Johanna Porter Is Not Sorry

By: Sara Read

Narrated by: Marni Penning

Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

“Laugh out loud funny and poignant. I loved it!”—LORI FOSTER, New York Times bestselling author

Johanna is not a thief—and she is definitely not sorry.
In the back room at an elite gallery party, 40-something soccer mom Johanna Porter stands face to face with her younger self. The girl in the portrait, La Rosa Blanca, is fierce and fearless, and Johanna sees the great painter she almost was before her lover, the powerful artist Nestor Pinedo, torched her career.

When she cuts the million-dollar masterpiece out of its frame, rolls it up and walks out, it’s not a theft. It’s a rescue.

Hiding out in a shack on the Chesapeake Bay with La Rosa Blanca looking on, Johanna tries to paint again, but encounters only the cringe-worthy atrophy of her talent. When she reluctantly goes sailing with the injured surgeon two houses away, and chemistry flares between the struggling misanthropes, Johanna realizes that to fulfill the promise of her younger self, she’s got to quit playing it safe.

Battling novice-thief paranoia, impostor syndrome and mom guilt, she can stay one step ahead of the law. But it will take an act of desperation to become the woman La Rosa Blanca was meant to be.

“Vivid, visceral, and sexy—I loved it.”—JEN DEVON, author of Bend Toward the Sun

Don’t miss Sara Read’s next captivating book, Principles of Emotion, a smart, poignant STEMinist novel perfect for fans of Lessons in Chemistry

©2023 Sara Read (P)2023 Harlequin Enterprises, Limited

Fierce/fantastic great new voice!

This is a book for any woman who has ever felt as though they have sold a little bit of their soul along the way. Especially for anyone who is creative, wonderfully written, and narrated.

Amazing narration!

The narration for this book was so amazing. All the characters were believably portrayed and really drew me into the story.

Not my normal read

I don’t normally read this genre but I follow the narrator on social media and she shared a snippet. I was hooked. From the art intrigue to the trauma Johanna has, is, and does go through to the Romance and angst in this book. It had my enraptured. I listened to it in 2 days! I could not get enough!

Fiery—Emotional

This starts with such a bang I couldn’t rush through. Johanna may not be sorry, but she has emotions. And what emotions!

This is a story of past regret, and not so much redemption as marching forward and grabbing hold and not letting go. It’s emotional, with a love interest but also with mom-daughter vibes and creator-artist vibes. I loved the surprising setting, the often snarky voice, and the full circle. Johanna, I’m definitely not sorry either. ❤️‍🔥🙌‼️

Fantastic!

Marni is a master narrator. This story brings you into the art world and makes you laugh while immersing you in a tale of anger, uncertainty, love, fear, self-reflection, realization, and redemption. I couldn't put it down. The opening and ending credit music was a pleasurable bonus.

A Binge Read/Listen!

I binge read this story, or rather, binge listened. (The audiobook was well done.) The story was fantastic. I love a story with a female character who’s had enough and acts out of her comfort zone. There were so many layers in this story that made it a page turner. It had me in tears several times, and laughing many more. This is a must read if you love women’s fiction with a side of crime, a whole lot of discovery, and a bit of romance.

Angsty—an audible anxiety attack

I really wanted to like this book and tried everything in hopes I would, but ten chapters in, I’m calling it. There is too much ragey snark, self-hate, and general douchery for my taste, though that may be due to my dislike of the narrator. She does a great job—I’m just not fond of her work.
Combine the dark comedic writing with a narrator that oozes sarcasm and angst, and it’s a perfect storm of NOPE from me.
I was looking forward to listening to her other book (Principles of (E)motion), but it’s the same narrator and I’m concerned her overly dramatic tone will ruin it.
I may need to try reading these rather than listening.