A Real Life Book Boyfriend

Overall 4.5 stars
Performance 4.5 stars
Story 4.5 stars

This was such a cute and sweet romcom! I loved the premise and idea behind the story and it was a great twist to the traditional romantic comedy. This story within a story hooked me from the start and I loved seeing how everything began and unfolded between Alex and Mia. Yes, mistakes are made along the way, but given the history of our characters, it made sense (even if readers/listeners may disagree). Do I wish Alex came clean earlier? Of course, but I also understand why he didn't. The ebook actually includes a very insightful author's note about this, and I wish it would have also been included in the audio version. I also would have preferred that Mia not have been *quite* as clumsy and insecure, since it felt too over the top for me at times. The epilogue could not have been more perfect though and it contained my favorite passage from the entire book (comparing the h to the best book ever written? *swoon*) Another thing I really enjoyed, were the romance reader culture references the author threw into the story. It was such a fun nod to romance readers everywhere.

Both Stephen Dexter and Maxine Mitchell did a fantastic job narrating Alex and Mia. Their performances were lighthearted during the funnier and sillier moments, but also emotional when needed. Stephen Dexter especially was fantastic, voicing both male and female characters wonderfully and his umm... enthusiasm during the steamier scenes left me fanning myself! ;) I did feel Maxine Mitchell sometimes sounded a little too serious as quirky and clumsy Mia, but overall, both narrators did a fantastic job bringing this story to life. This was my first book by Claire Kingsley, but it certainly won't be my last! I'm excited to continue on with the series and start Kendra's story next!

4 people found this helpful

LIGHT AND SWEET ROMANCE

This story was sweet and easy to listen to.

It starts with the main snafu happening right off the bat, then it goes back in time to tell the tale.

The story flows nicely, then it gets to where everything started- the conflict when everything unravels.

Loved the resolution to the conflict, and the story closes with a great epilogue.

The narration was pleasing, and I would recommend this audiobook.

4 people found this helpful

Ok

I LOVE Claire’s books. This one though? It was a 5 until the end. It fell flat for me. The ending was just meh.

1 person found this helpful

I guess I am in the minority . .

I did not really care for this book nor the narrators (especially the male narrator). I will start with the story. Ok, so they meet, click, and then one of them realizes that they know each other online under different names. I guess the problem I have with this whole concept is that Mia felt like Lexi was her BFF and told her all kinds of things. But in this day and age, shouldn't we all be a little more careful about what we tell total strangers online. I mean, I get that she thought she was talking to a woman and the author of her favorite books; but come on.... can you ever be totally sure who you are talking to? I mean, for all she knew, she had been corresponding with the person who answered the authors e-mail for her, etc. Assuming that you KNOW exactly who you are communicating with online is just STUPID. And then she gets all huff and self-righteous because he did not tell her - even though #1 - he did try, but got interrupted, #2 - once he knew who she was, he had kept their convos minimal, and #3 - he never sought her out. In fact, it seemed from the story that Lexi was never the one who initiated the convos with Mia - I always felt like Mia was pushing a friendship with Lexi just cause she liked the idea that she was "such close friends" with her favorite author.
Now for the male narrator - his voice got on my nerves, especially when he was doing the female voice. And lets not even talk about him doing the female voice during sex scenes. He sounded like he was trying to emulate a porn star. And he spoke so fast - as if he wanted us to feel how frenzied it was - but it just came across as weird.

3 people found this helpful

Loved, Loved, Loved

Considering I read & listen to a lot of books (much like the main female character), this book made me laugh & also relate. It was funny, sexy & a little quirky. Book 1 made Book 2 a must read for me!!

1 person found this helpful

Loving story. 😊😊

I read this series out of order so by the time I read this book one I knew the other characters. My favorite was book 2 with Teddy H. but book 3 with Savannah was good too. Overall, this was an entertaining series and feel good stories and each HEA was a good listen. 😁

1 person found this helpful

HEA within an HEA

This was my first audiobook just for me - and I LOVED IT! I already love Claire Kingsley, so that was easy. But the narration was fantastic! The love story, the angst AND the steamy sexy times were delivered so well paced genuinely ! I'll be back for more!

awesome

When I started to listen to it I was confused, thought my phone was acting up again (dropped one too many times, whoops) and skipped me to another chapter. But it hadn't, that was a good opening. Reminds me of TV shows and movies that start that way. I love the idea of buying books for someone, Ive often fantasized of that happening when I used to spend hours on end lost in Barnes and Nobel and Borders and the small little second hand book shops. So to hear it in this story sent shivers down my spine. I love the way He happened to fall into this line of work, how She and Him met. I love listening and relistening to this at work. Can listen to the whole thing while working on trailers in the shop and just take a moment to sigh at the adorable meet-cute in the book store, still get tingles in my gut when He realizes his online blogger friend is actually her.
A book that can have you reacting the same way no matter how many times you read or listen to it is a great book to always keep on hand.

Sweet and Funny Slow Burn

Author and Book Blogger bother with pen names are great book friends. They meet in person by chance not knowing who they really are. It’s a funny, sweet, slow burn sort of story. I loved Stephen Dexter and Maxine Mitchell’s performance!

great story!

I love books that find a clever way to break the 4th wall. This book was sweet, and hot and relatable. If you've had a book boyfriend, this one's a must read.