Sewanee was poised to become the next It Girl in Hollywood until an accident left her physically and mentally scarred. Years later she's a successful audiobook narrator, content in her life and career if not exactly thriving or chasing dreams any longer. Sewanee got her start narrating romance novels under a pseudonym, but now, established in her field, eschews romances with their unrealistic happily ever afters, until she's hand chosen by a beloved romance novelist to co-narrate a sure to be hit story publishing shortly after her death. Sewanee reluctantly accepts the job because she needs an influx of money to help finance her beloved spitfire grandmother's medical care as she struggles with memory loss. Sewanee will be narrating opposite Brock McKnight, a lusted after voice in romance narration whose real identity is a well kept secret and who has secrets and scars of his own. Over the course of their audiobook production Sewanee and Brock's relationship develops from professional, to friendship, to something more.

Julia Whelan first hit my radar as a beloved audiobook narrator. Having been a somewhat reluctant audiobook listener having a favorite narrator was something totally foreign to me. I believe I picked up Thank You for Listening after seeing someone else rave about it and sharing that it was available as a "read now" from Netgalley. - the book related premise got me as it usually does. Having no previous experience with Whelan as an author or narrator I wasn't sure what to expect, but I'm pleasantly surprised and glad I picked this up!

<i>Thank You for Listening</i> straddles the line between romance and women's fiction. Sewanee is a character with depth and she evolves as an individual and in her relationship with Brock. With humor, witty banter, bits that pull at your heartstrings, a couple of open door scenes that get the blood pumping, and side characters that round things out nicely <i>Thank You For Listening</i> is a solidly entertaining novel. And I loved the detailed peek behind the scenes into the audiobook world as all book lovers, especially romance readers, will likely appreciate. Definitely recommended for romance and contemporary fiction fans!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I pre-ordered the audiobook of this book months ago, but felt like I won the lottery when I got approved to read the e-arc. I was not disappointed. This is a heartwarming and joyful book. I felt like I got an inside glimpse into the audiobook industry, which is fun given the number of audiobooks I consume a year. The story is rich and multi-faceted, taking place largely in Los Angeles. I’m from Southern California originally and it was remarkable how well she not only reflected the geography of the place, but also evoke the sense of it. I felt like I was there right with them in the Hollywood Hills. Please do yourself a favor and grab this book. I can’t wait to listen to Julia read it on audio!

This was a great novel that wasn’t just a typical romance. Sewanee is a strong & interesting female lead with a lot of baggage in her life. She has to figure out what she wants before she can move forward, she just doesn’t realize it yet. All of the additional characters are great counterparts for her. I don’t want to say too much as to give anything away so I will just say to read this book. It’s an adventure worth taking.

Thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for advanced copy in exchange for my honest review

Julia Whelan has done it again! Quirky characters, a sweet and angsty romance, and an incredible dive into the audiobook business! It's a chunky book, but it reads so effortlessly that you'll fly right through it. Absolutely loved it.

Thank you for Listening made me very happy. Julia Whelan is one of my favorite audiobook narrators, so I could hear her voice throughout reading this whole book. Since her main characters are audio narrators themselves the reader got a behind the scenes look at audio narration that felt very natural.

I enjoyed the wide array of character representation in this book. The characters were witty and charming. I wish there was more of Blahblah (maybe as a flashback or with her friends at the retirement home?). She was funny and the banter between the characters was solid. The dialogue is what lost me a bit in this book. Some of the conversations I felt to be a bit confusing and hard to follow. I just couldn't seem to find that spark/connection between the two main characters. I wish I had listened to this as an audio because I think different voices for the characters would have helped me.

Thank You for Listening was funny and also super sad at times, but the emotions of the characters felt very real. I enjoyed the book and will look forward to seeing what Whelan comes out with in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for granting me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was such a good book! I wish I could have gotten an advanced copy of the audio book because I’m sure Julia Whelan herself narrates it and it’s probably wonderful. She’s my favorite narrator!

I liked a lot about Thank You for Listening. The main character, Swan, was intriguing and smart, and I really liked reading from her perspective. I really liked learning more about the process of creating audio books and the industry as a whole. There’s also the inclusion of email and text messages that really make the banter between the two main characters pop and made me laugh out loud several times.

