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itsdanixx's review against another edition
2.0
I’m obviously in the minority here as it has so many glowing 5 star reviews, but I just wasn’t into this book. I thought it was kind of boring with no suspense or twists, unlikeable characters and it was a struggle to finish. Sorry Maggie James. But a lot of people clearly loved it so maybe it’s me 🤷🏻♀️
hisdarkmaterials's review against another edition
1.0
One of the worst books I've ever, ever read. Poor writing. Poorly fleshed out unsympathetic characters. Why were so many characters raped? Forgiveness seemed to be a running theme through this book but I just wasn't feeling it. One unbelievable plot line after the next. Beyond far fetched, just ludicrous.
secre's review against another edition
3.0
This is certainly a novel with promise, but it doesn’t quite deliver on it. It’s well written but relies heavily on a series of increasingly unbelievable co-incidences for the narrative thread to unspool. Because of the high reliance on coincidental meetings, you can more or less guess what happens next by what would move the story along easily meaning it is predicable. There was only one coincidence that wasn’t, and yet that was perhaps the most unbelievable one of all.
I also thought the author missed a trick with her points of view. Being told from the perspective of Laura Bateman, past and present and her son Daniel in the present, it seemed rather two dimensional. There was never any tension and until the last quarter of the book I had no understanding of the other family except through the skewed gaze of Laura. I think it would have worked better with Laura and Daniel in the present and either the original mother or the babysitter in the past... or not tell the past first person at all.
The sexual crudity put me off as well; I understand that Daniel uses sex as a coping mechanism but it’s pushed on you from so many angles it gets tiresome. Sometimes it’s because he wants a hard screw, other times because he’s actually getting attached to someone... but in the most irrelevant of places you suddenly get a sexual reference and it’s unnecessary. I’d got the point by the third or forth reference. I did not need the next three hundred.
And finally, the characters seemed a little too perfect, a little two dimensional in their make up. They all - with no exceptions - had tragic life stories, but they seemed to interact very coldly with the world. They didn’t have the harsh edges that real people have and therefore they never quite seemed well... real.
That said, I did enjoy the book, but it is certainly nothing to rave about.
I also thought the author missed a trick with her points of view. Being told from the perspective of Laura Bateman, past and present and her son Daniel in the present, it seemed rather two dimensional. There was never any tension and until the last quarter of the book I had no understanding of the other family except through the skewed gaze of Laura. I think it would have worked better with Laura and Daniel in the present and either the original mother or the babysitter in the past... or not tell the past first person at all.
The sexual crudity put me off as well; I understand that Daniel uses sex as a coping mechanism but it’s pushed on you from so many angles it gets tiresome. Sometimes it’s because he wants a hard screw, other times because he’s actually getting attached to someone... but in the most irrelevant of places you suddenly get a sexual reference and it’s unnecessary. I’d got the point by the third or forth reference. I did not need the next three hundred.
And finally, the characters seemed a little too perfect, a little two dimensional in their make up. They all - with no exceptions - had tragic life stories, but they seemed to interact very coldly with the world. They didn’t have the harsh edges that real people have and therefore they never quite seemed well... real.
That said, I did enjoy the book, but it is certainly nothing to rave about.
sarahs_bookish_life's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, what a thought provoking and emotional read.
His Kidnapper’s Shoes is told in alternating chapters by Daniel, who has just recently found out that Laura is not his mother, and Laura, whose chapters are in the past and leading up to and after kidnapping Daniel.
I think for anyone it would come as a shock to find out that you’re parents are not really you’re parents, but for poor Daniel he has to try and come to terms with the fact that he wasn’t taken away from his family for his sake but for the sake of the person that he came to call mum.
It’s really interesting to get to see both sides. As with most of us, I think we are quick to judge people without fully understanding what has gone on in that persons life to make them do what they have. It certainly gave me a better understanding to Laura and even though I know she was very wrong for what she did, I could certainly empathise with her.
Daniel is understandably affected the worst. He is very mixed up and is filled with anger, frustration as well as questions. He has so much to deal with and as his story got further on, my heart really went out to him.
