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Nine Lives
A woman who longs to avoid risk at all cost learns that men who love danger are the most exciting in this moving novel from New York Times bestselling author Danielle Steel.
After a carefree childhood, Mary Margaret Kelly came of age in the shadow of grief. Her father, a dashing daredevil Air Force pilot, died when she was nine. Maggie saw her mother struggle to put their lives back together. As the family moved from one city to the next, her mother warned her to beware of daredevil men and avoid risk at all cost.
Following her mother's advice, and forgoing the magic of first love with a high school boyfriend who was too wild to feel safe, Maggie instead sought out all the things her mother had lost--a predictable partner, a stable home, and a regular paycheck. She chose to marry a dependable, kind man who was a reliable husband and successful accountant. Together they had a son and found happiness in a conventional suburban life. Until tragedy struck again.
Now on her own, feeling a sense of adventure for the first time, Maggie decides to face her fears, setting off on a whirlwind trip from San Francisco to Rome, Paris, and Monaco. But when her travels reconnect her with the very same irresistible, thrill-seeking man she's spent thirty years trying to forget, Maggie becomes terrified that rushing into love and sharing his life may very well end in disaster. But ultimately, while Maggie tries to outrun her fears and painful memories of her past, fate will surprise her in the most astounding of ways, as she walks the tightrope between danger and courage, and between wisdom and love.
After a carefree childhood, Mary Margaret Kelly came of age in the shadow of grief. Her father, a dashing daredevil Air Force pilot, died when she was nine. Maggie saw her mother struggle to put their lives back together. As the family moved from one city to the next, her mother warned her to beware of daredevil men and avoid risk at all cost.
Following her mother's advice, and forgoing the magic of first love with a high school boyfriend who was too wild to feel safe, Maggie instead sought out all the things her mother had lost--a predictable partner, a stable home, and a regular paycheck. She chose to marry a dependable, kind man who was a reliable husband and successful accountant. Together they had a son and found happiness in a conventional suburban life. Until tragedy struck again.
Now on her own, feeling a sense of adventure for the first time, Maggie decides to face her fears, setting off on a whirlwind trip from San Francisco to Rome, Paris, and Monaco. But when her travels reconnect her with the very same irresistible, thrill-seeking man she's spent thirty years trying to forget, Maggie becomes terrified that rushing into love and sharing his life may very well end in disaster. But ultimately, while Maggie tries to outrun her fears and painful memories of her past, fate will surprise her in the most astounding of ways, as she walks the tightrope between danger and courage, and between wisdom and love.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 6, 2021
About the author
Danielle Steel
829 books15.1k followersDanielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world's bestselling authors, with almost a billion copies of her novels sold. Her many international bestsellers include All That Glitters, Royal, Daddy's Girls, The Wedding Dress, The Numbers Game, Moral Compass, Spy, and other highly acclaimed novels. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina's life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; Expect a Miracle, a book of her favorite quotations for inspiration and comfort; Pure Joy, about the dogs she and her family have loved; and the children's books Pretty Minnie in Paris and Pretty Minnie in Hollywood.
Facebook.com/DanielleSteelOfficial
Instagram: @officialdaniellesteel
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Instagram: @officialdaniellesteel
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 621 reviews
December 27, 2021
This is a Women's Fiction. This book is a fast ride, and I loved every minute of it. This a fast pace well written book with very developed characters. This book takes the saying "Mamma does not want her baby Girl to marry a bad boy" to another level. This book is a wild ride. I saw the only little twists in this book before it was reveal. Danielle Steel's has away making great characters and storylines. I love that she makes you feel you are right there with the characters. This will be a great summer read. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Random House Publishing Group -Ballantin Delacorte Press) or author (Danielle Steel) via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
January 16, 2023
“Today was a day, just like any other,” (Something Corporate). One of my fave high school bands that reach the level of nostalgia unlike any other. Nostalgia, that’s a good word to describe the meaning of Danielle Steels, Nine Lives.
A story just like any other, boy meets girl. Girl falls head over heals. Boy is not up to par with mommy and daddy standards. Boy is a bad boy. Boy rides away into the sunset, leaving girl behind. Hopeless, alone, lost and confused. Will they ever meet again, who knows.
Fast forward, to when life becomes reality, and the Peter Pan syndrome dies. We all grow up and bad boys are not the stability to play safe in this world of threats and danger. When you live the life that “Maggie” did, stability is the answer.
However my friends, “are you alive, or are you just living.” Death finds us in every dark corner, untouched insecurity, and every over protective thought. You can never be to careful. Scene, 30 years forward, bad boy is back. “To live, would be an awfully big adventure,” and living is exactly what Maggie got to do. However, is living worth the risk to the one you love, who “lives” life by straddling the line between wrong and right. Gambling life, love, and happiness to its fullest and breaking point.
Everyone has a line. Every extremist knows this line. You, and only you alone choose this line, and those who follow risk their own destiny. Those who enter your line are just as dangerous as you are. Love is a risk, but was it worth taking for Maggie?
Does taking this risk, empty your nine lives for good, or cash in on the eternal flame?
I challenge you to look at life as a line. There is only forward. The road behind you disappears as you move along. There is no looking back. You only look forward towards the fire. The fire of that desire, the fire within that you live for. You either face it, or succumb and burn alive. Because there is no going back. There is no road backwards.
The only choice is forwards, but the destination of that road is on you! Choose wisely my friends. Nine live is a myth, or is it?
I’ll leave you with a quote from the book that stood out to me:
“So I guess you never know how it’s going to turn out, even if you’re with the safest guy on the planet. And some men, like Paul, got away with taking all the risks. So far anyway.”
A story just like any other, boy meets girl. Girl falls head over heals. Boy is not up to par with mommy and daddy standards. Boy is a bad boy. Boy rides away into the sunset, leaving girl behind. Hopeless, alone, lost and confused. Will they ever meet again, who knows.
Fast forward, to when life becomes reality, and the Peter Pan syndrome dies. We all grow up and bad boys are not the stability to play safe in this world of threats and danger. When you live the life that “Maggie” did, stability is the answer.
However my friends, “are you alive, or are you just living.” Death finds us in every dark corner, untouched insecurity, and every over protective thought. You can never be to careful. Scene, 30 years forward, bad boy is back. “To live, would be an awfully big adventure,” and living is exactly what Maggie got to do. However, is living worth the risk to the one you love, who “lives” life by straddling the line between wrong and right. Gambling life, love, and happiness to its fullest and breaking point.
Everyone has a line. Every extremist knows this line. You, and only you alone choose this line, and those who follow risk their own destiny. Those who enter your line are just as dangerous as you are. Love is a risk, but was it worth taking for Maggie?
Does taking this risk, empty your nine lives for good, or cash in on the eternal flame?
I challenge you to look at life as a line. There is only forward. The road behind you disappears as you move along. There is no looking back. You only look forward towards the fire. The fire of that desire, the fire within that you live for. You either face it, or succumb and burn alive. Because there is no going back. There is no road backwards.
The only choice is forwards, but the destination of that road is on you! Choose wisely my friends. Nine live is a myth, or is it?
I’ll leave you with a quote from the book that stood out to me:
“So I guess you never know how it’s going to turn out, even if you’re with the safest guy on the planet. And some men, like Paul, got away with taking all the risks. So far anyway.”
July 7, 2021
Nine Lives is another romantic women’s fiction title by Danielle Steel who has been publishing books for as long as I can remember. This is another in her typical fast paced style that spans decades in the protagonist’s lifetime.
Mary Margaret Kelly was the daughter of an Air Force pilot who lost her father early in life to a tragic accident. Maggie then watched her mother go through the pain of losing the love of her life and that stuck with Maggie. As a teen Maggie had dated a boy who loved danger and adrenaline very much like Maggie’s father so she did the responsible thing and ended the relationship not wanting to end up like her mother.
Maggie went on with her life and met a man who was responsible and safe and they had a good life together building their own family. Maggie’s safe world was shattered however when she and her husband were in an airplane crash leaving Maggie widowed far too early. With her husband’s careful planning during their marriage Maggie finds herself with a small fortune and on the advice of a friend begins to travel on her own only to cross paths with that daring boy, now a man, she had loved in high school.
Danielle Steel definitely has a style of writing that may not be for everyone as it always feels she speeds through parts of her novels giving it an info dump feel in places. I keep coming back to her books though as sometimes I fall in love with the stories but this time that didn’t quite happen. I could not really shake the thought of the protagonist in this one being so set on her ideas of danger being wrong just being to the extreme. I liked the characters and story well enough but I wasn’t sold on rooting for the relationship working either due to Maggie’s beliefs so this one ended up just so-so for me.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Mary Margaret Kelly was the daughter of an Air Force pilot who lost her father early in life to a tragic accident. Maggie then watched her mother go through the pain of losing the love of her life and that stuck with Maggie. As a teen Maggie had dated a boy who loved danger and adrenaline very much like Maggie’s father so she did the responsible thing and ended the relationship not wanting to end up like her mother.
Maggie went on with her life and met a man who was responsible and safe and they had a good life together building their own family. Maggie’s safe world was shattered however when she and her husband were in an airplane crash leaving Maggie widowed far too early. With her husband’s careful planning during their marriage Maggie finds herself with a small fortune and on the advice of a friend begins to travel on her own only to cross paths with that daring boy, now a man, she had loved in high school.