There is a lot going on in this book – Swan is an audio book narrator who is out of the romance genre and gets pulled back in for a special project with another narrator who know one really knows, Brock McNight. Their banter was really great, and then there also another instance of Swan having a one-night stand who someone she met at a book convention. Also factored in is Swan’s family. Her grandmother, whom they call BlahBlah, is in a nursing home and her memory is slowly deteriorating. Swan is looking to get back into her acting career following a traumatic accident that happened causing a disfigurement and loss of her eye. Mix that all together, along with a lot of heart, humor and romance, and you have Thank You for Listening.

I feel it could have been cut down a little bit. It’s over 400 pages and there were some parts in the middle that dragged on a bit, but other than that I really enjoyed it! This as my first book written by Julia Whelan and it won’t be the last I ever pick up.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for providing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Though the plot sounding interesting, I just couldn’t connect with this book or the characters. Other readers may connect better with the story as many of my friends raved about this one.

As someone who enjoys audiobooks, a love story about narrators is a such a fresh idea. Sewanee is recovering from a major accident and finding her footing on a new book project. She is paired with a handsome colleague and a fun connection forms. I loved the relationship between Sewanee and Brock and seeing their work process. The love story was well-paced and rang very true. I loved the dialogue between the main characters and Sewanee’s best friend is a fantastic supporting character. It was easy to connect with and root for everyone. This is a very sweet, fun read.

Thanks to Julie Whelan, Avon and Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Ten out of ten, no notes. This book was an absolute delight--voicey and tender and sexy and wise, all of my favorite elements to find in a romance. Hollywood based, with a little old hollywood glam tossed in, this book is irresistible.

You all know that audiobooks are basically my favorite thing ever. I started listening to them about 2 years ago and it has completely changed my reading! If you are an audiobook fan, you definitely know who Julia Whelan is, and well, she’s the best!

And NOW, she’s written us an ode to audiobooks. It felt like a bit of an inside track for super fans. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING is her sophomore book as an author and it is smart, witty, romantic, heartfelt, and full of banter! She even manages to slip in a note about her male voice being so darn good 🥵 I adored the texting/email exchanges. I loved the friends, family, and especially Nick. Oh my. He was a damn dream!

Obviously, you should listen if able, as Whelan is perfection in what I would imagine was a difficult narration of her own making - multiple characters with multiple voices and so many emotions. But, if you aren’t an audiobook fan - you should still read it! Such a great story of acceptance and love of yourself, your family, as well as romantic love 💕

Is Julia thanking us for listening in the very best way?? Maybe! And it’s our pleasure!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the advanced digital copy for my honest review.

First off, bravo! This was such a fun and exciting read and was very eye opening to the world of audio books for me. I have just started listening to them this past year, so it was very interesting to read a book written by an audio book narrator, and to get a little inside peek into how it all comes together. I also love how aware this author is in the use of tropes, and how the characters poke and play out their quips in trope.

Which brings me to the deliciously witty banter between the two main characters, Sewanee and Brock McNight. Their back and forth texts/emails were hilarious, and such a great addition to their story of getting to know one another while still maintaining their anonymity as they narrate the podcast story together (but not together). I also believe Sewanee to be a very relatable character. As we learn more of her back story and her feelings of failure, jealousy, and of never being enough, she is someone we can easily connect with on a much deeper level.

5/5 stars for Thank You for Listening

Julia Whelan has proven herself time and time over again as an extremely talented narrator and powerful storyteller. So it’s truly no surprise that her latest novel is an absolute gem!!

Sewanee is an audiobook narrator who is navigating life with a promising new work project, a famous best friend, an absentee father, a mother who lives abroad, a beloved grandma whose struggling with aging + memory loss, and a traumatic accident 8 years ago that left her forever changed. Throw in a night with a handsome stranger she can’t forget and Sewanee has A LOT going on. Filled with heart and humor, this story simultaneously made me laugh out loud and feel all the feels.

I absolutely loved the sharp, quick and witty banter- the chemistry between the love interests practically sizzled off the page while the banter between the main friend characters was hilarious and heartwarming. I enjoyed the positive body image + disability representation, the analysis of romance tropes, the exploration into audiobook narrating as a profession and the strong family and friendship relationships that grounded the story. There were a few twists as well, some I totally knew were coming and some unexpected, that made this book sparkle.

