Arya Shahi and Michael Crouch give emotional performances of this 130-year love story. Shahi voices Shams, whose life changes forever one day in 1895 when a wish he makes grants him immortality. Shahi captures all of Shams' passion, youthful stupidity, later remorse, and ongoing love of life. Crouch voices Oliver, whose life becomes inextricably linked with Shams' when they fall in love in 1920. Crouch depicts Oliver's quieter personality, often filling his voice with confusion, doubt, and anger. Both narrators bring to life these two very different characters and the worlds they move through, ranging from 1920s Boston to 1980s Brixton. An ambitious but satisfying tour-de-force journey through queer history and a celebration of all kinds of queer love.
(Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: Sept. 23, 2025
Duration: 12 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063339712
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Both narrators lean into the opposites-attract chemistry.
Stephanie Rose and Alex Knox perform this cute, cozy teen romance in dual narration. Rory’s passion in life is cheerleading, and her goal is to win the big competition, but her plans hit a roadblock when a member of her squad is injured. Jacob is a soccer star turned cheerleader, and he’s willing to join the squad and save the day. Too bad he’s the most annoying person Rory has ever met. Rose’s expressive, lively voice portrays Rory’s reluctance and drive as she strives to do what's best for the cheer squad, while Knox’s warm, inviting timbre conveys Jacob’s charm and confidence.
Both narrators lean into the opposites-attract chemistry. (Romance. 13-17)Pub Date: Aug. 4, 2026
Duration: 6 hrs, 10 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063513457
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Aug. 4, 2026
Matsui-Colby successfully delivers the second-person voice, which listeners discover is Margaret’s love letter to Mars.
Narrator Sara Matsui-Colby quickly makes it clear that anxious, introverted high school junior Margaret Vittorio is a passionate person. Matsui-Colby’s empathetic performance invites listeners into Margaret’s deepening relationship with cute, quirky, astronomy-loving Mars. From their immediate attraction to a tragic end, the plot is rich, as Margaret and Mars explore facets of life and love, support each other through family challenges—her controlling father and his possessive mother—and experience a true connection. Matsui-Colby is as skilled at developing the characters as their relationship. Her excellent pacing reflects the intensity of Mars’ sudden death and Margaret’s slow, painful journey through regret, questioning, and grief to self-forgiveness.
Matsui-Colby successfully delivers the second-person voice, which listeners discover is Margaret’s love letter to Mars. (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: June 9, 2026
Duration: 10 hrs, 55 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217295272
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Aug. 27, 2026
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