Steel tells an irresistible story of the risks two people are willing to take in exchange for a second chance at the life they’ve always wanted。
Charles Vincent seems to have it all—a beautiful wife， two successful children， and a well-paying career。 Yet happiness remains out of reach。 He is trapped in a loveless marriage and his job is simply a paycheck。 But his life changes forever as he drives along the Normandy coast， heading to their lavish château for the weekend。 In one terrifying moment， Charles falls asleep at the wheel and veers off the road， plunging thirty feet down the face of a rocky cliff。
Miraculously， Charles survives。 After gathering the courage to climb to safety， he starts to walk—bruised， bloody， and desperate for help。 In the dark of night， he happens upon a cabin where he meets the kind and beautiful Aude Saint-Martin。 Their connection is instant， and as she nurses him back to health， Charles begins to discover the passion he’s been missing for so many years。
In the aftermath of the crash， Charles has a startling realization—he doesn’t have to go back。 He could simply choose to disappear， to walk away from his old life。 When his car is discovered， he’ll be presumed dead， washed away at sea。 If he stays with Aude， he has a chance at a fuller， happier life he didn’t know was possible。 It all seems too good to resist。 But Aude has secrets of her own and before long their pasts catch up to them， threatening everything they have fought to build。
What would happen if you were given a chance to walk away from everything in your life and start over with a blank slate， and you had a split second to decide？ In Without a Trace， Danielle Steel tells an irresistible story of the risks two people are willing to take in exchange for a second chance at the life they’ve always wanted。
Reviews
Stephanie
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I enjoy Danielle Steel novels as fun easy reads in between weightier works BUT this one just didn't work for me。 It just strains credulity that Charles could/would walk away from his life and let his adult children believe he died。 With that I just didn't pull for the lead character which ruined the story for me。 His love story with Aude is also so lacking in any sort of realism and I just couldn't get into it。Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of Without a Trace in exchan I enjoy Danielle Steel novels as fun easy reads in between weightier works BUT this one just didn't work for me。 It just strains credulity that Charles could/would walk away from his life and let his adult children believe he died。 With that I just didn't pull for the lead character which ruined the story for me。 His love story with Aude is also so lacking in any sort of realism and I just couldn't get into it。Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of Without a Trace in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more
Page Journeys
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Without A TraceBy: Danielle SteelWithout A Trace is a tension filled， atmospheric escape into France， about taking risks in life to find passion。 Charlie， with a complex career history， is now a wealthy businessman in the toy industry。 He and wife Isabelle have an elegant apartment in Paris as well as a lavish chateau in Normandy， above the rugged coastline of the sea。 Their loveless marriage lacks the beauty and comfort of their residences。 The kind artist， Aude， lives a quiet life in a small c Without A TraceBy: Danielle SteelWithout A Trace is a tension filled， atmospheric escape into France， about taking risks in life to find passion。 Charlie， with a complex career history， is now a wealthy businessman in the toy industry。 He and wife Isabelle have an elegant apartment in Paris as well as a lavish chateau in Normandy， above the rugged coastline of the sea。 Their loveless marriage lacks the beauty and comfort of their residences。 The kind artist， Aude， lives a quiet life in a small cabin in Normandy。 Although she enjoys the simplicity of a quiet lifestyle， her past has been turbulent。 After Charlie's car plunges off a rocky cliff on the Normandy coast， his life suddenly intersects with Aude's。 What follows is fast paced and suspenseful， leaving me pondering decisions that were made about honesty， timing， ethics， and secrets。 Some of the characters in the book are anything but likeable。 The plot made me think about the implications of choices when one is faced with what to keep and what to leave behind in life。 I enjoyed being taken away by Steel into the French setting， a perfect backdrop for this smoothly flowing book about disappearance， discovery， and finding happiness。 。。。more
Barb Lie
