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Hold Me Closer, Toni Danzig
Don’t miss this sexy, queer rom-com full of love, laughter, and a little karaoke.
Toni Danzig is a dirt bag—literally. There’s nothing she enjoys more than being out in the mountains leading adventure tours. On a well-deserved break over a long weekend, she’s DJ-ing karaoke at the Dew Drop Inn when Audrey Adams takes the stage to sing the greatest middle finger break-up song ever, dedicated to her ex-girlfriend. It’s a perfect night that culminates in a transcendental experience in bed…before Audrey rushes out the next day.
Monday morning, the holidays are in full swing when Audrey’s worst nightmare comes true. After the most memorable night of her life, she’s thrust together with the one woman who she hasn’t been able to forget—on a strictly-professional consulting project for her family’s business.
Meanwhile, Toni can’t believe her luck. Now she has the unexpected chance to win Audrey over, and she sets a goal to be someone worthy of this woman’s love and respect. Will they crash and burn like a bad karaoke performance—or will they be singing a duet before the new year?
Toni Danzig is a dirt bag—literally. There’s nothing she enjoys more than being out in the mountains leading adventure tours. On a well-deserved break over a long weekend, she’s DJ-ing karaoke at the Dew Drop Inn when Audrey Adams takes the stage to sing the greatest middle finger break-up song ever, dedicated to her ex-girlfriend. It’s a perfect night that culminates in a transcendental experience in bed…before Audrey rushes out the next day.
Monday morning, the holidays are in full swing when Audrey’s worst nightmare comes true. After the most memorable night of her life, she’s thrust together with the one woman who she hasn’t been able to forget—on a strictly-professional consulting project for her family’s business.
Meanwhile, Toni can’t believe her luck. Now she has the unexpected chance to win Audrey over, and she sets a goal to be someone worthy of this woman’s love and respect. Will they crash and burn like a bad karaoke performance—or will they be singing a duet before the new year?
Audible Audio
Published December 2, 2021
20 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
About the author
Laura Henry
2 books30 followersLaura Henry is a globe-trotting alter-ego for Melissa Lenhardt. Currently she's stumbling around Europe having misadventures, and getting plenty of story ideas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 249 reviews
December 19, 2021
3.5⭐️ – I had things to do around the house and needed a short audiobook to keep me company, and I remembered someone recommending this one on Facebook (I don’t remember who it was but thank you). It’s included in the Audible Plus subscription.
Most grand gestures aim at getting the girl, but who said you can’t break up with one too? Toni is DJ-ing karaoke at her friend’s bar when Audrey asks for the greatest break-up song of all time. Audrey is usually reserved when she comes to the bar, and Toni has always thought she was intriguing but never talked to her. When Audrey slays her performance then runs away, Toni follows to make sure she’s okay. Coffee turns into a wild night of sex (you’ll have to trust the author on that, it’s all fade to black). When they meet again unexpectedly in a professional setting, Audrey can’t help but reconsider her decision to only have a one-night stand with Toni, while Toni’s sister reminds her over and over she needs to keep it professional for the sake of the family business.
Okay, this novella was extremely sweet and funny (I love both sisters). I don’t often enjoy dual narration, and I’m still not sure why authors/publishers choose it, but I liked both narrators, Lori Prince as usual and Suehyla El-Attar who is a new narrator for me, despite the foreign accents being a tad forced. An enjoyable listen before Christmas.
Most grand gestures aim at getting the girl, but who said you can’t break up with one too? Toni is DJ-ing karaoke at her friend’s bar when Audrey asks for the greatest break-up song of all time. Audrey is usually reserved when she comes to the bar, and Toni has always thought she was intriguing but never talked to her. When Audrey slays her performance then runs away, Toni follows to make sure she’s okay. Coffee turns into a wild night of sex (you’ll have to trust the author on that, it’s all fade to black). When they meet again unexpectedly in a professional setting, Audrey can’t help but reconsider her decision to only have a one-night stand with Toni, while Toni’s sister reminds her over and over she needs to keep it professional for the sake of the family business.
Okay, this novella was extremely sweet and funny (I love both sisters). I don’t often enjoy dual narration, and I’m still not sure why authors/publishers choose it, but I liked both narrators, Lori Prince as usual and Suehyla El-Attar who is a new narrator for me, despite the foreign accents being a tad forced. An enjoyable listen before Christmas.
December 23, 2021
I'll keep this review as short as the audiobook itself (3 hours). This audiobook is included for free under the Audible Originals productions so it's worth a listen.
I've never heard of the author Laura Henry but I think she did a good job with the story. It's festive, it's light and it's romantic as any Christmas story should be. The sex scenes are fade to black but the characters chemistry is hot anyway.
I'm not a fan of audiobooks with two narrators. Each one got a different main character point of view. I liked Suehyla El-Attar and I would listen to another narration by her. I'm a fan of Lori Prince and she chose for Audrey what I call her "Thayer" voice (after her version of Thayer Reynolds in Carolyn Elizabeth's Curtis and Reynolds series) so I would have preferred to listen to Ms. Prince narrating the whole book. Just my personal preference. Anyways, it's worth a listen if you are looking for a free festive listen. 4 stars.
I've never heard of the author Laura Henry but I think she did a good job with the story. It's festive, it's light and it's romantic as any Christmas story should be. The sex scenes are fade to black but the characters chemistry is hot anyway.
I'm not a fan of audiobooks with two narrators. Each one got a different main character point of view. I liked Suehyla El-Attar and I would listen to another narration by her. I'm a fan of Lori Prince and she chose for Audrey what I call her "Thayer" voice (after her version of Thayer Reynolds in Carolyn Elizabeth's Curtis and Reynolds series) so I would have preferred to listen to Ms. Prince narrating the whole book. Just my personal preference. Anyways, it's worth a listen if you are looking for a free festive listen. 4 stars.
December 8, 2021
This caught my eye because I caught the reference right off—a mondegreen (yes, I had to look up that term) for Elton John's Tiny Dancer that was in some popular TV show decades ago (Friends?). So I was intrigued and it's part of the Audible Plus program (functionally free) so I gave it a whirl. And enjoyed it well-enough.
I liked Audrey, in particular, as she comes off a bout of gaslighting that has undermined her sense of herself. So getting to know Toni, and being truly appreciated for her amazingly kind heart and generous spirit, was adorable. And I liked Toni, too, and her coming to terms with taking on more responsibility in the family business. And I even liked the dynamic where they had to work together because their respective family businesses became involved. Yeah, it's a stretch of coincidence, but one that served the story well and the author doesn't go overboard with it.
What didn't work was the supposed age of the protagonists. They're both way too old to just be finding themselves, professionally. And this plays particularly poorly with Toni who is immature in more than just her profession. Fortunately, simply subtracting a decade (or two) worked just fine for the most part.
The story is really short and the author tries to take on some weighty topics in the midst of it. And, of course, ends up giving them short shrift in the process. So I can't go above three stars for the story over all. But it's a good holiday read and I was very entertained.
A note about Steamy: A story this short can't really sustain a ton of sex without overwhelming other areas. So there's a single explicit sex scene, though it's not a long one. Enough to land in the middle of my steam tolerance, if only just. I was surprised when the author didn't go into details of their first night together and wondered if there wouldn't be any steam at all. But it seems she was just saving it up for when it was actually important to the story. A good choice, I think, and well-done.
I liked Audrey, in particular, as she comes off a bout of gaslighting that has undermined her sense of herself. So getting to know Toni, and being truly appreciated for her amazingly kind heart and generous spirit, was adorable. And I liked Toni, too, and her coming to terms with taking on more responsibility in the family business. And I even liked the dynamic where they had to work together because their respective family businesses became involved. Yeah, it's a stretch of coincidence, but one that served the story well and the author doesn't go overboard with it.
What didn't work was the supposed age of the protagonists. They're both way too old to just be finding themselves, professionally. And this plays particularly poorly with Toni who is immature in more than just her profession. Fortunately, simply subtracting a decade (or two) worked just fine for the most part.
The story is really short and the author tries to take on some weighty topics in the midst of it. And, of course, ends up giving them short shrift in the process. So I can't go above three stars for the story over all. But it's a good holiday read and I was very entertained.
A note about Steamy: A story this short can't really sustain a ton of sex without overwhelming other areas. So there's a single explicit sex scene, though it's not a long one. Enough to land in the middle of my steam tolerance, if only just. I was surprised when the author didn't go into details of their first night together and wondered if there wouldn't be any steam at all. But it seems she was just saving it up for when it was actually important to the story. A good choice, I think, and well-done.
December 20, 2021
3.5 stars rounded up cuz Christmas. A cute holiday romance free with audible subscription
This was a fun and quick listen with excellent voice acting with the one exception that neither narrator could do the Italian and German accents of the parents. Like truly atrocious. 🤣🤣 Luckily they are not a huge part of the story.
This was a fun and quick listen with excellent voice acting with the one exception that neither narrator could do the Italian and German accents of the parents. Like truly atrocious. 🤣🤣 Luckily they are not a huge part of the story.
October 19, 2022
Quirky, fun, feel good romance. Adore all the characters ❤️
Prefect narration.
Lost count how many times I have listened to this.
Prefect narration.
Lost count how many times I have listened to this.
August 22, 2022
2021 Winter Bingo (#SnowInLoveBingo❄️): MC’s Name Starts With A/D/J
Cute sapphic Christmas novella, but I really could’ve done without the toxic ex-girlfriend storyline and the annoying sister conflict. Read via audible plus (narrated by Suehyla El-Attar and Lori Prince).
Cute sapphic Christmas novella, but I really could’ve done without the toxic ex-girlfriend storyline and the annoying sister conflict. Read via audible plus (narrated by Suehyla El-Attar and Lori Prince).
January 12, 2022
2.5 stars.
okay tbh i find toni (32) a lil bit creepy. i like audrey (45) and her twin sister willa; they’re so much fun! it’s also really cool that the narrators kinda sound like each other when they’re speaking one another’s line.
i feel like in the end greta was ooc after the conflict? she became a different person yet never did anything after causing the mess. and while i love the narration, both narrators have terrible german and italian accents for pierre and ingrid and i honestly wished they didn’t attempt it.
for a light-hearted holiday romance, audrey’s ex is really horrible. like the level of gaslighting??? ew. but overall the story is cute.
content warnings: gaslighting, stalking, emotional abuse, abusive relationship, narcissism, alcohol (recreational), disowning LGBTQ+ offspring, semi-graphic sex
okay tbh i find toni (32) a lil bit creepy. i like audrey (45) and her twin sister willa; they’re so much fun! it’s also really cool that the narrators kinda sound like each other when they’re speaking one another’s line.
i feel like in the end greta was ooc after the conflict? she became a different person yet never did anything after causing the mess. and while i love the narration, both narrators have terrible german and italian accents for pierre and ingrid and i honestly wished they didn’t attempt it.
for a light-hearted holiday romance, audrey’s ex is really horrible. like the level of gaslighting??? ew. but overall the story is cute.
content warnings: gaslighting, stalking, emotional abuse, abusive relationship, narcissism, alcohol (recreational), disowning LGBTQ+ offspring, semi-graphic sex
April 24, 2025
2.5 stars. Pretty cute, quick holiday read. My biggest issue is that too much of the romance happens off page.
same book as About Last Night with a few less chapters.
same book as About Last Night with a few less chapters.
December 13, 2021
Fun, light-hearted little women-loving-women holiday romance, with two great performers (I adored both of them) and a solid little story that chugs along, avoids having a crisis moment that feels too forced, and lets them get to their happy endings, darnit. I love novella-length holiday romance so very much.
March 27, 2022
I was going through the audiobooks included in the Audible Plus subscription and this one peaked my interest.
Audrey decides to break up with her cheating girlfriend by singing the 'greatest middle finger break-up song ever'. Toni is the DJ on the night, and has been sporting a crush for a while. This is a very sweet novella that was a joy to listen to. It's short, sweet and features two fantastic narrators, Lori Prince and Suehyla El-Attar (who I'm just about to research what other titles she narrates - I loved her voice!).
Highly recommend a listen. It's a great holiday romance too.
Audrey decides to break up with her cheating girlfriend by singing the 'greatest middle finger break-up song ever'. Toni is the DJ on the night, and has been sporting a crush for a while. This is a very sweet novella that was a joy to listen to. It's short, sweet and features two fantastic narrators, Lori Prince and Suehyla El-Attar (who I'm just about to research what other titles she narrates - I loved her voice!).
Highly recommend a listen. It's a great holiday romance too.
October 12, 2024
4.5 stars
Enjoyed this a lot! Quick listen and fun way to move into the holiday season.
Enjoyed this a lot! Quick listen and fun way to move into the holiday season.
June 8, 2024
Oh, the cringe. I found the narration excessively upbeat. Did Lori Prince down a thousand Pixy Stix before reading this? Listening to this audiobook felt like a carnival ride with too much happening too quickly and even though I'm lying down I feel like I need to lie down.
April 8, 2022
the title gets all the stars. but absolutely nothing else about this worked for me. *sad trombone*
December 30, 2021
I was smiling and laughing through most of this story. Truly a wonderful holiday romance story. Two wonderful narrators. Toni is used to doing whatever she wants and Audrey is organized with a plan for her life. These two make the most adorable pair. When Audrey is battling with herself in her head I couldn’t help but laugh. This is a great audiobook not to be missed.
November 23, 2022
Quick read with a mild amount of angst and a one night stand relationship that didn’t quite hit the “forever” vibes by the end in my opinion.
Two narrator alternating plus dialogue interspersed.
Breezy read, and free with Audible subscription.
Two narrator alternating plus dialogue interspersed.
Breezy read, and free with Audible subscription.
December 5, 2021
This is a cute lesbian Christmas romance set in Colorado. One of the narrators grated on me a bit, which impacted my enjoyment of the story overall, but I would definitely still recommend it.
December 8, 2021
2.5 stars. A cute and distracting listen. The plot isn't a novelty (two women have a one night stand, then realise a few days later that, whoops, they'll be working with one another on the same job) but there were some interesting aspects, like the karaoke, the adventure tour guide angle, and the subplot with both their sisters. That in particular made me smile a lot, even if it didn't play a huge part. Audrey and Toni's romance was super fast, but I did feel their chemistry. Like most novellas, I wish it was longer. I didn't particularly like any of the stuff that happened in the third act, though the author did bring it in for a nice HEA. I did like the humour, and the songs that they sang.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Suehyla El-Attar and Lori Prince, both of whom I've listened to and loved before. I did think that Prince was over-exaggerating and over-enunciating just a tad, though. This was fun and festive, good for a little palate cleanser, even if it's not the most profound thing ever.
Content warnings: .
Listened to the audiobook as read by Suehyla El-Attar and Lori Prince, both of whom I've listened to and loved before. I did think that Prince was over-exaggerating and over-enunciating just a tad, though. This was fun and festive, good for a little palate cleanser, even if it's not the most profound thing ever.
Content warnings: .
December 5, 2023
Fun, short listen. Thoroughly enjoyed the story and characters. I only wish I loved Lori Prince's narration. The other narrator was fantastic but I always struggle with Prince's work.
Read
July 20, 2022God, I hated every second of this audiobook. Yeah, I could have dnfed, I could have forgotten that it ever existed. But apparently, I love putting myself through terrible reading situations and I kept going with this holiday novella.
In theory, it should have worked! Sapphic, forced proximity, it’s the holidays and they’re also working together. But Tony was insufferable! Because of work, they can’t be in a relationship but Tony lies and says it’s all good. EXCUSE ME. She is putting Audrey’s work in jeopardy and for what? Some dry sex scenes? And then there is the whole evil ex-girlfriend thing that was very eye-rolling. I just couldn’t get behind all the lying that could potentially affect your girlfriend’s work!!! And the resolution was so rushed and they are confessing love and where did this come from? They spend barely any time together getting to know each other. I don’t know, maybe I was just annoyed because I disliked the narrator, but this novella made me see red. No cute, no cute at all.
In theory, it should have worked! Sapphic, forced proximity, it’s the holidays and they’re also working together. But Tony was insufferable! Because of work, they can’t be in a relationship but Tony lies and says it’s all good. EXCUSE ME. She is putting Audrey’s work in jeopardy and for what? Some dry sex scenes? And then there is the whole evil ex-girlfriend thing that was very eye-rolling. I just couldn’t get behind all the lying that could potentially affect your girlfriend’s work!!! And the resolution was so rushed and they are confessing love and where did this come from? They spend barely any time together getting to know each other. I don’t know, maybe I was just annoyed because I disliked the narrator, but this novella made me see red. No cute, no cute at all.
December 22, 2021
A cute and quick holiday romance to listen to. I would have liked it a lot more if the narrators were better, sometimes they sounded like adolescents and it made it painful to listen to.
September 30, 2023
Usually when reviewing books I disliked I try to figure out if there is anything good about them. Here I couldn't come up with a single thing. I didn't feel any chemistry from the characters and the story had so many plot threads for its length. It felt extremely rushed and still managed to squeeze in a third act break up for no reason. I also didn't like how Toni referred go herself as a gold star lesbian, which was just gross. Overall a very disappointing experience.
June 30, 2025
The use of gold star lesbian at the start kind of had me checking out for the rest of the book.
It was okay. Not the best, not the worst, but mid.
It was okay. Not the best, not the worst, but mid.
October 27, 2025
Love to find sapphic audiobooks in the audible plus catalogue but honestly this was so cringe and had so many toxic or problematic behaviors.
Very short so good if you need entertainment for a limited time bit honestly cringe-fest :(
Very short so good if you need entertainment for a limited time bit honestly cringe-fest :(
December 12, 2021
3.5
This is a super festive queer rom-com with older lesbian MC's. I knocked it down half a star because it uses the term "gold star lesbian" which is just gross.
Audrey is coming out of a super toxic relationship. There's big content warnings for gas lighting and emotional manipulation and abuse from her ex. She ends up singing karaoke at a bar one night and gets Toni's attention. Toni is a dirtbag, literally. She works for her families outdoors the company leading hiking trails and such. Audrey and her twin sister own a consulting firm and end up consulting for Toni's family's company. They end up spending the holiday together in Colorado and some stuff ensues. Both Audrey and Toni are kind of navigating career elements and figuring out exactly what they want to be doing at the stage in their life. I've seen other reviewers say they're too old to be navigating such massive career changes and I think that that is just ageist and bullshit honestly. Stop expecting people to know exactly what they want to do when they're 18 years old and then stick with it for the rest of their lives. People in their 40s can make career changes.
Anyway this is a cute little short audiobook and only has one sex scene. It has a lot of family dynamics and sister relationships which is really fun for me personally to read about. There's also some queer questioning elements with their sisters.
This is a super festive queer rom-com with older lesbian MC's. I knocked it down half a star because it uses the term "gold star lesbian" which is just gross.
Audrey is coming out of a super toxic relationship. There's big content warnings for gas lighting and emotional manipulation and abuse from her ex. She ends up singing karaoke at a bar one night and gets Toni's attention. Toni is a dirtbag, literally. She works for her families outdoors the company leading hiking trails and such. Audrey and her twin sister own a consulting firm and end up consulting for Toni's family's company. They end up spending the holiday together in Colorado and some stuff ensues. Both Audrey and Toni are kind of navigating career elements and figuring out exactly what they want to be doing at the stage in their life. I've seen other reviewers say they're too old to be navigating such massive career changes and I think that that is just ageist and bullshit honestly. Stop expecting people to know exactly what they want to do when they're 18 years old and then stick with it for the rest of their lives. People in their 40s can make career changes.
Anyway this is a cute little short audiobook and only has one sex scene. It has a lot of family dynamics and sister relationships which is really fun for me personally to read about. There's also some queer questioning elements with their sisters.
September 27, 2025
5 stars for the story and 4 stars for the narration. This is a ff, slight age gap, romance between 45 year old Audrey and 32 year old Toni. It is a short book at only 3 hours in duration. The book is set in Colorado. Audrey and Toni had seen each other in passing but didn't officially meet until the night Audrey stuck it to her cheating ex. They had great chemistry and the evolution of their relationship felt authentic and organic. One of my favorite things about this book was the stuff about Toni's family's business and the future business plan and non-profit. I loved all the business ideas outlined in the book. I also really loved the relationship between sisters Audrey and Willa. This book was included with my audible membership and I'm glad I happened upon it. This is my first experience with this author.
