by Alyssa Cole ; read by Karen Chilton ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 25, 2021
Karen Chilton narrates the story of an unconventional search for a princess with a happy and delightfully unexpected ending. Makeda Hicks wants nothing to do with princesses or fairy tales, despite family stories of her grandmother's youthful fling with a prince. So when Beznaria Chetchevaliere suddenly appears, saying she is the long-lost heir to a small kingdom, the meeting does not go well. While it could have been easy for Chilton to turn the women into parodies, she gives them fully fleshed-out personalities and personal agency. The time the two spend together on their journey to Ibarania is arguably more important than the outcome of the princess test. Chilton is at her best when Makeda and Beznaria are simply being together, learning to communicate and building a relationship.
Pub Date: May 25, 2021
Duration: 10 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780062934024
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
by K.M. Jackson ; read by Diana Luke ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A
A model and a mogul get married in Vegas on a bet, and Diana Luke narrates their story with élan. While it would be easy to portray Leila Darling as a scheming caricature or Carter Bain as a ruthless businessman, Luke never crosses that line. Her portrayal of Leila is generous and encompasses the full range of her character--from the formidable professional at the top of her game to the vulnerable woman who is unsure if she can trust a man with her heart. Likewise, Luke's portrayal of Carter showcases both his business acumen and his emotional vulnerability as he opens himself up to Leila. While loosely connected to the previous Unconventional Brides volumes, this can easily stand alone.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 9 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781501968471
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
by LaVyrle Spencer ; read by David Dukes ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A
After her divorce, Roberta Jewett, with her three daughters, returns to Camden, Maine, to start a new life. Such an independent move in 1916 brings difficulties with her mother, her in-laws and the townspeople. Dukes's performance, while skillful, sometimes suffer in scenes of emotional content. His pace slows, and his reading acquires the peculiar emphasis of someone trying to get instructions across to a non-English-speaking person. The effect is disturbingly laughable. When he resumes his normal pace, the story revives and personalities emerge again, but the awkwardness remains as an odd interruption to Spencer's drama of pain and love, dispelling Dukes's carefully constructed characterizations.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Dove
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Hey there, book lover.
We’re glad you found a book that interests you!
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Trouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Trouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Don’t fret. We’ll find you.