🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 (5 stars)

Absolutely adorable! I couldn’t put Seas the Dating Coach down—or in my case, stop listening. This was such a fun, sweet, and swoony story that had me smiling from start to finish.

I completely fell in love with Finn and Vivian. Their chemistry was instant, but it was the emotional depth and mutual growth that really made their romance shine. The banter was charming, the moments of vulnerability felt genuine, and the pacing was just right—lighthearted but never shallow.

The audiobook narration was fantastic and brought these characters (and their seaside setting!) vividly to life. It felt like the perfect escape—full of warmth, charm, and that just-right blend of heart and humor.

I received this audiobook as an Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley and am leaving this review voluntarily.

If you’re in the mood for a feel-good romance with lovable leads, coastal vibes, and all the butterflies, don’t miss this one! 💙

I loved this book. I listened to the audiobook and the narrators did a really good job!

Laura's writing is so well done. I really liked the back and forth flirting bettween Finn and Vivian. They were both very well developed characters. I enjoyed getting to know the townspeople and hopefully future main characters in the series.

I am so grateful Laura Langa decided to leave out and off page whether her characters are having intimate relations or not. In her previous series her books are closed door, yet it is very apparent they are going into the bedroom to continue on. In this book all of that is left out and all scenes end on just kisses so it is left up to the readers' own moral code on whether the characters continued and took the kisses elsewhere or were morally clean and ended it at kisses until they were married.

There are no swears, mild alcohol consumption, and level 3 kisses only. Present tense, Dual POV.

I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from @Netgalley and @dreamscape_media . Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

ALC Review
Narrators: Rylee Kuberra & John Joseph Rogers
Dreamscape Select / West East Publishing

This book is an adorable seaside rom com that blends with closed-door charm. In the beginning, a shy seamstress, Vivian, wants to say hello to her longtime crush but ends up in the arms of Finn Reynolds from slipping on a puddle of coffee. He wants to be the next director of the library, so they work together. She is to shift popular opinion; he will be her personal dating coach. Sparks fly; feelings develop. The plot twist? Finn’s big secret? Whewwww.

Vivian’s character shows a lot of character development as she begins to feel more confident, overcoming her shyness.

The narrators fit perfectly with the characters, bringing them to realism.

Seas the Dating Coach is such a fun read. I loved the entire premise of this book. The story is set in Wilks Beach, a book town I would love to visit!! The storyline and characters were perfect! I really connected with the FMC as she feels unseen and like no one expects anything from her, even though she’s remarkable. The MMC really has great character development and I ended up loving him. I loved how their relationship evolved from the beginning to the end. This was my first book by Laura Langa and it won’t be my last and I will continue with this series as they come out. I listened to the audiobook and both of the narrators did a great job. 💜💙

I would like to thank Dreamscape Select and NetGalley for giving me an ARC (which did not sway my opinions or review).

This was a cute book. It reminded me so much of another book and for the life of me I can't think of the book name.
This book was a fast contemporary romance. Very clean book. Just some rated PG kissing.
Finn and Vivian were a cute couple.
Vivian is a very innocent and almost sheltered FMC. She makes clothes and lives in her little small town.
Finn was from the outside. New man in a small town. He is a male librarian and is trying to get a promotion. He also is the secret heir to a hotel empire/billionaire. He has so much pressure to succeed so as to protect his sister's inheritance and not be forced to go work with his diabolical Father.
This story felt so Victorian tale in modern day. Had that feeling. Like a classic old love story.
The two characters are fairly well developed and really push one another. There were fairly engaging throughout but I didn't find them entirely relatable. And I am from a small-town.
The plot was structured well but the pace was a bit slower.
If you love a cute, quick, and innocent love story, this is a book for you!
Happy Reading!

Thank you to #NetGalley and #DreamscapeSelect for an advance listening copy of #SeastheDatingCoach. A woman falls for the man she recruited to give her dating advice. 4 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ALC of this book. It was really good but not perfect. Probably could’ve used a little editing down as it felt pretty drawn out towards the 3/4 mark and the female narrators voice wasn’t my favorite. But overall good story!

