Review: Thank You For Listening by Julia Whelan
Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager, Libro.Fm for my copy! All thoughts are my own.
I have been loving books that feature characters in the entertainment industry and I had such a great time reading Thank You For Listening! I loved Julia Whelan’s debut, My Oxford Year. It was one of my first forays into the Romance genre and before I knew Whelan’s background as an actor and audiobook narrator career. Her latest is on the more humorous side, with lots of nods to the Romance genre, but still pulls at your heartstrings like we expect from her writing.
Synopsis:
“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.”
What I Liked:
The Premise—I loved the premise of this book. It was so fun to follow an audiobook narrator and actor. It was a familiar enough world for me that it made me happy but also fun and exciting to explore a side of the industry I don’t know as much about.
The Humor—I laughed out loud at so many points. It was so funny! And still heartfelt and deeply emotional like My Oxford Year, but not as heartbreaking.
The Tongue-In-Cheek Romance References—I love “in the know” jokes about Romance. If you love the genre, you will find yourself snorting and giggling.
What Didn’t Work:
Contrast—I wasn’t quite expecting the deeply emotional moments because the tone was so funny at first. I think there could have been a little more built into the transitions, but I also suppose unexpected changes are part of life!
Character Authenticity: 4/5 Steam Rating: 1/5 Overall Rating: 4/5
Content Warnings:
Memory loss; Eye trauma & loss of vision; Death of a grandmother; suicide attempt