Publisher’s Description for Thank You For Listening, by Julia Whelan.
“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.”
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For me, this description doesn’t do this book justice at all.
When I requested Thank You For Listening on NetGalley, I never expected to be approved for an advance review copy. I was DELIGHTED when it went through. I was also nervous. I really enjoyed Julia Whelan’s first novel, My Oxford Year, until I didn’t. I thought it would be a Royal We (one of my favorite books, as you know if you’ve been around here at all), and it was to start but turned out to be in what I think of as the JoJo Moyes genre. And that’s fine, but it’s not for me.
Well, I needn’t have worried. Because man, I just enjoyed this so much! It was so fun, well done, and interesting to see inside the audiobook industry, particularly as I am a rabid audiobook fan. And, I think it can be really tricky to pull off writing a fictionalized version of your own industry. Or maybe perhaps more accurately stated: I usually find nods-within-the-book at writing and/or the genre to be annoying—but she does SUCH a nice job with it here.
If you’re a book lover, audiobook lover, fan of Julia Whelan, or just really enjoy a good book, I think you’ll really enjoy this insider look at the industry, wrapped up in a great story.
I will definitely buy it and read it again on audio when it comes out. Julia Whelan narrating her own book about narrating books—what’s more fun than that?!
My one quibble: the injury/accident is the same as something that happened to a real person and was in the news ten years ago. Not sure if that was intentional. I’m also not super comfortable with someone writing about a disability they don’t have. Both those things did at times take me out of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books, and Harper Voyager for the opportunity to read and review!