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The Wrong Rom-Com
Not yet published
Expected 1 Sep 26Writer Rachel loves dreaming up happy endings and controlling her characters' lives, while her superstitious husband Matt believes everything happens for a reason. So when Rachel decides they need a happy new beginning, she gives fate a helping hand and makes risk-averse Matt believe a move to the seaside 250 miles away is written in the stars.
To begin with, her plan works brilliantly ... until fate bites back.
Rachel's manipulation seems to have set a different version of their story in motion, plunging them into a full-throttle rom-com makeover, including a Hollywood meet-cute with new love interest Seth. Except she doesn't want it. The harder she resists, the more it seems her old life is being relegated to backstory – and husband Matt is no longer her leading man.
With only Anna, her best friend of over 30 years, to help her, Rachel must fight to find her way back home, before the love of her life walks out of it forever.
Can she escape the wrong rom-com?
To begin with, her plan works brilliantly ... until fate bites back.
Rachel's manipulation seems to have set a different version of their story in motion, plunging them into a full-throttle rom-com makeover, including a Hollywood meet-cute with new love interest Seth. Except she doesn't want it. The harder she resists, the more it seems her old life is being relegated to backstory – and husband Matt is no longer her leading man.
With only Anna, her best friend of over 30 years, to help her, Rachel must fight to find her way back home, before the love of her life walks out of it forever.
Can she escape the wrong rom-com?
- GenresAudiobook
Audible Audio
Expected publication September 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 21, 2026
Thank you Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for the audio ARC
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars
The Wrong Rom-Com had such a fun and unique premise that immediately grabbed my attention. I loved the idea of a romance author accidentally finding herself living out the wrong romantic storyline and having to fight to get back to the life and love she actually wants. It was a clever twist on the rom-com genre.
That said, this one didn’t completely work for me. My biggest issue was the audiobook narration. I know this is entirely personal preference, but I’m just not a fan of British narrators, and unfortunately it made it much harder for me to connect with the story. Because of that, my audiobook experience lost a full star.
The story itself was entertaining, with some funny moments and an interesting look at fate versus taking control of your own life. Rachel’s journey was different from the typical romance, and I appreciated that the focus wasn’t just on finding love, but on recognizing and fighting for the life that’s already worth keeping.
Overall, this was a solid listen with a creative concept, even if it wasn’t a perfect fit for me. If you enjoy British narration and love rom-coms with a touch of magical realism and second chance for your own love vibes, this one may be right up your alley.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars
The Wrong Rom-Com had such a fun and unique premise that immediately grabbed my attention. I loved the idea of a romance author accidentally finding herself living out the wrong romantic storyline and having to fight to get back to the life and love she actually wants. It was a clever twist on the rom-com genre.
That said, this one didn’t completely work for me. My biggest issue was the audiobook narration. I know this is entirely personal preference, but I’m just not a fan of British narrators, and unfortunately it made it much harder for me to connect with the story. Because of that, my audiobook experience lost a full star.
The story itself was entertaining, with some funny moments and an interesting look at fate versus taking control of your own life. Rachel’s journey was different from the typical romance, and I appreciated that the focus wasn’t just on finding love, but on recognizing and fighting for the life that’s already worth keeping.
Overall, this was a solid listen with a creative concept, even if it wasn’t a perfect fit for me. If you enjoy British narration and love rom-coms with a touch of magical realism and second chance for your own love vibes, this one may be right up your alley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"I can't have a meet cute, I'm married to Matt!"
Rachel is living a life that is a little too tight, a little too boring, and rubbing raw in the wrong places. A new, married mom and rom-com author, she convinces her husband to relocate their little family to a dreamy seaside British town. Once there, Rachel discovers she's in a romantic comedy playing the role of the female main character. Sounds delicious, right? It's not! The male main character, Seth, is not her husband, Matt! This hilarious metafiction pokes fun at rom-com tropes from a fabulous new perspective! In her own world of literary expertise, can Rachel fight fate and save her marriage with Matt? What if I told you the male main character was extremely handsome- because of course he is- hardworking and skilled at whatever he does- duh- loves kids and dogs- uh huh - and is totally innocent as to the charm and scenarios he finds himself in with Rachel? Green flags all the way- BUT SHE'S ALREADY MARRIED!
