New Reviews: Romantic Fiction

Narrators Tim Paige and Jesse Vilinsky shine in this charming romance as they portray Forrest and Margot with compelling chemistry and emotional depth. Margot, a romance writer, has struggled with love in her own life. When her diary of disenchantment with the genre is maliciously revealed, her career is jeopardized. To help, her sister sends Margot to Alaska to reinvent... Read More

Narrator Stephanie Németh-Parker whisks listeners away to the heart of Italy in this second-chance contemporary romance. Max is an ordinary woman working various jobs to get out the huge debt she's dug herself into. When the CIA offers her an exorbitant amount of money to pose as a body double for Europe's youngest female prime minister, Max can't say no. However, when she... Read More

A Victorian adventure-romance proves entertaining, thanks to the vocal stylings of narrator Karen Cass. When antique store owner Alexandra Prince believes she's uncovered a plot to steal the Crown Jewels, she heads to Scotland Yard, where Detective Inspector Benedict Drake serves. As clues to the impending theft are gathered, romance develops. Cass supplies a measured,... Read More

A banquet of sensual delights awaits those who listen to this historical novel narrated by Will Watt and Victoria Aston. Watt portrays the Duke of Brandon, whose dissolute ways have earned him a reputation, an ultimatum to marry from his grandmother, and a daughter, Pandy. Watt's drawl drapes like the velvet folds of a Victorian cape, and he uses it as the Duke woos Lottie,... Read More

This delightful Regency romance introduces Lydia Hope-Wallace, the rich, fiery redhead who secretly writes pamphlets denouncing the excesses of the aristocracy. Arthur Baird is the tall, blond reclusive Earl of Strathrannoch, who owns a moldering castle in Scotland. Narrator Mhairi Morrison spins the pair's adventurous love story, beginning with her wonderful vocal... Read More

Narrators Kyla Garcia and Bradley Ford perform an angsty contemporary romance. Miranda, a fashion editor, loves everything about the busy city life of Madrid. But her boyfriend, Tristan, can't stand the fast-paced lifestyle and longs to live a simple life in the country and have a family someday. The pair have strong chemistry, but ultimately Tristan decides they should part... Read More

Accomplished narrator Moira Quirk brings her fine skills to this first audiobook in a Regency Era romantasy trilogy. Highborn Aileana Kameron is the last in a bloodline of assassins who protect Edinburgh from murderous fae. Now she must work with a powerful fae named Kiaran MacKay to protect the city when the ancient seal that keeps the hoards at bay falters. Quirk's rich... Read More

Heidi Franklin infuses this queer romance with blush-worthy sexual tension. Newly single serial dater Taylor Cameron makes a bet with her best friend that she won't sleep with anyone until the end of the summer. Enter Avery Jensen, who is also newly single and looking to venture into dating again. Taylor offers to tutor Avery in flirting, and the rest is history. Franklin's... Read More

Soneela Nankani delivers a heartwarming performance of this romance novel set in Houston. D.C. lawyer Meena is on a mission to finally divorce her husband, Nikhil, whom she hasn't seen or spoken to in years. They got married on a whim in Las Vegas years earlier, but now Meena is ready to move on. When a massive hurricane forces Meena to seek refuge with her ex, they have the... Read More

Harrison Knights narrates TJ Alexander's debut historical romance. Needing to keep up appearances while in London for the season, eccentric Lord Christopher Eden reluctantly hires James Harding as his valet. Knights captures Christopher's somewhat persnickety nature, as well as the aching loneliness that causes him to make deeply awkward overtures of friendship toward his new... Read More

Dylan Reilly Fitzpatrick's playful narration captures the shenanigans in this romance between the spare Prince of Christmas and the Crown Prince of St. Patrick's Day. One shamrock is the only clue left behind when Kris Claus and his brother, Coal, discover someone is siphoning the joy of Christmas, the source of their magic, out from under their noses. To get it back, Kris sets... Read More

