The Love Startup: A Romantic Comedy

by MéLisa Ryun, Savannah Thomas (Narrator), Luke Persiani (Narrator)

Love is a bug in the system.

I'm Maddie Denton—girl boss coder, full-time trash-talker, and proud member of the "No Thanks, I'II Die Alone" club. Society says because I have a hoo-ha, I should want a man more than building my dream company. I eat my Wi-Fi.

My sisters think I'm stuck in arrested development, but my best friend and co-founder Zack likes me as the foul-mouthed, hoodie-wearing chaos goblin that I am. We're this close to securing that sweet investor cash for our startup, our baby, our shot at hitting the big time. All we have to do is add "intimate physical data" to the app... in six weeks. Our solution? Gather that spicy data ourselves by fake-dating, proving that geeks never grow up, we just fake it better than everyone else.

I'm Zack, and today I learned I'm both desperate and stupid. I've agreed to fake-date Maddie—my business partner and the girl I've never stopped wanting. Which means… Role-playing. Fake kissing. Cosplaying with her as my fantasy girlfriend. Pretending my longtime secret crush is finally mine? Easiest acting job of my life. But every fake touch, every "just for research” act of desire, short-circuits my common sense and fries whatever's left of my self-control.

If I slip up, I don't just lose the company. I lose her.

The Love Startup is a filthy, dirty-minded, laugh-out-loud friends-to-lovers workplace romcom about two geeks fake-dating their way into real love—and real trouble. Perfect for fans of high-spice Meghan Quinn mayhem, steamy role-play, he-falls-first pining, and ambitious heroines who have zero chill.

Standalone HEA. Open door. Grab your copy now. No grown-ups allowed.

Genres: Audiobook

Audible Audio

Published February 27, 2026

About the author

MéLisa Ryun is our pen name, and we're a husband-wife duo who've been finishing each other's sentences (and steamy scenes) for nearly 30 years. We left the glitz of Hollywood for the glitter of Vegas. Despite calling Sin City home, we say what happens in Vegas should definitely not stay in Vegas-not when it comes to our scorching hot romcoms.We spend our days in a death match of yoga and joke-writing. It's like we're competing in a bizarre reality show where the winner gets to avoid stepping outside into Satan's armpit. We used to write for Hollywood and YouTube. Now we write books and social media posts. It's basically the same thing, except now our audience can read ¿ Maybe we'll trauma dump about our life in LA in a book someday. Or maybe we'll just keep writing about fictional people with better lives than ours.We write steamy open-door romcoms that'll make your grandma blush and your girlfriends wink knowingly. Our characters? So real you'll swear they've been eavesdropping on your life, with banter as finely honed as a cover model's abs and sparks that'll melt your e-reader. Our mission? To write sizzling chemistry, door-kicking-open steam, and enough beloved tropes to complete a Pinterest board. And the best part? Guaranteed satisfying happily ever after, every time.. Snark. Swoon. Spice!

Reviews

[Book Lover IRL · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Love Startup by MeLisa Ryun is a tech start-up, workplace rom-com featuring geeky, r@unchy humor (including Star Trek references, innumerable f@rt jokes, and the strangest references to b0dy parts or s3x I've ever read -- and that's saying something!)

The Love Startup features Maddie and Zach, two BFFs who met in college and have been inseparable for the past 10 years while launching their tech venture: a new dating app that supposedly includes unique data to help clients find their forever person.

Ironically, Maddie refuses to believe in love, avoids all romantic relationships, and has completely sworn off men and dating. Instead she chooses to dedicate all her time and energy to becoming the best female coder and co-CEO of a tech company. Despite claiming to be a feminist, Maddie sometimes gives off contrary, cringe-worthy vibes, especially when she makes crude, off-handed jokes at women's expense. However, if you take the story at face value (without trying to find grand meaning in it), it works. My guess is this was the author's way of showing Maddie trying to fit into a "man's world." Overall, I enjoyed Maddie's quirks and awkwardness. It is always refreshing to read about a FMC who has relatable and realistic flaws.

