Welcome readers!

It’s been a while since I have put any reviews on this blog.  Heck, I can honestly say that I have never done a review of an audiobook…EVER…so, it’s time!

Faced with the possibility of a very long car trip last month, New York to Virginia, I wanted to snag an enjoyable audiobook to help pass the time.  I have been a fan of Lauren Baratz-Logsted since I read THE BRO MAGNET, several years ago.  So I decided to download her book, THE OTHER BROTHER, for the ride.  It turns out that I did not have to take that car ride after all, but still dealing with home-time due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the time was still perfect for a good listening experience.

THE OTHER BROTHER revolves around the life of a woman, Mona Springer, who is married to an amateur musician, Jack Springer, who is the brother of Denny Springer, who just so happens to be the biggest, most famous rock star in the world.  What must it be like to be the brother or sister-in-law of someone of that caliber?

Throughout the story, Mona narrates, telling the reader about how she had always been a fan of Denny, following the mags and gossip about the live-it-up lifestyle of the rock star.  As she grows older, and meets her future husband, she never realizes that Denny is his brother until her wedding day, when Denny can’t show up to be the best man.  The life of a rock star is demanding, and unyielding, it seems.

There had always been tension between the brothers, with Jack rarely even acknowledging his existence, and skipping out on the wedding cements those feelings. Mona and Jack go on to have two boys and a travel agency business, only seeing Denny on the rarest of holidays.  When Mona and her family take a trip across the Atlantic from their home in London, to Connecticut for the Summer, Denny shows up, unannounced, with his entourage in the dead of night with no explanation.

Overnight, Mona’s Summer family vacation instantly takes a sharp turn with Denny’s visit, forcing the brothers to spend some time together.  Denny’s existence with them runs hot and cold.  The relationship between them all remains awkward and uncomfortable for much of the visit, especially considering how the two boys, William and Harry (no royal relation…) don’t know how to even talk to their uncle.  Is their family summer vacation a wash?  Or will it end up being exactly what this family needs?

This audiobook was a real find for me.  As a musician, and child of the 80’s, I ogled over pop and rock stars of my time, fan-girling with the best of them.  Duran Duran, A-ha, Richard Marx, Bryan Adams, just to mention a few, were on the top of my list…  This story brought me back to my younger days!   I will have to save those specific tales for another post…or another book!

Also of note, the narrator of this audiobook had a truly expressive voice, and did a wonderful job capturing the witty style of Ms. Baratz-Logsted’s writing, which I have grown to adore.  As a fan of Ms. Baratz-Logsted, I can’t tell you how much I appreciated that.

This audiobook was a real treat to listen to.  I can’t wait for my next book by Lauren Baratz-Logsted…she never disappoints.  Highly recommended!

Here is a link to the audiobook here, but it is also available on Kindle and paperback! The Other Brother

Lauren Baratz-Logsted can be found:

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