His Kidnapper’s Shoes is a story that quickly draws you in. In parts, it makes for a truly uncomfortable read but those parts really need to be in there to get the full impact of the emotions that the characters are going through. At some points the characters emotions overwhelmed me as I was so wrapped up in their stories and I felt like I was personally involved in what was going on in their lives. A truly harrowing and at times, heart breaking read.
My thanks to the author for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
His Kidnapper’s Shoes is told in alternating chapters by Daniel, who has just recently found out that Laura is not his mother, and Laura, whose chapters are in the past and leading up to and after kidnapping Daniel.
I think for anyone it would come as a shock to find out that you’re parents are not really you’re parents, but for poor Daniel he has to try and come to terms with the fact that he wasn’t taken away from his family for his sake but for the sake of the person that he came to call mum.
It’s really interesting to get to see both sides. As with most of us, I think we are quick to judge people without fully understanding what has gone on in that persons life to make them do what they have. It certainly gave me a better understanding to Laura and even though I know she was very wrong for what she did, I could certainly empathise with her.
Daniel is understandably affected the worst. He is very mixed up and is filled with anger, frustration as well as questions. He has so much to deal with and as his story got further on, my heart really went out to him.
His Kidnapper’s Shoes is a story that quickly draws you in. In parts, it makes for a truly uncomfortable read but those parts really need to be in there to get the full impact of the emotions that the characters are going through. At some points the characters emotions overwhelmed me as I was so wrapped up in their stories and I felt like I was personally involved in what was going on in their lives. A truly harrowing and at times, heart breaking read.
My thanks to the author for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
readingwitheden's review against another edition
1.0
Ummmm, what? Where was the suspense? There was no mystery, no plot twist, nothing interesting. The book could have ended somewhere around the half way mark for me. The rest was a pointless waste of time. And I’m sick of the word redress. I don’t get the hype. Nope
labalkana's review against another edition
5.0
A tragic story of loss, revenge and forgiveness. The intriguing plot, all the secrets and the complex characters hooked me to the story and had me flying through the pages, trying to understand how and why. The twists I never saw coming, the taboo topics were perfectly woven in.
The switching POVs and bouncing from past to present made this story enfold slowly. There's so many details to pay attention to, so many questions popping up because we're thrown into the middle of this. And the story became so real, it made me shiver.
Laura would do anything for her son Daniel. Now all she wants is for him to forgive her.
Daniel is a mess. His world was turned upside down by the results and the outcome of the DNA test he took. He never really bonded with his mother, didn't at all get along with his stepfather and had these memories he couldn't place. But now he lost it all.
Lauras confession to her Gram, spiked with hurtful memories of her rough life, beginning with the years she had to take care of her drunk mother over getting pregnant and being dumped, foster care and the time her Gram was ill until the few days that changed her life forever.
The interesting insight on the human psyche, like how she never thought about what she has done being wrong and the tragic giving-up during foster care, that seemed to repeat her mother's tragic story, added to that.
And Daniel's current state of mind is a mess anyway. Not only from learning about his family but also from the loss of his girlfriend. And when he confides in the somewhat strange barkeeper Annie, I really shifted from "why doesn't he just talk to her?" to "how could he forgive her?!" and began to understand how hateful he was. And the sick way of getting revenge in his mind.
I loved how the special relationship between Laura and her Grandmother was transported through the way she talked to her.
Despite everything she has done I found myself rooting for her and was so satisfied with her revenge.
With all the main characters I got the feeling to really know them and was always somewhere between like and disgust. Besides the stepfather, there's no doubt about him. And the original father amazed me with trying to see Laura's reasoning.
Such a surprisingly good read. Definitely will be looking out for more from the author!
The switching POVs and bouncing from past to present made this story enfold slowly. There's so many details to pay attention to, so many questions popping up because we're thrown into the middle of this. And the story became so real, it made me shiver.
Laura would do anything for her son Daniel. Now all she wants is for him to forgive her.
Daniel is a mess. His world was turned upside down by the results and the outcome of the DNA test he took. He never really bonded with his mother, didn't at all get along with his stepfather and had these memories he couldn't place. But now he lost it all.
Lauras confession to her Gram, spiked with hurtful memories of her rough life, beginning with the years she had to take care of her drunk mother over getting pregnant and being dumped, foster care and the time her Gram was ill until the few days that changed her life forever.
The interesting insight on the human psyche, like how she never thought about what she has done being wrong and the tragic giving-up during foster care, that seemed to repeat her mother's tragic story, added to that.
And Daniel's current state of mind is a mess anyway. Not only from learning about his family but also from the loss of his girlfriend. And when he confides in the somewhat strange barkeeper Annie, I really shifted from "why doesn't he just talk to her?" to "how could he forgive her?!" and began to understand how hateful he was. And the sick way of getting revenge in his mind.
I loved how the special relationship between Laura and her Grandmother was transported through the way she talked to her.
Despite everything she has done I found myself rooting for her and was so satisfied with her revenge.
With all the main characters I got the feeling to really know them and was always somewhere between like and disgust. Besides the stepfather, there's no doubt about him. And the original father amazed me with trying to see Laura's reasoning.
Such a surprisingly good read. Definitely will be looking out for more from the author!
marjma2014's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first book I’ve read by Maggie James and I certainly enjoyed it.
It’s an emotional tale of Laura Bateman who is driven to steal someone else’s young child, the reasons why and the terrible impact on herself, Daniel (who’s now an adult,) and Daniel’s real family are all explored.
Can Daniel forgive the woman who kidnapped him? And what sad secrets is she keeping from him? And what terrible truth hasn’t he told her?
There are startling revelations, and emotional scenes with the story building up slowly but surely to its conclusion.
It’s a difficult one to comment on in detail without spoiling the story. But I didn’t quite buy into the girlfriend conundrum revelation at the beginning of the story. Some of the other details regarding Daniel’s life story and proclivities were more interesting to me.
This is for you if you enjoy psychological suspense with a strong emotional aspect, looking at both a female and male viewpoint (cleverly done,) as the story is written in dual point of view. The plot is simple, engaging and effective. The characters are damaged by the tragic circumstances of their lives and this is conveyed well. Laura Bateman’s certainty that her actions were justified creates an interesting and engaging aspect to the story.
Overall, an enjoyable read, which kept me turning the pages.
A recommended read – my rating 4 stars.
Thank you so much to the author for a copy. I freely give my unbiased and considered opinion.
It’s an emotional tale of Laura Bateman who is driven to steal someone else’s young child, the reasons why and the terrible impact on herself, Daniel (who’s now an adult,) and Daniel’s real family are all explored.
Can Daniel forgive the woman who kidnapped him? And what sad secrets is she keeping from him? And what terrible truth hasn’t he told her?
There are startling revelations, and emotional scenes with the story building up slowly but surely to its conclusion.
It’s a difficult one to comment on in detail without spoiling the story. But I didn’t quite buy into the girlfriend conundrum revelation at the beginning of the story. Some of the other details regarding Daniel’s life story and proclivities were more interesting to me.
This is for you if you enjoy psychological suspense with a strong emotional aspect, looking at both a female and male viewpoint (cleverly done,) as the story is written in dual point of view. The plot is simple, engaging and effective. The characters are damaged by the tragic circumstances of their lives and this is conveyed well. Laura Bateman’s certainty that her actions were justified creates an interesting and engaging aspect to the story.
Overall, an enjoyable read, which kept me turning the pages.
A recommended read – my rating 4 stars.
Thank you so much to the author for a copy. I freely give my unbiased and considered opinion.
sparklylikeaholiday's review against another edition
4.0
His Kidnapper’s Shoes is the first book I’ve read by Maggie James. This was a little gem of a book. It’s shortish, so it’s an easy read (or listen in my case!). But don’t let that fool you, there’s a lot of story packed into those 200-some-odd pages.
26-year-old Daniel has never truly bonded with his mother the way most kids have. Then, he and his stepfather just outright did not get along. (He refers to him as asshole many times throughout the book).
He has a lot of visions of two other kind women, which he sometimes thinks is in his head, sometimes thinks is reality. But when he asks his mother Laura merely says, “Honey, that’s just a dream.” But is it?
Laura herself has had a rough upbringing. She spent many years taking care of her vomit soaked drunk mother, fell pregnant at 18 by a boy who dumped her. She landed in foster care because her beautiful but ill Gram could not take care of her.
Upon surviving a traumatic event at her foster home, she finally moves in with her gran to take care of her. She and her baby Daniel are finally getting their lives back on track until two more tragedies strike.
