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Audiobook Club

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Being a police officer in a small town doesn’t often offer up many surprises. Working the night shift means I rarely see or do much of anything that doesn’t involve a speeding vehicle, or a drunken rant. And, while quiet nights are better than deadly ones, it still takes some getting used to after living in a big city for years.

So, I’m rather shocked when I pull over a driver and find the dirtiest audiobook playing from the car speakers. And, paint me intrigued when the hot driver struggles to get the enticing words to stop broadcasting to the entire street.

The embarrassing encounter has us both lowering our guard, and I find myself a new friend, one who suggests we start our own audiobook club.

Soon, we become more than just friends as we listen and fall into stories and new worlds together and, naturally, the sexy scenes we’re listening to become a blueprint for our own experiences to try … together.

But, when life intrudes and our audiobook club breaks up, I’m left wondering if everything was just fiction, or if maybe there is something real under it all.

Can we get our happily ever after, or will it all fizzle out before it has a chance to become something permanent?

Unknown Binding

Published February 25, 2022

12 people are currently reading
144 people want to read

About the author

Jessica Frances

29 books404 followers
Reader. Author. Book Hoarder. I’m asexual. I believe in human rights. That means BIPOC and LGBT+ people matter and deserve respect and protection. Trans people exist and they deserve every right given to cis people. I believe Palestine should be free and that what is happening to them is genocide. Books are political and if you don’t like hearing that, then you’re likely on the wrong side of history. Sit in your discomfort. Banning books is barbaric and pointless. Strict gun laws save lives. Amplify important and minority voices. Keep reading. Keep learning. Keep trying to do better.

I only have facebook (which I rarely use) and instagram (which I use only slightly more). Any other social media platforms with me on them are impostors.

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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Profile Image for Carol [Goodreads Addict].
3,048 reviews25.3k followers
January 30, 2022
Audiobook Club is a stand alone, MM romance by Jessica Frances. Hold on to your hearts with this one. You’re going to meet two men with real life issues, real life insecurities and loneliness who find each other at the best possible time. And talk about a meet cute. This one is the best.



Ethan Samson is thirty one years old, is a police officer and just moved back from New York to Smithtown, Ohio to take care of his Grandmother, Esme, who has early Alzheimer’s. When Ethan left Smithtown, he left his Gram whom he dearly loved and had pretty much raised him. But he also left a lot of bad memories behind. But he does regret missing all those years with his Gram and now she needs him and there is no where he’d rather be. He’s been back about three months and is stuck on the night shift for the police department so there isn’t much going on. At any other time, he might have looked the other way when the car went past going ten miles over the limit but on this night, he’ll take any deviation from the boredom he can find. But in this case, he got a lot more than he expected!



Russell (Rus) Anderson is a chef. He landed the job as chef at the local restaurant and has decided to make Smithtown his new home, going so far as to purchase his first house. He’s exhausted from driving and is almost there, using a dirty audiobook to help keep him alert when he gets pulled over. But much to his dismay, he can’t get the thing to shut off, the volume blaring when the very good looking police officer approaches his car!



Rus and Ethan hit it off. Neither has any friends in town so their connection is instant. And Esme takes a liking to Rus as well. Ethan can’t help but wonder about the book Rus was listening to so Rus introduces him to the world of dirty audiobooks. They start listening to them together and it doesn’t take them long to start re-enacting some of the sexy scenes they listen to.

The more time these two spend together, the more intertwined their lives become. Real feelings grow stronger, and through it all, they continue to share the world of audiobooks. It’s their thing.



Ethan and Rus support one another in their daily lives, through the good and the bad. These two together are one of the cutest couples I’ve met. There are people that hold the power in Smithtown that have been there since Ethan was a boy who still enjoy making the lives of others unbearable. But how can they fight against them? And Gran’s disease is progressing, the quality time with her becoming less and less. Still, these two find happiness together, finding something with each other neither has ever experienced before.

I both smiled so much with these two but my heart also broke. At the beginning of this book, the author warns us of the content which could be difficult for some readers. As well as the real life difficulties of caring for someone you love with Alzheimer’s. But through everything, they continued to find strength and happiness together.



