Narrator Erin Bennett adds a bit of needed depth to the latest summer beach read from Elin Hilderbrand. When Nantucket novelist Vivian Howe is killed in a hit-and-run accident, she is allowed a few months to observe her family and village from "above." With a perky brightness, Bennett portrays the almost-perfect Vivi as she awaits the release of her newest novel--a book that will reveal old secrets. Bennett's characterizations of Vivian's children add interest: Her daughter fears another miscarriage, her second daughter fights a drug addiction, and her teenage son makes life decisions that don't include his clingy girlfriend. As the town police chief pursues the truth about who killed Vivi, Bennett's steady narration keeps the listener engaged in the whodunit.
Pub Date: 2021
Duration: 13 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781549117374
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Narrated by an ensemble cast, this audiobook explores the lives, successes, failures, and frailties of a half-dozen friends from the early 2000s to 2024. The novel's narrators are all talented and capture the millennial characters' struggles well. Jill Paice performs Mia, a writer who is the only single person in the group, with fine tempo and pacing while conveying her angsty tone. Santino Fontana is equally impressive as the brilliant Marco, and Christian Barillas nails the complex alcoholic Richie. The stories unfold during a series of parties, events, and celebrations (New Year's, wedding, birthday, Halloween, funeral) that reveal the characters' issues and relationships over their two decades since graduating from Penn. A meaningful look at millennial lifestyles and a worthwhile listen.
Pub Date: 2026
Duration: 11 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781797194356
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Deepa Samuel's narration brings steadiness and emotional clarity to this story of the longstanding friendship between Ruchi and Deepa, who are shaped by class, migration, and unspoken longing. Samuel softly portrays the girls' intimate friendship during their Indian school days. Samuel's voice gradually deepens as the narrative moves into adulthood and the pressures of marriage, motherhood, and resettlement in suburban Connecticut. Samuel's pacing allows the evolving tension between the women to surface naturally, especially as jealousy, obligation, and affection collide across decades. Subtle tonal adjustments distinguish private interior moments from scenes of family and community life. Samuel's attentive performance supports the novel's exploration of devotion, distance, consequence, and friendship.
Pub Date: 2026
Duration: 11 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781639737871
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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