New Reviews: Romantic Fiction

Narrator Rebecca Gibel transports listeners to the small town of Lakeview Harbor, where Walker Bradshaw is rebuilding his grandparents' resort. There, Walker encounters real estate agent Harlow St. James, and passion ignites. But Harlow has been trying to get Walker's grandparents to sell the resort, and when Walker realizes who she is, Gibel's portrayal of him becomes hostile.... Read More

Narrators David Berry and Marny Kennedy are effective foils as they portray deeply committed scholars who find themselves competing for the same faculty position in a job market where desirable appointments are scarce. The solution? Apply as a two-for-one package using the university's spousal hire benefit. The details of university politics are realistic as Jonah and Sadie... Read More

Narrator Kerry Gilbert brings this friends-to-lovers contemporary romance to life. Chloe Fairway isn't where she wants to be in life by a long shot: She hates her job, and she's currently living with her parents while recovering from a painful breakup. So, after having been voted "most likely to succeed," she hardly wants to attend her high school reunion. That's when a dating... Read More

In their heartwarming performances, narrators Teddy Hamilton and Brittany Pressley portray a love that can't be stopped by distance, growth, or time. Annie and Freddy are college sweethearts whose paths diverged after graduation, former lovers who never thought they'd meet again. But when Freddy unknowingly purchases Annie's childhood home, the pair find themselves back in each... Read More

Gilli Messer and Teddy Hamilton, both of whom performed Dahlia's previous audiobook, return to narrate this enemies-to-lovers romance. Twenty years ago, Nellie and Noah were high school sweethearts. When their relationship imploded, Nellie told no one why, not wanting their secret to ruin Noah's relationships with their friends. Decades later, at their friends' un-wedding... Read More

Author and narrator Zackman does her novel justice as she brings to life a high-energy New York City romance. Zackman's protagonist--quintessential millennial Mimi--is a food columnist living in Queens, on the hunt for a great love story and a delicious shmear. Mimi finds herself wrestling with a budding attraction to her new department head, Jake. Zackman's range is not to be... Read More

This tightly paced riff on the classic "Best Christmas Pageant Ever" is brought to life by narrator Ferdelle Capistrano. Still grieving the death of her beloved brother, Charlie Ward must now help move her grandmother into a senior living community and sell the house she and her brother grew up in. In the process, she finds herself reluctantly agreeing to lead a newly formed... Read More

The second title in the Must Love Hockey series, narrated by Ryan West and CJ Bloom, features a professional hockey player and an author who is a romance cynic. Scarlett has made a living writing books that bash romance and champion female independence. Chase is determined to prove her wrong. When they're forced to spend time together as a joint publicity stunt, Scarlett... Read More

The magic of Christmas is front and center in this time-traveling holiday romance, delightfully narrated by Nikki Massoud. Libby hasn't spent more than a few days in her hometown in Canada since she moved to Toronto. But now she's back, and a chance encounter with a handsome Christmas tree farmer sparks mutual interest. Then misfortune strikes: She hits her head and blacks... Read More

Patti Murin's delightful narration reflects the tongue-in-cheek tone of this holiday romance novel. Aspiring screenwriter Jill Jacobs returns to her hometown in Illinois for a family Christmas. Unfortunately, her ex, who broke up with her on Christmas Eve a few years earlier, will be in town, too. Murin depicts Jill's unsatisfying encounters with her past, one after another.... Read More

In this Christmas romance, narrators Monique Makena and Max Rauch portray a couple who are on the brink of divorce. Rauch voices Connor, a workaholic CEO who is desperate to win back the heart of his wife, Laney. Makena portrays Laney, who has returned to her hometown and is seeking a divorce. Rauch's voice reflects Connor's determination to show Laney a new side of himself.... Read More

From baby talking to a cat named Pumpkin to voicing the devious tones of Lucifer, narrator Ellie Gossage manifests the whole moral spectrum in this devilish queer rom-com. Samantha Cooper has had a horrible day. Her girlfriend, Hannah, just rejected her marriage proposal, and now she's stuck in an elevator with a cunning (and gorgeous) demon. Daphne grants Sam six wishes in... Read More

Natalie Duke's narration elevates this spellbinding audiobook. The new historian of the Riverwood Coven, Georgie Pendell, frees an ancient dragon shifter from an enchanted book, an accident that soon challenges her beliefs about love and destiny. As the coven's secrets begin to unravel, Georgie and the others must confront past wrongs and protect their community. Duke brings... Read More

James Phoon gives a charming performance of this delightful romance, set in the theater world of London's West End. Jonah is playing Achilles, the role of a lifetime, and has just won a prestigious award for it. His life offstage might not be perfect, but at least his career is taking off--that is, until his rival, Dexter, joins the production, and Jonah inconveniently falls in... Read More