Seas the Dating Coach by Laura Langa is a lighthearted romantic comedy centered around 27-year-old Vivian Hutchinson, a socially awkward woman who has spent much of her life letting her more confident twin sister speak for her. Living in a small coastal town, Vivian dreams of a romance with a local man, but her shy nature holds her back. Enter Finn Reynolds, a mysterious yet charming library manager who volunteers to help Vivian win over her crush. Of course, as they spend more time together, Vivian and Finn develop feelings for each other in a sweet, slow-burn fashion.

The book starts off strong—charming, quirky, and full of promise. The small-town setting adds a cozy backdrop, and the early dynamic between Vivian and Finn is both amusing and endearing. One of the highlights of the story is Vivian’s personal growth. Watching her break free from the roles others have placed her in and find her own voice is genuinely satisfying.

However, while the story had heart and a few memorable moments, it didn’t fully stand out. The romance, though cute, felt a bit predictable, and the plot didn’t quite deliver the emotional depth or unique spark I hoped for. It’s a pleasant, feel-good read, but ultimately, it didn’t leave a lasting impression.

Overall, Seas the Dating Coach is an okay romance novel—sweet and enjoyable, but not one that will stay with me for long.

I liked the book overall. But I thought that the main character had way too much self doubt. I understand insecurity but it felt like it took a long time without having any personal growth.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🎧
Thank you for the ALC #NetGalley #SeastheDatingCoach
Sweet, Swoony, and Smart 🌊A Coastal Romance You’ll Want to Replay!

Seas the Dating Coach by Laura Langa is everything I want in a feel-good romance. The audiobook brings it to life in the most charming way with two excellent narrators. From the hilarious coffee slip to the swoonworthy “practice” kiss, I was absolutely hooked.

The narrators perfectly capture the voice of our lovable, bookish heroine, whose awkward attempts at flirting are painfully relatable and endlessly endearing. And then there’s Finn 💙 equal parts infuriating and irresistible. Their banter is electric and their chemistry undeniable.

The seaside setting is cozy and vibrant, the side characters are delightful, and the library subplot adds a dash of warmth and whimsy. But what really sets this story apart is the emotional depth behind the humor especially when Finn’s secret surfaces.

Whether you’re a romcom regular or just need a heartwarming escape, Seas the Dating Coach is a must-listen. It’s like a warm hug with a shot of espresso and a book on a gorgeous fall day. This is a very well written closed door romance. Kisses only. I’d give it more than 5 stars if I could!

This is a sweet, small town, kisses only romance. I enjoyed the playful banter and the sweet slow burn romance.

I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook and the narrators were emotive, engaging and really brought the story to life.

This is the first book in the Wilks Beach series and it can absolutely be read as a stand alone.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for the ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Seas the Dating Coach is the first full-length story in Laura Langa ’s Wilks Beach series, which takes place on a peninsula near Virginia Beach. It is connected to the novella Rising Tides, but can absolutely be read or listened to as a stand-alone. Seas the Dating Coach is a closed-door secret identity, dating coach romantic comedy. The story is told in alternating POV from Vivian and Finn, and the audiobook features duet narration (male performs male character voices).

27-year-old Vivian Hutchinson is the most introverted person in the state of Virginia. She lives with her twin sister, Brynn, in an apartment above their businesses in Wilks Beach, a peninsula near Virginia Beach. After their parents were killed in a car accident when they were nine years old, the twins were raised by their Aunt Tammy, who owned the Sea Breeze Beans coffee shop. Vivian was so traumatized that she didn’t speak for six months afterward, and Brynn made it a habit to speak for her sister. Vivian is socially awkward and still stumbles over her words when trying to have a conversation with others. She runs a small tailoring business next door to the coffee shop and keeps different hours than her sister.

Vivian reads Regency romances and dreams of a future with Atticus Williams, a shy accountant who visits Brynn’s coffee shop each morning. Unfortunately, she is always tongue-tied around him and can’t get up the courage to speak to him. When she slips on a puddle of coffee one morning, she lands in the arms of Finn Reynolds, the handsome and rakish new Library Manager. Finn isn’t making friends with the residents of Wilks Beach, and he desperately needs to win them over in order to be promoted to Director of the Virginia Beach Library System by next year. Finn offers to help Vivian with her love life if she will help him become accepted by the community.

Vivian and Finn immediately clash, with Vivian criticizing Finn for his changes at the library. This seems to be the first time that Vivian has ever been able to articulate her thoughts to others outside her innermost circle. Vivian has always passively gone along with Brynn’s plans for the two of them, never making her own wishes known. She has allowed Brynn to order food for her, not speaking up even when she would rather eat or drink something else. Slowly she gains self-confidence to assert herself a little.

