Audiobook Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½

I had the chance to listen to Total Dreamboat while on vacation… on a cruise, no less, and I have to say, the timing could not have been better. When I read the description, I grabbed it right away, hoping it would boost the vacation vibes. Guess what? It totally delivered.

This audiobook was narrated by Kelli Tager and Russ Bain, and they brought just the right amount of charm and personality to the story. I’m a big fan of dual narration for romance audiobooks and this one worked especially well. It added a nice back-and-forth rhythm that made Hope and Felix feel all the more real.

The story itself is light, a little quirky, and absolutely made for vacation reading. Sure, the romance moves fast, but sometimes you just have to go along for the ride. I let myself enjoy the breezy, romantic chaos of it all and it made for a fun escape.

If I had one small complaint, it would be that some of the language in the spicier scenes pulled me out of the moment. There are definitely more creative ways to talk about female parts, but that could just be a personal preference.

Overall, this was a fun little Caribbean romp that fit perfectly with my vacation theme of feel-good romance. It was kitschy in the best way, just like cruises tend to be, and that’s exactly why we love them. Because really, what’s better than listening to a cruise romance on a cruise?

Big thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was a fast and cute read. Except for the opener, this is told chronologically, so you get to see the couple fall for each other, have their conflict. and then fall for each other again. Personally though, I am all about the conflict, so I really enjoyed their bickering post-conflict and their enemies-to-lovers vibes. Other people are going to adore their initial relationship when they're two people working through some issues and being vulnerable with each other. There were a few points, particularly related to the MMC's past, that were really thoughtfully well done.

The narrators were great, and that cover is fantastic. My one nit is that I don't think the FMC on the cover matches how she's described in the book (which was voluptuous, '50s pin up, curvy, etc.).

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC. This is my second Katelyn Doyle ALC and I really enjoyed both of them.

Romcom

Dual narration- Kelli Tager & Russ Bain
Really liked their voices and the accents were done very well.

Sweet and spicy romantic comedy. Full of yearning, tension, and 100% swoony. I loved these characters.
My first book by this author and I guarantee it will not be my last by her.

Writing style and plot development was perfect. Super enjoyable. Would highly recommend.

This was my first time reading a Katelyn Doyle and now I’m officially hooked. Any author who can have me laughing straight out the gate is gonna be a favorite of mine. This was such a sweet, summer romance that had me giggling the whole way through.

Hope and Felix are on vacation where they meet on a cruise ship. At first I was nervous with the insta-love but it wasn’t long after that a misunderstood throws them off course quickly turning them from lovers to two people desperately trying to avoid one another.

Hope is an adult still relying on others to fill her lonely void. She falls too easily for men and when she’s not in a relationship she is co-dependent on her best friend, Lauren.

Felix is a recovering alcoholic, going strong on a two year sobriety. He has spent the majority of his life relying on substances and avoiding relationships.

I appreciated that the author took the time to develop both characters so well. Both are flawed people and instead of being throw into a quick happily ever after, the reader got to experience the characters going through their own transformations and becoming complete individuals on their own. I really loved this book, I felt like it was more complex than just a silly, mindless rom-com.

I received an advanced listening copy of the audiobook and I enjoyed every moment of it. The summer beachy vibes of the tropical islands and cruise ship setting made this a perfect audio for working in my garden today. Both narrators did a great job!

Thank you, NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and Katelyn Doyle for an ARC of Total Dreamboat. I enjoyed every moment soaking up this story.