When Harper, portrayed by Natalie Naudus, moves next door to Ollie, portrayed by Mary Helen Gallucci, her upended senior year might not totally suck, thanks to their Dungeons & Dragons sessions. Harper and Ollie haven't seen each other since they were 12, but Ollie is still afraid of acting on her romantic feelings for her childhood friend in her small Virginia town. Gallucci's higher pitched voice and nervousness sound appropriate for a closeted teenager and all her cringe moments. While Naudus's deeper voice and even tone portray the confident character of Harper, her performance comes across as more adult than teen. André Santana's masculine voice helps distinguish the fantasy storytelling of their D&D game.
(Romance. 14-18)Pub Date: 2025
Duration: 7 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9798228366213
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Desean Terry delivers a touching performance of this reimagining of "The Great Gatsby," in which the protagonists are gay Black prep school students. Aspiring journalist Nick Carrington leaves Oklahoma to begin school at Harlem's West Egg Academy. Out of his element, Nick keeps his gay identity a closely held secret, but love interest Jay Gatsby Jr.--the academy founder's son--openly embraces his own gay identity. As they write letters to each other, each more daring and affectionate than the last, they receive threats that their budding relationship will be exposed in the school newspaper. Terry clearly presents every piece of dialogue that warrants an emotional charge and adds subtle suspense to his straightforward tone when needed. Terry's narration is always on the money.
(Historical fiction. 13-18)Pub Date: 2026
Duration: 10 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063312517
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Mirai's narration gives emotional depth to 16-year-old Char Tang, who is provided an escape from her lack of prospects and her threatening stepfather by a last-minute invitation to a summer camp at MIT. Even though Char feels intellectually out of her depth compared to the other campers, she believes winning the camp's coding competition could mean a new start for her. She befriends Khoi Astor, the top student in the program, who helps her with her academic performance and slowly becomes more than the means to winning much needed money. Is it possible his confidence and upbeat attitude could be instructive? Mirai portrays an anxious teen with a lot at stake as she becomes increasingly determined to win a fierce competition. E.J.F © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine
(Romance. 13-18)Pub Date: 2025
Duration: 7 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668153840
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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