Poor Zach... He is the sweetest and most understanding BFF who sadly has been secretly in love with Maddie since they met. Zach does his best to show Maddie just how much he cares for her only "as a friend," all the while doing things a boyfriend potentially would: showering her with compliments, spending quality time together, and blindly supporting her every dream. I did love Zach's "it's always been you" energy, but struggled with the miscommunication between him and Maddie as things got r@cy between them.

The authors were up front about their intentions to make the book's humor push the boundaries of polite expectations. They embraced their inner teenagers with the sheer number of gassy references, inclusion of a blow-up s3x doll as a fully participating side character, and a lack of character maturity. The story included fake dating shenanigans, BFFs who love to "role play" by inventing wicked conversations for strangers around them, and Maddie's three, unhinged, hysterical, "ride-or-d!e" sisters. 

Overall The Love Startup by MeLisa Ryun was a n@ughty, off-color romantic comedy that pulled out all the stops to feature nerdy, tech culture. I enjoyed the book by not taking it too seriously or trying to read too much into it. What you read, is what you get. There are no hidden meanings or social messages to glean. Overall I give it 3.5 stars out of 5. 

A huge thank you to MeLisa Ryun and Happily Booked PR for the ALC. All opinions are my own.

An amusing quote to give you a sample of the consistently raunchy humor: “Oh! Hell no, peck*r j0ckey! Keep your meat hooks away from my t!ts!”

TROPES:
Nerdy, Geek-embracing Romance
R@unchy Humor
Friends to Lovers
Fake Dating Shenanigans
It Was Always You

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice Scale: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Narration Style: Dual
POV: 1st person, alternating
Series / Standalone: Standalone
Cliffhanger: No
HEA: Yes

INSTAGRAM: @Book.Lover.IRL
STORYGRAPH: @Book_Lover_IRL
GOODREADS: Book Lover IRL
FABLE: Book Lover IRL
. . . . . . . . .
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really liked this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️ I liked this book
⭐️⭐️ Meh… bored or annoyed
⭐️ Seriously? Not worth it

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ INFERNO. P@nty melting
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Blazing h0t
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak f0replay count?

[Jackie Stout · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you need me, I’ll be over here cackling! 🤣 Melisa Ryun has done it again with a total tech-world masterpiece. I was literally kicking my feet the entire time I was listening to this.

Maddy is a STEM queen in a male dominated field and Zach is the your new supportive book boyfriend who will forever support Maddy. Best friends for years. What could fake dating lead to? 😏🤭He’s been in love with her forever, so you know the fake dating trope hits different. 🥵 Finally after years, they finally admit the truth to eachother 😏

Expect crude humor, top-tier spice, and a cast of characters you’ll want to move in with.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Tropes:
✨ Friends to Lovers
✨ Workplace Romance
✨ Fake Dating
✨ Role Play Gone Wrong
✨ "It's Always Been You"
✨STEM world

🎧 Audio note: Savannah Thomas and Luke Persiani absolutely crushed the narration!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Love Startup had me cackling like a gremlin in a hoodie. Maddie Denton is a full time menace and part time STEM queen, brilliant, unfiltered, and absolutely done with every tech‑bro in her orbit. Zack is the longtime suffering best friend who’s been in love with her since forever, and honestly? He deserves a medal for patience alone.

Their “fake dating for research” experiment spirals into pure comedic chaos. The gym date? I had to pause the audiobook because I was wheezing. The coding bros? Unhinged. The humor is proudly crude, messy, and early 2000's sitcom energy in the best way.

Savannah Thomas and Luke Persiani absolutely crush the audiobook. Their chemistry makes the slow burn and the not‑so‑slow spice, hit even harder.

[Nita · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had really high hopes for this book but I couldn't make it past chapter 2. Chapter 2 was a total cringe fest because of Maddy. The only part enjoyed was the narrators chosen to bring the characters to life.

[Shayda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to the audio Version. The narrators did a fantastic job!
The book itself is a cute RomCom with lots of banter and funny moments I very much enjoyed listening to this one!

