Narrators Raymond J. Lee and Joy Osmanski dazzle with their performances of two teens who sell competing K-beauty products at their high school. Osmanski portrays Valerie Kwon with a sharp tone, channeling her intelligence and laser focus to succeed. Her narration shines in her ability to capture Valerie's humanity and faults. Lee, on the other hand, gives Wes Jung a laid-back tone that reflects his less competitive, endearing nature. Lee's narration is especially compelling when he expresses Wes's desire for acceptance by his family. The alternating first-person narration moves the story along briskly. Scenes featuring both Valerie and Wes together are splendid as the tension mounts and sparks fly. Both narrators render convincing teenage emotions and cultural authenticity, adding richness and depth to this listening experience.
(Romance. 13-18)Pub Date: May 18, 2021
Duration: 9 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781797132365
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
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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