By Gaby (Content Editor)
I’m a super fan of audiobooks and as I listened to around 80 of them this year, trying to choose my favourites has been a struggle. Audiobooks are two-layered stories, one formed by the written word, the other by the narrator’s performance. It’s been thoroughly proven that a great narration can elevate an already good book to superlative levels. Conversely, a bad narration can ruin a very good story. But when both the written words and the voice acting reach high levels is when we listeners hit the jackpot. The ones that did it for me are in this list of Best Sapphic Audiobooks of 2022.
Young Adult / Sports / Enemies to Lovers / Romance
Home Field Advantage by Dahlia Adler, narrated by Natalie Naudus and Lori Prince
This is an enemies-to-lovers romance with a huge amount of teenage drama and a small side of sports (American Football). Set in a high school in Florida, the story focuses a lot on the homophobic and misogynist reactions toward the “simple” fact that the new quarterback is female. The audiobook version is read by two narrators, Natalie Naudus, who performs the chapters from Amber’s point of view, and Lori Prince who performs from Jack’s. I’m getting more used to audiobooks with two narrators and these two are absolute stars who always bring stories to life in an outstanding way. Click here for my review
Paranormal / Erotic Romance
AITA? by Cassie Alexander, narrated by Avery Caris
In a world where demons live peacefully along with humans, Becky drunkenly agrees to have a threesome with her fiancé and a demon a few days before their wedding. This triggers a series of events in which Becky will reflect on her life choices, her relationship with alcohol and her love life. This novel has many different facets: romantic, erotic, heartfelt, reflective, etc and Ms. Caris performs them all with the perfect tone and emotional charge. Click here for my review
Rom Com / Second Chances
Count Your Lucky Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur, narrated by Lauren Sweet
This was an entertaining and funny rom-com with a little angst on the side. The novel balances humor, romance and angst as there is a bit of them all, in good proportion. Both main characters are adorably human in their strengths and shortcomings and their chemistry is off the charts from the start. The romance increases slowly but surely the level of heat until it’s scorching. Lauren Sweet did another fantastic job in the audiobook version. Her narrative tone is exactly what a rom-com needs. Her delivery of the funny moments and the acting of the different emotions were absolutely perfect. As a bonus, her performance of the sex scenes brings all the heat to life. Click here for my review
Second Chance Romance / Small Town / Humour
Love Bites by Lila Bruce, narrated by Paige Reisenfeld and PJ Freebourn
If you are looking for a cute, funny and romantic story to cheer you up, search no more. On paper, this audiobook shouldn’t have worked for me. I normally don’t like two narrators and, in this case, one of them is male which it’s strange for a Sapphic romance. However, it makes absolute sense as PJ Freebourn reads the chapters from Moose the dog’s point of view and Paige Reisenfeld narrates both female main characters. Mr. Freebourn absolutely pulls off the different voices for the dogs and Moose’s own voices for the humans. If the book was already funny, his performance makes it absolutely hilarious. Click here for my review
Rom Com / Return to Hometown / No Strings / Small Town
Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake, narrated by Kristen DiMercurio
At first glance, this is a return to hometown, no strings attached romantic comedy with the setting of a small town. However, Delilah Green Doesn’t Care is much more than that. It’s a family drama, soul-searching exploration, and a character’s road to self-redemption. All wrapped up in a feel-good, self-deprecating and humorous story. I absolutely loved Kristen DiMercurio performance. Her voices are distinct and they all reflect each character perfectly. Her delivery of humorous passages, as well as emotional ones, is perfect. Click here for my review
Political Intrigue / Opposites Attract / Coming Out
Worthy of Love by Quinn Ivins, narrated by Anastasia Watley
This is an opposites-attract, coming-out romance with some political intrigue on the side. Ms. Ivins manages to make the fictional political situation sound plausible and current. The book finds the perfect balance between romance, intrigue and the characters’ journey to overcome their difficulties. The audiobook version was narrated by Anastasia Watley who is one of my favourite narrators. She performs Belle’s southern accent perfectly. As usual, her pacing and the overall tone are spot on and bring the story to life making it even more enjoyable. Click here for my review
Action / Intrigue / Opposites Attract Romance
Secret Agent by Michelle Larkin, narrated by Keira Grace
