Looking back through my 2023 reviews here at AudioGals, I can easily see that I listened to a lot of really good audiobooks and some truly outstanding ones last year.
I admit that I tend to be fairly choosy as to what I review these days – nobody wants to spend time listening to something they don’t expect to enjoy – so I think I’m giving more higher grades these days than I used to. For the purposes of this list, I’m choosing titles I’ve awarded an A grade for narration and at least a B+ for the story. Given the names of the narrators who crop up most frequently on my reviews, that means there are quite a lot of high grades to choose from! I’ve kept this list to books that were released in 2023, although as audio releases are often later than ebook releases, there are some titles here that were published in print/eformats before that.
The Adventures of Holloway Holmes series by Gregory Ashe
Narrated by Greg Tremblay
This was the year my two favourite Gregs – Ashe and Tremblay – finally got to collaborate, and… Wow. I will admit to not being a massive Sherlock Holmes fan, and to not reading much YA/NA, so for the first time since I started reading Gregory Ashe’s books, I was uncertain as to whether something of his would work for me. I needn’t have worried however, because The Adventures of Holloway Holmes is a Gregory Ashe story in every way – featuring complex, damaged but likeable characters you quickly take to your heart; twisty, intricate plots filled with action and danger, and dry humour and snark that lighten even the darkest of moments. Greg Tremblay is one of my go-to narrators – he’s always superb, but his wonderful, thoughtful voice-acting coupled with Gregory Ashe’s brilliantly conceived characters and situations make this series a must listen.
Special mention – J.F. Harding’s outstanding performances in The Face in the Water and The Girl in the Wind, the first two books in GA’s incredible Iron on Iron crossover series. Each book is narrated by a different Asheverse couple, and the author does an amazing job, constructing an overarching plot, ongoing relationship development and keeping every one of these eight different individuals very distinct and completely ‘them’. It’s a mark of this narrator’s talent that he is able to clearly distinguish between the eight different ‘lead’ characters (he has already portrayed four of them – Jem & Tean, Theo & Auggie) as well as to voice an extensive secondary cast.
The Adventures of Holloway Homes series reviews here.
A Nobleman’s Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel by KJ Charles
Narrated by Martyn Swain
KJ Charles never misses, and this year she gifted us with two real corkers – her Doomsday Books duology. A Nobleman’s Guide is the second book, and it’s got something of a gothic-y feel to it as a reluctant earl (whose wicked uncle is trying to wrest the title from him) finds himself falling for his new secretary, a member of the infamous Doomsday clan. It’s clever, it’s funny and the romance is superbly done; Rufus and Luke complement each other and are exactly what the other needs – although of course, there are several obstacles to be overcome. While I had a few issues with the narration in the first book (The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen), I enjoyed Martyn Swain’s performance in this one a great deal – he has a terrific range of characterisations, and does an excellent job of conveying the strength of the emotional connection between the leads.
10 Things That Never Happened by Alexis Hall
Narrated by Will Watt
Alexis Hall’s brand of funny and poignant, down-to-earth and absurd, generally works well for me, and that’s absolutely the case in this opposites-attract romance that begins when Sam ends up with a concussion after tripping over a shower enclosure and his boss, Jonathan, has to look after him for a bit. In the midst of a light-hearted novel full of snarky banter, an ugly cat and a ridiculously oversized Christmas tree, the author has penned a touching and insightful story about family and love and grief and finding a way forward. Will Watt’s narration is utter perfection.
Pinot & Pineapple Lumps by Jay Hogan
Narrated by Gary Furlong
Jay Hogan and Gary Furlong continue to be a winning team. This final book in the Southern Lights series is a lovely age-gap romance about learning who you are and who you want to be that tackles some difficult issues in a sensitive but realistic way. The romance – featuring two men with a decade between them – drips with chemistry and the eventual HEA is very well deserved. I review Gary Furlong a lot here at AG, and he’s so very good that it’s hard to find new things to say about him! There are few romance narrators around who can match him when it comes his skill for conveying emotion – whether it’s laughter, tears, or everything in between, he’s always spot on.
Inevitable Disclosure/Defying Logic by Nicky James
Narrated by Nick J. Russo
I put Nicky James’ Valor and Doyle series onto my Best of 2022 list, so it will come as no surprise to see it getting another mention on 2023’s! The mysteries are clever and engrossing, the development of the romantic relationship between the leads is phenomenal and the author has created some fantastic secondary characters and friendships as well. This series is romantic suspense Done Right and Nick J. Russo’s terrific perfomances are the perfect accompaniment.
