Narrating from three points of view, with flashbacks to earlier times, Julia Whelan delivers the story of three generations of Hollander women: matriarch Vivian, daughter Leah, and granddaughter Sadie. Facing the financial demise of their family's New York winery, the trio find common ground through reading romance novels written decades ago, taking lessons from the heroines and regaining control of their lives. Whelan provides a high-quality narration. As with many of her other performances, she exquisitely portrays the large cast of characters. Seamlessly moving between each, she expertly captures their emotions and personalities--regardless of age, gender, or place of origin. Whelan's talents will have listeners feeling as if they are sitting on the veranda at Hollander Estates, enjoying a glass of the vineyard's Merlot.
Pub Date: June 22, 2021
Duration: 11 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780593408698
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A resonant listening experience rich with biting social commentary.
Narrator Katharine Chin elevates this contemporary coming-of-age story featuring four Asian American friends. Diana, Justin, Errol, and Vivian all attended great schools and earned good grades, but in the aftermath of graduating into the Great Recession of 2008, they find themselves unemployed and living at home. Grace, a former classmate, makes a YouTube video about the group and their failure to meet expectations called “Bad Asians.” The video goes viral, upending their lives in the early days of the internet. Chin brings each character distinctly to life through subtle tonal shifts. Her reflective tone conveys the story’s thought-provoking exploration of identity, cultural expectations, and the meaning of success.
A resonant listening experience rich with biting social commentary.Pub Date: Feb. 17, 2026
Duration: 10 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250433244
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Feb. 10, 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: Feb. 17, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781797194356
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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