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Without a Trace by Danielle Steel is a standalone novel。 The story revolves around Charles Vincent， who is married， has two grown up successful children， and a high paying job; but he is currently trapped into an unhappy marriage。 His wife （Isabelle） never works， spends money， enjoys being considered wealthy and lives a glamorous life。 Charles had been in the publishing field， making very good money， until he quits his job， and money becomes an issue for two years， with Charles borrowing money f Without a Trace by Danielle Steel is a standalone novel。 The story revolves around Charles Vincent， who is married， has two grown up successful children， and a high paying job; but he is currently trapped into an unhappy marriage。 His wife （Isabelle） never works， spends money， enjoys being considered wealthy and lives a glamorous life。 Charles had been in the publishing field， making very good money， until he quits his job， and money becomes an issue for two years， with Charles borrowing money from his wife’s father; his wife constantly threatening a divorce。 Charles finally gets another job， making even more money， but he does not like the work and his boss。 One night， Charles’s boss keeps him late， and when he drives along the coast to their lavish chateau for the weekend， he falls asleep at the wheel and goes over a cliff into the Ocean。 Expecting his death during the fall， Charles manages to survive， and he is badly bruised as he desperately walks in the dark to find help。 He comes across a cabin， where he meets a kind woman， Aude， who nurses his wounds， and allows him to rest and sleep in her cabin。 In a very short period， Charles begins to discover the passions he never had， and both Aude and Charles fall in love。 Being presumed dead， Charles realizes that he can choose to disappear and have a happy life with Aude。 Everyone thinks he has died， with funeral services done， and lawyers working on his will。 Charles will learn that Aude has some secrets of her past， that will threaten their lives。With many months having past， together Charles and Aude must decide which was the best way to go for their lives together。 Do they disappear forever， or have Charles make amends to face his family？Without a Trace was an interesting and different kind of story， with the entire focus on Charles’s unhappy life， at least until he meets the woman who will change his life forever。 What follows is an exciting and tense last third of the book， with Aude’s past coming back to haunt her; as well as everyone learning the truth about Charles’s disappearance。 Without a Trace was well written by Danielle Steel。BarbThe Reading Cafe 。。。more
Diane Saul
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Charles Vincent appears to be living a life that most people would envy， but all is not as it seems。 His wife cares nothing for him， only the money he makes and he is in a job he hates。 Things change when he falls asleep at the wheel and goes over a cliff， miraculously surviving。 Charlie decides he doesn’t want to go back to his old life。 This is the story of a man who decides he wants to change his life。 There are complications when his new relationship is threatened。 This is a typical Danielle Charles Vincent appears to be living a life that most people would envy， but all is not as it seems。 His wife cares nothing for him， only the money he makes and he is in a job he hates。 Things change when he falls asleep at the wheel and goes over a cliff， miraculously surviving。 Charlie decides he doesn’t want to go back to his old life。 This is the story of a man who decides he wants to change his life。 There are complications when his new relationship is threatened。 This is a typical Danielle Steel， entertaining with a good story with the expected happily ever after。 Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy。 。。。more
Loretta Hayden
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In Without a Trace， by Danielle Steel， Charlie Vincent gets a second chance at life after surviving an accident when his car went over the cliff and into the ocean。 Charlie has to decide between just disappearing forever and assuming a new identity or returning to Paris， facing his wife， Isabella， and family who the police had previously notified that he was dead， and then facing the consequences。 With the encouragement of Aude， the artist who nursed him through his recovery from the accident ba In Without a Trace， by Danielle Steel， Charlie Vincent gets a second chance at life after surviving an accident when his car went over the cliff and into the ocean。 Charlie has to decide between just disappearing forever and assuming a new identity or returning to Paris， facing his wife， Isabella， and family who the police had previously notified that he was dead， and then facing the consequences。 With the encouragement of Aude， the artist who nursed him through his recovery from the accident back to health， Charlie confronts his past and his extravagant wife， who is only interested in what his money can provide for her。 Afterward Charlie is ready to reconcile with his children and move forward into the more simple life he so desires。 This book is about overcoming personal obstacles and being true to oneself as well as finding the courage to live life as one desires。 。。。more
HMU95
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I really wanted to like this book， but I found Charlie， the main character， to be somewhat unlikeable and Aude， his love interest， to be underdeveloped and flat。 I thought the book was a little sloppy in terms of the perspective -- in one sentence， we would hear the story from one person in one location and in the next sentence， we would hear the story from another character in a completely different location。 It was jarring and abrupt， making the story hard to follow in many places。 That being I really wanted to like this book， but I found Charlie， the main character， to be somewhat unlikeable and Aude， his love interest， to be underdeveloped and flat。 I thought the book was a little sloppy in terms of the perspective -- in one sentence， we would hear the story from one person in one location and in the next sentence， we would hear the story from another character in a completely different location。 It was jarring and abrupt， making the story hard to follow in many places。 That being said， I enjoyed the overall premise， but I think the execution could have been much better。 。。。more