Narrators Alexander Cendese, Brittany Pressley and Samantha Summers combine their talents to tell the story of scientist Harriet Smythe and hockey player Gale Knight. Harriet has created E.M.M.A., an AI program designed to enhance sports performance. Gale has been going through a slump and is hoping E.M.M.A. will help. Cendese ably expresses all of Gale's frustration as well as... Read More

Arya Shahi and Michael Crouch give emotional performances of this 130-year love story. Shahi voices Shams, whose life changes forever one day in 1895 when a wish he makes grants him immortality. Shahi captures all of Shams' passion, youthful stupidity, later remorse, and ongoing love of life. Crouch voices Oliver, whose life becomes inextricably linked with Shams' when they... Read More

Narrator Emily Lawrence lays bare New York City investment banker Miriam Geld's precarious situation as her fae prince client traps her in his kingdom. Caught between her evil human boss Jeff and the fae prince's demands, Miri eyes potential allies and enemies as she navigates court politics seeking a way home. Lawrence portrays Miri as idealistic but possessing a sardonic,... Read More

This audiobook delivers a gripping blend of political intrigue, forbidden love, and divine influence. Luca Matius and Maris Casperia are heirs from opposing sides of Isara whose hidden bond sparks consequences tied to a century-old rebellion. Dylan Reilly Fitzpatrick and Leela Bassuk's thoughtful pacing and tonal control make the dual points of view and timeline transitions... Read More

Samantha Brentmoor's voice is flippant yet vulnerable as she portrays Joonie, who is looking for love. But no man measures up to Ryke, the merman from her favorite romance series. When Joonie learns that Ryke is based on a real person, she sets out to find him, only to have her plans derailed once her brother's friend, Nico, unexpectedly joins her. Brentmoor's slightly gravelly... Read More

Benjamin Sands' and Mia Madison's voices complement each other beautifully, heightening the suspense and emotion in this dark, slow-burn mafia romance. The story centers on Creighton, a ruthless and obsessive crime boss, and Blake, the one person he has always protected. When Blake moves to New York for college, their carefully controlled dynamic shifts, creating new... Read More

Christine Lakin and Teddy Hamilton deliver a heartwarming performance of this seasonal romance. When a scandal puts the Davenport family's toy company in a bad light, up-and-coming young executive Clara Davenport is sent to the town of Fraser Falls, home of Jack Kelly, whose toy design the Davenports stole. While Jack wants nothing to do with her, and neither does the rest of... Read More

Karissa Vacker gives a spirited performance of this holiday romance about two people who hate Christmas. When Holly returns home after being laid off from her job, her brother drags his best friend, Nick, to the family gathering to set them up. While Holly figures this out quickly and plots with Nick to get back at her brother, she's in the dark about the reason her parents... Read More

Lindsey Dorcus narrates this audiobook with an effortlessly engaging performance as the struggling, overwhelmed heroine Dr. Lizzie Wells, a literature professor navigating the fallout of her husband's death. Listeners hear Dorcus ground the story with a warm, relatable, and acerbic style that gives texture to Lizzie's inner monologue as she makes a spur-of-the-moment move to... Read More

This holiday audiobook features Leo, a successful financial analyst, and Camille, a barista at his favorite coffee shop. When Leo needs to fake a committed relationship for a holiday event in order to secure a client, he asks his coffee shop crush. In the time leading up to the party, they realize their mutual attraction. Mackenzie Cartwright and Sean Masters, who have both... Read More

Samantha Cook and Connor Crais team up to narrate the renewed romance of Brooke Snyder and Aiden Sterling. They've known each other since they were teenagers; they even had one night together before Aiden left to become an overseas reporter. Now he's returned to help out at his family's firm, where Brooke works. Cook narrates the portions of the story told from Brooke's point... Read More

Moira Quirk charms in this first adult romance from YA author Lee. Harriet Lockhart, an actor in a Sapphic theater company, discovers that she and her brother are the illegitimate sons of the prince regent. He offers them inheritances, but Harry's is contingent upon her marrying an acceptable husband. Emily Sergeant is also in London looking for a husband so that she won't have... Read More

Narrator Mark Elstob embodies the idiosyncrasies of George McGlory, a widower of a certain age in Bedford, England. Visiting his wife's grave, George notices a lonely "council funeral" attended by no mourners. Inspired, George works with a local florist along with a reporter, undertaker, council member, and fellow librarian to shine a light on the forgotten deceased. Elstob... Read More

Isabelle Turner narrates this delightful and hilarious workplace romance. Scout Porter is the head engineer at BuzzCorp, a sex toy startup; she just happens to be a virgin and has sworn off love for good after a disastrous relationship. Scout is determined to stay focused on her team's upcoming launch. To do this, she'll enlist the help of charming Hudson Bailey, the nerdy... Read More

