New Reviews: Romantic Fiction

Narrator Mark Sanderlin brings a dry sense of humor to this queer fake dating rom-com. When Holden James's partner unceremoniously dumps him just before they were to audition for their favorite game show, Holden scrambles to find a replacement. Enter Leo Min, who is happy to be Holden's fake boyfriend for the competition. What neither anticipates is their real sizzling... Read More

Narrator Rosalyn Landor breathes life into the romance between Ben Ellis and Lady Jennifer Arden in England circa 1800. Ben is the bastard son of an earl, and Jennifer is the sister of a duke. Due to a childhood illness, Jennifer is unable to walk, but she is happy and loving nonetheless. Ben and Jennifer encounter each other at a family house party. Landor successfully... Read More

Narrators Mia Hutchinson-Shaw and Evan Sibley are a winning team in this charming romance. Mom and teacher Celeste is trying to find herself again after a divorce; John is a woodworker hoping to get his idea for a bird-guiding business off the ground. She's a complete newbie to birding, but Celeste agrees to be John's partner in the 42-day Bird Binge competition--and to pose as... Read More

Narrators Brittany Pressley and Dan Bittner take listeners on tour in this second-chance rock-star romance. Riley Wynn went from singer-songwriter to superstar overnight because of her music, all themed around her infamous breakups. Her ex-husband thinks her latest hit is about him when in reality it's about her college boyfriend, Max Harcourt, whom she enlists to go on tour... Read More

It begins with a wedding. Thérèse Plummer depicts the politically motivated marriage between tech savvy Misery Lark, daughter of an influential Vampyre councilman, and Lowe Moreland, newly ascended Were Alpha. The nuptials will have to create mutual trust between the lead characters in order for them to find Misery's missing friend, uncover sinister plots, and figure out what... Read More

Narrators Emily Ellet and Joshua Jackson delight listeners with this endearing contemporary romance. Aurora Evans thought she would never again come face-to-face with Mike Martin, her fake Canadian boyfriend from the past. Now Mike is a pro hockey player and single dad in need of a nanny. Aurora and Mike discover they each have past traumas that they can overcome together. In a... Read More

Caitlin Elizabeth, Victoria Mei, Will Thorne, and Adenrele Ojo perform the first entry in a fantasy epic laden with erotic suspense. For thousands of years, a pact has existed between humanity and the gods: Every 100 years the current human king is bound to send a consort to the king of the gods, Ash, who has the ability to shift forms. Now the current human king is training... Read More

Narrator Brianna Bronte exudes the drama of the romance between Katy Chavos and Dane Vanderale, who is a Breed--a combination of human and animal DNA. Years ago, when Katy worked at a diner that Dane frequented, she fell in love with him, but he rejected her. Bronte captures Katy's anguish at that time. Later, Katy returns to her hometown after having gone to work for a... Read More

Workplace enemies fall in love in this stand-alone contemporary romance, the third in the Paper Cuts series, narrated by Fiona Aarington and Nick Mondelli, who also narrated the series' previous two audiobooks. Tenley and Brooks are competing to become their law firm's next partner. Forced to work together on a case, each realizes that the other is the stranger they've been... Read More

Saddle up with narrators Rachel Jacobs and Tristan Wright as they take listeners to the Texas panhandle for a heartfelt cowboy romance. Nineteen-year-old bull rider Case Michaels is trying to keep it together after the death of his best friend, Walker. Walker left Case a list of things to accomplish. One of those tasks is befriending Winnie Sutton, a sassy ranch hand who works... Read More

Unlike washed-up golf pro Wells Whitaker's swing, narrator Callie Dalton shoots par on her performance of this audiobook. When Wells's career hits a low, he asks superfan Josephine Doyle to caddy for him. Dalton's delivery of Wells's and Josephine's steamy chemistry is electric, as is their snarky repartee. Listeners will sink deep into their swoony romance. Josephine's voice... Read More