I have to add here, first, that I am so in love with their friend, Julian. He was so funny but there also seems to be a story there that I’d love to hear. And also, those glorious epilogues. There are three of them and when I finished the final one, you couldn’t wipe the huge smile off my face. Are parts of this book painful? Yes. But it’s also silly, sweet, so sexy, and just a wonderful book. Thank you again to Jessica Frances for introducing me to characters that will continue to live in my heart for a very long time.

For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...

Profile Image for Lori R..
1,411 reviews71 followers
February 6, 2022
LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED!!!

5+ stars!
This book was all sorts of amazing!!! I’m not sure any words I write in my review will do this story justice. Not only did it deal with sensitive, painful and real topics, but it was also full of so much heart and love and goodness and happiness.

The way Ethan and Russell meet had to be one of the best meet-cutes ever! It was hilarious and charming and just plain adorable!!

Ethan and Russell’s connection was immediate and it was strong. Both were baffled by the way they so easily flirted and had fun and could be themselves, all within a matter of minutes after meeting.

If someone would’ve seen me reading this book, they’d have witnessed a big ol’ goofy grin on my face during most of it. The relationship these two had made me swoon hard, gave me all the warm fuzzies, and gave me the heart-eyes.

Watching their friendship grow was fun and heartwarming. Watching their audiobook club meetings happen was entertaining. And seeing their love get bigger and bigger was a beautiful thing.

I must add - as much as I love and adore Ethan and Russell, I believe Esme sometimes stole the show. There’s no way to read this story and not fall hard for her. She stole a piece of my heart with her humor, sass, and insight….and her insistence on Ethan and Russell hooking up.

I experienced so many emotions during this story. I was sometimes afraid to turn the pages, yet I didn’t want to stop reading. It was so perfectly penned…all of the tension, the love, the hate, the pain, the REALNESS. All of it written to make the reader understand, to experience, to feel. And I did.

It was original, sometimes heartbreaking, and it was raw and real. The author wrote about sensitive topics and they were handled with the utmost care and love.

I just wanted to jump into the pages and give some big hugs and words of encouragement and then more hugs. And I also wanted to throat punch some people. Disgust and loathing are mild words for how I felt about the bullies in this story.

The author gives detailed trigger warnings, so be sure to read those.

This is on Amazon from the author:
Content/Trigger Warning: Coarse language, sexual situations between two men, homophobic language, police intimidation, and racism. For a more detailed list, click on the Look Inside feature where the cover is situated.

But don’t worry, Ms. Frances gives us the happy ending we all need. If I had to describe this book in one word, it would be POWERFUL.
Profile Image for Jacquie Stewart.
2,640 reviews74 followers
February 19, 2022
Not going to lie, this was a surprise hit for me. I knew pretty early on that I was loving it.
The first interaction is a proper meet cute with a side of embarrassment and humour. Their connection moves swiftly and there is a sprinkling of steam throughout. I loved how the audiobooks were used and the scenes from them "copied."
There are scenes of homophobia and racial abuse on page and references to past abuse.
I really enjoyed the epilogue(s) so that we get to see not only the main couple, but other characters get their HEA. Which was great since I became quite invested in some of the side characters.
Loved the humour, loved the connection and the story.
Profile Image for My Own Bookshelves.
717 reviews136 followers
January 24, 2022
I love Jessica Frances's writing. She has magic that makes you invested in the main characters, people, and places they live. Russell and Ethan are not looking for a relationship. Each has busy lives - one caring for an elderly family member and the other starting a new job in a new state. A relationship is not on the books. Yet one hilarious meet-cute later...

Sidebar: If you have ever listened to an audiobook and accidentally got your earbuds pulled out in the middle of a sex scene on the commute, you can SO relate and laugh at this.

But what they are - made for each other. They find someone to connect with. Share the deeper wishes and fears they haven't had but not everything is roses.

What I loved about the story:
- Esme stole the show. Although her character is funny, she had some real world reasoning in those sitdowns.
- Although this story deals with some very serious subject matters, the author didn't pull it out. Was it heartbreaking? Yes. Did I have a rapid pulse rate? Yes. But the story moved so fluidly that recovery from the angst was swift.
- I am not sure who I loved more. Russell and Ethan were equally endearing and watching them fall in love was a joy.

What to consider:
I need to talk about triggers. These may be hard for some to read. Ms. Frances outlines from the start going in the content warning. But she deals with the subject matters with class and uses these themes to move the story for the characters and not for drama's sake.

