Good and Joyful Things

De: Ania Ahlborn

Narrado por: Mia Barron

From master storyteller Ania Ahlborn comes a brand-new psychological thriller described as “a horrifying manifesto of marriage, manipulation, and the unpredictability of human relationships.”

Simone and Elliott Evans have it all; a comfortable life, a house on a quiet street, and two sweet daughters. But their marriage is far from happy, especially now. While Elliott spends all day at work, postpartum depression presses down hard on Simone’s shoulders. Baby Lizzy is colicky and often sick. Five-year-old Aster is a handful—not at all as good a “helper” as Simone had hoped. The more time Simone spends home alone with the girls, the more she’s convinced that Elliott’s interest in his family is waning. He’s pining for his ex, Leighton Prescott—a woman who mysteriously disappeared from their small New Hampshire town years before, leaving her and Elliott’s then newborn daughter, Aster, behind.

When Simone confronts Elliott in search of the truth, he reminds her that this isn’t the first time she’s accused him of being unfaithful, and it isn’t the first time her assumption has been wrong. But when Simone spots Leighton at the grocery store in their tiny hometown, she has her proof. Leighton Prescott is back, and despite what Elliott says, Simone knows Leighton will stop at nothing to destroy the life she’s built with Elliott, piece by precious piece.

Terrified of losing her family, Simone puts Elliott to the ultimate test. He’s left with one last chance to save the marriage he vowed to preserve. But rather than rekindling the love he and Simone once shared, he instead uncovers an unfathomable truth about the woman he calls his wife, a woman that, as it turns out, he doesn’t know at all.

©2025 Ania Ahlborn (P)2025 Simon & Schuster Audio

Slow Burn… Worth the Wait

What an interesting read. Really worth the listen, hold on until the end! Overall, satisfying at the end but ran a little long in the beginning.

Couldn't stop listening!

I really enjoyed this from start to finish. Usually I am a happy ending kind of gal, but this was a nice finish. 10/10

Slow burn

This seemed very long and drawn out but still very well written. I enjoyed the back story. Kind of unrealistic. The main character is unhinged, but I’m here for it

Just OK.

Unfortunately this was pretty predictable, and not at all scary or frightening. Interesting characters though.

Love her

I love Ania Ahlborn! This is another winner. Crazy and dark, kept me hooked! While some was predictable, there were some great twists.

This was painful. It was not a good story. I expect more out of this author.

The story here is an unreliable narrator that you can tell very quickly and the story doesn't really give a whole lot. It's not the best story from this author at all.