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Know Your Newlywed
Listening Length: 4 hours and 54 minutes
Tyler Posey (Teen Wolf) and Mary Mouser (Cobra Kai) star in this swoon-worthy, full-cast rom-com! When two super-fans of a beloved dating gameshow hear that it’s being rebooted, they decide to team up and fake a marriage to compete in the hilarious new audiobook Know Your Newlywed, written by Heather Taylor and Hillary Nussbaum, and executive produced by New York Times bestselling author Elena Armas.
Cleo is a researcher with big dreams of a PhD in anthrozoology, and a guilty pleasure obsession with Know Your Newlywed, a decades-old gameshow where married couples compete by answering obscure questions about each other. She’s more invested in her career than in finding a relationship of her own, though—that is, until she comes across Javi’s dating app profile, which says he’s “looking for someone to win Know Your Newlywed with.”
Sparks fly, and when Cleo and Javi catch wind of a reboot of their beloved show, they apply on a whim, pretending to be newlyweds themselves. Before they know it, they’re cast as contestants, playing the part of smitten married couple better than they could’ve imagined. Their very real chemistry is impossible to ignore, and as the competition heats up, they quickly become America’s sweethearts. But how far can Cleo and Javi take their secret? And as they inch closer and closer to a life-changing cash prize, will the mounting pressure and their individual ambitions get in the way of their blossoming romance? Or is their connection strong enough to last once the cameras stop rolling?
Tyler Posey (Teen Wolf) and Mary Mouser (Cobra Kai) star in this swoon-worthy, full-cast rom-com! When two super-fans of a beloved dating gameshow hear that it’s being rebooted, they decide to team up and fake a marriage to compete in the hilarious new audiobook Know Your Newlywed, written by Heather Taylor and Hillary Nussbaum, and executive produced by New York Times bestselling author Elena Armas.
Cleo is a researcher with big dreams of a PhD in anthrozoology, and a guilty pleasure obsession with Know Your Newlywed, a decades-old gameshow where married couples compete by answering obscure questions about each other. She’s more invested in her career than in finding a relationship of her own, though—that is, until she comes across Javi’s dating app profile, which says he’s “looking for someone to win Know Your Newlywed with.”
Sparks fly, and when Cleo and Javi catch wind of a reboot of their beloved show, they apply on a whim, pretending to be newlyweds themselves. Before they know it, they’re cast as contestants, playing the part of smitten married couple better than they could’ve imagined. Their very real chemistry is impossible to ignore, and as the competition heats up, they quickly become America’s sweethearts. But how far can Cleo and Javi take their secret? And as they inch closer and closer to a life-changing cash prize, will the mounting pressure and their individual ambitions get in the way of their blossoming romance? Or is their connection strong enough to last once the cameras stop rolling?
5 pages, Audio CD
First published December 10, 2024
59 people are currently reading
12537 people want to read
About the author
Hillary Nussbaum
1 book50 followersHillary Nussbaum and Heather Taylor (goodreads.com/heatherataylor) are co-writers and founders of the creative studio, Cereal Made. They are experienced writers and producers with credits in television, independent film, podcasts, and multimedia storytelling. They co-wrote the swoon-worthy Know Your Newlywed starring Tyler Posey (Teen Wolf) and Mary Mouser (Cobra Kai) which was executive produced by bestselling romance author Elena Armas. They also co-created the narrative sci-fi podcast, Anomaly, which premiered as an Official Selection at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival and was selected for IFP Week's inaugural Audio Lab in 2020.
HILLARY NUSSBAUM is a writer, director, and producer. Her background is in television development—she previously worked at the Emmy-winning production company, Lion Television, developing unscripted series for national cable networks like TLC, AMC, and A&E. Hillary’s personal essays have been published both online and in print, most recently in McSweeney’s Internet Tendency and Eating Well magazine. Before turning to writing full-time, Hillary was a sports photographer. She can be seen in an uncredited cameo in the Jeremy Lin documentary, Linsanity. In college, she spent her time dodging flying athletes and projectiles, risking bodily harm in the name of sports photography, and her photos have been published in National Geographic and Sports Illustrated. Visit her website HillaryBerkowitzNussbaum.com.
