Older

July 20, 2020
Redmond’s lackluster sequel to Younger picks up with writer Liza Miller at 49 after she’s scored a hit with a novel, also titled Younger, about a 40-something posing as a 20-something thanks to some hair dye and tight jeans. The book is now being adapted for TV (just as Redmond’s Younger was), and Liza butts heads with Stella Power, the difficult young star slated to play the lead, after Stella proposes ridiculous rewrites in order to get her ex-boyfriend Hugo Fielding cast in the show. Hugo is cast, and he and Liza hit it off, though Liza’s wary that Hugo might be a player. Josh, Liza’s younger ex-boyfriend, pops up now and again, his presence reminding her of her intense attraction to him, though Liza is convinced their relationship can’t be rekindled because he’s interested in having children and she isn’t. Redmond touches on a couple of unique problems, such as how to deal with one’s life being cannibalized for television, but she doesn’t explore them in a meaningful way and instead focuses on manufactured drama many people would wish they could have, such as the attention of two highly attractive men. Fans of Younger—the book or the show—may like seeing familiar characters again, but others can take a pass

Viewers have seen Sutton Foster play Liza Miller in the television show "Younger," and now they can experience her congenial audiobook performance in this highly anticipated sequel. As Liza turns 50, her recent novel is under contract for a television show. She leaves her troublesome on-again, off-again boyfriend in New York City and meets charming actor Hugo Fielding in Los Angeles. Foster's authentic delivery and robust range of emotion give Liza and supporting characters so much personality. As the story raises questions about who is the right paramour and what is the right career path for Liza, the answers are obvious, but Foster makes Liza's perspective genuine and elicits sympathy for her struggles. Fans of the "Younger" television program and book won't be disappointed by this excellent sequel. G.M. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award � AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine