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 striking exploration of friendship between women and its power to heal a broken heart.
Remy is an author with a bestselling debut and no idea how to write her second novel; Simone is a primary school teacher with a less-than-kid-friendly side hustle. When Remy and Simone meet amid a series of personal crises, their unlikely friendship is exactly what they need to start their journeys back to happiness. Narrator Isabel Adomakoh Young conjures a pair of delightfully distinct voices for the women at the heart of this audiobook. Remy’s brash confidence masks deep insecurities about herself, while Simone’s quiet certainty covers her pain at her estrangement from her family. Young expertly peppers the background characters with authentic London and West African accents.
A striking exploration of friendship between women and its power to heal a broken heart.Pub Date: April 7, 2026
Duration: 12 hrs, 5 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250433800
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: April 21, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2026
With a pervasive tone of uneasiness, Chin steadily leads listeners through the years.
Katharine Chin voices Jane Kim, a Korean American law student whose dysfunctional family is forced to reconcile their lives witha traumatic event and its implications. Over the span of 30 years, Jane is belittled by her family andunfavorably compared to her brother, Kevin, who is given preferential treatment as the son. Chin captures the tension between Jane and her mother and brother during drawn-out arguments, which can sound painfully repetitive. The book’s heart is found in a sibling relationship that feels overwhelmingly fraught as cultural and familial pressures reach a boiling point.
With a pervasive tone of uneasiness, Chin steadily leads listeners through the years.Pub Date: March 31, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 59 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668653678
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: May 5, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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