An affirming, delightful romance.
Narrator Gail Shalan returns to the Clover Lake series without missing a beat. After closing her tattoo shop and renting out her house, April Evans faces a long summer spent co-teaching art classes with her ex-fiancée’s ex-girlfriend, Daphne Love. Shalan deftly contrasts the two women’s personalities—April’s inner turmoil manifests in Shalan’s changing pitch and tone, while she communicates Daphne’s openness and vulnerability in a soft southern drawl. Shalan also gives this relatable romance depth of community, from sultry, playful bartender Sasha to April’s AWOL best friend, Ramona. Shalan’s performance draws out the genuine connection between the women as they find unexpected common ground, and attraction emerges. Their journey feels authentic, especially when a life-changing opportunity sets them in direct competition.
An affirming, delightful romance.Pub Date: Feb. 3, 2026
Duration: 12 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798217282500
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: March 10, 2026
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
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.
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