GEORGIA PEACHES AND OTHER FORBIDDEN FRUIT

Amanda Dolan narrates the story of a gay teenager who moves from cosmopolitan Atlanta to the evangelical town of Rome, Georgia. Dolan embodies the reactions of Jo Gordon, who is spending her senior year with her father and new stepmother. A devout Christian, Jo promises to "lie low" if she can run an on-air ministry show. Her initial resentment about the move results in a humorous snarky tone, which Dolan captures perfectly. Dolan also expresses Jo's more vulnerable side--her fear of being found out; her developing love for Rome native Mary Carlson, who doesn't understand why Jo won't come out; and the conflict between lying to friends and her strong faith. This audiobook is as open about sexuality as Jo finally becomes. That makes it a refreshingly expressive listen. S.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2019]