Janilyn Kocher
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I made quick work of the latest DS。 Charlie had the chance to run from his current life and he took it。 I thought it was rather selfish of him， especially in regards to his kids。 The plot was fairly easy to predict so I wasn’t surprised when certain things occurred。Certain characters acted like one would think and some get their comeuppance。I read Steel novels to forget about the outside world and this one for the bill perfectly。Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the early read。
Mary Cummins
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Thank you to NetGalley for this free copy of “ Without a Trace” by Danielle Steel。This was a very interesting book。What would you do if you could walk away from an unhappy life and start fresh？ This is the dilemma that faces Charlie when he goes over a cliff in France on the way to his weekend chateau。He is running from a loveless marriage and a job he hates。Can he reinvent himself and have the life and love he always wanted with the woman who opens her door to him that fateful night？ Read the b Thank you to NetGalley for this free copy of “ Without a Trace” by Danielle Steel。This was a very interesting book。What would you do if you could walk away from an unhappy life and start fresh？ This is the dilemma that faces Charlie when he goes over a cliff in France on the way to his weekend chateau。He is running from a loveless marriage and a job he hates。Can he reinvent himself and have the life and love he always wanted with the woman who opens her door to him that fateful night？ Read the book and find out。Lots of drama and intrigue。 。。。more
Doreena Silva
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I really enjoyed this book weird for a Danielle Steel book to have it told from and have a Male POV/protagonist。 Interesting story that could have gone in many different directions。 Always a good light read for me。 Thank you to Netgalley， Random House and the Author Danielle Steel for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review。
Tiffany www。instagram。com/tiffs_bookshelf
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This is an entirely different novel for Danielle Steele and she nailed it！！！！！！！！！！ Bravo to the queen of romance， another best seller for us with this one。
Gail Herrmann
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Very interesting concept-walk away from your life and start a new one。 I love the premise of this book and it was a quick read because it was so interesting。 Read it in one day。 The only thing I was disappointed with is that Isabelle didn't learn anything from the experience and continued to be a hard hearted gold digger！ Really didn"t like her and so happy that Charlie finally divorced her。 Very interesting concept-walk away from your life and start a new one。 I love the premise of this book and it was a quick read because it was so interesting。 Read it in one day。 The only thing I was disappointed with is that Isabelle didn't learn anything from the experience and continued to be a hard hearted gold digger！ Really didn"t like her and so happy that Charlie finally divorced her。 。。。more
Tina
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If you had the chance to leave your whole life behind and start over again fresh， would you do it？ That is the question that Charles is faced with in this new book by Danielle Steel。 I have read just about every book by this author and I found this one to be good。 I did find some of the storyline to be a bit far fetched but it was an easy read。 The action and suspense drew me in and I finished the book in one day。 Thanks to NetGalley for giving me an advanced copy of this book
Kelly
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What a quick read！ It kept my interest so much that I just couldn't put it down。 I loved Charles and how he decided that he disliked his life so much that when he took the chance to start his life over。 It's not all that it seems and when he goes back to take his life back things happen that change everything。 Great story， wish it could have a sequel so we can find out how Charles， Aude， his children and Isabelle continue after the story ends。I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of t What a quick read！ It kept my interest so much that I just couldn't put it down。 I loved Charles and how he decided that he disliked his life so much that when he took the chance to start his life over。 It's not all that it seems and when he goes back to take his life back things happen that change everything。 Great story， wish it could have a sequel so we can find out how Charles， Aude， his children and Isabelle continue after the story ends。I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book。 All thoughts and opinions are my own。 This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley， courtesy of the publisher。 。。。more
Meredith
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Another great read from Danielle Steel。 I enjoyed this fast paced romance with a twist。 It captivated me and drew me in and I finished it in 24 hours。 It leaves the reader wondering what they would do if they were given the chance to leave their life behind and start fresh… would they leave it all behind or go back to a life lacking in happiness？
