Presidential (audiobook) written by Lola Keeley and narrated by Abby Craden

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The details…

  • Title: Presidential
  • Written by: Lola Keeley
  • Narrated by: Abby Craden
  • Listening length: 8 hrs and 24 mins
  • Publisher: Tantor Audio
  • Release date: June 20, 2023
  • Genre: contemporary romance 
  • Themes: women loving women, bisexuality, the US presidency, politics, the secret service, family, gun violence, hospitals, doctors, heart surgery, widowhood, politicians, elected officials
  • Tropes: women in power, public figures, age gap

The blurb from the publisher…

How can you find love when the whole world is watching?

High-flying pediatric surgeon Emily Lawrence is new to Washington, DC. Her first week in her new job puts her on a collision course with the most powerful woman in America, President Calvin.

Constance “Connie” Calvin’s first term is proving turbulent thanks to trying to juggle work and life as a widowed single mother to a twelve-year-old boy. Running for re-election is imminent, and the critics are gunning for her. Worse, her famed icy cool is in danger of melting in the face of Emily’s passion, commitment, and charm.

Admitting the rising sexual tension between the women is just the start. How can they act on it while in the public glare? Giving into temptation comes with such risk. In a world that lives and dies on opinion polls, what will the country make of them?

A charged age-gap lesbian romance that puts the power in power couple.

Contains mature themes.

My thoughts…

Lola Keeley is a seasoned writer and knows how to construct an engrossing tale. She’s known for her captivating characters, and she does a nice job with the characterization of these powerful and magnetic women. Connie and Emily are compelling characters. They’re strong, passionate and enterprising women. Listeners can not help but be drawn to their spirited energy. Their story arc is equally as engaging. This is an intriguing romance, dramatically drawn out and hard to resist. Overall, Keeley’s new audiobook is as entertaining as it is thought provoking. It dips its feet into relevant and current issues that need more positive action.

Because the storytelling is timely and relevant, I was completely pulled into Presidential’s narrative. Its relevancy furthers the story and adds texture to Connie and Emily’s romance. This is a dynamic couple, and listeners will absolutely enjoy their time with them. They have a strong emotional connection and chemistry; it can be seen through their interactions, dialogue, and shared moments. Furthermore, their relationship is built on mutual respect and support. They uplift and challenge each other, push each other to become better versions of themselves. All of this works to increase the tension and intrigue in their relationship, which ultimately adds depth and complexity to the storytelling and makes it more interesting for listeners.

Keeley invests a lot of time doing her homework, and it pays off for the narrative. There is a real credibility to the behind the scenes look at a president’s life. It is fascinating; anyone that loves politics will most likely be enthralled. Nothing on the president’s itinerary moves without purpose though, so expect the same with Connie’s love life. Listeners should be prepared for a bit of a fast-tracking in the love department. However, they can rest assured that Presidential is all the more exciting for it, making it a great listen in the end.

Final remarks…

This is narrated by Abby Craden so of course she elevates Keeley’s storytelling, upping the tension and suspense in ways that keep the listener invested in the plot. Moreover, Craden uses her voice to effectively convey the characters’ emotions, thoughts, and motivations. Her skill set ultimately provides Presidentialwith a depth that not only makes it dynamic but engaging. Bottom line: If you are one that enjoys a good sapphic romance, Presidential is a sure bet.

Strengths…

  • Fantastic story world 
  • Intriguing storyline 
  • Dynamic and engaging characters 
  • Relevant and timely subject matter
  • Fast-paced and highly entertaining 
  • Excellent narration

This audiobook is available from…

A bit about the author…

Lola Keeley is a writer and coder. After moving to London to pursue her love of theatre, she later wound up living every five-year-old’s dream of being a train driver on the London Underground. She has since emerged, blinking into the sunlight, to find herself writing books. She now lives in Edinburgh, Scotland, with her wife and four cats. 

If you’d like to learn more about Lola Keeley, check out the links below.

A bit about the narrator…

Abby Craden originates from New York but after many years on the West Coast, she now calls Los Angeles home. Ms. Craden’s voice can be heard in national commercials, animation, video games and many TV shows and films. She has been performing and storytelling in all of its various forms for over twenty years. Her voice range is impressive, skilled in eight distinct dialects, including British, Italian, French, Russian, Irish, Southern, Brooklyn, and Long Island. This has afforded her the opportunity to record hundreds of audio books—winning two Earphones Awards and named “One of the Best Voices of 2012” by AudioFile Magazine. Most recently she added a “Best Audiobook Narration” to her long list of accomplishments for her work on A Whisper of Solace by Milena McKay. 

If you’d like to know more about Abby, check out the following links.

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