My Review
Despite any wrong-doing Laura had done in her adult life, I was rooting for her. She had a sad experience in the world in her first 18-20 years. I would be shocked if she wasn’t a little messed up in the head.
Maggie James alternates Her Kidnapper’s Shoes between Laura’s history and Daniel’s present. In the audiobook, they are both distinguished by female and male voices respectively.
There are two big shocking twists, both of which I didn’t see coming. That always makes for good reading for me! If I gasp and cover my mouth because of something that blindsided me, that's almost always at least 3 or 4 stars right there.
I am looking forward to checking out Maggie James’ other novels. 4-stars for His Kidnapper’s Shoes.
26-year-old Daniel has never truly bonded with his mother the way most kids have. Then, he and his stepfather just outright did not get along. (He refers to him as asshole many times throughout the book).
He has a lot of visions of two other kind women, which he sometimes thinks is in his head, sometimes thinks is reality. But when he asks his mother Laura merely says, “Honey, that’s just a dream.” But is it?
Laura herself has had a rough upbringing. She spent many years taking care of her vomit soaked drunk mother, fell pregnant at 18 by a boy who dumped her. She landed in foster care because her beautiful but ill Gram could not take care of her.
Upon surviving a traumatic event at her foster home, she finally moves in with her gran to take care of her. She and her baby Daniel are finally getting their lives back on track until two more tragedies strike.
My Review
Despite any wrong-doing Laura had done in her adult life, I was rooting for her. She had a sad experience in the world in her first 18-20 years. I would be shocked if she wasn’t a little messed up in the head.
Maggie James alternates Her Kidnapper’s Shoes between Laura’s history and Daniel’s present. In the audiobook, they are both distinguished by female and male voices respectively.
There are two big shocking twists, both of which I didn’t see coming. That always makes for good reading for me! If I gasp and cover my mouth because of something that blindsided me, that's almost always at least 3 or 4 stars right there.
I am looking forward to checking out Maggie James’ other novels. 4-stars for His Kidnapper’s Shoes.
rfwads's review against another edition
1.0
I had such high hopes for this book and in the end was totally let down. It was a twisted story and while I liked how the author wrote about the mother’s past and the son’s present day after finding out he was kidnapped...I just couldn’t feel sympathy for either character.
Let’s start with Laura...I get it. She had a very, very rough childhood and early adulthood...BUT does that give her any good reason to kidnap a child?!? Negative. The Chick was clearly messed up in the head and needed a lot of help, but her being mentally ill and her past never really made me be like “oo I feel bad and can see why she thought Daniel would be better with her.”
Then there is Daniel....not only was being kidnapped a super traumatic experience and I can totally understand his hate/anger in it all. Especially when he finds out who his parents are and the life he could’ve had....but no life is perfect and I’m sure he would’ve had something to bitch about if he hadn’t been kidnapped or raped. And the whole aunt situation...yea, I feel that could’ve just been left out. Definitely unnecessary in my eyes. The only real sympathy I had for Daniel was the step father situation. That was beyond messed up! Daniel definitely played the victim card in my eyes, a good bit....to the point I lost a lot of sympathy for him and found him more annoying then anything!
Even as a free book on kindle unlimited, I don’t know if I would really recommend it to others! Better books on this topic out there!
Let’s start with Laura...I get it. She had a very, very rough childhood and early adulthood...BUT does that give her any good reason to kidnap a child?!? Negative. The Chick was clearly messed up in the head and needed a lot of help, but her being mentally ill and her past never really made me be like “oo I feel bad and can see why she thought Daniel would be better with her.”
Then there is Daniel....not only was being kidnapped a super traumatic experience and I can totally understand his hate/anger in it all. Especially when he finds out who his parents are and the life he could’ve had....but no life is perfect and I’m sure he would’ve had something to bitch about if he hadn’t been kidnapped or raped. And the whole aunt situation...yea, I feel that could’ve just been left out. Definitely unnecessary in my eyes. The only real sympathy I had for Daniel was the step father situation. That was beyond messed up! Daniel definitely played the victim card in my eyes, a good bit....to the point I lost a lot of sympathy for him and found him more annoying then anything!
Even as a free book on kindle unlimited, I don’t know if I would really recommend it to others! Better books on this topic out there!