I think Thank You for Listening might be one of the more unique romances or women's fiction that I've read recently... she's an audiobook narrator! Who is narrating the most anticipated dual-narration romance story with the most in-demand male narrator! And their banter is 1000%. Only the queen of narration herself - Julia Whelan - could write something so authentic with so much heart and emotion and humor.

Sewanee Chester is an audiobook narrator, who used to be an actress before an accident derailed the upwards trajectory her career was on. Wanting to retreat from the public eye with the resulting disfigurement, she started out narrating romance books. Before long, she became established enough to have her pick of genres and leaving romance in the rear view mirror, believing herself too cynical or jaded to read anything involving a happily-ever-after. She's had a few flings in the ensuing years, most recently with a very sexy Irish man in Vegas, but doesn't do love anymore - not in real-life nor in her career. But when her beloved grandmother needs more care (read: expensive) than her family can afford, she reluctantly accepts an lucrative offer to perform a dual-narration of the last book from a recently deceased author June French, with whom Sewanee got her start in audiobooks, and work with Brock McNight, the most in-demand male voice in romance. As she dives back into the world of romance audiobooks, resurrecting her long-retired alias of Sarah Westholme, her professional relationship with Brock turns personal, and she has an opportunity to dip her toes back into acting, all while struggling to come to terms with the injury and disfigurement that sidelined her acting career. Torn between her past, her present, and her future, she struggles to figure out what she truly wants in life and summon the courage to pursue it.

Title: Thank You for Listening
Author: Julia Whelan
Publisher: Avon and Harper Voyager
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Thank You for Listening" by Julia Whelan

My Assessment:

"Thank You For Listening" was a good story of how Sewanee Chester's life changed from being an actress to an audiobook narrator. Being able to change one's voice was quite something that Sewanee was still able to do so well even with her complex life. As the story continues, these questions and so much more will be answered by the end of the read, so you will have to keep up because there will be heartwarming/heartbreaking drama, grief, comedy, romance, and two sides of this story. The reader will love the bantering that will have you laughing out loud. What had happened to Sewanee to make such a significant change in her life? Why did she feel that romance novels weren't actually for her? What will happen after Sewanee meets a stranger while visiting Vegas?
As the continues on...
What will happen when she's asked to narrate the last series by a novelist who had requested her before passing and meeting Brock McNight, who was also an audiobook narrator? Seeing Sewanee come out of her shell after that horrible accident was good. In the story, we get some excellent characters...like her friend Adaku Obi, BlahBlah [Sewanee's grandmother, Henry [Her dad], Marilyn [her mom, Brock McNight [Nick], and Mark [Sewanee's boss]. Now to see who is who and all of that, I recommend that you pick up 'Thank You for Listening' as all of the above questions will be answered and much more from this wonderful read.

All that's left to say is to sit back and enjoy 'Thank You for Listening.'

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sewanee Chester or Swan as her friends call her was an actress just getting her career started when a freak accident leaves her with one eye. Because of this accident she makes a career change to a audiobook narrator to continue acting without her appearance being apart of the equation. Sewanee doesn't believe in happily ever afters since she feels like hers was cut short but when a past client gives her a once in a lifetime job with another famous audiobook narrator Brock McNight, she can't say no.

I loved Thank You for Listening, the banter was so fun and quick witted to read. It was a steamy romance but also had some deep topics that I think many readers can relate to. I fell in love with Sewanee and her journey throughout this book. Thank You for Listening is one of my favorite summer reads so far and I can't wait to read more from Julia Whelan!

I was drawn to this book for it's title and it didn't disappoint. I was drawn in from the beginning! It made me laugh, smile and cry. It was more than i expected it to be.

I loved everything about this book. The characters are likable. I was laughing at Swan and Nick throughout most of the book. Their banter and chemistry is perfect. Blah is a sweet, funny grandma and I felt for Swan as she deals with her situation.

The story is broken up into parts, which are typical points in a romance story. This made the story predictable, but the way the author wrote each chapter/section was perfect.

I imagine the audiobook version of this is amazing!

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I enjoyed this book from the first page. Sewanee is a great character. The relationships she had with her family and friends felt very real. Her relationship with Brock was written so well! I loved the twists and they made me laugh out loud. I loved the humor and the complex emotions in the book. It left me feeling good when I finished it. I would definitely recommend this author. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Since the accident that forced Sewanee into a career change, she's just kind of been allowing life to happen to her. Her best friend is becoming a mega superstar, a dream they both once shared. Her grandma is beginning to forget who Sewanee is, her dad is...well he exists and her mom is galavanting the world with her current boyfriend. When her boss asks her to take his place at a book convention, of course she says yes. As an audiobook narrator she knows just enough about the recording side of things to fudge her way through her panel. A night out with her best friend doesn't go at all as anticipated when the bff has to bounce and a smokin' hot irishman pops up giving Sewanee a night she will never forget.

Left only with the memories of that night in Vegas, Sewanee returns to her humdrum life and jumps back into recording her next book. What she doesn't anticipate is the instantaneous connection she feels with her narration partner Brock, who just so happens to be the top male narrator the romance genre has to offer. Conflicted over her feelings for a man she has never met and one that gave her a night to remember, a family in chaos, and still living with her past life hanging over her head; can Sewanee solve it all before her world crashes down around her?

Huge thanks to Netgalley, Julia Whelan, and Avon Books for the advanced copy of this book.

First thoughts right off the bat, this book is in the top 3 funniest books I have read in the last 5 years. I literally was laughing out loud so often my partner kept giving me the strangest looks. This is a romance novel that has every trope in the book so everyone is bound to enjoy it. We all know how much I love my epistolary novels and this one did not disappoint on that front.

When we are introduced to Sewanee we can see she is sassy, has a sense of humor, is dealing with emotional baggage she likes to pretend she has already unpacked and she keeps those around her at a distance. Her sass and humor come across in every interaction that she has whether in dialogue, text or email. There isn't any deviation from her voice throughout the entire book which made it all the more wonderful to read.

It's not hard to figure out where the story is going once you are introduced to ALL the characters, but don't think that you know everything. There are still some surprises in store for you by Julia Whelan. Thank You for Listening is a serious breath of fresh air that yanked me out of a reading slump by the hair and threw in my face all the reasons I love to read.

I highly recommend this book. Be prepared to laugh your ass off, get a little teary eyed, and want to return to Sewanee again and again.

I love romance novels, obviously, and Julia Whelan's insider-take on them was such an interesting world to delve into. I thought it was maybe a smidge longer than it needed to be, but I was satisfied by the ending nonetheless. Swan's journey to self-acceptance and healing is not one I'll soon forget.

(Thank you to Netgalley and Avon for the ARC!)

Julia Whelan is a revelation! I mean, she was my favorite audiobook narrator before this, but male voices, female voices, Irish, Italian, Boston, New York and Southern accents, is there nothing this woman can't do?! This book perfectly showcases her many talents.

If you are a romance lover, read this, if you are an audiobook fanatic, read this for the behind the scenes look into an audiobook narrator's job. Julia Whelan discusses it all, the Facebook fan groups, pseudonyms, the romance community, no stone is left unturned. And she does it all with intelligence, wit, and most of all, a healthy dose of SWOON.

Readers want to know if Sewanee's life parallels Julia's but the author dispenses with that in the Author's Note. Sewanee became disillusioned with Hollywood and turned her acting talents to audiobook narration. She is hugely popular and very successful, and is very reticent to return to her romance audiobook roots when an opportunity presents itself. Sewanee has also become very disillusioned with the idea of romance in real life.

When she meets Nick, a devastatingly handsome stranger, in Vegas, she decides to throw caution to the wind for just one night, and, using a pseudonym, spends one amazing night with the Irishman.

He looked quickly at her dress then had the grace to look away. He muttered, almost to himself, “If I knew you better I s’pose I’d be ashamed.” After a moment, he dared to look at her. “But I don’t. And I’m not.”

I loved when Sewanee tried to explain to Nick the differences between the romance and women's fiction genres. Their banter is absolutely priceless and when listened to in Julia Whelan's low growl, completely swoony.

“I’m curious,” Nick said. “Do they talk to each other in these Romance novels of yours or just get straight down to business?” “Of course there’s talking. Talking is foreplay. The other stuff doesn’t work without the talking.” He smiled slowly. “You don’t say.”

There are wonderful and fully imagined secondary characters that each play an important role in the story. The epistolary format of one section is just perfection. And it's funny! I am sure this book is just as enjoyable in book form but the audiobook was next level. One of my favorite books of the year!

