LONE STARS

Michael Crouch's narration expresses the emotional peaks that highlight Deabler's moving story of a Texas family across several generations. Lacy, a college student, and her future husband, Aaron, meet through a pen pal program while he serves in Vietnam. The sweetness of their connection is undercut as their marriage comes apart after secrets come to light. Their son, Julian, grows up gay in a world in which men suffer physical attacks for not acting sufficiently masculine. Julian's departure from Texas carries the audiobook to its moving conclusion. Deabler smoothly guides listeners through multiple generations. Crouch's thoughtful delivery nails quiet and heartbreaking moments, intensifying the novel's impact. S.P.C. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2021]