VACATION

Seattle-based narrator Curt Simmons is the perfect performer to present the story of a grief-stricken Seattle pathologist who finds his soul mate on a walking tour of the Cotswolds. This contemporary romance is a little bland and predictable, but there is one dramatic impediment blocking the course of true love that piques one's interest. The story is enlivened by descriptions of the English countryside, a hilariously mismanaged tour, and characters that are distinctive and fun. Here is where Simmons's talent reveals itself. His portrayals of the kindly Australian couple, the two French female travelers, and, best of all, the flaky tour director make listening to this love story a pleasure. D.L.G. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2017]