Julia Whelan’s Thank You for Listening is one of my favorite reads this year. In fact, I read it twice within a month. Its average rating on Goodreads is a 4 after 62,401 ratings and only has 413 one-star reviews and 2,088 two-star reviews. That said those who rated it poorly are very passionate.
Summary of Thank You for Listening
It’s worth noting from the start that Julia Whelan is an award-winning audiobook narrator (over 500 titles) who has now published two novels. I think her writing is heavily influenced by her professional experience and her style (and the use of 3rd POV) lends more to an audiobook. Julia Whelan delivers an outstanding performance providing different voices for each of the characters.
The Book Review:
What I Liked
Read this one with your ears! I think Julia Whelan is a masterful narrator and this story in particular lends so well to the medium of audiobook. I really enjoyed the development we see of Sewanee character as the novel progresses and the flirty conversations between Sewanee and Brock McKnight. Whelan was able to poke fun at some aspects of the romance publishing industry while capturing what readers love the genre for.
I think if Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Gramus, Runaway Groomsmen by Meghan Quinn, and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid had a baby it would be Thank You for Listening. It might be a bit of a stretch on the similarities to Lessons in Chemistry but it was the first book with similar feminist themes that I was reminded of. Sewanee’s grandmother reminded me of Evelyn Hugo with her approach to achieving her goals and sense of humor. Similar to Runaway Groomsmen Sewanee finds herself caring for a grandparent with Alzheimer’s disease. Although you will likely find Thank You for Listening in the Romance section it is different from your typical light and fluffy read dealing more with scars (emotional and physical) and the healing that is necessary to find in life. I truly appreciated the approach Whelan took to focus on this concept of a damaged individual and their relationships with others.
What I Didn't Like
I know that often when readers pick up a book it’s for escapism. Thank You for Listening is not the book to deliver an escape from your own trials and tribulations. Julie Whelan does an amazing job of tackling difficult topics and many reviews have remarked on how depressing the book is. Something they particularly did not expect because of the cover design. Although the authors commitment to exploring these aspects of human existence is one of the reasons I actually love the story. I do however think the ending was lacking in comparison to the development of the rest of the story. It felt rushed and a bit out of synch.
Favorite Quotes from Thank You for Listening
“Eventually, I don’t know when, but eventually? You’re gonna have to stop thinking you’re nothing more than the damaged version of yourself.”
― Julia Whelan, Thank You for Listening
“I think everyone around you is waiting for you to accept yourself as you are now, so we can as well. And the bitch of it is you’re waiting for everyone to accept you as you are now so you can accept yourself and, sorry, but love, it’s your move. You’ve gotta go first.”
― Julia Whelan, Thank You for Listening
Impresion Overall
Now you may be thinking “Amber this doesn’t sound fun or lighthearted, just a lot of substance”. Please rest assured that there are still moments of absolute hilarity. Of the books I have read in the last year it has the best banter between the female and male main characters that had me absolutely giddy. Some truly hilarious situations and side characters that provided comic relief at the perfect time.
Show & Tell Book Nook Rating:
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶 /10
More overt sexual innuendos, spice, and descriptive scenes. This would include all books within the new adult and intro to smut categories.
🚩
Language
graphic descriptions of dementia, injury, and moderate description of death of a parent and addiction
Green Flags :
Promotes communication and self-acceptance
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