Narrator Abigail Reno returns listeners to the small town of Spanish Fort, Texas, at Christmastime for the romance that blossoms between Willa Rose Gibson and leather worker Tripp Callahan. The pair meet when Tripp hires Willa Rose's father to work in his leather shop. Willa Rose has some doubts about moving to a new town, and Reno captures her trepidation. She also brings just... Read More

Narrator Karissa Vacker delights listeners with this contemporary romance involving a brother's best friend. When Beth Lundberg flies with pilot George Bunsen, she's instantly turned on. However, when that first flight with George ends in an emergency landing, she's a bit mortified at her little crush on him. Nonetheless, when he offers her discounted flying lessons, Beth can't... Read More

Narrators Aaron Shedlock and Samantha Summers unfold this story of a romance between alpha werewolf and innkeeper Hunter Barrett and omega werewolf and contractor Tess Covington. Tess has come to Colorado to renovate Hunter's inn. Hunter had his heart broken by an omega, so he is wary of Tess. Shedlock handles all the male voices as well the narration from Hunter's point of... Read More

Narrator Georgina Sadler brings nuance to this contemporary romance between a successful American debut novelist and a British actor on the verge of superstardom. On a flight after a wild night out, Sage awkwardly flirts with Theo, who is sitting across the aisle. After attending a party together, Theo ghosts her. But when Sage travels to a small Scottish village to work on her... Read More

Eva Kaminsky flawlessly introduces this charming slow-burn love story and its relatable characters. Ingrid and her boyfriend of 11 years take a month off to date others before marrying. Bubbly Ingrid plans to date her grumpy longtime coworker Macon--both are impressively portrayed--but he resists her persistent overtures. Every challenging month of the year is cleverly... Read More

Narrators Stephen Dexter and Joy Nash delight listeners with this hilarious second-chance romance. Molly and Karl never dated in high school, but the feelings between them were always present. And then there was the time right after graduation when they almost crossed the line. Years later, when Molly returns to Harlot's Bay after reading Karl's obituary--which turns out to be... Read More

Narrator Eilidh Beaton whisks the listener off to a remote Scottish castle at Christmastime. Mirren Sutherland and Theo Palliser travel from London to Scotland to help Laird Jamie McKinnon locate a rare book hidden on his estate that will help save his home. A snowstorm strands the three, along with Jamie's sister, Esmé, and the housekeeper, Bonny. Beaton brings a Scottish lilt... Read More

Brittany Pressley and Dan Bittner expertly perform a dual narration of a contemporary paranormal romance audiobook. What do you do when the guy you went on one date with haunts you--literally? Or when your late fiancée's spirit is still around five years after her death? You team up with your newfound fellow hauntee. As Morgan and Sawyer work together to discover their ghosts'... Read More

Narrator Brittany Pressley returns the listener to Maine and Poole Manor, the house Sonya has inherited--complete with ghosts and a curse. A witch, Hester Dobbs, has cursed the family and over the years has killed seven Poole brides. Sonya; her boyfriend, Trey; her best friend, Cleo; and her cousin, Owen, are determined to break the curse and rid the manor of Dobbs. Cleo is... Read More

This dramatized audiobook adaptation delivers immersive romantasy with cinematic flair. The story follows Odessa Cross, an overlooked spare princess forced into an unwanted political marriage tied to an ancient blood treaty, monsters, and warring kingdoms. As she journeys through dangerous lands, Odessa begins to question her role as queen, spy, or sacrifice, and she slowly... Read More

January LaVoy performs this heartfelt small-town romance. When former musician Merritt Valentine had a mental breakdown 10 years ago, she left glamorous Los Angeles and hasn't looked back. Since then, she's been healing while living with her sister in a small Colorado town. Merritt never expected to have a crush on her local contractor, Niko Petrakis. However, the more time... Read More

Marian Hussey's narration is a standout. Set after the goblin war, the story centers on Dara, the Hawkmaiden, as she navigates uneasy peacetime, questioning her purpose while confronting a disturbing necromantic threat emerging near her home. The story balances emotional introspection with romantic tension and genuine danger, offering meaningful growth for Dara and adding depth... Read More

Emma Ladji's narration ensures that this romantasy has engaging moments. Violet has spent her entire life carrying out the evil deeds of a dark sorcerer. Now that he's dead, she's determined to use her powers for good, so she reinvents herself as the owner of a flower shop. But reinvention is more difficult than she imagined. She must share her greenhouse with her prickly... Read More

Narrator Brittany Pressley transports listeners to the Tumbleweed Diner in a small Texas town. Carla is a professional poker player and is down to her last dime when she wins the Tumbleweed. When Carla arrives in town, she meets Rosie the cook and Scarlett the waitress, and she is drawn into their world. Pressley voices a range of ages, and she communicates Rosie's shift from... Read More