New Reviews: Romantic Fiction

Amy Landon and Stephen Graybill combine forces to narrate the romance of Harper Bishop and Aidan O'Connor, which takes place in New York's Hudson Valley. The owner of a horse rescue farm, Harper has saved Phoenix, a horse with the potential to win the Triple Crown. Aidan is a trainer from Ireland, who, after a bitter betrayal, is looking for his next horse to work with. Landon... Read More

Narrator Sophie Eastlake delivers an impassioned portrayal of victimized society wife Molly Sullivan--who is also a witch. Listeners will feel Molly's fury as she realizes her husband is cheating on her. Eastlake's driving pace matches the ominous threats that besiege Molly as she explores her powers, along with a wary friendship with Atlanta district attorney Josiah Mason.... Read More

In this three-book collection, Kelsey Osborne masterfully narrates a paranormal romance of second chances. A rogue pack of shifters intent on purifying their race destroys the lives of several other shifter clans. On the run, wolf-shifter sisters Jessica and Janna begin working at a pub under the watchful eye of bear-shifter brothers Simon and Soren, and soon the Fates... Read More

Narrator Justine Eyre amplifies the drama in a steamy historical romance featuring two strong-willed characters. Lady Henrietta (Hattie) Sedley is exceedingly frustrated when she sets off on a year-long journey to claim herself only to find an unconscious--albeit handsome--man tied up in her carriage. He is Saviour "Beast" Whittington, one of the "Bareknuckle Bastards" who... Read More

Audiobook enthusiasts of Victorian literature will love hearing this romantic story of a Chicago vintage bookseller, Lucy, who ends up in love and tours literary haunts in the English Lake District with her lover's grandmother. Lucy primarily has a Midwestern accent but sometimes uses English phrases and pronunciations because her deadbeat father was English. Creating the... Read More

Zara Hampton-Brown narrates the story of two complicated individuals who must work together to accomplish their objectives--which are seemingly at odds. A war veteran and a smuggler embark on a marriage of convenience but end up discovering something much deeper. Kit Ellingsworth would be easy to write off as a dissolute nobleman, but Hampton-Brown imbues her portrayal of him... Read More

After an interminable wait, narrator Kirsten Potter and author Dianne Duvall finally provide listeners with a romance for Seth. The selfless leader of the immortal guardians who protect Earth from vampires lets his guard down one night for a memorable dance with human Leah Somerson. Potter continues to give Seth the echoing, accented voice that listeners have adored for nine... Read More

Narrator Nicholas Boulton's rich baritone amplifies the drama and intrigue in this intense medieval romance. Gryff is a Welsh prince in hiding who is captured by violent thieves and kept alive simply because he knows how to care for his valuable hunting falcons. A small, nearly silent, and deadly woman slays his captors, and the pair form an alliance as they travel together.... Read More

Noah Michael Levine's expert narration of the final installment in Smith's Weaver series firmly places listeners in the English town where the story is set. With his talent for accents and voices, Levine skillfully switches between lower-class residents and the new Duke of Reddington, Theo. When Theo cannot access his inheritance to pay his mounting debts, his brother-in-law... Read More

Narrator Tim Campbell's deep, rich voice is a pleasure to listen to. Trapped in an abusive marriage, beautiful Jillian Penroth vows that she will never again bow to the dictates of society or the control of a husband. Handsome Justin, the eighth Duke of Whittington, is determined to save his brother, Case, from his seemingly inappropriate friendship with Jillian. Campbell's... Read More

Jessica Bolte narrates an uneven romance between neighbors. Adeline, Dowager Countess of Wake, has no intention of remarrying after her husband's death; Lyon Marksworth, Earl of Lyonwood, is determined to marry for love and has improbably set his sights on the Countess. Adeline's first marriage was difficult, and Bolte's performance is a lovely tribute to Adeline's coming into... Read More

Ann Richardson uses her joyful voice to narrate a story of romance in Yellowstone National Park in the 1930s. Elise Brooks, the ranger's daughter, has spent her whole life working as a chambermaid in the park to earn money for college. Nate Webber is a young man from Brooklyn with no future. When Nate is brought to Yellowstone as part of the Civilian Conservation Corps, Elise... Read More

Narrator Benjamin Fife impressively delivers this unlikely pastiche, which combines FATHER OF THE BRIDE and FRANKENSTEIN. Lab staff go too far and reanimate Frank, a "monster." After Frank proposes to Samantha Fine, the action really begins. Intense wedding planning and offbeat humor, including some political satire, propel listeners into the story. Fife's best creations are... Read More

Narrator Karen Chilton makes an admirable effort but ultimately falls flat in this collection of romantic historical novellas that range from the Revolutionary War to the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. While Chilton certainly narrates with precision and clarity, and switches among the stories' principals with ease, her tone tends to age characters who are supposed to be... Read More

Narrators Erin Mallon and Teddy Hamilton are bursting with chemistry in a witty, snarky romance that leaves an emotional punch. Mallon and Hamilton play off each other well in alternating chapters as best man Josh and maid of honor Kristen try to keep their growing attraction squarely in the friend zone. Mallon's casual, cheeky tone is ideal for Kristen, whose lack of a filter... Read More

Narrators Eunice Wong and Zachary Webber give listeners a fun lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers story in this contemporary romance. Neurologist Helen Frobisher didn't mean to declare war on Portland's hockey team, but taking a stand against the damage caused by head injuries in the game makes her Enemy #1 in hockey player Adam Magnus's book. But as the two keep getting thrown... Read More

Narrator Amy McFadden lends her vocal abilities to a contemporary romance featuring computer help desk technician Mel Stickland and her circle of friends. After another disappointing dating-app experience, Mel designs JerkAlert, an app that allows women to help others avoid similar bad dates. Despite the toxicity of a workplace filled with app designers who harass and browbeat... Read More

Set on Martha's Vineyard, this contemporary audiobook focuses on family--and includes a smidgen of romance. Once separated by both physical and emotional distance, three generations of women reveal old family secrets and strive to become a family in more than genes. With her soothing, pleasant voice, Laurel Lefkow narrates the story of the four Stewart women. Whether voicing... Read More

Narrator Joel Leslie exposes the hidden feelings of vicar Ben Sedgwick and ship captain Phillip Dacre in this nineteenth-century romance. Leslie excels at digging into the different reservations Ben and Phillip wrestle with before surrendering to their mutual affection. Ben worries about jilting his ill fiancée, while Phillip can't forget a tragic shipboard liaison. Ben and... Read More

Narrator Jilly Bond may frustrate listeners with her shrill portrayals of female characters in this historical romance. Lady Olivia's plans go awry when she proposes to a man she admires and is turned down. Her solution? To help his illegitimate but obscenely wealthy best friend, Edward Wolcot, marry a woman of the ton. Naturally, as she strives to make society see him in a new... Read More

Elizabeth Knowelden narrates a chaste romance that owes as much to Dracula as it does to Rapunzel. When Hazel Hughes learns that she has a twin sister in need of her help, she immediately agrees to travel to Romania with the mysterious Count Petrescu. Sam MacInnes is worried about Hazel's safety and insists on accompanying her on the journey. Knowelden's portrayal of Hazel... Read More

Narrator Morag Sims perfectly captures the outspoken lady's maid and meek vicar's daughter at the center of this delightful romance with just the right amount of mischief. Sweet-voiced Alice has been saved from ruin by the kindly Mrs. Wraxhall and is now adjusting to her new home. She is drawn to Molly, a charmingly forward maid with a subtle Cockney accent and a deep voice. At... Read More

Narrators Sean Crisden and Jo Raylan break emotional ground in a romance that brings as much heat as it does anguish. Iris Dupree hails from Louisiana, making Raylan's effortless-sounding and joyful Southern accent a perfect match as the ambitious young woman has a chance encounter with NBA rookie August West--whom Crisden voices with the confidence and swagger of a successful... Read More

Pepper Jackson narrates this romance featuring Lauren Perkins and Jason Corwin, which takes place in a New England town. Centuries ago, Lauren's ancestor cursed Jason's family to be unlucky in love. When Lauren and Jason were teens, they had a relationship that, not surprisingly, ended in a breakup. Now, Lauren is back in town to prepare her grandmother's house for sale, and... Read More

Cornell Collins narrates a fantasy involving treachery, revenge, and a dash of romance. Lucien Vaudrey has returned from China to deal with his inheritance and unexpectedly finds himself drawn into a magical conflict. Stephen Day grudgingly agrees to assist, despite his deep-seated loathing of the Vaudrey family. Collins does an excellent job of showing Stephen's emotions... Read More

Narrator Susan Bennett braids together small-town Virginia and love at first sight in Jude Deveraux's contemporary story. Terri Rayburn finds gorgeous Nate Taggert in her Lake Kissel cottage and falls hard, only to find out he's engaged to the mayor's daughter. Bennett rows listeners through this slow-build romance brimming with humor and sobered by painful secrets. Nate's... Read More

Narrator Beverly Crick draws out the intrigue of this historical romance. Miss Mina Penny has lived in the country all her life, learning how to think and act like her spymaster uncle. When someone threatens to abduct the Duke of Thorndon's sister, Mina draws the duke into her investigation. As he trails along, they discover who's behind the threat--but their desire for each... Read More

The skillful narration of Ann Marie Gideon has the listener feeling like a part of the Summer Island community. The small island in the Great Lakes is where Meg Sloan runs a bed-and-breakfast, which she inherited from her grandmother. On the day Meg's fisherman boyfriend, Zack, departs for a lengthy fishing voyage, Seth Darden arrives on the island, looking for work as a... Read More

Cornell Collins narrates a surprisingly sweet romance with charm and panache. When Cherry Neita is caught by a paparazzo in a compromising position with Ruben Helgmøre, an actual prince, the only way to save his reputation is to pretend to be his fiancée for a year. Collins does an excellent job portraying the subtle vocal variations Cherry uses to present herself to the world... Read More

Discover renewed love in this wonderful performance by Janina Edwards. Vivian accompanies her daughter, Maddie, to England when she is hired to dress a princess for the royal Christmas festivities. Vivian unexpectedly hits it off with Malcolm, the Queen's secretary. Their continuous flirting explodes into a short-lived affair, but will it remain just that or grow deeper?... Read More

Jennifer Grace's enthusiastic and well-acted narration ratchets up the laughs in this funny contemporary romance. Former child star Charlie Klein is broke, unemployed, and desperate when she runs into her childhood love, Sheriff Hank Odom. High jinks ensue. Grace skillfully infuses Charlie with lots of spunk, adding just the right poignancy to her journey from dependent screwup... Read More

Narrator Vanessa Edwin floods listeners with teenage Skylar's pain as her insensitive mother rips her away from her motorcycle club family without a backward look. Six years later, Skylar's dead-end life feels permanent until she receives a letter from Saint, a club member who is currently serving time for assault. Shocked into action, Skylar reconnects with the club and Saint.... Read More

Narrator Teri Schnaubelt serves up an elegant romance simmering with cooking references. Responding to an article written by freelancer Alex Kanin, high-end Denver chef Rachel Bishop commits a social media faux pas and loses her job. Wanting to atone, Alex teams up with Rachel to offer a Saturday Night Supper Club to entice a new investor for Rachel. Schnaubelt's smooth pacing... Read More

Listeners return to the world of the Ferraro family, who are portrayed by Jim Frangione. When Grace Murphy risks her life by jumping in front of a bullet meant for Vittorio Ferraro, Frangione has listeners feeling the tension of the situation. The Ferraro family has the ability to move from place to place via the shadows. They use this ability to dispense justice. Vittorio... Read More

Listeners are treated to Tanya Eby's narration of two love stories that involve two sisters. Margot, an etiquette expert, is hired to coach an aging actress who is marrying a diplomat. Margot moves into the home of the actress's son, Alec, to work with her. Sunshine, Margot's sister, is a nanny for the young son of a widower named Declan. Eby gives each sister a unique voice... Read More

The third in the Honeymoon Harbor series brings listeners back to the small West Coast town. Narrator Ashley Klanac captures two characters who discover a mutual attraction. Financier Gabriel Mannion returns home for the summer after a severe anxiety attack. While trying to get his feet back on the ground, he decides to build a boat. Local librarian Chelsea Prescott approaches... Read More

Clancy Lang has had a hard life, and Todd McLaren reflects that in his narration. Clancy is left to care for her young stepbrother, Tad, after his abusive brother is sent to prison. Clancy's boss is Colter Banks, a Texas Ranger who works cold cases including, unbeknownst to him, the disappearance of Clancy's grandfather. McLaren gives Colter a deliberate voice sounds... Read More

Narrator Rupert Channing returns to deliver Book 2 of the Ravenswood series, serving up a dynamic performance full of humor, reluctant emotional engagement, and sizzling attraction. Hannah Kabbah gets a second chance when her teenage crush, Nate Davis, a widower, comes back to town to care for his ailing mother. He hires Hannah to help care for his two kids. Trying to keep... Read More

Brittany Pressley brings humor and tenderness to this story about family, finding love, and playing pirate. After her older sister's car accident, 25-year-old Emily helps out with the care of her 15-year-old niece--which includes signing up to be a wench at the upcoming Renaissance Faire. Pressley is a dynamic performer who brings out Emily's increasing ease as she gets to know... Read More

Narrator James Langton's voice is as smooth as warm chocolate sauce--and just as yummy. This sophisticated Regency romance is filled with smart dialogue, well-done accents, and acting so good the listener won't want to pause between chapters. Fate, poachers, and a trapped rabbit bring handsome and disillusioned Duncan Wentworth into the path of the mysterious, lovely widow... Read More