Sometimes I read or listen to a book and it’s entertaining but not fascinating, and I’m okay with that. I don’t need my brain blown every time. Sometimes, too, a book will begin as entertaining but not fascinating, then without warning, something will shift and I’ll find myself a lot more involved all of a sudden. That’s exactly what happened here. I was having a nice enough time listening to Gwen and Beth becoming fast friends and enjoying their shenanigans to get their parents together. I was like, okay, this is cute and funny. When they realise they have feelings for each other, however, everything turns more intense, and I didn’t want to stop listening. It remained cute and funny, yet also more angsty and emotional.
I don’t know if it’s the historical setting, but this audiobook reminded me of the farces I studied in high school, Molière’s plays among others. Also, in some ways, of modern productions of classic operas, even though it would be in reverse, as Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend has this modern feel in a historical setting. An example of what I mean would be Phelim McDermott’s production of Mozart’s Così fan tutte for the Metropolitan Opera a few years ago (watch the Overture and “Come scoglio“).
The narration added to the feeling. Both narrators—Mary Jane Wells and Morag Sims—are fantastic, very different, each perfect for the character they’re voicing. Sims as Gwen is playful and cheeky, witty and loud, whereas Wells as Beth sounds more sensible, yet absolutely ready to try whatever it takes for them to be together. I don’t know if I’d have enjoyed this book as much if I’d read it instead of listening to it. For me, this is a clear instance of narration making the experience (even) better. If you need more smiles in your life, Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend should help.
Jude in the Stars 