With you 100% @Alexo as you can imagine. Re audio books, voices are so important. I’ve mentioned it before and Dr Congo (now New Style of Play via Corn Dog) put forward one or two theories at the time about why so many women’s voices in particular have become so grating. I believe one theory related to subconscious mimicry/assimilation through “movies” of a characteristic sound afflicting a disproportionate number of American women. (I blame America for pretty well everything!)
When I met mrs micra in 1964 on a blind date together with two of my flat mates and the nurses they’d met in Watford the previous evening the thing that attracted me most was her voice and lovely southern Irish accent and expressions. The six of us spent a delightful evening at the Cricketers pub in Sarrat.
Ironically, mrs micra loves both the Geordie and Brummie accents. For some obscure reason she received dog’s abuse from quite a few Welsh patients during her nursing career and there is one actress - probably best known for her role in Gavin and Stacey - whose voice she cannot abide.
I expect that’s the reason why she dislikes all but the softest Welsh accents. Tom Jones seems to get away with it!