A Place in the Sun

I’ll admit, I rolled my eyes when I saw *another* ‘woman inherits a European fix-me-up’ plot—but *A Place in the Sun* won me over by making the *fixing* the point. Anna Acton’s narration is the secret weapon here. She nails Thea’s pragmatic exhaustion, especially in the early chapters where every sentence feels like it’s being squeezed out between clenched teeth. There’s a scene where Thea discovers the ‘quaint’ well in the garden is actually a death trap, and Acton’s delivery—equal parts horror and dark humor—had me laughing out loud. That said, the romantic subplot with the gruff-but-kind local builder (of *course* it’s a builder) occasionally veers into familiar territory. Their banter lacks the sharpness of Thea’s interactions with her kids or the hilarious British expat neighbor, whose dialogue Acton performs with relish. The audiobook’s pacing is its biggest strength and weakness. The first half drags slightly during the more technical renovation scenes (do we *really* need a play-by-play of grout selection?), but the payoff is worth it. By the time Thea’s standing on the terrace at sunset, wine in hand, you’ve earned that moment of catharsis right alongside her. The production is polished, though I wished for more ambient sound during the market scenes—Acton’s voice is so vivid that the occasional silence feels like a missed opportunity. Still, this is a standout for listeners who want their romance with a side of realism. It’s not just about finding love; it’s about rebuilding a life, one wonky shelf at a time. And if you’ve ever cursed over a flatpack, Thea’s struggles will feel like therapy.