Young folk singer Elle Harlow reaches the height of her prowess in 1973, with two wildly beloved albums to her name and a hidden history of impossible heartbreak. When she sets foot on the famed Grand Ole Opry stage, a far cry from the mountain that raised her, Elle gives the biggest performance of her life. Then, to the dismay of shocked fans, her producer, and the man who still loves her, she vanishes.
Almost two decades later, eighteen-year-old Marijohn Shaw is spending her summer pumping gas, writing songs on her broken mandolin, and longing for a mother. Her father, Abe, has always sworn he was the last person to see Elle Harlow alive, but when a meteor strikes the woods of their sleepy Pennsylvania town and a piece of Elle’s past emerges from the wreckage, the truth of her disappearance sets fire to everything Marijohn believes about herself, her music, and her ability to love with abandon.
Wait for Me exalts the lush hills of Appalachia and the bright lights of Nashville as it reveals the legacy of Elle Harlow, the bold voice that defined her, the intimate betrayal that undid her, and the unexpected faith of another young woman determined to resurrect her.
This is a beautifully written genre-blending literary novel with so many elements—a missing person mystery, family drama, romance, music, and healing folklore—all in one unforgettable story!! If you’re like me and haven’t read Amy Jo Burns before, you’re in for a treat. I was so impressed by her writing, strong character development, and immersive storytelling. The premise is so unique—the story centers around the disappearance of a beloved folk singer in 1973 at the height of her fame and buried secrets that resurface in 1991. If you enjoy reading about both those eras, you’ll love all the nostalgia woven in, especially the musical references!
The story is brilliantly divided into three parts that each serve a distinct purpose. Part One begins in 1991 with Marijohn on the day a meteor crashes into her hometown, setting the entire sequence of events into motion. Part Two jumps back to the 1960s and follows Elle Harlow’s journey from a poor mountain girl discovering her gift for music to becoming one of the biggest folk stars in the country before her shocking disappearance. Part Three returns to the 1991 timeline, where all of the threads come crashing together—and you’ll find it difficult to put the book down! Even though this is a slow-burn (especially the mystery around Elle’s disappearance), every chapter has compelling scenes and dialogue that keep you engaged.
I also loved how well-developed the secondary characters are. The three most memorable by far—Merry, the healer who becomes a mentor to Elle and one of the most fascinating characters in the story; Lazarus Wright, Marijohn’s best friend, musical partner, and potential love interest, who’s so likable; and Arlo Weston, a complex figure whose actions impact both timelines—I loved him at times and hated him at others!
This book reads very much like literary fiction but has so many thought-provoking themes—identity, belonging, family, grief, forgiveness, ambition, love, motherhood, and more (phew!!). And if all that isn’t enough, there are two romance subplots—one for each protagonist. Both romances are tied to music and have soulmate vibes where the characters understand each other on a deeper level.
I loved that Marijohn and Elle are strong-willed, opinionated, outspoken women who immediately command your attention. Of the two, Elle is definitely more flawed—her stubbornness and impulsive decision-making get her into trouble, and some of her choices have consequences that last for years. I was so frustrated with her at times that I wanted to shake some sense into her, but she also feels so real. There are twists and turns toward the end that will definitely appeal to mystery readers. The open-ended conclusion is thought-provoking but also a bit frustrating because I needed more answers—but it suits the tone of the story and is perfect for a book club discussion afterward!
If you’re an audiobook listener, you absolutely need to LISTEN to this one. The listening experience is PHENOMENAL. Not only do Gail Shalan, Patti Murin, and Mark Sanderlin deliver outstanding performances, but the original music and songs woven throughout the narrative make this so enjoyable. I bookmarked all the musical clips and went back and listened to them again afterward. I only wish full versions of the songs existed on a platform because I would happily purchase them—they were that good!
Narrator Performance
Wait for Me is one of the best audiobooks I’ve ever listened to because of the incredible original music throughout and the standout performances of all three narrators—Patti Murin, Mark Sanderlin, and Gail Shalan. Murin and Shalan narrate most of the book, while Sanderlin performs the male vocals featured in the songs.
Part One of the story, which follows Marijohn Shaw in 1991, is narrated by Gail Shalan. She gives the character a youthful, determined, and emotionally vulnerable voice that immediately draws you in. In the opening chapters, she does a wonderful job conveying the close friendship between Marijohn and Lazarus. Her delivery emphasizes their strong bond, and there are moments when she subtly shifts her tone to hint at deeper feelings between them. Her portrayal of Marijohn’s dad, Abe, has the perfect balance of kindness and protectiveness, making him likable right away. The narration of the scenes when the meteor strikes is perfectly executed. Shalan makes these scenes vivid, suspenseful, and dramatic—and I was completely captivated.
Patti Murin takes over for most of Part Two during Elle Harlow’s timeline in the 1960s/70s and gives a phenomenal performance. When Elle is still a poor mountain girl and coping with loss, Murin gives her a softer voice layered with vulnerability and uncertainty. A major highlight of her narration is the interactions between Elle and Merry, the healer who becomes her mentor. Murin makes Elle’s admiration for Merry palpable, and even though Merry can’t speak, every scene she appears in captures her wisdom and benevolence.
When Elle moves to Nashville to pursue her dream of becoming a singer, Murin gradually shifts her performance to capture the character’s increasing determination and stubbornness. You can literally hear Elle’s feistiness whenever she’s standing up for herself, advocating for her career with her eventual manager Arlo Weston. In Part Three, when Elle reemerges in 1991, Murin does a great job making the character sound older and wiser while still maintaining her fiery personality. Toward the end, when Elle reflects on her past decisions—especially related to Luke Weston—Murin’s delivery is emotionally compelling, and I loved the character even more.
