Review of ‘Chasing a brighter blue’ by Gerri Hill, Audiobook narrated by Nicol Zanzarella

I normally don’t comment on book covers but I have to say that this one, in my opinion, doesn’t convey the real tone of this book. It is true that there is a Christmas theme, and there are a couple of scenes with elks, but the design suggests a lightness that the written text lacks. I suggest reading the blurb instead which provides a proper idea of what to expect.

Photojournalist Reagan Bryant is back from Afghanistan with memories of a traumatic event that hunts her. To help her lighten her somber mood, she decides to attend her brother’s Christmas wedding, a two-week-long affair. Shelby Sutton is the bride’s sister, an heiress to a hotel empire, who thinks most women are looking after her money. When Shelby’s sister asks her to bond with Reagan in order to cheer her up, she wasn’t expecting to become attracted to her. As both women get to know each other better, there is an undeniable attraction, but do they have any future together beyond that Christmas?

I read this book a couple of years ago and since then it’s part of my Christmas favourite books. ‘Chasing a brighter blue’ summarises the strongest points in Ms. Hill’s writing: intense emotions, hot chemistry, powerful romance and love of nature. Both main characters are beautifully written and very relatable. The reader can emphasise with both of them, especially Reagan, who’s such a wounded but caring soul affected by a tragic war incident. I liked that Ms. Hill did not try to simplify her PTSD for the sake of romance. The novel finds the perfect balance between struggle and hope.

This book was narrated by Nicol Zanzarella whose voice is husky and expressive. The narrator adds another layer of storytelling with her unhurried pace; thanks to her pauses and inflections, Ms. Zanzarella creates an oral subtext that allows the listener to enjoy every sentence. Her performance of the different voices is all I expect from a narrator, with distinctive characters whose voices are a reflection of their personalities, age, and gender. This book has some very emotional moments and Ms. Zanzarella interprets them outstandingly, it really brings the story to life. Highly recommended if you are looking for a Christmas romance with some substance. Unfortunately, it’s not available in either Audible Escape or Scribd but it’s worth the price. Duration: 7 hours, 38 min.

Overall, an excellent lesbian Christmas romance audiobook. 5 stars for both the story and the narration.