Rogue CIA Agent Zoey Blackwood has a clear mission: try to save the lives of foreigners considered expendable by greedy US politicians in the wake of a deadly virus. CIA Agent Peyton North’s orders are clear: capture Zoey and bring her back to the US. But as a sizzling attraction between them develops, Peyton’s loyalties are tested. Keira Grace did a very good job with the different characters’ voices and delivering witty remarks and snarky dialogues. Click here for my review
Speculative Fiction / Romance
Rabbits of the Apocalypse by Benny Lawrence, narrated by Blair Baker
This book is weird and I say this in the most appreciative way. The weird (but justified) title, crazy situations, and quirky characters, make it a hilarious read. But beyond the easy laughs, funny one-liners, and bewildering moments, the reader can appreciate – and identify with – the human condition and the consequences of people’s actions. It makes for a thought-provoking read with an unexpected turn of events that you won’t see coming. I’ve never heard of narrator Blair Baker before and she doesn’t seem to read many audiobooks, at least under that name. However, her comedic timing is impeccable and her performance of both Casey and Pax is amazing. Click here for my review
Historical Fiction / Lesbian Noir / Romance
Shadow Series by J.E. Leak (books 1 & 2), narrated by Abby Craden
Set in the 1940s during the Second World War, the Shadow Series follows the relationship between reporter Jenny Ryan and OSS agent Kathryn Hammond as they are thrown into a web of intrigue, danger, and love. Books 1 and 2 are both narrated by Abby Craden who, as usual, did a fantastic job of bringing the story to life. I loved the voices of all the characters and the overall tone of the narration. Definitely a very smart choice of narrator for this fantastic series. Click here for my review
Interracial Romance
The Woman in 3B by Eliza Lentzski, narrated by Stephanie Kay
This was an entertaining Sapphic interracial romance with a light premise that somehow leads to an exploration of discrimination against Middle Eastern Americans. I absolutely loved everything about Stephanie Kay’s narration, the different voices, the variation of tones, and the range of emotions. Her performance really elevated the story. Click here for my review
Age Gap / Ice Queen / Workplace Romance
The Headmistress by Milena McKay, narrated by Abby Craden
Sam Threadneedle, a math teacher at the girls’ academy Three Dragons, gets involved in an unforgettable one-night stand with a mysterious woman. When the same woman appears three months later as the new headmistress in charge of unpopular changes to save the institution from bankruptcy, Sam will be torn between her allegiance to the institution and her increasing attraction for the woman who can destroy all she’s ever had. If you are looking for an exquisitely written book with beautiful metaphors, well-fleshed characters, a little action/intrigue, and a beautiful romance, look no further. The Headmistress is one of a kind. As usual, Ms. Craden makes the story even better. Click here for my review
Medical / Military / Romance
If I don’t ask by EJ Noyes, narrated by Abby Craden
Part of the Ask, Tell series, If I don’t ask retells the events of Ask, Tell (which was told from Sabine’s point of view) this time from Rebecca’s perspective. Ms. Craden’s rendition of Rebecca Keane is delightful and listening to this character’s headspace is pure bliss. Just hearing her calling Sabine “darling” is worth your time with this audiobook. But the show stopper is Ms. Craden’s performance of the “incident” (if you read book one you know what I mean). She conveys such raw emotion and intense angst that will leave you speechless. Absolutely amazing. Click here for my review
Debut / Workplace Romance / Age Gap
Perks of Office by Liz Rain, narrated by Cat Gould
Perks of Office has a little bit of humour, angst, romance and sexiness, all in a balanced combo. Both characters are very well-fleshed and have great chemistry together. Cat Gould is an accomplished Australian narrator and is the perfect fit to voice the story. I loved her comedic timing and also her performance of emotional moments. Click here for my review
Historical Fiction / Mystery-Intrigue
Dead Letters From Paradise by Ann McMan, narrated by Christine Williams
From the enigmatic title to the gorgeous prose this novel captured my attention from the start and I couldn’t put it down until I finished. The breathtaking narration by Christine Williams brings the story to life and does justice to the written text. Click here for my review
No Strings / MILF / Age Gap Romance
Mistakes were made by Meryl Wilsner, narrated by Quinn Riley and Stephanie Nemeth-Parker
Mistakes were Made is also known as the MILF book on social media and features a popular trope for readers of Sapphic romance: age-gap. Wilsner uses multiple taboo factors, age difference, best friend’s mother, and secret relationship to enhance the conflict and create tension. The audiobook version is performed by two narrators, each one reading the point of view of one of the main characters. I’d rather have a single narrator because the characters’ voices change but in this case, it was fine for me as both performers have a similar voice tone. Both narrators did justice to the written text. Click here for my review
