Flame

I dove into *Flame* expecting a lighthearted romp about a reluctant bride, but Locke delivered something far grittier and more satisfying. The protagonist’s voice is the star here—caustic, witty, and painfully real as she navigates a family meltdown that feels ripped from the headlines. Bloom’s narration sells it; she nails the protagonist’s dry humor and escalating panic with equal aplomb. Hamilton, voicing a key male character, brings a surprising depth to what could’ve been a caricature, his warmth cutting through the chaos just when it’s needed most. That said, the audiobook isn’t without its hiccups. The production occasionally swells with too much reverb during emotional outbursts, which feels like a mic too close to a shouting match. And while the dual narration works most of the time, a few tonal shifts between chapters feel abrupt, as if the editors hit “sync” a beat too late. Still, these are minor quibbles in what’s otherwise a propulsive listen. *Flame* is the kind of book that sticks with you not because it’s polished, but because it’s messy in all the right ways—like a family reunion where everyone forgets their manners but remembers their lines.