2023 proved to be an excellent audiobook year for me,
with seven books getting an A for both narration and story, and at least a dozen more also-rans. For the purposes of this list, I will lump books in a series together.
We Could Be So Good By Cat Sebastian
Narrated by Joel Leslie
This book set at a newspaper publisher in the late 1950’s caught me by surprise in the best way. Seasoned reporter Nick Russo decides to show the ropes to Andy Fleming, the goodhearted but sometimes clueless newbie, even though Andy is the boss’s son. When the two men end up sharing an apartment, the friendship starts evolving into something deeper. Joel Leslie brings his A game with his moving portrayal of the main characters and all their fears and emotions. This character driven story takes the challenges of being a queer man in the 1950’s and manages to bring a believable HEA without minimizing the obstacles. It’s a wonderful warm hug in book form.
Time to Shine by Rachel Reid
Narrated by Cooper North
I love how Rachel Reid was able to write a hockey story so different in tone than her popular Game Changers series while still keeping the same high quality. Logan Stackhouse gets a chance at a big break when called up to the majors to fill in for an injured goalie. Logan is painfully introverted but somehow ends up rooming with the outgoing and talkative star player, Casey Hicks. Watching these men getting to know each other, building awkwardness into friendship and then into a slow-burn romance, is perfection. While the underlying themes deal with difficult issues, the author manages to keep a light, hopeful tone. Cooper North returns to the helm after his excellent narrations of Ms. Reid’s three previous books and he continues his winning streak, The narration is at times funny, and at others deeply emotional, but always excellent.
Valor and Doyle Mysteries by Nicky James
Narrated by Nick J. Russo
This series concludes with four audiobooks published in 2023! Of the four, Inevitable Disclosure and Defying Logic, books 4 and 5 in the series, received top grades from me. The complex mystery plots coupled with an equally strong relationship arc makes these some of the best romantic suspense books out there. Coming close (A- for story, A for narration) were Disrupted Engagement and Matrimonial Merriment (which wraps up the series- 2024 looks bereft without any more Valor and Doyle books). Nick J. Russo is a perfect example of how talented voice actors enhance the audiobook experience. His narrations for this series are not to be missed.
Memento Mori Series by C.S. Poe
Narrated by Kale Williams
Subway Slayings and Broadway Butchery, books 2 and 3, were both published in audio format this year. The series follows Everet Larkin, a detective who works cold cases for the NYPD. Larkin has an extremely rare condition: highly superior autobiographical memory (HSAM) which means he remembers virtually every event in minute detail. That inability to forget is debilitating and makes relationships with colleagues and lovers extremely difficult. Enter Ira Doyle, forensic artist with his own demons, but with a special kindness for Larkin. The romance is very slow burn (and perfect!) as they work on intricate mysteries in each book. Kale Williams does an amazing job with the narration, especially for Larkin, which puts these tightly-plotted books on the top of the “must listen” pile.
Once a Rogue by Allie Therin
Narrated by Joel Leslie The second book of the Roaring Twenties Magic series follows both the relationship between Sebastian DeLeon and Lord Fine (Wesley) and the ongoing quest to destroy several powerful magical relics. The stakes are high as they arrive in New York City only to find the colleagues they’ve come to consult with have disappeared. The mystery is clever and twisty, but the heart of the story is the relationship between the uptight, cynical Wesley and the gentle-hearted Sebastian. Joel Leslie does an amazing job voicing Wesley’s upper class English accent, Sebastian’s soft Spanish one, and several different American accents.
Crow’s Fate by Kim Fielding
Narrated by Joel Leslie
I’m adding this book, which I gave an A- for story and A for narration, because of its originality, and the fact it stuck with me long after I finished. It’s part of the multi author Carnival of Mysteries series but stands alone. It’s the story of Crow Rapp who goes to a carnival in the mid 1970’s and ends up learning of a terrifying prophecy about his future. The story is intricate and intriguing and Ms. Fielding pulls from myth, legend, and philosophy to build her world while also weaving it into a solidly grounded 1980s America. Her characters are well drawn and sympathetic and the romance is satisfying. Joel Leslie once again has a wide variety of accents to voice, as well as the wide-ranging emotions of the story. It’s safe to say he does an excellent job, as always.
I’d love to hear about your favorites for 2023! Do you have any suggestions for ones I missed?
Carrie
A late edition to my list is 10 Thinks That Didn’t Happen by Alexis Hall, narrated Will Watt! Fabulous narration. Also, I’m not sure how I did it, but I left out Something Wild and Wonderful by Anita Kelly, narrated by Mark Sanderlin, which I reviewed here a couple of months ago. A- for story and A for narration.
No surprise that some of these will be on my list, too! We’ve been lucky to have some terrific audiobooks to listen to over the last few years – I’m looking forward to more in 2024.