Even though the narration is superb, the musical interludes scattered throughout the story elevate the audiobook to a level fully deserving of multiple awards. The songs are performed by all three narrators, and the ones from Elle’s albums feel authentic to the era while still sounding original. All the songs add magic to the experience, but the duets for “Namesake” (Marijohn’s single) and “Heal Nothing” (Elle’s first ballad) are the most memorable and literally gave me goosebumps! I found myself wishing full versions of these songs existed because I would happily pay to listen to them on repeat!
If you’ve been curious about this book, don’t hesitate to grab the audiobook—it’s the definitive way to experience this story. Trust me—you’ll thank yourself afterwards!
Narrator Performance
Wait for Me is one of the best audiobooks I’ve ever listened to because of the incredible original music throughout and the standout performances of all three narrators—Patti Murin, Mark Sanderlin, and Gail Shalan. Murin and Shalan narrate most of the book, while Sanderlin performs the male vocals featured in the songs.
Part One of the story, which follows Marijohn Shaw in 1991, is narrated by Gail Shalan. She gives the character a youthful, determined, and emotionally vulnerable voice that immediately draws you in. In the opening chapters, she does a wonderful job conveying the close friendship between Marijohn and Lazarus. Her delivery emphasizes their strong bond, and there are moments when she subtly shifts her tone to hint at deeper feelings between them. Her portrayal of Marijohn’s dad, Abe, has the perfect balance of kindness and protectiveness, making him likable right away. The narration of the scenes when the meteor strikes is perfectly executed. Shalan makes these scenes vivid, suspenseful, and dramatic—and I was completely captivated.
Patti Murin takes over for most of Part Two during Elle Harlow’s timeline in the 1960s/70s and gives a phenomenal performance. When Elle is still a poor mountain girl and coping with loss, Murin gives her a softer voice layered with vulnerability and uncertainty. A major highlight of her narration is the interactions between Elle and Merry, the healer who becomes her mentor. Murin makes Elle’s admiration for Merry palpable, and even though Merry can’t speak, every scene she appears in captures her wisdom and benevolence.
When Elle moves to Nashville to pursue her dream of becoming a singer, Murin gradually shifts her performance to capture the character’s increasing determination and stubbornness. You can literally hear Elle’s feistiness whenever she’s standing up for herself, advocating for her career with her eventual manager Arlo Weston. In Part Three, when Elle reemerges in 1991, Murin does a great job making the character sound older and wiser while still maintaining her fiery personality. Toward the end, when Elle reflects on her past decisions—especially related to Luke Weston—Murin’s delivery is emotionally compelling, and I loved the character even more.
Even though the narration is superb, the musical interludes scattered throughout the story elevate the audiobook to a level fully deserving of multiple awards. The songs are performed by all three narrators, and the ones from Elle’s albums feel authentic to the era while still sounding original. All the songs add magic to the experience, but the duets for “Namesake” (Marijohn’s single) and “Heal Nothing” (Elle’s first ballad) are the most memorable and literally gave me goosebumps! I found myself wishing full versions of these songs existed because I would happily pay to listen to them on repeat!
If you’ve been curious about this book, don’t hesitate to grab the audiobook—it’s the definitive way to experience this story. Trust me—you’ll thank yourself afterwards!
Wait for Me is one of the best audiobooks I’ve ever listened to because of the incredible original music throughout and the standout performances of all three narrators—Patti Murin, Mark Sanderlin, and Gail Shalan. Murin and Shalan narrate most of the book, while Sanderlin performs the male vocals featured in the songs.
Part One of the story, which follows Marijohn Shaw in 1991, is narrated by Gail Shalan. She gives the character a youthful, determined, and emotionally vulnerable voice that immediately draws you in. In the opening chapters, she does a wonderful job conveying the close friendship between Marijohn and Lazarus. Her delivery emphasizes their strong bond, and there are moments when she subtly shifts her tone to hint at deeper feelings between them. Her portrayal of Marijohn’s dad, Abe, has the perfect balance of kindness and protectiveness, making him likable right away. The narration of the scenes when the meteor strikes is perfectly executed. Shalan makes these scenes vivid, suspenseful, and dramatic—and I was completely captivated.
Patti Murin takes over for most of Part Two during Elle Harlow’s timeline in the 1960s/70s and gives a phenomenal performance. When Elle is still a poor mountain girl and coping with loss, Murin gives her a softer voice layered with vulnerability and uncertainty. A major highlight of her narration is the interactions between Elle and Merry, the healer who becomes her mentor. Murin makes Elle’s admiration for Merry palpable, and even though Merry can’t speak, every scene she appears in captures her wisdom and benevolence.
When Elle moves to Nashville to pursue her dream of becoming a singer, Murin gradually shifts her performance to capture the character’s increasing determination and stubbornness. You can literally hear Elle’s feistiness whenever she’s standing up for herself, advocating for her career with her eventual manager Arlo Weston. In Part Three, when Elle reemerges in 1991, Murin does a great job making the character sound older and wiser while still maintaining her fiery personality. Toward the end, when Elle reflects on her past decisions—especially related to Luke Weston—Murin’s delivery is emotionally compelling, and I loved the character even more.
Even though the narration is superb, the musical interludes scattered throughout the story elevate the audiobook to a level fully deserving of multiple awards. The songs are performed by all three narrators, and the ones from Elle’s albums feel authentic to the era while still sounding original. All the songs add magic to the experience, but the duets for “Namesake” (Marijohn’s single) and “Heal Nothing” (Elle’s first ballad) are the most memorable and literally gave me goosebumps! I found myself wishing full versions of these songs existed because I would happily pay to listen to them on repeat!
If you’ve been curious about this book, don’t hesitate to grab the audiobook—it’s the definitive way to experience this story. Trust me—you’ll thank yourself afterwards!