[Lisa Spofford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to a gifted ALC of this audiobook via Happily Booked PR and am voluntarily writing this honest review. THE LOVE STARTUP, Book 1 in the DENTON SISTERS series, was the debut novel for married writing team, Melisa Ryun. Although the book was originally published in October 2024, the audiobook was released today. Best friends, Zack and Maddie, co-founders of a tech startup, who fake date to gather data for their dating app. The couple navigated intimate dating scenarios and growing feelings in a high stakes, high pressure environment. This is a spicy, raunchy, open door, first person, dual POV, contemporary romcom with tropes including best friends to lovers, fake dating, he falls first, steamy roll playing, women in STEM, Secret Longtime Crush, Found Family, R-Rated Workplace Romcom, Unhinged Geek Banter, Anti-Heroine Dirty-Mouthed FMC, and Love Vs Career. This audiobook was wonderfully cast with narrators Savannah Thomas and Luke Persiani delivered an excellent performance that sucked me in from the first chapter. I found this to be a fun book to listen to, filled with teenaged boy humor and dirty jokes. It was funny to listen as Maddie bantered just as crudely and hard as the rest of her squad of coding geeks, perfectly happy to be one of the guys, until she began to suspect that her best friend didn’t see her as a woman. How Zach managed to hide the fact that he loved her is beyond me, but I loved the close relationship they had developed that segued so perfectly into more. The couple had delicious chemistry and Maddie was so awkward and unpredictable in a way that I could relate with so well. The authors did an excellent job at describing the way women in STEM can be objectified and disrespected, and I loved how supportive Zack was of Maddie’s hopes and dreams. I would say that their humor has improved as they have developed more as authors, but if you are open to a funny, dirty mouthed escape, then check out this audiobook and prepare to laugh. (4.5 rounded to 5 stars where necessary.)

[Ginny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fake dating to the extreme.

Maddie and Zack are a hoot. They meet in college. Maddie is a programmer exceling in a male dominated industry. She is focused with one goal to be the top of her game, and she refuses to set her dreams aside to please a man. She is determined to remain single for this reason. Relationships and her goals don’t mix. Zack is smitten with her immediately and chooses to the friend zone if it means he can stay in Maddie’s life. Years later, they are partners in a startup company on the brink of launching their new dating app. To please a potential investor, they need to speed up the timeline of their launch which means obtaining more data. Zack and Maddie agree to fake date using various profiles created by the other programmers. In true Melisa Ryun fashion, the profiles and dates are over the top. There are awkward and sweet moments. Plus, plenty of laugh out loud moments.

Dual narration by Savannah Thomas and Luke Persiani. These two were a delight and elevated this story. They had the perfect comedic timing needed for this material. They take the ridiculous antics and don’t overact it. They bring normalcy to extreme situations by their performances.

Are parts of this completely unrealistic? Sure. But I still enjoyed every bit of Maddie and Zack’s journey. Maddie blossomed when she got out of her own way and realized it wasn’t all or none when it comes her career. Everyone girl deserves a Zack. The man that pines for the one woman he can’t have and goes to the extreme to support her goals and dreams. If ridiculous antics, a woman fighting to succeed in a male dominated industry, he falls first (hard), enough spice to make you blush, and a ton of heart are what you need, then this is the book for you.

[Mandy Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Love Startup was a complete and hilarious surprise. While this isn’t my usual genre, the blurb sounded so good that I decided to take a chance on it—and I am so incredibly glad I did. I took a total leap of faith, and it paid off because I spent so much of this book laughing that my cheeks actually started to hurt by the end.
​The story follows Maddie, who has officially sworn off romance, and her incredibly handsome best friend, Zack, who is secretly pining for her while they work together to build a new dating app. MéLisa Ryun does a superb job of drawing readers in and keeping them hooked with her writing style. The dynamic between Maddie and Zack is pure entertainment, and the way the story is written really pulls you into their world.
​The experience is elevated even further by the fantastic narration of Luke Persiani and Savannah Thomas. Their performances make you feel like you’re right there with the crew helping to build the app. The chemistry during Maddie and Zack’s "fake dates" is absolute perfection—the banter, the awkwardness, and the bickering felt so authentic that I could easily visualize the entire story playing out like a live-action movie in my mind.
​This is the perfect ten-hour escape for anyone who needs a heartfelt laugh and a break from reality. I am officially invested in The Denton Sisters Series and cannot wait to see where it goes next. I’m looking forward to both reading and listening to the rest of the journey.

