Close Your Eyes    by Amanda Eyre Ward Order:  USA  Can Ballantine, 2012 (2011) Hardcover, Softcover, CD, e-Book      Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth Lauren Mahdian is, to all purposes, an orphan. Her mother was murdered and her father has been in jail for twenty-four years for that murder. As an eight year-old, she woke one morning to find her lovely, privileged life gone. She and her brother survived but paid a penalty. A lifetime of uncertainty. Lauren's brother was sure their father was innocent. Lauren believed otherwise and refused to acknowledge him. Now a certain clue has surfaced that could bring about an answer to what might really have happened to their mother. Another woman has lived her life knowing that her father impregnated her mother and left them both. That would definitely have been tough to live with. Not being wanted. Close Your Eyes by Amanda Eyre Ward is a beautiful, delicately written tale of how life can take drastic turns. How we survive these turns is what really matters. This is a very thought-provoking novel. And one that will linger in your mind after the last page. I would call Close Your Eyes a must read. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Contemporary books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews