Boomerangers by Heather M. Orgeron

Narrated by Jillian Macie and Eric Michael Summerer

Stands alone perfectly but there is a second book, Doppelbanger.

The only books I’d read from Heather Orgeron before were co-written and heartbreaking. Until I saw her at two signings in a row, I had no idea she was funny AF. When she handed out dancing penis stickers and buttons, I realized I needed to read more from her, so I bought the special edition of Boomerangers and Doppelbanger. It sat on my shelf until I finally grabbed the audiobook of Boomerangers, narrated by Jillian Macie and Eric Michael Summerer, both new narrators to me.

WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG!?! I don’t think I’ve laughed this hard at a book since listening to a Tara Sivec story. In fact, if you’re a Tara fan and loved Seduction & Snacks, Boomerangers is for you…complete with a hysterical, dirty-mouthed toddler.

Boomerangers [boo-muh-rang-ers] noun, informal: an adult that moves back home to live with a parent after a period of independence.

Spencer and Cooper were childhood friends, high school sweethearts, and neighbors. Right before leaving for college, Cooper dumped her—not because he didn’t love her, but because he thought they both needed to spread their wings. Well, Spencer spread more than that (haha). She got married and had twin boys. Her marriage didn’t last. Her ex tried to be a dad after the twins turned five, but he was never consistent. Later she hooked up with someone else and ended up with a two-year-old son whose father isn’t in the picture.

Fifteen years after graduating, Spencer has to move home with her kids after being laid off from her job. Coincidentally, Cooper has also just moved home with his mother after getting divorced. And why did his marriage end? Because he didn’t want kids. Not only did he not want them, he absolutely loathed them.

But the minute these two reunite (with some scheming from their moms), sparks fly.

“Spence,” he says as he lifts his brown eyes to meet mine. “You still make it hard to breathe.”
“And you,” I say, swallowing as I try to rein in my overeager heart, “are still the same old charmer you always were.”

Only it’s clear Cooper and kids are like oil and water. Spencer knows he disliked kids so much it ruined his marriage, so she tells herself there’s no chance with him. Her body, though, doesn’t agree.

Living next door, Cooper ends up seeing the kids a lot. The twins are young teens, but the toddler, Savage, completely steals the show—and the narrators nailed his voice. I adored that he called Cooper “Pooper” and “Hey man.” I love single-parent romances because I love kids in books, and Boomerangers is now one of my top three.

“Through the screen door I find all three of my boys throwing a ball around the yard with Cooper. My heart bursts in my chest. Just explodes. It physically hurts to feel so much all at once. It’s like I’m staring at a movie of what my life—our life—could have been.”

While it took me a while to warm up to Cooper after his rough start resenting her kids, once his reasons came out, I couldn’t help but root for him and for the couple to find their way back.

“Dis nummy, Pooper,” Savage says with blue syrup dripping from his chin.
“Are you actually getting any of that into your mouth?” I ask, wondering how the hell I’m going to get this sticky mess of a kid back into my truck. Maybe snowballs weren’t my greatest idea.
“Uh oh…” Kyle’s eyes get big and his forehead creases. I do not like the sound of that uh oh.
“What’s wrong?”
“I shit myself, Pooper.”

Likes:

The humor. I laughed a lot, and yes, it was immature, which made it even funnier.
A toddler with a dirty mouth who totally stole the show (and even got suspended from preschool).
Her best friend and partner Gina.
Very realistic characters, flaws and all.
The boys were lovable, and I was rooting for the family.
The meddling parents.
Spencer was a good mom.

Dislikes:

It seemed like Spencer’s job as a sex therapist would play a big role in the book, but it was almost forgotten. Even more noticeable, when she had to give “the talk” to the twins, she totally missed the mark.
Both main characters were in their thirties but came across as very immature.
I disliked Cooper a little too much at first, which made it hard to get past.
Spencer, being a common male name, often confused me.

The Narration:

Jillian Macie and Eric Michael Summerer were both new to me (though they may be pseudonyms because they sounded familiar). They really brought this story to life, and they nailed the toddler’s voice. I highly recommend the audiobook.

The Down & Dirty:

I didn’t even read the blurb for Boomerangers. Honestly, I thought it was about baby boomers. Turns out the main characters are in their thirties but often act younger. And I was so pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this story. Between the laugh-out-loud humor, the over-the-top toddler antics, and the second-chance romance, Boomerangers delivered everything I want in a romcom. Heather M. Orgeron gave me some of the biggest laughs I’ve had from a book this year, making this an audiobook I’ll be recommending to anyone looking for a laugh-out-loud romance with funny kids.