In an audiobook that deals with self-harm and suicidal ideation, narrators sequentially recount the life and death of 16-year-old Jules. Leah Dubbin-Steckel portrays Jules before her death. Despite self-deprecating declarations about body image and poor parental boundaries, Dubbin-Steckel's tone seems buoyant and self-confident, revealing passions for cooking and her boyfriend more than sorrows. Rachel Noe delivers the part of Britt, Jules's mother. Her brusque, clever posts show more concern for herself than her daughter. Emma Love emotionally narrates the rest of the story, expressing the views of Natalie, Jules's best friend. Her point of view is marked by guilt, anger, and grief. Her performance helps listeners understand the individual characters' responsibilities and truths, one of which is that no one could have prevented Jules's suicide.
(Fiction. 13-18)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2023
Duration: 7 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Elements of art, neurodivergence, historical fiction, fantasy, love, loss, and grief blend into a compelling audiobook.
Narrator Kira Fixx contemplatively presents the thoughtful inner monologues of autistic, art-loving 18-year-old Nora. As she arrives in France with her mother’s ashes and a plan to carry them to a beloved location, Nora reflects on years of her mother’s counsel about how to respond to the world by masking her natural behaviors. When she escapes an attack and ends up going through a portal that transports her to 1946, she finally learns to express her authentic self. At Saint-Alban, an asylum, Nora finds acceptance and enlightening perspectives about how her mother’s fears have limited her life.
Elements of art, neurodivergence, historical fiction, fantasy, love, loss, and grief blend into a compelling audiobook. (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: May 5, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs, 27 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063471689
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: July 7, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2026
Mirai’s bright, youthful voice perfectly suits this coming-of-age story.
Narrator Mirai’s performance shows impressive nuance and range. After graduation, Finley feels secure with boyfriend Colin but resents spending a week apart while visiting her mother’s estranged family. Her distant, awkward relationship with Cat, her mom, emerges in halting arguments and uneasy pauses. At Aunt Liz’s diner, Finley meets new friends as her bond with Colin falters. She also meets cute and thoughtful Ben, a charmingly awkward guitarist. Learning why Cat left town—and why she’s back—pushes Finley toward resilience, self-discovery, and a deeper understanding of both found and biological family. Mirai shifts from soft, dreamy confidence in Finley’s happiest moments to raucous sobs when bad news lands, vividly tracing the teen’s emotional arc.
Mirai’s bright, youthful voice perfectly suits this coming-of-age story. (Fiction. 12-18)Pub Date: May 5, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668174463
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: May 26, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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