[Kris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Zack and Maddie

This sounded amazing - I loved the concept and having read similar books before, I had high hopes.

Now… what I expected and what I got were vastly different….

Maddie was pretty unlikeable. She was rude, crude, and downright obnoxious. Her beliefs about feminism, her gender, her career and relationships are so off base, and it leads to her treating people pretty badly.
Zack… well, he had potential. The fact that he hung around for 10 years showed his devotion (to a point), but the fact that he idolised her and accepted her downright horrible behaviour made me cringe. Plus, the scene with Lexie… when he ‘forgot’ all about Maddie whenever Lexie was around… well, it kind of threw his devotion out of the window….

The narrators are pretty good, but I’m not keen on dual narration with the male putting on a female voice during ‘his chapter’.

The execution was off…

So, essentially…
A ‘pick me’ ends up fake dating her BFF who for some weird reason is ‘in love’ with her for the sake of their business.
He’s apparently ok with the whole being treated badly in the face of feminist power - yet, the way he talked about her indicated that he was pretty much only interested in her attributes.

I couldn’t finish, jumped ahead, and didn't really notice any improvements until late in the book.
Not for me.

[Eirawyn84 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dual POV romance with dual narration that will have you laughing out loud! Hilarious with perfect narration.

Zack falls hard for Maddie on their very first "non-date". But Maddie firmly puts him in the friend zone. She's too driven and focused on breaking into the tech world to be bothered with something as silly as love.

Zack accepts his fate and decides if he can't have Maddie as his girl friend, he'll settle for just being her friend.

Fast forward 10 years and they are co CEO's on a tech project, living together with their tech colleagues trying to break it into the app development world.

They finally get their investment opportunity but there's a snag...They don't have enough dating data. Enter the fake dating.

Zack and Maddie embark on numerous fake dates to gather the data they need but Maddie soon realises how much of a catch Zack is and how much she's been missing out on. But can she move past her barrier of thinking she can't be a female CEO boss bitch and have a love life?

The narrator's for this audiobook were amazing, they suited the characters and storyline well.

The story is light hearted and fun. A thoroughly enjoyable read/listen.

[Amilia Poling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, this was such a fun book, and I was just cackling so much listening to it! It had the best classic Melisa Ryun humor, spice, and perfect characters!! Maddy was everything we want in a woman fighting for space in a male-dominated field! Her strength and persistence to fight for her career, paired with her watching her open her mind to what could be for her line, was just absolute perfection! And Zach was just incredible, seeing how he supported and pushed Maddy in the best ways, but kept their work moving as best as he could! Watching these two dance around each other and finally come together was just perfection! And the way they all interact with the world and characters around them, in the tech world chaos, was amazing! The whole cast of characters was so fun, and I wanted so much more of them! Overall I absolutely loved everything about this one! So much fun!! 5 stars; 3.75 chili peppers

Tropes:
- Friends to Lovers
- Workplace Romance
- Role Play Gone Wrong
- Fake Dates
- Meddling Friends and Family
- "It's Always Been You"

[lauren dedinsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Narrated by: Savannah Thomas and Luke Persiani

What To Expect:
- friends to lovers
- workplace romance
- "it's always been you"
- fake dates
- fole play gone wrong
- rom com
- meddling friends and family

4.5⭐️ so i rounded up

well melisa ryun does it again, another hit! thsir books are so much fun to read and will have you laughing out loud and kicking your feet.

i love seeing a woman working in a male dominated field too. which is exactly what maddie does. she is a fighter, has so much strength and is very determined. she is fiercely independent and i absolutely love her for it. our mmc, zack was so supportive of maddie. he was also already in love with her so of course he was down to fake date.

this book does have some crude humor and might not be for everyone but it absolutely worth the read or listen if you prefer audiobooks! the narrators did such an incredible job bringing this story to life

thank you so much happily booked pr and melisa ryun for giving me the chance to listen to masterpiece early! 🫶🏼

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you loved the wildly inappropriate humor of the early 2000’s comedies you’re going to love this. Absolutely in that same vein. Chock full of inappropriate jokes, questionable use of a blowup doll, vulgar coffee foam art ( I for one am a huge supporter of it ) and group of tech nerds who are anything but nerds.

Maddie is the “brains” and Zack is the “charm”. They balance each other perfectly.

OMG the client bios and fake dates were hilarious. The gym date was my absolute fav.

Maddie
For how brilliant she is she never saw what she had in front of her all along. I think she had feelings for him longer than she ever realized.

Zack
Has always had a crush on Maddie. She’s it for him, he knew right away. He did everything he could to make Maddie’s dreams come true.

I loved all the Denton sisters. They are wildly independent, vocal and opinionated. Absolutely everything you want in someone who has your back.

The Coding Bros: Cosmo, Wes & Reid. Top tier banter. They are too funny and work together seamlessly.


Luke Persiani and Savanna Thomas do an amazing job!

[BookishMya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is a tender chaos filled road to love in the digital age. With Mèlisa Ryun you are guaranteed shenanigans, outrageous humour and unhinged chaos in all its glory. The friends to lovers romance of Maddy & Zac is a bumpy ride down the digital highway. Co-creators of the next dating app, their friendship is almost derailed through a series of fake roleplay dates for data, and yes, that was as crazy as it sounds. Maddy has so many firewalls up that only a coding genius could breach her heart. I had so much fun with this story.

Luke Persiani was a rockstar in this with an emotions rollercoaster of a performance. I absolutely loved how emphatic and in character he got. Alongside him is one of my favs, Savannah Thomas. Her emotional depth and flirty tones are perfect for independent coder woman Maddy. She brought her to life in all her love-phobic glory. These two had fabulous chemistry and you could tell they were having a blast recording this. A fun, chaotic and oddly comforting story to listen to.

[Karen Bowness · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently listened to the audiobook of The Love Startup and it was such a chaotic, funny rom-com listen - just what you would expect from this author!

The story follows Maddie Denton, a brilliant but very blunt coder determined to launch her dating app, LoveScore. When an investor insists they add “intimate data” to the algorithm before launch, Maddie and her best friend and co-founder Zack come up with a slightly ridiculous plan - fake dating each other to collect the data themselves.

Maddie is loud, sarcastic and unapologetically herself, while Zack is the quietly devoted best friend who has secretly had feelings for her for years. Their banter, awkward “research” situations, and the tension between keeping things professional and their very real chemistry made this such an entertaining listen. The tech bros and Maddie’s sisters also added some extra fun to the mix!

The narration really brought the humour to life, and I found myself laughing more than once at the situations both Maddie and Zack got themselves into. If you enjoy friends-to-lovers romance, fake dating tropes and a bit of nerdy tech-startup chaos with plenty of spice, this audiobook is a really fun one to dive into.

[Marci Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to another of MeLisa Ryun’s audiobooks over the holidays and really enjoyed it, so when I saw this ALC I had to sign up. I love a light, low-angst rom-com, and this one delivered.

I did wish it had been duet narration. Both narrators were great, but I always enjoy it more when male narrators voice the male characters and female narrators voice the female characters—it just adds something extra to the listening experience.

The story itself was fun and easy to get into. I enjoy a bit of crude humor, and I loved seeing a woman working in what’s often considered a male-dominated field. It’s a classic friends-to-lovers where he falls first (and hardest) while she stays stubbornly in denial until communication almost becomes too little, too late.

It may not be for everyone, but if you’re looking for a light, fun listen you don’t have to overthink, this is a great pick. Thank you to the author and Happily Booked PR for the ALC!

[Brandi Augustine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this audiobook! I found myself listening to this and just cracking up so much. I loved Maddie so much. She is trying to make it in a male dominated world and her crude jokes and comments made it known she didn't care what others thought.

Zach is her best friend and he is literally the best. He has had feelings for her for a long time but is hiding it because knows she doesn't want a relationship.

With them starting a business together, they are doing the fake dating thing and trying different things for the business. They have such amazing chemistry together and watching them come together was absolutely perfect. Such an amazing book and Savannah Thomas and Luke Persiani did an amazing job as narrators.

If you are looking for open door romance and banter and crude humor, this is for you. Loved all the secondary characters too. A must read!

Thank you @melisaryun and @happilybookedpr for this ARC ❤️

[Lorra_reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to this one—friends-to-lovers and fake dating is one of my favorite combinations, and the tech startup angle made it even more interesting.

The premise delivers on being fun: two friends trying to get their dating app funded, running out of time, and making a risky decision to gather the data they need. It sets up a lot of potential for both humor and tension.

I did enjoy the story, but it didn’t fully keep me hooked. The plot felt predictable, and at times, the characters came across as a bit exaggerated, which made it harder for me to fully connect with them.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Savannah Thomas and Luke Persiani. They worked well together, but I didn’t feel the level of chemistry I was expecting between the characters, and that impacted my overall experience.

That said, if you enjoy friends or coworkers falling into something more, mixed with startup pressure and a tech-heavy backdrop, this could still be a good fit.

[WHITNEY · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are searching for your next ear read this one is it! Let's face it. The world is a dumpster fire right now and the world could use some cheering up! This book will do it for you!

I absolutely love this husband and wife writing duo and I am so glad that their first novel is now making it's audio debut!

And what a debut to make with Savannah Thompson and Luke Persiani I loved this duet. Both of them delivered the vulnerability and the humor exactly where it was needed. And I could listen to them all day!

This story and it's den of Nerds had my sides hurting I was laughing so hard and don't even get me started on the side conversations we had going in the hot mess side chat!

You will learn new terminology, both technical, and creative. There is role play dating that is of the upmost imaginative characters. But yeah there is so much vulnerability in a friends to fake dating to lovers story. It spans several years and the growth is so satisfying.

[Dr. Jamie Shockley Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

If chaos, chemistry, and coding had a baby… this would be it.

The Love Startup is the kind of rom-com that doesn’t just lean into the fake dating trope—it launches it into full-blown, wildly unhinged territory. Maddie and Zack’s “research” plan (aka fake dating for app data) is as ridiculous as it is addictive, and somehow it works so well.

The banter? Sharp, fast, and genuinely funny. The tension? Built on years of buried feelings, which makes every moment hit harder. And Zack being down bad from the start? Elite.

This is definitely on the spicier side, with humor that can be a little chaotic and not for everyone—but if you love workplace romance, friends-to-lovers, and that “this is a terrible idea but I can’t stop reading” energy, you’ll eat this up.

It’s messy, bold, and surprisingly heartfelt underneath all the chaos.

[Crystal Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing I can tell you, Melisa Ryun ALWAYS delivers a laugh out loud book EVERY SINGLE TIME. This book had me cracking up throughout the entire story.

Maddie is a fiercely independent coder that is set on building up her startup company. Zach is her best friend and also cofounder. He has been secretly in love with her for years.

It’s full of crazy and outrageous moments between these two. The fake dating to test and do research was fantastic. This is one of those OTT crazy moments with lots of laugh and steamy moments.

ⓐⓤⓓⓘⓞ ⓣⓗⓞⓤⓖⓗⓣⓢ
Savannah Thomas and Luke Persiani did a really good job bringing these characters to life. They kept me engaged and laughing the entire time. The male narrators voice for the girl, not my favorite, but not bad enough I had to stop.

[Bri · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Love Startup: A Romantic Comedy by MéLisa Ryun
Narrated by Luke Persiani and Savannah Thomas

3.5/5 stars

For me this book felt a little on the slow side to get into up until the FMC Maddie and MMC Zack started fake-dating and role playing for data to go into their dating app LoveScore. That was when it got interesting and kept my attention!

It was fun getting to hear about them in detail and with the help of the narrators Luke Persiani and Savannah Thomas it really brought it even more to life! I’d listen to more audiobooks done by them because they certainly know how to get into the book to make it come that more alive!

Overall it’s a good read to have on the go when your hands are busy but you want to be emerged into a story!

[Lynnmarie542_books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This ALC had me giggling the entire time!
The banter, the role-playing, and the fake dating were so much fun. A friends-to-lovers workplace romance filled with laughs and spice? Yes please.

I listened to the audiobook, and overall it was great. But lord help me when the male narrator voiced the female parts, I almost threw my headphones! That's just my
honest opinion though, and it definitely didn't stop me from listening. I still loved every minute.

No Beats were harmed during the listening of this ALC!

Thank you to Melisa Ryun and Happily Booked PR for always providing me with amazing ARCs and ALCs!

[Samantha AdamsMcCord · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maddie (FMC) and Zack (MMC) had a huge crush on Mattie the super smart Greek girly who took no shit! the become best friends starting up a dating app! Because Maddie never wanted a relationship and Zach wanted her from the start and held his want for her for so long 10 years of wanting her!!! Can they get it started can they become a couple and last forever! This is an amazing story and love all the profiles and dates they do!
Savannah Thomas and Luke Persiani are amazing narrators but girl should of read girl parts and guy read guy part not chapter by chapter but love there voices this was amazing

[Carrie R. B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The narrators of this book absolutely nailed it. They really brought out the humor and personalities of the characters. It was especially hilarious when they were doing the roll playing voices. If you are thinking of reading this book, I highly recommend the audiobook!

This book is full of crude humor and cringy moments. If that is not your jam, then I would suggest skipping this one. If you are a fan of raunchy rom-coms, then this book will totally be up your alley! I could definitely see this being made into a movie.

This book was a fun change of pace for me. I’ve been reading a lot of fantasy, so a comedy was just what I needed to change things up a bit. Maddy and Zack had great chemistry and the spice was top notch with a nice slow build-up before you get there. The miscommunication was frustrating at times, but the ending was very sweet. I definitely recommend you give this one a read or a listen! 🎧

[De Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an interesting take on the friends to lovers and fake dating ideas. I don’t know that I’ve read another book about a tech start up in these tropes. Honestly I adored Mads at the start. She was sassy and strong, and fiercely independent. Zack just wanted to be in her orbit. There’s so much tension and drama and heated moments and laughter in this story. The banter among all the characters was on point. Our MCs were so relatable and felt very real. Mads did frustrate me at times but I think that was the point. But the way Zack showed up for her and supported her time and time again was so sweet and utterly adorable. And the way things ended was just what they needed.

[Leann]

I really enjoyed listening to The Love Startup by @melisaryun! This is the beginning of the new The Denton Sisters series.

Our main female character is Maddie, a CEO in STEM - creating a dating app designed to change the online dating scene. Her co-CEO is her longtime best friend, Zack.

To create data on their app for launch, Zack and Maddie decide to have hundreds of fake first dates. Except, Zack has always had feelings for Maddie.

This was such a fun book! I loved watching Maddie fall in love, even though she’s on the “will never fall in love” wagon.

Thank you to Melisa Ryun and @happilybookedpr for the #gifted audiobook!

[Becky Mansur · Rating 3 out of 5]

I normally love this authors work. The other 4 books of theirs that I have read were cute and funny. This book however just did not do it for me. The FMC seemed extremely immature in how she talked and acted. So much of the dialogue seemed like high school boys talking. I think the narrators did. Great job. So if you don’t mind immature dialogue/characters- definitely check it out. It is funny, just not for me as the characters did not feel like their age.

[ToniLynette · Rating 4 out of 5]

ALC Review

Thank you Mélisa Ryun for an advanced copy of this audiobook.

It took me a little bit to get into this one. It’s duet narration, but overall the narrators Savannah Thomas and Luke Persiani did a fantastic job. At about the 60% mark I was all-in.

However, please note this book’s humor may not be for everyone. It’s crude and ridiculous. So know that going in.

[Cindy Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the story and laughed a minute the authors are fantastic at writing and really getting you into the scene as if you're there with the characters. I wish that it had been duet narration though, it would've provided so much more depth.

Thank you Happily Booked and the authors for the ALC, I had a blast and the review is mine.