Audiobook Review: Brighter Than Before by Courtney Walsh

 

Brighter Than Before by Courtney Walsh

Publication Date: June 9th 2026 by Thomas Nelson

Pages: 352

Audio Book Length: 11hrs 

Narrator: Patti Murin

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Claire’s life implodes very publicly the night she discovers her husband is cheating with a much younger woman.  After too long wallowing it’s time for a change. Claire needs to figure out just exactly what she wants in life. Claire makes a list of things that’ll get her outside of her comfort zone, experience new things and hopefully find happiness along the way.

 

Brighter Than Before was moving, inspirational with some laughs and romance as Claire finds her way! I love seeing a character pull herself up after such a setback and thrive by the end! It was a joy to see Claire find her way!

 

I listened to the audio, and Patti Murin’s performance is perfection! Her comedic timing is excellent, and she does so well with a wide range of emotions!

4 Stars

Book Description:

Claire did not plan to end up mid-forties with a daughter studying in London and the unfortunate discovery that her husband is not the man she thought he was. In fact, he's the exact opposite of a faithful, loyal, kind, and good-hearted spouse. And the discovery of his real nature and lack of remorse leads her to do what she never thought she would--divorce him.

After a year of wallowing before hitting rock bottom . . . in public, unfortunately, Claire realizes she needs to finally answer the question her therapist asked her all those months "What do you really want?" It was a question she couldn't answer then, but now she knows it's time to figure it out.

It's the turning point that leads Claire to change her life. And not just a little--a lot. She sells her house in Denver and moves to the city that's always had her heart--Chicago.

With the help of nosy neighbors, new friends, and a daughter who sets her up on a dating site from across the ocean, Claire begins to answer that big, important question by figuring out what she wants and how to live life on her own terms.

Audiobook Review: Everything's Coming Up Rosie by Courtney Walsh

 

Everything's Coming Up Rosie by Courtney Walsh

Publication Date: June 10th 2025 by Thomas Nelson

Pages: 353

Audio Book Length: 11hrs 10min

Narrator: Jorjeana Marie

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Rosie’s dream of becoming an actor has been worn down by years of trying to catch a break only to land bit roles and suffer rejection. Desperate for a job and money, Rosie sends out dozens of resumes and lands a creative director position in Door County, Wisconsin. However, Rosie fails to read the job offer over carefully and so she’s shocked to discover that the theatre is in a retirement community and her actors are all seniors. Little does she know that the job she didn’t realize she applied for is about to change her life in the most profound and wonderful way!

 

There’s a whole collection of interesting characters: the varied group of seniors cast in her play, an ornery stage manager, and surly teenager Rosie enlists as a volunteer.  Most notably, however, is Booker, the handsome physical therapist! He’s a sweetheart, listening without judgement and always there when Rosie needs him! Their friendship turned into a romance that was everything!

 

I absolutely loved Everything’s Coming Up Rosie! Found family, romance, and finding happiness where you’d least expect it! Such an inspirational, feel-good story!

 

I also loved the author’s note where she talked about her dreams, (similar to Rosie’s) and how coming to realize your dream can shift and pivot without meaning you’ve given up.

 

I listened to the audio version narrated by Jorgeana Marie and it was perfection! She performed male and female in a wide range of ages seamlessly! Definitely enhanced this heartwarming story!

5 Stars

Book Description:

Sometimes what you think you want and what you actually want turn out to be different things . . 

Rosie Waterman has one to become a working actor. But lately, that hasn't been working out. When she loses her apartment and her job on the same day, she does what she always does--puts herself out there, ready to find the next big thing. But a trip home makes her realize that while she's been struggling to make this dream come true, all her friends have become real adults with careers and weddings and babies on the way. Rosie's been at this for years, and she has nothing to show for it. But how does she simply let go of her dream?

When she's offered a job as the director of a regional theatre's production of Cinderella, she jumps at the chance--even though she's only directed in college and the job is in Door County, Wisconsin, and not in New York. She has no other offers, and at least she'll be getting paid to do something theatrical. But when she arrives, she quickly realizes that the "regional theatre" is actually in a retirement community, and the "actors" are actually senior citizens with no acting experience whatsoever.

Working on the show presents new challenges, forcing Rosie to learn how to step up and be the leader this fledgling theatre troupe needs. The more time she spends with her new cast, the more she begins to rethink what it means to dream big, especially when that big dream hasn't turned out to be at all what she thought it would be. It's not at all what she expected, but could it be exactly what she needs?

