Dragonfly Wishes

Samantha Novak doesn’t just read this audiobook—she performs it. Her voice is a velvet glove that slips over the story’s more delicate moments (like Arianna’s grief over her mother’s disappearance) while still packing enough punch to crush the step-uncle’s tyranny into dust with a single syllable. There were moments, though, where the speed of her delivery made it hard to catch every nuance of the world-building, especially in the quieter magical sequences. Still, her ability to differentiate characters—from Arianna’s cautious optimism to the stranger’s effortless charm—elevates the listening experience from passive to immersive. Bradley’s world feels like if Studio Ghibli directed a period drama, with just enough sci-fi glitter to make it feel fresh. The romance is slow-burn but never frustrating, and the fantasy elements are woven in with a lightness that avoids overwhelm. My only critique? The step-uncle’s villainy, while satisfying to hate, occasionally teeters into caricature territory. But Novak’s performance sells it so well, it’s hard to mind. If you’re looking for an audiobook that wraps you in warmth and wonder without sacrificing emotional depth, this is your next listen.