29-year-old Finn is hiding his true identity since he is estranged from his billionaire father. He left the family fold when he discovered that his fiancé, Caitlin, had signed a marriage contract created by his father, making their romance a business transaction. Finn still keeps in contact with his 19-year-old sister, Cordelia, who sends him money from her allowance. Finn’s severance deal with his father includes a provision that cuts off Cordelia’s trust fund if Finn doesn’t reach the top of his field by the age of 30. So Finn exerts all of his energy to his career success, neglecting friendships except with his drunken roommate, Alec.
Naturally Vivian and Finn fall for each other while he is serving as her dating coach. She keeps their relationship a secret, which is easy since things are strained between her and Brynn. Vivian is unaware of her attractiveness and believes that Finn is totally out of her league. Meanwhile Finn is discouraged by Vivian’s continuing interest in Atticus even after they share a passionate “practice” kiss, which is the first real kiss that Vivian has experienced. Will Vivian’s wish for a lifetime love be fulfilled by the magic sea?
Seas the Dating Coach is a familiar story with some unexpected elements, including the wish-granting ocean. The residents of Wilks Beach are a quirky bunch, and they definitely add color and humor to the story. Finn’s love of books and book preservation are unusual for a male character, along with his hidden introvert side. Vivian experiences a lot of growth during the story, slowly emerging from behind Brynn’s shadow. Brynn seems to resent Vivian at times, and the reader has to wonder why.

Seas the Dating Coach is a very clean, closed-door romance with no profanity or sex scenes. Vivian is a unicorn in that she is 27 and has never been kissed. The author uses a lot of “big” words throughout the story, showcasing her extensive vocabulary. So this book is perfect for English teachers and retired teachers who enjoy clean romances; it’s more sophisticated than the usual Hallmark-type stories. I look forward to reading the next book in the Wilks Beach series, hoping that Brynn’s story will be next.

My chief complaint of Seas the Dating Coach is the inconsistencies throughout. It needs a good editor who will catch things like Atticus Williams being referred to as Atticus Beckham later in the story. I listened to this audiobook in my car over a period of two weeks and was confused by some story elements that didn’t make sense.

The audiobook is narrated by Rylee Kuberra and John Joseph Rogers who do an outstanding job bringing life to the characters. They pronounce the many “big” words correctly, but neither narrator employs a southern accent until the character Wren appears at the Artisan Fair in Chapter 22. Virginia residents should have southern accents, and the female narrator sounds like a computer-generated voice on speed. In order for this audiobook to seem authentic, all of the Virginia-born characters should have accents like Wren.

I received an Advance Review Copy (ARC) of the audiobook from NetGalley and DreamScape Select for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you Net Galley / Dreamscape Select / West East Publishing for this audiobook ARC.

This was a super sweet romance book! The storyline was easy to follow along. I always love a small town romance where one of them is an outsider and the other is a well loved by the towns people and they are protective over her. The banter between the two was cute and had me giggling. Them pushing each other outside of their comfort zones was a perfect way for them to build trust for each other and eventually fall in love. I loved that he was always thinking about her, what she would like, how she would react, and always standing up for her. Also - he’s a librarian and she loves reading.. can we say perfect match? 😍

The ending was so cute, him sending her off on a much needed vacation and then showing up just to surprise her? Ugh so cute. I also would love to have a story about his sister, she seems super interesting and sweet, I wish she was in it a little more!

It was a quick listen that I finished while doing some work and the narrators did a great job. I was very happy that it was a duet book! I can’t stand when it’s a dual where they only read their POV. These narrators fit the characters very well!

#SeastheDating Coach #NetGalley

This takes place in a small beach own in Virgina. Finn is the towns new librarian and is making big changes and the town is not having it. Vivian has always lived here and is shy and just goes with the flow of what everyone else wants and never rocks the boat. When the pair has a chance run in they decide they can help each other. As the time passes and so do the looks is this more than a helping each other or something more.

This was such a sweet romance and finding your voice on what you want. They complement each other so well.

Thank you NetGalley for this Audio Arc

This was a cute quick read rom com. Laura Langa did a great job tying in different literary pieces. Can't wait for her next novel.

