Plus One

Julia Whelan’s narration alone sold me on *Plus One*. She nails Sol’s internal conflict—the way she masks defiance with sarcasm and fear with practiced indifference—without ever tipping into caricature. Her voice for the secondary characters, especially the morally ambiguous actors in the conspiracy, adds layers I didn’t expect, making the world feel alive in a way the text sometimes struggles to convey. The pacing is relentless, with Whelan’s pacing and Fama’s tight plotting ensuring the audiobook never drags, even during the slower character moments. That said, the romance subplot occasionally feels like it’s trying to justify its existence in an otherwise gritty narrative, and the resolution arrives with a speed that borders on abrupt—more satisfying than rushed, but jarring after the meticulous buildup. Where this audiobook truly excels is in its atmosphere. Whelan’s performance amplifies the oppressive dread of the curfew society, where even the silence feels like a threat. The production quality is pristine, with no audible distractions, letting the story’s tension do the heavy lifting. If you’re a fan of dystopian fiction that prioritizes character over spectacle, *Plus One* delivers—but be warned: the ending might leave you hungry for more, not because it’s unsatisfying, but because the world is so vivid you’ll want to linger. Whelan’s performance turns this from a great YA listen into something you’ll remember long after the final chapter.