Our July 2020 Picks

We’ve got some great listens lined up for July, with plenty of new titles featuring favourite authors and narrators slated for release. Many are new-to-audio titles of books which are already out – Mission Improper, Flash Rip, Slippery Creatures, for example – which provide a great opportunity to catch up with old favourites or on a series we’ve been meaning to get round to, and others, like Boyfriend Material, are being released simultaneously with the print editions. Whichever is the case, here are the audiobooks the Gals are most looking foward to listening to over the next few weeks.

Beyond the Sea by Keira Andrews

Narrated by Greg Boudreaux

This actually came out on 30^th June, but I’m sneaking it in! This story –  following a plane crash, two guys are stranded on a desert island for a few months and despite the fact that neither has ever questioned their sexual orientation, end up falling for each other – caught my attention. (Plus, Greg Boudreaux – nuff sed.) I’ve enjoyed the books I’ve read and listened to by Keira Andrews so far, and I have a good feeling about this one. – Caz

Flash Rip by Keira Andrews

Narrated by Joel Leslie

I’ve enjoyed Leslie’s performances in the past, and I’m thrilled to see him narrating for another favorite mm author. Flash Rip isn’t my favorite Andrews novel – but since I’m living at the beach this month and life guards are EVERYWHERE, it feels timely.  I’m also looking forward to Leslie’s Australian accent! – Em

Home to Me by Catherine Bybee

Narrated by Tara Sands

I enjoyed both the writing and the narration in the first book of the Creek Canyon Series. Book two (Home to Me) releasing in July has a new narrator but I’m hoping it hits the spot like My Way to You did. – BJ

Slippery Creatures by K.J. Charles

Narrated by Cornell Collins

I LOVED this one in print – a 1920s-set kind of Boys’ Own Adventure (but with the addition of deadly weapons and sex!) featuring a world-weary hero who inherits a bookshop and inadvertently becomes embroiled in a race against time to prevent “the information” falling into the wrong hands. It’s all completely ripping and terribly exciting – and I’m sure Cornell Collins is going to do a bang up job! – Caz

I’m excited about this one but I’m saving the series until it’s all out because cliffhangers! –  Kaetrin

Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall

Narrated by Joe Jameson

I read an early copy of Boyfriend Material and honestly can’t remember the last time I laughed so much when reading a book! With his dad, a famously wild rock-star, making a comeback, the press is gleefully digging up some of Luc O’Donnell’s less-than-finest moments and waiting for him to fuck up again. In order to rehabilitate his public image, a friend suggests Luc gets himself the perfect boyfriend. Enter staid lawyer Oliver Blackwood – a friend of mutual friends – who is as unlike Luc as it’s possible to be. Narrator Joe Jameson is completely new to me (I confess, it was Joel Leslie’s voice I heard in my head as I was reading!) but I’m going to give this one a go and will report back as to how he does! – Caz

The Rivals by Vi Keeland

Narrated by Sebastian York and Andi Ardnt

Two of my favorite narrators team up in a friends-to-lovers romance written by a contemporary romance author, Vi Keeland, that I enjoy.  I will definitely be giving The Rivals a listen sometime soon! – BJ

Mission Improper by Bec McMaster

Narrated by Sienna Francis

I’ve enjoyed Bec McMaster’s steampunk series in the past.  As she’s embarking on a new series, I plan to give it a listen this July! – BJ 

Another new-to-me narrator, Sienna Frances’ name has been cropping up at Audible on a number of historical romances. Bec McMaster’s London Steampunk and London Steampunk: Blue Blood Conspiracy series comprise some of my all-time favourite romances; fantastic, heart-pounding action, wonderfully steamy romances and intricate, clever plots, kickass heroines and some of the sexiest heroes to ever sexy, my expectations are already very high. Mission Improper is the first in the Blue Blood Conspiracy spin-off series; fingers crossed Ms. Frances can rise to the challenge. – Caz

This series is a comfort read for me and I’m looking forward to listening to it, too. Each of the books is a favorite for different reasons – the romance, the suspense, the world-building – and the characters are supremely well characterized. Frances has her work cut out for her; I’m hopeful this narrator can match up to her wonderful material and provide hours and hours of listening pleasure.  – Em

When She Was Good  by Michael Robotham

Narrated by Joe Jameson

I couldn’t put the first book in this series down!  Good Girl, Bad Girl introduced  Evie, Cormac a young girl discovered hiding in a secret room in the aftermath of a horrific crime who can’t – or won’t – tell investigators her name or age or anything about herself.  Cyrus Haven, a forensic psychologist with a terrible past of his own, is brought in to decide whether she should be released from a secure children’s home.  Meanwhile, Cyrus is pulled into a murder investigation involving a local high-school figure-skating champion.  By the end of the novel, the lives of Cyrus and Evie – who remains in the children’s home – are inextricably linked.  In When She Was Good, Cyrus finally begins to piece together what happened to Evie as a young girl.  I’m prepared to be horrified by Evie’s past, but also eager for Evie to find closure from the enemies who keep searching for her.  I love the dynamic between Evie and Cyrus, and I hope Robotham sticks to this couple exclusively this time.  New-to-me narrator Joe Jameson seems like a good fit for the material (based on the sample I Iistened to), and this audiobook will accompany me on my move from Florida to Texas at the end of the month. – Em

Without You by Marley Valentine

Narrated by Teddy Hamilton and Tim Paige

In one of those weird coincidences, I’d not heard of this book until about a week before I saw it listed at Tantor; it came up in a discussion somewhere about books that feature the trope of a widow-falls-for-husband’s best friend (in this case, it’s a bereaved boyfriend) and was recommended highly. I was going to add it to my Amazon wishlist, but when I saw it was coming to audio, I added it to my Audible one instead! With two such superb narrators, this is bound to be a fantastic – and emotional – listen. – Caz

The Dichotomy of Angels by N.R. Walker

Narrated by Nick J. Russo

This is a late June release as well. The story of two angels – one all sweetness and light, the other the grumpiest of grumps – sent to Earth on a mission is funny, poignant and a bit angsty, and I really enjoyed the book when I read it at the end of last year. Nick J. Russo is a reliably good narrator, so I’m really looking forward to revisiting this story in audio. – Caz

Imago by N.R. Walker

Narrated by Antony Ferguson

This book has at least one Australian main character so my fingers are crossed that Antony Ferguson (who is British) can do a credible Aussie accent. Otherwise I will cry. Brits are usually much better at the accent than Americans so I have some cause for optimism. I shall report back!  –  Kaetrin

Eyes Turned Skyward by Rebecca Yarros

Narrated by Carly Robins and Teddy Hamilton

This one popped up in a recent search and between the somewhat angsty blurb and the promise of the narration (*coughTeddy!cough*) I decided to give it a go. Turns out I’ve had the book on my TBR of Doom for ages now.  – Kaetrin