Readers begin to pick up on the stresses in Rachel and Matt's marriage: postpartum, new mom exhaustion and loneliness, dissatisfaction with her home and job, lying to her husband, he begins to travel for work- away for longer stretches of time... Suddenly, readers don't know who we're rooting for anymore. Is Seth her second chance at true happiness and fullness of life?
I loved listening to this rom-com and wish it was longer! The voice actor kept my American mind focused on this story's setting while I multitasked while listening. She kept up the pace and humor in all the right places! And that ending? Left me in tears 😭💔 I can't give it away, but even Rachel couldn't have written a better ending than Dawson does!
Troupes: Fresh start, make over, meet cute, cinnamon roll MMC, single parent, small town, dog dad, forbidden romance, accidental mix-up, forced proximity, big heart reveal, grand gesture, HEA
Spice: 0/5 🌶️
Gore: 1/5 🩸
Language: 2/5 👀
Triggers:
Thank you to Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for this ARC!
Rachel is living a life that is a little too tight, a little too boring, and rubbing raw in the wrong places. A new, married mom and rom-com author, she convinces her husband to relocate their little family to a dreamy seaside British town. Once there, Rachel discovers she's in a romantic comedy playing the role of the female main character. Sounds delicious, right? It's not! The male main character, Seth, is not her husband, Matt! This hilarious metafiction pokes fun at rom-com tropes from a fabulous new perspective! In her own world of literary expertise, can Rachel fight fate and save her marriage with Matt? What if I told you the male main character was extremely handsome- because of course he is- hardworking and skilled at whatever he does- duh- loves kids and dogs- uh huh - and is totally innocent as to the charm and scenarios he finds himself in with Rachel? Green flags all the way- BUT SHE'S ALREADY MARRIED!
Readers begin to pick up on the stresses in Rachel and Matt's marriage: postpartum, new mom exhaustion and loneliness, dissatisfaction with her home and job, lying to her husband, he begins to travel for work- away for longer stretches of time... Suddenly, readers don't know who we're rooting for anymore. Is Seth her second chance at true happiness and fullness of life?
I loved listening to this rom-com and wish it was longer! The voice actor kept my American mind focused on this story's setting while I multitasked while listening. She kept up the pace and humor in all the right places! And that ending? Left me in tears 😭💔 I can't give it away, but even Rachel couldn't have written a better ending than Dawson does!
Troupes: Fresh start, make over, meet cute, cinnamon roll MMC, single parent, small town, dog dad, forbidden romance, accidental mix-up, forced proximity, big heart reveal, grand gesture, HEA
Spice: 0/5 🌶️
Gore: 1/5 🩸
Language: 2/5 👀
Triggers:
Thank you to Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
THE WRONG ROM-COM by Lulu Dawson
🎙️ Narrated by: Fleur De Wit | Publisher: Bolinda Audio
⭐ Rating: 4 Stars
Hear me out: this is a good book, but it wasn’t quite the cute, lighthearted read I was anticipating! 🎧✨
While the title suggests a classic romantic comedy, I’d actually class this strictly as General Fiction—and honestly, it would make a fantastic Book Club pick for women in their 30s to 50s.
Instead of fluffy romance, it takes a deep, realistic look at that middle-of-life relationship lull. You know that window where you’re caught up in the day-to-day management of life, kids, work, and everything in between? That stage where you deeply love your partner, but you don’t necessarily feel connected or seen? That’s where Rachel and Matt find themselves.
The Characters:
➡️Matt: Honestly, he was a bit of a wet fish for most of the book! He was fine when things went his way, but the second Rachel started blooming and he felt lost, he just retreated. His total lack of communication made him pretty frustrating to root for.
➡️Rachel: While her communication with Matt wasn't great either, you could tell she just craved being noticed. That desire for validation was so evident in her dynamic with her mum, and it's exactly why Seth felt like such a massive threat to their marriage.
➡️Seth: Despite initially looking like the guy set to destroy her relationship, he ended up being a surprisingly likeable character and a good friend to Rachel.
Is it worth the read? Absolutely. It’s well-written, hits on core themes of fate vs. taking control of your own life, and yes—you do still get a HEA! Just be prepared going in: if you’ve been in a long-term relationship juggling life’s daily grind, parts of this can feel like a tough, vulnerable read.