Golden Voice narrator Julia Whelan delights listeners with this heartfelt contemporary romance. Alice Scott is optimistic about her writing--always hoping for a big break. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Hayden Anderson is a grumpy enigma. Both find themselves on Little Crescent Island for the same reason: They're competing to write the biography of an elusive heiress, the... Read More

Andre Santana and Annalee Scott portray dueling chapters in this survival story. Estranged childhood friends Tuck Mattice, an ex-con, and Emily Swanson, a pop star, coldly reunite after 13 years. Tuck's new job as the singer's bodyguard is over before it can begin when their plane crashes. Now they must figure out what has happened to the world they once knew as they trudge... Read More

January LaVoy draws the listener into the story of Sloan Cooper, a natural resources police officer. Sloan has returned home to recuperate after having been shot. At the same time, Nash Littlefield and his brother, Theo, have moved to Heron's Rest to start a contracting business. While recovering, Sloan becomes interested in missing persons cases. It turns out the missing have... Read More

Hazel Addison's dramatic delivery guarantees a laugh-out-loud experience for those who listen to this wacky romance. Just when Dory is about to earn her PhD in wildlife biology, she's attacked by a lion-- only to be saved via alien abduction. Now on an unfamiliar planet, Dory and her new best friend, Toto, a talking lion, navigate their dangerous new environment, which is full... Read More

Narrators Connor Crais and Samantha Cook combine their talents to tell of the romance that sparks between artist Fallon Sterling and lawyer Noah Powers. The pair meet when Noah's twin daughters run off and end up in the gallery where Fallon works. Both narrators give the girls playful voices matching their mischievous personalities. Crais provides a deeply masculine tone for... Read More

Marni Penning portrays Callie McCallahan, who returns to her hometown of Hoker, Kentucky, when she inherits her uncle's property. The land abuts a tree farm belonging to Tanner Patrick, who had a crush on Callie in high school, though she never noticed him. Callie's cousin is staying with her, and Penning gives her a timid voice, matching her personality. When Callie's... Read More

Narrator Natalia Payne draws the listener into three short romances, tailoring her narration to match each story. In one story, Natalie returns home to help her parents and encounters a beekeeper named Garrett. Payne brings out her initial frustration with him before warming her tone as the two draw closer. In the second story, Payne voices characters who range from the hero's... Read More

Patti Murin skillfully narrates this engaging romance, capturing a wide range of emotions. Katie, a video producer, must choose between making a Coast Guard recruitment video or losing her job. To complicate the assignment, she doesn't know how to swim, and she will be working alongside Tom, known as Hutch, a well-meaning individual who dislikes social media. An anxious Katie... Read More

Narrators C.J. Bloom and Alexander Cendese deliver hilarious performances in this contemporary romantic comedy. Juniper Perry has always had a secret crush on her best friend's older brother, Beau. Now as they work together on a dating app, Juniper can finally flirt with him anonymously. Bloom's expressive, upbeat performance perfectly balances Juniper's quick wit,... Read More

A steamy holiday fake-dating romance features a full-cast narration from Samantha Brentmoor, Jason Clarke, and others. Brentmoor portrays Fable in a breezy voice, while Clarke plays Fable's gravelly voiced employer, Wilder, the owner of a football team. As Fable and Wilder engage in games in and out of the bedroom during a holiday wedding, the chemistry they have is obvious... Read More

Kirt Graves and Evan Parker charm listeners with this steamy rom-com featuring two 40-something queer men. Kent Lester takes pride in his career as a school principal, but his personal life suffers from a lack of romance. Enter Vincent Manda, a sweet, if high-strung, man with whom Kent has an awkward one-night stand. While both men hope to forget what wasn't their finest dating... Read More

Narrator Marisa Calin shines a light on women's opportunities in this unconventional historical rom-com. Lady archaeologist Georgina Harrington doesn't back down from any challenge, and Calin's voice is imbued with her steely resolution. To locate her missing cousin, Georgina teams up with Alexander Lovett, heir to a dukedom, despite not being pleased that both their families... Read More

Karissa Vacker narrates this slow-burn romance set in the publishing world with verve and enthusiasm. Bryony Page, whose warmth and slightly frantic manner come through in Vacker's expressive tones, heads off to her first writer's conference. She hopes to find a literary agent to sell her debut novel, inspired by her beloved grandmother's creation of a center to teach English... Read More

Eunice Wong narrates a delicious contemporary romance. Ellie Pang has Type 1 diabetes and has always had her family micromanaging her life. After turning down a marriage proposal and having it go viral for the wrong reasons, Ellie moves to the other side of the country to chase her dream of opening up a sugar-free bakery. Her new store turns out to need loads of renovations,... Read More

Narrators Christine Lakin and Matt Lanter deliver a heartbreaking and uplifting duet narration featuring a geographically challenged couple. Samantha, a marketing rep of mustard, and Xavier, a surly veterinarian, spend their first date locked overnight in an escape room. Shortly after, Samantha goes to California to care for her mother, who has dementia. Lakin communicates a... Read More

Golden Voice Robert Petkoff uses his rich voice to awaken the romance between vampire Kosmina Daiano and sorcerer Silt Harea. When Kosmina is wounded and cursed with bloodlust, she is sent to the hell realm called Nightside, where she encounters Silt, who was banished there by Kosmina's brother. Petkoff ably ratchets up the tension as Kosmina and Silt fight off ghouls and other... Read More

Narrators Joshua Manning and Stina Nielsen transport the listener to Scotland, where travel writer Katie Campbell, known for her misadventures, is taking part in an Edwardian experience. Graeme MacKerrow has leased his ancestral home to an English couple for the three-week event. Both narrators skillfully handle the Scots, American, and English accents. Manning in particular... Read More

Golden Voice narrator Soneela Nankani takes listeners on a heartfelt journey of self-discovery in this sentimental romance. Everything about Mira Salvi's life seems to be falling perfectly into place. She has a great job and is engaged to a man who adores her. However, when she travels to New York City alone on an engagement trip, she stumbles across a lost ring that soon... Read More

Narrator Rachel Leblang brings to life two romance stories in this audiobook. In the first, Skye asks her neighbor, Ford, to help deter a potential boyfriend. In the process of getting to know each other, they adopt two dogs together. Skye's twin sister is staying with her, and Leblang provides contrasting voices that match each sister's personality. At first, Ford and Skye are... Read More

Carly Robins's warm, expressive narration suits this delightful rom-com set mainly in New York City. Therapist Nora's life is filled with work; time spent with her best friend, Dane; and caring for her lovable, anxious dog, George. In the seven years she has been anonymously writing an advice column for a London publication, she has struck up a friendship with her copy editor,... Read More

This audiobook, a rom-com lover's dream come true, is brought to life by Mia Hutchinson-Shaw and Lee Osorio. Hutchinson-Shaw is easy to listen to as she convincingly depicts Sawyer's emotions while adding depth and impact to the story. The chemistry between Sawyer and Mason is undeniable, and Hutchinson-Shaw delivers a nuanced performance as the saucy foil to Mason's brooding.... Read More

Narrator Esther Wane provides an outsider perspective in this unconventional historical romance featuring a lady's maid who is posing as her mistress, the fiancée of an unconscious duke. Wane perpetuates Adelaide's deception in an elegant, textured voice with an ironic undertone, reflecting her many experiences traveling the world. Rhett, the duke's wastrel younger brother, has... Read More

Savannah Peachwood and Connor Crais deliver swoon-worthy performances in this small-town contemporary romance. Camille had always planned to marry and cement her daughter's future--until her groom failed to show up for their wedding. Now, Dusty is done traveling and is finally home and ready for a second chance with Camille. Both narrators add passion and nuance to their... Read More

Duet narrators Zara Hampton-Brown and Shane East pair well together in this romantasy set in an alternative Scotland. Princess Aurora rejects a loveless betrothal in England, instead making a pact with a Scottish clan leader who is a wolf changeling. Hampton-Brown uses an arch tone and a British accent for Aurora, a jaded campaigner who must quickly absorb the intricacies of... Read More