Romance Audiobooks discussion

What books have you listened to that were just okay or you liked but has issues? A brief explanation or a link to your review would be helpful, including your thoughts on the narration.

I finished Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, and was unfortunately underwhelmed. A lot of my Goodreads friends loved it, so I'm definitely in the minority. The narration by Rebecca Soler was okay, not great.

The story ends on a cliffhanger, and I'm not sure I care enough to continue the series. If I do, I'll pick up the ebook instead of the audiobook.

KathyB wrote: "I finished Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, and was unfortunately underwhelmed. A lot of my Goodreads friends loved it, so I'm definitely in the minori..."

Sorry to hear that Kathy. I've seen a lot of negatives about the audio narration on FB groups. It was said that it was being rerecorded to fix it, because according to what I read she sounded like she had a cold or something.

I haven't read it yet, but I was planning to listen to the audio version. Hopefully, it won't be as bad when I speed it up.

The library queue for the audiobook is horrendous! I have it on my wishlist so it’s disappointing to see you were underwhelmed (we tend to have similar book tastes!).

Shan ~A~ wrote: "KathyB wrote: "I finished Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, and was unfortunately underwhelmed. A lot of my Goodreads friends loved it, so I'm definitel..."

I hope it's better for you, it was a chore for me to finish. I wasn't a fan of the narrator, and it wasn't really an issue with her sounding like she had a cold. The begining and end were compelling, but the middle fell flat. It's almost 21 hours, so I was relieved when it finally ended. Audible shows that the same narrator will be used on the next book (Iron Flame), so I think I'll pass on the audio.

Jonetta wrote: "The library queue for the audiobook is horrendous! I have it on my wishlist so it’s disappointing to see you were underwhelmed (we tend to have similar book tastes!)."

My local library released it the same day I requested, so I immediately got the loan. That's rare, I was surprised to get it so quickly!

It may be a narrator preference, I was bored about halfway through. A narrator can make or break a story for me, so hopefully it's just me.

2.5 stars rounded up. Underwhelming.

I finished listening to In the Likely Event by Rebecca Yarros and liked it but the it took longer to develop than necessary.
my review

My first book of 2024 and it didn't live up to my expectations. The main problem is that I felt that the adults came across as much younger than they were stated to be and that annoyed me to no end.
Besides that it was a new to me narrator (author also) and I thought she was good. Krysta Gonzalas



Rated 2 stars

Jonetta wrote: "I finished listening to In the Likely Event by Rebecca Yarros and liked it but the it took longer to develop than necessary.
my review
[bookcover:In the Likely Ev..."

Good to know! It's on my TBR list, but as a maybe. 🤔🤔

I was just expecting something different after that exciting beginning. It went in another direction.

Gotcha gotcha

I read Christmas books through Twelfth Night so just finishing Christmas time reading. Not going to list them all but most were "Meh" except for older ones and ones that were mystery, paranormal, and so on. The romance and romantic comedy were too much alike. To an extent decent narrators saved them but there's only so much even the best narrators can do.

I finished listening to In the Weeds by B.K. Borison, Lovelight #2, and though it was missing the magic of the first book, I still liked it.
my review

Seasonal Paranormal and Fantasy Romance series by Amelia Shaw
These were not my thing. Mixed reviews and ratings by others. I gave them 2* because they weren't badly written and had interesting characters but the magical universe was essentially 1960's Bewitched and Happy Ever After was tainted (see spoilers).
Halloween Promises: Paranormal Romance
(view spoiler)[family of MaleMainCharacter does little to nothing to protect him and FemaleMainCharacter from his toxic entitled cruel mother when couple are teens or adults (hide spoiler)]
A Magical Christmas
(view spoiler)[When a Santa's fated mate Mrs. Claus becomes pregnant (they have one child, always male, next Santa) couple become mortal, start aging and eventually die together (hide spoiler)]
Cupid's Love
(view spoiler)[Love 'angels' unlike other 'angels' are forbidden to become loving couples, they can have one night stand hook-ups but no love. Only way they can be together is to fall to earth from their above clouds home without using their wings becoming mortal with nothing except what they are wearing. Good thing, magically human helper detects them arrive with OTC pain killers, water, food, arrange for room, clothes, ID, etc. (hide spoiler)]

I finished listening to Everywhere You Look by Liv Constantine, Never Tell Collection #1, and it was entertaining but won’t be all that memorable.
my review

I read/listened to Bride for my book club. When I first started I couldn't stand the narrator. I decided to start reading it instead and got interested in the storyline a bit but then I ran out of time so I decided to borrow the audiobook again.

I got through it and now I think my comments are more about the book itself than the audiobook, but even though I liked the mystery, the book seemed more about world-building than a good romance and I thought that Lowe got away with being the worst "mate" in the world and got everything he wanted without having to really do anything for it.

I'm sure Hazelwood is going to create other books in this series but I am out - if I wanted to read a mystery I would do so. I want romance, not a one sided relationship where the FMC continues to be used as either a pawn or controlled by those around her.

Elspeth wrote: "I read/listened to Bride for my book club. When I first started I couldn't stand the narrator. I decided to start reading it instead and got interested in the storyline a bit but t..."

I actually ended up enjoying it but not for the romance portion of it as much as the mystery and world-building. What I enjoyed more than anything is her explanation of the lore.

I listened to Game, Set, Match and it may be good to someone else but I didn't like any of the characters except for Jessica and Nick. And the narrator made the heroine's voice so annoying. I know it didn't have to be that way since she voice everyone and no one else annoyed me as much as she did.

A Dash of Salt and Pepper
by Kosoko Jackson

I was expecting romantic comedy but this didn't feel like one. Even though it has things I liked and found humorous in other books I didn't love this.

The book is first person, Xavier POV. Xavier, we know you hate being back in your home town and hate where you are in life, quit harping on it. This isn't a Hallmark movie - oh, wait, now that I think about it, it sort of is, if Hallmark ever did a gay romance with mixed race couple and not Christmas.

An occasional chapter from Logan might have helped. Age gap when both are adults isn't usually an issue for me but Xavier comes off as New Adult type character. He's essentially grad school student and Logan is a business owner with a teen daughter. They are at different points in life and I didn't have any faith for the future in how those differences were resolved.

I think if this were shorter it might have worked for me. I didn't hate it but felt like it went on and on. In print instead of audio I would have skimmed most of it.

ETA: I find the everybody has to drink together as part of work culture offensive. I have friends and family who for cultural, religious, or medical reasons don't drink. No one should have to drink or get drunk to be accepted.

I finished listening to Jackrabbit Skin by Ivy Pochoda, Never Tell Collection #5, and while the writing is superb, it wasn’t my cuppa.
my review

I finished listening to The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton and despite incredible world building, the narrator ruined the listening experience.
my review

I finished listening to One Big Happy Family by Jamie Day, a truly over the top locked room mystery.
my review

I finished listening to Fatal Threat by Marie Force and it wasn’t better the second time around.
my review

I finished listening to Merry Ever After by Tessa Bailey, Under the Mistletoe Collection #2, and it’s a lovely story with too much spice.
my review

Christmas on Mistletoe Lane
by Annie Rains
narrated by Chelsea Hatfield and Neill Thorne

First book in Sweetwater Springs series. While I liked the narration the book was meh. The main characters had potential but while the romance came to HEA too much was unresolved. The secondary characters have books so maybe everything gets resolved later in series.

I was reading this as light read because other book I was reading had main character who was survivor of sexual assault. Bad choice. (view spoiler)[Female main character in this book fought off attacker but lost her job because he was important client. No justice in this book. (hide spoiler)]

Frustrating that this is only book in series library has in audio or ebook. Think the others they have are first books in other series.

Just One Kiss
by Sophie Love
Narrator Samantha Sherratt

Promos say romance. I'd call it women's fiction.

The narrator made this an easy listen so that's a plus.

The first third or so of the book is old life and why she needs to leave it behind. Felt like real story didn't get started until about 40% and even then it's getting started on new life not romance.

ETA
Been thinking about it.
This was supposed to be fun "with series of laugh-out-loud events" none of which made me laugh. I'm unwilling to read four more books to finish story when I merely tolerated beginning.

I finished listening to The Good Bride by Jen Marie Wiggins and it’s a really slow burn with a nice payoff.
my review

I finished listening to Merriment and Mayhem by Alexandria Bellefleur, Under the Mistletoe #4, and it’s a unique meet cute.
my review

I finished listening to Only Santas in the Building by Alexis Daria, Under the Mistletoe #5, and it’s a cute story despite the steamy ending.
my review

I finished listening to Lost by Michael Robotham, Joseph O’Loughlin #2, and liked it, didn’t love it.
my review

I finished listening to A Five-Letter Word for Love by Amy James and the interplay with Wordle was cute.
my review

I finished listening to The Sublet by Greer Hendricks, a clever little short story.
my review

I finished listening to The Skydivers by Chris Bohjalian, Alibis Collection #4, and nothing was as it seemed.
my review

I finished listening to Lead Me Knot by S.L. Scott, Peachtree Pass #2, and it was not without issues but I still enjoyed.
my review

I'm about 15% into Denim & Diamonds. I'm not sure if I will be abe to finish it. I normally like this author and narrator duo, but I'm not liking the story so far.

Hope you can hang in there and it gets better.

, one of those books that rouse too much emotions of injustice, protectiveness, anger at abusers. It is important for books like these for they remind us...but really, we need hugs after the last word!