Our June 2021 Picks

Difficult as it is to believe, we’re almost half-way through 2021 – and I don’t know about you, but I’m thinking ahead and planning a summer getaway. If you’re heading somewhere on holiday soon, here’s a bunch of the latest and upcoming audiobooks you might consider taking on your travels!

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Someone to Cherish by Mary Balogh

Narrated by Rosalyn Landor

At last, Harry Wescott, who joined the army after his father’s marriage was revealed to be bigamous, takes centre stage – and he’s a very different man now to the one who went off to war. Mary Balogh and Rosalyn Landor make a great team, so this is bound to be a great listen. – Caz

Booklover, by J. E. Birk

Narrated by Cooper North and Tim Paige

I’ve been doing the Vino and Veritas series in a mix of print and audio, and decided to do this one in audio solely because of the narrators! Although I can’t deny that a story with a romance-loving lead is a draw. – Caz

I loved Briar’s role in Unguarded, Jay Hogan’s contribution to the Vino and Veritas series.  I’m eager to get to know this character better and happy he’s getting his own HEA! – Em

The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting, by KJ Charles

Narrated by Cornell Collins

I LOVED this one when I read it earlier this year.  It has everything you’d expect from a book by this author – wonderful characters, a fantastically realised setting, lots of wit and humour – and more. Cornell Collins has done some terrific work in many of KJ Charles’ books, and I can’t wait to hear what he does with this one. – Caz

I love a grouchy hero and the opposites attract trope, and I LOVED this story. I haven’t had the best luck with male narrators, but Collins comes well recommended so I’m looking forward to revisiting these characters and this story. – Em

I’m keen to listen to this one too. I always enjoy KJ Charles books. – Kaetrin

Fandom by Eden Finley

Narrated by Iggy Toma

This third book in the series about the members of a former boy band features two of the characters we haven’t heard much about yet. I enjoyed the previous books, and Iggy Toma is a favourite narrator, so I have high hopes for this one. – Caz

Headstrong, by Eden Finley

Narrated by Tim Paige and Iggy Toma

Another Vino and Veritas entry that I once again opted to wait for in audio because of the narrators. Well, and Eden Finley,  whose Fake Boyfriend and Famous series I’ve enjoyed very much. – Caz

Vino and Veritas is the gift that keeps on giving! I’m enjoying the books in this series and looking forward to revisiting all of them in audio! New-to-me narrators and stories I enjoy – this series is the gift that keeps on giving!  – Em

I don’t know much about the author but I enjoy both narrators so I’m keen to try this one. – Kaetrin

Million Dollar Demon by Kim Harrison

Narrated by Marguerite Gavin

I’m not quite up to date on this series yet, but I have enjoyed both the intricate UF/PNR world and narration of the Hollow Series, so I’m looking forward to listening to more of this series soon. — BJ

I’m a huge fan of Kim Harrison’s Hollows books, so no one should be surprised that the latest installment is one of the books I’m excited to dive into this month. I’ve fallen in love with the quirky characters and intriguing storylines. In fact, The Hollows is one of my very favorite long-running urban fantasy series. Narrator Marguerite Gavin does an excellent job bringing the series to life, so I’m pretty sure fans are in for a treat. – Shannon

Pack Up the Moon by Kristan Higgins

Narrated by Dion Graham and Xe Sands

Just reading the synopsis of Kristan Higgins latest offering made me choke up a bit, so there’s no telling what will happen when I actually start listening to the book itself. It’s a storyline that’s been tackled numerous times in the past, but I’m eager to experience the unique spin I can always count on Higgins to deliver. Dion Graham and XE Sands are both superb voice actors, adding an extra layer of goodness to this release. – Shannon

The Sixth Wedding  by Elin Hilderbrand

Narrated by Erin Bennett

I enjoyed 28 Summers last year, and am looking forward to the sequel – BJ

 

 