“Cover up whatever you please for the world, but in intimacy? Hide nothing. In intimacy, everything is beautiful."

(I received an advanced listening copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.)

I was expecting another run of the mill Rom Com, but this book delivered a lot more. Swan, our main character has had to stop acting due to a tragedy we are kept in suspense about, and instead narrates audio books while still being happy for her actress friend who is killing it. In comes our leading man, but wait, he’s just a distraction. This book throws in themes of friendship, aging, parental relationships, daring to challenge yourself, in addition to the expected romance. It was a home run for me. Thank you NetGalley and Avon for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank You for Listening was surprisingly wonderful! I didn’t even know the synopsis before I read it. This is a case of judging a book by its cover and I really like the cover!. Julia Whelan does a wonderful job of dissecting romance tropes and honestly I wish I could read fictional author June French‘s books! I had some issues with the main male character but that didn’t take away from the arc of the story. There was one quote by the fictional romance author June French that I don’t want to spoil but delves into the misogyny they romance readers face and that really hit home for me. Additionally there was an important focus on the role of female friendships which I think should be in all romance novels!

Thank you #netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Julia Whelan certainly knows what she is writing about. The hugely successful audiobook star's new novel throws back the veil to reveal a fascinating corner of the publishing industry. But thats not even the best part! This romance novel *about* romance novels stars an endearing couple who meet, circle around each other and eventually attain their (romance novel required) HEA. Their dialog is funny; thier inner struggles are realistic; and their mutual respect is refreshing. The chapters are named for romance tropes, and Whelan's self-referential humor was a big hit for me.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book combined two of my favorite things: romance and audiobooks. If you love both of these things, this is definitely the book for you.

The best thing about this book, in my opinion, is the author (who is a successful audiobook narrator herself) pulling back the curtain on the audiobook industry. As a voracious audiobook listener, seeing how this world works, from the narrator's research and practice, to what it's like being in the booth was fascinating. I absolutely loved this setting.

I enjoyed the pairing of Sewanee and Nick and their growth together, as well as the supporting cast (Sewanee's mom and step dad, and the best friends). But what made the relationships here extra special here was Blah, Sewanee's grandmother. As someone who lost their grandmother to Alzheimer's, Sewanee's struggles and care were incredibly relatable. It was at times lovely and heartbreaking.

While I adored the messages sent back and forth between Sewanee and Nick, I would have liked more on-page time between the two. I felt that that time was sacrificed for the (incredibly cute) emails and text messages.

Overall, a book that I would highly recommend for romance readers and audiobook listeners.

Julia Whelan gifted the book community with one of my all-time favorite books, My Oxford Year. For this reason alone, I quickly requested a review copy of her new novel. What she has done with Thank You for Listening is given the reader/listener (for audio lovers) a very different story this time around....and it's equally wonderful. Sewanee is a person that you can't help but care about. She's working hard, cares about her grandmother, is trying to find her way in a confusing dating world and may want to kill her dad some days. Basically, she's very relatable. She's also an audiobook narrator - - apparently a very gifted one.

Just when Sewanee thinks she has everything somewhat under control, life throws her a curveball....then another one...then another. Isn't that just typical? So, she has to adjust her plan and make some changes she didn't anticipate or particularly want to make. Along the way, she will make some acquaintances that may change her life forever. So, perhaps that's what was always meant to be. You will just have to read this little gem to see what happens for yourself.

Let's just say, there are some fun twists, great banter, real life heartbreak and a great deal of "what happens if" in this book. I really enjoyed it. Like I mentioned earlier, it's different from Ms. Whelan's debut novel and that makes it all the more special.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to read and review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

While this presents as a rom-com (hea ahead?) about a woman who has given up acting and is making a good living as a reader for audiobooks, it's also got a serious side. Sewanee had a terrible accident which cost her an eye and changed her life. She's still BFFs with Aduku, whose movie career is heading up and she's got her grandmother Blahblah (one of the best characters you'll meet this year). She didn't expect to meet anyone during a trip to Las Vegas but she did- and it was a one night stand. Now, Blahblah's fading badly and there's no money to put her in the memory care unit at the senior facility she likes so Sewanee sucks it up and agrees to once again read a romance, this time with Brock McKnight, to make the cash she needs. Turns out there's more to the mysterious Brock than Sewanee knew. This is told, in part, in emails between them as they prep for and read the romance novel (I could do without the emails, which I don't like in novels but it's a thing). No spoilers but know that you'll learn something about audiobooks and really root for these characters (and maybe try a two ingredient dip). This has ups and downs and it's a really good read. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. Oh- and the epilogue is everything!