Wayne Mitchell ensures that sparks fly as romance develops between Jedidiah Stephens and Memphis Osborn. When Memphis buys a campground in the Colorado Rockies, Jedidiah shows up to work as a "handyman." But what she really wants is to find out the truth about the fire that killed her family--and she's already discovered it's got something to do with that campground. When... Read More

Narrator Hillary Huber fully immerses listeners in this suspenseful second-chance romance. Hailey and Jesse grew up together as kids and fell in love when they were teenagers. When Jesse had the opportunity to go to college and start fresh, Hailey ended their relationship. Now all grown up, Hailey runs a new branch of a security company. She and Jesse reconnect when one of... Read More

Narrator Henriette Zoutomou entices the listener into this story of frenemies who conduct a fake romance. Charity Simmons is a baker and part owner of a cat café; Will Schwartz is a marketing executive. Charity needs a boyfriend in order to stop her parents from trying to match her up with men they deem "appropriate." She turns to Will for help. Zoutomou provides Charity's... Read More

André Santana and Meg Sylvan narrate this friends-to-lovers romance with compassion and full-throated emotion. Jesse was a firefighter, but now that a car crash has left him with an injury, he's uncertain about his future. Santana's thoughtful narration provides insight into Jesse's anxiety, quiet nature, and warmth. Lulu, a history professor, is living with her parents after a... Read More

Julia Whelan tells a funny story, much like a Shakespearean comedy is a funny story, of a woman who falls in love with her ex-fiancé's new girlfriend's ex-boyfriend. When Daphne's fiancé, Peter, realizes he is in love with his formerly platonic best friend, Petra, just days before their wedding, Daphne recognizes she has built her whole life around Peter. Furthermore, she... Read More

Elizabeth Jasicki narrates with upper-class accents that set the tone for this delightful Regency romance. Catriona Campbell juggles her responsibilities as a socialite, suffragist, writer, and her progressive father's only heir to a struggling estate in Scotland. Would it be proper for Catriona to pursue her father's new young colleague, Elias Khoury, and what will she do when... Read More

The chemistry between narrators Tyla Collier and Benjamin Charles is unmistakable in their compelling performance. Kayla is finally living her dream of becoming a rock star, but amid the glow of fame comes an unexpectedly public lifestyle. This and her budding romance with her tour bus driver, Ty, are making her life complicated but exciting. The unique romantic setup and the... Read More

Mary Jane Wells's eloquent voice captivates the listener as she delivers this historical romantic suspense. Jane Halliwell once had dreams of owning her own home. However, due to her father's death, those dreams never materialized. Now working as a governess to make ends meet, she finds her life turned upside down when her employer is murdered. To solve the crime, Jane must... Read More

Helen Laser and Sean Patrick Hopkins lead listeners from one wedding to the next in this contemporary romance. Sophie Steinbeck finds out her fiancé has been unfaithful and decides to call off the wedding. However, she doesn't want to be the one to do it. Enter Max, a professional wedding objector, to save the day. Sophie and Max have an instant connection, so they decide to... Read More

Lindsey Dorcus and Gail Shalan's wonderfully matched dual narration gives a satisfying emotional fullness to this warmhearted contemporary romance set on the sneaker-streaked hardwood courts of Tennessee. When former professional basketball player Elle Cochrane takes in her cousin's daughter, Vanessa, it draws her reluctantly back into the basketball world. Recognizing the... Read More

Narrator Stacy Gonzalez offers a glimpse of the trials and tribulations experienced by a first-year American college student who is studying in London at the fictional International School. In this first in a series featuring a character-driven plot, the story follows 19-year-old Maggie as she forms new relationships--both romances and friendships. Gonzalez delivers a... Read More

These six funny, tender, and romantic stories, full of promising beginnings and well-developed characters, are performed by eight talented narrators. Christina Lauren's meet-cute is a strong start to the collection. A high schooler accidentally emails another student instead of a teacher and begins a correspondence tradition on Valentine's Day. Marli Watson and Andrew Gibson... Read More

