Audiobook roundup: Love stories

Spoiler Alert

by Olivia Dade

MMD team member Chelsey recommended this rom com in our Best Books of the Year event, and as soon as she said "unique structure" I wrote it on a sticky note. Olivia Dade weaves television and movie scripts, fanfiction excerpts, and a modern day romance together in her latest novel about fandoms, friendship, and fame. Marcus Caster-Rupp stars on a popular TV show by day and writes fanfiction about that show under a pseudonym by night. April Whittier has hidden her hardcore fangirling from friends and coworkers for years. When she finally works up the courage to post a photo of her cosplay online, it goes viral and lands her a date with the hottest star of her favorite show: Marcus Caster-Rupp. The real plot twist? They've been talking to each other on the fanfiction forums as writing partners and friends for years. Marcus discovers this first, but he can't reveal his identity without risking his acting career, leading to some serious fictional drama. Dade writes romance with realistic characters, a balance of serious and sweet moments, and open door scenes.

Love, Lists, and Fancy Ships

by Sarah Grunder Ruiz

Team member Leigh tells me this chaste love story is one of her favorites of the year. From the publisher: "For the last year, yacht stewardess Jo Walker has been attempting to complete a bucket list of thirty things she wants to accomplish by her thirtieth birthday. Jo has almost everything she's ever wanted, including a condo on the beach (though she's the youngest resident by several decades) and an exciting job (albeit below deck) that lets her travel the world. Jo is on track until the death of her nephew turns her life upside down, and the list falls by the wayside. But when her two nieces show up unannounced with plans to stay the summer, they discover her list and insist on helping Jo finish it. Though the remaining eight items (which include running a marathon, visiting ten countries, and sleeping in a castle) seem impossible to complete in twelve weeks, Jo takes on the challenge. When she summons the courage to complete item number five—kiss a stranger—and meets Alex Hayes, all bets are off."

Before I Let Go

by Kennedy Ryan

I've often heard this 2022 novel described as a romance but it read more like a family drama with a strong (open door) love story component. However you want to categorize it, Wesleigh Siobhan and Jakobi Diem's dual narration sucked me right in on audio! Yasmen and Josiah met and married young and have always been #couplegoals to their friends. But several years ago, after Si's beloved aunt died and their third child is delivered stillborn, they plunged into grief and Yas struggled with clinical depression. They divorced in the aftermath of their terrible losses, but now that they've found some measure of stability as coparents and as business partners, circumstances (mainly in the form of Si's attractive new love interest) have Yas questioning if they might have a shot after all. This was such a good (and emotional) ride on audio: I loved the Atlanta locale, all the restaurant details, and the emotional promise of two thirtysomethings finding a second chance at true love. I burned through this story because I needed to hear them get their happy ending.

When in Rome

by Sarah Adams

From the publisher: "Amelia Rose, known as Rae Rose to her adoring fans, is burned-out from years of maintaining her “princess of pop” image. Inspired by her favorite Audrey Hepburn film, Roman Holiday, she drives off in the middle of the night for a break in Rome . . . Rome, Kentucky, that is. When Noah Walker finds Amelia on his front lawn in her broken-down car, he makes it clear he doesn’t have the time or patience for celebrity problems. He’s too busy running the pie shop his grandmother left him and reminding his nosy but lovable neighbors to mind their own damn business. Despite his better judgment, he lets her stay in his guest room—but only until her car is fixed—then she’s on her own. Then Noah starts to see a different side of Rae Rose—she’s Amelia: kindhearted and goofy, yet lonely from years in the public eye. He can’t help but get close to her. Soon she’ll have to return to her glamorous life on tour, but until then, Noah will show Amelia all the charming small-town experiences she’s been missing, and she’ll help him open his heart to more. Amelia can’t resist falling for the cozy town and her grumpy tour guide, but even Audrey had to leave Rome eventually."

You, with a View

by Jessica Joyce

A viral TikTok sets this story in motion: Twenty-eight year old Noelle is floundering, living back at home with her parents and grieving the loss of her best friend, her grandmother. When she discovers a pile of old photos and love letters hinting at the fact that her grandmother had a great love before she married Noelle's grandfather, Noelle does the best thing she can think of: spills the story on TikTok to help her find her grandmother's mystery man. The good news: the man's grandson immediately comes forward: The bad news: he's her high school nemesis. Noelle and Theo reunite, invite Grandpa into the story, and set off on road trip on which the younger two will learn the secrets of this long-lost love—and maybe fall in love along the way. This was such fun to listen to as narrated by Kyla Garcia; I especially enjoyed the intergenerational component of this sweet and tender story. (Open door.)

Audiobook roundup: Love stories

Spoiler Alert

Love, Lists, and Fancy Ships

Before I Let Go

When in Rome

You, with a View

Find your next read with:

100 Book recommendations
for every mood

Audiobook roundup: Love stories

Spoiler Alert

Love, Lists, and Fancy Ships

Before I Let Go

When in Rome

You, with a View

summer reading starts May 16th

Find your next read with:

100 Book recommendations for every mood

100 Book recommendations
for every mood