Kimberly
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**Was given an ARC by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**Great story！Looking at Charles Vincent's life， it looked like he had everything a man could want: a great job with a large salary， two healthy， successful children， and a beautiful wife。 The reality of his life is so different。 He's miserable， the love in his marriage died years ago， now his wife， Isabelle， spends his money like it's her life's mission。 His kids live in different countries and he hardly sees them **Was given an ARC by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**Great story！Looking at Charles Vincent's life， it looked like he had everything a man could want: a great job with a large salary， two healthy， successful children， and a beautiful wife。 The reality of his life is so different。 He's miserable， the love in his marriage died years ago， now his wife， Isabelle， spends his money like it's her life's mission。 His kids live in different countries and he hardly sees them， and he hates his job。 He's miserable with the way his life has turned out at 54 and doesn't see it changing anytime soon。 When driving home along the coast one Friday night after work to their extravagant country house， Charlie falls asleep at the wheel and the car goes over a cliff and into the sea。 He welcomes dying peacefully， but somehow he doesn't die and is able to swim to the surface。 From their he walks looking for help all battered and bruised from the crash。 He finds a cabin and a kind and beautiful woman tends to his wounds。 Aude Saint-Martin hasn't had an easy life。 Eight years ago， she divorced her abusive ex-husband and as payback， he killed her boyfriend。 Now he's currently in prison serving his time。 Aude never needed money to be happy， she has her art。 When Charlie shows up in the middle of the night hurt， an immediate bond snaps into place between them。 Charlie stays with Aude for a few days， acting on their new found passion he never knew existed。Charlie realizes that this is his chance to finally escape。 Everyone will think he's dead because his car is in the sea and his wallet was found by two fishermen。 Charlie could find a job that he actually loves and live with the love of his life， Aude。 His wife would only be concerned about what he left her in his will， not care if he actually survived。For almost five months they live in bliss， Charlie is working as a mechanic at the local garage; he loves it。 But soon Aude becomes the voice of reason and he goes back for his kid's sake and to get a divorce。 But when Aude's ex-husband escapes from prison and kidnaps her， Charlie drops everything in Paris to find her。Will this couple get their second chance at life they both deserve？ A must read！ 。。。more
Jessica Moro
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This was very reminiscent of an old school romance。 It varies in POV but the two main ones are a husband and wife that are trapped in a loveless marriage。 This book reads like a man in a mid life crisis wet dream。 While on the way to the chateau he bought his wife to make her happy， Charlie falls asleep at the wheel and goes over a cliff。 Miraculously， he survives and finds a hot single woman living in a small hut who is an artist and very in tune with her body but hiding from her abusive ex hus This was very reminiscent of an old school romance。 It varies in POV but the two main ones are a husband and wife that are trapped in a loveless marriage。 This book reads like a man in a mid life crisis wet dream。 While on the way to the chateau he bought his wife to make her happy， Charlie falls asleep at the wheel and goes over a cliff。 Miraculously， he survives and finds a hot single woman living in a small hut who is an artist and very in tune with her body but hiding from her abusive ex husband。 It's also in the third person so there's a disconnect from the characters。 Not that the author cares for you to know anyone except that the new girl and Charlie love to "make love" all the way unlike his loveless marriage with his "greedy" ex wife。 When it all unravels， everything falls right back into place for Charlie but there is one more person he needs to rescue before he can begin again without his greedy ex wife。 Charlie's winning points is that he left most of his assists to his children but， obviously took it back when he came back to life for his new wife。 This was boring and out of touch but had a nice cover。 。。。more
Melinda Anders
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Charles Vincent has a job he doesn't enjoy。 His wife only wants him for what he can buy her。 When he accidentally goes over a cliff and doesn't die he decides he is going to escape his life。This book was one of the better written ones。 I enjoyed。 Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC and the publisher Delacorte Press。 Charles Vincent has a job he doesn't enjoy。 His wife only wants him for what he can buy her。 When he accidentally goes over a cliff and doesn't die he decides he is going to escape his life。This book was one of the better written ones。 I enjoyed。 Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC and the publisher Delacorte Press。 。。。more
Lynn Brooks
