A book by Sarah Dessen never misses, and Taylor Meskimen’s narration is sure to be a hit. Sydney is a good kid, but she’s always lived in the shadow of her older brother, Peyton. Now that he’s serving a jail sentence for drunk driving, Sydney begins to develop her own identity. Meskimen delivers Sydney’s words with just the right emotion and expression, and characterizes her friends, Mac and Layla, well. Sydney’s parents and the concept of family are an important part of this story, and Meskimen portrays them realistically, giving Sydney’s mother both an assertive voice as she takes on a new project and a more resigned one when her relationship with Peyton falters. Sydney’s father is portrayed in a more distant tone. With its engaging story and narrator, this audiobook will keep listeners wanting to hear more.
(Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: May 5, 2015
Duration: 12 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781101915431
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Small’s performance will keep listeners invested.
Narrator Izzy Meikle Small infuses this teen tennis romance with tension and heart. Billie has the potential to win junior doubles at Wimbledon, but she needs a new partner. Her last hope is her coach’s nephew, Harley, whom she has always despised. But as Harley and Billie spend more time together, they soon become more than teammates. Small’s bright, expressive, British-accented voice emphasizes Billie’s vulnerabilities, determination, and desires as she pursues her goals and gives in to her feelings for Harley. However, her tone lacks the same variation when delivering Harley’s dialogue.
Small’s performance will keep listeners invested. (Romance. 14-18)Pub Date: June 2, 2026
Duration: 6 hrs, 17 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063516861
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: June 16, 2026
Lee captures the slow-burn romance as well as the heroes' fears of and fights against censorship.
Michelle H. Lee has narrated several of Hur’s books, and here she proves her talents once again. Her narration easily moves between the dual perspectives of novel-loving commoner Haewon and writer Lord Yu Seojun in 1792 Korea, during the Joseon Dynasty, a time when fiction has been banned. Lee clearly identifies the many secondary characters while she portrays the oil-and-water meeting of the protagonists. Seojun dismisses Haewon because of her lower class, while Haewon detests his arrogance. Listeners may realize sooner than the protagonists do that they have already revealed their true hearts while exchanging secret letters. Haewon is “Magpie,” a committed fan of “Black Lotus,” Seojun’s alter ego.
Lee captures the slow-burn romance as well as the heroes' fears of and fights against censorship. (Historical romance. 14-adult)Pub Date: May 26, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217345687
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: June 2, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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