I don't know if it was the story, the narration or a combination of both, but I did not care for this book. I didn't feel the chemistry at all between the two MC's. I felt some of the story was a little too cutesy and I ended up DNF'ing at 50%. This book might be good if you are looking for a light, Hallmark type story but it felt a bit too contrived for my tastes.

A Sweet Beach Town Romance
I can never resist a good ocean town romance, and when I was offered the opportunity to listen to the audiobook of ‘Seas the Dating Coach’, I jumped at the chance.
Laura Langa once again masterfully delivers heart and heat in this closed-door, slow-burn romance. There’s a quiet sizzle that simmers throughout, making it one of my favorite reads from her yet! The duo narrators did an outstanding job bringing the story to life, adding even more charm to Laura’s already delightful writing style.
I especially loved the dual POV. The main characters are adorably authentic, insecurities and all, and their struggles with their fears and self-doubt are tender, heartfelt, and beautifully done. Finn’s backstory adds a charming layer of depth to his character. And honestly? A rich librarian and a shy, curvy seamstress? Totally swoon-worthy and irresistible.
My favorite line: “Do you think I want to hold onto a flat cement slab while I’m kissing?” Priceless!
Huge thanks to the author for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.

“Seizing the day is great, but snagging a dating coach is better!”

SeasTheDatingCoach by LauraLanga is boom one of the WilksBeachSeries. And is a 3 ⭐️ read.

Seas the Dating Coach is the first book in the Wilks Beach Series, but can be read as a standalone.

I really did enjoy reading the playful banter, in this book. There are kisses only becuase you know… practice makes perfect, a dating coach who is good at their job, a secret identity, with a small beach town full of people who know everything and everyone, and it’s a sweet closed-door romance where he falls first! So… What’s not to like?

Favourite Quote: “If you help me get on the good side of your fellow townspeople, I’ll teach you how to talk to him.”

Seas the Dating Coach by Laura Langa is perfection. I loved everything about Vivian and Finn’s story. Vivian is a small town sweetheart wanting to step outside her comfort zone and the box everyone has put her in. Finn is a roguishly flirty librarian from the main land who has a secret identity. After running into each other a couple of times, Finn realizes they can help each other. Their chemistry slowly builds from strangers to acquaintances to friends then more. I found both Vivian and Finn completely endearing from the beginning. The way they understood each other, saw what others didn’t, and helped to push the other towards growth was so beautiful. They felt safe with one another in a way they didn’t with anyone else. You can tell that Finn is protective of Vivian but also encouraging. He wants so badly for her to recognize how capable she is and he pushes her just enough while being there to help her through it. Vivian sees the mask that Finn hides behind. She pushes and encourages him to be his true self. She also helps him be vulnerable and gives him the courage to overcome a big fear.

One of the things I really enjoyed about this story was the lack a drama and miscommunication. No third act break ups, misunderstandings, or forcing decisions on someone for their own good. There were a lot of opportunities to veer in those directions but Laura Langa handles those brilliantly. I know sometimes those elements are needed for the plot but I appreciate the way this story was handled differently. Their open communication and trust are part of what made this story so special.

The audiobook had me hooked from the beginning. I found myself wanting to take the long way home so I would have more time to listen. I feel like the narrators’ voices really fit the characters. I really liked how their voice inflections brought the story to life. There were times I felt like the male narrator drug his words out and the pacing was thrown off but not enough to really bother me. I would suggest previewing the audio beforehand if this is something that bothers you.

Overall, I give the book and the audio 5 stars. This was my first book by Laura Langa but I’ve already purchased more.

💜 He Falls First
💜 Dating Coach
💜 Roguishly Flirty Librarian MMC
💜 Quiet Bookish FMC
💜 Small Beach Town
💜 Found Family
💜 Secret Identity
💜 Dual POV
💜 Closed Door, Kisses Only
💜 Book Lovers

CW: manipulative father, near drowning as a child, off page parental death when younger

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This romance between a shy woman, Vivian, and a male librarian, Finn, was so sweet and swoony. I loved the author's writing style, and I really enjoyed all the banter in the dialogue. It was so fun to watch Vivian trying to work up the nerve to talk to her crush while simultaneously falling in love with Finn. The beach setting also added to the light, summery vibe of the story. Beachy and bookish, Seas the Dating Coach is one of my favorite reads of this summer!

The audiobook narration was excellent. Rylee Kuberra was a great choice to voice Vivian, and John Joseph Rogers was perfect as Finn.

DNF at 37%

I felt like Finn and Vivian had no chemistry. Vivian was too far to the extreme to have much of a personality. I am shy and have pretty severe social anxiety. She was unrealistic.

I did like the scene in the bar when Finn realized she didn't like her drink and got her one. Best part of the story.

Basically, it felt like a chore to keep reading, so I stopped.

Rylee Kuberra's narration has some issues. Audio quality is lacking. She also pops her ps a lot, so it is annoying.

I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

Seas the Dating Coach by Laura Langa is a charming and witty romantic comedy that captures the quirks and challenges of modern dating through the perspective of an unconventional dating coach. The audiobook is a delightful mix of humor, heart, and relatable struggles, making it an engaging listen from start to finish.

Narrated by a talented voice actor, the performance brings the characters to life in a way that truly enhances the experience. The pacing is spot-on, and the tone perfectly matches the lighthearted nature of the story, without sacrificing the depth of emotion that comes with the characters’ growth. The voice acting is energetic and fun, especially in the moments when the protagonist, the dating coach herself, faces awkward situations that any listener can relate to. It’s a perfect fit for this romantic comedy's vibe.

The plot centers around the dating coach, who, despite being an expert in love and relationships, finds herself in a tangled mess of her own romantic dilemmas. Her attempts at navigating the complexities of dating in a digital world provide both comedic moments and genuine self-discovery. Through her clients’ stories and her own journey, the audiobook explores themes of love, self-worth, and the importance of trusting the process of finding the right person.

The dialogue is witty and fast-paced, keeping the listener engaged and entertained, while the storyline is full of twists and turns that will keep you hooked until the very end. The humor is clever without being over the top, and there’s a good balance of heartwarming moments sprinkled throughout.

Overall, Seas the Dating Coach is a fun, fresh take on the dating genre with an audiobook performance that elevates the story even further. Whether you’re a fan of romantic comedies or just looking for something lighthearted and entertaining, this one is a solid pick.

Audio Review
Seizing the day is great—but snagging a dating coach is better.

First, I want to say this dual narration is my favorite! John Joseph Rogers voiced all the male dialogue and Rylee Kuberra voiced all the female dialogue. I LOVE when this happens and it makes me feel more absorbed into the book. They brought this story to life and I loved every moment of it!

This is such a sweet story of finding your own voice and breaking out of the expectations others force on you. I loved the interactions between Finn and Vivian and how they worked together to accomplish their goals. The meet-cute was absolutely adorable! And Finn is such a sweet cinnamon roll MMC!

Read this for the opposites attract, hidden identity, small town vibes, and delicious banter!! This is a sweet romcom, closed door, mild romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the complimentary audio copy. All thoughts are my own.
#SeastheDatingCoach #NetGalley

Thank you so much to Dreamscape Select, West East Publishing, and NetGalley for this ALC of Seas the Dating Coach.

A million stars for this one. Super, super cute read! The narration for this matches perfectly to the book cover. I could totally see those voices being the characters. I love that there was the tiniest touch of magic and how Vivian zones out in daydreams (this is totally relatable.) The romance is so sweet. I also love the small town and how protective they are of their own.

I will definitely be reading more from this author.

Small town
Enemies to lovers
Clean romance
Small town vibes
Secret identity

Duet narration - Rylee Kuberra & John Joseph Rogers
Great narration they did a great job

This is a cute and sweet romantic comedy. Clean romance only a couple kisses.

Finn is the new librarian in town and the town hates him. They don’t approve of his changes to the library.
Vivian is a small business owner who is terrified to talk to men/people she doesn’t know and has a MASSIVE crush on a local guy.

Finn needs Vivian’s help with the town and she could use his help with talking to her crush. These two become closer and it turns into more.

Laura Langas writing is very sweet, funny, and enjoyable. If you’re interested in a clean and fun romcom then give this one a try.

This is my first Laura Langa book and it was so sweet!! It reminded me of Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams meets the Only Magic in the Building series. This town is on an island with "ocean magic" wishes and lore like Serendipity Springs.

Finn and Vivian were so supportive with each other and had such a mature relationship.

I had an iffy start with the male narrator, but I got used to him. The book got better as I got further into the story.

Finn is an ex-millionaire, ex-playboy librarian and Vivian is a shy seamstress with really small dreams that turn into big dreams when she meets Finn. He coaches her on how to talk to her crush.

I enjoyed all of the side characters and townsfolk we met throughout the book. This is the first in a series so I hope we get to learn more about them

Check it out if you like:
Duet narration audiobooks
Summertime vibes
Good girl x bad boy
Shy FMC
Small town romance
Flirty MMC
Family trauma
Main characters who love books
Deep characters

It was a great no spice, beachy romance with sweet characters.

Cute banter. Sweet romance. Lots of chemistry. This one is the dating coach trope done right. I loved the curvy seamstress FMC and the steamy librarian MMC together. Their tender moments were completely swoonworthy. I enjoyed their friends-to-lovers evolution as well. This one has no spice, but I honestly didn't miss it because it was so sweet. And there is kissing, so you get the feel good moments. Hats off to the duet narration (honestly the best kind of narration). The voice actors did an amazing job bringing these two to life.

This was super cute, MMC fell hard from the beginning and I loved that, and it wasn’t any misunderstandings, they talked and resolved their issues, which was refreshing.
Only things I didn’t like where the meddling town and sister and that Vivian didn’t know how attractive she was.

