I can’t believe it’s the penultimate AudioGals Picks of 2021 – but it is! Regular readers may notice a couple of repeat titles from last month in the list; their release was postponed so we’ve included them again (because if you’re anything like me, you’ll have thought “huh – not out yet, I’ll come back” and then forgotten all about them!)
As always, our selection of new and upcoming audiobooks features a variety of genres, authors and performers in titles we think are good bets for excellent listens over the coming weeks. Drop by and let us know if you’re planning on listening to any of them – and tell us about any good ones we may have missed!
The Same End by Gregory Ashe
Narrated by J.F. Harding
This third and final (so far?) instalment in Gregory Ashe’s The Lamb and the Lion series is another brilliantly blended mixture of mystery and romance, when the violent death of someone from Jem’s past draws him and Tean into another murder investigation. It’s impossible to encapsulate this engrossing story in just a few lines; it’s clever, it’s funny, it’s heartbreakingly tender, the characters are complex and utterly compelling, and the relationships are heartfelt and superbly written. J.F. Harding has been at the top of his game in the previous books and I’m looking forward to more of the same here. – Caz
All the Feels by Olivia Dade (NOTE: Release postponed from October)
Narrated by Kelsey Navarro
I’ve been looking forward to this book since I finished Spoiler Alert at the end of 2020. The hero of All the Feels is someone we met in the previous book, and it’ll be fun to get to know him in his own story. I have enjoyed several of Ms. Navarro’s narrations in the past, so this is sure to be a phenomenal listening experience all the way around. – Shannon
Limelight by E. Davies
Narrated by Greg Boudreaux
The multi-author Vino and Veritas series has been a bit of a mixed bag on the whole, with some great stories and some not-so-great ones, but each title released so far in audio has had terrific narrators attached – and this latest addition is no exception. I’ve read/listened to a couple of books by this author but I wouldn’t say I’m familiar with their work, but – eh, it’s Greg B narrating, so I’ll give Limelight a go! – Caz
Tryst Six Venom by Penelope Douglas
Narrated by Desireé Ketchum and Valentina Ortiz
Available now on Kindle Unlimited with the $1.99 audio add-on available this November is a hate-to-love trope new adult romance. I’ve enjoyed Penelope Douglas’s titles in the past, which tend to be edgy and dark, but what I find really interesting and new about this one is that it is a F/F romance. I already preordered my audiobook! – BJ
Firefly Lane by Riley Hart
Narrated by Kale Williams
Riley Hart is a fairly prolific author of m/m romances and yet I’ve not managed – so far – to read or listen to anything of hers, so I’m going to rectify that this month with the first book in her new Briar County series of small-town romances. Both leads in this are in their forties, which is a big selling point – as is the fact that Kale Williams is narrating. – Caz
Go Tell the Bees That I am Gone by Diana Gabaldon
Narrated by Davina Porter
I am a huge fan of the Outlander series and a new title is releasing this November which is something I am thankful for! – BJ
Footnote by Alexa Gregory
Narrated by Samantha Summers & Tim Paige
I haven’t yet read or listened to any of the Busy Bean books in Sarina Bowen’s True North World but this one caught my eye when I was browsing Audible. Looks like this one will be the first! – Kaetrin
Against the Grain by Jay Hogan
Narrated by Gary Furlong
My favourite book in the Auckland Med series, Against the Grain features the sassy pathologist’s assistant Sandy Williams and Miller Harrison, member of the Wheel Blacks elite wheelchair rugby team. The author weaves together a sexy romance, some gripping drama and an exploration of important issues around disability and gender into a very enjoyable whole, and with Gary Furlong once again at the microphone, it’s bound to be a great listen. – Caz
Duke Actually by Jenny Holiday (NOTE: Release postponed from October)
Narrated by Stacy Gonzalez
I’m all over anything by Jenny Holiday pretty much and I’ve had my eye on this one for months, waiting for release day. Stacy Gonzalez is a new-to-me narrator but the sample I listened to sounded promising. – Kaetrin
Paladin’s Strength by T. Kingfisher
Narrated by Joel Richards
I loved Paladin’s Grace on audio earlier this year. In fact, I immediately went and read the ebook of Paladin’s Strength, which was the follow up, featuring different love interests. This story is even better than the first so I’m very excited to get a chance to listen to it. Hard recommend. – Kaetrin
Miss Moriarty, I Presume by Sherry Thomas
Narrated by Kate Reading
The game is afoot once again as Charlotte finally comes face-to-face with her nemesis… who has a most unexpected request. Clever and full of twists and turns this latest instalment in Sherry Thomas’ Lady Sherlock series finds Charlotte, Mrs. Watson and Ash investigating the goings-on in a satanic cult based in a remote corner of Cornwall! Kate Reading is an outstanding narrator, and will no doubt deliver another excellent performance here. – Caz
Change With Me by Kristen Proby
Narrated by Lauren Sweet & Lance Greenfield
I love these novella-length audiobooks. Sometimes they’re the perfect palate cleanser and they don’t require a big time commitment. I’ve enjoyed some Kristen Proby in the past and I like both narrators so I’m here for a short with a HEA. – Kaetrin
The Rhythm Method by Kylie Scott
Narrated by Andi Arndt
It’s David and Evey from Lick and they’re having a baby! – Kaetrin
Where Azaleas Bloom by Sherryl Woods
Narrated by Stina Nielsen
I’m a fan of the Sweet Magnolias women’s fiction/contemporary small town romance titles, and was happy to see that a new one is releasing this November! – BJ
Other New and Upcoming Releases:
Oh, great. I’d been waiting for ‘The Same End’ to be released on audio so that I can binge listen to all three, one after the other! I love The Lamb and the Lion series and I loved J.F. Harding’s narration of Auggie and Theo’s books. He seems the perfect narrator for Gregory Ashe’s books.
‘Against the Grain’ is my favourite of the Auckland Med series too, so I will probably get the audio. I am also a fan of Gary Furlong’s narration.
I’ll wait for the review of ‘Limelight’……………..
I’d hoped the Ashe would be out in time to include here – I knew JFH had finished it a few weeks back and now Audible seems to have sorted out that ridiculous backlog, I’ve been checking for it daily! If only he’d been given the Hazard and Somerset books…
Also, I just learned he’s recording a series of Kaje Harper’s books, so I’ll definitely be picking at least one of those up for review. He’s such a fabulous narrator.
I’ve added a few to my list. I read the first novella in the Ilona Andrews series (Kinsmen) years ago and liked it,so I think I’ll revisit that series if I like the narrator samples. I’m interested in Against the Grain, too. I’ve enjoyed the first two in the series, but not nearly as much as I have the Painted Bay series. I wish those would come out on audio! I’ll probably read Limelight first to see if I like it, and wait to see if you review Firefly Lane.
Firefly Lane is my next listen, so watch this space.
I think Jay will probably get round to putting Painted Bay to audio – I just think she’s working through her books in series order. Next time I speak to her, I’ll ask.
I think Steve West was originally down to record the Ilona Andrew, but maybe he wasn’t available, as according to Audible it’s Aaron Shedlock. I’ve listened to him a couple of times and thought he was quite good