This funny and sweet queer retelling of Jane Austen's EMMA, set in a wealthy Southern California high school, may remind listeners of the 1995 movie CLUELESS. Narrator Drew Caiden is pitch perfect as smart, handsome, popular Emmett. He prides himself on being nice and, as one of his acts of niceness, attempts to find a boyfriend for his former hookup. Caiden ably animates the friends and adults in Emmett's life, but his performance of Emmett is the heart of the audiobook. Emmett may be an elevated character, but Caiden makes him believable and sympathetic, even when he repeatedly misses his own opportunity for romance that's been right in front of him the whole time.
(Romance. 14-18)Pub Date: Nov. 7, 2023
Duration: 7 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668632499
Publisher: Hachette 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, 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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