
The Improbable Meet-Cute
Six Short Rom-Coms to Warm Your Heart
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About this listen
What makes love stick? Is it the irresistible spark when you lock eyes across a piazza in Rome? Is it feeling the earth move under your feet? (Wait—that was an actual earthquake.) In these six serendipitous short stories, bestselling authors turn improbable first encounters into hopelessly romantic happy ever afters.
The Exception to the Rule by Christina Lauren
On February 14, an accidental email to a stranger opens the door to an unexpected relationship in a captivating short story by the New York Times bestselling authors of The Unhoneymooners.
Worst Wingman Ever by Abby Jimenez
They’re falling in love, yet they’ve never met. Maybe fate can intervene in a heartwarming “what-if” short story about new beginnings by the New York Times bestselling author of Yours Truly.
Rosie and the Dreamboat by Sally Thorne
For a hopeful and hopeless romantic, it’s love at first sight—with a little twist—in a hilarious short story about finding Mr. Right by the USA Today bestselling author of The Hating Game.
Drop, Cover, and Hold on by Jasmine Guillory
It takes nothing less than a fateful natural disaster to throw two opposites together in a ground-shakingly charming short story by the New York Times bestselling author of Drunk on Love.
With Any Luck by Ashley Poston
Every person she kisses finds their true love, and it’s never her—until now, in this funny and magically romantic short story by the New York Times bestselling author of The Dead Romantics.
Royal Valentine by Sariah Wilson
Valentine’s Day becomes a Roman holiday for a princess in disguise in a dizzyingly romantic short story about making wishes come true by the USA Today bestselling author of The Chemistry of Love.
©2024 The Exception to the Rule © 2024 by Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. Worst Wingman Ever © 2024 by Abby Jimenez. Rosie and the Dreamboat © 2024 by Sally Thorne. Drop, Cover, and Hold On © 2024 by Jasmine Guillory. With Any Luck © 2024 by Ashley Poston. Royal Valentine © 2024 by Sariah Wilson. (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.You may also enjoy...
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The Fall Risk
- A Short Story
- Written by: Abby Jimenez
- Narrated by: Julia Whelan, Connor Crais
- Length: 1 hr and 48 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
It’s Valentine’s Day weekend, and Charlotte and Seth are not looking for romance. Armed with emotional-support bear spray, Charlotte is in self-imposed isolation and on guard from men. Having a stalker can do that to a person’s nerves. Just across the hall and giving off woodsy vibes is Seth, a recently divorced arborist. As in today recently. Heights, he’s fine with. Trust? Not so much.
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Hit the spot!
- By Hilary McClinton on 2025-07-30
Written by: Abby Jimenez
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Nevermore Bookstore
- Townsend Harbor, Book 1
- Written by: Kerrigan Byrne, Cynthia St. Aubin
- Narrated by: Teddy Hamilton, Stella Hunter
- Length: 9 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Cadence "Cady" Bloomquist knows two things for sure: First, shelving books at her shop, Nevermore Bookstore, totally counts as cardio. Second, staying late every Thursday night to take a certain mysterious customer's order is not the same as waiting by the phone for some man. Until the calls with the man who identifies himself only as "Fox" last for hours, and become the highlight of her week. Which leaves her to wonder, if his velvet voice can kindle her fire over the phone, what sort of alchemy might it inspire if they met in person?
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Beautiful, funny, and swoon-worthy.
- By Jax on 2025-02-04
Written by: Kerrigan Byrne, and others
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Worst Wingman Ever
- The Improbable Meet-Cute Collection
- Written by: Abby Jimenez
- Narrated by: Andi Arndt, Zachary Webber
- Length: 1 hr and 17 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Holly is dealing with the impending death of her grandmother and still reeling from a bad breakup. One bright spot: a Valentine’s Day card on Holly’s windshield—even if it wasn’t meant for her. An amusing mistake soon turns into a lovely exchange of anonymous notes, little acts of kindness, and a growing affection between two strangers. What happens when one of them has to say goodbye?
