Tara Sands deftly narrates this heartwarming debut novel. Poppy, a 32-year-old would-be writer, has been meeting secretly with her Aunt Margot, who is estranged from the rest of their family. When Margot dies, she bequeaths Poppy a vacation to the French Riviera. During a grueling dinner with her family, Poppy realizes the vacation is a real opportunity. Once in France, she discovers her aunt secretly owned and ran a writer's colony. The colony could be Poppy's--if she can finish writing a book in six months. Sands does an outstanding job of giving distinctive voices to all the characters, French and Italian accents notwithstanding. Sands also hits all the right notes of Poppy's emotions as she mobilizes her confidence in her writing and her life.
Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
Duration: 10 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781488229077
Publisher: Harlequin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Listeners will be rooting for Josie to overcome, clean up the corruption, and establish herself.
Josie returns to Vegas after the death of her father, who was a legend in the gambling industry. Miranda Raison’s performance is lively, showing us why Josie swore off the family business 30 years ago. Raison describes the competing web of interests Josie must navigate—from relatives to federal investigators to organized crime figures and rival casino operators. She does all this with brisk pacing and a self-assured tone that reflects Josie’s analytical mindset and determination. Raison guides listeners through the family disputes, business negotiations, and escalating threats. Her performance sharpens scenes of conflict and investigation, emphasizing the pressures surrounding the family casino and Josie's future.
Listeners will be rooting for Josie to overcome, clean up the corruption, and establish herself.Pub Date: June 30, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 46 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063435643
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: June 23, 2026
Murin's performance amplifies the novel’s blend of suspense, family dynamics, and dark humor.
Patti Murin brings listeners the hilarious caper that is Nadia Davis' double life. A devoted mother by day and a ruthless assassin by night, Nadia's next assignment is to kill her own husband, who, as it turns out, might be a supervillain. With lively timing and a strong sense of character, Murin captures Nadia’s sharp instincts and internal monologue with energetic pacing and precise inflection. She handles comedic moments with a light touch, maximizing the contrast between domestic frustrations and professional obligations. Murin's delivery conveys the mounting tension as revelations accumulate and loyalties become more and more complicated. Because of the pace she maintains, rapid-fire dialogue exchanges are easy to follow.
Murin's performance amplifies the novel’s blend of suspense, family dynamics, and dark humor.Pub Date: June 16, 2026
Duration: 10 hrs, 14 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217297993
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: June 30, 2026
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