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The Groves

By: J.V. Lyon
Narrated by: Shannon Purser, Jerrie Johnson, Chelsea Rendon, Renee Rapp, Tanis Parenteau, Molly Quinn, Aisha Dee
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Publisher's summary

For fans of campus novels from Tartt and McCarthy to Real Life comes this captivating debut novel following a diverse cohort of socially influential queer women students as they investigate the darker side of their picturesque New England college.

Returning to rural Vermont for her senior year after time abroad, New Yorker Daphne Howard just wants to make it to graduation. She’s still processing the sting of her social circle moving off-campus under the thrall of Serena Vigil, a talented poet from Texas who happens to be Daphne’s nemesis. But when a gruesome story overheard at a local bar leads Daphne to consider an unusual artifact discovered on campus in a new light, friends, lovers, and others unite to confront the collision of present and past, political, and personal.

The Groves introduces listeners to an unforgettable ensemble of characters: a college-hopping drifter whose journalistic instincts drive the group’s investigation, a Virginia equestrienne turned intersectional feminist, the only Black lesbian majoring in art history...and more make up this eclectic, sharp-witted cast.

Through the shocks and revelations of one momentous year, these bright 20-somethings on the cusp of independence fall in and out of love, make plans and change course, and learn from each other what it means to be yourself.

Please note: This production contains strong language and mature themes. Discretion is advised.

©2022 J.V. Lyon (P)2022 Audible Originals, LLC.
  • Original Recording Audiobook
  • Categories: LGBTQ+
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About the Creator

J. V. Lyon is an art historian, curator, and the author of the Audible original, The Groves, forthcoming in May, 2022. She is a specialist in European Baroque painting who also writes about and teaches contemporary art by diasporic, LGBTQIA, and/or BIPOC artists at a New England liberal arts college. Her queer literary romance, Lush Lives, is forthcoming from Roxane Gay Books in August of 2023.

About the Performer

Aisha Dee has quickly established herself as one of the fresh new faces of Hollywood. Developing an impressive resume of diverse and memorable television and film roles, the Australian actress and singer/songwriter has captivated vast global audiences accruing a substantial fan following. Dee starred on Freeform’s comedy-drama television series The Bold Type. She will soon be seen as one of the Netflix film Plus/Minus leads alongside Lili Reinhart. Dee is the star in the Australian mind-bending thriller Sissy, written and directed by Hannah Barlow and Kanes Senes and produced by Jason Taylor (X-Men franchise) and Lisa Shaunessy (2067) which premiered at SXSW this year. Aisha recently wrapped the film Collide with Jim Gaffigan and Ryan Phillipe and an indie feature executive produced by Matt Damon opposite Finn Wittrock titled Start Without Me. Aisha is also known for her role as Desi Biggins in the Australian TV series, The Saddle Club. Dee’s past credits include Syfy’s Channel Zero created by Nick Antosca, the MTV series Sweet/Vicious*, the movie Ghosting executive produced by Lisa Kudrow, and the series Chasing Life. Aisha’s first music EP, ‘Ice in My Rosé,’ is out now on all platforms.
Photographed by Sami Drasin

About the Performer

Jerrie Johnson is one of the leads of Amazon's hit comedy series Harlem. Johnson earned an MFA from the prestigious American Conservatory Theater San Francisco. A lover of language and drama, Johnson's first love is theatre. She has starred in several stage productions, including the coveted role of Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at CalShakes and a self-written solo show The Crooked Room, which premiered at the National Queer Arts Festival. Her television debut was in the Freeform's dramedy series Good Trouble.

About the Performer

Tanis Parenteau is an actor/producer and member of the Métis Nation of Alberta (Cree). TV credits include Billions, FBI: Most Wanted, Gossip Girl, Designated Survivor, House of Cards, and Tribal. Tanis has performed on stage in New York City at The Public Theater, Signature Theater, 59E59 Theaters, La Mama and regionally at Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Her production company, TDEP Productions, focuses on decolonizing the entertainment space by uplifting contemporary stories by Native writers, smashing harmful Native stereotypes and creating opportunities for Native people. Her debut short film, A Big Black Space, garnered a broadcasting deal on ARTÉ in Europe, won best Canadian Short at Dreamspeakers Film Festival and the Royal Reel Award at the Canada International Film Festival. Tanis has also been recently awarded production funding by Vision Maker Media for the Short Film Fellowship Program, has two short films in post-production and is developing a short form digital series for a broadcaster. Tanis is on the SAG-AFTRA National Native Americans Committee, a member of the North American Indigenous Center of New York, Tribal Liaison at AlterTheater and casting assistant at Tbd Casting Co. Master of Fine Arts in Acting from The New School for Drama.

About the Performer

Shannon was nominated for an Emmy for her scene stealing, fan favorite role of “Barb” on the hit Netflix series Stranger Things. She has not stopped working since, recurring on the hit CW series Riverdale for Greg Berlanti, Wish Upon opposite Joey King, and the titular lead in Black Label Media’s Netflix feature Sierra Burgess Is A Loser as ‘Sierra.’ She was also in every episode of Jason Katims' NBC musical Drama Rise. Shannon will next be seen on the Showtime series The First Lady.