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Quick to catch my attention and hold it throughout！ Danielle Steel always has a way of weaving a character into my soul in a way that has me entrenched in the outcome of their happiness even if I don't always agree with their methods of getting there。 Moral boundaries are straddled as passion ignites in the most unorthodox of ways that nonetheless left me rooting for the happily ever after from start to finish。 Another addictive read from Steel！I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys Quick to catch my attention and hold it throughout！ Danielle Steel always has a way of weaving a character into my soul in a way that has me entrenched in the outcome of their happiness even if I don't always agree with their methods of getting there。 Moral boundaries are straddled as passion ignites in the most unorthodox of ways that nonetheless left me rooting for the happily ever after from start to finish。 Another addictive read from Steel！I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a look in the life of someone that will take extreme measures when life on the other side looks brighter。 The characters have a personable quality to them and while some of his actions are questionable， a delve into the depth of his despair shows the reader his thought process and makes him fairly redeemable。 。。。more
Kristina
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Without a Trace by Danielle Steel is a fast-paced romance with a touch of suspense。 We travel to Paris， France where Charles Vincent lives with his wife， Isabelle。 The couple have a grown son and daughter。 Charles is unhappy with his job and his life。 Charles and Isabelle have not had a real marriage in years。 She cares more for the money Charles earns than the man。 After another argument with his boss， Charles is heading to the chateau they own on the Normandy coast where Isabelle is hosting an Without a Trace by Danielle Steel is a fast-paced romance with a touch of suspense。 We travel to Paris， France where Charles Vincent lives with his wife， Isabelle。 The couple have a grown son and daughter。 Charles is unhappy with his job and his life。 Charles and Isabelle have not had a real marriage in years。 She cares more for the money Charles earns than the man。 After another argument with his boss， Charles is heading to the chateau they own on the Normandy coast where Isabelle is hosting another weekend party。 It is late on Friday evening and Charles is tired （and it is a three hour drive）。 He drifts off while driving and his car ends up taking a header off a cliff road。 When the car finally stops moving， Charles is able to get free and swim to the surface。 It is a miracle he survived。 He finds his way to a cabin in the woods where Aude Saint-Martin， an artist， lives。 There is an instant attraction between Aude and Charles。 He needs a break from his real life and makes a decision to walk away。 I can understand Charles’ desire to walk away from his life。 He has a greedy， ungrateful wife and a job he does not enjoy。 Of course， then he is unable to contact with his children。 Life is full of choices as we see in Without a Trace。 I enjoyed the beautiful descriptions of Paris and the Normandy coast。 I especially liked Aude’s cabin。 The majority of the characters are unlikeable。 The most likeable is Aude who has not had an easy life。 The romance between Aude and Charles seemed rushed。 I thought it should be slower considering Aude’s experience with her ex-husband。 There is a lot of repetition of key details （way too much）。 I enjoyed the story though there are some disturbing sections。 Without a Trace does have some good life lessons （being honest， facing hard truths）。 I believe at one time or another we have all dreamed of walking away from our lives。 Without a Trace lets us see what happens when one man does just that。 。。。more
Louise Pledge
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I read this overnight。 Yes， that's a fact。 I took my phone to bed and read until I fell asleep。 Then I'd wake up about every 2 hours and read some more。 Finally， I finished as soon as I woke up this morning。 Love， love， love finding a story that holds my attention that well！I really think that I could read two pages of Danielle Steel and identify the author。 No colorful fill-in stuff， just straight story。 While I can appreciate creative writing， this is so much easier （and quicker） to read。 I'd I read this overnight。 Yes， that's a fact。 I took my phone to bed and read until I fell asleep。 Then I'd wake up about every 2 hours and read some more。 Finally， I finished as soon as I woke up this morning。 Love， love， love finding a story that holds my attention that well！I really think that I could read two pages of Danielle Steel and identify the author。 No colorful fill-in stuff， just straight story。 While I can appreciate creative writing， this is so much easier （and quicker） to read。 I'd rather not report on the plot， itself， as it was more enjoyable to find out as I went。 Thank you， NetGalley！ 。。。more
Donnajo
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I voluntarily read an advanced reader’s copy of this book for a honest opinion。Without A Trace by Danielle Steel。 This book wasn't my favorite but still well written。 Might have been the mood I was in or just not liking the characters。 I voluntarily read an advanced reader’s copy of this book for a honest opinion。Without A Trace by Danielle Steel。 This book wasn't my favorite but still well written。 Might have been the mood I was in or just not liking the characters。 。。。more
