Preston Butler's and Shayna Small's youthful and engaging voices are perfectly cast to portray two misfit teens who serendipitously run into each other on every holiday. Butler's performance is high-pitched and excitable as Reggie, a passionate but insecure Dungeons & Dragons player who develops a fake confident persona to impress punk singer Delilah. Delilah, portrayed by Small, is starting to doubt if she belongs on the stage, but Reggie's confident act inspires her to keep going. Small's voice has an easy laid-back quality that matches the cool, aloof singer. The teens are often the only Black kids in their chosen spaces; Butler and Small dial up the emotion as the teens bond over this shared experience. Their delightful narration elevates this twist on a holiday romance.
(Romance. 13-18)Pub Date: Jan. 31, 2023
Duration: 10 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780063213029
Publisher: Harper 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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