My first Julia Whelan book and it most certainly will not be my last. This book about an actress turned audiobook narrator was a delight to read. It is a slow burn romance that also address loss, family, and friendship. This heartwarming book is an ode to romance book lovers. Would recommend!

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: August 2, 2022

Well how fun was this one? Read this in an afternoon because it was just too cute to put down. Dynamic characters that had me laughing out loud at times and got super invested in our mains through all the chemistry in their texts and emails. Add in a dash of loss and rediscovering yourself, and you have yourself a romcom. Just because you might guess what will happen (or will you?) doesn’t take away from the delightful journey!

Oh this book is a good one.
"The story of a former actress turned successful audiobook narrator—who has lost sight of her dreams after a tragic accident—and her journey of self-discovery, love, and acceptance when she agrees to narrate one last romance novel"
I was expecting romance, but also got a story full of friendship, family dynamics, and self acceptance.
This book had me smiling as I read their effortless banter and the poking fun of romance tropes - not to mention the chemistry between two Romance cynicals.
This is my first Julia Whelan book and I liked her writing, I loved that the chapters started with quotes from authors and her very own "June French". I know I'm going to end up listening to this audiobook, and soon.

Sewanee Chester is a well-known, award-winning audiobook narrator. But in "another life," Sewanee was an actress. An accident changed things and while she's content enough with her new life, she often feels something is missing. Even more, her best friend, Adaku has the life Sewanee has always wanted and is on her way to stardom. Sewanee is also concerned about her beloved grandmother, Blah, whom she's losing to dementia. Sewanee no longer narrates romance books--she doesn't believe in the happily ever after story, after all--but when she's offered the chance to do a web series with renowned romance narrator Brock McNight, she agrees. As Sewanee and Brock begin to work together, they grow close over text. Can Sewanee let down her walls and let Brock in?

Oh goodness, this was really delightful! LISTENING is such a fun and charming book. Brock and Sewanee are both damaged but lovable characters, and Sewanee is dealing with how her accident affected not only her acting career but also her trust levels. Watching her figure out her life and grapple with not only what she wants but what she feels she deserves is a truly worthwhile and enjoyable journey.

Whelan brings so much knowledge about romance and audiobooks (of course). What I loved is the amazing witty and sexy banter in the book, often in email and texts between our characters. It lovingly embraces its tropes and is such a lovely and engaging romance. It's impossible not to root for our pair. There's also some fun and interesting side characters, including Sewanee's grandmother, her mother and her mom's boyfriend (Stu-such a cutie!). There were pieces of this book that made me laugh out loud.

Overall, this is such a fun and romantic read. It was just a tiny bit too long for me, but otherwise, it was a wonderful romance.

I loved this book about an audiobook narrator. Who knows, it might even inspire me to listen to an audiobook someday! It was a fascinating glimpse into what goes into creating an audiobook, it’s not just reading out loud.

Meet Sewanee Chester, she was an up-and-coming actress when a tragic accident forced her to put aside that career. She’s made a success of a career as an audiobook narrator, even though she still yearns for an acting career. She started narrating romance but has moved on to other genres.

She’s caring for her sick grandmother when a startling offer comes through to narrate one last romance book from one of her favorite authors. I really enjoyed the strong relationship and connection that she has with her grandmother.

This offer could make the difference in providing quality care for her grandmother, so she begins work with the elusive Brock McNight. Through the project, they begin to get to know each other although they never meet in person. Could something more develop between them?

Overall, this one was an enjoyable read and I’m tempted to pick up audiobooks now!

What a fantastic read! From the laugh out loud joke just waiting in the first pages, to the build up between the main characters, to the relationship Sewanee has with her grandmother, this grabbed my attention and heart immediately and held onto it all through the story.

I absolutely loved this novel and wholeheartedly recommend it. I read an e-copy of this, but I think it goes without saying that this is one you’ll definitely want to listen to.


eARC kindly provided by Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley. Opinions shared are my own.