Caz & Kaetrin’s Best Audiobooks of 2021

Graphic image: Caz & Kaetrin's Best of 2021

Before we dive back into our regular diet of reviews of (mostly) new audiobook releases, regular reviewers Kaetrin and Caz are here to cast a glance over their shoulders at the past year and select their favourite audiobooks of 2021. 


Every year when it comes time for the “Best of” lists, I face the same dilemma – because (basically), I’m rubbish at choosing!!  I listened to – and enjoyed – a lot of audiobooks in 2021, just as I do every year, but there are a handful that stand out because of both the top-notch storytelling and equally top-notch narrations.  Here – in no particular order – are my favourite audio releases of 2021.

Caz:

Yet a Stranger by Gregory AsheYet a Stranger (The First Quarto) / The Same Place (Review HERE) and The Same End (The Lamb and the Lion) by Gregory Ashe

Narrated by JF Harding

The Same Place by Gregory AsheIt’s no secret that I’m a massive Gregory Ashe fan – his stories are clever, gritty, insightful and simply brilliant, a terrific combination of mystery and romance that feature complex, flawed but intensely likeable characters you can’t help but fall a little bit in love with!   In J.F. Harding, the author has found the ideal narrator for his work; something magical happens when these two incredible talents combine, and as an author/narrator team, they’re hard to beat. Yet a Stranger continues the story of the complicated relationship between bereaved grad student Theo Stratford and sophmore Auggie Lopez, and it’s a book with which I had an extreme love-hate relationship.  The angst is dialled up to eleven as both characters become involved with people who are completely wrong for them while continuing to work together to investigate a murder.  And The Same Place/The Same End continue the trilogy featuring wildlife vet Tean Leon and con-man Jem Berger, who are so obviously head-over-heels for each other that you just want to smush them together and tell them to wise up – but who both have a whole carousel full of emotional baggage to work through before they can admit it, and a few murders to solve along the way.  I couldn’t make myself choose just ONE of Ashe & Harding’s 2021 collaborations for this list because they’re all Just. So. GOOD.

Crossing the Touchline by Jay HoganCrossing the Touchline by Jay Hogan (Review HERE)

Narrated by Gary Furlong

Like all the entries on this list, the audio of Crossing the Touchstone was released in 2021; unlike them, the book was published a couple of years earlier.  It’s the second book in Jay Hogan’s Auckland Med series, a passionate, sexy and angsty romance between everyone’s favourite super-fierce ER charge nurse, Cam Wano, and deeply-closeted All Blacks star Reuben Taylor. Thanks to the author’s gift for creating truly engaging and memorable characters, I was invested in this one right off the bat – and Gary Furlong’s outstanding narration demonstrates his ability to really get into the heads and beneath the skin of the characters he portrays, his versatility with vocal characterisations sometimes enough to make me forget I was listening to just one person. 

An Echo in the Sorrow by Hailey TurnerAn Echo in the Sorrow / A Veiled and Hallowed Eve by Hailey Turner (Reviews HERE and HERE)

Narrated by Gary Furlong

A Veiled and Hallowed Eve by Hailey TurnerI couldn’t choose between these final two instalments of Hailey Turner’s Soulbound series – so I didn’t!  This creative and superbly inventive urban fantasy entertained, thrilled and captivated me for all of its seven instalments; it’s a truly epic story in every way as our heroes face demons, fae, vampires, and gods from a myriad of pantheons as they fight to stop the evil Dominion Sect from wreaking chaos on humanity.  At its centre is the story of one man’s struggle to overcome tragedy, regain his autonomy and allow himself to love and be loved.  Gary Furlong again demonstrates exactly why he’s one of the best romance narrators around, giving voice to hundreds of different characters across the entire series, while also bringing depth and substance to the central characters and their emotional connection.

Role Model by Rachel ReidRole Model by Rachel Reid (Review HERE)

Narrated by Cooper North

In Cooper North, Rachel Reid’s excellent Game Changers series has finally been given a narrator who can do justice to these wonderful books.  This is one of my favourites of the series so far, a lovely grumpy/sunshine romance between a deeply-closeted player who, in the earlier books, was a bit of a dick.  The author gives him a tremendous redemption story while at the same time exploring the misogyny and homophobia that continue to exist in some professional sports AND developing a romance between two opposites who really do bring out the best in each other. Mr, North is one of my favourite narrators, and he delivers an expressive performance that hits all the right emotional notes.  He’ll be back for 2022’s The Long Game, and I can’t wait!

