The Queen of Hearts

By: Kimmery Martin

Narrated by: Shannon McManus, Catherine Taber

Length: 11 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

A powerful debut novel, praised by The New York Times, Bustle, Southern Living, and Hypable, that pulses with humor and empathy as it explores the heart's capacity for forgiveness....

Zadie Anson and Emma Colley have been best friends since their early 20s, when they first began navigating serious romantic relationships amid the intensity of medical school. Now they're happily married wives and mothers with successful careers - Zadie as a pediatric cardiologist and Emma as a trauma surgeon. Their lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, are chaotic but fulfilling, until the return of a former colleague unearths a secret one of them has been harboring for years.

As chief resident, Nick Xenokostas was the center of Zadie's life - both professionally and personally - throughout a tragic chain of events during her third year of medical school that she has long since put behind her. Nick's unexpected reappearance at a time of new professional crisis shocks both women into a deeper look at the difficult choices they made at the beginning of their careers. As it becomes evident that Emma must have known more than she revealed about circumstances that nearly derailed both their lives, Zadie starts to question everything she thought she knew about her closest friend.

©2018 Kimmery Martin (P)2018 Penguin Audio

Great book!

Really enjoyed this book! Loved the mix of medical storyline and friendship. Brought me to tears at times. Can’t wait for another book, Kimmery!

The Story Will Linger With Me

Both the narrators were excellent. The story begun like most then twisted. In the beginning it was bogged down with a lot of Mommy details. But once it got rolling, I couldn’t stop listening to it. I suspected some of the story but not the entirety. The ending left me restless. The book is compatible for a Book Two. This is not to say the ending wasn’t a good ending, just that I want more of the story.

Great book!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Queen of Hearts to be better than the print version?

I don't know because I have only listened to it.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Both

Any additional comments?

Great combo of emotions. Touching, witty and well-written.

Enjoyable listen!

Good story about best friends from medical school through their adult lives as doctors, wives and mothers. Lots of interesting
twists and turns, betrayals and resolutions, glimpses into family life and women’s friendships. Great narration!

Fans of Grey’s Anatomy

Loved this book! The narrators were excellent and the story compelling. I found excuses to keep driving so I could finish the book.

One of the best listens I have purchased lately!

It is the rare book that captivates you to the degree that you can’t stop listening. I totally enjoyed it and have recommended it to others.

loved it!

Loved it. Well developed characters. Able to relate to experiences and characters. I await the next book!

Masterful readers; very girly story

These are two incredible VO artists... who bring to life one character who is so lifelike you have to grin at her lovable foibles, and the other who is totally unrealistic and has villain written all over her from page 1. Nobody gets to the top of their med school class from abject poverty without at least one person who believes in them. The main reveal in the plot turns out to be hard to buy on various levels, yet also so minor and catty it’s a disappointment. The readers were the best thing about this otherwise very GIRLY story. And don’t listen to any of the surgery scenes while eating! Yuck!

skimmer Martin was so creative with her dialogue

I generally read suspense, but I’m so glad this novel was recommended - Excellent! Loved the descriptive fun dialogue!!! Narrator #1 was excellent- Emma’s Narrator has to grow on me!
Enjoyed thoroughly.

It read like a doctor with a hobby of writing.

This book felt like a doctor wanted to write a story about how great they are. I applaud the literary attempt, but I will not be reading another one. It was nice to read something local and I enjoyed knowing all the places referenced. It reminded me of reading a local episode of Grey's Anatomy; a drama that was frequently interrupted by doctors giving reports on fantastical patients. I might have enjoyed more if I didn't have a medical background...