Mhairi Morrison narrates a sweet yet decidedly spicy historical romance. Delighted at being half of the notorious Halifax Hellions, Margo Halifax is unwilling to see how her shocking reputation could limit her. Buttoned-up Henry Mortimer has loved Margo for years, precisely because of her impetuosity but has never spoken of his feelings. Morrison's narration captures both... Read More

Mhairi Morrison narrates a heartfelt historical romance dealing with consent and agency. Matilda Halifax is tired of being half of the notorious Halifax Hellions. She's well aware of how society judges her. When she accidentally embarrasses the Marquess of Ashford by selling the woman's erotic illustrations, Matilda is determined to make amends. Morrison's portrayal of Matilda... Read More

Mhairi Morrison narrates a charming and passionate historical romance. Ten years ago, Winnifred Wallace invented a husband named Spencer Halifax and forged a document in order to secure a safe future. Now it turns out her imaginary man is not only real, he is intent on legally disentangling himself from her. Morrison imbues Winnie with courage and determination, showing just... Read More

Narrator Amy McFadden enlivens the romance that develops between dancer Lily Montgomery and Noah Wylder, a financier who works for her family's firm. Lily has returned home to recover from an injury only to find that most of her family is on vacation, leaving her to stay with her grandfather. Noah and Lily shared a kiss in the past, and sparks fly again. Because Lily is... Read More

Narrators Alex Knox and Angelina Rocca combine their talents to give life to the romance between Skye Tremont and Tripp Daniels. The two were in a relationship years ago, but Tripp broke things off to concentrate on medical school. Skye ended up in an abusive marriage. Tripp and Skye meet again as Skye is longing for a baby. Knox evokes the tenderness Tripp feels for Skye.... Read More

Narrators Cris Dukehart and Eric G. Dove combine their talents to tell the tale of ghostwriter Liz Danger's return to her small hometown of Burney, Ohio. When she arrives, Liz is pulled over by local cop Vince Cooper. While intending to stay only a few days, she is drawn into drama surrounding the wedding of her ex-boyfriend. Dukehart and Dove alternate the narration, with... Read More

Jeffrey Kafer and Marnye Young narrate the first title in the Angels & Devils MC romance series, inspired by ROMEO AND JULIET. Two generations ago, a love triangle caused a split in the Devils MC, forming the Angels. Romeo is descended from the Devils, and Julianna is descended from the Angels. Insta-love between the two creates a ticking time bomb just as both clubs'... Read More

Narrators Preston Butler III and Mela Lee beautifully portray a modern-day love story with deep connections to the Harlem Renaissance. Lee's upbeat tone and expressive voice embody Ricki Wilde, a bright, impulsive young woman who is opening a flower shop in Harlem with the help of her feisty 96-year-old landlady, Ms. Della. Lee has an uncanny way of adding and removing years... Read More

Kai Kennicott and Corvin King bring their vocal talents to the fore in this emotionally charged audiobook, which tells the story of Kerris Moreton's conflicted heart. Kerris stands at a crossroads between her commitments and her undeniable connection to Walsh Bennett. Her story is woven with complex layers of feeling, and Kennicott's performance deeply resonates as she... Read More

Listeners return to Coyote Canyon, Montana, as Amy McFadden tells the story of Jane Tanner and Kurt Elway. Jane is taking care of her elderly grandfather, who is suffering from dementia. She wants a baby and turns to Kurt for "assistance." McFadden brings out Jane's longing for a child, as well as her trepidation about making changes in her life. McFadden's performance aptly... Read More

Narrators Zara Hampton-Brown and Alex Moorcock return for the sixth audiobook in the Dark Olympus series. Hampton-Brown voices Eurydice in a high, youthful voice that reflects her reputation as the most naïve person in her family. Frustrated and more than ready to move on from her ex-boyfriend, Orpheus, she begins a steamy romance with Charon. Moorcock's deep, commanding voice... Read More

