The Reunion

Years have passed since Liv Latimer was thrust into the spotlight as the lead on the renowned teen TV drama Girl on the Verge. An older Liv prefers the quiet life, but the cast is coming together for a glitzy 20th-anniversary special. Now Liz will not only have to once again contend with fame but she’ll also have to confront her feelings for former costar and best friend, heartthrob Ransom Joel. Her tale is mostly told from Liv’s point of view, and narrator Andi Arndt will have listeners rooting for the couple early on. Arndt adeptly portrays Liv’s complicated emotions and conflicted relationship with celebrity, juxtaposing effusive internal monologues, filled with longing for Ransom, with guarded, careful dialogue. During chapter interludes, Arndt seamlessly shifts to the chatty gossip columnists and bloggers who prolong the “will they/won’t they” tension throughout the novel. Listeners may have some difficulty knowing who is speaking when multiple characters inhabit a scene, but this insider peek at Hollywood is nevertheless enjoyable.