Danielle Steel definitely has a style of writing that may not be for everyone as it always feels she speeds through parts of her novels giving it an info dump feel in places. I keep coming back to her books though as sometimes I fall in love with the stories but this time that didn’t quite happen. I could not really shake the thought of the protagonist in this one being so set on her ideas of danger being wrong just being to the extreme. I liked the characters and story well enough but I wasn’t sold on rooting for the relationship working either due to Maggie’s beliefs so this one ended up just so-so for me.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
July 18, 2021
Let me preface by saying that I know I'm in the minority -- but after years of reading and seeing firsthand just how much writing has changed (especially in this genre), I prefer the updated and fresh new expanded attitudes shown in the works of this generation.
I haven’t read a book by Danielle Steel in years, but the book blurb made this story sound intriguing and the number of five-star reviews tainted my better judgment. I hadn’t even read the first chapter and the reasons I said bye-bye to Ms. Steel’s books long ago came flying back in my face. The most exciting thing about this book is the pretty red racecar on the cover.
I’m a detailed-oriented reader. I love the scenes that come alive and characters who make me feel each change in their emotions. I want to understand the cause and effect of their situations. I didn’t find that here.
This book was dry and lackluster at best. Ms. Steel spouted out facts in what felt like an info dump (some over and over repetitively – get my drift). The dialogue was drab and unenticing, and the writing was blah and dull with no personality. Like the storyline, these characters had great potential to be so much more, but they remained wooden and stiff as well. They never became real to me — just robotic and lifeless.
I never felt any real connection between the characters -- except maybe between a mother and her son. And I certainly didn’t find any language peppered with humor or wit – nope, just dry and ordinary. Focused basically on wealth and materialistic holdings along with the outrageously outlandish lifestyle filled with snobbery and pettiness. The money talked more than the characters. I expect more from a seasoned author.
I’m sorry but this book flatlined early on and nothing was able to resuscitate it. An abrupt ending without an Epilogue certainly didn’t help either. It’s a wrap with no happily-ever-after for this reader.
I haven’t read a book by Danielle Steel in years, but the book blurb made this story sound intriguing and the number of five-star reviews tainted my better judgment. I hadn’t even read the first chapter and the reasons I said bye-bye to Ms. Steel’s books long ago came flying back in my face. The most exciting thing about this book is the pretty red racecar on the cover.
I’m a detailed-oriented reader. I love the scenes that come alive and characters who make me feel each change in their emotions. I want to understand the cause and effect of their situations. I didn’t find that here.
This book was dry and lackluster at best. Ms. Steel spouted out facts in what felt like an info dump (some over and over repetitively – get my drift). The dialogue was drab and unenticing, and the writing was blah and dull with no personality. Like the storyline, these characters had great potential to be so much more, but they remained wooden and stiff as well. They never became real to me — just robotic and lifeless.
I never felt any real connection between the characters -- except maybe between a mother and her son. And I certainly didn’t find any language peppered with humor or wit – nope, just dry and ordinary. Focused basically on wealth and materialistic holdings along with the outrageously outlandish lifestyle filled with snobbery and pettiness. The money talked more than the characters. I expect more from a seasoned author.
I’m sorry but this book flatlined early on and nothing was able to resuscitate it. An abrupt ending without an Epilogue certainly didn’t help either. It’s a wrap with no happily-ever-after for this reader.
January 6, 2022
My first 5 star of 2022! 10 of 10 Stars
May 20, 2021
3.4 Stars
This is my 44th Danielle Steel novel. I have been a big Danielle Steel fan for many years: could not wait until her next novel to be released. My first was novel was The Promise back in 1977. However, now I am not as excited about the annual reads as I was “back in the day”. It seems the stories were so similar, or perhaps my reading taste had changed. Psychological thrillers are now my typical “Go to” novels. .
I still have a soft spot for Ms. Steel's stories as there have been some gems!
Not positive this story is my next ‘gem’ but thought I would give it a try!
The men in Mary Margaret Maggie Kelly’s family have been risk takers ~ embracing ‘Nine lives’.
Her paternal grandfather was a Navy pilot In WWII and her father Kevin was an Air Force test pilot.
Nothing scared her father ~ he was brave and he told her to be brave. However, she lost her father when she was nine in a plane crash.
Emma her mother remarried five years later to Harry a catering manager. Maggie’s mother told her that she didn’t need a hero but needed a man who wasn’t risking his life when he went to work.
However, when her brother Tommy dies in a plane crash, her mother is so grief stricken and she dies from a broken heart.
Maggie chooses a ‘safe’ life by marring an accountant. True a nice safe no risk life. However, on vacation she and her husband are in a plane accident that crashes in water. She nearly died but survives, however, Harry drowns! Now Maggie is a widow with a teenage son.