The Charm OffensiveThe Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun by Alison Cochrun (Review HERE)

Narrated by Vikas Adam & Graham Halstead

This is one of those books that surprised me in the best way.  I’m not the biggest fan of reality TV, but this story, set during the filming of a Bachelor-type show, proved to be warm and witty, with two wonderfully characterised leads and a lively and diverse secondary cast. The romance between one of the show’s producers and its socially awkward ‘star’ is just lovely and although the book doesn’t tread any new paths, that doesn’t matter, because I was completely charmed by the whole thing.  The narration, too, is simply fantastic, with character portrayals that fit perfectly and a sense of engagement with the material that communicates strongly to the listener.  I loved it.

Madison Square Murders by C.S. PoeMadison Square Murders by C.S. Poe

Narrated by Kale Williams

A last minute addition to the list, this superbly plotted mystery features one of the most unusual protagonists I’ve ever come across and a beautifully set-up relationship that I can’t wait to watch develop in subsequent instalments in the series.  Kale Williams’ narration is spot on in every respect.


Kaetrin:

It Happened One Summer by Tessa BaileyIt Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey (Review HERE)

Narrated by Charlotte North

This book was such a delight and one I’ll revisit I’m sure. Funny and sexy (OMG. HOT) and just wonderful. Just about everything about the story and the narration worked for me in a big way. The follow up, Hook, Line and Sinker is one of my most anticipated reads of 2022 and this book sent me on a Tessa Bailey binge. She is the queen of dirty talk and let me tell you, Charlotte North delivers that dialogue.

Paladin's Grace by T. KingfisherPaladin’s Grace by T. Kingfisher (Review HERE)

Narrated by Joel Richards

I stumbled on a recommendation for this series on Twitter and it was one of my best finds of the year. Full of humour, adventure and romance, this fantasy story was all the things and the narration was superb. I have the follow up, Paladin’s Strength, to listen to now as well – it’s just come out – and I’m looking forward to revisiting that story in audio. 

People We Meet on VacationPeople We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry (Review HERE)

Narrated by Julia Whelan

Julia Whelan was the big draw for me for this one. She’s one of my favourite narrators but she doesn’t seem to be narrating much romance these days. As it happened, the story entertained and charmed me too but I’m sure I enjoyed it more because of the narrative performance. Whelan brought extra sympathy to the characters and elevated this audiobook into my top five romance listens of the year.

Dangerous Ground by Rachel GrantDangerous Ground by Rachel Grant (Review HERE)

Narrated by Eva Kaminsky, A.T. Chandler & Michelle Yatchmeneff

Dangerous Ground was a wild ride almost from the start, with constant tension keeping my earbuds glued to my earholes. The main narration by A.T. Chandler and Eva Kaminsky was excellent. Where I may have become impatient with the characters in print, on audio I found myself far more tolerant of the romantic build up. The only thing missing was the HEA – the follow up book, Crash Site, is due out in January. I’ve already read it but I’m not telling!

Riley Thorn and the Dead Guy Next Door by Lucy ScoreRiley Thorn and the Dead Guy Next Door by Lucy Score 

Narrated by Natalie Duke

My most unexpected find of the year, I picked up Riley Thorn and the Dead Guy Next Door on a whim when it was the Audible Daily Deal one day. The blurb sounded fun and the price was minuscule so I had little to lose. What a treat for my ears the narration by Natalie Duke was! I’ll definitely be looking out for more from her.  Riley Thorn is hilarious and good-natured, with ghosts and other paranormal hijinks, romance, a murder mystery and geriatric vigilantes too. I reviewed this one at my own blog and not for AudioGals but when I was choosing my top five it just had to go on the list. 


So those are our Top Picks of 2021 – what are yours?  Have you listened to any of these, and if so, what did you think?

2 thoughts on “Caz & Kaetrin’s Best Audiobooks of 2021

  1. I loved Role Model and Madison Square Murders. Both of these are in my Best of 2021, with the Poe book right up at the top. I also enjoyed Dangerous Ground, although I didn’t think it was the best Grant book I’ve read. I also recently finished Demons Do It Better by Louisa Master, narrated by Joel Leslie which I really enjoyed. I guess technically I finished it in 2022, but I’m going to count it. It’s perhaps more of a B/B+ book, but Joel’s narration, as always, makes t that much more enjoyable. Lily Morton’s Best Man was released on audio in 2021, and I enjoyed revisiting that story. (Joel again.)

    My husband just read Paladin’s Grace and recommended it to me, so with Kaetrin’s recommendation I think I’ll give that a try on audio.

    For books I listened to in 2021 but were released earlier, there are so many. I had the pleasure of listening to two of KJ Charles’s series, as well as N.R. Walker’s Red Dirt Heart series, which was definitely a favorite for me this year. Joel Leslie does such a fabulous job with those. Plus Walker’s Thomas Elkin trilogy. Also I loved Salt Magic, Skin Magic by Lee Welch, narrated by Joel Leslie. Glitterland and Pansies by Alexis Hall, and A Garland of Straw by Stella Riley were also 5 star listens for 2021.

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