Narrator Ruby Hunt's vibrant storytelling brings Ana María Luna Valdés into sharp focus as she sparkles in Victorian London society in 1863. Ana María and her sisters, Gabriela and Isabel, fled Mexico's war with Napoleon to be goodwill ambassadors in England. Hunt presents their bilingual escapades in British society with élan. But while her English and Irish accents are subtly delivered, they are not as proficient as her Spanish. The audio's strength is the fiery discussions Ana María has with her sisters and fellow outsider Gideon Fox on topics as various as feminism, the slave trade, and evolution. Gideon and Ana's romance seems inevitable as they have endless topics left to debate. Hunt imbues Ana María with an impassioned spirit that will have listeners' full attention.
Pub Date: April 4, 2023
Duration: 10 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593675854
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Both narrators capture the humor and heat, providing a diverting (smashing, splendid, enjoyable) listen.
This Regency romance features a wallflower nearing spinsterhood and a notorious rake. Harriet's love of words, especially synonyms and slang, and Alexander’s penchant for liaisons result in a chance encounter, an unlikely kidnapping, and an agreement for a marriage of convenience that both soon regret. Grace Blyth narrates much of the story, while Stewart Clarke performs the roles of male characters. The duo transports listeners to the couple’s world, and their skill at voicing a variety of characters will have listeners forgetting there are only two narrators. However, some sections told from Alexander’s point of view and narrated by Blyth would have been better served if Clarke had delivered them.
Both narrators capture the humor and heat, providing a diverting (smashing, splendid, enjoyable) listen.Pub Date: June 23, 2026
Duration: 12 hrs, 26 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217344673
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: yesterday
Listeners will fall in love with this witty and clever romance.
Mhairi Morrison gives a dazzling performance of this first entry in a new Regency romance series. With admirable ease and conviction, Morrison portrays the intelligent, forthright manner of Lady Ruby Ballimore, who prefers to spend her time studying rather than securing a suitable husband. After another social mistake, Lady Ruby hatches a plan to spend the summer with her two best friends posing as ladies-in-waiting at the unoccupied holiday home of Princess Serafina. To her astonishment, a band of smugglers posing as household staff, headed by the charming, strong-willed Captain Malcolm Archer, is already there. Morrison evokes the pair’s growing attraction, expressing their deep emotion amidst a series of schemes, plot twists, and stolen moments.
Listeners will fall in love with this witty and clever romance.Pub Date: June 23, 2026
Duration: 12 hrs, 13 mins
DD ISBN: 9798349163944
Publisher: Dreamscape
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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