The title may conjure images of a romance novel, but don't let it fool you. This audiobook blends humor and humanity. Nanette Savard's Southern drawl moves between a Carolina barrier island's bohemian atmosphere and the social-climbing milieu of New York City. When the main character changes from stodgy, supercilious Miriam to carefree, warm Mellie, her life takes on unexpected changes. Savard cheerfully brings the characters to life, carrying on through insightful descriptions and folksy declarations. This audiobook is fun to hear and difficult to put down.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2007
Duration: 5 hrs
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Heartwarming and enjoyable.
Narrator Kathleen McInerney transports listeners to Ireland, where two sisters, Maeve and Therese Dunagin, are brought together by their mother’s death. The sisters have inherited a portrait that could be worth millions. In need of money, they travel to Ireland to discover the truth about the painting and learn about their roots. There, Maeve meets Liam, a local whiskey distiller. The sisters meet a crotchety old woman, performed in a gravelly voice by McInerney, who has connections to their family. McInerney gives Liam a charming Irish brogue, which is a lovely contrast to the women’s American accents. Maeve and Therese start out at odds with each other but grow closer over the course of their journey, and McInerney's performance reflects this.
Heartwarming and enjoyable.Pub Date: June 2, 2026
Duration: 14 hrs, 57 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250444721
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: May 26, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2026
Both narrators provide authenticity, quiet precision, and immediate connection.
Beautifully paired performances by Sarah Mollo-Christensen and Daniel York Loh bring out the two voices of a marriage in this story about fate and second chances. Mollo-Christensen conveys the resentment, regret, and resignation that shadow Dana Smiley, a 39-year-old ER nurse, wife, mother of three, and family breadwinner whose life unravels in a parking lot. When a stranger offers Dana a weeklong vacation from her current life via an alternate history, she accepts. Loh's soothing voice and English accent add charm and resonance to his portrayal of 43-year-old Nigel, who, laid off for almost a year, feels a widening rift with Dana and a growing sense of failure.
Both narrators provide authenticity, quiet precision, and immediate connection.Pub Date: June 1, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781511389334
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Review Posted Online: May 30, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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