High school freshman Janie Gorman wants what every teenager wants, to be normal and fit in with the high school crowd—an aim that was made impossible by her overly enthusiastic younger self when she convinced her parents to leave the city and move to a farm. Jessica Almasy reads Janie’s words and thoughts in a bubbly teen voice, full of hope and excitement for the beginning of her high school years. Almasy also captures the sarcasm that Janie reserves for her mother, whose blog about life on the farm may very well be ruining Janie’s social life. As the school year progresses, Janie begins to move out of her comfort zone, befriending a fellow cafeteria refugee named Verbena, whom Almasy portrays in a breathy, dreamy voice, and a bassist named “Monster,” who is characterized by a Southern drawl. As time passes, Janie’s new friends lead to her consider just how overrated “normal” might be.
Young AdultPub Date: July 1, 2011
Duration: 5 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781461804215
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Small’s performance will keep listeners invested.
Narrator Izzy Meikle Small infuses this teen tennis romance with tension and heart. Billie has the potential to win junior doubles at Wimbledon, but she needs a new partner. Her last hope is her coach’s nephew, Harley, whom she has always despised. But as Harley and Billie spend more time together, they soon become more than teammates. Small’s bright, expressive, British-accented voice emphasizes Billie’s vulnerabilities, determination, and desires as she pursues her goals and gives in to her feelings for Harley. However, her tone lacks the same variation when delivering Harley’s dialogue.
Small’s performance will keep listeners invested. (Romance. 14-18)Pub Date: June 2, 2026
Duration: 6 hrs, 17 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063516861
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: June 16, 2026
Lee captures the slow-burn romance as well as the heroes' fears of and fights against censorship.
Michelle H. Lee has narrated several of Hur’s books, and here she proves her talents once again. Her narration easily moves between the dual perspectives of novel-loving commoner Haewon and writer Lord Yu Seojun in 1792 Korea, during the Joseon Dynasty, a time when fiction has been banned. Lee clearly identifies the many secondary characters while she portrays the oil-and-water meeting of the protagonists. Seojun dismisses Haewon because of her lower class, while Haewon detests his arrogance. Listeners may realize sooner than the protagonists do that they have already revealed their true hearts while exchanging secret letters. Haewon is “Magpie,” a committed fan of “Black Lotus,” Seojun’s alter ego.
Lee captures the slow-burn romance as well as the heroes' fears of and fights against censorship. (Historical romance. 14-adult)Pub Date: May 26, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217345687
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: June 2, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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