My only complaint is the story felt a little lengthy at times where I wished it could have wrapped up in a more succinct way.

Thank you so much to Avon and Netgalley for my copy.

Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan - ARC Review (audio and e-book)

Julia Whelan is hands down my favorite audiobook narrator (sorry everyone else!), so I was thrilled to see that she had an upcoming release of her own. While this is not Whelan's first novel (I plan to listen to My Oxford Year soon), it's the first for me.

Thank You for Listening tells the story of Sewanee Chester, former actress turned audiobook narrator after a tragic accident. While not quite the career path she envisioned, Sewanee finds solace and success in the audiobooth, so much so that she's asked to co-narrate an acclaimed and recently deceased romance novelist's final book. While Sewanee had given up on the romance genre (afterall, she doesn't believe in "Happily Ever After" and will literally shout that during a crowded conference), the money that it will bring can provide the necessary care for her beloved ailing grandmother. And while her book conference is off to a bumpy start (see: shouting about HEA to a sea of unruly romance fans), Sewanee is swept away in an uncharacteristic one night stand that's left her wondering if someone could see past her physical insecurities.

As she begins to work on narrating the romance novel (under a pseudonym, of course), a flirty email and text exchange ensues with co-narrator and mystical, dreamy voice of Brock McNight. As conversations and innuendos escalate, Sewanee wonders if they could actually have something outside the safety of their sound booths and pseudonyms.

Sewanee is relatable and authentic in her flaws of jealousy, skepticism, fear of rejection and a reluctance to accept love.

Whelan's writing is filled with fun, wit, and charm, and of course her narration was fantastic. Her male voice makes me swoon. It was fun to both listen and read, and I wound up reading it entirely through and then listening so I was able to anticipate certain moments and actually hear them play out.

I’m hooked on Julia Whelan, and I highly recommend Thank You for Listening which comes out on August 2.

Julia Whelan is one of my favorite audio book narrators and when I saw she had a new book coming out I knew I wanted to read it! This book follows Sewanee who once was an actress but after an accident became an audio book narrator instead. Sewanee started out as a romance narrator but has since left that behind and refuses to go back to it but when the author who gave her her first chance passes away and gives her an offer she may not be able to refuse, Sewanee must make a choice she was not ready for. To make things more interesting the male narrator for this new offer is the famous Brock McKnight who has been delighting romance listeners for years! I loved everything about this novel and I could not put it down. Julia narrates this one and it is perfect in my opinion! Sewanee was such a fun character to read and I loved the journey she went on in this book! Thank you Avon and LibroFM for my gifted copies for review! Be sure to pick this one up when it comes out August 2nd 2022.

3.5 stars! Julia Whelan is kind of the queen of audiobooks, so I was interested to read this and get her perspective on the industry. We definitely get a cool peek behind the curtain into the audiobook world and its issues and I enjoyed the premise of this book. I am really interested in the surge of books that are publishing-adjacent and their meta-ness, in romance in particular. This book is very self-aware of its tropes and its setups which is fun to read. There are some fun epistolary bits and tons of tropes, and the writing is quick and funny in lots of parts!

That said, this book has so much happening. There are so many different storylines and side characters-- Adaku and Sewanee's journey through acting, Sewanee and her grandma, Blah Blah (I'm sorry but what are these names), Sewanee and her concern about Mark selling the studio, Sewanee and her father's estranged relationship; it kind of made it hard to focus on the romance aspect. The pacing was kind of all over the place and they shoved most of the romance story in the last third of the book, which made it feel really rushed even though the book was far longer than I think any romance should be. I didn't totally feel the chemistry and things got a little Hallmark=y at the end.

Overall I think this book will really work for a lot of people, I just wish it had been edited down a bit.

“Eventually, don't know when, but eventually? You’re gonna have to stop thinking you’re nothing more than the damaged version of yourself.”

I don’t know where to begin…I was blown away by this one! I love books about books, and even though I don’t listen to audiobooks, I loved the behind the scenes look at how they’re made. I had no idea the author is actually an audiobook narrator and I will definitely be listening to this narration now because how can I not?!

Sewanee Chester always dreamed of being an actress. Right as her career was starting to take off, a terrible accident caused her to lose an eye and she thought her life was over. But she picked herself up and pursued a very successful career narrating audiobooks. When one of her favorite authors' last requests is for her to narrate her newest romance novel, she immediately agrees. She’s paired up with Brock McKnight, another successful but elusive audiobook narrator and the two form an unlikely friendship as they bond over how much they dislike the romance genre.