Okay enough of giving away the story ~ Oh! One more thing about Maggie ~ While she is traveling in Europe, she comes across her high school sweetheart Paul now a renowned race car driver ~ WHAT?
Want to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine for this early release granted to me for an honest professional review. Publishing Release Date scheduled for July 6, 2021
This is my 44th Danielle Steel novel. I have been a big Danielle Steel fan for many years: could not wait until her next novel to be released. My first was novel was The Promise back in 1977. However, now I am not as excited about the annual reads as I was “back in the day”. It seems the stories were so similar, or perhaps my reading taste had changed. Psychological thrillers are now my typical “Go to” novels. .
I still have a soft spot for Ms. Steel's stories as there have been some gems!
Not positive this story is my next ‘gem’ but thought I would give it a try!
The men in Mary Margaret Maggie Kelly’s family have been risk takers ~ embracing ‘Nine lives’.
Her paternal grandfather was a Navy pilot In WWII and her father Kevin was an Air Force test pilot.
Nothing scared her father ~ he was brave and he told her to be brave. However, she lost her father when she was nine in a plane crash.
Emma her mother remarried five years later to Harry a catering manager. Maggie’s mother told her that she didn’t need a hero but needed a man who wasn’t risking his life when he went to work.
However, when her brother Tommy dies in a plane crash, her mother is so grief stricken and she dies from a broken heart.
Maggie chooses a ‘safe’ life by marring an accountant. True a nice safe no risk life. However, on vacation she and her husband are in a plane accident that crashes in water. She nearly died but survives, however, Harry drowns! Now Maggie is a widow with a teenage son.
Okay enough of giving away the story ~ Oh! One more thing about Maggie ~ While she is traveling in Europe, she comes across her high school sweetheart Paul now a renowned race car driver ~ WHAT?
Want to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine for this early release granted to me for an honest professional review. Publishing Release Date scheduled for July 6, 2021
January 27, 2022
Great romance!
April 25, 2021
Nine Lives is my 38th book by Danielle Steel. It was a quick read and I really enjoyed it. Danielle Steel knows how to entertain us from the very first page to the last. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review. To be published July 2021.
July 18, 2021
If you're like me, and have read everything by Danielle Steel, you may want to read this book. If not, don't bother! In the past I've noticed the author often repeats what she feels are key points -- this book was terrible on repeats. In addition, very predictable and the underlying theme is blah. 3 out of 10.
November 12, 2023
Exiting @ 8% on page 24. Just having trouble getting into it. Language is somewhat stilted and kind of uninteresting. Bored. Moving on.
May 9, 2021
Thank you NetGalley, Danielle Steel and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC of Nine Lives. This is my personal review.
I adore Danielle Steel and all her books. Nine Lives is another one to add to my collection!
Maggie was a woman who had to endure loss in her life, and she saw the effects it had on her Mother. Having a father and brother taken from them way too soon was heartbreaking for them both. Maggie was told thru her whole life not to fall for a man who lives on the edge of life doing dangerous things. Maggie fell for a boy in her teens who was always doing things to put himself in danger. She knew she had to break away from him and did just that. She married a man who was living a safe life, but she had no control of what happens in her life to change that.
Maggie runs into her daredevil first love thirty years after last seeing him. Has he changed – will her life change after connecting with him again?
I enjoyed this book as much as her others I have read. Thank you, Danielle Steel, for another fantastic book.
I adore Danielle Steel and all her books. Nine Lives is another one to add to my collection!
Maggie was a woman who had to endure loss in her life, and she saw the effects it had on her Mother. Having a father and brother taken from them way too soon was heartbreaking for them both. Maggie was told thru her whole life not to fall for a man who lives on the edge of life doing dangerous things. Maggie fell for a boy in her teens who was always doing things to put himself in danger. She knew she had to break away from him and did just that. She married a man who was living a safe life, but she had no control of what happens in her life to change that.
Maggie runs into her daredevil first love thirty years after last seeing him. Has he changed – will her life change after connecting with him again?
I enjoyed this book as much as her others I have read. Thank you, Danielle Steel, for another fantastic book.
July 22, 2021
Another totally predictable book from Danielle Steel. Her requisite constant repeating of certain things was evident in this book, just like all her others. 🙄 I’m not even sure why I keep reading her, habit I guess. At this point, I was pulling for Paul to die in the race just to keep it from being so darned predictable.
July 17, 2021
Another story in the lives of the rich and famous...no heart, no emotional depth to it.
The opportunity was there but the author chose to skim the surface instead of exploring
the depths.
The opportunity was there but the author chose to skim the surface instead of exploring
the depths.
