The Four Engagement Rings of Sybil Rain by Hannah Brown (June 24, 2025) Many thanks to Hachette Audio and Forever for the gifted advanced listening copy!
One year after her wedding literally goes up in flames (yes, at the altar), Sybil Rain is still reeling. At the urging of her friends, she cashes in the honeymoon voucher she never used and sets off for a tropical reset. But paradise has its own plans: her ex-fiancé Jamie is staying at the same resort. Over the course of the novel, we travel through Sybil’s past as she reflects on the three men she was previously engaged to, unpacking how each relationship shaped her complicated sense of self and her belief in her own worthiness of love. Layered into the present-day chaos of this destination vacation are shocking arrivals, impulsive excursions, old heartbreaks, and some hard-earned emotional clarity.
This is the perfect example of why it’s worth sticking with a main character who may not click with you right away. I initially struggled to connect with Sybil – her decisions felt puzzling. But partway through, a single revelation shifted everything. Suddenly, her eccentricity, her longing, and her defense mechanisms all made sense. I was so glad I stayed. What emerges is a tender, messy, self-aware journey toward healing and connection.
🎧 Audiobook Notes: Cherami Leigh was a new-to-me narrator, and she nailed it. Her performance captured Sybil’s offbeat charm and the emotional undercurrents of the story beautifully. She brought the character’s grief, humor, and hope to life in a way that made this audiobook an absolute standout. (8 hrs, 53 mins)
Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Audio Performance: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
Spice: 🌶️
Book Smart Kate 