HEATHER TAYLOR writes/directs TV, film, and audio projects about complicated, messy family relationships. She cohosts Braaains, a podcast about how film/TV portrays mental health and disability, and wrote and directed an episode of iHeart and Overtones Media’s narrative podcast You Feeling This which premiered at Tribeca Festival 2023. Heather was an award-nominated story editor on The Hardy Boys (Hulu/Disney+) and is currently a coproducer on Revival (SYFY/ Peacock). Her second feature film, Lethal Love, is now streaming on Netflix. She started her writing career as a playwright, authored three poetry collections, and is a former journalist. Heather strives to destigmatize mental illness, disabilities, and poverty in her work. Visit her website HeatherATaylor.com.
HILLARY NUSSBAUM is a writer, director, and producer. Her background is in television development—she previously worked at the Emmy-winning production company, Lion Television, developing unscripted series for national cable networks like TLC, AMC, and A&E. Hillary’s personal essays have been published both online and in print, most recently in McSweeney’s Internet Tendency and Eating Well magazine. Before turning to writing full-time, Hillary was a sports photographer. She can be seen in an uncredited cameo in the Jeremy Lin documentary, Linsanity. In college, she spent her time dodging flying athletes and projectiles, risking bodily harm in the name of sports photography, and her photos have been published in National Geographic and Sports Illustrated. Visit her website HillaryBerkowitzNussbaum.com.
HEATHER TAYLOR writes/directs TV, film, and audio projects about complicated, messy family relationships. She cohosts Braaains, a podcast about how film/TV portrays mental health and disability, and wrote and directed an episode of iHeart and Overtones Media’s narrative podcast You Feeling This which premiered at Tribeca Festival 2023. Heather was an award-nominated story editor on The Hardy Boys (Hulu/Disney+) and is currently a coproducer on Revival (SYFY/ Peacock). Her second feature film, Lethal Love, is now streaming on Netflix. She started her writing career as a playwright, authored three poetry collections, and is a former journalist. Heather strives to destigmatize mental illness, disabilities, and poverty in her work. Visit her website HeatherATaylor.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 797 reviews
November 25, 2024
LOOK I DONT KNOW WHY BUT I GIGGLED THROUGH ALL 4 HOURS AND 54 MINUTES OF THIS
October 17, 2024
the setup…
Cleo lives in Boston and is a researcher trying to get into a PhD program for anthrozoology. Javi lives in Chicago and is a marketing manager with dreams of owning his own food truck. They share an obsession with an old game show called Know Your Newlywed, which they continue to watch in syndication. Their meet cute happened when Cleo accessed her dating app and came across Javi’s profile where he said he was looking for someone to win that game show with. Of course she swiped right! When they learned that the show was being rebooted, they applied, pretending to be newlyweds, and got accepted! They never counted on being the couple everyone was rooting for.
the heart of the story…
These two were adorable and I was rooting for them, despite their duplicity. Their first face-to-face meeting was when they showed up for the game show and their chemistry seemed obvious to everyone but them. Even though they weren’t married and hadn’t been together that long, they were so well suited and genuinely cared about each other that they were winning the competition!
the narration…
Full confession…I’m a sucker for full cast narrations but this was different. It was so well produced and the casting of Mary Mouser as Cleo and Tyler Posey as Javi was beyond perfection and the secondary characters were equally great. I loved the background effects (baby crying, cooking sounds, airport noise, etc.), making me feel like I was in their space. Just the best listening experience.
the bottom line…
Loved the story, am gaga over the narration & audio production and just wanted to be Cleo and Javi’s friend. It’s a short story with a romance that completely swept me away.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Cleo lives in Boston and is a researcher trying to get into a PhD program for anthrozoology. Javi lives in Chicago and is a marketing manager with dreams of owning his own food truck. They share an obsession with an old game show called Know Your Newlywed, which they continue to watch in syndication. Their meet cute happened when Cleo accessed her dating app and came across Javi’s profile where he said he was looking for someone to win that game show with. Of course she swiped right! When they learned that the show was being rebooted, they applied, pretending to be newlyweds, and got accepted! They never counted on being the couple everyone was rooting for.
the heart of the story…
These two were adorable and I was rooting for them, despite their duplicity. Their first face-to-face meeting was when they showed up for the game show and their chemistry seemed obvious to everyone but them. Even though they weren’t married and hadn’t been together that long, they were so well suited and genuinely cared about each other that they were winning the competition!
the narration…
Full confession…I’m a sucker for full cast narrations but this was different. It was so well produced and the casting of Mary Mouser as Cleo and Tyler Posey as Javi was beyond perfection and the secondary characters were equally great. I loved the background effects (baby crying, cooking sounds, airport noise, etc.), making me feel like I was in their space. Just the best listening experience.
the bottom line…
Loved the story, am gaga over the narration & audio production and just wanted to be Cleo and Javi’s friend. It’s a short story with a romance that completely swept me away.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
May 21, 2025
Sweet, hilarious, holy swoon-fest, and totally bingeable!