July 3, 2021
Nine Lives by Danielle Steel shows us how loss affects a woman’s life and those of her loved ones. Maggie Kelly lost her father and her brother to airplane crashes. While she fell for an adrenaline junkie in high school, she opts to marry a safe accountant. Unfortunately, tragedy strikes again with Maggie suffering another loss. When she encounters her old high school crush thirty years later, Maggie must decide if she can be with someone who lives on the wild side (adrenaline junkie). Will Maggie live a safe life without love- or live-in constant fear that another person she cares about will die? It contains Danielle Steel’s trademark writing (which means a quick, easy read). I did feel that some details were repeated a little too often (I got it the first time) and some of the pacing is off (things happens quickly with a lack of emotion), and a predictable storyline. I have been reading Danielle Steel’s books since I was twelve (I have read all but one of her books). Some of her books I just love, and others are just so-so. Nine Lives is an okay book. I wish Maggie had been a stronger protagonist. She came across as weak and lacking depth. Maggie’s son, Aden was my favorite character. He was mature for his age, a caring man who had depth. I believe he has a bright future. Nine Lives is a light, summertime read.
November 4, 2021
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
‘She was sure he must have had fifty lives, or a hundred. Nine seemed far too few for the way he lived. He needed a thousand.’
A stunning fireworks explosion and a fast-moving car features on the cover of Nine Lives, a 2021 Pan Macmillan publication from worldwide bestselling author Danielle Steel. The path is set in this tale from the popular romance author. With memories, risk, choices, second chances, decisions, fresh beginnings and forgotten love all ruling the direction of Nine Lives, this is another light read for devoted fans of the American author.
Consumed by grief following the loss of her father as a young girl, Maggie Kelly has tried hard to move on with her life and support her mother. But things have been hard on both mother and daughter. Maggie knows that her mother wants her to stay away from any risky forms of behaviour or dangerous relationships. Maggie keeps to her word and she ends up in a marriage to a good man who does not indulge in any form of bad behaviour. Maggie’s marriage is strong and dependable, but when misfortune strikes, Maggie is left bereft. Maggie must carry on, alone and devastated. With this tragedy comes a changed outlook on life. Maggie sees life as an adventure and she chooses to embrace all that life throws at her. Maggie decides to pack her bags and indulge in a spot of international travel. In a twist of fate, Maggie is reunited with a lover from her past. Despite some initial concerns about this relationship, Maggie decides to throw caution into the wind. A journey of courage, acceptance, understating, risk, connection and romance awaits Maggie in Nine Lives.
I’ve managed to call on a few Danielle Steel novels this past year when I am in need of a swift and escapist style read. Nine Lives is a typical Danielle Steel composition, featuring a strong female lead, international location bases, internal conflicts, tragedy, life setbacks and a second chance style romance. A quick and undemanding read, Nine Lives can easily be consumed in a single sitting.
Maggie Kelly is Danielle Steel’s leading heroine in Nine Lives. Despite the information overload mode of storytelling adopted by Steel, it was interesting to follow Maggie’s life story. Steel presents some common life themes and issues for her lead to contend with. Matters of the heart, expectation, caution, advice and second thoughts rule the emotions of the heroine of Nine Lives. After plenty of setbacks, tragic moments and reflection, Maggie tries to reclaim her life. It was a nice feeling to see this character overcome her setbacks and follow her heart.
Steel takes a look at the formula one racing industry in this novel and the high-flying lives of those who take part in this high-risk profession. I can’t say that this aspect of the novel appealed to me at all. Yet again, Steel provides a glimpse into the world of the wealthy and those who live in exotic places. Romance is also on the cards for the characters of Nine Lives, which Steel approaches with her usual fast paced style relationship progression. I wasn’t sold on the romance element of this book, but loyal fans will no doubt enjoy this love story. Overall, Nine Lives was just an ok read.
*Thanks extended to Pan Macmillan for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
‘She was sure he must have had fifty lives, or a hundred. Nine seemed far too few for the way he lived. He needed a thousand.’
A stunning fireworks explosion and a fast-moving car features on the cover of Nine Lives, a 2021 Pan Macmillan publication from worldwide bestselling author Danielle Steel. The path is set in this tale from the popular romance author. With memories, risk, choices, second chances, decisions, fresh beginnings and forgotten love all ruling the direction of Nine Lives, this is another light read for devoted fans of the American author.
Consumed by grief following the loss of her father as a young girl, Maggie Kelly has tried hard to move on with her life and support her mother. But things have been hard on both mother and daughter. Maggie knows that her mother wants her to stay away from any risky forms of behaviour or dangerous relationships. Maggie keeps to her word and she ends up in a marriage to a good man who does not indulge in any form of bad behaviour. Maggie’s marriage is strong and dependable, but when misfortune strikes, Maggie is left bereft. Maggie must carry on, alone and devastated. With this tragedy comes a changed outlook on life. Maggie sees life as an adventure and she chooses to embrace all that life throws at her. Maggie decides to pack her bags and indulge in a spot of international travel. In a twist of fate, Maggie is reunited with a lover from her past. Despite some initial concerns about this relationship, Maggie decides to throw caution into the wind. A journey of courage, acceptance, understating, risk, connection and romance awaits Maggie in Nine Lives.
