In this audiobook a school drama club is in the midst of staging ONCE UPON A MATTRESS. In short order, a shared crush tangles up the bond between aspiring thespian Kate and her equally stagestruck BFF, Anderson. As if this sudden romantic rivalry isn't confusing enough, Kate also realizes that her goofy jock classmate, Noah, might not be the "f-boy" she has assumed he is. Narrator Bebe Wood channels the spirit of theater-geek adolescence in her skillful performance. Deftly modulating her tone and speed, she draws listeners into the full range of Kate's emotions: enthusiastic chutzpah, cringey naïveté, Instagram-generation cynicism, and soft, sweet sincerity. Listeners-- especially author Albertalli's many fans--will want to give this audiobook a rousing ovation.
(Fiction. 12-18)Pub Date: April 20, 2021
Duration: 9 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063058200
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Small’s performance will keep listeners invested.
Narrator Izzy Meikle Small infuses this teen tennis romance with tension and heart. Billie has the potential to win junior doubles at Wimbledon, but she needs a new partner. Her last hope is her coach’s nephew, Harley, whom she has always despised. But as Harley and Billie spend more time together, they soon become more than teammates. Small’s bright, expressive, British-accented voice emphasizes Billie’s vulnerabilities, determination, and desires as she pursues her goals and gives in to her feelings for Harley. However, her tone lacks the same variation when delivering Harley’s dialogue.
Small’s performance will keep listeners invested. (Romance. 14-18)Pub Date: June 2, 2026
Duration: 6 hrs, 17 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063516861
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: June 16, 2026
Lee captures the slow-burn romance as well as the heroes' fears of and fights against censorship.
Michelle H. Lee has narrated several of Hur’s books, and here she proves her talents once again. Her narration easily moves between the dual perspectives of novel-loving commoner Haewon and writer Lord Yu Seojun in 1792 Korea, during the Joseon Dynasty, a time when fiction has been banned. Lee clearly identifies the many secondary characters while she portrays the oil-and-water meeting of the protagonists. Seojun dismisses Haewon because of her lower class, while Haewon detests his arrogance. Listeners may realize sooner than the protagonists do that they have already revealed their true hearts while exchanging secret letters. Haewon is “Magpie,” a committed fan of “Black Lotus,” Seojun’s alter ego.
Lee captures the slow-burn romance as well as the heroes' fears of and fights against censorship. (Historical romance. 14-adult)Pub Date: May 26, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217345687
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: June 2, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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