I binged this in one night because I just could not put it down! The dialogue between Seawanee and Brock is unmatched. Their banter, bickering and humorous exchanges had me all in my feels. The story lovingly pokes fun at romance tropes and HEA and includes a debate about women’s fiction vs. romance, which is amazing because it’s exactly what this book is!

“It feels like we fell out of a romance tree and hit every trope on the way down.”

While this story is definitely a rom com, it’s also way more than that. It deals with loss, second chances and believing in yourself. It’s full of flawed characters with intense backstories and sizzling chemistry, and it tastefully handles intense topics while also being smart, entertaining, seductive, emotional and funny. It’s a story about moving forward after tragedy and realizing that your life can still be beautiful even if it doesn’t turn out exactly how you envisioned it. It’s heartwarming and a little sad but ultimately delivers a HEA.

I fell in love with Sewanee and was rooting for her to get HEA, even as she tried to sabotage her chances for one. She was so jaded about life and love after her accident and Brock was the breath of fresh air she needed. And Brock! My goodness! Just the accent alone could have killed me. He was such an interesting, well developed character and I loved how he saw Sewanee’s beauty, even when she couldn’t. *SWOON*

Thank you so much to Avon and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this one early. Read if you love one night stands, mistaken identity, great disability rep, an epistolary format, and books about books! I think fans of Book Lovers will really like this one. Thank You For Listening hits shelves on August 2nd.

What a good book. Perfect summer read, and a romance with "HEA" (happily ever after), but not typically so. Sewanee and her best friend always wanted to be actresses. A simple, tragic mistake shreds Sewanee's dream, but she manages to piece her life back together with loving support from her traveling mother, Adaku, her best friend and her beloved aging Grandmother, as well as a successful career reading audiobooks. Fate brings her toward her destiny one night with a chance romantic encounter with a stranger. Eventually Sewanee discovers the truth of who he is and the ties that brought them together.

The characters are flawed and have to come to terms with some pretty tough circumstances, yet they are likeable and fully dimensional. It's not a book with simple solutions or easy choices, and as a reader I found myself invested in the ultimate ending.

This book is the book I didn’t know I needed in my life. Heartwarming, laugh out loud funny, and tears all in one book.
I’ve just recently started enjoying audio books and this made me want to dive into them even more. I’ll be purchasing this on audio as well!
Here’s to hoping for more books from Julia!

"Thank You for Listening" (h/t to NetGalley for the ARC) is one of the best books I've read this year and was swiftly added to my list of comfort reads (and listens).

Narration: masterful. I once saw a review that said, "Julia Whelan could narrate the phone book and I'd listen." This is accurate.

The story itself is everything a great book ought to be: funny, heartwarming, a little sad, a lot of life (and all the bullsh*t that comes with being an adult.), love, friendship, growth.

Frankly, I think you're doing yourself a disservice if you don't listen to the audio but, that said, the book itself is perfectly wonderful.

”I wanted you to throw me a life preserver because I didn’t want to save myself. I didn’t want to learn how to swim.”

Thank You for Listening is a rom-com from the amazing Julia Whelan. You may recognize her voice from some of your favorite audiobooks but she’s now an author as well.

How much of the author’s life made it into the novel? Main character is a former actress who transitioned into audiobooks after an accident that seemingly ended her on stage career. I know Whelan is both an audiobook narrator and a lifelong actor, but I’m thinking that is where the similarities end. In this novel, the characters seemingly run through several different romance tropes, starting with being snowed in.

“She’d protested halfheartedly, but the truth was Adaku’s instincts always bordered on clairvoyance. She knew what Sewanee needed before she did. For reasons she hadn’t quite parsed, Sewanee wanted to be something more tonight, something different, something slightly less . . . her.”

This is a novel about love, second chances, and regrets. I loved all the discussion of the art of book narration, especially finding the character’s motivation. I loved Sewanee directing her bestie’s screen test. And I loved the heart of this story. Even side characters had a backstory and were developed. Some of it was needed for plot development but much of it helped to set the scene in a way I’ve not often read. This is the best example of a screenwriter writing a novel.

I loved My Oxford Year but this one may be even better.