About the Performer

This year, award winning actress Molly C. Quinn can be seen starring in the indie horror/drama feature Agnes, slated to debut in movie theaters nationwide and streaming on demand, December 10, 2021. Agnes emerged as a festival darling over the last few months, premiering at the 2021Tribeca Film Festival to intrigued and delighted reviewers. Directed and written by Mickey Reece. Aside from starring in the film, Molly also holds the title of Executive Producer, bringing the project to life through her production company QWGmire.
Molly may be best known for starring as Alexis Castle from 2009- 2016 on ABC’s award winning, drama series Castle opposite Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic. In film, Molly most recently appeared in Warner Bros’ Doctor Sleep (2019) opposite Ewan McGregor and Rebecca Ferguson. Over the years she has also lent her voice to various film and television projects including: Super Girl for Warner Bros. Animation and DC Comics, the voice of Bloom for Nickelodeon’s hit series The Winx Club, and voicing the lead character in Simon & Schuster’s YA series The Mortal Instruments.
When Molly isn’t in front of the camera, she is focusing on her burgeoning producing career. Her first role as a producer began on the cult classic horror comedy Hansel & Gretel Get Baked (2013) which she also starred in. She next executive produced the independent feature Welcome to Happiness (2015) which won best picture at the DeadCENTER Film Festival.
In 2019 Molly launched the production company shingle QWGmire with Elan Gale and Matthew Welty with a focus on genre films. Additional projects in the works include indie drama Marzipan directed by Adam Christian Clark and starring Tamara Taylor ("Bones") and Reece Noi ("When They See Us"). Marzipan centers on an alcoholic intelligence officer (Taylor) who is given the chance for one last mission: seducing an asset (Noi) connected to the Saudi Royal Family. Most recently announced is Lovely, Dark and Deep which Molly wrapped production on in Portugal.

About the Performer

Reneé Rapp is a singer/songwriter and actor who is currently starring in the Mindy Kaling creation: HBO MAX's The Sex Lives of College Girls. Rapp plays Leighton who is described as, "Coming from one of the richest (and quietly Republican) families on New York City’s Upper East Side." Rapp made her Broadway debut as Regina George in the Tony Award nominated musical Mean Girls after blasting on to the scene as a 2018 Jimmy Award recipient for Best Performance by an Actress. She's currently working on her debut album. She is represented by CESD and One Entertainment.

About the Performer

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Chelsea Rendon has been a working actress since the age of six. Her first role was a lead in the feature film No Turning Back, which won the Alma Award for Outstanding Independent Feature Film in 2002. She is most recognized for her role as activist Mari "La Pinche Chinche" Sanchez in Starz’s hit series Vida. The critically acclaimed show received 100% on rotten tomatoes all three seasons. Early in her career she starred on shows such as E.R, The Shield, and Judging Amy. More recently she starred on Lucifer, All Rise, Code Black, and recurred on Showtime’s hit series Shameless. Equally dedicated to film she has starred in Disney’s McFarland, USA, The Tax Collector, The Infiltrators, and Oscar nominated A Better Life. She has even branched out into amination, voicing the character Acat in Nexflix’s Maya and The Three. With over 20 years in the business Chelsea is excited to utilize her experience to start creating her own content.

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What listeners say about The Groves

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Meh

It has an interesting plot, but the focus is on sex. Wish the plot was expanded and developed. Had potential. Not my thing.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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Not worth your time

Maybe just not my type of book, but I don’t recommend it. Subject matter not interesting. I did stay with it to the end.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Mixed feelings

The voice acting cast was great. The plot...not so sure. Found a body, investigate how it got here. Opps party time, drugs, drama, drama. Yeah detectives these ladies are not. So why would they care about finding a body. It would have been a story they told, as they got on with life.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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Story 4 stars; Performance a mystery

A complete and compelling story of college friends, lovers and frenemies at a precious New England college. With a mystery storyline that often sits in second place to the drama of all the complex ( and sometimes tedious) relationships. The real mystery with this one is the inconsistency of the vocal performances, from spot on to amateurish. Several of the voice actors appear to be reading the material for the first time, as if they have no idea when the sentence might end or how to modulate their emotions. Honestly, feels like a class project at the fictional Bromley.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Just didn't quite make the A list!

I think this could have been a much better book, definitely a better audio book. Fell flat, I found myself lost in my own thoughts, normally I would rewind so I didn't miss something, but not in this book. Storyline and lead up to the point of the story was so drawn out with attemps to build characterization of young lesbian women I became bored. Being lesbian I found it hard to relate and the usage of certain vocabulary unrealistic. Was very glad I made it to the end so I could move on.

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

I want my time back

It might have been easier to listen to if not for the narrator voicing Sabrina. It sounded as though she was reading lines for the first time, with some major congestion going on. This kept distracting me from the story.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Uber Woke Nancy Drew Queers

Not so good. I really tried to finish this. The characters are basically over-sexed, nasty, shallow and not nearly as clever as they think. The un-empathetic characters act more like high school kids than college students. The author attempts to stitch together some pithy lines and “Wokeness”, along with a Nancy Drew-like plot in a mostly failed attempt. As far as performances…. Let’s just say that one of these gals pronounced the word “Lie-berry” for “Library!” Need I say more? PS. I do my best to use the pronouns “They-Them” when asked, but it sure makes for confusing reading. I’ll keep trying.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Found nothing to peek my interest.

Could not stay awake & found myself reading chapter after chapter over & over again, only to resize there was no story to interest me. I tried but could not finish!

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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A bit of a struggle!

Really struggled to finish this. It never made me wonder what was coming next but went on in the same dry tone throughout. Not a good choice for me at all!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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stick with it

At first I wasn't going to finish this book, but I stuck with it and did learn some new things and appreciated the good story.

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