Do you wonder about art imitating life when it comes to writers and fiction? Popular audiobook narrator and actress Julia Whelan's new novel is about a famous audiobook narrator and actress named Sewanee Chester whose next project pairs her with another famous audiobook narrator named Brock McNight and all of it feels very real. Things start out with an industry convention in Las Vegas that is almost identical to a library or book industry conference. The author panels, the publisher booths and exhibit hall are exactly the same. I can attest to that. The changing landscape of audiobook publishing provides a nervous backdrop that also mirrors the continuous shifting surrounding the business of print, audiovisual and digital resources. That's something I relate to as a librarian all too well. But really, the universal need to adjust to new realities is something we all face in different ways.
While in Las Vegas, Sewanee meets a mysterious stranger and the attraction is instant and overwhelming. Destined for the most incredible short-lived romance ever means there's no pressure to make future plans or follow up with each other. Sewanee heads back to Los Angeles and finds out that she's landed the job of a lifetime duet narrating the "lost" books of a beloved romance author who has recently passed away. Sewanee and Brock McNight are handpicked by the author and hit it off immediately via email. Brock is the most famous male voice in romance and an alias - his true identity has never been revealed and Sewanee isn't sure if she can trust him. Her mind is also still on the mysterious stranger she met in Vegas. But you guessed it, turns out what happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas.
Thank You for Listening is more than a story about audiobook narrating and romance. Sewanee navigates life after a debilitating accident while also managing her grandmother's nursing home care. The family and work dynamics add another relatable dimension to the story. Smart, funny, and touching, I highly recommend listening to this book. It's narrated by the author, the actress best known for her work as smart, sensitive Grace Manning on the superb television family drama Once and Again.