I loved the Midsummer series and characters. But they all need to move aside. This was truly a magical story that I highly encourage anyone who loves humor, mixed in with compassionate characters living and loving.

5++ stars and a personal favorite. Recommendation: Read it
Profile Image for Rain.
2,592 reviews21 followers
March 13, 2022
A really sweet m/m romance with excellent side characters, but didn't have enough character depth to make the story stick.
"Once upon a time, there was an incredibly sexy cop who pulled over the hottest chef in town."
Have you ever been listening to a particularly steamy part of an audiobook and wondered how horrible would it be if suddenly others could hear what you were listening to??! One evening Ethan pulls over a car going 10 miles over the speed limit. As he's walking to the car, he hears multiple male voices. When Russel rolls down the window, the sex scene from his audiobook is playing through his car speakers and he can't turn it off.

I really liked the ideas in this story, but it felt a bit juvenile at times? I can't quite explain why it didn't quite work for me. There is a really stupid argument near the end and that solidified my feelings of the overall story.

TW: homophobia, racism, bullying
Profile Image for Mari  Cardenas.
2,293 reviews28 followers
March 4, 2022
4.5 Stars!

Ethan and Russell were meant to be! From the way they met—and boy if that isn't one of my nightmare scenarios come true, LOL—to them bonding through their mutual love for audiobooks, taking care of Ethan's grandmother, and Russell feeding Ethan leftovers from the pub he worked at, it was no wonder they fell for one another so fast. Their attraction was instant and it just bloomed with every single interaction. 

Esme, Ethan's grandma, was a riot, and I adored her to pieces. and I really liked seeing Julian and Shane's romance in the background, although now I want their book. *sends pleading look to Ms. Frances*

I absolutely loved this steamy romance with audiobooks bringing them together. It was fun and steamy, but it also deals with some heavy themes, seeing as Esme has early-onset Alzheimer's, and Ethan and Russell have to deal with racism and homophobia from a police chief and his nephew, who thankfully got what was coming to them. If those aren't a deal-breaker for you, I totally recommend this book to you, you won't regret picking it up. 

*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
Profile Image for Fay MMBookworm.
3,081 reviews66 followers
March 1, 2022
4.5 stars💞 I think this is a new author for me with this book.
Oh an a hilarious start to the book that I cracked up laughing ie as it's mentioned in the blurb.lol poor embarrassing guys as an Audible book play on the cars stereo. I loved the teasing banter right from the start as they meet.
Warning. Beds and ceilings are harmed in this book lol
The story progresses and there's more to Ethan's story that's hinted at by Ethan's friend. Ethan mum, Gran is a cheeky one with the boys but they'res a sadness that a diagnosis of dementia. This being a police officer story there is storylines of death and grief included. Police abuse on Ethan and I really didn't like his boss. homophobic and racist feature too. This has time jumps forward, at some scenes you miss some of the story.
A great finish to the book with some drama happening for a HEA ending.
sexy scenes and towns people having the last laugh on some bad cops.
Ethan is 31 yrs and back in his home town from the city to work as a cop to care for his mother.
Russell is to be the new cook at the pub.

*also reviewed on my blog
Profile Image for Jerri.
723 reviews4 followers
February 27, 2022
I can’t think of a better opening for a book! It’s hysterical, had me snort laughing until I woke up the bf. The characters are amazing! I wish Esme was my grandma. That sense of humor, the lack of filters, she’s perfect.
The two MCs might almost suffer by comparison, but they don’t. Ethan and Russell are so sweet. I usually prefer the guys to jump right into the hot stuff, but I actually love the way they teased themselves and each other with their books. It really was very nice.
It’s a great read with just the right amount a conflict. Well done!
Profile Image for Heather MMRomanceReviewed.
1,734 reviews86 followers
February 28, 2022
I love a good meet-cute and I have to say that an officer of the law interrupting a rather loud audiobook sex scene is probably one of the top meet cutes I've read... add in Ethan's grandmother and the adorable Russell and you have a winner...

However, be warned, this book is not without angst, homophobia and racism, but the author deals with it in a way that brings all three bonus epilogues together to create a HEA as good as the meet-cute.

Audiobook Club was a fast and sweet read, with a good build up to their relationship and a strong plotline that kept me engaged.

