Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Closer You Come
- Author: Gena Showalter
- Narrator: Savannah Richards
- Length: 13:49:00
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 31/03/2015
- Publisher: Recorded Books
- Genre: Romance, Contemporary
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
There’s something about the open road that makes audiobooks come alive – the way a narrator’s voice blends with passing landscapes, creating memories as vivid as the places themselves. I remember listening to Closer You Come while driving through the Smoky Mountains, the narrator’s Southern drawl harmonizing perfectly with the rustling oak trees outside my window. It was one of those rare moments where story and setting become inseparable.
Gena Showalter’s contemporary romance unfolds like a backroads journey through Oklahoma’s Strawberry Valley – full of unexpected turns, sultry detours, and characters that linger in your memory like the taste of good bourbon. The story follows Jase Hollister, a recently released convict trying to stay on the straight and narrow, and Brook Lynn Dillon, a responsible waitress who discovers that danger can be delicious when it comes packaged in a rugged, reformed bad boy.
Savannah Richards’ narration is a masterclass in Southern storytelling. Her voice carries the warmth of a front porch conversation, with each character distinctly rendered through subtle vocal shifts. She captures Brook Lynn’s combination of practicality and hidden passion perfectly – you can hear the character’s internal struggle between responsibility and desire in every syllable. When she voices Jase, there’s a gravelly edge that suggests both danger and vulnerability, making his redemption arc utterly believable.
What struck me most was how Richards handles the book’s sensual tension. There’s an art to narrating romantic chemistry without veering into melodrama, and she navigates this beautifully. The love scenes sizzle with restrained intensity, reminding me of those Oaxacan evenings where the most powerful stories were told in the spaces between words. The production quality enhances this effect – crisp audio that makes every sigh and whispered confession feel intimate.
Showalter’s writing shines in audio format. Her dialogue crackles with authenticity, particularly in the playful banter between Jase and Brook Lynn. The secondary characters – especially Jase’s ‘brothers by circumstance’ – add rich texture to the narrative. Richards gives each their own distinct voice, creating a sense of community that makes Strawberry Valley feel like a place you could visit.
The story’s exploration of redemption and self-worth resonates deeply. Jase’s journey from ex-con to worthy partner parallels many transformations I’ve witnessed in my travels – people rebuilding themselves in small towns across the world. Showalter avoids easy answers, instead showing how love becomes part of that rebuilding process rather than a magical solution.
If I have one critique, it’s that some plot developments follow familiar romance beats. But like a well-made comfort food dish, the execution elevates the familiar ingredients. Richards’ narration adds nuance that might be missed in silent reading, particularly in conveying the characters’ emotional layers.
For audiobook lovers who enjoy:
– Slow-burn romance with heat
– Redemption arcs that feel earned
– Small-town atmospheres rich with personality
– Narration that enhances rather than distracts from the story
This is a perfect listen for a road trip or quiet evening when you want to be transported somewhere warm and full of heart. The chemistry between Showalter’s words and Richards’ voice creates that rare alchemy where the audiobook might just surpass the print experience.
Until our next literary adventure, keep your passport and headphones handy.
Marcus Rivera
