A gathering of listens the Gals recommend “to calm the frenzied chaos that is spinning around us”* – audiobooks to escape from reality while social-distancing! In this week’s episode, Caz rounds up (some of) her favorites.
(* thanks for the writing prompt, Kathy W!)
Caz recommends:
The Bridgertons series by Julia Quinn
Narrated by Rosalyn Landor
One of the quintessential Historical Romance series, Julia Quinn’s Bridgertons are a large, loving family and the series of eight novels follows them through thick and thin as they all find love and happiness. Beautifully written and beautifully narrated by the doyenne of historical romance, Rosalyn Landor, these books are – quite justifiably – long-time fan favourites. And When He Was Wicked was just released with Landor narrating on March 17!
Slightly series by Mary Balogh
Narrated by Rosalyn Landor
Another much loved series by one of the grandes dames of the genre, these stories follow the six Bedwyn siblings and the final book, Slightly Dangerous, features one of Historical Romance’s most beloved heroes. With Rosalyn Landor narrating, there’s no question your ears are in safe… er… hands!
Pretty Much Anything written by Loretta Chase and narrated by Kate Reading.
You really can’t go wrong with this combination! Kate Reading is the perfect narrator for Loretta Chase’s wonderfully witty banter and I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve listened to from this talented pair. Favourites? Dukes Prefer Blondes, The Last Hellion, A Duke in Shining Armor, Mr. Impossible and of course, that perennial favourite, Lord of Scoundrels.
Lessons in French by Laura Kinsale, narrated by Nicholas Boulton
Another fantastic author/narrator combination, the same applies here; you could choose anything from this team and not be disappointed. But some of Ms. Kinsale’s books can get a bit dark, and as I was asked for “comfort listens” I decided to steer away from those and instead choose a title that (IMO) is underrated, and which is perhaps more comedic than some of the author’s other books. Nicholas Boulton’s performance is, of course, flawless.
Pansies by Alexis Hall, narrated by Cornell Collins
I just finished listening to this for review and it’s simply wonderful. A gorgeously romantic romance between two guys who were at school together but didn’t exactly get along (one bullied the other for years) this is a lovely story of forgiveness and acceptance and finding where you belong. (One character is struggling to deal with the death of his mother, but there’s nothing graphic in the story and nothing is overdone.) Cornell Collins is a reliably good narrator and he delivers an excellent performance.
Mixed Messages series by Lily Morton, narrated by Joel Leslie
This trilogy – Rule Breaker, Deal Maker and Risk Taker – has quickly become one of my favourites. The narration by Joel Leslie is fabulous, and Lily Morton writes the most amazing banter at the same time as she creates deep emotional connections between her leads. There’s a bit of angst in these, (and plenty of steam!) but nothing heavy and of course it All Works Out In The End!
Hooray!!!!
This is a great mix of favorites (Hello Bridgertons and Slightly) and new to me listens. I’m looking for to starting with Lessons in French. Nicholas Bolton reading a lighter Laura Kinsale is exactly what I need!
And there’s more on your list to queue up….*sighs contentedly*
Thank you Caz!
You’re welcome. I’m sure I can come up with some more if you would like them. I think that the definition of a “comfort listen” (as with a “comfort read”) differs from person to person; some want stories with absolutely nothing difficult in them (so most mysteries and thrillers are out!) and next to no angst – which aren’t really my jam. Most romances, by their very nature have a bit of angst in them (otherwise where’s the conflict?) but I’ve tried here to stuck to the pretty low-angst titles! Personally, my comfort listens tend to be narrator-led and I don’t bother too much about the subject matter, but everyone’s different!
My comfort listen would be Richard Armitage reading Georgette Heyer. Aural bliss!
If only those recordings weren’t abridged…
I listened to When He was Wicked earlier and liked it very much. It’s been out for years but only newly on audio, so the timing was perfect as far as ‘comfort listens’ go. It was, of course, delightful. It’s the Bridgertons…what’s not to love?
Lessons in French is my favorite Kinsale romance, and Nicholas Boulton always brings his (very impressive) A-game when he narrates. So this book is a doubly sweet listen for me. I’ll have to dig it out for a relisten; I ration my Kinsale because they are all so special, but it may be time for a binge!
I have been in an HR kind of mood anyway, so I may binge the Bridgertons, too!
When He Was Wicked came out in 2006 (I think?) with Simon Prebble narrating (Melinda reviewed it HERE), but Rosalyn Landor told me a few weeks back that she was going to be recording the final three books in the series – so I presume the rights have reverted or something. She also told me that she’s re-recording Lisa Kleypas’ Hathaways series; most of those weren’t available in the UK before, so I assumed the ones I was seeing in the “coming soon” lists were UK releases of the older recordings, but no, apparently she’s doing them again!
I was not aware that When He Was Wicked had previously been on audio, I only know that I purchased the entire series about 3-4 years ago and that one wasn’t available on audio. I had actually forgotten about it. I love Prebble, but no one does HR like Landor. I wonder why they are re-recording the Hathaways? I thought those recordings were pretty much perfect as is. Maybe Kleypas has reworked the books? That was my first Kleypas HR series, and I’m still in love with Cam Rowan. I’m hoping to see a few Hathaways pop up in the new Wallflowers children series she’s rumored to be working on. Maybe the child of a Rom falling for the child of a duke? Could be interesting!
It’s so cool that you get to communicate with these amazing narrators and authors; I’d be fan-girling all over the place! Lol! I’m so in awe of the talent many of them have, I’d just embarrass myself. And I love the inside scoop you sometimes get to offer us, so thanks for that!
Yes, books 6,7 and 8 were released over a decade ago (and weren’t available in the UK until very recently) I’ve reviewed one of them here as well – Hyacinth’s book I think (I can’t remember the title!) I do like Simon Prebble’s performances but I can’t deny it’s great to have the whole series recorded by the same narrator, and the fact it’s RL is the icing on the cake!