I’ve managed to call on a few Danielle Steel novels this past year when I am in need of a swift and escapist style read. Nine Lives is a typical Danielle Steel composition, featuring a strong female lead, international location bases, internal conflicts, tragedy, life setbacks and a second chance style romance. A quick and undemanding read, Nine Lives can easily be consumed in a single sitting.
Maggie Kelly is Danielle Steel’s leading heroine in Nine Lives. Despite the information overload mode of storytelling adopted by Steel, it was interesting to follow Maggie’s life story. Steel presents some common life themes and issues for her lead to contend with. Matters of the heart, expectation, caution, advice and second thoughts rule the emotions of the heroine of Nine Lives. After plenty of setbacks, tragic moments and reflection, Maggie tries to reclaim her life. It was a nice feeling to see this character overcome her setbacks and follow her heart.
Steel takes a look at the formula one racing industry in this novel and the high-flying lives of those who take part in this high-risk profession. I can’t say that this aspect of the novel appealed to me at all. Yet again, Steel provides a glimpse into the world of the wealthy and those who live in exotic places. Romance is also on the cards for the characters of Nine Lives, which Steel approaches with her usual fast paced style relationship progression. I wasn’t sold on the romance element of this book, but loyal fans will no doubt enjoy this love story. Overall, Nine Lives was just an ok read.
*Thanks extended to Pan Macmillan for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
February 19, 2021
Thank you Net Galley for an ARC of Nine Lives by Danielle Steel. For me, Danielle Steel is like coming home. I love the way she tells a story. Nine Lives was no different. I loved it!
July 26, 2021
A journey of love lost, second chances and fresh starts by the one of world’s most popular writers.
Maggie lost her risk taking father when she was nine.
Her mother never recovered from the grief and as a child, Maggie and her brother were moved from city to city, warning Maggie that men who takes dangerous chances are not worth getting involved with.
As an adult, Maggie settles for the quiet life with a man who is conventional, has a son and lives a happy suburban existence until tragedy devastates.
Not knowing what to do with her life now, Maggie embarks on a holiday to many different cities abroad where a blast from her past appears.
Can Maggie learn to love again, find courage and to heal from her difficult memories from the past ?
Nine Lives is reasonable entertaining and one I enjoyed better than some of the ones I’ve read of recent times.
The usual quick read, fast paced story that covers decades very quickly with the expected strong lead female character and her ups and downs world.
Aside from the minute plot flaw and the unrealistic couple of moments, this story is not too bad and can be easily devoured in one sitting.
In true Steel tradition there’s the exotic locations, people with expensive means, romance and the self discovery drive, quest and adventure.
For true Danielle Steel fans wanting an escape from dreary everyday life.
Maggie lost her risk taking father when she was nine.
Her mother never recovered from the grief and as a child, Maggie and her brother were moved from city to city, warning Maggie that men who takes dangerous chances are not worth getting involved with.
As an adult, Maggie settles for the quiet life with a man who is conventional, has a son and lives a happy suburban existence until tragedy devastates.
Not knowing what to do with her life now, Maggie embarks on a holiday to many different cities abroad where a blast from her past appears.
Can Maggie learn to love again, find courage and to heal from her difficult memories from the past ?
Nine Lives is reasonable entertaining and one I enjoyed better than some of the ones I’ve read of recent times.
The usual quick read, fast paced story that covers decades very quickly with the expected strong lead female character and her ups and downs world.
Aside from the minute plot flaw and the unrealistic couple of moments, this story is not too bad and can be easily devoured in one sitting.
In true Steel tradition there’s the exotic locations, people with expensive means, romance and the self discovery drive, quest and adventure.
For true Danielle Steel fans wanting an escape from dreary everyday life.
June 24, 2021
Oh my this was a good one! I always say that a new DS book is like comfort food and this one met up to that description. Coming through major heartbreaks and disasters and still living a happily ever after. What a treat to read this early copy from the publisher via netgalley
July 6, 2021
What I typically like about Danielle Steel’s books is that they are usually quick, fast paced books with strong women at the center of it all, and usually have a contemporary issue that they deal with. This falls into that same format, however, it kinda of missed the mark in some ways. It kind of felt like a YA book in the way it was written-very simplistic and choppy.