There’s nothing I love more than a meet-cute and this one is not only sweet, but hilarious and ultra embarrassing, and if I can’t go to a beach for reals, a book beach is the next best thing.

What I loved:
🐚Vivian struggles with speaking
🐚Finn loves books ‼️Major green flag
🐚There’s an almost enemies/rivals energy, which only makes that banter extra…bantery
🐚Secret identity anyone??
🐚Small, beach town where everyone knows everything and everyone and everything about everyone
🐚Fashion designer
🐚Vivian loves to read, especially Regency books (we’re basically twins)
🐚Pushing against expectations, especially if they don’t ring true to you
🐚Dating coach–and we all know what that means–practice kisses 💋

This is my first book by Laura Langa and just so happens to be the first book in a new series–Wilks Beach–and it’s guaranteed this won’t be my last by her. I thoroughly enjoyed her writing style, descriptions, interactions, and vibe. The narration was duet and fantastic!

From start to finish, I was in love with everything about this one.

Content: mild romance

*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given*

Seas the Dating Coach by Laura Lange was an unexpected delight — the kind of romance that could’ve easily leaned into cliché but instead turned out to be tender, witty, and genuinely captivating. I listened to the audiobook version, and the dual narration added so much depth and charm. Both narrators brought the characters to life with warmth and emotion, elevating the entire experience.
At the heart of the story are Finn and Vivian — two characters who are perfectly imperfect for each other. Finn, a swoony, bookish librarian, stole my heart. He’s sweet, selfless, a bit broody in the best way, and fiercely protective. Vivian, quiet and reserved, is the kind of heroine you root for. Watching her gradually open up, learning to trust and be vulnerable with Finn, was incredibly rewarding.
Their dynamic unfolds with a slow-burn rhythm that feels natural and well-paced — no frustrating miscommunications or forced drama. Instead, their relationship is layered with clever banter, mutual respect, and a magnetic pull that builds with every interaction. The chemistry between them is electric, with just the right mix of tension and tenderness. Their growth, both individually and as a couple, felt real and earned.
Langa’s writing is vivid and smart, with a subtle charm that makes even the smallest moments feel meaningful. The small coastal town setting is full of whimsy and warmth, with side characters who add a sense of community and lighthearted humour without overshadowing the main story.
What I appreciated most is how the book balances light-hearted romance with deeper emotional themes. Both Finn and Vivian carry emotional scars — from family, from past heartbreak — and the way they help each other heal feels authentic and moving. Their journey to a hard-won happily ever after is as heartwarming as it is satisfying.
It’s a cosy, clever, and heartfelt romance with all the feels — definitely one I’ll be recommending, especially in audiobook form!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

The beginning of the book almost had me stop but I pushed through and this is a cute romance. Curvy seamstress Vivian reluctantly agrees to let the quiet, bookish librarian Finn help her re-enter the dating world, she doesn’t expect him to be the one to win her heart. As her self-image evolves and secrets about Finn’s past come to light, both must decide if love is worth the risk. By stepping out of your comfort zone is where life begins. The story was endearing, romantic, and had moments of deep emotion. Fake dating added the perfect amount of chemistry and tension to the story. Thank you to the author, Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity.

DNF at 20%.
Was not for me.
Slow and hard to follow along.
Voice actors were good, didn’t mind them

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape for the audio ARC

4 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

🎧 AUDIOBOOK REVIEW 🎧

I loved this audio. I loved both the MMC and FMC narrators they did a great job! I also loved this book!!! I wish I could read it again for the first time. This was my first book by this author and now I’ve added all her books to my TBR 🤷🏼‍♀️ Vivian and Finn were adorable I’m a sucker for a he falls first romance and this one was it!!!! Highly recommend!

As a public library director, I wanted to love this. I mean—hot librarian as the male love interest? Yes, please. Sign me up for that library card.

Unfortunately, this one just didn’t work for me. The author clearly wanted to shine a light on the world of public libraries (which, yay in theory), but the way it was handled felt clunky and distracting. Instead of letting that info come out naturally in conversation between the characters, it was all delivered through internal exposition, with Finn’s internal monologue—and not in a way that felt true.. It wasn’t “Finn thinking about work,” it was “the author explaining libraries at the reader.” It read like an awkward library PSA tucked into a rom-com, and it really pulled me out of the story.

Add to that a cast of characters who felt more like exaggerated caricatures than real people, and it just became too much. As much as it pained me, I had to tap out at 25%. Great concept in theory—but the storytelling just didn’t deliver.

This was a swoony, small Virginia beach town, dating lessons, kissing only, dual POV romance between Finn, a rich male librarian aiming to become director and Vivian, a sweet, innocent woman looking to find the courage to make a move on her crush, Atticus. I really enjoyed the steamy banter between the MCs, the small town vibes, all the library talk and the emotional depth and humor the author brought to the story. It was also good on audio and I can't wait to see what's next in this new Indie romance series set in Wilks Beach Virginia.