The Almost Romantic by Lauren Blakely | Audiobook Review • Ana's Attic Book Blog

The Almost Romantic: How to Date Your Fake Husband by Lauren Blakely

Narrated by Vanessa Edwin and Teddy Hamilton

Standalone in a Series. Contemporary Romantic Comedy.

Lauren Blakely is one of my absolute favorite authors and every time I read or listen to another one of her books I’m reminded of why. The Almost Romantic: How To Date Your Fake Husband by Lauren Blakely is one of my new favorites. I loved the first in the series of standalones, My So-Called Sex Life, but I missed the next in the series, Plays Well With Others. I never felt like I missed anything, so The Almost Romantic stands perfectly alone.

The Almost Romantic started with an awesome meet-cute when Elodie stopped into Sticks and Stones for a takeout order, and Gage, hot, tattooed bartender/owner finally got a minute to flirt with her. But when he got so busy he didn’t have time to make it back to her, Elodie took matters into her own hands and ordered herself a new sex toy to her apartment with 1-hour delivery. Only it never showed up.

“Elodie Starling.” It’s like he’s having fun saying the name on the package. “I believe this is for you.” He dangles the pink envelope as if it’s a prize when really it’s a billboard advertising good girls with dirty desires.

Nick and Elodie were both bringing up tween/teen girls. Nick was a single dad who wanted to open another more upscale version of his bar and Elodie (30) was raising her 13-year-old sister after their parents died. She is a chocolatier who is thinking of accepting a buy-out offer for her chocolate shop to pay for her sister’s art school.

During a perfect first date, strolling hand-in-hand, Elodie and Gage came across a pop-up shop at a local resort hotel and jokingly discussed what they would do with the space together—special cocktails and chocolate tastings. But the idea stuck with them. However if Gage and Elodie wanted to do business together, they knew they would have to put their budding romance aside and keep it strictly business.

The hotel owner was so excited to rent them the space, mistakenly thinking they were engaged, which he made clear was important. When the kids both suggest they just pretend, they try it even though they made a pact to keep it strictly business. The problem was that pretending to be in love in public and not in private kept it all confusing.

“When I’m with Elodie, I don’t feel like I’m faking a thing. With her I don’t feel like I’m constantly racing toward the future. I feel like I’m living in the moment, and each moment with her is the only place I want to be.”

Sigh….Gage… I loved his possessive “my wife” vibe. I loved Elodie and her mature, knows-what-she-wants in bed attitude. They were both great parents who communicated well with the kids and honestly, this whole book just made me happy.

Likes:

I devoured the whole book with a smile on my face.
Their girls, Amanda and Eliza, and how they bonded.
A meddling grandma.
I loved Elodie. She was so vibrant and open.
Gage was so possessive and protective but still sweet and caring.
The genuine respect and friendship between them. They were so supportive of each other.
Great banter.
Smart and inclusive.
No big breakup moment.
The perfect amount of sex for the story.

Dislikes:

None.

Note:

The only thing that holds me back from 5 stars is that it isn’t epic or memorable enough—there wasn’t a huge book hangover, and I’m not flashing back to it days later. I don’t expect Lauren’s books to be like that, they are perfect as-is, and she writes enough of them that they are more like your favorite pizza that you have to have at least every couple of weeks vs. the fancy restaurant you go to for celebrations.

The Narration:

What can I even say about Vanessa Edwin and Teddy Hamilton? Lauren writes her stories with the narrators already in mind and it shows. They perfectly embody the characters and the duet narration makes you feel like you are right there with them. I love Lauren’s books no matter how I read them, but a Lauren Blakely audiobook is always something special.

The Down & Dirty (TLDR):

I love almost every Lauren Blakely book but The Almost Romantic is one of my favorites. I was so consumed by the book that when I saw it was going by too quickly I slowed it down to savor the happy, upbeat vibes. The duet narration by Vanessa Edwin and Teddy Hamilton brought the characters and their story to life and I want more of this blended family. I’m glad the series will continue, and hopefully we will catch glimpses of them. The story easily stands alone and it’s just perfect for anyone looking for a mature, smart, light, feel-good romance with enlightened characters. Don’t skip The Almost Romantic by Lauren Blakely, you’ll be missing out on a gem.