New Reviews: Romantic Fiction

Narrators Ewan Chung and Viet Thanh Nguyen deliver sweet performances in this contemporary romance. Evie is fired by her secret boyfriend and feels hopelessly stuck until she receives a letter from her beloved late aunt. She is sent on a matchmaking tour of Vietnam, where meets the skeptical Adam. This romance has a strong foundation built on Evie's enthusiastic search for... Read More

Brittany Pressley and Nelson Hobbs entertain listeners with this amusing rivals-to-lovers contemporary romance. Emily Walker begins fuming when her archnemesis, Jack Bennett, moves back to town and becomes her new neighbor. Despite the petty scheming to ruin each other, they soon realize they have secrets that could bring them closer together. Pressley's upbeat, expressive... Read More

Brooke Bloomingdale and Liam DiCosimo narrate this angsty small-town romance. Alina met Chase when she was 11 years old and fell in love with him before she even knew what love was. Chase was a bit reckless and never relied on anyone's love. However, Alina was the one girl he could always open up to. While DiCosimo's narrative voice is enjoyable, his performance of the... Read More

Andi Arndt narrates this romance featuring two friends who are thrust back together after years apart. Olive and Noah were close--until Olive ran over Noah, ending his potential baseball career. The accident ultimately caused Olive to leave Lake Tahoe. Noah also left town. Later, both return to help Noah's sister and Olive's best friend, Katie, deal with her husband's accident.... Read More

Narrator Jim Frangione returns the listener to the vampire world of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Vampire Apex is working at an estate in northern New York, where he encounters Callum, a wolven with whom he has a shared past. Apex had fallen for Callum, but Callum had been tortured and wasn't able to deal with the emotions he felt afterward. It's been 30 years since they've... Read More

Narrator Dani Cochrane dives right into the story of Cassie O'Malley, who is running away from a terrible situation when she encounters Ted Wellman. In order to avoid the police, Cassie asks Ted for help, and the two end up married. Cochrane exudes all of Cassie's desperation as she pleads with Ted. He takes Cassie home to his family, and they all rally around the couple as... Read More

Narrators Stephanie Willing and Andrew Eiden charm listeners in this swoony celebrity romance. Emmy's wildest dreams are about to come true when her debut novel lands a movie deal starring her real-life celebrity crush, who just happens to be the inspiration for her book. When Jason accepts the film role, he and Emmy work together to clean up his image and put her on the... Read More

A duet narration by Mary Jane Wells and Patrick Zeller as tennis doubles partners Scottie Sinclair and Nico Kotas is double the fun for listeners. Wells digs into Scottie's fall from grace after a Wimbledon win and her personal struggles over her worldwide notoriety. Wells manages to craft Scottie's persona as spunky yet traumatized; she reveals a deep sense of fairness... Read More

Sasha Higgins's sparkling narration transports listeners to Regency-era England in this enchanting historical romance. After the death of her parents, 18-year-old Lady Madalene Ramsbury's uncle promises her to an unscrupulous lord. Maddy, who wants to marry for love, flees her engagement party, hopping into the passing carriage of Everett, the Marquess of Northampton. As the... Read More

Narrators Amy Hall and Tim Paige captivate listeners with this contemporary romance about a marriage of convenience. Years ago, LaRynn and Deacon had a fleeting summer romance. Now, their late grandmothers have left them shared ownership of a dilapidated building. Deacon has construction experience but no money; LaRynn has a trust but must be married to access it. Thrust back... Read More

Cornell Collins excels at performing both the thrill of the chase and the moments of quiet intimacy in this queer historical romance. The unassuming Duke of Severn decided to do something bold--sadly, his one-night stand with a strange man led to robbery. He decides to search for his stolen ring incognito but finds navigating his quest as Mr. Cassian daunting. He then decides... Read More

Narrators Connor Crais and CJ Bloom complement each other as a fake betrothed couple who are determined to end a generations-long feud between their families who own warring fruitcake and gingerbread businesses. Dane (Crais) and Amanda (Bloom) are tired of the fighting and the pressure to inherit the family businesses. As some family members try to get along, letters begin... Read More

