The Audacity of Sara Grayson

By: Joani Elliott

Narrated by: Libby McKnight

Length: 13 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

What happens when the world’s greatest literary icon dies before she finishes the final book in her best-selling series? And what happens when she leaves that book in the hands of her unstable, neurotic daughter, who swears she’s not a real writer? 

Sara Grayson is a 32-year-old greeting card writer about to land the toughest assignment of her life. Three weeks after the death of her mother - a world-famous suspense novelist - Sara learns that her mother’s dying wish is for her to write the final book in her best-selling series. 

Sara has lived alone with her dog, Gatsby, ever since her husband walked out with their Pro Double Waffle Maker and her last shred of confidence. She can’t fathom writing a book for 30 million fans - not when last week’s big win was resetting the microwave clock. 

But in a bold move that surprises even herself, Sara takes it on. Against an impossible deadline and a publisher intent on sabotaging her every move, Sara discovers that stepping into her mother’s shoes means stumbling on family secrets she was never meant to find - secrets that threaten her mother’s legacy and the very book she’s trying to create.

©2021 Joani Elliot (P)2021 Recorded Books

Engaging, heartfelt, and well written story

Liked this book a lot. Good complex characters with strong development of the main character. The plot was intriguing too and kept me wanting to take the long way home to listen to a few more minutes. Joni Elliott’s writing has wit, depth, intrigue, and charm. An irresistible combination.

A side note: The lack of sex scenes is refreshing in today’s sex-drenched world. She was still able to make you feel the strong and deep attraction in the love story subplot. There is some profanity, but it all rings true to the characters and isn’t overbearing.

Sometimes it is what you don’t reveal that is the most alluring. Bottom line, definitely recommend.

delightful characterization

I’m big on liking the characters and her characterization drew me in very quickly and I was hooked. The author is very witty and her characters felt authentic. The reader was perfect. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Enjoyable listen to

Audio performance was a bit robotic but the story was good. I would recommend this to others looking for a light story

Not for me

I read reviews before I listen so I thought I’d leave one. I like to get lost in a book. Not possible with this one it’s just barely ok.

So good!

Interesting plot & amazing characters - loved listening to it! Would love to see this book get turned into a movie or mini series!

Fun Story

Easy read, entertaining and relatable characters. Perfect road trip audible. intriguing story, but not difficult to follow the storyline.

I loved this book!

The storyline was great and suspenseful in a way that made me not want to stop listening. The narration couldn’t have been any better. Highly recommend!

Audacity and grit make the best stories

I have wanted to write a novel for years. This was a fantastic representation of the writing process. I loved the quotes at the beginning of each chapter. Truly inspirational!

Fun Read

This was a fun read -- I listened to the audio version. I could easily relate to the characters and was left wondering "what is in the safety deposit box?" Is more to come? I was surprised to hear the performer mispronounce "library" several times. At first I thought it was attributed to a certain character but it was used each time the word "library" was mentioned.

Fun summer read

This book was purely enjoyable! Humor dotted throughout, strong characters, romance, and not to mention great writing quotes!