All I wanted was to finally say hi to my longtime crush. Instead, I slipped on a puddle of coffee and landed in the arms of Finn Reynolds—the infuriatingly charming newcomer in town. When I tried again, I got utterly tongue-tied. Now I’m blushing, flustered, and somehow caught in Finn’s ridiculous proposition.

With plans to become our library’s next director, Finn has one major winning over the standoffish locals. If I agree to shift popular opinion in his favor, he’ll become my personal dating coach. I’m more fluent in fictional dukes than real-life flirting, but I’m also ready to step out of my shell.

As we navigate trial dates along the seaside and late-night pep talks, I start to feel more confident—more myself. And the way Finn looks at me? It’s impossible to ignore the sparks between us—or how sizzling those practice kisses are.

But Finn’s hiding a big secret—one that doesn’t stay buried for long. And the truth turns out to be a plot twist I definitely didn’t see coming.

4⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to listen to Seas the Dating Coach in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 🎧📚💕

A charming coastal romance that’s as warm and cozy as a seaside blanket 🐚☕. This one gave me all the comfort read vibes. The audiobook, with its dual narrators, brought the story to life so well—each voice perfectly suited to the characters.

It took me a little while to truly connect with the characters, but I’m so glad I stuck with it. By the end, I was smiling through tears 🥹💘. I really enjoyed the sweet, shy, nerdy heroine and the tall, dark, and handsome outsider who not only notices her but really sees her. Their chemistry was soft and earnest, and the setting—a quaint small town—was the perfect backdrop for a slow-burn love story.

If you're in the mood for a feel-good romance with gentle humor, a hero to swoon for, and a heroine to root for, give this one a listen!

#SeasTheDatingCoach #NetGalley

A quiet local, Vivian, in a small mystical beach town agrees to make a deal with the outsider that moved to town, Finn. He needs help getting the town to like him and she needs a dating coach. (TW: grief, blackmail)

Audiobook release date 7/30/25. Thank you to NetGalley for the ALC.

I liked the quirky small town. I liked the pacing, but the plot was chaotic, especially at the end. Vivian is adorable and relatable and had great character development. The MMC is unusually intense for no reason.. especially about the library (which makes him seem so unrealistic). I wouldn’t consider this a rom-com because I didn’t find any part funny.

The narrators’ over enunciation is distracting and very annoying. The woman is very chirpy and the man is overly arrogant sounding like Gaston. By the end of this audiobook, I was very annoyed by these narrators and couldn’t even make myself listen to the epilogue.

There’s so many seconds of no sound at all at the end of every chapter that I kept thinking my earbuds died or disconnected every single chapter. 🤦‍♀️

Other thoughts
-At 22% “hoof and mouth disease.” Umm what? It’s FOOT and mouth disease. I’ve even heard “hand FOOT mouth disease” but never hoof. Has this book been edited?
-Everyone does NOT pee in the shower. Gross.
-What kind of grown man doesn’t know a car needs gas?

A cute small-town, closed-door romance. Vivian and Finn were both great characters and I enjoyed their chemistry. I do love the trope of dating coach. It is not used too much. The writing was simply (not in a bad way) and plot was easy to follow. This would be a perfect hallmark movie. I was smiling through many of the scenes. Sometimes you just need a book that gives off cozy vibes and this one hit the spot.

Laura Langa has this incredible ability to layer her stories in a way that slowly sneaks the more difficult topics into the narrative that is non-obtrusive or forced. It reads and feels natural and powerful, flowing organically and allowing the reader to develop along with the story.

What do I mean by this? In this novel; Vivian isn’t just a woman who stumbles (literally) across a handsome stranger she then has help her learn confidence to speak to her longtime crush…all of that is true of course…but Vivian is also a twin, the quiet twin. But is she? Or was quiet just expected of her? Perhaps predictable and quiet is who she became because it was the role given to her by the entire town, even her own twin.

It takes Finn, this handsome stranger, who just so happens to be the hot and delicious new library director for Vivian to see that she can be seen…and that what she has is fabulous.

Is that the leading theme? No. The coaching her to date confidently is. And it’s hilarious. But along side that…we get this deeper level novel that remains with you long after the epilogue ends.

This is a cute, breezy romance for a summer's day by the pool or at the beach. Utterly charming

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.