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The Pining Paradox

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The Pining Paradox

By: Monica McCallan
Narrated by: Lori Prince
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About this listen

Six months ago, Hallie Thatcher's parents sold The Stone's Throw Inn, where she's lived and worked for her entire life. Everything is changing around her, and she's been trying to adjust. And now, there's an interim manager joining the team, ensuring that Hallie can go visit her family over the holidays.

What she's not expecting is to like the new manager, Brynn Fitzpatrick, as much as she does. And though Brynn's time in Stoneport is temporary, Hallie can't help but lean into her unassuming charm. Or, more dangerously, when it means wondering why, as Hallie tries to start dating, no one compares to Brynn.

Brynn Fitzpatrick thinks helping out at The Stone's Throw Inn is the right next step after a very public failed engagement. Plus, she's not ready to settle back in Boston, under the scrutiny of her parents' overbearing but well-meaning support.

For someone who was supposed to be getting married a few months ago, Brynn's never really thought a lot about love, but spending so much time with Hallie is making her think about all kinds of things for the first time. And it's making her want things that she's never expected to crave.

Contains mature themes.

©2025 Monica McCallan Contemporary Literature & Fiction Romance
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This has got to be my favourite Monica McCallan book. I absolutely LOVED every second. Especially the characters, they were perfection. I just adored how Brynn’s brain worked. I enjoyed The Love Lie, so was great to get Brynn and Hallie’s stories, and get to see Sydney and Reese make an appearance.

Brynn spouting facts and giving PowerPoint presentations is my favourite thing ever 😂😂 she’s truly an amazing human!! It doesn’t explicitly mention it in the book but Brynn is 100% neurodivergent and I related so much to her character!

It was so brilliantly written. I’ve read all of Monica’s books and it’s been so nice to see how much she’s grown as an author and how her writing and storytelling has also grown! I highly recommend you give this a go or any of Monica’s books!

I tandem read with the audiobook and Lori Prince smashed it! (Did we have any doubts!? No!) but she absolutely nailed both of these characters and their individual personalities. It was such a phenomenal performance! The Yearningggggg is top tier and portrayed so well.

Written in Third Person with 2x POV’s. Narrated by Lori Prince. Forced Proximity, Femme/Femme, Friends to Lovers, Workplace Romance, Coming Out, Bi Rep, Self Discovery, Slow Burn. 5x Spicy Scenes (the spice is incredible!! There is a certain scene that I haven’t included in the count but it is…spicy 🫠 all I’ll say is “massage”)

Absolutely incredible!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

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I've been waiting for this book and it didn't disappoint. I love Hallie and Bryn, I really hope that there will be a third book so we can have another wedding, and follow Sydney and Reece into their journey as well as Hallie and Bryn. I think that Sydney having a kid with Reece and Hallie being Auntie Hallie would be amazing as it would complete their little family.

Brilliant

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The sweetest most endearing love story. I absolutely love how involved characters from the first were in this sequel

heart achingly wonderful and perfect sequel ❤️

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It was an absolute joy to read this book, it had all the great attributes of the first book. Lori Prince is as always a pleasure listening to her reading, she really gives all the characters life when reading. The characters Hailey and Brynn are just wonderful in all aspects with both their personal relationships and with the contrast of their backgrounds. Would highly recommend reading this book after reading 'The Love Lie'.

Fantastic Sequel

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