Audible Book Review: Little Donkey by Jodi Taylor

I liked this brief look at the characters in this series. I have to go back to read book 1.

Little Donkey
A Short Story
By: Jodi Taylor
Narrated by: Lucy Price-Lewis

Length: 1 hr and 5 mins
Release date: 03-24-15
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Humorous Fantasy, Romantic Fantasy
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
It’s Christmas, and Jenny Checkland is beset with problems. The vicar, who really should know better, has asked to borrow Marilyn the donkey for the nativity play, thereby unleashing chaos on the already chaos-laden Frogmorton Farm.
Will Marilyn survive her bath? Will anyone survive Marilyn’s bath?
Robbed of her role as the Virgin Mary, what revenge is the angel Gabriel plotting? Why is that sheep so fat?
Will Charlie ever get to say his one line? Can Marilyn be prevented from eating the baby Jesus? Where is Thomas, who promised he would be there? And worst of all - will Russell, lost on the moor in a blizzard, make it back in time for the birth of his first child? Or even at all?
Another chance to meet the characters from the best-selling novel The Nothing Girl as they navigate the complexities of the local nativity play in their own unique fashion.
©2014 Jodi Taylor (P)2015 Audible, Ltd

Review:
Jenny Checkland of Frogmorton Farm has a host of interesting creature/character friends, not the least of which is Marilyn. Marilyn is a small donkey who has a mind of her own. Trying to make Marilyn do anything she doesn’t want to results in chaos. Bribery with food might work but there is no guarantee.

The local community vicar has asked to have Marilyn serve as the donkey in the seasonal nativity play. This should be interesting. In addition to Marilyn there is a live sheep which is rather large in the belly. The young lady playing angel Gabriel is a bit upset that she didn’t get the role of Virgin Mary and interruptions threaten to keep sweet Charlie from saying his line in the play. Sounds like more chaos and that’s not all. Russell is out on the moors in a blizzard while Jenny prepares to give birth to their first child. And where is Thomas, the mystical golden horse who helped Jenny snag the charming and chaotic Russell as her husband?

I feel like I have to take a breath after that brief summary and that is consistent with the feel of the story. I find Ms. Taylor’s writing to be full of humor and an underlying sense of joy. I am glad to have listened to this novella even though out of order. I am sure it will not harm my enjoyment of book 1 which is near the top of my list for TBR reading in 2021. I recommend this author and the series to readers who enjoy fun, light romantic fantasy.

Audio Notes: Lucy Price-Lewis does a lovely job with the narration. Her British accent clearly fits and enhances the story. Price-Lewis captures the light, yet chaotic tone of the story. She provides distinct voices and strong emotional connection. I enjoyed the audio experience and am looking forward to listening to The Nothing Girl.

Source: 2/16/2019 Free at Audible. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.