Tag: audible originals

Book Review: Better Luck Next Time by Cara Bastone

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Rating: ★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance + Magical Realism
Length: 4.5 hour audiobook
Author: Cara Bastone
Publisher: Audible Originals
Release Date: May 15th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Two frenemies find a surprising second chance in this timeslip rom-com, starring Mae Whitman ( Parenthood ), Colin Woodell ( The Flight Attendant ), and a full cast.

Mona and Duncan used to be best friends. Now they can’t stand each other. Too bad that’s not a good enough excuse to miss their two families’ annual trip to the cabin. But things get really complicated when they accidentally drive through a wormhole together on the way. Look what playing nice and carpooling gets you.

Now they’re stranded indoors by an epic storm and stuck in an alternate timeline where things are just slightly … off. Duncan and his dad aren’t speaking for reasons no one knows, Mona’s mom doesn’t like her hair or her career choices, and their siblings are meddlesome as ever.

Oh, yeah, and apparently they’re going through a divorce. Which means that in this universe they are married. To each other.

All they can really do is play along until they figure out how to get back to the real timeline. How hard can it be—they already hate each other, don’t they? But figuring out how exactly Mona and Duncan managed to fall epically in love with one another—and then break each other’s hearts—is easier said than done. Navigating all these big feelings is leading to new ones, but are they destined to hurt each other in any universe? And what happens to this new relationship when they’re back to their old lives?

YEAH, NO.

This was one of those short romances where I am convinced that there is no way the couple made it past the epilogue. You can not make me think otherwise.

The magical realism/sci-fi-ish element didn’t bug me. It’s a quirk to the story that was fine. I thought that helped both of the leads have some growth and acknowledgement of feelings. There were some banter moments that were cute.

But, the love scenes were super cringey and I honestly thought that Mona and Duncan hated each other. And not in the cute enemies to lovers way. Unfortunately not my favorite Bastone book.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance / Magical realism
  • Language: low
  • Romance: vague open door
  • Violence: low

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Book Review: The Tempest Blade (The Bridge Kingdom #6) by Danielle L. Jensen

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 26 hrs
Author: Danielle L. Jensen
Publisher: Audible Originals
Release Date: October 9th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The heart-pounding finale to the USA Today bestselling Bridge Kingdom series.

A fugitive on the run, Ahnna has one return to Ithicana with warning of the greatest threat her homeland has ever faced. But as she escapes into the wilderness, it is with the man who broke her heart hunting at her heels—and James wants more than justice. He wants revenge.

Desperate to prove his loyalty to his family, James ventures into dangerous territory to capture his father’s killer. But the longer he follows Ahnna’s trail, the more his certainty of her guilt is tested—and the more the passion they once shared reignites.

As schemes twist tighter and war brews, Ahnna and James discover that the enemy isn’t each other—it is the masterminds manipulating them both in pursuit of power. Yet their greatest obstacle remains, because their loyalties are to opposing sides in the battle to come. As the storms of the Tempest Seas lower their defenses, James and Ahnna must choose where their hearts on the battlefield, or in each other’s arms.

BEST DANG CONCLUSION I COULD HAVE IMAGINED.

Tis no surprise, I am a DLJ stan. Easily one of my top five favorite fantasy authors WITH GOOD REASON Y’ALL. The first two books in this series are a duo I reread practically every year and I can declare that this is number three on my favorite list for this series. BECAUSE OMG.

I’m so happy that we got all the POV’s!!!! It felt epic and enhanced and getting every nuanced angle from all of the powerful players of this series was exactly what the ending needed. I was shocked that I barely noticed this book was 26 hours long. Every page has depth and is packed with action and longing and begging for everything to end up okay.

DLJ writes fantastic twists and intense scenes. The emotions I am forcibly put through are exactly what my dreams are made of when I pick up a book like this. MAKE ME FEEL SOMETHING.

Anyways, I’m obsessed with every character, every love story, and literally every single thing about this book. DO NOT PASS THIS SERIES UP. IT IS COMPLETE. YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE NOW.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 3-4ish open door
  • Violence: high
  • Content warnings: war themes and loss of life, a baby nearly drowns, near death experiences, animal attacks

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Book Review: Maybe This Time by Cara Bastone

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 5h 45 min audiobook
Author: Cara Bastone
Publisher: Audible Originals
Release Date: May 2nd, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Finding true love is only a matter of time in this heartfelt and hilarious romantic comedy, starring Zoë Chao (The Afterparty), Noah Reid (Schitt’s Creek), and a full cast!

Romance can be a little complicated when you get sucked into a wormhole. Just ask high school English teacher June Flint. One little solar flare happens and suddenly you find yourself 85 years in the future. Eighty-five years from your dream job. Your ailing mother whose only companion in this world is you. Your favorite stuffed-crust pizza from DeLucia’s on Sunday nights.

But when June’s cell phone inexplicably picks up a signal, she’s able to call back to the present—more specifically, four weeks before she accidentally time traveled. Problem is, the phone can only call one number: her work nemesis, gym teacher Mikey Shannon.

Now future June must help Mikey befriend present-day June to keep her from disappearing. But present-day June doesn’t even want to be in the same room as Mikey, let alone become besties. And Mikey isn’t exactly…talkie. Yet he’s spending hours a day with future June on the phone, and even more time trying to befriend present-day June. Volunteering with June at school, check. Facing his fear of roller coasters to make June smile, check. Adopting a puppy and letting her name it. Check.

But what does succeeding in the present mean for future June, and for the serious feelings she and Mikey are starting to catch for one another? Stopping time travel is one thing—but can they stop themselves from falling in love?

FUN AND QUIRKY.

I’ve come to really enjoy Cara Bastone’s audiobooks. They are fun and light and bring a smile to my face. I thought the concept of this one was unique and brought in a bunch of quirks that worked for the story being told.

I liked the dynamic between Mikey and June. Their phone calls were sweet and I loved the way they go to know each other on different levels and at different times. Things came together exactly as they should and this is a quick read if you’re needing something new to listen to.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: low
  • Romance: kisses

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Book Review: How to Lose a Guy Before Christmas by A.J. Pine

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Contemporary Holiday Romance
Length: 5 hrs 24 mins
Author: AJ Pine
Publisher: Audible Originals
Release Date: November 16th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A steamy, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy about mistakes we make and the chances we take on the road to love.

After a snowstorm grounds her flight, Lucy makes a last-ditch effort to get home for Christmas using a rideshare app. She thinks she’ll be taking a road trip with a stranger…but the guy who shows up is someone she knows all too well. He’s the hookup she ghosted a few months ago, and now she’ll be stuck in a car with him for the most awkward road trip of her life.

Making matters worse, he’s even more gorgeous than she remembers—too bad things between them are frostier than the North Pole. Will the long ride home allow them to get to know each other in surprising new ways? And more importantly, will the season warm things up and send sparks flying yet again? Whatever happens, one thing is clear: It’s going to take a whole lot of Christmas magic to unlock their guarded hearts.

IT WAS CUTE.

This was a cute and fast read from Audible. Picked it up on a whim and it’s a good holiday listen. A small town full of odd eccentricities and Christmas cheer.

I liked the second chance vibes and that there was some good communication (though the third act kind of took away from that). I don’t have any intense feelings about this, just a good and simple read.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Holiday Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: 2-3 open
  • Violence: low

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