Thank You for Listening
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Synopsis
From the author of My Oxford Year, Julia Whelan’s uplifting novel tells the story of a former actress turned successful audiobook narrator—who has lost sight of her dreams after a tragic accident—and her journey of self-discovery, love, and acceptance when she agrees to narrate one last romance novel.
For Sewanee Chester, being an audiobook narrator is a long way from her old dreams, but the days of being a star on film sets are long behind her. She’s found success and satisfaction from the inside of a sound booth and it allows her to care for her beloved, ailing grandmother. When she arrives in Las Vegas last-minute for a book convention, Sewanee unexpectedly spends a whirlwind night with a charming stranger.
On her return home, Sewanee discovers one of the world’s most beloved romance novelists wanted her to perform her last book—with Brock McNight, the industry’s hottest, most secretive voice. Sewanee doesn’t buy what romance novels are selling—not after her own dreams were tragically cut short—and she stopped narrating them years ago. But her admiration of the late author, and the opportunity to get her grandmother more help, makes her decision for her.
As Sewanee begins work on the book, resurrecting her old romance pseudonym, she and Brock forge a real connection, hidden behind the comfort of anonymity. Soon, she is dreaming again, but secrets are revealed, and the realities of life come crashing down around her once more.
If she can learn to risk everything for desires she has long buried, she will discover a world of intimacy and acceptance she never believed would be hers.
Synopsis source: Goodreads
Review
Genre(s): Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Books About Books
HB&W Rating: 5
View on Goodreads
Buy on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository
When a friend and I went to hear Taylor Jenkins Reid speak during her book tour for Carrie Soto, she raved about this book by the woman who has narrated many of her books. I immediately added it to my TBR on Goodreads, then promptly forgot about it until it popped up in my daily Chirp deals email earlier this week. It was a no-brainer. I love Julia Whelan’s narrations and was eager to listen to her narrate her own book.
Psst! If you haven’t tried Chirp, it’s an audiobook app without the subscription! Try it and get 50% off your first purchase with my link here!
What a great listen! This book is deliciously clever and funny. I absolutely loved the banter between characters! It’s the kind of book you will gleefully volunteer to fold more laundry for just so you can pop your earbuds in and keep listening. WARNING: Family members may become irritated with you when you constantly have your earbuds in and make them repeat themselves multiple times to get your attention. WARNING: You may become irritated with family members for interrupting you while listening to this book.
It pokes fun at its genre and at audiobooks, but for all that, it’s a perfect example of both done right. It is definitely best experienced by listening to the audiobook since it is narrated by the Audie award-winning author herself, who herself got her start in narrating audio romance books, just like our MC.
This book had me laughing out loud, even rolling with laughter at times, but it still pulled on my heart strings and had a surprising amount of depth to it as well.
I swear to Pete, this book was just so good! Stop reading this review and go download it already!
Until next time,
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