New Reviews: Romantic Fiction

Narrator Andi Arndt draws listeners into the lives of Alice, Lauren, and Knox when they inherit a dilapidated B&B near Lake Tahoe. Alice and Lauren are former best friends. Alice had a secret crush on Knox, but circumstances forced them apart. Now they're all together again. Arndt aptly provides a voice matching each personality--from Alice's toughness to Lauren's sunnier side... Read More

Narrators Wesleigh Siobhan and Jakobi Diem take romance, heartbreak, and sex appeal to the next level. Yasmen (Siobhan) and Josiah (Diem) divorced after devastating experiences, but they can't run away from the love that created their family and growing business. This dramatic story has emotional ups and downs that both narrators perform passionately in complementary... Read More

For listeners of Sapphic romance, Lori Prince's voice is the sound of love and everything that goes with happily-ever-afters. In this story of two hearts needing healing and affirmation, business consultant Rose Josten and filmmaker Ash Stewart meet during a pivotal moment in their careers. As they prepare a Hail Mary movie pitch to secure funding, they grow closer, and... Read More

Narrator Nicole Lewis carries listeners through the romance between Drew Young and Jasper Williams. Drew inherits her grandmother's bookstore, along with the shop's book club. The scheming older ladies set her up with visiting author Jasper. Drew is still struggling with grief over her grandmother's death, and Lewis captures her poignant feelings in her multidimensional... Read More

CJ Bloom and Aaron Shedlock work together wonderfully to enhance this fun contemporary romance. After social media influencer "Chick Nic" has a very public romantic breakup, she moves away to start anew, bringing her beloved chickens with her. Her new neighbor, Will, is the local veterinarian. She soon learns that he hates the chicken movement or any fad involving animals.... Read More

Narrating a contemporary romance with many characters, Andrew Eiden makes sure each person is recognizable in dialogue. Woodland Park, Colorado, has an excellent emergency response team. Paramedic Anderson Kelly smoothly handles car crashes and fires, but he can't handle his continued attraction to single mother Chelsea Davis. As Eiden chronicles their cautious moves toward... Read More

Heat up with this steamy romantic performance by narrators Emily Woo Zeller and James Chen. Anna is on her way to becoming a music journalist even though her Chinese family is encouraging her to seek a different career track. She doesn't date Asian guys, but her beliefs are challenged when she meets Ian, an Asian heartthrob, on the way to a wedding. Zeller and Chen... Read More

Carly Robins brings enthusiasm to her narration of the romance between Arianna Donovan and Will Jameson. After spending a perfect day together, Arianne and Will allow a full year to pass before they reconnect. Finally, Will turns up as a friend of Arianna's brother at her family's pub. Will and Arianna have to secretly date because they worry about her family's disapproval.... Read More

This audiobook, set in Las Vegas, is a dark fantasy with some BDSM scenes. Bryn Meara, portrayed by Avery Reid, gets a free stay at Nightfall Hotel, owned by Caiden Verran. Caiden, portrayed by Aiden Snow, is king of the Fae Night Court. In short order, a curse prevents them from being separated--if Bryn dies, so does Caiden. Reid's emotional narration is well matched to her... Read More

The latest installment of the Fifth Avenue Rebels series is narrated by Kit Swann and Tim Campbell. After several thwarted opportunities, the Duke of Lockwood continues his search for an American heiress to be his bride. Nellie, the daughter of a railroad tycoon, happily flaunts her disregard for the expectations of 1890s New York's elite. During a chance encounter between... Read More

This opposites-attract audiobook is narrated by Andi Arndt. Susie inherits a fixer-upper from her aunt. Lars, a contractor, is her ex's best friend, so she'd prefer to avoid him, but he's the earliest builder available, so she hires him. As walls are torn apart, the pair discover a divorce certificate dated 10 years into the future that has their names on it. Their relationship... Read More

Narrator Ava Lucas returns to this third Fix-It Witches romance. Now that the witch-hunting crisis is over, the coven can return to their normal lives in which they are hidden in plain sight in their midwestern town. For Leanne, that should mean casual romantic flings and being overworked in the mayor's office. However, after meeting Trevor, she begins to see potential in the... Read More

Prolific narrators Amy McFadden and Will Damron narrate the first title of the Getting Shipped series. Best friends since childhood, Trevor and Lexi are secretly in love with each other, something that everyone else in their small town knows. Not wanting to ruin their friendship, neither one pushes to leave the friend zone. But when Lexi's sister persuades her to try a dating... Read More

Samantha Cook and Jason Clarke bring strong narrations to the romance between Nicki Bettencourt and Asher Dare. Asher's best friend asks him to take his sister, Nicki, to Asher's island home to hide out when nude photos of her surface. Cook aptly portrays Nicki's vulnerability and distrust after the scandal breaks. Asher is instantly attracted to her, but he is concerned about... Read More

Santino Fontana and Stephanie Einstein lead a full-cast performance of Bastone's newest audio-first romance. Older college students Robbie and Marigold are working on a couples interview project for their psychology class, which asks if love at first sight exists. The full cast portrays the interview subjects, Robbie's train-wreck parents, and their all-knowing professor. The... Read More

Dulcet tones open this enemies-to-lovers contemporary romance, narrated by Raechel Wong. As the third generation to run her family's matchmaking business, Liv is passionate about using the Chinese zodiac to help clients find their perfect partner. When she realizes the cute man she recently met has launched a dating app with the same premise, Liv vows to put him out of business... Read More

A full cast narrates this tale of treason and intrigue. Nicholas Boulton as Merrick, a Navy captain, and Kathryn Vinclaire as Caroline, a woman his crew rescued from pirates, keep their narration revolving around romantic passion. Boulton turns pensive about war and playful about the bedroom. Vinclaire gives Caroline, who renames herself India, a full range of emotions, notably... Read More

Lauren Fortgang's stellar narration adds authenticity to this romance. Finding herself newly single and panned by the critics, budding costume designer Marlowe is trying to make ends meet. When she is thrust onto the screen to fix a wardrobe mishap, she catches the eye of leading man Angus. Fortgang shines while portraying Marlowe, a woman who knows her faults and can laugh at... Read More

Meg Sylvan and Hunter Millbrook combine their narration talents in this story of love and betrayal--filled with references to Broadway. Erika Greene was a Broadway diva until she was injured in a tragic stage accident. Now she's running her grandmother's failing opera house in Paris, Nevada. Christof Daae had a great band in Germany until he and the band's keyboard player broke... Read More

In this story of finding love in unexpected places, narrators Pippa Jayne and Julio Maxwell portray Layla and Caleb as the two navigate the new territory of dating each other. Layla is fed up with online dates that keep falling short. Then she finds herself in a fake relationship with Caleb, an acquaintance who quickly becomes more. Layla's skepticism and Caleb's hopefulness,... Read More

A full cast of outstanding narrators, led by Jessie Buckley and Johnny Flynn, capture the fun and heartbreak in this sparkling imagining of what might have happened to Lydia, the youngest Bennet sister from PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. Buckley shines as Lydia, bringing out her rage at her profligate husband and her enduring love for the family that has turned its back on her. Flynn... Read More

Narrators Keylor Leigh and Malik Rashad work together beautifully to deliver this heartwarming slow-burn romance. Black 20-something Lily, a publishing assistant portrayed by Leigh in bright, sympathetic tones, emails her favorite fantasy author, NR Strickland ("Strick"). Their email correspondence and blossoming friendship/romance are wonderfully voiced by both narrators.... Read More

Anastasia Watley brings this story to life with her expressive voice and excellent pacing. Her portrayals of the different characters are distinct and consistent, making it easy for listeners to follow the plot and become invested in the characters' journey. Dae is kidnapped from her homeland on the eve of her wedding and taken to the Jaharri desert, where she is saved from... Read More

In this multicultural romantic comedy, Alba Duarte, portrayed by Lola James, is a bookish room designer who is currently assisting real estate tycoon Theo Ganas, portrayed by Sean Crisden. When Alba gets a new design project and moves to Dallas and Theo goes there to do a reality-TV show, they have the opportunity to get together. James and Crisden provide outstanding... Read More

Jakobi Diem and Wesleigh Siobhan return to narrate the third book in the St. Louis Cyclones series. After being traded again due to his increasingly destructive temper, pro basketball player Armand is playing close to home. Ella has grown up in the spotlight and is hoping for some normalcy. When the two meet, their attraction is instant. Can Ella's dominant side heal Armand's... Read More

Kacie Rogers and Ron Nery, Jr., narrate a bold contemporary version of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, set in Washington, DC. Disc jockey and activist Liza Bennett knows there is no way she could ever fall for rich gentrifier Dorsey Fitzgerald, no matter how hot he is. But fate keeps pushing them together, and slowly opinions change. Rogers's performance of Liza is bold and energetic,... Read More

Andi Arndt gives voice to former teen star Liv Latimer as she is thrown back into the spotlight 20 years after "Girl on the Verge" first aired. Filming a reunion special means closer proximity to her old castmates, forcing her to come to terms with her feelings for her costar, Ransom Joel, and to make tough decisions about her future. The point of view stays mainly with Liv,... Read More

Nikki Massoud's lively voice welcomes listeners to a charming romance in the Highlands. Ruby Spencer is desperate to make a change, so she quits her publishing job in New York, lands an agent for a cookbook, and escapes to a remote village in Scotland for a year. Massoud shifts smoothly between Ruby's bright, determined voice and the charming Scottish accents of all those who... Read More

Narrator Carly Robins immerses listeners in Ryleigh Donovan's frustration with her mother's constant matchmaking. Feeling desperate, she turns to Ryker Masella to act as her fake boyfriend. Ryker, who has been trying without success to date Ryleigh, eagerly agrees to her plan. Robins adds warmth to her portrayal of Ryker, embodying all of his feelings for Ryleigh. Bringing life... Read More

Narrators Lynn Wright and Alastair Haynesbridge combine their talents to breathe life into the romance between Tessa Harper and Ford Maddox. Ford and Tessa have always been at odds with each other. But when he needs her help to capture the attention of the woman of his dreams, they end up spending considerable time together. Wright and Haynesbridge seamlessly alternate... Read More

Martyn Swain narrates a romance between a gentleman and a smuggler. After his father's sudden death, Gareth Inglis inherits a house in Romney Marsh, Kent, and unexpectedly comes face-to-face with a former lover whom he parted from on bad terms. Swain's portrayal of Gareth, who suffered emotional abuse most of his life and is now healing, is deeply affecting. Joss Doomsday, who... Read More

As the author of this work, Erin Mallon is uniquely able to bring the characters to life. Marine biologist Louise has a rocky past she needs to overcome. She had what was supposed to be a one-night encounter with bar owner James. But he keeps crossing her path. Narrator Teddy Hamilton provides James's point of view, adding depth to the listening experience. With rapid pacing,... Read More

Eva Kaminsky provides a dynamic narration of the mysterious situation that author Ambrose Drake and interior designer and podcaster Pallas Llewellyn find themselves in. After the pair have a night they can't remember, they awaken to find that they have enhanced psychic abilities. Ambrose contacted Pallas to help him investigate a murder. Ambrose limits his sleep to catnapping... Read More

Mark Sanderlin narrates this charming romance set on the Pacific Crest Trail with the perfect mix of emotion and humor. Alexi and Ben set out on the PCT for very different reasons. Alexi's parents have rejected him for being gay, and he is trying to work through his grief. Ben has just finished nursing school and is craving one last adventure before settling into a new career.... Read More

Iranian Armenian narrator Christine Mirzayan gives a dazzling performance in her audiobook debut. In a warm, round voice, she voices Nar, a 20-something Armenian who finally gives in to her mother's requests for her to get more involved in the community. Her mother is hoping she'll meet the perfect man--she even has spreadsheets of potential matches--but Nar meets the perfect... Read More

Nora Sofyan narrates an intergalactic version of "The Bachelor" with multiple species vying to impress a powerful ruler. Magical Texas innkeepers Dina and Sean agree to host the courtship competition to save a friend's life, and Sofyan is in full command of the political machinations that ensue. From scholar chickens to carnivorous trees, Sofyan plays up the story's whimsy and... Read More

Listeners will melt at this chocolate-themed romance with narration by Brittany Pressley and Andrew Eiden. Pressley portrays Lucy, a Belgian-style chocolatier in the small town of Watkins Corner. Pressley's cozy voice matches Lucy's commitment to her family business--as well as her trepidation about marketing her "Cupid Chocolates," even though some customers believe eating... Read More

Narrators Jakobi Diem and Adenrele Ojo reveal how Brooklyn Dembélé and Vann London find a second chance at love. They're both at a crossroads. When they meet up at historically Black Romey University, they consider rekindling an earlier affair. The two narrators lean into the lead characters' soul-searching. Ojo's voice captures the regret and rage Brooklyn processes after... Read More

Narrator Carly Robins embodies the boisterous Donovan clan. After serving 10 years in the Marines, Liam Donovan moves home to his small town in North Carolina, where his family owns a pub. He finds himself living next door to music teacher Tessa Sullivan. Tessa and Liam are complete opposites. With a constrained delivery, Robins channels Liam's uptight nature, while she... Read More

Narrator Megan Tusing performs a touching romance that transcends time. Isla initially hesitates to believe the man who texts her that he is her husband from the future. As they build their relationship, he admits that her future self is no longer in his life and that he wants to protect her from her ultimate fate. Tusing's voice for Isla captures emotions that range from... Read More

Brittany Pressley returns to narrate the fourth title in the Well Met series. Overworked Lulu, an attorney, has a breakdown in the middle of a Renaissance Faire. Her cousin's friends come to her rescue, offering her a place in their kilt-wearing band as they travel the festival circuit. The group's guitarist, Dex, is known to be a bit of a Lothario; however, Lulu's presence in... Read More