As we do every month, the Gals have been looking through the lists of new and upcoming releases to find the ones we think are going to be the best bets for some really great listens in the coming weeks. We’ve got some tried and tested favourite authors and narrators across a variety of genres in our April Picks as well as some newer ones – and we hope you’ll find something here that piques your interest, too!
Up in Smoke
by Annabeth Albert
Narrated by Iggy Toma
Annabeth Albert. Iggy Toma. Nuff Sed. – Caz
I like to think of Albert’s novels as contemporary comfort food. I’ve found this series a bit hit and miss; I’m here for a possible hit and a new (to me) performer to enjoy! – Em
Iggy Toma and Annabeth Albert can be relied on for a good listen and the blurb particularly appeals. – Kaetrin
Teach Me and 40-Love by Olivia Dade
Narrated by Kelsey Navarro
I loved Olivia Dade’s Spoiler Alert and was pleased to see some of her earlier titles coming to audio. I like the humour in her writing and her characters are relatable and very real. I haven’t listened to Kelsey Navarro before, but she’s an experienced romance narrator so I’m hoping for good things. – Caz
The Intimacy Experiment by Rosie Danan
Narrated by Alex McKenna and Kaleo Griffith
I’ve heard such great things about Rosie Danan’s debut novel The Roommate, so I’ve paid special attention to news about her second novel, The Intimacy Experiment, which features one of the secondary characters from the previous book. Kaleo Griffith and Alex McKenna are the narrators, and while Ms. McKenna is new to me, I absolutely love Kaleo Griffith! – Shannon
What the Devil Knows by C.S. Harris
Narrated by Davina Porter
This is such a great series. In this sixteenth instalment, Sebastian investigates a series of particularly gruesome murders in and around London’s East End. Davina Porter’s narration is always a pleasure to listen to. – Caz
I love the St. Cyr series, and I prefer it in audio. No surprises here; I expect it will be terrific. I never get tired of these characters. – Em
I love this series and can’t wait to listen to the next instalment – Kaetrin
Twice Shy by Sarah Hogle
Narrated by Dorothy Dillingham Blue
I’ve heard such good things about this author so I’m tempted to try this one. – Kaetrin
Heiress in Red Silk by Madeline Hunter
Narrated by Beverley A. Crick
I’ve enjoyed quite a few of Ms. Hunter’s books over the years, although some of her more recent titles have been a bit let down by the narration. Fortunately, I know that won’t be the case here, because Beverley A. Crick is a wonderful performer, so I’m looking forward to jumping into this second book in her Duke’s Heiress series, about three young women who have received unexpected bequests from an unknown benefactor. – Caz
I just finished listening to the first book in this series with new-to-me narrator Beverley Crick. I thought she did a terrific job with the principal characters, although our hero sometimes sounded a bit too droll for my taste. Looking forward to reading and then listening to this one! – Em
Life’s Too Short by Abby Jimenez
Narrated by Christine Lakin and Zachary Webber
I’m not familiar with this author or the female narrator (though I have listened to and enjoyed Zachary Webber in the past). However, it was the blurb that struck a chord with me. Sounds like a light, inspirational book that may be the perfect listen when in the right mood. – BJ
Paladin’s Grace by T. Kingfisher
Narrated by Joel Richards
Spoiler – I’ve already listened to this one and it’s fantastic. – Kaetrin
The Road Trip by Beth O’Leary
Narrator – TBA
I really enjoyed The Flatshare so if the narrator works for me I’ll pick this one up for sure. (note: US release date is June 1) – Kaetrin
The Siren Saves the Billionaire by Kristen Painter
Narrated by BJ Harrison
The latest installment in the Nocturne Falls series is released this month. I got hooked on this comical PNR series when it was available on Audible Escape, even though Painter was a new to me author – if you enjoy Molly Harper-style comical PNR than I recommend this series! – BJ
An Earl, the Girl, and a Toddler by Vanessa Riley
Narrated by Bahni Turpin
I fell hard for the first book in Vanessa Riley’s Rogues and Remarkable Women series, and I’m literally counting down the days until book two is available. The fact that the talented Bahni Turpin will be returning as narrator only increases my anticipation. April 27th can’t come soon enough for my liking. – Shannon
The Hate Project by Kris Ripper
Narrated by Gomez Pugh
I’ll be honest – it’s the narrator’s name that caught my eye here. Gomez Pugh is one of my favourites – his work on Jordan Castillo Price’s PsyCop series is truly outstanding – and he isn’t all that prolific so something new from him is always going to get my attention. The Hate Project is the latest in the Carina Adores line of LGBTQ+ romances – I’m not familiar with the author, but the story sounds like a kind of frenemies-to-lovers affair, and I’m always here for one of those. – Caz
An Echo in the Sorrow by Hailey Turner
Narrated by Gary Furlong
This is the penultimate instalment of Hailey Turner’s fabulous urban fantasy Soulbound series and it looks like it’s going to be a doozy. The civil war that’s been brewing between the two New York god packs explodes and Patrick and Jono are going to have to face down a lot of demons – their own personal ones included. Gary Furlong is a one-man cast of thousands (well, not quite that many, but a lot!) and is sure to deliver another brilliant performance. – Caz
Lover Unveiled by J.R. Ward
Narrated by Jim Frangione
Spring just wouldn’t be spring without a new release in J.R. Ward’s big Black Dagger Brotherhood series. This installment features a hero and heroine listeners aren’t familiar with, and I’m eager to get to know them. Jim Frangione is the perfect narrator for this series, so I’m glad to see him continuing. – Shannon
Not Pretending Anymore by Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland
Narrated by Erin Mallon and Sebastian York
I’m a huge fan of Penelope Ward’s and Vi Keeland’s books, and when you combine that with the great narration of Sebastian York and Erin Mallon, Not Pretending Anymore is well worth looking forward to. – BJ
To Love and to Loathe by Martha Waters
Narrated by Joel Froomkin and Anais Inara Chase
This was a lot of fun in print so I’m looking forward to experiencing it again in audio. I’m not familiar with Ms. Chase (the samples I’ve listened to are a bit underwhelming, so we’ll see) but I know Joel Froomkin will be fabulous. – Caz
When I read this one I got the sense I might enjoy it better in audio, and I’m hopeful that will be the case. I’m familiar with Joel Leslie/Froomkin – and I’ve enjoyed many of his performances; Ms. Chase is new-to-me, and I’m curious how she will approach this slightly polarizing character. If I like this one, I’ll backtrack and listen to the first book in the series, To Have and to Hoax, too! – Em
The Last Night in London by Karen White
Narrated by Barrie Kreinik and Saskia Maarleveld
I love dual timeline novels, especially those that center around World War II, so it should surprise absolutely no one to learn of my excitement for Karen White’s latest book. Power house narrators Barrie Kreinik and Saskia Maarleveld are sure to bring the story to life beautifully. – Shannon