Shawn K. Jain and Deepa Samuel are dual narrators of this rom-com with a woman in a hijab at the center. They trade between them the chapters that make up this humorous, charming contemporary novel of manners. Sana Saeed must find a suitor that pleases her mother or lose the chance to be her younger autistic brother's guardian. With the seemingly hopeless search losing steam,... Read More

Narrator Eva Kaminsky portrays three women who spent a night together and awoke with psychic abilities they hadn't had before. Now one of them, Phoebe, has gone missing. Talia March and Luke Rand join forces to find her and to uncover the mysteries of that lost night. They track Phoebe to a remote retreat on Night Island, where they encounter the night gardener, whom Kaminsky... Read More

Diontae Black and Griswold Addams narrate the second Moonlighters novella, a queer romance. Kai was the last person Aiden expected to see at karaoke night as he's waiting for his best friend to arrive. Neither did he expect that bad weather would keep his friend from showing up. As Kai and Aiden spend the evening together, they discover their long-held impressions of each other... Read More

In this delightful second-chance/marriage-of-convenience romance, Aure Nash and Benjamin Charles join forces to deliver Violet and Xavier's story. Once high school sweethearts, they followed career paths that led them astray. A chance encounter nine years later involves fake wedding rings and an unexpected opportunity. When Violet's savvy maneuvering during a crucial interview... Read More

Alex Finke narrates a hilarious and heartwarming friends-to-lovers romance set in Brooklyn. Eve Hatch is content with life in her cozy city apartment close to her childhood best friend, Willa, after moving away from her family in the Midwest. However, an unplanned pregnancy from a one-night stand shakes up her life. She takes a closer look at all her current relationships,... Read More

Scarlett Everdeen and J.T. Londale bring to life the adventures of Meara Delcourt and Edge, who are both vampires. Meara, Edge, and their friends are in a battle with a group of evil wizards who want to destroy them. Meara is a 300-year-old aristocrat with a haughty tone matching her personality. Edge has a chip in his head; both Londale and Everdeen successfully convey his... Read More

Twins Calla and Briar arrive at the wolves' court, with narrator Vico Ortiz providing Calla's first-person narration. In a slower, expressive voice, Ortiz describes Calla's responses to the dreadful challenges there. Calla discovers childhood friend Prince Grae is their fated wolf mate and watches Briar be cursed by a sorceress and kidnapped. Calla emerges as an underdog whose... Read More

Listeners who love the monarchy will snap up this royal romance narrated by Shiromi Arserio, with additional narration from Barrie Kreinik as the voice of the late Princess Penelope. Singer Jennie Jensen meets and falls for Prince Hugh, heir to the UK throne. As she prepares for marriage, she suspects that Hugh's mother, Princess Penelope, was murdered and worries she might be... Read More

Rose Dioro and Quinn Riley mesmerize listeners in this sapphic academic romance. Having been raised by women, Lex Gorgon has always been empowered by the females in her life. When she enrolls in college and her male professor tries to destroy her, she vows to never let a man hurt another woman. Luna Pallas, is the straight daughter of the university president and the perfect... Read More

Kacie Rogers and Phil Ava narrate a contemporary take on SENSE AND SENSIBILITY. After learning at their father's funeral that they are his secret family and will inherit nothing, Nora and her sister set out to make the best of it. Ennis "Bear" Freeman is struggling to keep his business afloat when two seemingly rich girls show up to complicate his life. Rogers's portrayal of... Read More

In this first installment in the Dangerous Gift historical romance series, narrator Beverley Crick invokes a sense of wonder and enchantment with her nuanced performance. At the start of the nineteenth century, Bran is abandoned at birth. Decades later, his birth father finds him and informs him that he is a member of the British nobility. Bran agrees to travel to Cornwall to... Read More