Narrators Hathaway Lee and E.J. Bingham delight listeners in this heartfelt contemporary romance. Lucie Stone is a single mom, a mechanic, and a hopeless romantic. Aiden Valentine has fallen out of love with love. Ironically, he hosts Baltimore's late-night romance-radio hotline. When Lucie's daughter calls the hotline seeking advice for her mom, Lucie's conversation with Aiden... Read More

Katie Koster will charm a wide audience with this fun romantic performance. Wordle enthusiast Emily daydreams at her dead-end job as a receptionist at a car shop. When her car's alternator dies, her co-worker, John, comes to her rescue, and the bland mechanic suddenly becomes interesting when he shares his own enjoyment of Wordle. Koster offers an authentic narration of this... Read More

Narrators Victoria Connolly and Jason Clarke enchant listeners in this heartfelt contemporary romance. Millie loves her job as an entomology curator at a museum; now she has the opportunity to interview for the position of department director. Finn is learning how to handle his job at the museum while raising his nieces after the death of his sister. These two may need each... Read More

Brittany Pressley narrates a fun time-travel romance set in Chicago. Recently divorced museum conservator Emily Porter is startled to hear a voice in her head, and even more startled when a statue of Sir Griffin de Beauford comes to life. Pressley captures the humor inherent in the fish-out-of-water elements of Griffin's experiences as a knight from 1428 who has been... Read More

Beverley A. Crick returns to narrate another Bateman Regency romance, the second in the Her Majesty's Rebels series. Eleanor Law, one-third of the King & Co. private investigation firm, finds herself working closely with dashing thief Harry after he brazenly steps into the role of the business's fictitious owner. The duo's attraction is undeniable, but can it survive... Read More

Jacqui Bardelang's narration plays up the various elements in this rom-com, which turns into a murder cover-up. Journalist Khin Haymar is sent to secure an exclusive interview with Tyler Tun, a reclusive movie star who is filming in Myanmar. Bardelang's delivery captures Khin's determination and increasing inner conflict as she balances her journalistic ambition and her growing... Read More

Gail Shalan's narration provides a lighthearted tone to Beth Kander's clever and insightful story, which will allow listeners to empathize with her protagonist and enjoy this take on the difficulties of grief. Eve is overwhelmed with her life, dealing with worries about potential layoffs at work; her upcoming 40th birthday, which will coincide with her younger sister's wedding;... Read More

Narrator Kerry Gilbert embodies spunky journalist Anna Appleby, a newly divorced mother of two who has sworn off love and dating in this charming British rom-com. As Anna valiantly juggles work commitments and her children's needs, her new co-worker, Will, makes a move to take over her weekly column. To keep her job, Anna pitches a new column idea that has her children choosing... Read More

Emily Lawrence and Andrew Eiden delight listeners in this heartfelt, hilarious romantic comedy. When Emily Edwards decides to fulfill her late father's bucket list by visiting a remote island, she hires a tour guide to help with her lack of outdoor experience. Ryder Fleet isn't a wilderness expert, but he needs some money to preserve his brother's memory and his adventure... Read More

Narrators Isabelle Turner and Lee Samuels combine their talents to depict the romance between Lauren Connelly and Chase Gossard. Lauren needs a date to bring to her sister's wedding. Chase has been roped into being in a bachelor auction, and Lauren bids on him for the weekend wedding. Both Turner and Samuels deliver smooth narrations with each handling male and female voices... Read More

Connor Crais and Samantha Cook combine their talents to narrate the romance that sparks between Samantha Dare and Dex Sterling. Samantha is running away from her wedding after finding out her fiancé has been cheating on her. While running, Samantha is nearly hit by Dex Sterling's car. The two know each other, and Dex whisks her away. Dex has always had feelings for Samantha,... Read More

Kelli Tager and Will Watt deliver dialogue that reflects how people actually talk. After New Yorker Sylvie Devereaux is cut off financially by her parents, temporarily marrying a wealthy Scottish brute for a huge payout seems like her only option. So what if the contract his sister drafts stipulates that at the end of 12 months she must sign over Killian Barclay's family manor... Read More

Todd McLaren depicts the rocky romance between Tony Garza and Odalie Everett. Odalie and Tony have been at odds since they met. Tony has always been attracted to her but doesn't want to come between her and her singing career, especially now that she's been offered an opportunity to sing at the Metropolitan Opera. Tony's family is from New Jersey, and McLaren provides the... Read More

Narrators David Lee Huynh and Andrew Grace create a romantic melody in this story from Chinese folklore. Prince Xian must locate a spirit pearl to cure his mother's illness, caused by being bitten by a white snake. On the way, he meets Zhen, a stable boy who can transform between being a white snake and a human. As the young men journey together and become closer, Zhen is torn... Read More

Escape with narrator Andi Arndt to a luxurious ski resort in Vermont in this contemporary romance with a slight touch of mystery. Alix Morgan is elated when she's offered the opportunity to ghostwrite a memoir for an infamous former boy band member. Given the penthouse in a fancy resort in order to work away from her cramped apartment, she doesn't expect to fall for handsome... Read More

Narrators Jason Clarke and Samantha Brentmoor portray Teddy and Gus, Teddy's best friend's older brother. They can't stand each other; however, when Gus needs a caregiver for his daughter, Teddy steps into the role. Forced proximity provides a look into each other's real self, making them re-evaluate the sometimes thin line between love and hate. With their extensive audiobook... Read More

Amelie Griffin shines in this spicy holiday romance novella. Everleigh Dangerfield's a bit of a hot mess. She's spending one last Christmas in her late grandmother's home and is decking it out with holiday cheer to honor her grandmother's memory. But her gingerbread cookies and kitchen go up in flames, she nearly falls off the roof, and every time, the disarmingly handsome... Read More

In a silvery tone, narrator Mela Lee recounts the story of a bittersweet holiday house swap. Struggling Malibu artist Chelsea and Chicagoan Ramona agree to swap houses during Christmas week. Chelsea needs to make some money, and Ramona wants to avoid her family over the holiday. When Ramona's West Coast experience begins with an incident of racism, Lee conveys how its menacing... Read More

Narrator Ashford McNab takes listeners to 1760 England and the romance between Julian Greycourt, nephew to the Duke of Windemere, and Lady Elspeth de Moray. Elspeth's family has a challenging history with Julian's. Now they encounter each other in Julian's uncle's library, where Elspeth is looking for a diary. Elspeth is Scottish, and McNab provides her with a lovely lilting... Read More

This captivating audiobook is an enemies-to-lovers story about Rosie, a spirited romance writer, and Aiden, a reserved literary fiction author. When their NYU writing workshop instructor forces them to collaborate on a novel, their partnership becomes an exploration of their differences, mutual attraction, and the blurred lines between fiction and reality. Frankie Corzo's... Read More

Two generations before Jane Austen's Mrs. Bennet struggles to marry off her daughters, listeners meet Mrs. Morrell, who also has daughters in need of husbands. Thea, the eldest, is the problem. She's more interested in natural history than in balls or eligible suitors. The accomplished, award-winning narrator Charlie Albers portrays this budding scientist, as well as 35 other... Read More

Narrator Kyla Garcia delivers a slam dunk in this fun contemporary romance. Annie takes a new job with her college's basketball team, which she left in the dust during her senior year and no one knows why. While she's uneasy about taking the position, her co-worker, charming former classmate and teammate Ben, makes her anxiety even worse. The focus of Garcia's performance is... Read More

The narrations of Victoria Villarreal and Anthony Rey Perez will melt the heart of any listener. Claire is shocked with the news that her boyfriend is in a coma right before he planned to propose. When he wakes up, Matias has amnesia, and Claire must do what she can to have him fall in love with her again. Villarreal's gentle yet determined delivery pairs well with Perez's... Read More

Narrators Teddy Hamilton, Gilli Messer, and Eunice Wong perform this witty enemies-to-lovers romance. Sasha Rubenstein's ex-husband prefers the Hollywood glam life, so he left Sasha and their two children in New York. After Sasha accidentally bumps into single dad Ethan Jones, he becomes her nemesis. However, a new job opportunity on a tropical island brings them together.... Read More

Nirvi Shah's narration introduces romance to a gamers' group. Rose juggles her best friend's wedding, her board game prototype, and her obnoxious boss, even as she faithfully attends her weekly game night. Shah's voice sounds appealing and the right age for a young professional. Shah delivers Rose's eye-rolling humor with vocal expression as Rose matches wits with William... Read More

Narrator Will Damron brings humor and wit to a time-traveling story featuring a hockey player who lands in 1812 England and the Regency- era miss who finds him. When Lizzy Wooddash gets over her shock at finding a huge man floundering in an icy pond who claims he's from the future, she finds herself with the perfect opportunity: Marry the hulking Tucker Taylor to protect her... Read More

Soneela Nankani will keep listeners glued to their earbuds with her narration of this intriguing mystery. When first-year journalism student Aleeza Kassam moves out of her former best friend's dorm, the only room available on campus is where Jay Hoque used to live before he went missing five months earlier. Odder still, Aleeza and Jay are able to message each other. As Aleeza... Read More

Narrator Jesse Vilinsky captivates listeners with this dark romantasy- adventure. Ever since her mother died, Vaasa Kozar has had dark magic building inside her. She's unaware of its power and how to control it. In one last political scheme, her heartless brother marries Vaasa off to Reid of Mireh, a powerful foreign ruler. Vaasa attempts to escape the marriage but soon... Read More

Narrators Ell Potter and Steve West are a dynamic duo escorting listeners through a bombastic adventure. Despite being gay, Sir Horley has pledged to marry a lovely woman, but his best friend, Arabella, won't have it. As Arabella whisks Horley away on his wedding night, their unbreakable bond is tested against silly challenges and the cold, hard truths that come with being... Read More

Narrators Lila Winters and Thomas Oakley are a winning combo in this performance. Skye is down on her luck when her dream of having a career in basketball implodes and her life becomes more complicated after meeting local radio host Dante. As two reluctant romantics relearn how to go after the things they want in their lives, the passionate narrators create raw performances.... Read More

James Joseph narrates a queer romantasy about a young witch who is searching for his path in life. After he completes his magical apprenticeship, a prophecy sends witch Briar Wyngrave to the tiny island of Coill Darragh to start his magical career and to find his destined love. Joseph captures Briar's flighty and somewhat twee personality but also digs deeper into the emotional... Read More

This captivating audiobook with dual narrators blends romance, magic, and danger in a richly imagined world. Suraya Saab, a talented bladesmith, is invited to participate in a royal contest to win the crown prince's hand. Anais Inara Chase delivers a stunning performance, portraying Suraya's fiery determination and vulnerability with depth and nuance. Teaming up with Roshan,... Read More

This cozy, romantic audiobook shines with personality and heartfelt emotion. Four champions saved the realm of Mythria from evil 10 years ago, but only three survived. January LaVoy voices Beatrice's grief and regret as she dwells on the past. Her ex, Sir Clare, is voiced by Alexander Cendese with optimism that hides the feelings he still holds for Beatrice. Elowen, voiced by... Read More

Narrator Dominique Salvacion takes the listener to Sicily in this story of loss and found family. Aurora York is a focused motivational coach whose world is rocked at the unexpected death of her mother. She thought she had no other family, but a DNA test reveals grandparents and more in Sicily. Salvacion gives Aurora a determined tone at the beginning of the novel then... Read More

Helen Laser narrates this opposites-attract romance, which follows a perfectionist math professor, Catherine, and her doorman, Luca, on a search for Catherine's lost identity. Before starting her new teaching job, Catherine finds out that her personal information has mysteriously disappeared from all government and academic records. Desperate for help, she reluctantly teams up... Read More

Come aboard an unexpected journey through the Scottish countryside with narrator Angela Dawe as she delivers a lively, comedic performance. Alice is finally taking her long awaited trip to Scotland in an effort to repair her broken heart. She embarks on a bus tour with a cast of kooky fellow tourists--quirky older women in search of adventure who are led by a charming, devilish... Read More

Elizabeth Knowelden narrates a light and frothy Regency romance. After a year of mourning, Young cousins Issie and Bella travel to London, where they are mistaken for each other. Rather than correct the error, they let it continue. Knowelden creates distinctive personalities for the two girls: She depicts Bella as charming and vivacious, while Issie is portrayed as more subdued... Read More