During the past year, many of us have experienced dark times and had our lives change in unimaginable ways. We're recommending five romance audiobooks where characters are able to put their challenges in perspective and say yes to love. No one ever said finding a happy ending was easy, but these narrators make the journey worth it for listeners.

In Lori Foster’s NO HOLDING BACK, narrated by John Lane, trucker Sterling Parson fights her own dark past as she teams up with bar owner Cade Mckenzie to take down a human trafficking ring. Lane’s sensual voice is a great match for this high-stakes romance. Narrators Wesleigh Siobhan and Chance Smolders set the court on fire in Alexandra Warren’s sports romance WINS & LOSSES. Carmen’s back home after the death of her father. Faced with grief and caring for her brother, Carmen finds love with his basketball coach, Nasir. In Jennifer Probst’s story FOREVER IN CAPE MAY, narrated by Teddy Hamilton and CJ Bloom, Taylor faces a different kind of challenge as she wonders if she’s brave enough to leave Cape May to pursue her artistic ambitions. Perhaps love interest and photographer Pierce Powers can help her find career clarity. 

Narrator Kirsten Potter excels at guiding listeners through changing circumstances. Just check out her Earphones Award-winning performance in THE SEGONIAN by Dianne Duvall. Eliana may be a supernaturally fast and strong warrior, but even she has difficulty surviving a spaceship explosion. Her second act on board an alien warship is full of adventure, laughs, and romance, and Potter brings listeners along for all of it. In J.R. Ward’s LOVER UNVEILED, narrator Jim Frangione ably shows listeners that one night can change your life. Vampire Mae rescues Sahvage at an illicit fight, and then he joins her on a quest that may consume them both. This paranormal romance has elements of horror played up with Frangione’s eerie vocalizations and deep, echoing tone.

Here’s hoping your life is shifting into high gear for summer—don’t forget to take these audiobooks with you!