Mini Reviews: The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley and Good Girls Don't Die

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh

Publication Date: June 13th 2023 by Thomas Nelson

Pages: 358

Audio Book Length: 10hrs 2min

Narrator: Jorjeana Marie

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★½

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

At thirty, Isadora’s life is bland and far from happy. So when she spies a magazine article proclaiming “31 Ways to Be Happy (Today!)”, as an academic researcher she feels she can debunk this ridiculousness. However, as she starts trying out the suggestions in the name of science, it forces her to open up to others and she finds her life changing. Isadora was hurt badly in the past which ultimately led to her being guarded, her life stagnant, so I was thrilled seeing her start to embrace life and happiness, making friends, and finding love along the way! Isadora’s journey was of self-discovery and healing. This was such an uplifting story with a sweet romance as icing on the cake! 

The audio was excellent! Jorjeana Marie's performance breathed life into the characters and definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the story! I listened at my usual 1.5x normal speed. 

4.5 Stars

Good Girls Don't Die by Christina Henry

Publication Date: November 14th 2023 by Berkley & Penguin Audio

Pages: 320

Audio Book Length: 9hrs 31min

Narrator: Lisa Flanagan

Source: Publisher & Library lend audio

Rating: ★★★½

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

There are three stories, with three different women: Celia wakes up as a wife, mother, and restaurant owner, but doesn’t remember any of it.  

Allie is supposed to get away with her two besties to celebrate her birthday, but plans change when one of the boyfriends (total jerk!) hijacks the trip and takes them to a secluded cabin out in the woods.

Maggie wakes up with several other women forced to participate in deadly competitions.

All three stories connect by the end.

Good Girls Don’t Die had a kind of Twilight Zone vibe. Wished there was a little more to the ending other than that abrupt one, but I was happy with how it turned out for the most part. 

Lisa Flannagan's audio performance was excellent. Sort of reminded me of Lorelei King, one of my favs! I listened at 1.5x normal speed.

3.5 Stars

Review: Famous For a Living by Melissa Ferguson

 

Famous for a Living by Melissa Ferguson

Publication Date: April 25th 2023 by Thomas Nelson

Pages: 320

Audio Book Length: 7hrs 49min

Narrator: Talon David

Source: Publisher & Libro.fm

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Librofm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Cat Cranwell is a famous Instagramer with millions of followers until an app partnership leads her to be “canceled”. Cat had partnered up with a shifty friend, got pressured to sign last minute documents and then it was discovered it wasn’t aboveboard. Many followers and brands dropped and vilified her. Now as the case goes to court her best friend, Serena, encourages Cat to take Uncle Terry’s offer of a job in Montana working for the small Kannery National Park, to get her out of the city and out of the public eye. Uncle Terry is Cat’s closest family member, and beloved father figure and she knows part of the offer is to help Cat get out of the spotlight. But the park does really need her help to get it noticed more so it’s not absorbed into the giant Glacier National Park.

Famous for a Living was very much about Cat’s journey figuring out what’s important in life without trading in her identity. Cat was likeable and thoughtful from the beginning, so it wasn’t like she needed major positive changes, but more that she got swept up by fame and maybe missed the important bits of living, like being in the moment and not concerned with every “like” or with being at the top of popularity. Social media can be really great, but it can also overtake a person’s life, and I thought the story captured the positives and negatives well.

Zaiah, even though he clearly didn’t like social media, wasn’t judgmental and appreciated all Cat could do, but he had a history that made his position make sense. He was an absolute sweetheart and I loved seeing them get close and fall in love.

I loved the setting! The rustic cabins, the snowy mountains, pines, wildlife, and the fun local winter festivals!  The cast of secondary characters from Uncle Terry, Cat’s BFF Serena, Mina, to Kevin were quirky and so much fun! I laughed out loud so many times!

Famous for a Living was engaging, low drama, and a just a pure delight! Loved everything about it!

I alternately read an e-copy and listened to the audio version. I really enjoyed Talon David’s performance of both female and male characters! She enhanced an already wonderful story! I listened at my usual 1.5x normal speed. I recommend either version!

4 Suns

Book Description:

From Park Avenue to the Parks Department—the world’s most beloved social media star is about to get a rude awakening.

With her millions of followers, Cat Cranwell is adored around the world. But when an app partnership goes very, very wrong, Cat suddenly finds herself shunned from the community that not only fed her soul all these years but paid her bills. When Cat’s closest living relative, Uncle Terry, offers her a position on his staff at a small national park in Montana to get away from the city, Cat hesitantly accepts the opportunity.

What she doesn’t realize is that as the new social media strategist her goal is to save Kannery National Park from being absorbed into Glacier National Park by boosting the number of visitors. And at least one of her new colleagues—namely, handsome and rugged ranger Zaiah Hudson—thinks social media is the root of everything that’s wrong with the world. Written with bestselling author Melissa Ferguson’s signature wit and charm, this romantic comedy of opposites attract is full of hilarious romp and a romance that will melt readers’ hearts.