Variation

A Novel

By: Rebecca Yarros

Narrated by: Teddy Hamilton, Carly Robins

Instant USA Today, Amazon Charts, and Publishers Weekly bestseller.

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Fourth Wing comes a new contemporary romance about the summer a celebrated dancer returns home and unearths years of family secrets and deep regrets with the Coast Guard rescue swimmer she never forgot.

Elite ballerina Allie Rousseau is no stranger to pressure. With her mother’s eyes always watching, perfection was expected, no matter the cost. But when an injury jeopardizes all she’s sacrificed for, Allie returns to her summer home to heal and recover. But the memories she’s tried to forget rush in and threaten to take her under.

As a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, Hudson Ellis knows that hesitation can mean the difference between life and death. He’s always prided himself on being in the right place at the right time, especially when it came to Allie Rousseau…until the night he left for basic. After the biggest regret of his life, the secrets he keeps mean he can never be with the one woman he wants more than his next breath.

When Hudson’s niece shows up on Allie’s doorstep, desperate to find her birth mother, Allie finds herself in an unimaginable position. Allie and Hudson’s past and present might be endlessly complicated. The thread that tied them to each other all those years ago may have unraveled, but the truth could pull them back together, or drive them apart forever.

©2024 by Rebecca Yarros. (P)2024 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Carly Robins and Teddy Hamilton mesmerize listeners with their performance of this emotional contemporary romance.… Robins’ intimate, poignant narration paints a vivid picture of Allie's past pain, desire for Hudson, and hope for the future. Hamilton's warm, enveloping tone captures Hudson's raw determination and protective instinct for his family and Allie. Both narrators create expressive, distinct character voices that transition flawlessly throughout the story.”—AudioFile Magazine, Earphones Award Winner

“Rebecca Yarros’s stand-alone romance novel is a graceful departure from her bestselling fantasy juggernauts Fourth Wing and Iron Flame. With shades of The Summer I Turned Pretty and Bunheads, this winter-appropriate beach read begins with an ocean rescue off the coast of Cape Cod. Hudson, a local Coast Guard swimmer in training, swoops in to save Allie, a wealthy young ballerina, from a sinking rowboat. Metaphors and plot twists abound as Yarros’s story bobs neatly into the future. A decade later, her star-crossed characters land back where they started, for different and equally complicated reasons. The question of whether they’ll find their way back to one another is a fun one to ponder over a slice of leftover pie.”—Elisabeth Egan, The New York Times

“Yarros keeps the twists coming as her complex but lovable characters find their way back to each other in the face of impossible odds. Readers who like their romance on the soapy side will be more than satisfied.”—Publishers Weekly

A story with depth

This book came to me through a fellow book lover. Rebecca Yasrros is an author I had not read before, so I was excited to dive in.

Hudson is the kind of man one would dream of having as a boyfriend he is loyal, understanding, and loving. In his job, he is the hero always saving lives. However, he has flaws such as not coming forward sooner when faced with the pat and decision made.

Allie always tries to be good enough while ensuring everyone around her is happy. Raised by a woman who is incapable of love, Allie, now an adult, has built walls around her heart, feeling as though she is unlovable. Even with love, she longs for a life with Hudson.

When Juniper shows up on Allie's doorstep claiming to be her daughter things start to get really interesting for Hudson and Allie.

I loved this story. I loved the depth it had, the backstory, and the realistic family interactions. The characters had layers, depth, and flaws, and you couldn't help but love them. Rebecca creates characters who can relate to even if some are as slimy as a snail's belly.

This story started as a second chance love story that blossomed into a family story with so many secrets from the past. It truly held me captive from start to finish. Simply a brilliantly written book.

I am so happy I got a chance to listen to it.

phenomenal

wow what an amazing read, I have no complaints and feel like every unexpected twist and turn was well executed. (*sigh of fondness) just when you think you've got everyone and all the events pegged you couldn't be more wrong. I look forward to reading more books by Rebecca Yarros. I've yet to be disappointed.

Story was great, just hate when they act each others parts.

It’s a great book, just don’t get why they have to read each other’s parts. They clearly have two people.. the flow is lost

Cute Story

This was an easy listen...cute story and easy to follow. Not as entertaining as her other books but still well done.

So good

Loved the whole book didn’t want it to end! Love all of her books but this was just a feel good book.

Loved It! 💕

Love Rebecca Yarros, and loved this storyline! I knew could quite pinpoint the ending until it came. 10/10 recommend!

wonderful

great story and amazing told. I wasn't sure I would like since I was used to the fantasy but this was a dream.

Loved it

She is such a talented writer. A Great closer for my reading list of 2024.

Attention keeper

This book held my attention through the entire book! Great character development. Can’t wait to read another from her!

COULDNT PUT IT DOWN!

Not unlike any other Rebecca Yarros books, this one had me laughing, crying, and on the edge of my seat all the way through. It’s so refreshing to read a book with characters that you really feel you connect with. This will definitely be a re-read!