BEST FRIENDS
A Contemporary Middle-Grade Story with Music

by Cheryl DaVeiga

Narrated by: Jesse Vilinsky

Production by: Waterhole Productions LLC

Finding Her Voice

At thirteen, Orion Casey has stopped singing after becoming the target of the girls everyone else seems to follow. Then anonymous messages begin arriving—encouraging, perfectly timed, and seemingly from someone who truly sees her. As the messages help Orion rediscover her confidence and find a new connection to music through songwriting, she can’t help wondering if the sender might be the person she hopes it is.

But shifting friendships, middle-school drama, and emerging secrets leave Orion questioning more than the identity of her mysterious supporter. As she struggles with who others expect her to be, she must begin discovering who she really is—and whether she can find the courage to use her voice again.

The author, Cheryl DaVeiga, does an excellent job of capturing the realities of being a young teen, particularly the mean-girl behavior and bullying that can have such an impact on confidence and self-worth. Orion’s journey toward recognizing her own value and becoming more comfortable with who she is feels natural and believable rather than rushed. Character development is strong throughout, allowing Orion and those around her to grow and change as the story progresses. The dialogue feels authentic to the characters and their ages while helping the storyline flow smoothly. I also enjoyed the way the relationships develop, particularly the budding romance with an older boy and its transition into a solid friendship. The importance of family provides another meaningful source of support and stability.

Music is woven naturally into Orion’s emotional growth, becoming both a source of comfort and a place where she can escape when everything around her becomes overwhelming. Her rediscovery of music parallels her growing confidence and self-awareness, adding emotional depth that should resonate with young listeners while still being enjoyable for adults.

Narrator Jesse Vilinsky delivers a solid performance, speaking clearly with a smooth cadence and steady delivery throughout. She gives each character a unique voice while keeping them age-appropriate and easy to distinguish. Vilinsky does an especially good job of capturing Orion’s self-doubt and the other emotions she experiences as she navigates friendships, bullying, family, and her own changing sense of self. Her performance heightens those emotional moments without overdoing them, letting Orion’s vulnerability and growing confidence come through naturally. Overall, Vilinsky’s narration complements the story well and makes for an enjoyable listening experience.

With its realistic look at friendships, bullying, first romance, family, and the challenges of discovering who you are, this was an enjoyable and relatable coming-of-age story. I especially appreciated the role music played in Orion’s journey as she gradually found her confidence and, quite literally, her voice. Jesse Vilinsky’s strong narration captures the emotions of that journey and brings Orion’s story to life.

There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook.

Disclaimer: This Audiobook was provided free of charge by the author, narrator, and/or publisher in exchange for an unbiased, honest review.