Desert Isle Keeper

Narrated by Fran Liebow

Easily sitting in my top five favorite contemporaries, I fell in love with Blair and Wyatt in the print version and read To Die For twice before discovering in audio. I excitedly purchased a copy online only to wait weeks for it to arrive in the mail (no digital downloads at the time).

For those new to To Die For, one must understand going in that the heroine’s looks are perfect and she knows it. Beautiful, blond, and totally in shape, Blair went to college on a cheerleading scholarship and now owns an exercise club. Yeah, after hearing that, it was weeks before I could talk myself into giving it a try but boy was it worth it. And what makes it all work is …Wyatt.

Told in first person, Blair is a completely unique heroine whose thoughts and machinations women will still identify as close to their own at times. Although many regard this as romantic suspense, I see this as a highly entertaining funny contemporary romance. Wyatt is sexy as hell and he is listed on my AAR profile as one of my favorite heroes.

However, when I started listening to my long awaited audio version of this beloved book, it was only moments before I stopped in horror, thinking “Who chose this narrator and her over the top southern accent?!” Fran Liebow’s interpretation can be hard on the ears if you’re not prepared. I continued listening in some despair because, despite that accent, Wyatt sounded just like the hunky hero I envisioned in print.

I picked up To Die For again in audio a few years ago. I had gained what I hoped was a discerning ear and decided to enjoy it despite Liebow’s accent. And I did. Liebow understands this couple and delivers their lines with perfect timing and takes advantage of every humorous moment with skill. I now consider To Die For a reliable relisten which always brings a big smile to my face. No, it’s not equal to Anna Fields performing one of Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ books, but Liebow does this couple right. Wyatt and Blair react to one another just as I expect them to and her characterizations are spot on.

If you haven’t listened to To Die For or have listened unsuccessfully as I had, I challenge you to give it a try or try again!

Breakdown of Grade – Narration: B+ and Book Content: A+