What are you looking for?

Audible audiobook

Author: Melanie Sweeney

Narrators: Brittany Pressley and Zachary Webber 

When your favorite audiobook narrator recommends a book, you don’t think twice and this one was a joy!

Hazel Elliot doesn’t do “afters”, doesn’t look back, doesn’t go home (literally or figuratively), until she’s forced to return to Lockett Prairie, TX for her father’s wedding.

Ash Campbell works at the café where Hazel studies and grades’s papers for her job as TA. They fight for her favorite chair. You see, Ash is Hazel’s only tie to “home”- he’s from her hometown, he was her first boyfriend’s best friend and they’ve been frenemies ever since. Small detail: Ash has been in love with Hazel since they were teens and now the only connection they have is their banter fighting over the darn chair. When Ash’s car breaks down and he needs a ride home for Christmas, Hazel reluctantly offers him a ride. One condition: no changes in their dynamic or she gets the coffee shop and the chair.

So, through blizzards, weird diners, one bed in funky B&Bs, they get to Lockett Prairie, where Hazel needs to face all the ties she severed and Ash has to deal with some family stuff he’s been quietly trying to fix.

Reluctantly, Hazel opens up… and Ash is there to catch when she falls. As always.

I can’t believe this is a debut novel! It’s sweet, heartfelt and engaging. I loved the literal and emotional journey Hazel and Ash go through. It’s touching to see how Hazel finally tears down the walls she carefully built around her heart in order to protect it. I truly loved it!

Narrated dual style by Brittany Pressley and Zachary Webber, this audiobook is a gem. Brittany’s performance is particularly touching in her vulnerable moments with her dad. Zachary is in top form as he gives us an adorable hero who’s grappling with his feelings for Hazel and dealing with family issues. And his several texans (including a diner scene that had me howling with laughter) are the icing on the cake! Bravo all!

Content notes: estranged relationship with a parent, secondary character is dealing with MS, toxic academic environment