Audiobook Thoughts: 🎧
Fleur De Wit’s narration was solid! Just a few minor breathy moments between transitions, but nothing that took away from the flow of the story. I particularly loved the sassy tone she brought to Rachel’s best friend, Anna!
🎙️ Narrated by: Fleur De Wit | Publisher: Bolinda Audio
⭐ Rating: 4 Stars
Hear me out: this is a good book, but it wasn’t quite the cute, lighthearted read I was anticipating! 🎧✨
While the title suggests a classic romantic comedy, I’d actually class this strictly as General Fiction—and honestly, it would make a fantastic Book Club pick for women in their 30s to 50s.
Instead of fluffy romance, it takes a deep, realistic look at that middle-of-life relationship lull. You know that window where you’re caught up in the day-to-day management of life, kids, work, and everything in between? That stage where you deeply love your partner, but you don’t necessarily feel connected or seen? That’s where Rachel and Matt find themselves.
The Characters:
➡️Matt: Honestly, he was a bit of a wet fish for most of the book! He was fine when things went his way, but the second Rachel started blooming and he felt lost, he just retreated. His total lack of communication made him pretty frustrating to root for.
➡️Rachel: While her communication with Matt wasn't great either, you could tell she just craved being noticed. That desire for validation was so evident in her dynamic with her mum, and it's exactly why Seth felt like such a massive threat to their marriage.
➡️Seth: Despite initially looking like the guy set to destroy her relationship, he ended up being a surprisingly likeable character and a good friend to Rachel.
Is it worth the read? Absolutely. It’s well-written, hits on core themes of fate vs. taking control of your own life, and yes—you do still get a HEA! Just be prepared going in: if you’ve been in a long-term relationship juggling life’s daily grind, parts of this can feel like a tough, vulnerable read.
Audiobook Thoughts: 🎧
Fleur De Wit’s narration was solid! Just a few minor breathy moments between transitions, but nothing that took away from the flow of the story. I particularly loved the sassy tone she brought to Rachel’s best friend, Anna!
August 2, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
I went into this expecting a fun, fluffy rom-com… and once again, we have been completely bamboozled. 😂 This is so much deeper than the marketing makes it seem.
At its core, this is really a story about long-term marriage, feeling unseen, and what happens when two people who’ve spent years together slowly stop seeing each other the way they once did. The characters are older, in their 40s and I actually appreciated getting a more mature perspective instead of another twenty-something romance.
Rachel’s marriage felt painfully realistic at times. One partner is content with the everyday routine while the other is quietly craving connection, validation and to feel like they still matter. Then, the second Rachel starts getting attention and confidence outside of her marriage, everything shifts. It explores insecurity, resentment, and how quickly things can unravel when communication has been missing for a long time.
Now… Matt. 🙃 I just could not get on board with him. He spent most of the book giving wet blanket energy, and by the time he finally started realizing what was happening, I was already frustrated with him. I understood what the author was trying to do, but he never really won me over.
If you’re picking this up expecting a swoony romance, I’d definitely adjust your expectations. I’d honestly shelve this as contemporary fiction with romantic elements rather than a true romance. It’s much more interested in exploring relationships and personal growth than delivering butterflies.
The ending also wasn’t my favorite. It wasn’t necessarily bad, it just wasn’t the direction I personally wanted the story to go.
Overall, I’m landing at 3.5 stars. It’s thoughtful, emotional, and definitely has more to say than the cover lets on. Just don’t go in expecting a light rom-com because this book has much heavier things on its mind.
I went into this expecting a fun, fluffy rom-com… and once again, we have been completely bamboozled. 😂 This is so much deeper than the marketing makes it seem.
At its core, this is really a story about long-term marriage, feeling unseen, and what happens when two people who’ve spent years together slowly stop seeing each other the way they once did. The characters are older, in their 40s and I actually appreciated getting a more mature perspective instead of another twenty-something romance.
Rachel’s marriage felt painfully realistic at times. One partner is content with the everyday routine while the other is quietly craving connection, validation and to feel like they still matter. Then, the second Rachel starts getting attention and confidence outside of her marriage, everything shifts. It explores insecurity, resentment, and how quickly things can unravel when communication has been missing for a long time.
Now… Matt. 🙃 I just could not get on board with him. He spent most of the book giving wet blanket energy, and by the time he finally started realizing what was happening, I was already frustrated with him. I understood what the author was trying to do, but he never really won me over.
If you’re picking this up expecting a swoony romance, I’d definitely adjust your expectations. I’d honestly shelve this as contemporary fiction with romantic elements rather than a true romance. It’s much more interested in exploring relationships and personal growth than delivering butterflies.
The ending also wasn’t my favorite. It wasn’t necessarily bad, it just wasn’t the direction I personally wanted the story to go.
Overall, I’m landing at 3.5 stars. It’s thoughtful, emotional, and definitely has more to say than the cover lets on. Just don’t go in expecting a light rom-com because this book has much heavier things on its mind.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What a fun, easy, entertaining story by LuLu Dawson. This was a perfect read for me right now between heavier novels, and this lighthearted romance was exactly what I needed. The characters were all likable, the storyline charming, and the ending nicely done. My favorite line from the book, "I could be anywhere with you and Emily but I'm nowhere without you." *sigh* Perfection.
The narrator, Fleur De Wit, did a fantastic job -- very pleasant voice and effectively distinguished her voice and tone between the different characters, I will be looking for other books she's narrated.
Two minor things to note: The young daughter, Emily, is in the midst of potty training and yet her lines in this story have her speaking like she's a 5-6 year old. Potty training happens around two, and two year olds don't speak the way Dawson has written her dialogue. This was distracting to me throughout the novel. Also, from an audio production and editing perspective, I heard a bit of background noise (pages turning?) and breathing from the narrator -- I'm an avid audiobook consumer, and this is the first time I've heard this in a book.
While I felt the book was longer than it needed to be and dragged on in certain areas, The Wrong Rom-Com is definitely a book I'd recommend to friends and other readers looking for a quick, enjoyable beach read.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.
Thank you Netgalley and Bolinda Audio for this advanced readers copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
The narrator, Fleur De Wit, did a fantastic job -- very pleasant voice and effectively distinguished her voice and tone between the different characters, I will be looking for other books she's narrated.
Two minor things to note: The young daughter, Emily, is in the midst of potty training and yet her lines in this story have her speaking like she's a 5-6 year old. Potty training happens around two, and two year olds don't speak the way Dawson has written her dialogue. This was distracting to me throughout the novel. Also, from an audio production and editing perspective, I heard a bit of background noise (pages turning?) and breathing from the narrator -- I'm an avid audiobook consumer, and this is the first time I've heard this in a book.
While I felt the book was longer than it needed to be and dragged on in certain areas, The Wrong Rom-Com is definitely a book I'd recommend to friends and other readers looking for a quick, enjoyable beach read.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.
Thank you Netgalley and Bolinda Audio for this advanced readers copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The premise of this book is so much fun. Rachel is a romance author who suddenly finds herself living out the kind of romantic trope she writes about: a meet cute in an adorable small town. The catch? She's already married, and the move was supposed to help save her relationship with her husband, Matt. It sets up a unique twist on the traditional rom-com, and I was excited to see where the story would go.
There were definitely things I enjoyed. The small town setting was charming, and the cast of quirky characters added a lot of personality to the story. As Rachel tries to navigate the unexpected turns in her life and marriage, there are some clever moments and a few genuinely funny interactions, especially between Rachel and her best friend, Anna.
Ultimately though, this one didn't quite land for me. I listened to the audiobook, and while I usually love a British narrator, this particular narration wasn't my favorite. At times it felt a bit shrill, and Anna's dialogue came across as harsher than I think was intended. I found myself wishing their friendship felt a little more openly supportive, even though they did share some heartfelt and humorous moments together.
While this wasn't the right fit for me personally, I can definitely see readers who enjoy relationship-focused rom-coms with an unconventional premise and charming small-town vibes having a good time with this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ALC!
There were definitely things I enjoyed. The small town setting was charming, and the cast of quirky characters added a lot of personality to the story. As Rachel tries to navigate the unexpected turns in her life and marriage, there are some clever moments and a few genuinely funny interactions, especially between Rachel and her best friend, Anna.
Ultimately though, this one didn't quite land for me. I listened to the audiobook, and while I usually love a British narrator, this particular narration wasn't my favorite. At times it felt a bit shrill, and Anna's dialogue came across as harsher than I think was intended. I found myself wishing their friendship felt a little more openly supportive, even though they did share some heartfelt and humorous moments together.