Tina
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This is a Mystery/Women's Fiction。 This is a very fast moving book， and I really enjoyed the storyline in this book。 The characters were great。 There was a lot going on in this book， but I really felt it was done so well。 I really loved the ending of this book。 I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher （Delacorte Press） 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。 This is a Mystery/Women's Fiction。 This is a very fast moving book， and I really enjoyed the storyline in this book。 The characters were great。 There was a lot going on in this book， but I really felt it was done so well。 I really loved the ending of this book。 I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher （Delacorte Press） 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。 。。。more
Laura Rash Wonderchick
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Snoooooooooooze。 I hate to say this but I didn’t love this one。 The story was simplistic。 At some points implausible。 It was short and lacked depth。 Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for review
Sandy Barrera
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“Courage was always the right answer。 And love， the reward。” If you were trapped in a bad marriage and a bad job and had a chance to escape it， would you？ Charles hates his life。 An accident occurs and he has the chance to let everyone assume he was killed。 He meets a woman， falls in love and has a chance to start over with her。 This is such a great story about two people who take risks to get the second chance at the life they’ve always wanted。 This book is very different from what this author “Courage was always the right answer。 And love， the reward。” If you were trapped in a bad marriage and a bad job and had a chance to escape it， would you？ Charles hates his life。 An accident occurs and he has the chance to let everyone assume he was killed。 He meets a woman， falls in love and has a chance to start over with her。 This is such a great story about two people who take risks to get the second chance at the life they’ve always wanted。 This book is very different from what this author usually writes and I couldn’t put it down。 Thanks to @NetGalley for this very enjoyable ARC！ 。。。more
Wendy W。
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Three and a Half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭒Without a Trace by Danielle Steel is a fast-moving romantic suspense set in France， about a man who decides to change his life after a near-fatal accident。 Story Recap: Charles Vincent appears to have everything he’s always wanted in life， his two children are grown and off doing their own thing， and while his marriage isn’t perfect， he’s worked hard to keep it together。 His job pays well， which helps his wife maintain the lifestyle she desires， but his job isn’t what Three and a Half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭒Without a Trace by Danielle Steel is a fast-moving romantic suspense set in France， about a man who decides to change his life after a near-fatal accident。 Story Recap: Charles Vincent appears to have everything he’s always wanted in life， his two children are grown and off doing their own thing， and while his marriage isn’t perfect， he’s worked hard to keep it together。 His job pays well， which helps his wife maintain the lifestyle she desires， but his job isn’t what he’s always wanted to do。 But， overall he’s content with his life， but he hasn’t felt true happiness in a long time。 On a trip from his office in Paris， to his château in Normandy， his car swerves off a cliff， and Charles and his car plunge into the ocean， far below the road。 Charles manages to get out of the car and swim to safety and even manages to climb up the cliff and back onto the road， where he walks， in the dark， until he finds a remote cabin。 There he meets the beautiful， Aude Saint-Martin， who takes him in and helps tends to his injuries。 But， when Charles discovers that the police think he’s dead， he thinks about just staying with Aude and living a simpler life。 My Thoughts: I’ve always wondered about people who can just walk away from life， and in Without a Trace， we get to see a man walk away from a lavish lifestyle， his wife， and two grown children。 The setting is gorgeous， part of the book is set in Paris， some of it is set in Charles’s lavish château in Normandy， and part of it is set in Aud’s small cabin， also in Normandy。 All of these places are well described and made for a bit of escapism。 The characters were not very likable for the most part。 Although I could sympathize with Charles in wanting to leave his old life， I didn’t like that he actually let his family believe he was dead。 Also， the romantic relationship between Charles and Aud was very rushed and not all that believable to me。 Aud wasn’t very well developed and although she had a rough past， I didn’t understand her rush into a new relationship。 Recommendation: I recommend Without a Trace to anyone who enjoys romantic suspense。 I received a complimentary copy of this book。 The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own。 。。。more
Denice
