Carter's Big Break

I’ll admit, I went into *Carter’s Big Break* expecting another generic ‘awkward teen finds himself’ story, but Brent Crawford subverts that trope from the first chapter. Will Carter is the kind of protagonist you root for *because* he’s a hot mess—not in spite of it. His voice is so distinct, so packed with self-aware humor, that I found myself rewinding just to catch jokes I’d missed. Nick Podehl’s performance is a huge part of why this works; he nails the rhythm of a teenager who’s equal parts jaded and wide-eyed, especially in scenes where Will’s internal monologue spirals into panic (the *disaster of a school dance* sequence is a standout). That said, the pacing stumbles a bit in the second act—there’s a subplot involving a teacher that feels undercooked compared to the sharper, more personal conflicts. And while the ending lands emotionally, it wraps up *just* a little too neatly for a story that otherwise thrives on chaos. Still, the audiobook’s production is flawless: no distracting edits, no awkward pauses, just a seamless delivery that makes it easy to binge in one sitting. If you loved *Me and Earl and the Dying Girl*’s humor but wanted more heart (and fewer existential crises), this is your next listen. Just maybe don’t play it on speakerphone if you’re in public—the laugh-out-loud moments are frequent and *loud*.