Profile Image for Cathy Brockman.
Author 5 books95 followers
February 27, 2022

I love this author and it’s been a while since I read one of her books so I was excited.
I expected it to be good but I was blown away!
I read it all in one setting it was so good.
Ethan is a thirty one year old gay black man that came back from New York about three months ago to be with his grandmother that raised him that is diagnosed with early stages of Alzheimer’s. He works the graveyard shift and one night pulls over a speeder.
He is shocked at what the man is listening to and learns it’s a MM erotic romance.

Russel is a chef and making himself a new home in Smithtown. He got the job at a local pub and bought his first house. He was mortified when he got pulled over and his radio wouldn’t shut off.

I could go on and on but no spoilers!
I loved all the characters especially Ethan’s Gran. She was a hoot!
There is a bit of drama in the book with a homophobic and racist chief and other officers. There is homophobia, violence, racism, bullying if that is a trigger for you, you may want to skip but it’s well written. There’s also quite a bit of sex also well written.
I’d love to know about some of these audiobooks. If real they should be listed lol!
I loved the three epilogues.!it was like three little short stories so if you usually skip epilogues I suggest you read these.
I highly recommend this if your looking for a story with lots of feels and some great entertainment and a sweet romance with some heat!
443 reviews7 followers
February 25, 2022
What I liked:

• The 3 epilogue
• Likeable MCs

What I had issues with:

• The resolution of the racism and homophobia plot. The verbal abuse was extensive and sometimes graphic in parts but when it came to the culprits being punished it was all off page. Disappointing.
• Russell not telling Ethan about the fire - out of character and contrived for the inevitable 85% break up.

Just didn't work for me. Haven't really enjoyed this author's other work I've read either.

Another one bites the dust.
Profile Image for Jenn .
196 reviews4 followers
April 12, 2022
nice but too long

The premise was great, but there just wasn’t enough of it. There were so many outside issues that the whole love story kind of got lost. I found myself skipping over a lot of it and just skimming to see where it ended up. It just kept going and going and it wasn’t necessary. Then the three epilogues were overkill. I liked the book fine but it just needed tightened up a bit.
Profile Image for DLB2572.
3,257 reviews26 followers
June 14, 2022
Cute Story With A Little Drama

This is a sweet story of Russell and Ethan and their relationship that develops after they meet as Russell is moving to town. The friendship that follows builds quickly around the audiobooks they listen to together. There is also some drama surrounding caring for Ethan's grandmother as well as homophobic issues so please be aware. These issues do not take away from the story being worth reading though.
Profile Image for Annie.
1,715 reviews26 followers
March 8, 2022
4.5 stars

Great reads like Audiobook Club are what keep me trying new-to-me authors. I really enjoyed this story. I loved how it offered the reader so much—wonderful characters, fun banter, good rom-com moments, a bit of angst, and some incredibly steamy moments.

The meet-cute in Audiobook Club had me laughing and secondarily embarrassed on Russell and Ethan's behalf. I think anyone who's enjoyed audiobooks will empathize and appreciate the moment. I loved how this meeting facilitated the start of Ethan and Russell's relationship and remained such a core component of their romance. And of course, I appreciated all the steamy scenes built around the couple listening to their favorite romances together. Russell and Ethan had such an even-keeled progression to their relationship. Though some moments moved forward suddenly, I thought the overall pacing of this story was really good and I enjoyed the way the relationship developed and deepened over the course of the book.

I enjoyed Audiobook Club right from the start. However, when I began the book, I definitely had the impression it would maintain a steamy and lighthearted tone throughout. Therefore, I was a little surprised when it took a turn to reveal a couple serious subplots to go alongside the fun and flirty romance. The plotline detailing Ethan's treatment by his coworkers surprised me with its ferocity, but I think this element and Ethan's struggles to care for his lovely grandmother ended up balancing the story beautifully. This was truly a case of the difficult moments making the sweet, fun, and happy times shine that much brighter.

If you are looking for a good story with a lot of heart, some good humor, and a nice dose of heat, I'd highly recommend Audiobook Club.

*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
Profile Image for Sophie Viney.
8 reviews
March 5, 2024
I really enjoyed this read right from the very beginning, the meeting made me laugh out loud and I was totally drawn in. There are some moments in the novel where I felt so happy for them, though they had some issues to overcome (who doesn’t?)
Thoroughly enjoyable, definitely recommend this one.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews

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