Maggie lost her father and brother, who were both risk takers, in tragic accidents and it destroyed her mother, which Maggie watched firsthand and vowed she would never have that kind of pain in her life-she would make sure to keep her life safe and practical, which she did, including marrying an accountant and living in the suburbs. She was happy with her life as she prepared to send her son off to college. Then she tragically lost her husband & is left very wealthy and has to start a new life on her own, so she decides to travel some and meets up with her first love, who is a wealthy race car driver who lives to take risks. She has to decide if she wants to take a risk of her own and start a relationship with him or play it safe and lose her second chance at her first love.
I wish Maggie was a stronger character. The only strong one was her son, Aden. The rich playboy boyfriend kind of seemed more juvenile than her college aged son in some instances. Overall, this was a quick read-I read it in a single sitting and though it wasn’t my favorite book of hers, I enjoyed it.
Thanks to Random House and Netgalley for this Arc in exchange for my review.
Maggie lost her father and brother, who were both risk takers, in tragic accidents and it destroyed her mother, which Maggie watched firsthand and vowed she would never have that kind of pain in her life-she would make sure to keep her life safe and practical, which she did, including marrying an accountant and living in the suburbs. She was happy with her life as she prepared to send her son off to college. Then she tragically lost her husband & is left very wealthy and has to start a new life on her own, so she decides to travel some and meets up with her first love, who is a wealthy race car driver who lives to take risks. She has to decide if she wants to take a risk of her own and start a relationship with him or play it safe and lose her second chance at her first love.
I wish Maggie was a stronger character. The only strong one was her son, Aden. The rich playboy boyfriend kind of seemed more juvenile than her college aged son in some instances. Overall, this was a quick read-I read it in a single sitting and though it wasn’t my favorite book of hers, I enjoyed it.
Thanks to Random House and Netgalley for this Arc in exchange for my review.
July 30, 2022
Predictably Sweet Love Story
This is a story of love, loss, finding love again and being willing to risk everything the second time. The characters were realistic, although I did think that Paul Gilmore, the daredevil, was a bit over the top with his taunts to death as well as his wealth and especially his flaunting his victory over the IRS. Maggie was colorless at times, fading away as she put Paul in the center of her life and only taking charge of it at the end. I enjoyed the book, especially all of the drama. It was like a soap opera with wealthy people that I could never really know or relate to in real life. I enjoyed the escape though. I checked out a copy of this book from my local library using the Libby App. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.
This is a story of love, loss, finding love again and being willing to risk everything the second time. The characters were realistic, although I did think that Paul Gilmore, the daredevil, was a bit over the top with his taunts to death as well as his wealth and especially his flaunting his victory over the IRS. Maggie was colorless at times, fading away as she put Paul in the center of her life and only taking charge of it at the end. I enjoyed the book, especially all of the drama. It was like a soap opera with wealthy people that I could never really know or relate to in real life. I enjoyed the escape though. I checked out a copy of this book from my local library using the Libby App. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.
March 8, 2022
I listened to the audiobook with my mom, since she no longer reads books anymore. She used to be a prolific reader, and Danielle Steele was an author she read a lot, so I figured this would be a way to get her back to "reading" while I was visiting her in hospice. But this book didn't do anything for me. The book is about a woman who tries too hard to play it safe, but ends up widowed anyway, then ends up a millionaire and also finds her ex-boyfriend is a famous millionaire racecar driver. (Not sure if that includes spoilers, but I will check it just in case.) I guess I was just disappointed because it was so predictable but also unrelatable? But the audiobook was read by a man, and the MC is female, so that may have been part of the issue...it probably would have been better as a book?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2021
This is a story about a woman who had a boyfriend at 17 who was a daredevil. Her mother told her not to get involved with him because she would always fear for his life. So Maggie married an accountant had a son and lived a very safe life until a plane crash 20 years later. She decides to live her life to the fullest. Maggie decides to travel and while she is on vacation she runs into her first love. He is a billionaire and races cars living. Maggie still is not certain that his life is for her but the book has a happy ending at all Danielle Steel’s books have.
February 21, 2024
Definitely not a “Notebook”
I would have expected a little more from Danielle Steel, but it was an easy read.
I would have expected a little more from Danielle Steel, but it was an easy read.
August 25, 2021
Vroom!
"Nine Lives" was a good distraction for an up-and-down summer. And the ending was thrilling, too!
"Nine Lives" was a good distraction for an up-and-down summer. And the ending was thrilling, too!
May 18, 2022
Not usually my kind of book, but Danielle Steele was Mom’s favorite author and this was the last book she was reading when she passed away. Today I finished the book for her.
February 26, 2023
It wasn't my kind of book. It seemed like it took too long to get to where we were going. I skipped parts and felt like I didn't miss anything.
August 11, 2023
I felt like I had to read at least one Danielle Steel novel. Formulaic, predictable. Wooden dialogue. Not for me.
