Narrated by Karen White
Once again, pairing Karen White’s straightforward narration with Julie James’ sophisticated and amusing dialog is a perfect 10 for me, made even better by hearing it on my new iPhone 5. (OK, I don’t think the iPhone 5 actually sounds better, but I’m so pleased to have it that I’m imagining it does.)
In About That Night, the third in the related books James calls the FBI/US Attorney series because they exist in the same fictional world, Kyle Rhodes – billionaire heir playboy – decides the world would be better off not seeing the tweet his ex-girlfriend sent to break up with him. In fact, in a tequila haze (or was it a fine malt scotch), he decides the world would be better off without tweets altogether, and sets off a major hacker attack to bring down the popular social media website. One of my favorite lines in the book, Kyle thinks “Take that, Tweeple” as he leaves the country while Twitter is taken down for 48 hours. He finally returns to face the wrath – and a prison sentence, from which he has just returned when the book opens.
“That Night” refers to an almost-one-night-stand he had several years before with a first year law student, Rylann Pierce. After he walks her home and convinces her to go out with him, however, his mother is killed in a tragic car accident, changing his family’s life forever.
Rylann and Kyle don’t meet again until Rylann has just become a new Assistant District Attorney. The US Attorney’s office and the FBI convince Rylann to work with Kyle on an inside-prison murder he had some knowledge of. When they meet again, though, it’s a little awkward because he is now the infamous ex-con Twitter Terrorist, and she works for the office that put him behind bars.
I’ve already ranted and raved about how perfect I think the pairing of White’s voice is with James’ prose. Karen has developed separate personalities for each character, since characters from earlier books keep popping up in the later ones. She manages to give the narration a wonderful wry tone that matches what I felt when I read the books in print. She brings the humor to life and also manages to control the deep emotions that Kyle has about the death of his mother and how his family managed during that dark time, right after Kyle and Rylann met. All in all, it was fun, it was touching, it was witty, and it was a terrific listen.
Melinda
Narration: A+
Book Content: A+
Steam Factor: Glad I had my earbuds in
Violence: Minimal – there is a murder in the plot, but you don’t get a blow-by-blow.
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Tantor Media
*I liked that “Take that Tweeple” line, too. What a well-written review (even taking my total lack of objectivity into account!).
I adored both Something About You and A Lot Like Love. Now I’m saving About That Night for a special time – I do that. Sometimes I hoard highly anticipated audios for vacation. :) Fortunately one’s coming up.
WAIT!! Julie James’ books are on audiobook?? When did that happen?? Why did nooooooooooo oooooooooooooone tell me?!?!? Must. Get. Hands. And. Ears. On. NOW.
*LOL ToppysMom – Definite ears on now!
I concur with Melinda’s review and with her take on Julie James entertaining stories both in written word and audiobooks – it’s the perfect combo of author and narrator to bring us these entertaining stories.
Cade’s story coming out in the spring of 2013 is pre-ordered on Kindle and one that is top of the list for this same combo of author narrator when the audio rights are grabbed. Come now Tantor make our dreams come true as you so often have in the past with Julie James and others. :)