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Loved it
- By Asim on 2024-09-01
Written by: Abby Jimenez
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The Layover
- Written by: Lacie Waldon
- Narrated by: Jorjeana Marie
- Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
After 10 years as a flight attendant, Ava Greene is poised to hang up her wings and finally put down roots. She's got one trip left before she bids her old life farewell, and she plans to enjoy every second of it. But then, she discovers that former pilot Jack Stone - the absurdly gorgeous, ridiculously cocky man she's held a secret grudge against for year - is on her flight. And he has the nerve to flirt with her, as if he doesn't remember the role he played in the most humiliating night of her life. Good thing she never has to see him again after they land....
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Amazing
- By KayA on 2022-09-14
Written by: Lacie Waldon
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Bridesmaid for Hire
- Written by: Meghan Quinn
- Narrated by: Erin Mallon, Jason Clarke
- Length: 13 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
After years of working her tail off at her event-planning business, Maggie Mitchell is ready for a vacation. With nothing on her mind but R & R, she’s enjoying the warm weather of Bora Bora when in saunters Brody McFadden, her brother’s best friend and also her sworn enemy. Thanks to years of tension between the two—kicked off by a make-out session at her brother’s wedding that ended horribly—Maggie has sworn to stay away from the man. That is, until she finds out he’s in Bora Bora for his boss’s daughter’s wedding, hoping to use the trip to win a real future at the company.
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Amazing!!
- By Jade Forbeck on 2025-07-07
Written by: Meghan Quinn
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In a New York Minute
- Written by: Kate Spencer
- Narrated by: Amanda Dolan, Neil Hellegers
- Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Franny Doyle is having the worst day. She’s been laid off from her (admittedly mediocre) job, the subway doors ripped her favorite silk dress to ruins, and now she’s flashed her unmentionables to half of lower Manhattan. On the plus side, a dashing stranger came to her rescue with his (Gucci!) suit jacket. On the not-so-plus side, he can’t get away from her fast enough. Worse yet? Someone posted their (entirely not) meet-cute online. Suddenly Franny and her knight-in-couture, Hayes Montgomery III, are the newest social media sensation, and all of New York is shipping #SubwayQTs.
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Loved it!
- By Amazon Customer on 2023-06-28
Written by: Kate Spencer
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The Fall Risk
- A Short Story
- Written by: Abby Jimenez
- Narrated by: Julia Whelan, Connor Crais
- Length: 1 hr and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It’s Valentine’s Day weekend, and Charlotte and Seth are not looking for romance. Armed with emotional-support bear spray, Charlotte is in self-imposed isolation and on guard from men. Having a stalker can do that to a person’s nerves. Just across the hall and giving off woodsy vibes is Seth, a recently divorced arborist. As in today recently. Heights, he’s fine with. Trust? Not so much.
-
-
Hit the spot!
- By Hilary McClinton on 2025-07-30
Written by: Abby Jimenez
-
Nevermore Bookstore
- Townsend Harbor, Book 1
- Written by: Kerrigan Byrne, Cynthia St. Aubin
- Narrated by: Teddy Hamilton, Stella Hunter
- Length: 9 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Cadence "Cady" Bloomquist knows two things for sure: First, shelving books at her shop, Nevermore Bookstore, totally counts as cardio. Second, staying late every Thursday night to take a certain mysterious customer's order is not the same as waiting by the phone for some man. Until the calls with the man who identifies himself only as "Fox" last for hours, and become the highlight of her week. Which leaves her to wonder, if his velvet voice can kindle her fire over the phone, what sort of alchemy might it inspire if they met in person?
-
-
Beautiful, funny, and swoon-worthy.
- By Jax on 2025-02-04
Written by: Kerrigan Byrne, and others
-
Worst Wingman Ever
- The Improbable Meet-Cute Collection
- Written by: Abby Jimenez
- Narrated by: Andi Arndt, Zachary Webber
- Length: 1 hr and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Holly is dealing with the impending death of her grandmother and still reeling from a bad breakup. One bright spot: a Valentine’s Day card on Holly’s windshield—even if it wasn’t meant for her. An amusing mistake soon turns into a lovely exchange of anonymous notes, little acts of kindness, and a growing affection between two strangers. What happens when one of them has to say goodbye?
-
-
Loved it
- By Asim on 2024-09-01
Written by: Abby Jimenez
-
The Layover
- Written by: Lacie Waldon
- Narrated by: Jorjeana Marie
- Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After 10 years as a flight attendant, Ava Greene is poised to hang up her wings and finally put down roots. She's got one trip left before she bids her old life farewell, and she plans to enjoy every second of it. But then, she discovers that former pilot Jack Stone - the absurdly gorgeous, ridiculously cocky man she's held a secret grudge against for year - is on her flight. And he has the nerve to flirt with her, as if he doesn't remember the role he played in the most humiliating night of her life. Good thing she never has to see him again after they land....
-
-
Amazing
- By KayA on 2022-09-14
Written by: Lacie Waldon
-
Bridesmaid for Hire
- Written by: Meghan Quinn
- Narrated by: Erin Mallon, Jason Clarke
- Length: 13 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After years of working her tail off at her event-planning business, Maggie Mitchell is ready for a vacation. With nothing on her mind but R & R, she’s enjoying the warm weather of Bora Bora when in saunters Brody McFadden, her brother’s best friend and also her sworn enemy. Thanks to years of tension between the two—kicked off by a make-out session at her brother’s wedding that ended horribly—Maggie has sworn to stay away from the man. That is, until she finds out he’s in Bora Bora for his boss’s daughter’s wedding, hoping to use the trip to win a real future at the company.
-
-
Amazing!!
- By Jade Forbeck on 2025-07-07
Written by: Meghan Quinn
-
In a New York Minute
- Written by: Kate Spencer
- Narrated by: Amanda Dolan, Neil Hellegers
- Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Franny Doyle is having the worst day. She’s been laid off from her (admittedly mediocre) job, the subway doors ripped her favorite silk dress to ruins, and now she’s flashed her unmentionables to half of lower Manhattan. On the plus side, a dashing stranger came to her rescue with his (Gucci!) suit jacket. On the not-so-plus side, he can’t get away from her fast enough. Worse yet? Someone posted their (entirely not) meet-cute online. Suddenly Franny and her knight-in-couture, Hayes Montgomery III, are the newest social media sensation, and all of New York is shipping #SubwayQTs.
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Loved it!
- By Amazon Customer on 2023-06-28
Written by: Kate Spencer
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The Exception to the Rule
- The Improbable Meet-Cute Collection
- Written by: Christina Lauren
- Narrated by: Marli Watson, Andrew Gibson
- Length: 1 hr and 56 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
One typo, and a boy and girl connect by chance. Wishing each other a happy Valentine’s Day isn’t the end. In fact, it becomes a friendly annual tradition—with rules: no pics, no real names, nothing too personal. As years pass, the rules for their email “dates” are breaking, and they’re sharing more than they imagined—including the urge to ask…what if we actually met?
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4 star meet-cute romance novella
- By Theshelvesofduchessarya on 2025-06-18
Written by: Christina Lauren
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The Love Wager
- Written by: Lynn Painter
- Narrated by: Kristen DiMercurio, Zachary Webber
- Length: 7 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Hallie Piper is turning over a new leaf. After belly-crawling out of a hotel room (hello, rock bottom), she decides it’s time to become a full-on adult. She gets a new apartment, a new haircut, and a new wardrobe, but when she logs onto the dating app that she has determined will find her new love, she sees none other than Jack, the guy whose room she snuck out of.
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Excellent read
- By Asim on 2024-08-11
Written by: Lynn Painter
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Two Can Play
- Written by: Ali Hazelwood
- Narrated by: Kelsey Navarro Foster
- Length: 4 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Viola Bowen has the chance of a lifetime: to design a video game based on her all-time favorite book series. The only problem? Her co-lead is Jesse F-ing Andrews, a.k.a. her arch-nemesis. Jesse has made it abundantly clear over the years that he wants nothing to do with her–and Viola has no idea why. When their bosses insist a wintery retreat is the perfect team-building exercise, Viola can’t think of anything worse. Being freezing cold in a remote mountain lodge knowing Jesse is right next door? No, thank you.
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Short + Sweet
- By Annie Tasaka on 2024-11-08
Written by: Ali Hazelwood
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The Devil Made Me Brew It
- The Witches of Wayward Bay, Book 1
- Written by: Sarah Piper
- Narrated by: Shane East, Samantha Brentmoor
- Length: 9 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
What’s a broke tea witch to do when she’s about to lose her beloved café? No idea, but chugging magic mojitos and drunk-summoning the Devil was definitely the wrong call. Now, I’m stuck with the house guest from Hell—literally—and we couldn’t be more opposite: a homebody who brews healing teas and reads romance novels to her cats versus a sexy-as-sin playboy with a pitchfork tattoo on his butt and a fondness for public day-drinking. In the nude. Ergo, the pitchfork discovery.
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Amazing narrators, cute story
- By Ariane on 2025-07-23
Written by: Sarah Piper
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Faking with Benefits
- A Friends to Lovers Why Choose Romance
- Written by: Lily Gold
- Narrated by: Faye Adele, Shane East, Will Watt, and others
- Length: 13 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
My name is Layla Thompson, and I am undateable. Seriously. I'm 28 and I've never had a boyfriend. And with my 30s rapidly approaching, I'm starting to lose patience. Lucky for me, I have three best friends who are eager to help hone my dating skills. Zack, the rugged ex-rugby player. Josh, the sweet boy-next-door. And Luke, the silver-haired divorcee...who just so happens to be my old professor. After a bad date leaves me crying on their shoulders, the three men are determined to help me find a guy. Together, they agree to be my "practice boyfriends".
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Got lost in the story
- By Emily on 2024-05-23
Written by: Lily Gold
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When Gracie Met The Grump
- Written by: Mariana Zapata
- Narrated by: Callie Dalton, Connor Crais
- Length: 19 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Of all the things that could have landed in her yard, it had to be him. For most people, finding a half-naked superbeing in their yard might be a dream come true. Unfortunately for Gracie Castro, it’s the exact opposite. Especially when he’s grouchy, rude, and shows no signs of leaving anytime soon. But when a hero of mankind needs you, you do what you have to. Even if it compromises everything you know. And totally changes your life.
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Love, love, loved it! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
- By Mel H on 2023-11-19
Written by: Mariana Zapata
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No More Secrets
- A Small Town Love Story (Blue Moon, Book 1)
- Written by: Lucy Score
- Narrated by: Lila Winters
- Length: 8 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Carter Pierce is a man who believes in signs. He just doesn't know what to do with this one. In the small town of Blue Moon Bend, where everybody is a matchmaker and a tie-dye wearing hippie, Carter wants to be left alone to tend the family farm. After returning from Afghanistan with scars, his only goal is recovery. He doesn't need distractions. Definitely not one with silver-blonde hair who just keep getting in his way.
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Small Town
- By Underdoglovecreations on 2025-03-05
Written by: Lucy Score
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Here for the Cake
- Written by: Jennifer Millikin
- Narrated by: Hannah Chiclana, Aaron Donahue
- Length: 11 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
A week on an island sounds like the stuff of beach dreams, but for Paisley Royce, it's a nightmare. Her little sister is marrying her ex-college sweetheart, and Paisley is serving as maid of honor. To add insult to injury, nobody will let Paisley forget she's single. Bachelorette weekend changes everything when she runs into her old college frenemy, Klein Madigan. Klein is still intelligent and funny, and somehow time has only made him more attractive.
