Super cute! Featuring stellar full cast narration and upbeat, bubbly vibes, this was just as much fun as Bastone’s other audio-first love stories. Each one has been its own engaging, smile-inducing experience, and this was no different. I loved that it had a sweetheart of a hero, and I loved the concept – two classmates who are paired up on a college project, despite the fact that they’ve never quite gotten along. It was SO easy to binge in one sitting, and the conversation-driven plot made this feel so immersive. The narration shines, and the lighthearted vibes made it impossible not to fall in love with these two. I did think there was too much focus on the interviews at the start (I wanted more of the couple!), but it added an interesting layer to the story, and the expansive cast of characters added to the experience. So a definite win for a quick, easygoing romance.
The story follows Marigold and Robbie, two older college students who are doing a research project about falling in love at first sight. They’ve been tasked with interviewing a variety of couples to learn about their experiences, and neither one is entirely sure what to think of the situation. While Robbie may have a little bit of a crush on Marigold, she has shown zero interest in him – in fact, their history means that romance is quite possibly off the table entirely. But as the two listen to the love stories of other couples, it’s difficult to keep love off of their minds. They may have different ideas about love and relationships, but there is something that keeps bringing Marigold and Robbie closer and closer.
This is an audio-first release, and that’s definitely the way to experience the story. I listened to one of Bastone’s other audio rom coms while on a road trip with my husband, and even he was completely caught up in the story. It’s hard not to be when the narration is so fantastic, and it truly feels like you’re listening to a rom com movie. The runtime is also perfect for bingeing – four and a half hours of playfulness, banter, and conversations about love. It’s long enough that you still get a feel for the characters, without spending much time focusing on their backstories or unnecessary angst. It feels like you’re falling in love right along with them in real time, and that’s all part of the appeal.
In terms of the story, I liked it a lot – though I certainly wouldn’t have minded less time on the interviews and more with this couple, especially in the first half. While I liked the discussion of love at first sight (and it revealed a lot about the characters), I was really sold by the banter and teasing between Marigold and Robbie. Robbie makes such a sweet hero, and I thought Marigold complemented him perfectly. Getting to know them was great, and I was rooting for things to work out. I didn’t love this one as much as Call Me Maybe, but it was definitely not a bad way to spend my workday – and I caught myself smiling several times.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3I8CvA4
Audio Note:
Obviously, the audio is excellent. An easy 5 stars there. Both leads were perfectly cast, and I particularly enjoyed Santino Fontana as Robbie. I’ve been a fan of his since the Crazy Ex-Girlfriend TV show, and he infused so much personality into his performance. Stephanie Einstein did too, and many of the other cast members were also excellent. This was made to be listened to, and it shows. It’s light and easy the whole way through, with a couple of sexy references but no actual spice. Ideal for a workday listen, and highly recommended for road trips. My husband will be upset I didn’t save this one for our next vacation!
Blurb:
True love is put to the test in this romantic comedy brought to hilarious life by Santino Fontana (Frozen, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Stephanie Einstein, and a full cast!
This Psych 312 assignment just might send me off the deep end. Determining whether love at first sight really exists with Robbie Moravian as my project partner of all people?
He’s the sappiest man alive, so upbeat I could scream, and clearly rooting for happy endings at every turn. How does he not learn from experience considering our own meet-cute last semester almost got us expelled?
But we both need to pass this course to graduate. So we’re interviewing five random couples about their meet-cutes and relationships and spending all this time together. Which is certainly…educational.
Because it turns out Robbie isn’t just the charming golden boy I thought I knew. There’s some actual depth beneath all those lame dad jokes and the ‘70s-inspired thrift wardrobe (even if he does look ridiculously great in a flared collar). Next thing I know he’s walking me back to my office on the regular and finishing all my sentences and protecting me from freak storms, and…
Wait. Could Robbie be right? Can happy endings really come from unhappy beginnings? Is he about to change my entire world view?
Group projects are the worst.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3I8CvA4
More from the author!
These love stories all stand alone, and they are all awesome on audio!
Paint your toes. Pick up the wrong coffee and bagel order. Drive from Brooklyn to Jersey in traffic so slow you want to tear your hair out. It’s amazing all the useless things I can accomplish while on hold for three hours with customer service. Three hours when I should be getting the Date-in-a-Box website ready to launch at the big business expo in a few days. Except my shiny new website is glitching, and my inner rage-monster is ready to scorch some earth . . . when he finally picks up. Not the robot voice I expected but a real live human named Cal. He’s surprisingly helpful and really knows his stuff, even if he’s a little awkward . . . in an adorable way.
And suddenly I’m flirting with him? And I think he’s flirting back.
And suddenly it’s been hours, and we’re still on the phone talking and ordering each other takeout while he troubleshoots my website.
And suddenly we’re exchanging numbers and sending texts and DMs every day, leaving voice mails (who even does that anymore?!).
And suddenly I’m wondering if it’s possible for two people to fall in love at first talk.
Because I’m falling . . . hard.
Read the audiobook review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3JKbuBL
It’s officially booty o’clock, I’m alone again in my kitchen choking down a slice of terrible chocolate cake…and I’m pretty sure I just got drunk texted by the man I have a ginormous crush on.
I’ve been daydreaming about Eliot Hoffman’s dimples for two months, and even though I’m sure this was a mistake on his end, it doesn’t mean it’s not an opportunity on mine.
It’s the middle of the night, and I just wanna talk to him. So I text him back.
And then somehow we keep talking . . . ALL NIGHT. We’re both insomniacs, so talking all night soon turns into talking EVERY night. And talking about nothing soon turns into talking about something. And here we go from in-depth analysis of reality TV to my relationship with my family, to his amazing artwork. There’s no topic we don’t cover . . .
Except for who I really am.
It’s the only question of his I won’t answer.
As my crush turns into an avalanche of Eliot, I think of him all the time now. But if he knew who I was, the entire house of cards we’ve built this relationship on would come toppling down.
I want him to be mine, but we might never be more than just a sweet dream . . .
Read the audiobook review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3lzhSm8
About the Author:
Cara Bastone is a full time writer who lives and writes in Brooklyn with her husband, son, and an almost-goldendoodle. Her goal with her work is to find the swoon in ordinary love stories. She’s been a fan of the romance genre since she found a grocery bag filled with her grandmother’s old Harlequin Romances when she was in high school. She’s a fangirl for pretzel sticks, long walks through Prospect Park, and love stories featuring men who aren’t crippled by their own masculinity.
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