A Little Bit of Karma

Starred review from August 3, 2020
Billingsley (Let the Church Say Amen) wows with this taut, expressive page-turner about a star couple on the brink of divorce. The Lovejoy franchise encompasses a popular call-in radio show and a number of best selling books on how to have a healthy relationship, and at the helm of it all is happy couple Shannon and Jay Lovejoy—except Shannon has wanted nothing to do with Jay ever since she discovered his infidelity. The couple are contractually obligated to get through one last retreat together as the keynote speakers, and after that she vows to be done with him. But then Jay’s mistress, Vonda, shows up to the retreat to taunt Shannon, resulting in a public argument that casts all three in a negative light. The mess they’ve made for themselves goes from bad to worse when Vonda turns up dead in their hotel suite, plunging the Lovejoys down a rabbit hole of twists and turns that will have readers riveted. With just the right amount of emotional drive, Billingsley’s latest is an expert foray into romantic suspense that will impress her longtime fans and earn her plenty of new ones. Agent: Sara Camilli, Sara Camilli Agency.

Janina Edwards narrates a fast-paced contemporary story of cheating and lies. Infidelity between relationship experts Shannon and Jay Lovejoy leads to suspense when Jay's mistress is murdered. While on the lam and trying to clear their names, the couple discuss what went wrong in their marriage and whether it is salvageable. The audiobook opens and closes with a smooth jazz instrumental reminiscent of 1960s suspense cinema. Edwards's performance keeps the story moving through the emotional turmoil as the couple work through emotional pain, suspicion, and cautious hope. Edwards manages to engage listeners despite the couple's self-centered personalities. Though she gives characters voices that are unique and distinguishable, many have accents that don't hit the mark. A.L.S.M. � AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine