Which, I suppose, is the very essence of Romance novels.
Reading Group Guide
Throughout the story, Sewanee works toward accepting and embracing all that life has given, and taken away, from her. What do you think the turning point was for her to actually accept the way her life had changed? How do you think the future will fare for her now that she’s no longer living in grief for her old self?
There’s a lot of discussion about happily ever afters. Romance has them, but so do mysteries and thrillers （the bad guy is caught by the good guy）。 Why do you think they are important to so much of fiction?
Sewanee and Nick both have huge fans. Do you follow any audiobook narrators or podcasts? Why do you think people can connect so much to just a voice? Furthermore, how do you think this might change if audiobooks are synthetically narrated by AI in the future?
Are you an audiobook listener? Do you think it’s a different experience than reading?
What did you think about June’s last letter? Do you think Sewanee and Nick were meant to be or do you think they were lucky to find each other?
Speaking of meant to be, do you find that Adaku’s perception of life—that everything happens for a reason—is true? Or is Sewanee’s belief that everything just happens more accurate?
We see many different sides of Hollywood in this book—from Sewanee, Adaku, and Blah Blah. Did any of their stories challenge your conception of Hollywood?
Sewanee loves her best friend and is genuinely happy for Adaku’s success, but there is an admitted undercurrent of jealousy. If you feel “less than” someone else, do you think your admiration for them is truly honest, or is it only masking envy, resentment, and jealousy?
Sewanee and Nick fall for each other in two very different ways. Do you think it’s possible to fall in love with a person without ever seeing them or meeting face to face?
If Brock hadn’t turned out to be Nick, and Sewanee had found herself in a love triangle, who do you think she would have chosen? Who would you have chosen?
Marilyn and Stu found each other later in life, but Marilyn assures Sewanee that she and Henry “had a good life together,” that as difficult as he could be, “life is never one thing.” Do you think it’s possible to have an “unhappy” ending with someone and still find the life you shared to have been meaningful?
Praise for Thank You for Listening
“Mix Julia Whelan’s storytelling ability and smart banter with a cynical romance audiobook narrator who won’t trust a happily ever after and what do you get? Pure magic.”
–Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author of Wish You Were Here
“A fun–and sometimes–steamy glimpse into the world of audiobook narration from the queen of the medium.”
–Catherine McKenzie, USA Today bestselling author of Spin and Hidden
“An absolutely exquisite story that made me laugh out loud, weep on multiple occasions, and stare off into the yonder wondering how Julia Whelan’s fabulous mind works. . . . God, what an electric read!”
–Robinne Lee, author of The Idea of You
“Thank You for Listening is a novel of great wisdom and depth, and it’s also sparkling, sexy, and fun. We are lucky readers to have this book.”
–Allison Larkin, author of The People We Keep
“With pitch-perfect comedic timing and razor-sharp prose, Julia Whelan has once again reminded us of her skills as an author. . . . Trust me, you’ll thank yourself for reading this book.”
–Kosoko Jackson, author of I’m So （Not） Over You
“Wickedly funny, tearfully poignant, hopelessly romantic, witty and sexy and important. . . . Julia Whelan is a true talent and Thank You for Listening is utterly unforgettable. A modern classic.”
–J.T. Ellison, New York Times bestselling author of Her Dark Lies
“Thank You for Listening is a delight from start to finish. Julia Whelan takes readers behind the scenes of the audiobook world in this story of second acts and second chances that’s full of wit, heart, and humor.”
–Andrea Dunlop, author of We Came Here to Forget