February 3, 2024
This missed the mark for me.
December 19, 2021
אז אני עדיין עם ספרי חג... ומצאתי אדיו שקיים המנוי, והוא על שתי בנות אז יאי לי.
לפחות זה מה שחשבתי....
הסיפור פה די משעמם... הדמויות די בנאליות ובלי טיפת עומק...
סה"כ יש פה סיפור על זמרת סוג של מפורסמת באיזורים מסויים, וסמרטוט ריצפה, שהייתה המערכת יחסים עם משהי שכל הזמן בגדה בה... עד שבפעם ה-627 כשגילתה על הבגידה הצליחה לצאת מזה... ולמה הצליח לה, כי הפעם היה לה את טוני שתגן עליה, ותגיד כמו לכלבה לא ממושמעת ש "פויה, אסור ללכת להזדיין עם משהי שכל הזמן בוגדת בך"...
כדי להכניס פה טיפה של עלילה, אז הסתבר שהזמרת + אחותה עובדות בתחום, ונותנות שירותים לדבר שהסמרטוט ריצפה + אחותה צריכות... אז יש לנו פה גם טיפת "אהבה אסורה כי אנחנו עובדות ביחד"
יכול להיות שמה שלא עבד לי פה הן הקרייניות.. כי לא אהבתי אף אחת מהן... אבל לא רק! כי שרדתי יפה את piano man project!
אממ בע! בע! בע!
יום ראשון שמח לכולם 😘
לפחות זה מה שחשבתי....
הסיפור פה די משעמם... הדמויות די בנאליות ובלי טיפת עומק...
סה"כ יש פה סיפור על זמרת סוג של מפורסמת באיזורים מסויים, וסמרטוט ריצפה, שהייתה המערכת יחסים עם משהי שכל הזמן בגדה בה... עד שבפעם ה-627 כשגילתה על הבגידה הצליחה לצאת מזה... ולמה הצליח לה, כי הפעם היה לה את טוני שתגן עליה, ותגיד כמו לכלבה לא ממושמעת ש "פויה, אסור ללכת להזדיין עם משהי שכל הזמן בוגדת בך"...
כדי להכניס פה טיפה של עלילה, אז הסתבר שהזמרת + אחותה עובדות בתחום, ונותנות שירותים לדבר שהסמרטוט ריצפה + אחותה צריכות... אז יש לנו פה גם טיפת "אהבה אסורה כי אנחנו עובדות ביחד"
יכול להיות שמה שלא עבד לי פה הן הקרייניות.. כי לא אהבתי אף אחת מהן... אבל לא רק! כי שרדתי יפה את piano man project!
אממ בע! בע! בע!
יום ראשון שמח לכולם 😘
December 13, 2021
This was a cute story! I love the instant chemistry that Toni and Audrey had and how their relationship developed throughout the story. However, I wanted a bit more. It was super instalove and lust. I wanted more relationship moments between them. This is an f/f, workplace, one-night stand, and opposite-attract romance. It is a fade to black but Laura Henry gives us sprinkles of steam. I need a story about Greta and Willa!
CW: gaslighting & emotional abuse, descriptions of a toxic relationship
CW: gaslighting & emotional abuse, descriptions of a toxic relationship
December 18, 2022
A cute, quick, queer Christmas novella with likeable main characters and some of the usual tropes. Content warnings for an emotionally abusive ex, and lots of lust between the main characters.
I somehow forgot how old the characters were supposed to be and imagined them easily a decade younger than intended. The pacing and foreign accents were questionable but I find that's often the case in novellas.
I somehow forgot how old the characters were supposed to be and imagined them easily a decade younger than intended. The pacing and foreign accents were questionable but I find that's often the case in novellas.
January 3, 2022
Suehyla El-Attar and Lori Prince deliver great dual narration of this festive novella, set around Christmas. I'm not a big fan of productions that are only available through Audible, though I'm sure there are reasons for doing so. If you have Audible and aren't quite ready for Christmas to be over, it's definitely worth listening to.
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