Audiobooks are something I’ve slowly started listening to more and more, so what’s better than a book that has audiobook narrators? Thank You for Listening was a book I was really curious about. I finally sat down to read it and read about all of it on sitting. Keep on reading to find out what this book is about and my thoughts!
A big thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC to read and review.
For Sewanee Chester, being an audiobook narrator is a long way from her old dreams, but the days of being a star on film sets are long behind her. She’s found success and satisfaction from the inside of a sound booth and it allows her to care for her beloved, ailing grandmother. When she arrives in Las Vegas last-minute for a book convention, Sewanee unexpectedly spends a whirlwind night with a charming stranger.
On her return home, Sewanee discovers one of the world’s most beloved romance novelists wanted her to perform her last book—with Brock McNight, the industry’s hottest, most secretive voice. Sewanee doesn’t buy what romance novels are selling—not after her own dreams were tragically cut short—and she stopped narrating them years ago. But her admiration of the late author, and the opportunity to get her grandmother more help, makes her decision for her.
As Sewanee begins work on the book, resurrecting her old romance pseudonym, she and Brock forge a real connection, hidden behind the comfort of anonymity. Soon, she is dreaming again, but secrets are revealed, and the realities of life come crashing down around her once more.
If she can learn to risk everything for desires she has long buried, she will discover a world of intimacy and acceptance she never believed would be hers.
From the author of My Oxford Year, Julia Whelan’s uplifting novel tells the story of a former actress turned successful audiobook narrator—who has lost sight of her dreams after a tragic accident—and her journey of self-discovery, love, and acceptance when she agrees to narrate one last romance novel.
Review
As an audiobook listener I have to say I’m curious about the production behind the books and how it works. While Thank You for Listening doesn’t go really deep into this process, but I loved the little glimpses we did get.
Sewanee was such an interesting character. We slowly get to know her and the accident that changes her life. She wanted to be an actress, but that changed and she ended up narrating audiobooks. Romance isn’t her thing, but when an author she works for requests her for the last book she can’t say no when it can offer the money she needs. Sewanee grows a lot in this book. I loved seeing her start thinking about what she wants and what the accident did to her. It doesn’t define her and I love that she realizes that. She’s stronger than she realizes and can do anything she puts her mind to.
The romance in this book is an interesting one and it’s one I don’t want to talk too much about, because I truly believe this is one you need to experience yourself. I will add that I loved that Sewanee and this man get to know each other through text messages and emails. Having these elements in books always makes me really happy. It added some lightness to some heavier things and I feel that both characters were able to share a bit more this way.
Besides the romance and Sewanee’s character development, this book is filled with an amazing cast of side characters. Her amazing best friend and grandmother really stole the show at times. Thank You for Listening made me laugh, cry, and the ending was very satisfying. The only thing that bugged me in this book was how romance books were talked about. Even in the end when she said she might continue with romance it still felt like it was a frowned upon genre.
Thank You for Listening was my first Julia Whelan book, but I definitely need to change that. Who are some of your favorite audiobook narrator? Let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear from you.
