Thank You for Listening

Former actress Sewanee Chester works as a successful audiobook narrator, specializing in romance novels despite her own skepticism about love. After a chance encounter at an awards show, she begins an anonymous online correspondence with a fellow narrator known for his work in romance audiobooks. Their connection deepens through messages about books, work, and life, while Sewanee faces challenges in her personal life, including caring for her grandmother and navigating complex family dynamics. She simultaneously takes on a lucrative but demanding project narrating the final book of a beloved romance author. Professional and personal boundaries blur as Sewanee balances her growing virtual relationship with her real-world responsibilities and career demands. Her past experiences in Hollywood and present-day hurdles in the audiobook industry intersect as she moves through the story. The novel explores authenticity, vulnerability, and the various ways people connect in a digital age, while examining how the stories we tell - both professionally and personally - shape our understanding of love and relationships.

Readers praise the witty dialogue, complex characters, and the authentic portrayal of the audiobook narration industry. Many note the chemistry between the main characters and the balance of humor with deeper emotional themes. Positive reviews highlight: - Strong female friendships - Realistic family dynamics - Smart handling of romance tropes - Insider view of audiobook narration - Representation of disability Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in the middle sections - Too much industry-specific detail - Some find the ending predictable Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (67,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (13,000+ ratings) BookBub: 4.4/5 (2,800+ ratings) Sample reader comment: "The audiobook details felt natural rather than info-dumpy, and the emotional core of the story surprised me with its depth." - Goodreads reviewer Several reviewers mention listening to the audiobook version enhanced their experience, as Whelan narrates it herself.

Book Lovers by Emily Henry A literary agent and editor clash and collaborate in the publishing industry while navigating family obligations and questioning their career-focused lifestyles.

The Storyteller by Kathryn Williams A voice actor discovers secrets about her grandmother's past through recordings of audiobooks she narrated decades ago.

The Roughest Draft by Emily Wibberley Two co-authors who had a falling out must reunite to write one final book together, forcing them to confront their past and their craft.

The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz A writing instructor steals his dead student's novel idea and achieves success, until someone threatens to expose his secret.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab A woman who trades her mortal life to live forever finds meaning through stories and art across centuries, while unable to leave a lasting mark on the world.

🎧 Like the audiobook narrator protagonist in her novel, Julia Whelan is one of the most acclaimed audiobook narrators in the industry, having recorded over 500 books. 📚 The novel explores the little-known world of professional audiobook narration, including industry-specific terms like "booth hobgoblins" (strange noises that creep into recordings) and "mouth noise" (unwanted sounds produced while speaking). 🏆 The author won an Audie Award (the highest honor in audiobook narration) for her performance of Tara Westover's "Educated" - just as her main character Sewanee Chester wins a prestigious award in the story. 💝 The romance novel within the novel that Sewanee narrates is called "Romance in G Minor," a clever nod to both the musical background of the love interest and the book's themes of finding harmony in unexpected places. 🎭 Before becoming an author and narrator, Julia Whelan was a child actress who appeared in the TV show "Once and Again," similar to how her protagonist had a past career in soap operas before voice work.