Narrator Nicole Poole delights listeners in this quirky and heartfelt strangers-to-lovers romance set in Chicago. Pro sports agent Brett Rivers should never have had a drunken one-night stand with his most important client's sister. Rory Garrett is in quite a mess herself as she tries to keep her dreams of being a chocolatier afloat. Now the two must work together to find... Read More

Narrator Tanya Eby brings warmth to her performance as she narrates a story of three friends, their bonds, and their developing romances with the men in their lives. Laurel and Paris, who have been lifelong friends, welcome Cassie into their lives when she moves to town. Paris is coping with the return of her ex-husband, Jonah, and his young son. Laurel is developing a... Read More

Vanessa Edwin and Teddy Hamilton narrate this charming cowboy romance, which takes place at Rebel Blue Ranch. Interior designer Ada Hart is a city girl who believes she doesn't need a man to take care of her. But when she arrives in the small town of Meadowlark, she is instantly smitten with the handsome cowboy Weston Ryder. When she's hired to fix up Weston's family's ranch,... Read More

Listeners will hear a fun performance in this reluctant contemporary romance. Nami's tech start-up is about to be taken over by another tech giant, the company for which her high school rival, Jae, now works. While the takeover is definitely hostile, the relationship between Nami and Jae is much more complex. Will the rivals turn into lovers? Narrators Donald Chang and Chieko... Read More

Tyla Collier and Raymond Lee offer a spicy yet sweet performance in this fun romance. Liyah and Daniel bump into each other as adults, and it seems that Liyah hasn't forgiven Daniel for a mysterious mistake during their childhood. But she needs Daniel's help so she can secure her dream job as a museum curator, and a bumpy romance blossoms. Both characters are Jewish people of... Read More

Inés del Castillo and Jakobi Diem captivate listeners in this heartfelt contemporary romance. Soledad Barnes is a planner with many talents who loves her three daughters unconditionally. When disaster strikes and shakes up her entire life due to her husband's deceit and lies, Soledad rediscovers her self-worth and confidence with the help of the admirable Judah Cross. Castillo... Read More

Will Watt expertly performs the second in the Spires series. A re-release of a previously published book, this audiobook includes additional stories and background materials featuring Edwin; his ex, Marius; and their new loves. As a flood hits his Oxford neighborhood, Edwin meets Adam, the ginger civil engineer who is trying to lessen the impending damage on the community.... Read More

Narrators Renee Thorn and Ryan Stone take listeners into the secret society of the Oakmont Elite in this dark collegiate romance. Maybell Jacobs is a quiet and awkward wallflower until she has a chance encounter with the intimidating, rich Drew Marshall. For an opportunity to win some much-needed money, Maybell agrees to take part in a wicked tradition, The Hunt, in which she... Read More

Emily Spowage performs this sizzling contemporary romance with a light touch. Gruff former professional football star Alfie is urged by his agent to write his memoir. Curvy, cheerful Mabel applies to be his ghostwriter. When the two are seen together, they're mistaken for a couple. To hide the real nature of their relationship, they pretend to be dating. Spowage brings out the... Read More

Natalie Naudus narrates a romance loosely inspired by the 1938 movie BRINGING UP BABY. Zoey Fong's life is guided by The Plan--that is, until she meets Davy Hsieh and he upends almost every aspect of it. Naudus's portrayal of Zoey highlights her focus and goal-oriented mindset, while her portrayal of Davy captures his easygoing nature. Both Zoey and Davy suffer from anxiety,... Read More

Narrator Catherine Ho portrays three Shanghai friends who represent the struggles and limitations women face in contemporary Chinese society. Jane has always been told she's ugly and is stuck in a marriage to the one person who proposed to her, hardworking Rina is overlooked for promotions due to sexism and wants to freeze her eggs, and people-pleaser Lulu feels obligated to... Read More