SMALL BLESSINGS

After two new people join an insular and predictable college community, Shakespeare scholar Tom Putnam is surprised to discover it's never too late to get a second chance at happiness. Narrator Lorelei King's thoughtful pacing and varied cadences are just two ways she engages listeners. By employing understated Southern accents, King signals the story's Virginia setting, and her distinct voices flawlessly reflect each character's personality—from a slightly pompous male professor to a tough female lawyer and an insecure young child. Although the novel touches on the issues of mental illness and addiction, this is really a feel-good audiobook. King's perfectly timed pauses give listeners the opportunity to absorb the subtle humor that makes SMALL BLESSINGS a joy to listen to. C.B.L. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2014]