I was intrigued by the premise of Cupid on the Loose, expecting a fun, lighthearted romantic adventure. Unfortunately, the execution didn’t quite deliver. The story felt scattered and lacked the emotional depth or humor it seemed to aim for.

The characters never fully came to life, and the plot often meandered without clear direction. As for the audiobook, the narration was uneven—sometimes overly dramatic, other times too flat—making it hard to stay engaged.

There were glimpses of charm, and the concept had potential, but overall, it felt more like a rough draft than a polished story. Not the worst listen, but definitely not one I’d revisit.

I received this book as an ARC and I’m very grateful for the opportunity. That being said this wasn’t the book for me and I knew that rather quickly. The writing style itself (again in my eyes) didn’t read as a romance or comedy. Now like another reviewer commented the comedy part I think is on par with Shakespeare humor and the absurdity of A Midsummer Night's Dream. I loved the idea of this book but not the outcome, I think for those who like some light hearted romance with ups and downs maybe this is something to pick up and try.

I really enjoyed this book and the different characters that are in it. This was such a great couple story while also branching out to the friends of the main couple. I found the hotel that they all end up at to be very amusing and comical. The different couples that all end up going through the hotels magic is just very funny. I enjoyed the chaos that ensued from the mints. The ending was good and I'm so very happy with how it ended.
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⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

This was a fun read! Maybe it is because A Midsummer Night’s Dream is my favorite Shakespeare play but I truly enjoyed this modern interpretation! The narrator was very good. While it wasn’t the best novel I’ve read I did enjoy the story!

3.5/5

First of all, a big thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the ALC!!
I enjoyed this book quite a lot, I must say. The idea was simple but lovely, really nicely paced and easy to read/listen to. I don’t typically consume many books written by men because I’ve found that I tend not to love them as much, but I want to add that the author of this one has a really lovely writing style that I adored.

Now, the reason behind the rating: the characters drove me crazy at times. I’m all for miscommunication when done right, but I had the feeling that they were worse than teenagers sometimes. I’m way too done with playing games while dating in real life to have to suffer through it in fiction too lol.

I must admit, there were a couple of times during this book when I disconnected a bit and had trouble staying engaged. Also, the romance. I’m a hugeeee romance girly and I felt like this story was lacking in the romance department—which is quite a statement considering not only the title but the plot. I was missing some yearning, some more feels.

Also, this may be a bit of a spoiler, but the fact that she was so willing to give up her cat? Offensive, sorry. Maybe dramatic, but that pissed me off enough lol. One minute she’s going on about how important that cat is to her, and the next she’s like “yeah, since you’re allergic I can just give her to a neighbour” ???? Yeah, that’s all I gotta say.

Did I love this book? Not really. Did I enjoy listening to it? Yeah, quite a lot actually. Probably a nice Valentine’s Day read!!

I got this from NetGalley and this was very cute. Kind of the middle for me, but it was well worth the read. It was definitely needed in a pallet Cleaner.

This was okay, I liked the setting and I liked it was cute but as far as romance goes it just didn’t quite land for me. I’d have liked to see more emotion rather than the old miscommunication trope acting as a crutch. It was enjoyable enough though. I think I would recommend this to some people but it wouldn’t be a go to recommendation.

Cupid on the loose is the type of book that you need to pick up reading and you won’t be able to out it down again. I really enjoyed this book and finished in one sitting

Cupid on the Loose, by John J. Jacobson, is part farce, part fantasy, and a whole lot of fun. Billy Spiers has been a free spirit loved by supportive grandparents who raised him, Arthur and Gwen. Billy seems to have commitment issues and Gwen is anxious for him to settle down and give her great grandchildren. She is certain that if he just visited the magical resort where she and Arthur fell in love, his future would be settled. But Billy has ideas of his own and his eye on a young lady named Kari.

Through a series of dating misadventures that relationship seems to be on the skids. Since Gwen did like Kari a lot when they met, she puts her thinking cap on and orchestrates a stay at the resort for Billy, his friends Byron and Jackson, and Kari and her friends Bianca and Amanda. This lays the groundwork for a Midsummer Night’s Dream scenario complete with mystical characters and a deep forest.

I did enjoy this fantasy story and would recommend it for those interested in this genre.

Cupid on the Loose
by John J. Jacobson
Narrated by Evan Sibley

I found the narrator’s voice to be unreasonably slow-paced, which made it difficult for me to fully engage with the story. Even after adjusting the playback speed, I still felt disconnected from the narrative. Unfortunately, I did not find this romantic comedy to be particularly effective in delivering romance or humour. The characters and plot lacked the charm and wit I had hoped for, leaving me disappointed. Regrettably, I must admit that I was unable to finish this audiobook due to these shortcomings.

This is a cute read. Being totally honest, it was a little slow for me. I listened to the audiobook so maybe reading it would have been different. I felt maybe a little too monotoned.
The story line took me back to school days when boys and girls were afraid to be honest and communicate with one another.. with this being said it was overall a good read for an afternoon of downtime.

I enjoyed this book. The choice in the voice actor for the audiobook was great sometimes voices can be hard to keep you reeled in. This book is not my normal pick or genre but I did enjoy it as it was something new for me. John Jacobson did a fun “new” take on a classic and it was fun. This was a light, airy, quick read. I did have a hard time occasionally sticking to the audiobook but that’s the hard thing about audiobooks. Little chaotic but who doesn’t love some chaos. I do feel like it was a kind of quick/rushed book in the beginning but I do like how you wrapped it up (I do wish there was more romance or spice) but that’s my normal. I too am a hopeless romantic. Thank you for letting me read your work

This delightful and humorous read is a perfect fit for anyone who loves a lighthearted, feel-good romance. The story is filled with whimsical charm and comedic moments, making it a must-read for fans of romantic comedies. Readers who adore stories about the intoxicating power of love and the transformative nature of relationships will also find themselves captivated. The characters are relatable and endearing, their witty banter and amusing escapades will keep you entertained from beginning to end. With its charming setting, heartwarming plot, and hilarious dialogue, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression and become a beloved addition to your bookshelf.

This doesn’t read like a romance. The point of view is shallow and sometimes omniscient, with a lot of telling instead of showing. There doesn’t seem to be a plot apart from the romance arc. I stopped reading when the “hero” tried to deceive the heroine into thinking he spoke Mandarin, for no reason but to try to impress her. That’s incredibly creepy. The audiobook narration was well-done.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.