the setup…
Blair Martin is a literary agent in Manhattan whose life is now one ongoing routine since her only daughter Faith died last year and her marriage fell apart. That routine is broken one day when she finds a lost wallet and decides to locate the owner. Maya turns out to be a young woman not much older than Faith who is alone and struggling financially. On an impulse, Blair invites her to lunch and soon takes her under her wing. A good thing?
the heart of the story…
One of the things I love about short stories is they move rather quickly and, if crafted well, characters deliver little surprises throughout that journey. I began with one impression of Blair but she took on curious edges the more I got to know her. Maya was an enigma and, if I’m honest, I never trusted her because I just sensed something off. When I finally got her point of view, she was even more mysterious. All this had the effect of me not being able to take a pause until I finished!
the narration…
I was gleefully surprised that two skilled narrators were used for this brief story and they both inhabited their characters extremely well. I loved their interpretations.
the bottom line…
This one grabbed me from the start and never let go. As much as I thought I knew Blair and Maya, both delivered surprises at the end, things I’m still reflecting over. Listening to the story made this an even better reading experience, too. Great irony and two wonderful narrators.
Book Info
- Release Date: April 13, 2023
- Narrators: Susannah Jones & Lauren Ezzo
- Audio Length: 1 hour, 8 minutes
- Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Goodreads | Amazon | Audible
(Thanks to Brilliance Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Blue Mood Café 
This does sound like a wonderful short story! Excellent review, Jo 💕
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Thank you, Tessa💜 It was exactly what I hoped it would be.
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Fab review Jo, glad it was such a good short story!
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Thanks, Nicki💜 It lived up to my expectations for a short story.
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Wonderful to find a short story you loved!
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oh it is short. Sounds intriguing.
Anne – Books of My Heart
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It is!
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Fab review! I’m glad you enjoyed this short story.
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Thanks, Yvo💜
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This sounds like such a lovely story! I will look to see if my library has it. Lovely review!
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Thanks, Jodie💜
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Oh, I didn’t know about this one. I enjoy Greer Hendricks so I’ll definitely have to add it to my TBR.
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Hendricks is why I accepted this one. Suzanne, it definitely reflects the style we know and love💜
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I enjoy these short stories that are on KU, and Greer Hendricks is an author I enjoy. Thanks for the heads up, Jo.
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You are so welcome, Carla💜
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