Know Your Newlywed is a rom-com lover’s dream, fun, fresh, and full of heart. Written by Heather Taylor and Hillary Nussbaum, this full-cast audiobook was an absolute joy to listen to from start to finish. It has everything: a reality gameshow setup, fake dating (marriage!), and a will-they-won’t-they chemistry that absolutely pops. If you love your romance with a side of pop culture sparkle and a whole lot of clever banter, this one is for you.
I grew up watching The Newlywed Game—the real one! I can still remember the hilarious questions, the awkward pauses, the matching outfits, and those iconic “what will she say?” moments. So when I heard about Know Your Newlywed, I was instantly intrigued. The premise felt like a love letter to the show I adored as a kid, but with a fresh, modern twist that made me fall in love with the whole idea all over again.
Cleo and Javi are both quirky, driven, and ridiculously loveable. Cleo is an ambitious researcher with a passion for anthrozoology (and a not-so-secret obsession with the classic gameshow), and Javi is the charismatic wildcard who drops the best dating profile hook of all time: “Looking for someone to win Know Your Newlywed with.” That one line sets off a chain of fake-married hijinks, reality TV chaos, and unexpectedly real feelings. I loved every second of their journey, from awkward get-to-know-you moments to the kind of sizzling chemistry that no acting can fake.
The audiobook production is outstanding. This was not just a reading, it was a full-on listening experience. Music, sound effects, theme songs, crowd reactions—it had everything. Tyler Posey and Mary Mouser are absolute stars in their roles, and the full-cast format made it feel like I was right there in the studio audience, watching it all unfold. Every voice fit perfectly, every joke landed, and the chemistry between Cleo and Javi leapt off the audio. It was like a rom-com movie for my ears, immersive and full of life.
Despite the glitz and gameshow glamour, there is depth here too—questions about ambition, identity, and what it means to build something real in a world built on image. The story stays light, but it sneaks in real heart, and I found myself completely invested in whether these two could find something lasting once the cameras stopped rolling.
This was a total delight. I laughed out loud, smiled like a goofball, and could not stop listening. Know Your Newlywed is fake dating at its finest, with a cast you will root for and a love story you will believe in. It brought back memories of the old show while delivering something totally new and completely captivating.
🎧 Huge thanks to Libro.fm for the gifted audiobook!
Fake marriage, real chemistry, and one unforgettable listen.
Know Your Newlywed is a rom-com lover’s dream, fun, fresh, and full of heart. Written by Heather Taylor and Hillary Nussbaum, this full-cast audiobook was an absolute joy to listen to from start to finish. It has everything: a reality gameshow setup, fake dating (marriage!), and a will-they-won’t-they chemistry that absolutely pops. If you love your romance with a side of pop culture sparkle and a whole lot of clever banter, this one is for you.
I grew up watching The Newlywed Game—the real one! I can still remember the hilarious questions, the awkward pauses, the matching outfits, and those iconic “what will she say?” moments. So when I heard about Know Your Newlywed, I was instantly intrigued. The premise felt like a love letter to the show I adored as a kid, but with a fresh, modern twist that made me fall in love with the whole idea all over again.
Cleo and Javi are both quirky, driven, and ridiculously loveable. Cleo is an ambitious researcher with a passion for anthrozoology (and a not-so-secret obsession with the classic gameshow), and Javi is the charismatic wildcard who drops the best dating profile hook of all time: “Looking for someone to win Know Your Newlywed with.” That one line sets off a chain of fake-married hijinks, reality TV chaos, and unexpectedly real feelings. I loved every second of their journey, from awkward get-to-know-you moments to the kind of sizzling chemistry that no acting can fake.
The audiobook production is outstanding. This was not just a reading, it was a full-on listening experience. Music, sound effects, theme songs, crowd reactions—it had everything. Tyler Posey and Mary Mouser are absolute stars in their roles, and the full-cast format made it feel like I was right there in the studio audience, watching it all unfold. Every voice fit perfectly, every joke landed, and the chemistry between Cleo and Javi leapt off the audio. It was like a rom-com movie for my ears, immersive and full of life.
Despite the glitz and gameshow glamour, there is depth here too—questions about ambition, identity, and what it means to build something real in a world built on image. The story stays light, but it sneaks in real heart, and I found myself completely invested in whether these two could find something lasting once the cameras stopped rolling.
This was a total delight. I laughed out loud, smiled like a goofball, and could not stop listening. Know Your Newlywed is fake dating at its finest, with a cast you will root for and a love story you will believe in. It brought back memories of the old show while delivering something totally new and completely captivating.
🎧 Huge thanks to Libro.fm for the gifted audiobook!
Fake marriage, real chemistry, and one unforgettable listen.
November 13, 2024
tbh, this was fine. i am in a reading slump so a quick short audiobook was what i wanted and it fit the bill, but i’m also semi surprised i didn’t DNF. i wasn’t in love with any characters and found the background noises of the audiobook to be extremely distracting. also found the characters to act a bit cringe for their age.
this has a fake marriage trope which isn’t my fave but i did like the game show setting.
its a quick listen at under 4 hours. a good “novella” to add to your TBR when you need a quick easy read!
this has a fake marriage trope which isn’t my fave but i did like the game show setting.
its a quick listen at under 4 hours. a good “novella” to add to your TBR when you need a quick easy read!
January 10, 2025
Wow! This audiobook was an absolute listening delight!!! A full-cast rom-com novella - say less because I was already in. BUT…. it was also produced by the amazing Elena Armas so there was so much more. Amazing narration by Tyler Posey (of Teen Wolf) and Mary Mouser (of Cobra Kai) as main characters Cleo and Javi. Sold yet? Wait, there’s more! Aside from the entire narration cast being stellar (they were!) you also get a fully immersive audio experience with background effects (airport noises, crying babies, cooking sounds, dings, rings, and more.
Plus, the story was an absolutely feel good rom-com about two people who meet on dating app over their love of an old newlywed game show. They feel a connection and continue messaging each other, even though they live in different cities. Then, Cleo finds out there is going to be a reboot of the show made and the two decide to fake being married so they can get on the show. They turn out to be everyone’s favorite couple but find that lying about their relationship is harder than they expected.
This is a novella so it’s fast moving but I felt invested in Cleo and Javi’s relationship and was rooting for them. This was feel good and exactly what I needed in between books. The listening time is under 5 hrs (at 1x) but if you’re like me listening at 1.5 or higher it’s 3 hrs. or less.
Plus, the story was an absolutely feel good rom-com about two people who meet on dating app over their love of an old newlywed game show. They feel a connection and continue messaging each other, even though they live in different cities. Then, Cleo finds out there is going to be a reboot of the show made and the two decide to fake being married so they can get on the show. They turn out to be everyone’s favorite couple but find that lying about their relationship is harder than they expected.
This is a novella so it’s fast moving but I felt invested in Cleo and Javi’s relationship and was rooting for them. This was feel good and exactly what I needed in between books. The listening time is under 5 hrs (at 1x) but if you’re like me listening at 1.5 or higher it’s 3 hrs. or less.
November 6, 2024
two con artists that get caught up in lies but pretend it’s equivalent to falling in love with sound effects and a full cast
June 29, 2025
This was a fun fake dating (marriage), dual POV, reality romance show audiobook exclusive novella with a full cast of award winning narrators.
I loved the premise that has two complete strangers bonding over their shared obsession with a Newlywed reality tv show and when they decide to apply for and get chosen to compete in its reboot things really heat up as they have to quickly learn as much as they can about one another.
Heartfelt, swoony and highly entertaining. I really liked PhD candidate Cleo and aspiring food truck owner, Javi as main characters. Many thanks to @simon.audio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review.
💋Steam level: closed door
I loved the premise that has two complete strangers bonding over their shared obsession with a Newlywed reality tv show and when they decide to apply for and get chosen to compete in its reboot things really heat up as they have to quickly learn as much as they can about one another.
Heartfelt, swoony and highly entertaining. I really liked PhD candidate Cleo and aspiring food truck owner, Javi as main characters. Many thanks to @simon.audio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review.
💋Steam level: closed door
June 29, 2025
Well, this audiobook was an absolute delight to my ears!!!
I have always enjoyed audiobooks, so when I came across full-cast audiobooks (such as Daisy Jones & The Six and #CrimeTime), I fell even further in love. So you can imagine my excitement when I came across Know Your Newlywed produced by the talented Elena Armas!
The Foley effects are wonderfully realistic. In some parts, I had to turn my earbuds off to make sure the noise wasn't from real life. The speech was clear, and you can easily tell the cast was having fun recording this story, which only added to the emotion.
For the actual story part , I enjoyed the short and sweet aspect of it all. We follow Cleo, a young woman who is looking to go back to school for anthrozoology (bonus points for creativity!) and an advertisement manager, Javi who has been trying to start up his own food truck. They end up bonding over a game show from their childhoods. Together, they participate in the reboot, learning more about each other and themselves in the process.
I thought the plot was very cute and creative. The emotions and dialogue was natural and easy going as well. I would definitely recommend this audiobook for a road trip!
Overall, 4 stars!!
I have always enjoyed audiobooks, so when I came across full-cast audiobooks (such as Daisy Jones & The Six and #CrimeTime), I fell even further in love. So you can imagine my excitement when I came across Know Your Newlywed produced by the talented Elena Armas!
The Foley effects are wonderfully realistic. In some parts, I had to turn my earbuds off to make sure the noise wasn't from real life. The speech was clear, and you can easily tell the cast was having fun recording this story, which only added to the emotion.
For the actual story part , I enjoyed the short and sweet aspect of it all. We follow Cleo, a young woman who is looking to go back to school for anthrozoology (bonus points for creativity!) and an advertisement manager, Javi who has been trying to start up his own food truck. They end up bonding over a game show from their childhoods. Together, they participate in the reboot, learning more about each other and themselves in the process.
I thought the plot was very cute and creative. The emotions and dialogue was natural and easy going as well. I would definitely recommend this audiobook for a road trip!
Overall, 4 stars!!
February 11, 2025
the most eye rolling cornball book i’ve ever had to listen to. even tyler posey couldn’t save this
June 29, 2025
4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐️
0 / 5 🌶️
Spicy chapters: N/A
Javi (MMC) and Cleo (FMC)
First person narration, dual POV 👌
This audiobook is my first one of 2025, and it is such a sweet story. The production is excellent and immersive, making you feel as if we were right there, next to the MC's 🙌.
I found the plot original as both Javi and Cleo are fans of a show that they end up partaking in. This premise makes for a great excuse for the two MC's to grow closer and get to know each other better.
To be completely honest, the "third act breakup" was totally meh and unremarkable 🤷🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️. But overall, this book felt to me like a delicious dessert after enjoying your favorite meal: unnecessary but enjoyable.
Give this short story a chance, especially if you like stories that center around the relationship of two people partaking in a tv game show.
Happy reading! 📚
0 / 5 🌶️
Spicy chapters: N/A
Javi (MMC) and Cleo (FMC)
First person narration, dual POV 👌
This audiobook is my first one of 2025, and it is such a sweet story. The production is excellent and immersive, making you feel as if we were right there, next to the MC's 🙌.
I found the plot original as both Javi and Cleo are fans of a show that they end up partaking in. This premise makes for a great excuse for the two MC's to grow closer and get to know each other better.
To be completely honest, the "third act breakup" was totally meh and unremarkable 🤷🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️. But overall, this book felt to me like a delicious dessert after enjoying your favorite meal: unnecessary but enjoyable.
Give this short story a chance, especially if you like stories that center around the relationship of two people partaking in a tv game show.
Happy reading! 📚
December 8, 2024
This audio original was such a delight and so well produced. Then full cast narration made it such an immersive listening experience and I’ve seen some people say the addition of sound effects and background noise was distracting but I really liked it. It was a true feel good listen with humor, a cute plot and fun characters. A great little escape for me!
December 11, 2024
DNF. Yes, it was the full production that I hated and the distracting background noise, but it was also the immature characters and storyline.
January 1, 2025
Shoutout to Cleo for being the last character of 2024 that I wanted to punch in the face.
October 28, 2024
A perfect, cozy, humorous listen!
I loved these characters and the audio was so well done. Loved the full cast! It’s a very easy and fast listen and I would definitely recommend!
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ALC
I loved these characters and the audio was so well done. Loved the full cast! It’s a very easy and fast listen and I would definitely recommend!
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ALC
March 14, 2025
5/5
Know your Newlywed was absolute perfection; it had all the elements of the perfect romance book: fake marriage, closed door romance, well-rounded characters and great secondary characters.
Love the cast, the characters and the chemistry between all the characters. As I was listening to the audiobook, I was able to visualize everything playing right in front of me. Can't wait to read/listen more from this author.
Know your Newlywed was absolute perfection; it had all the elements of the perfect romance book: fake marriage, closed door romance, well-rounded characters and great secondary characters.
Love the cast, the characters and the chemistry between all the characters. As I was listening to the audiobook, I was able to visualize everything playing right in front of me. Can't wait to read/listen more from this author.
November 25, 2024
Know Your Newlywed is a full-cast audiobook rom com from Simon & Schuster Audio. It’s a unique listening experience that’s quite different from traditional audiobooks, but one I’d recommend! Thanks to Simon Audio for the gifted copy.
The story follows Cleo and Javi who meet on a dating app and quickly bond over their mutual love of the old game show Know Your Newlywed. When they hear the show is getting a reboot, they decide being on the show is worth faking a marriage for a 30-minute episode. Unsurprisingly, their chemistry lands them a spot on the show, but there’s twist! The reboot is a season-long competition where couples will complete for a life-changing cash prize (I can’t remember the amount! Maybe half a million? It’s big). Despite barely knowing each other (and never having met IRL), they decide to take a page out of Taylor Swift’s book and “fake it ’til they make it” (and they do!).
The production takes some getting used to. For example, the opening scenes are set in an airport and feature a lot of background noise — by design, but distracting at first. Stick with it, though — after this scene, the full-cast production is really fun and immersive. I typically listen to audiobooks at 2.0-2.5x speed, but I found 1.5x was the sweet spot here. It’s an engaging pace without distorting the sound effects.
As a full-cast audiobook production, there’s no traditional narration or stage direction. With dialogue and sound effects carrying the entire story, strong writing is essential — and the writers deliver. That said, I didn’t love the kissing scenes. I would have preferred a fade-to-black moment where a character jokingly says, “I’m going to kiss you now,” rather than listening to kissy noises.
Overall, I’m really impressed with this S&S audio original. It’s a cute story and the format is fun and fresh. I’d recommend it to romcom fans looking for a quick read to help meet their 2025 reading challenges!
The story follows Cleo and Javi who meet on a dating app and quickly bond over their mutual love of the old game show Know Your Newlywed. When they hear the show is getting a reboot, they decide being on the show is worth faking a marriage for a 30-minute episode. Unsurprisingly, their chemistry lands them a spot on the show, but there’s twist! The reboot is a season-long competition where couples will complete for a life-changing cash prize (I can’t remember the amount! Maybe half a million? It’s big). Despite barely knowing each other (and never having met IRL), they decide to take a page out of Taylor Swift’s book and “fake it ’til they make it” (and they do!).
The production takes some getting used to. For example, the opening scenes are set in an airport and feature a lot of background noise — by design, but distracting at first. Stick with it, though — after this scene, the full-cast production is really fun and immersive. I typically listen to audiobooks at 2.0-2.5x speed, but I found 1.5x was the sweet spot here. It’s an engaging pace without distorting the sound effects.
As a full-cast audiobook production, there’s no traditional narration or stage direction. With dialogue and sound effects carrying the entire story, strong writing is essential — and the writers deliver. That said, I didn’t love the kissing scenes. I would have preferred a fade-to-black moment where a character jokingly says, “I’m going to kiss you now,” rather than listening to kissy noises.
Overall, I’m really impressed with this S&S audio original. It’s a cute story and the format is fun and fresh. I’d recommend it to romcom fans looking for a quick read to help meet their 2025 reading challenges!
December 7, 2024
Well I must say I did feel all the tension of being on the stage . The narration was good ! I recommend the audiobook book . Thanks to Libro fm and Simon & Schuster Audio Originals . I must say I was annoyed about the outcome of the game show . Really annoyed but in the grand scheme of things it was only right and the author concluded it all nice for me . I recommend .
December 11, 2025
3.5⭐️
I liked this story and thought it was a fun and easy listen. I liked the full cast narration but felt like some of the audio production could have been a bit better. Sometimes the background noise felt too loud in comparison to the dialogue. I liked the idea of the game show and Cleo and Javi had great banter. Javi's relationship with his family was really sweet. I think this achieved what it set out to do overall, but some of the execution could have been better.
I liked this story and thought it was a fun and easy listen. I liked the full cast narration but felt like some of the audio production could have been a bit better. Sometimes the background noise felt too loud in comparison to the dialogue. I liked the idea of the game show and Cleo and Javi had great banter. Javi's relationship with his family was really sweet. I think this achieved what it set out to do overall, but some of the execution could have been better.
November 28, 2024
Awesome on audio and a whole lot of fun, this was a great, immersive listening experience. It's created for audio and truly feels like a performance for the ears, with full cast narration, sound effects, and upbeat vibes that work perfectly for the format. The length is somewhere between a novel and a novella, with a runtime of about 5 hours. That made it just right for bingeing in one sitting, while still giving the characters depth and interest. I'm not sure how involved Elena Armas was in the writing process, but the rom com vibes fit her audience well. I could feel the swoons, and I enjoyed it the whole way through. I do think a longer length or one less conflict would've benefited the love story, but this was an easygoing, playful romance.
The story follows Cleo and Javi, two people who match up on a dating app and bond over their favorite retro TV show, Know Your Newlywed. Though they live in different cities, Cleo and Javi connect via text messages, and are shocked to discover that Know Your Newlywed is getting rebooted. Thinking it'd make a cool, one-day experience, Cleo and Javi decide to pretend they're married in hopes of getting on the show. Unbeknownst to them, the reboot is much more complicated than the original, and they soon find themselves in over their heads. As the two near-strangers rush to get to know each other better, they fall in love in the process.
I loved the first half in particular, with Cleo and Javi feeling the sparks and connecting in such a quick, effortless way. I was smiling for sure. There's definitely too much drama in the second half, which I think could've been skipped in favor of more swoons. But that's just me! This was fun for sure, and the audio enhances the experience in a big way. Not only is it full cast narration, but the two leads are voiced by well known actors Tyler Posey (Teen Wolf) and Mary Mouser (Cobra Kai), which meant they brought the story to life through their vocal performances. It was an absolute pleasure to listen to, and reminded me of my favorite Cara Bastone audiobooks. All in all, it's certainly worth a listen. Huge thanks to Libro.fm for the early copy!
The story follows Cleo and Javi, two people who match up on a dating app and bond over their favorite retro TV show, Know Your Newlywed. Though they live in different cities, Cleo and Javi connect via text messages, and are shocked to discover that Know Your Newlywed is getting rebooted. Thinking it'd make a cool, one-day experience, Cleo and Javi decide to pretend they're married in hopes of getting on the show. Unbeknownst to them, the reboot is much more complicated than the original, and they soon find themselves in over their heads. As the two near-strangers rush to get to know each other better, they fall in love in the process.
I loved the first half in particular, with Cleo and Javi feeling the sparks and connecting in such a quick, effortless way. I was smiling for sure. There's definitely too much drama in the second half, which I think could've been skipped in favor of more swoons. But that's just me! This was fun for sure, and the audio enhances the experience in a big way. Not only is it full cast narration, but the two leads are voiced by well known actors Tyler Posey (Teen Wolf) and Mary Mouser (Cobra Kai), which meant they brought the story to life through their vocal performances. It was an absolute pleasure to listen to, and reminded me of my favorite Cara Bastone audiobooks. All in all, it's certainly worth a listen. Huge thanks to Libro.fm for the early copy!
December 8, 2024
This is a cute little audiobook only novella where the main characters basically go on a first date (after matching on a dating app) where they are pretending to be a married couple in order to compete in a game show.
January 4, 2025
(Audiobook) What’s the Foley sound effect for a flop? I think they were going for “Hallmark movie meets old-fashioned radio drama,” but the result was a disaster of War of the Worlds magnitude. So bad. I don’t want my audiobooks with extra sprinkles. Stick to just the writing, please. And for god’s sake no kissing noises.
July 5, 2025
really loved this one. Made me weepy (good weepy)
January 9, 2025
The whole plot looking for a guy in a dating app and hitting it off so hard seems kinda fake cuz these guys on these apps in real life looking nothing like this madam 😂
But overall it was a cute story but the audiobook OMG IT WAS SOOOOO GOOD HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT WAS LIKE LISTENING TO A MOVIE
But overall it was a cute story but the audiobook OMG IT WAS SOOOOO GOOD HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT WAS LIKE LISTENING TO A MOVIE
September 14, 2025
This was a cute audiobook. I liked that it had a variety of cast members — it wasn’t just one female voice doing all of the characters. Two super fans of a beloved dating game show fake being married to compete in the show’s reboot, and sparks fly between them as the competition (and their feelings) get more real than they expected.
December 31, 2024
2.5-
I get that it’s a short story, but I felt like there were a lot of plot holes and info that was just brushed over. There wasn’t enough buildup for the romance for me, it just felt like one second they swiped on each other and the next they were in love with no development.
I get that it’s a short story, but I felt like there were a lot of plot holes and info that was just brushed over. There wasn’t enough buildup for the romance for me, it just felt like one second they swiped on each other and the next they were in love with no development.
December 10, 2024
Cleo and Javi are both huge fans of the vintage tv gameshow “Know Your Newlywed”, so when Cleo sees the series called out in Javi’s dating app profile, of course she had to swipe right! When the pair catches wind of a reboot of their beloved show, they decide to fake being married and apply. The prize is huge and will help Cleo get her PhD and Javi fulfill his food truck dreams. The producers love them and they end up as contestants, and although their marriage may be fake, the chemistry between them is oh-so-real!
This adorable full-cast rom com is a delight to listen to! The plot is sweet and heartfelt, and I loved the focus on culture, food, and family. Mary Mouser (Cobra Kai) as Cleo and Tyler Posey (Teen Wolf) as Javi are both perfectly cast, and they’re joined by an ensemble cast of 11 more narrators. Simon Audio has done a few of these audio-exclusive books, and the production value is so high! The narration is top notch and the listening experience is so immersive, with lots of extra sound effects (phones ringing, traffic noise, game show sounds, etc).
Thank you to Simon Audio and Libro.fm for the #gifted audiobook!
This adorable full-cast rom com is a delight to listen to! The plot is sweet and heartfelt, and I loved the focus on culture, food, and family. Mary Mouser (Cobra Kai) as Cleo and Tyler Posey (Teen Wolf) as Javi are both perfectly cast, and they’re joined by an ensemble cast of 11 more narrators. Simon Audio has done a few of these audio-exclusive books, and the production value is so high! The narration is top notch and the listening experience is so immersive, with lots of extra sound effects (phones ringing, traffic noise, game show sounds, etc).
Thank you to Simon Audio and Libro.fm for the #gifted audiobook!
December 3, 2024
Audiobook Review
Overall 4 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 3 stars
This was a cute and quick listen. The set up was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed the full cast narration and sound effects. All the different performers really made the story come to life! It’s a novella so there isn’t a lot of character development and the drama at the end wasn’t my favorite, but I liked Cleo and Javi and was rooting for them. The romance is sweet (and fade to black) and I really liked their friend groups and families. Overall, an entertaining listen!
*I voluntarily listened to a review copy of this book*
Overall 4 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 3 stars
This was a cute and quick listen. The set up was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed the full cast narration and sound effects. All the different performers really made the story come to life! It’s a novella so there isn’t a lot of character development and the drama at the end wasn’t my favorite, but I liked Cleo and Javi and was rooting for them. The romance is sweet (and fade to black) and I really liked their friend groups and families. Overall, an entertaining listen!
*I voluntarily listened to a review copy of this book*
December 6, 2024
TROPES: online dating • TV show • fake relationship • friends to lovers
This was one amazing audio production. And the story was truly adorable and so much fun to listen to.
All the narrators were terrific performers and I truly believed they embodied the characters. Another unique element that I thought enhanced this audiobook production was the use of background noises throughout - the sounds of phones ringing, traffic, people talking on the background and so more made for an almost cinematic experience. I think fans of Cara Bastone will loved this. But if you have never experienced Audible Original titles before this is a great start.
Thank you to Libro.fm for for providing me early access to Know Your Newlywed in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
January 17, 2025
The story had good bones and I enjoyed the concept a lot. I think it had so much potential! The execution just fell a little flat for me. I love audiobooks and enjoy graphic audios, but this one was very overstimulating at times it was hard to understand clearly. The narrators themselves were great but all the background noise felt distracting at times. Fun story just not my favorite.
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