Natalie Naudus brings a sardonic tone as high school senior Chloe Green. Queer Chloe, who moved from California to Alabama with her moms, chafes against the repressive rules at Willowgrove Christian Academy even as she competes for valedictorian against her nemesis, "golden girl" Shara Wheeler. When Shara kisses Chloe and then disappears just a few weeks before graduation, Chloe becomes obsessed with unraveling the cryptic clues Shara leaves behind, and her friends and schoolwork take a backseat to solving the mystery. Some of Naudus's voices sound more like caricatures than real people, but she distinguishes the many characters and excels in scenes with groups of chatty teens. All of the pieces of this twisty audiobook come together in the last couple of hours, leading to an uplifting conclusion and an optimistic message about finding belonging.
(Romance. 14-18)Pub Date: May 3, 2022
Duration: 9 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250854186
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Castano captures the message of this teen paranormal romance: Never let life pass you by.
Sylvie Castellano goes on an unexpected adventure with a vintage gold watch and Penn, the ghost who comes along with it. Barbara Castano’s narration expresses 18-year-old Sylvie’s loneliness. She’s recovering from a concussion, and while her family members' lives continue without her without her, Sylvie wishes for a more fulfilled life; she wants to have fun as well as take on new responsibilities. Alongside Penn, Sylvie embarks on a series of summer activities, which Castano describes beautifully. But Castano's optimistic tones turn grave as the story unfolds.
Castano captures the message of this teen paranormal romance: Never let life pass you by. (Speculative romance. 14-18)Pub Date: March 3, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 16 mins
DD ISBN: 9781547619481
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: April 7, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2026
Together, Vilinsky and Chastain’s performances create a forbidden and magnetic chemistry.
Narrators Jesse Vilinsky and Zac Chastain give heartwarming performances in this teen small-town baseball romance. Eliza Crowley has always loved two things in life: baseball and light design for the theater. Wanting to be seen more as the town's rich girl, Eliza plans to spend her summer focusing on a community theater production—until Reed Fulton, a pitcher for a rival baseball team, returns to town. Vilinsky’s energetic tone and nuanced pacing embody Eliza’s strength and love for her family and for theater. Reed is also dedicated to his family, and to baseball, and Chastain’s rich, warm timbre reflects his devotion.
Together, Vilinsky and Chastain’s performances create a forbidden and magnetic chemistry.Pub Date: March 3, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs, 20 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217280810
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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