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The narration is perfect
- By Aja H. on 2025-01-10
Written by: Jennifer Millikin
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My So-Called Love Life
- Written by: Lauren Blakely
- Narrated by: Vanessa Edwin, Sebastian York
- Length: 8 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
I’ve got a list of people I absolutely don’t ever want to be stuck with on a boat, or a plane, or a train, and it starts and ends with the broody, grumpy, too-sexy-for-my-own good Axel Huxley. Also known as this romance novelist’s number one nemesis. The man is legendary for his mighty pen and his even mightier scowl. I tried to work together with the cocky thriller writer once upon a time, but the two of us are like vodka and good decisions. We don’t play well together.
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Very sweet
- By Michelle on 2024-09-04
Written by: Lauren Blakely
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When in Rome
- A Novel
- Written by: Sarah Adams
- Narrated by: Karissa Vacker, Andrew Eiden
- Length: 9 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Amelia Rose, known as Rae Rose to her adoring fans, is burned-out from years of maintaining her “princess of pop” image. Inspired by her favorite Audrey Hepburn film, Roman Holiday, she drives off in the middle of the night for a break in Rome . . . Rome, Kentucky, that is. When Noah Walker finds Amelia on his front lawn in her broken-down car, he makes it clear he doesn’t have the time or patience for celebrity problems. He’s too busy running the pie shop his grandmother left him and reminding his nosy but lovable neighbors to mind their own damn business.
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Really great story
- By Amazon Customer on 2023-11-21
Written by: Sarah Adams
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The Reunion
- Written by: Meghan Quinn
- Narrated by: Lidia Dornet, Teddy Hamilton, Laurie West, and others
- Length: 12 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Martin and Peggy Chance believe love should last a lifetime. With their fiftieth wedding anniversary on the horizon, they’ve modeled a beautiful relationship for their three grown children. But to their dismay, that lesson hasn’t quite caught on—the three siblings just can’t seem to take a chance and find love in their own lives.
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not a fan of the male narrator.
- By Shayna Ewasienko on 2024-12-31
Written by: Meghan Quinn
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The Date Escape
- Written by: Portia MacIntosh
- Narrated by: Karen Cass
- Length: 7 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Frankie doesn't believe in true love. As relationships expert at popular magazine Stylife, she has learnt that dating disasters are far more common than happy-ever-afters. So when she is tasked to find out if meet cutes can work in real life, she is up for the challenge—but whether it's being a damsel in distress with a flat tyre or spilling coffee over a stranger, she isn't convinced this can really lead to love. But little does Frankie know that the ultimate meet-cute opportunity is just around the corner.
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A cute romance
- By Alicia on 2023-05-09
Written by: Portia MacIntosh
What the critics say
“These six funny, tender, and romantic stories, full of promising beginnings and well-developed characters, are performed by eight talented narrators. Christina Lauren's meet-cute is a strong start to the collection.… Marli Watson and Andrew Gibson perform the emails in a nuanced way, realistically portraying excitement, drunkenness, and worry. Fans of Abby Jimenez will enjoy Zachary Webber's return narrating her work. Bailey Carr's performance of Sally Thorne's story is a standout and includes muffled voices heard from inside a sensory-deprivation tank and the calming voice of a wellness center employee.”—AudioFile Magazine
The Exception to the Rule
- very good story, very good performers, I enjoyed it
Worst Wingman Ever
- excellent story, excellent performers, deserves a stand-alone book
Rosie and the Dreamboat
-good, the performer was fine, though it may be a bit corny
Drop, Cover, and Hold
- not a meet-cute, the character already know each other
-no good, I cut it off; performer was not very good and it has a negative tone/energy
With Any Luck
-not a meet-cute, the chatacters have already been together...
-not very good, I cut it off; I can't stand stupid characters that put themselves in ridiculous situations that the book is then completely based on solving
Royal Valentine
-wasnt for me, I cut it off; the accent of the main character was not very good, and I wasn't a fan of tbr premise
Mixed bag
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Warm feels
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This collection is an absolute delight!
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Lots packed into a short story.
Great collection of novellas
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wow. I expected better
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Wish I could listen by story not chapter :(
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