While this wasn't the right fit for me personally, I can definitely see readers who enjoy relationship-focused rom-coms with an unconventional premise and charming small-town vibes having a good time with this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ALC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Perfect escape to the sea romcom! This book had it all the tears, the laughs, the heart-breaking pit of stomach drop and the “aww” moments.
Thank you for the opportunity to listen to this ALC! 3.5 stars for me so rounding up to 4. The characters were so unique and entertaining I found it really easy to slip into the storyline.
This book starts off with Rachel and Matt and their adorable daughter moving to the seaside. They crave the slowdown and quietness the city doesn’t allow. It is the perfect setting to raise their daughter and for Rachel to write her book. What follows is anything but quiet or slow. In fact, Rachel soon realizes that her romantic meet cute story she is writing is starting to reflect in her own life. It is like life is conspiring against her to set her up with the local town hunk—Seth. When she moved to the town she knew what she wanted, but now things are getting messy and the only way out is to play out the story.
I really enjoyed the premise of the book and the narrator did a fantastic job. I really struggled with the likability of Matt’s character but I think the story ultimately did a great job bringing real life marriage and personal struggles together in a messy non-packaged way. Which I really am grateful for!
Thank you for the opportunity to listen to this ALC! 3.5 stars for me so rounding up to 4. The characters were so unique and entertaining I found it really easy to slip into the storyline.
This book starts off with Rachel and Matt and their adorable daughter moving to the seaside. They crave the slowdown and quietness the city doesn’t allow. It is the perfect setting to raise their daughter and for Rachel to write her book. What follows is anything but quiet or slow. In fact, Rachel soon realizes that her romantic meet cute story she is writing is starting to reflect in her own life. It is like life is conspiring against her to set her up with the local town hunk—Seth. When she moved to the town she knew what she wanted, but now things are getting messy and the only way out is to play out the story.
I really enjoyed the premise of the book and the narrator did a fantastic job. I really struggled with the likability of Matt’s character but I think the story ultimately did a great job bringing real life marriage and personal struggles together in a messy non-packaged way. Which I really am grateful for!
Did Not Finish
August 6, 2026Soft DNF at 25%
I am hoping to come back to this book in the future. I really enjoyed the narrator, but the premise is not at all what I was expecting. I think that's more of me misunderstanding the blurb than any fault of the author. I thought this was going to be a lighthearted rom-com, but it's way more serious than that. The FMC is married and yet meets a new guy when they move to the sea. I think this is supposed to be a story about falling back in love with the partner and life you have. For personal reasons, this plot line is just not something I want to read right now. I am not enjoying the conflicting feelings I have for the non-MMC(?), aka the not husband.
I know the characters will likely grow through the book, but I did not really like the husband or the best friend. The best friend especially was not what I would want in a best friend and I felt disappointed by her.
I think this is more of me needing to find this book at another time. There is nothing inherently wrong with the plot, the writing, or the narration. All are actually very good, but it's not for me at this time.
Thank you Bolinda Audio for the ALC! All opinions are my own.
I am hoping to come back to this book in the future. I really enjoyed the narrator, but the premise is not at all what I was expecting. I think that's more of me misunderstanding the blurb than any fault of the author. I thought this was going to be a lighthearted rom-com, but it's way more serious than that. The FMC is married and yet meets a new guy when they move to the sea. I think this is supposed to be a story about falling back in love with the partner and life you have. For personal reasons, this plot line is just not something I want to read right now. I am not enjoying the conflicting feelings I have for the non-MMC(?), aka the not husband.
I know the characters will likely grow through the book, but I did not really like the husband or the best friend. The best friend especially was not what I would want in a best friend and I felt disappointed by her.
I think this is more of me needing to find this book at another time. There is nothing inherently wrong with the plot, the writing, or the narration. All are actually very good, but it's not for me at this time.
Thank you Bolinda Audio for the ALC! All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What a fun book. This is not a direction you see taken often and Lulu Dawson did a good job with it.
"Writer Rachel loves dreaming up happy endings and controlling her characters' lives, while her superstitious husband Matt believes everything happens for a reason. So when Rachel decides they need a happy new beginning, she gives fate a helping hand and makes risk-averse Matt believe a move to the seaside 250 miles away is written in the stars.
To begin with, her plan works brilliantly ... until fate bites back.
Rachel's manipulation seems to have set a different version of their story in motion, plunging them into a full-throttle rom-com makeover, including a Hollywood meet-cute with new love interest Seth. Except she doesn't want it. The harder she resists, the more it seems her old life is being relegated to backstory – and husband Matt is no longer her leading man.
With only Anna, her best friend of over 30 years, to help her, Rachel must fight to find her way back home, before the love of her life walks out of it forever.
Can she escape the wrong rom-com?"
"Writer Rachel loves dreaming up happy endings and controlling her characters' lives, while her superstitious husband Matt believes everything happens for a reason. So when Rachel decides they need a happy new beginning, she gives fate a helping hand and makes risk-averse Matt believe a move to the seaside 250 miles away is written in the stars.
To begin with, her plan works brilliantly ... until fate bites back.
Rachel's manipulation seems to have set a different version of their story in motion, plunging them into a full-throttle rom-com makeover, including a Hollywood meet-cute with new love interest Seth. Except she doesn't want it. The harder she resists, the more it seems her old life is being relegated to backstory – and husband Matt is no longer her leading man.
With only Anna, her best friend of over 30 years, to help her, Rachel must fight to find her way back home, before the love of her life walks out of it forever.
Can she escape the wrong rom-com?"
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5⭐
Thank you netgalley and Bolinda audio for this ALC.
I had a long road trip and this was absolutely perfect and such a fun listen! For me, nothing is better than a rom-com set in a small village. Then add a British accent and I'm completely sold.
In this story we follow Rachel a struggling romance writer as she finds out that the "new" life she is living could actually be her next book. When Rachel convinces her husband Matt to move from the city to a seaside village in order to help her to write her next book, she instead rediscovers herself with the help of one of the locals Seth. As Rachel is falling into the groove of living this new life, her husband Matt, on the other hand, is not so sure the move was a good idea especially when circumstances start to challenge their marriage.
And not only do we have the local heartthrob and for all intents and purposes the perfect man. But we have a spicy opinionated best friend, a nosy neighbor that will surprise you, and a group of diverse wome that she meets at a weekly children's play group.
I found myself laughing and smiling throughout this whole book and really loved how the author not only tied everything together but also used famous movie lines from rom-coms within the story.
As I mentioned before this was a fun listen. I thought that narrator Fleur De Wit did a fantastic job. She narrated all the characters in such a unique way that I almost forgot it was single narration.
Thank you netgalley and Bolinda audio for this ALC.
I had a long road trip and this was absolutely perfect and such a fun listen! For me, nothing is better than a rom-com set in a small village. Then add a British accent and I'm completely sold.
In this story we follow Rachel a struggling romance writer as she finds out that the "new" life she is living could actually be her next book. When Rachel convinces her husband Matt to move from the city to a seaside village in order to help her to write her next book, she instead rediscovers herself with the help of one of the locals Seth. As Rachel is falling into the groove of living this new life, her husband Matt, on the other hand, is not so sure the move was a good idea especially when circumstances start to challenge their marriage.
And not only do we have the local heartthrob and for all intents and purposes the perfect man. But we have a spicy opinionated best friend, a nosy neighbor that will surprise you, and a group of diverse wome that she meets at a weekly children's play group.
I found myself laughing and smiling throughout this whole book and really loved how the author not only tied everything together but also used famous movie lines from rom-coms within the story.
As I mentioned before this was a fun listen. I thought that narrator Fleur De Wit did a fantastic job. She narrated all the characters in such a unique way that I almost forgot it was single narration.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Rachel and Matt made a silly folded fortune teller pact on their first getaway - by the end of 2023, they'd move to the Southwest. With only four months left, Rachel is determined to keep that promise, uprooting their family despite everyone thinking she's lost it. Secretly hoping the move will save her struggling marriage, Rachel soon discovers that fate has other plans.
This charming audiobook blends a touch of magic with a heartfelt story about love, destiny, friendship, and the importance of communication. There were some funny moments, but I found it more sweet and heartwarming than laugh out loud funny. The emotional ending was the perfect conclusion and left me with all the feels.
The narrator did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life, capturing every emotion and painting each scene so vividly that I felt completely immersed in Rachel's journey.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for the advance listening copy.
Read / listen on Release date: September 1, 2026.
This charming audiobook blends a touch of magic with a heartfelt story about love, destiny, friendship, and the importance of communication. There were some funny moments, but I found it more sweet and heartwarming than laugh out loud funny. The emotional ending was the perfect conclusion and left me with all the feels.
The narrator did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life, capturing every emotion and painting each scene so vividly that I felt completely immersed in Rachel's journey.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for the advance listening copy.
Read / listen on Release date: September 1, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Wrong Rom-Com was my first experience of Lulu Dawson's writing, and it won't be my last.
I was lucky enough to be given early access to the audiobook (thank you to Netgalley and @Bolindaaudio), and the narration was great. It added so much to the story and really brought the characters to life. I found myself completely immersed.
Without giving away any spoilers, this is a funny, heartwarming, and endearing "rom-com". It has all the charm and feel-good moments you'd hope for, along with the kind of ending every rom-com deserves.
My only slight disappointment was that I wanted a bit more from some of the supporting characters. Anna and Rachel's mum both felt like they had so much potential, and I would have loved to see their stories explored in a little more depth.
Overall, I had such a lovely time with this audiobook. It was funny, full of heart, and left me with a smile on my face. If this is anything to go by, I'll definitely be picking up more of Lulu Dawson's books in the future.
I was lucky enough to be given early access to the audiobook (thank you to Netgalley and @Bolindaaudio), and the narration was great. It added so much to the story and really brought the characters to life. I found myself completely immersed.
Without giving away any spoilers, this is a funny, heartwarming, and endearing "rom-com". It has all the charm and feel-good moments you'd hope for, along with the kind of ending every rom-com deserves.
My only slight disappointment was that I wanted a bit more from some of the supporting characters. Anna and Rachel's mum both felt like they had so much potential, and I would have loved to see their stories explored in a little more depth.
Overall, I had such a lovely time with this audiobook. It was funny, full of heart, and left me with a smile on my face. If this is anything to go by, I'll definitely be picking up more of Lulu Dawson's books in the future.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an ALC of this book from NetGalley. These thoughts and opinions are completely my own.
This was definitely a one of a kind story (which I wouldn't classify as a romance), I've never read anything like. I probably would have enjoyed it more if I wasn't worrying the whole time that the fmc would turn into a cheater.
The story premise was that because she "messed with fate" she was now being "cast" as the fmc in a rom-com (while currently married). All the situations and circumstances felt like she was going to potentially cheat, which is something I will never condone. I'm happy to report that NO cheating happened, things were just misunderstandings and the fmc was never more than friends with the guy cast as the "male romantic lead".
I listened to the audiobook and the version I was given as an ALC did not have all the breathing, drinking, lip smacking sounds edited out.
Moderate language, no spice.
This was definitely a one of a kind story (which I wouldn't classify as a romance), I've never read anything like. I probably would have enjoyed it more if I wasn't worrying the whole time that the fmc would turn into a cheater.
The story premise was that because she "messed with fate" she was now being "cast" as the fmc in a rom-com (while currently married). All the situations and circumstances felt like she was going to potentially cheat, which is something I will never condone. I'm happy to report that NO cheating happened, things were just misunderstandings and the fmc was never more than friends with the guy cast as the "male romantic lead".
I listened to the audiobook and the version I was given as an ALC did not have all the breathing, drinking, lip smacking sounds edited out.
Moderate language, no spice.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest review. 2.75 ⭐️ Fluer De Wit is a new to me narrator and she did a great job with this story.
Rachel deceives her husband Matt into believing that packing everything up and moving is meant to be. Once arrived, Rachel meets Seth and the universe seems to keep pushing them together.
I have to be honest, I didn’t really vibe with the FMC. Rachel kept saying how she trying to avoid all these happenstance encounters and compromising situations with Seth but any actions to back up that statement were nonexistent or half-assed at best. If this was more lighthearted, or on the flip side – more devastating (with a lot more grovelling), I could see enjoying this book more but unfortunately, it fell too much in the middle for me.
Rachel deceives her husband Matt into believing that packing everything up and moving is meant to be. Once arrived, Rachel meets Seth and the universe seems to keep pushing them together.
