by Ryan Douglass ; read by Desean Terry ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 27, 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: Jan. 27, 2026
Duration: 10 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063312517
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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by Jeff Zentner & Brittany Cavallaro ; read by Jorjeana Marie & Michael Crouch ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 18, 2026
A road trip, a love story, and a coming-of-age, all wonderfully told and narrated.
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With carefully attuned narrations, Jorjeana Marie and Michael Crouch are in perfect sync as they perform alternating chapters of this novel in verse. Both express the emotions of the protagonists, 17-year-old Sylvie and 18-year-old Knox, who are each at a crossroads in their lives. Sylvie is recovering from a traumatic event before heading to college, and Knox is opting out of the nomadic lifestyle his mother chose for them when he was young. Fate sets Knox and Sylvie on a journey to find Knox’s grandmother in North Carolina. Together, Marie and Crouch convey the two characters’ immediate affinity for each other and their supportive friendship, which blossoms into love. Both narrators excel at snappy dialogue, and their pace embraces the gradual sharing of hidden hurts and evolving vulnerability.
A road trip, a love story, and a coming-of-age, all wonderfully told and narrated. (Verse romance. 14-18)Pub Date: Aug. 18, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 3 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063324619
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Sept. 3, 2026
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by Emma Harrison ; read by Stephanie Rose & Alex Knox ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 4, 2026
Both narrators lean into the opposites-attract chemistry.
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Stephanie Rose and Alex Knox perform this cute, cozy teen romance in dual narration. Rory’s passion in life is cheerleading, and her goal is to win the big competition, but her plans hit a roadblock when a member of her squad is injured. Jacob is a soccer star turned cheerleader, and he’s willing to join the squad and save the day. Too bad he’s the most annoying person Rory has ever met. Rose’s expressive, lively voice portrays Rory’s reluctance and drive as she strives to do what's best for the cheer squad, while Knox’s warm, inviting timbre conveys Jacob’s charm and confidence.
Both narrators lean into the opposites-attract chemistry. (Romance. 13-17)Pub Date: Aug. 4, 2026
Duration: 6 hrs, 10 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063513457
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Aug. 4, 2026
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