July was an extremely successful month for completing different titles. I would equate that to starting my new job and enduring a long commute twice a week. Also, I believe my reading slump is over, and I’m ready to fly through books. Plus, I got myself a Kindle Oasis for Prime Day, and I can’t leave home without it now! 

The following reviews are audiobook reviews. As mentioned, I have quite a long commute and prefer to listen to audiobooks over the radio or Spotify. With almost 4 hours in the car each day I go into the office, finishing a new title doesn’t take long. With that being said, let’s get into it. These are my July Romance Audiobook Reviews. 

1

Love at First Psych by Cara Bastone 

Duration: 4 hours 35 minutes 

Audible Original - Dolby Atmos 

Performed by Santino Fontana, Stephanie Einstein, and a full cast, this Audible Original, Dolby Atmos production was incredible. Love at First Psych by Cara Bastone was my first experience with a Dolby Atmos production. As you can see by the additional titles in this list, I quickly became obsessed. 

As the Dolby Atmos website states, “Dolby Atmos removes the limits of creative expression for artists to create a spatial sound experience that puts you in the center of your entertainment.” Basically, any background noise or scene-setting details that would typically be included in the narration were emphasized with sound. Like a bell chime in a shop, a dog barking at the park, or the pressurized air escaping from a bus as it lowers at a stop. 

Specifically for Love at First Psych, this type of performance fits the story amazingly well. Following Marigold Holmes and Robbie Maravian to complete a college psych project on love at first sight, was an adorable, hysterical, and heartfelt journey. The requirement of recorded interviews embedded into the assignment made for a great segue into the spatial audio Dolby Atmos provided. The background noise, the forgotten moments where they were still recording, and listening in as new characters entered the conversation were some of the few benefits of this production style. 

It’s nothing new to feel that I am in a world where a story takes place because, let’s face it, that’s one of the best parts about fiction, but this depth was SO engaging. It truly felt like a movie was playing through my speakers and not an audiobook. 

With two lovable main characters and such an interesting means for their partnership, I couldn’t stop rooting for them. The added avoidance of their history keeps you wanting more, hoping to finally understand what happened between the two a semester before. Perfectly timed utterances between interview questions, interesting interviewees, and the pair spending more time together than expected all play into the project's objective. Finding out if love at first sight is indeed real. 

I found myself laughing, smiling, and hopeful for Robbie and Marigold. I also adored all of the interviewees and hearing about their relationships, whether good or bad. Although the plot was a bit predictable, I still enjoyed it. As their relationship developed and the project neared its end, I found myself literally on the edge of my seat driving home from work, taking some back roads to finish it before pulling in. If you have an Audible subscription, I highly recommend listening to this included title, whether romantic comedy is your go-to or not; this title was so fun, and I think it’s worth it. 

Due to listening to this title over reading it and enjoying the production so much, I’ve rated Love at First Psych 4 out of 5 stars.

2

The Wedding Proposal by John Swansiger

Duration: 1 hour 43 minutes

Audible Original - Dolby Atmos

Short and emotional. The Wedding Proposal by John Swansiger is a jam-packed roller coaster of events. With Hanna’s fiancé calling off the wedding two weeks before saying I do and finding out it was way too late to cancel without losing all her money, she frantically searches to find a couple worthy enough to gift the entirely funded and planned wedding to. After sitting next to Eric at the restaurant bar where she was dumped a few days prior, overhearing about his dad’s illness and sister’s recent engagement, she knew she had to give it to them. 

Having 10 days to fix and finalize details for the couple puts Hanna in the company of Eric to make this wedding that she dreamed of the one his sister always wanted. Spending so much time together in such a short period while recovering from her recent breakup has her thinking about what it would be like to be with Eric. Leaving her wondering if fate is really that spontaneous. 

Once again, the spatial sound experience and additional voice actors were a huge plus to the listen. I also found some personal similarities to details in the plot, which had me crying on and off at this beautifully crafted story. That factor, maybe silly in other’s eyes, is what made this story for me. I’ve rated The Wedding Proposal 4 out of 5 stars.

3

Call Me Maybe by Cara Bastone 

Duration: 5 hours 55 minutes 

Audible Original - Love Lines Series #1

This is my favorite title out of the romantic comedies on this list, and I am so glad I listened to it. Although not listed as a Dolby Atmos production on Audible, it encases a similar soundscape. The performances by Luci Christian and Neil Hellegers were terrific.

Feel-good and laugh-out-loud funny, Call Me Maybe follows a never-ending stream of phone calls, text messages, and emails between the self-starting, super-determined Vera and the uber-shy, extraordinarily caring Kal. 

With some anticipated and some not-so-predictable twists, this story kept me entertained throughout. I loved the witty banter between Vera and Kal, the additional and poorly timed phone calls, and the race for Kal, the customer-support guy, to fix Vera’s newly created website in time for the big expo. The expo that will make or break the success of Vera’s small business, Date-in-a-box. 

I found myself cackling and awwing at different points in the story. I thoroughly enjoyed the mental and emotional connection the main characters made before a physical one. 

With so many romances nowadays so focused on the “first time they laid eyes on each other,” or “she looked like a goddess,” or “he has such chiseled features I can see his abs through his suit,” this was a pleasant and welcome change.  

Their attraction toward one another is almost instant, and I couldn’t help but root for them from the get-go. Some plot holes left me wondering and a little annoyed that a resolution to a particular issue was not reached sooner; however, they weren’t big enough to deter me from this story. It was more just me screaming into my steering wheel, “SPIT IT OUT.” 

Overall, this was an incredible story, perfect for an audio experience. I genuinely don’t think I would have enjoyed it as much as an ebook. With the plot, the performance, and the welcome differences to other romances I’ve read or listened to lately, I am rating Call Me Maybe 4 out of 5 stars. 

4

Seatmate by Cara Bastone 

Duration: 5 hours 10 minutes 

Audible Original - Love Lines Series #3

Yes, yes. You read that correctly. I skipped the second book in the Love Lines series, but the Audible subscription I have does not provide credits, soooo I had to skip it…for now. 

As you may have also noticed, I have a slightly new obsession with Cara Bastone audiobooks and found myself eager to start another one. 

Narrated by Amanda Ranconi, Zachary Webber, and a full cast, this is yet another immersive experience on the ears. Joining Gwen and Sam on the beat-the-clock bus ride from hell, Bastone creates another excellent environment for unexpected romance. 

With a career-dependent interview to make, an old flame to meet, a flat tire, crazy favors to repay, enemies to evade, and kittens to save, there is so much to attract your attention in Seatmate. 

Becoming fast friends, Gwen and Sam are determined to help one another along the way, forming a pact that no matter what, they will get back to New York on time. 

This was an entertaining story, but I found it too easy. With each problem came a faster solution. There was nothing to twist the plot or surprise the listener, and I wasn’t very invested in Gwen or Sam. 

They were friendly and had interesting backstories, but they unfortunately didn’t do much for me. I felt that although Bastone discussed their pasts and the troubles they were dealing with, neither character had much depth and seemed semi-unrealistic. Especially Sam. 

I love a likable, caring, considerate hero, but Sam is too nice. I finished this book a bit disappointed with everything coming together in a happy ending without any real hiccups. The two previous titles from Bastone were much better and got my hopes up. I am rating Seatmate 3 out of 5 stars for the above reasons. 

***

I hope you enjoyed these reviews and consider reading one or more of these titles. I have one additional audiobook to review from July. It fell into a different genre, so I decided not to review it in this list, so be on the lookout. I appreciate your time, mind, and patience as I navigate my blogging/reviewing journey.

As always, thanks for reading! 💜