New Reviews: Romantic Fiction

Narrator Sean Crisden wraps listeners in the warmth of food truck owner Nesto Vasquez, whose Dominican heritage inspires his delicious Afro-Caribbean food. Nesto parks his truck opposite the Ithaca Library and strikes immediate sparks with librarian Jude Fuller. Both men have to balance work priorities and family baggage before they get their sweet and steamy... Read More

Cornell Collins delivers a spirited narration of a charming love story. Siblings Guy and Amanda Frisby are living in the country in genteel poverty when an unexpected series of events leaves them at the mercy of their neighbor, Sir Philip Rookwood. Guy and Amanda have been chafing at the restrictions placed on them for many years, although in different ways. Collins perfectly... Read More

Narrator Thérèse Plummer masterfully handles the various points of view in this multigenerational story set in the small Colorado town of Sullivan's Crossing. Bar owner Rob Shandon comes into contact with Dr. Leigh Culver when his teenage son, Finn, cuts his hand. Romance sparks between the two. Leigh's older Aunt Helen comes for a visit, and Plummer gives her a mature voice.... Read More

Emily Woo Zeller narrates a deeply moving love story between two passionate and strong-willed individuals from its emotionally devastating lows to its profoundly satisfying conclusion. Khai Diep is convinced he is incapable of feeling, and, therefore, has no need of a wife. Esme Tran, despite numerous obstacles, jumps at the chance to meet a potential husband who is American.... Read More

Narrator Karen Chilton lends her gorgeous voice to another audiobook in Cole's Reluctant Royals series. Nerdy by nature, Regina turned her geekdom into a full-time enterprise--Girls With Glasses. But in doing so, she's developed insomnia. And there's only one thing that can help--the live streamed voice of puzzle-obsessed Gus. But Gus's love of puzzles has grown from a live... Read More

Narrator Emma Wilder reflects realtor Sydney Fields's frustration with her dating life. She had one bad first date with builder Derrick Warren, who is desperate to continue the relationship. Wilder expresses his feelings well. Listeners will get a chuckle when Derrick's twin and his mother, both of whom are therapists, offer him advice. When the two do get back together, sparks... Read More

Narrator Ryan Turner ramps up the voices of the two Texans featured in this romance audiobook. Both of them have the firm voices of those used to being in charge. Chase runs a hotshot security company, while Harper is the driving force behind her upcoming clothing company, Elemental Chic. Turner has their commanding tones range from Chase's lower register to Harper's lighter,... Read More

Tristan James returns to narrate the second audiobook in a series featuring the snappy dialogue of Bostonian Cameron Byrne and the decisive tones of retired Navy SEAL and now U.S. Attorney Dominic Price. Throughout the narrative, James does an exceptional job of maintaining consistency as the main characters dance around their personal romance and the question of whether to out... Read More

Simone Daye returns to narrate another romantic suspense audiobook written by Selena Montgomery, the pen name of Georgia House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams. Professional gambler Fin Borders returns to her small Georgia town after many years away for the sole purpose of clearing her loving foster mother of murder charges. However, while she's there, she may lose the highest bid... Read More

The listener is immediately immersed in this historical romance featuring Phoebe, Lady Clare, and West Ravenel. Phoebe is a widow who travels to a family wedding, where she meets West, a reformed scoundrel who tormented her late husband when they were boys at school. Narrator Mary Jane Wells's rich voice lends itself to the story. West has matured and developed a wonderful... Read More

Narrator John Lane's deep, sexy voice lends itself perfectly to this audiobook. Businessman Axel McKee hears Lizzy's band playing at a club and immediately makes plans to promote her. Lane captures Lizzy's initial wariness--she's been hurt in the past. Axel has a group of friends he considers brothers. Lane gives a unique voice to each of them and to their wives, as well as... Read More

Narrator Karen Cass imbues a reluctant duke with all of the haughtiness a self-made man would be expected to exhibit in this redemptive historical romance. Thomasina Thorne has been trying to keep the estate her late father managed afloat. When the new duke, Nicholas Lyon, arrives to take stock of his ancestral home, she assumes all will be well again. But he wants nothing to... Read More

Author Molly Harper and narrator Amanda Ronconi are a match made in audio heaven. In the small town of Lake Sackett, Georgia, Margot has recently discovered her long-lost family, owners of McCready's Bait Shop and Funeral Homes. She's also fallen in love with the town's school principal, Kyle. Then she discovers she's pregnant, a situation that accelerates the need for a... Read More

Narrator Pilar Witherspoon portrays American heiress Frankie Baumgarten, whose mother is looking for a title to buy her. Nevada silver is the bait in the husband search for Frankie and her sisters. Reynard (The Fox) Boulton is a family friend and the king of gossip. Witherspoon gives him an upper-crust British accent that contrasts with Frankie's slightly Western twang. The two... Read More

Narrator Carolyn Morris delivers high tension from the moment this story opens on the aftermath of a duel. Henry Lowell is brought to the hospital run by Viola Cartwright, Duchess of Tremaine, to have a bullet removed from his shoulder. Henry becomes intrigued with Viola, who is reluctant to become involved with anyone, given the scandal of her marriage to the elderly Duke of... Read More

Savannah Casteele's young son, Wyatt, needs an operation to fix his cleft palate, and narrator Rebecca Gibel has the listener experiencing her worry. Pilot Judd Harlow volunteers to fly Savannah and Wyatt from Montana to Chicago for the surgery. Judd has returned home to help his brothers raise their teenage sister, Maddie. Gibel delivers a youthful voice for Wyatt and runs the... Read More

Narrator Joe Arden performs his best "uh-oh" maneuvers when Josh accidentally texts a picture of his "junk" to a complete stranger. Peyton, portrayed by Savannah Peachwood, is equally offended and intrigued by Josh's text and follow-up apology. Surprise! Josh turns out to be her new business partner. Arden navigates Ryan's "meet-cute" premise with wry masculine deprecation that... Read More

In Book 3 of the Duke's Daughters series, Jilly Bond delivers an exuberant and well-acted narration. Bond portrays Lady Ida Howlett, an opinionated and determined spinster. Ida purloins a carriage to find her missing sister, not realizing that it is occupied by a sleeping Bennett, Lord Carson, an overworked aristocrat who yearns for a quiet, biddable wife and a tranquil life. A... Read More

Narrator Brittany Pressley delivers a sensitive portrayal of two people struggling to get beyond difficulties in their pasts. Tucker and Jolene are in need of as much renovation as the East Texas inn they share ownership of. Tucker is still reeling from the death of his soul mate, and Jolene is mired in guilt and grief after the overdose death of her mother. Pressley employs a... Read More

A sensitive, skillful narration elevates this E L James novel, an obvious departure from her bestselling 50 Shades series. A newly minted earl, Maxim Trevelyan mourns the loss of his elder brother while becoming romantically involved with his housekeeper, Alessia, a victim of human trafficking. Narrator Dominic Thorburn uses an aristocratic British voice for Maxim, managing to... Read More

Two authors create a compulsively listenable royal romance, wonderfully wrought by Fleur Strange's nuanced narration. In an age of smartphones and social media, British Princess Olivia, aka Charlie, manages an incognito country retreat. While reconciling herself to an arranged engagement, an improbable connection develops between her and Rosie, a small-town cafe owner in... Read More

A cast of characters, including a three-legged dog named Lollipop, comes alive for the listener in this contemporary romance set in San Francisco. Wealthy Caleb Parker and a tattoo artist named Sadie rescue a dog and decide to "co-parent" her. Narrator Vivienne Leheny has the listener vividly picturing the dog working its way into the hearts of the pair. Leheny gives each... Read More

Narrator Lacy Laurel conveys cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Sloan Copeland's frustration when her nanny abruptly resigns. Sloan quickly hires male nanny Rafe Whitcomb, who bonds with Sloan and her personable twin daughters. Laurel employs youthful voices for Sloan's twins, adding humor to Weatherspoon's story. Sloan herself sounds appealing. For Rafe, Laurel chooses a much lower... Read More

Narrator Ramón de Ocampo brings out all the emotion in this tender, serious, funny, and warmly hopeful love story. Smart, snarky Alex Claremont-Diaz, first son of the United States, is about to graduate from Georgetown and is eager to work on his mother's reelection campaign. Then he falls headlong into a whirlwind and very secret romance with England's Prince Henry. De Ocampo... Read More

Narrator Jim Frangione keeps the vampire magic going with Murhder's story. Estranged from the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Murhder's vain attempts to rescue vampires from human experimentation fall short until he meets Dr. Sarah Watkins, who has the same goal. Amid a large cast of characters and shifting storylines, Frangione focuses attention on Murhder as an empathetic hero who... Read More

Narrator John Lane already has the listener feeling the heat between Ronnie Ashford and Jack Crews as the story opens with Ronnie catching sight of Jack in a bar. Ronnie collects unusual artifacts for her employers, who hire Jack to act as her driver. Ronnie has a troubled past and is slow to allow people to get close to her. Lane's sexy voice perfectly delivers Jack's... Read More

Michelle Ferguson and Aaron Abano split the narration of this audiobook romance. New York magazine writer Josie Kellum is visiting a friend's B&B when she falls, injuring her knee and landing in the care of physical therapist Tucker Locklear. Ferguson takes the parts that are predominately from Josie's point of view, and Abano takes on Tucker's. Ferguson, the stronger of the... Read More

Rosalyn Landor narrates this turn-of-the-century romance with aplomb. When Colonel Rupert Lacey returns from South Africa, he finds that he must share his home with Diana Sommerville, his former fiancée. To avert social disaster, they decide to face the world as a married couple. Landor gives Rupert a deep voice that is rigidly controlled until the beautiful Diana leads him... Read More

Book 2 of the Misadventures in Matchmaking series is both lively and fun, thanks to the flawless narration of Justine Eyre. Briar Bourne is new at her family's matchmaking business and quickly provides fodder for gossip. Rakish Nicholas Blacklowe, the Earl of Edgemont, has no intention of marrying, but the rogue is willing to tutor Briar in the ways of attraction in exchange... Read More

Narrator Samantha Cook is the main performer of this audiobook, with Aaron Shedlock narrating the brief epilogue. It's a romance of not-so-criminal intentions. Penelope, a writer, is a wild card who doesn't intend to stay in some guy's house uninvited. But when she wakes up to meet Jake, she realizes he just might cure her writer's block. As Penelope makes way into Jake's life,... Read More

Narrator Angéle Masters perfectly portrays model Gia Gallo, who has been tasked with bringing her close friend's wedding dress to Florida, where the ceremony is being held. But now she--and the dress--are trapped at an airport by a blizzard. Gia has a strong personality, and Masters gives her the right tone, especially when voicing her frustration at one canceled flight after... Read More

Karen Chilton narrates a powerful story about freedom, choice, and responsibility during the Civil War. Daniel Cumberland and Janeta Sanchez have been paired up and sent on a mission for the Loyal League--a secret group of black spies. Neither is happy with the arrangement. Chilton captures Daniel's struggles after his experience with abduction into slavery: He is a broken man... Read More

Natalie Eaton, Sean Crisden, and Lila Winters narrate the story of an erotic contemporary ménage à trois. Stacia Leonard is the author of a highly successful mystery series; Adrian Valliere is the cover model used by the publisher; Dara is Adrian's wife. When the three meet, sparks fly--in multiple directions. Eaton is perfect as snarky, brazen Stacia, always ready to deflect... Read More

The seventh volume in the Highland Brides series, narrated by Gary Furlong, is a tale of mistaken identity. When Lady Evina inaccurately takes Conran for his brother Rory, a skilled healer, she is thinking only about healing her father--not marriage. Luckily, Conran has enough skills to save the laird. Does he have enough to protect the independent Evina from a murderous... Read More