I have to be honest, I didn’t really vibe with the FMC. Rachel kept saying how she trying to avoid all these happenstance encounters and compromising situations with Seth but any actions to back up that statement were nonexistent or half-assed at best. If this was more lighthearted, or on the flip side – more devastating (with a lot more grovelling), I could see enjoying this book more but unfortunately, it fell too much in the middle for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for the audio ARC
I really enjoyed this book from start to finish. It was such a fresh and clever take on the rom-com genre, with plenty of humor, heart, and unexpected twists. Rachel is a fascinating main character she's so used to writing happy endings that she thinks she can control her own, only to discover that fate has very different plans.
The story kept me hooked as Rachel found herself trapped in the kind of romantic comedy she never wanted to be part of. I loved the balance of laugh-out-loud moments, emotional depth, and the strong friendships, especially between Rachel and Anna. The romance was sweet, but it was Rachel's journey of realizing what truly matters that made the story shine.
I really enjoyed this book from start to finish. It was such a fresh and clever take on the rom-com genre, with plenty of humor, heart, and unexpected twists. Rachel is a fascinating main character she's so used to writing happy endings that she thinks she can control her own, only to discover that fate has very different plans.
The story kept me hooked as Rachel found herself trapped in the kind of romantic comedy she never wanted to be part of. I loved the balance of laugh-out-loud moments, emotional depth, and the strong friendships, especially between Rachel and Anna. The romance was sweet, but it was Rachel's journey of realizing what truly matters that made the story shine.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book had a unique take on rom com, and I really enjoyed it. Rachel is convinced that moving her family will give them the fresh start they need, but instead she finds herself living in what feels like one of her own romance novels. I loved how the story included all of the familiar rom com tropes while also including ideas like fate and choosing the life you really want. It was really funny in some places, and I found myself laughing out loud at times. The supporting characters added so much to the story, from Rachel’s outspoken best friend to the quirky neighbors and people in the community. Overall this is such a fun, easy romance and I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Wrong Rom-Com was such a fun, feel-good read, but it also left me feeling surprisingly conflicted.
I'm really not a fan of cheating in books, so I kept waiting for her husband Matt to mess things up or for them to separate because I found myself rooting for Rachel and the Seth instead. I honestly didn't expect that!
In the end, though, I really appreciated that she chose her husband. It would have been easy to go down the predictable rom-com route, but I liked that the story stayed true to her feelings and that she was able to say, thank you, but no thank you.
I really liked the narrator who managed to give life to all the different characters.
A sweet, entertaining romance that made me question who I was rooting for, and one that stuck with me more than I expected
I'm really not a fan of cheating in books, so I kept waiting for her husband Matt to mess things up or for them to separate because I found myself rooting for Rachel and the Seth instead. I honestly didn't expect that!
In the end, though, I really appreciated that she chose her husband. It would have been easy to go down the predictable rom-com route, but I liked that the story stayed true to her feelings and that she was able to say, thank you, but no thank you.
I really liked the narrator who managed to give life to all the different characters.
A sweet, entertaining romance that made me question who I was rooting for, and one that stuck with me more than I expected
July 23, 2026
This was such a fun and entertaining listen that is such a fresh rom-com idea that delves into what happens when you mess with fate. The plot kept me hooked as Rachel finds herself trapped in a romantic comedy that she, as a married woman, does not want to be apart of.
The narration of this was really well done which added to the how entertaining this story was.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced listener copy of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The narration of this was really well done which added to the how entertaining this story was.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced listener copy of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m not even kidding when I say this book had me laughing out loud - this was such a cute funny book and the narrator did an amazing job at capturing the emotions of the character with incantation. I felt like I was listening to a hilarious story from a friend while out for drinks. If you are into contemporary romance, I highly recommend grabbing this one for some light hearted, humorous, happy ever after. This was exactly what I needed.
Thank you NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for this ALC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for this ALC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a cute and quick read, about what happens when you mess with fate. This would work great as an actual rom-com movie. I loved the imagery of moving your family to a seaside town and meeting people that are basically like characters you'd read (or write about-in regard to the MC.). The narration was good.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bolinda for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bolinda for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.
July 27, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the ALC! This book was really cute. I enjoyed it a lot. It wasn't a typical romantic comedy, and I liked the way the plot made you think it was going but it went a different way, especially because that was the way I wanted it to end. I thought the FMC's friend Anna was insufferable and selfish, but she got less annoying as the story went on.
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