Roberts combines a romance with discussions of economics, business, and regulation. Narrator Kirby Heyborne has his work cut out for him as he reads the verbal sparring between the two main characters, but he delivers. This audiobook conveys a great deal about economics in a fictionalized format, and sometimes the dialogue between protagonists Sam Gordon and Laura Silver sounds much like a college lecture. But as they're debating various questions such as the role of the government in the free market, the romantic tension between them builds, and Heyborne softens his voice to signal the change in direction. While this book is technically a work of fiction, it's more suited to those interested in business and economics, and Heyborne's reading reflects that focus. E.N. 2014 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2013
Duration: 7 hrs
Publisher: Audible, Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
The readers can't compensate for the unbearably pompous prose style of this extended parable about corporate politics and strategy.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Henslee’s warm, unhurried narration makes listeners feel like the next success story could be theirs.
Barbara Henslee narrates with an intimate, upbeat delivery and a sunny Southern warmth that feels like being personally recruited to the Mary Kay empire. Her voice suits the material perfectly, drawing listeners into a bygone era when women built empires through gatherings around kitchen tables and on front porches, long before they could open their own bank accounts. Henslee never oversells, just gently persuades, mirroring the company’s own quiet pitch to millions of women that economic independence and personal transformation were within reach. The balanced treatment of the realities of multilevel marketing, alongside the truly inspirational story of founder Mary Kay Ash, make this a compelling listen for anyone curious about the often mocked world of direct sales.
Henslee’s warm, unhurried narration makes listeners feel like the next success story could be theirs.Pub Date: April 28, 2026
Duration: 14 hrs, 24 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217281879
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: June 9, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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