Playmaker by Sierra Hill

Narrated by Teddy Hamilton & Emma Wilder

I’m in it for Teddy. – Kaetrin

 

 

Unguarded by Jay Hogan

Narrated by Iggy Toma and Gary Furlong

I loved this one when I read it earlier in the year; it’s warm and funny and sexy – and when I saw those narrators listed, I thought my birthday had come early! – Caz

 

Up Close and Personal  by Jay Hogan

Narrated by Gary Furlong

A second title from Jay Hogan this month, this is book three in her Auckland Med series, and is a nicely done combination of romance and suspense. Jay Hogan has rapidly become one of my favourite authors, and Gary Furlong is doing her proud in the narration department! – Caz

Devil in Winter and Scandal in Spring, by Lisa Kleypas, narrated by Mary Jane Wells

Love the Wallflowers series and am looking forward to this new release with the fabulous Mary Jane Wells narration! – BJ

I know there are super Kleypas fans and super Landor fans (who narrated the first two Wallflowers novels). I count myself one of the Kleypas fans, but unfortunately, not the latter. I’m excited a new narrator is finishing up this delightful series, and I’m looking forward to a walk down memory lane with these Regency standards. Fingers crossed I like Mary Jane Wells, too! – Em

Count me as another like Em. I do enjoy Mary Jane Wells’ narration so these are likely to be fantastic. – Kaetrin

A Scot to the Heart by Caroline Linden

Narrated by Beverley A. Crick

Caroine Linden is one of my favourite authors of historical romance; I enjoyed the first book in this series about the search for the heir to a dukedom and I’m looking forward to this one. – Caz

 

When Stars Collide by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Narrated by Nicole Poole

Another fantastic series, particularly for sports romance lovers, has a new book coming out and I can’t wait to listen. Moreover, I’m a fan of Nicole Poole’s narrations. – BJ

Susan Elizabeth Phillips is releasing a new novel in her beloved Chicago Stars series, and it’s narrated by the incomparable Nicole Poole. I don’t think there’s any more that needs to be said! – Shannon

I’m almost done with my Chicago Stars re-listen marathon in preparation for this new installation! – Melinda

Neon Gods by Katee Robert

Narrated by Zara Hampton-Brown and Alex Moorcock

I love a good myth retelling, so I was super excited to see that Katee Robert had written a reimagining of the Hades and Persephone story. It’s set in a modern version of Olympus, and I can’t wait to see how it plays out. Unfortunately, both narrators are unfamiliar to me, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed. – Shannon

The Queer Principles of Kit Webb by Cat Sebastian

Narrated by Joel Leslie

This story of a retired highwayman who is coaxed into doing “one last job” is a lovely opposites attract romance, and Joel Leslie is bound to deliver a terrific performance. – Caz

A new Cat Sebastian novel and narration by fan fave Joel Leslie. Yes please! – Em

I’ve enjoyed all the Cat Sebastian books I’ve listened to before and Joel Leslie’s narration makes this a no brainer.  – Kaetrin

Someday, Someday by Emma Scott

Narrated by Greg Tremblay and Zachary Johnson

This follow-up to Forever Right Now features Max Kaufman, the NA sponsor from that book, as he moves home to Seattle in order to try to reconnect with his family, and finds love along the way. It’s angsty and tackles some difficult subjects, but I loved it. Zachary Johnson is new-to-me, but I was delighted to see that Greg Tremblay (who was one of the narrators in FRN) returning for this story. – Caz

The List by Felice Stevens

Narrated by Denis Lambert

I’ve become a big Felice Stevens fan over the last few months, so I’m really looking forward to The List, book one in her new Second Chances series about a group of friends looking for love (maybe) in NYC. Narrator Denis Lambert is new to me – and, I believe, to audiobook narration – but the author recently posted the first chapter in her newsletter and he sounds  really good, so I’ll definitely be picking this one up on release day. – Caz