MEET ME UNDER THE MISTLETOE

Shakira Shute's plaintive, wistful tone mirrors used bookstore owner Nory Noel's mixed feelings about attending an extended pre-wedding house party with her private school friends, Jenna and Charles, Guy, Jeremy, and Ameerah. Complications ensue: She slept with Guy before she knew he was married, she suspects Amira is falling for her man-Barbie date, and she discovers the estate's head gardener is her high school crush. But what could go wrong? Shute gives Nory's wealthy socialite friends posh British accents, contrasting them with the voices of Nory's middle-class family, who live in the village. Shute shifts expertly from the group's rampant sarcasm and sniping to their gut-wrenching sorrow over a past member's suicide. Shute plays up all the wedding and holiday drama to good effect. C.A. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2022]