I love listening to books when I go on walks and when I’m working around my house. All of the below books were excellent. I’m pretty particular about voices. There’s one popular male narrator out there who just gives me creepy uncle vibes. I really enjoyed these stories AND the narrators were terrific. No creepy uncle. :)

The Songbook of Benny Lament by Amy Harmon

Epic!!! This was brilliant!! The narrator, Rob Shapiro was spot on. The story takes place in NYC in the 1960s and Shapiro’s voice is exactly of that era. Benny Lament is a pianist and songwriter. His family is mafia. Benny’s dad takes him to see a young Esther Mine sing one night at a club. And from there, they grow to love each other against all odds. Their story is alternately told in real time and through a radio interview with Benny recounting their history, struggles and love story.  One of my favorite books so far this year. 

Grade A

The Crown of Gilded Bones by Jennifer L. Armentrout

I’m currently loving and blowing through this one, book three of the Blood and Ash series. I recently saw that there are six total, plus spin offs. I’m guessing my addiction will go on for YEARS now. Well played, Jennifer L. Armentrout, well played. The series is great. Go on TikTok and search #BookTok, you’ll see a massive amount of love for these books, and specifically for the H, Casteel. The narrator is Stina Nelson and her performance as EVERY character is flawless. She voices Casteel’s part and I actually get sexy chills. This series has it all; adventure, dark brooding hero, action, bloody battles, mysterious creatures, immortals, Gods and Goddesses, vampires and a steamy toe curling smexy couple. 

Grade A

Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco 

TikTok made me grab this one and I was not disappointed. Narrator, Marisa Calin brought  this YA fantasy book to life for me and I can’t wait for book two, which isn’t out until October! Ugh. 

Emilia and Vittoria are twin witches. Vittoria disappears one night and Emilia goes out in search of her. She finds her dead, and missing her heart. A strange man is bent over Vittoria’s body and Emilia races after him to get answers. In her search for her sister’s killer, she accidentally summons the prince of hell, Wrath. Wrath claims to have Emilia’s best interest at heart. But, Emilia isn’t so sure, especially after meeting some of Wrath’s brothers, and fellow princes of hell. If you like magic, murder, slow burn romance, a bare chested hot prince with golden tattoos and a potential date with the devil, this one’s for you.

Grade B+

Him by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy

I read this book when it came out years ago. I’ve really enjoyed many of Bowen and Kennedy’s books. One of my Facebook book clubs mentioned that it was audio with narrators, Jacob Morgan and Teddy Hamilton. Fanning myself…yes, please. I had to listen. This is a great M/M romance. Ryan and Jamie were great friends growing up, going to the same hockey camp, until there was an awkward dare. Ryan knew he was gay and was in deeply in love with Jamie. But what happened that summer caused Ryan to end their friendship. Years later, they end up at the same hockey championship and …. listen to this book. :)

Grade B+

Pause by Kylie Scott

Kylie Scott never disappoints. Andi Arndt narrates this short easy book about a horrific car crash, and the events that happen when the heroine, Anna, awakens from a coma. Anna’s husband wasn’t faithful to her (jerk!), and she has to pick up the pieces of her life. Her marriage is falling apart, she’s in physical therapy and finds herself needing a place to live. Lucky for her, the stranger on a motorcycle who was also involved in the crash is there to help her get back to living again.This was a sweet romance that made me smile. Nothing complicated about it, no darkness, just a lovely story. 

Grade B