FLAT-OUT LOVE

Julia Whelan’s narration is flat-out amazing. When Julie moves to Boston to begin college, she takes up residence with the Watkins family. Whelan portrays Julie with the practical tone of a teenager who is used to dealing with whatever life throws at her. Whelan’s reading of Watkins brothers Matt and Finn offers just enough differentiation for the listener to keep track of who is speaking. Younger sister Celeste rounds out the siblings with a high-pitched voice that is completely at odds with her articulate speech yet is appropriate for her quirky personality. The Watkins aren’t exactly what they seem, and throughout the year she spends in their home, Julie falls in love, discovers a tragedy, experiences betrayal, and still has time to be a regular college freshman. E.N. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2014]