April 18, 2023
Not really my cup of tea…
The story had a complete lack of dialogue so it felt like the reader was just hearing about the characters instead of being involved with them.
The beginning drew me in, but then it felt like the same message was repeated over, and over, and over again. It was predictable and I was over it about halfway through.
Not much to say about this one :(
The story had a complete lack of dialogue so it felt like the reader was just hearing about the characters instead of being involved with them.
The beginning drew me in, but then it felt like the same message was repeated over, and over, and over again. It was predictable and I was over it about halfway through.
Not much to say about this one :(
February 13, 2021
Maggie Kelly's life is filled with contradictions. While the men in her family embrace risking their 'Nine Lives' that carefree attitude leaves Maggie retreating. When her carefully-constructed world shatters, Maggie realizes that her glass tower didn't guarantee protection.
A beloved friend forces Maggie to reexamine her life and that newfound freedom unlocks traveling and trying on new experiences. Just when she's opening herself up to the future, Maggie must decide whether to risk her heart or forgo happiness?
Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early edition of #NineLives in exchange for an honest review. As a Danielle Steel fan, I eagerly awaited her new novel. Cozying up on the couch with my comforter in hand, I toasted the start of a new adventure.
The pandemic halted my international plans and through books, I'm able to armchair travel. As Maggie discovered London, Paris and Rome, I revisited some of my favorite cities. Experiencing places where I lived and loved brought back special memories heighted by experiencing them through Maggie's eyes.
One of my favorite passages from the novel is Maggie experiencing Paris for the first time:
“The sight of the Champs-Élysées stretching toward the grandeur of the Arc de Triomphe with a huge French flag fluttering under the arch, the wide tree-lined street, and the splendor the Place del Concorde with its fountains and sculptures. She had seen countless movies filmed there but nothing brought it home like being there. She could see the beautiful bridges, Napoleon’s tomb in the Invalides with its gold dome on the other side, on the Left Bank. After crossing the gilded Alexander III Bridge back to the Right Bank, they entered the Place Vendome with its Napoleonic battle monument in the center, elegant jewelry shops all around the square…Paris had an entirely different flavor from Rome, which was a venerable ancient city filled with beautiful old monuments and young people…there was a spirit of romance there, which was contagious. Paris was sheer beauty at its most dazzling. Everywhere Maggie looked there was something beautiful to see.”
A beloved friend forces Maggie to reexamine her life and that newfound freedom unlocks traveling and trying on new experiences. Just when she's opening herself up to the future, Maggie must decide whether to risk her heart or forgo happiness?
Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early edition of #NineLives in exchange for an honest review. As a Danielle Steel fan, I eagerly awaited her new novel. Cozying up on the couch with my comforter in hand, I toasted the start of a new adventure.
The pandemic halted my international plans and through books, I'm able to armchair travel. As Maggie discovered London, Paris and Rome, I revisited some of my favorite cities. Experiencing places where I lived and loved brought back special memories heighted by experiencing them through Maggie's eyes.
One of my favorite passages from the novel is Maggie experiencing Paris for the first time:
“The sight of the Champs-Élysées stretching toward the grandeur of the Arc de Triomphe with a huge French flag fluttering under the arch, the wide tree-lined street, and the splendor the Place del Concorde with its fountains and sculptures. She had seen countless movies filmed there but nothing brought it home like being there. She could see the beautiful bridges, Napoleon’s tomb in the Invalides with its gold dome on the other side, on the Left Bank. After crossing the gilded Alexander III Bridge back to the Right Bank, they entered the Place Vendome with its Napoleonic battle monument in the center, elegant jewelry shops all around the square…Paris had an entirely different flavor from Rome, which was a venerable ancient city filled with beautiful old monuments and young people…there was a spirit of romance there, which was contagious. Paris was sheer beauty at its most dazzling. Everywhere Maggie looked there was something beautiful to see.”
March 6, 2021
Maggie has had a difficult life. After tragically losing both her parents and her brother at a fairly young age. She is left seeking a more normal life with less grief. She finally finds herself in a stable marriage with a stable man when again fate takes that away from her and she is left to raise a teenage son alone.
Maggie decides to take a trip across Europe to find herself and just by chance runs into an old friend, Paul. Paul is now a world famous race car driver. The story evolves as Paul joins Maggie in her travels and the two rekindle their friendship. Will Maggie fall for the guy with “nine lives”?
I have read several Danielle Steel books and this one has a few twists which kept it interesting.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine/Delacorte Press for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Maggie decides to take a trip across Europe to find herself and just by chance runs into an old friend, Paul. Paul is now a world famous race car driver. The story evolves as Paul joins Maggie in her travels and the two rekindle their friendship. Will Maggie fall for the guy with “nine lives”?
I have read several Danielle Steel books and this one has a few twists which kept it interesting.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine/Delacorte Press for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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