The Heirloom

Narrator Carlotta Brentan skillfully depicts YA thriller author Rosen’s (Dead Ringer) cinematic adult debut, a romance-driven blend of domestic and travel fiction. When Shea Anderson’s boyfriend John proposes, all of Shea’s dreams seem to be coming true. The only problem is that John proposed with an heirloom ring, something Shea’s Nonna always said would bring bad karma. Shea’s superstition sends her from Los Angeles to New York, Italy, Portugal, and Boston in hopes of proving that the energy from the ring’s previous owner will bode well for her potential marriage. Brentan’s voice and accent work create an inviting atmosphere, bringing listeners along on Shea’s travels. Brentan gives a deliberate and full-toned sound to Shea’s voice and internal monologue that aligns well with her tension about the ring and its potential to bring bad luck. As it traces Shea’s journey, the novel also considers mental illness, grief from familial loss and parental divorce, and the meaning of marriage.