Book Smart Kate

Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Audiobook performance: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫 Spice: N/A

by Matt Haig (September 3, 2024) Many thanks to @prhaudio for the advanced listening copy of this book. Below is my honest review.

Grace Winters, a lonely 72-year-old retired math teacher, has resigned herself to a life without new experiences. But when she unexpectedly inherits a run-down house in Ibiza from a woman she hasn’t spoken to in decades, Grace decides to break free from her routine and travel to Spain in search of answers. Why would a long-lost friend gift her a home? What follows is a journey that Grace could never have imagined—one that will set off a chain of events, transforming her life forever.

This powerful and moving story is about shedding loneliness and regret to embrace life to the fullest. Grace’s transformation is not only inspired by the vibrant setting of Ibiza but also by the mystical magic of the sea, which, when it chooses, has the power to supercharge the mind and rejuvenate the body. Much like The Midnight Library, this novel is filled with quotable passages that resonate deeply. I was captivated by Grace’s journey and how small acts of kindness can change lives in ways we might never foresee. While I didn’t connect as much with the “big bad” storyline, I understand its role in driving Grace’s story forward.

The audiobook features dual narration by Joanna Lumley (yes, that Joanna Lumley) and Jordan Stephens, who both do a fantastic job bringing this heartfelt story to life.