THE VELVET HOURS

Two remarkable performances grace this romance inspired by true events. Tavia Gilbert and Kate Reading shine as Solange and her grandmother, Marthe. Alternating between Belle-Époch and pre-WWII Paris, Marthe slowly reveals the story of her life, from her unfortunate childhood to her years as a courtesan among Paris’s demimonde. Gilbert delivers a youthful Solange, filled with trepidation. As she warms to Marthe, her genuine love for her grandmother is palpable. As Marthe, Reading is simply stunning. Her voices, her accents, and her emotions are utterly credible. The vivid painting of Marthe, the men in her life, a string of priceless pearls, a world on the edge of collapse, and the growing tenderness between two women makes this an audiobook listeners won’t want to miss. S.J.H. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2016]