The Proposal

Janina Edwards's strong narration grounds a meandering plot about love, dating, and home runs. When Nikole Paterson's casual boyfriend pops a very public surprise proposal at Dodgers Stadium, she's shocked and dismayed. Edwards deftly captures the comic horror of the moment, adding tension and awkwardness when Paterson turns down the proposal and the fans turn on her. Edwards's wide range of voices invigorates a cast of characters that includes Carlos Ibarra, a baseball fan and sexy doctor who rescues Paterson from the crowds. Edwards's smooth voice adds sensuality and heat to Paterson and Ibarra's relatively tame sex scenes. The plethora of diverse characters and themes of relationships, diversity, dysfunction, and women's empowerment are well integrated in Edwards's satisfying performance. M.F. � AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine