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 Justine Eyre pulls the listener into Singh's world of angels, vampires, and humans in this long-running series. Illium, a powerful angel, is facing ascension, upon which he will transition into an archangel. At his side is his friend and lover, Aodhan. Part of the story takes place before Illium's transformation, when he and Aodhan are part of archangel Raphael's... Read More

An emotive narration by Stella Bloom lands listeners in a madcap adventure. As Harlow and her group of stylish crime fighters investigate an unscrupulous online dater, her romance with investigator Javier Montoya heats up. Bloom makes this Avenging Angels installment a must-listen by fully expressing Harlow's rapid-fire dialogue. Whether Harlow is pondering an impromptu... Read More

Natalie Naudus delivers an enchanting performance in this unique romantasy. Bianca has always prepared herself for her arranged marriage to stoic Prince Aric. But on their wedding night she doesn't foresee that his life is in danger. While the assassination attempt goes wrong, Aric is turned into a horse, and Bianca is now being framed for his "murder." They have no choice but... Read More

Wesleigh Siobhan and Jakobi Diem return to the Skyland series for its last installment. While entertainment agent Hendrix Grady has seen both of her best friends find their happily-ever-afters, she's content to remain single--if that's what the universe has in store. But when she meets tech mogul Maverick Bell at a colleague's party, sparks fly. Later she learns her new man is... 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

Narrator Carly Robins delivers the romance between Hailey Donovan and Max Calloway. They meet when Hailey's cousin and Max's brother get married, and they spend the weekend together, parting because they live in separate states. A month later Hailey realizes she's pregnant. Robins expresses Hailey's shock and then her growing acceptance of the situation. Hailey returns to Max's... Read More

Gail Shalan gives a dynamic performance of this light, fun queer romance. Ramona leaves her dream of becoming a Hollywood costume designer to take care of her sister in their hometown of Clover Lake; some years later she's still stuck there, working as a waitress. In comes famous bad girl Dylan Monroe, who moves to town. When the two meet, sparks fly, and Shalan energetically... 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

This Regency romance narrated by Kimberly M. Wetherell and Jay Myers sparkles with charm, wit, and classic mistaken-identity hijinks. Lady Meg goes undercover as a maid to learn the truth about her enigmatic fiancé, James Clay, the new Duke of Earnhurst. She's unaware that he's also hiding his true identity. What unfolds is a cleverly plotted farce featuring two interwoven love... 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

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

Listeners will be rooting for soccer (football) star Gabi Piña all the way in this winning new adult romance. A college freshman in Corpus Christi, Texas, Gabi has staked out his future: playing for a pro team in Mexico or the U.S. But then, thanks to his philosophy classmate and tutor, Vale, Gabi has a bisexual awakening, and he's not sure how these two parts of himself will... Read More

Gail Shalan and Rock Engle introduce a flawed, hilarious couple: Hannah, a librarian, and Jack, a hitman. After an airplane encounter, Jack pursues Hannah to her Colorado town for a steamy committed relationship. Engle portrays Jack in a breezy, slightly nasal voice. Engle's jocular persona works because Jack doesn't take himself or his work too seriously. Shalan voices... Read More

Narrator Beverley A. Crick transports listeners to England just after the Napoleonic Wars. Jonathan, Duke of Leighton, has returned home after having been held captive for years in France with his mentor, Morris. When Morris was on his deathbed, Jonathan promised he would look after Morris's daughter, Victoria, and see that she married. Crick gives crisp British accents to... 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

Set sail with Andi Arndt and Patrick Zeller as they delight listeners with this heartfelt enemies-to-lovers contemporary romance. When Josie, an elementary school nurse, shows up for her annual summer vacation with her brother, she finds herself stuck with her brother's best friend. Wyatt is a grumpy pro hockey player who is currently healing from an injury. When Josie learns... 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

Beth Eyre and Angus King narrate a historical novel set in 1613 during the reign of King James I of Scotland and England. King James's messenger, Andrew Logan, has been sent to Scotland on a clandestine mission, accompanied by his daughter, Phoebe, and court scrivener. At the start of the journey, English Phoebe dislikes Scottish Andrew immensely, and Eyre leans into Phoebe's... 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

Set sail with narrator Ellie Gossage and this contemporary romance. Micah's band gained popularity in her teenage years after being featured on a hit television show. However, the group's second album never took off. A decade later, the band is reuniting for a performance on a themed cruise ship. Micah's bandmate and childhood best friend, John, misses playing music and is... 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

Edoardo Ballerini's moving narration takes listeners to a 1980s Russian patriotic children's camp to meet sweet-natured 16-year-old counselor Yury and novice 19-year-old theater director Volodya. Well-rendered discussions of the countryside, food, regimented life--especially, the morning bugle--transport listeners to the cool lake and hot cabins. As the two diligently work... Read More

Elizabeth Lamont and Eric Nolan whisk listeners away to a Sicilian villa in this contemporary romance. Maya is in her early 20s and still figuring out what she wants in life. Conor is her older brother's best friend, whom Maya can't stop thinking about. Maya is a grad student; Conor is a wealthy biotech guy, so the age gap and power imbalance between them would never work. But... 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

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

This audiobook offers a mesmerizing blend of slow-burn romance and high-stakes fantasy. Odessa, a reluctant princess, is thrust into an arranged marriage with Prince Zavier. Together, they navigate dangerous lands filled with monsters and political intrigue. Samantha Brentmoor delivers a standout performance, skillfully portraying Odessa's transformation from hesitant princess... Read More

Patti Murin lends her voice to this whimsical romance. After a concert, songwriter Joni Lark begins to hear a voice in her head. The telepathic voice's owner, Sasha, is a busy musician who wants to work with Joni on a new song. Home to visit her family in coastal North Carolina, Joni isn't ready to work on music, but Sasha seems to bring out her creativity again--and then he... Read More

Narrator Patti Murin performs a heartfelt romance about cherishing the past, being in the present, and looking forward to a promising future. Lauren Parker has assumed various roles throughout her life. Currently, she is reorienting herself after losing her husband and finding herself raising their teenage daughter alone. While visiting her brother, a movie star, on set, she... 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

The third installment of the Hart and Mercy series, narrated by Kacie Rogers, begins with Rosie and her partner, Duckers, inspecting a faulty portal to the mythical Tanria. After they touch a strange smudge in the machine, it further malfunctions. Soon the elusive genius Adam Lee arrives to assess his invention's problems, ultimately leading to Rosie, Adam, Duckers, and his ex... Read More

Elizabeth Lamont's lively performance transports listeners to the Netherlands in this second-chance romance, which also includes a marriage of convenience. When a workplace relationship goes south, American Dani loses both her job and her boyfriend, and impulsively takes a new position in Amsterdam. There she runs into Wouter, her first love, who lived with Dani's family as an... 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

Narrators Amanda Ronconi and Teddy Hamilton combine their talents to tell the story of Linney Seaworth, a witch, and Gray Brockhurst, who owns a ghost tour business. On the island Starfall Point in the Great Lakes, Linney and her two sisters are tasked with protecting the island's residents from ghosts. Ronconi narrates the chapters from Linney's point of view, while Hamilton... Read More