Inevitable Disclosure review here. Defying Logic review here by Carrie.
A Rake of His Own by A.J. Lancaster
Narrated by Nicholas Boulton
A Rake of His Own is the fifth book in the author’s Stariel series, but mostly works as a standalone. It’s a gaslamp romance with an enemies-to-lovers/opposites-attract vibe in which a hot fae prince (Rakken) teams up with a nerdy, stubborn mortal (Marius) to discover who – or what – is behind a series of murders at the university where Marius is studying. Lots of witty banter and delicious sexual tension between the leads pepper the story and the words “narrated by Nicholas Boulton” should be sufficient inducement to anybody to pick this one up!
Subway Slayings & Broadway Butchery by C.S Poe
Narrated by Kale Williams
Another outstanding series of romantic suspense/mysteries, this one set in NYC and featuring one of the most complex and unusual main characters I’ve ever read. Intricate, clever and understatedly – but beautifully – romantic, these books are a complete joy to experience, and in Kale Williams, the author has found the perfect voice for her characters.
Subway Slayings review and Broadway Butchery review here..
Time to Shine by Rachel Reid
Narrated by Cooper North
Cooper North is one of my all-time favourite narrators and I’ve given him a lot of A grades, but he’s absolutely outstanding in Time to Shine. This delightful standalone hockey romance features two characters who are polar opposites – one an introvert, the other a high-energy ray of sunshine it’s simply impossible for him (and us) not to fall in love with. The romance is a gorgeous slow-burn filled with warmth and charm and humour, but it tackles some more serious issues as well, with themes of grief, guilt and forgiveness running through the story. In my review I called it “a warm hug of a book” – and I absolutely stand by that comment!
Fool Hearts by Emmy Sanders
Narrated by Blake Lockheart
This is the first time I’ve listened to Blake Lockheart, and I was seriously impressed. The story – of two life-long friends, one of whom is in unrequited love with the other – is a slow burn romance that spans a couple of decades and is nicely angsty ;) I had a few quibbles, which is why the story ended up with a B+, but the narration was fantastic – superbly characterised and acted – and I’ll definitely be looking for more of Mr. Lockheart’s work.
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Thanks, Melinda.
I love your recs, Caz, and have listened and loved most of them. I don’t know how I missed the KJ Charles books and I’ll definitely be downloading the AJ Lancaster if for no other reason than… Nicholas Boulton ;-) A bevy of wonderful narrators here! Like you, I really loved my first ever experience of Blake Lockheart; I’m hoping there’s a lot more from him in the future. It’s a wonderful collection but I think if I had to choose a number one it would have to be the CS Poe.
Choosing a top book is always hard – I have to do it every year at AAR, and it’s always tough (and changes from day to day). From this lot – Cooper North was so wonderful in Time to Shine, that might be my 2023 favourite, with Will Watt in the Hall running him a very close second.
I can never pick my absolute favorite because it’s like comparing apples and oranges. I think Russo’s narration of Aslan in Defying Logic is incredible: from brash and charming to gutted. Then there’s the amazing Will Watt narration on the mostly lighthearted 10 Things, and Cooper North’s ability to believably voice both the hyper (but anxious) Casey and the borderline depressed Landon in Time to Shine, while still making it such a warm and inviting story. The books are so different and the skills used by the narrators seem to perfectly match what was needed. I felt the same way about one of my top picks, We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian, narrated by Joel Leslie.
I hope 2024 brings equally great experiences for us!
Exactly. There are a handful of hugely talented m/m romance narrators out there most of whom I think we’ve chosen between us. I’m looking forward to listening to many more audiobooks by them this year!
A Rake of His Own is such a good book, and it’s become one of my comfort listens. Marius and Rake are great together. Plus, books where the clues are seamlessly seeded in are my favorite kind of mystery. I’d love it if the author made this into a mystery series with them as recurring characters.
More Marius and Rakken banter would certainly be a good thing!
I’ve been loving the Memento Mori series by CS Poe. Kale Williams is fantastic.
Some of your top listens were top reads for me Caz (Time to Shine and the KJ Charles) – I read them in print and so haven’t listened to them yet.
I think the Memento Mori series is one of those where not only is the narrator bringing out the best in the story, but the story is also bringing out the best in the narrator, if you see what I mean? I really like Kale’s voice and I’ve listened to him quite a lot – he’s never ‘bad’, but isn’t always this good.
I love Cooper North and he’s just wonderful in the Reid – and while I had some issues with the narration in the first of the KJC duology, the second was a big improvement, IMO. I hope you enjoy them when you find the time.