Stella, a nurse, and Simon, a bassist, are a couple. When they argue, narrator Julia Whelan gives them energized portrayals. These contrast with Whelan's measured pace and detached tone as she describes how Stella becomes unexpectedly ill and falls into a coma. Simon's downward spiral from confident rocker to scared boyfriend is also fully expressed in Whelan's performance. After being treated by a team of doctors, including her friend, Libby, for two months, Stella awakens. But she's changed: She has new preferences and an incredible ability to draw. Simon doesn't seem like the person he once was. Even Libby is different. Can Stella recharge her love for Simon as she explores new talents amid her search for happiness?
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2020
Duration: 9 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781662012990
Publisher: Dreamscape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Emotional, timely, and powerful, Picoult's latest is a must-listen.
A talented team of narrators brings this compelling story to life. Molly Fitzgerald, voiced by Rebecca Soler, lost her mom during the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. Twenty-five years later, she runs the Rhode Island Center for Emergency Preparedness and Response and is all too aware of life's many potential risks. Her husband, Jesse, is a police detective—and was also a character in Picoult's earlier novel, My Sister's Keeper (2004). When the unexpected happens, everyone in Molly's life is impacted and must navigate the fallout. The narrators’ pacing perfectly matches the unfolding storylines as the perspective shifts between Molly, Jesse, and Molly's mother, Eloise. All three narrators bring an authenticity to the characters that will keep listeners engaged and invested until the very end.
Emotional, timely, and powerful, Picoult's latest is a must-listen.Pub Date: Sept. 15, 2026
Duration: 15 hrs, 39 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217404483
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Oct. 5, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2026
A raw, wry take on family dynamics and the realities of aging.
Howrey’s latest follows three far-flung sisters who return home to help their ailing mother. Sloane is an actress turned therapist, Laurel is a mom trying not to buck against societal norms, and Nanette is training to be a nun. When their mother’s health worsens, the sisters converge to figure out next steps but can’t agree on much. Howrey effectively shows how siblings with large age gaps grow up differently, even within the same household. Although Howrey’s measured reading of each woman is thoughtful, she does little to differentiate the characters, which renders her performance one-note.
A raw, wry take on family dynamics and the realities of aging.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs, 20 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217406388
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Oct. 13, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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