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Without a Trace by Danielle Steel Another excellent and thought provoking novel by Danielle Steel。This is the story about Charles Vincent。 Charles had everything in life that anyone would want。 He had a great job， beautiful wife， two adult children with lives of there own and money。 With his wife there was never enough。 On a trip out of Paris to one of his wife's many parties。 Charles went over a cliff and almost died。 Then there's a lady Aude who helped Charles who helps Charles。 Their live wou Without a Trace by Danielle Steel Another excellent and thought provoking novel by Danielle Steel。This is the story about Charles Vincent。 Charles had everything in life that anyone would want。 He had a great job， beautiful wife， two adult children with lives of there own and money。 With his wife there was never enough。 On a trip out of Paris to one of his wife's many parties。 Charles went over a cliff and almost died。 Then there's a lady Aude who helped Charles who helps Charles。 Their live would never be the same！My thoughts - This is great story about looking at your life with your eyes wide open。 The characters were so real and well written。 The story pulled me in and kept my interest。 It was a all around get bookI will be recommending this book to others through Amazon， Bookdud， Goodreads， Wal-Mart and Barnes and Noble。This book is a 5 out of 5I received this complimentary from the publisher for a honest review。 All thoughts and opinions are mine and mine alone。 。。。more
Julia Richardson
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Charles and Isabelle have had a long marriage。 The marriage is good for Isabelle because she gets to spend all the money Charles makes。 When an accident offers an opportunity， Charles decides to take a break from his life and meets Aude。 That’s when things get crazy！ Only after a kidnapping， shootout， and fight for money will Charles be able to resume his new life。 This was a wild story！
Kathleen Gray
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I've always been a Danielle Steel fan so it pains me to write that this was a hard pass from me。 Charles， a wealthy man with a， to put it mildly， contentious marriage， drives off a cliff and survives。 That he is able to walk to Aude's home in the dark is impressive， that they fell Into insta-love and bed almost immediately strains credulity and makes you wonder about their judgement。 Oh and she's hiding from an abusive spouse newly released from prison for murder。 Sigh。 Charle's wife is depicted I've always been a Danielle Steel fan so it pains me to write that this was a hard pass from me。 Charles， a wealthy man with a， to put it mildly， contentious marriage， drives off a cliff and survives。 That he is able to walk to Aude's home in the dark is impressive， that they fell Into insta-love and bed almost immediately strains credulity and makes you wonder about their judgement。 Oh and she's hiding from an abusive spouse newly released from prison for murder。 Sigh。 Charle's wife is depicted as the worst sort of harridan and Aude as an angel。 What about the children？ Is it fair that they think their father is dead （he doesn't seem to think about them at all）。 I honestly didn't like any of these characters， which surprised me。 Thanks to netgalley for the ARC。 I didn't like this one but I'm still looking forward to her next。 。。。more
Carol
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Excellent Danelle Steel book。 Charlie was married to isabelle who was very materialistic。 Nothing was ever enough。 They were very well off but she always wanted more。 When he fell asleep driving home and almost was killed， he thought he would just walk away from that life。 He hated his job， he was not in love anymore and the only thing he would miss would be his kids。 He walked until he found a cabin where Aude took him in and they fell in love。 She knew he had to go back to his old life to fini Excellent Danelle Steel book。 Charlie was married to isabelle who was very materialistic。 Nothing was ever enough。 They were very well off but she always wanted more。 When he fell asleep driving home and almost was killed， he thought he would just walk away from that life。 He hated his job， he was not in love anymore and the only thing he would miss would be his kids。 He walked until he found a cabin where Aude took him in and they fell in love。 She knew he had to go back to his old life to finish it， but he kept putting it off。 This was a story about a deeply unhappy man who took an escape route that he had to work his way through。 There was drama with Aude's ec-husband and Isabelle wanted more and more， but everyone was finally happy。 A very good storyI got this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review 。。。more
Nancy
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Thank you NetGalley， Danielle Steel and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC of Without a Trace。 This is my personal review。I am a Danielle Steel fan and have read all her books。 Without a Trace is for me not one pf her better books。 I was disappointed in it so much。 All the characters were boring。 The story line was dull， and it was for me not a good way to spend my reading time。 I read the book to the end just so I could have closure with what happens to the characters。
Reference
google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=Without A Trace
hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=Without A Trace&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft
The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,Without A Trace&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0