DRIVING WITH THE TOP DOWN

Colleen, Tamara, and Bitty become unlikely companions on a road trip to Florida, each dealing with her own less-than-perfect life. Orlagh Cassidy gives each woman a unique voice, keeping a consistent pace and tone as the chapters alternate between each of them. Colleen, who is uncertain about her marriage, is the "mom" on the trip, taking care of the others while sorting out her own problems. Cassidy gives her a perky-sounding voice in dialogue, but her uncertainty shows through in her thoughts. Tamara, Colleen's teenage niece, alternates between being sullen and full of life, while Bitty's slight Southern accent differentiates her from the others. Overall, Cassidy provides the perfect voices for this fascinating story of living the lives we have instead of the ones we envisioned. E.N. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2014]