Audiobook review: The Birthday Suit
Author: Lauren Blakely
Narrators: Andi Arndt, Sebastian York, January Lavoy, Julia Whelan, R.C. Bray, Shane East, Joe Arden, Erin Mallon, Dion Graham, Savannah Peachwood, Jason Clarke, Robin Miles (Full Cast Style)
Audio Speed: 1.0x
Series: Standalone
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchased
I listened to a couple of short stories about secondary characters in Birthday Suit in Strong Suit (Noah & Ginny) a quickie listen at the end of The Feel Good Factor. Lucky Suit (Cameron & Kristen) was an Audible freebie (now in the Romance Package). I enjoyed seeing these characters again in Birthday Suit. The couple in Strong Suit gets their HEA (in the background) of Birthday Suit and the storyline for the couple in Lucky Suit happens parallel to Birthday Suit with their HEA in their own short.
Birthday Suit is a combo of second chance love and taboo (best friend’s ex-wife). Lulu and Leo have been friends for years. They were brought together through Tripp, Leo’s BFF and Lulu’s boyfriend, later husband.
The trio was like the three Musketeers with a twist. Leo was in love with Lulu, and she was in love with Tripp. Leo does his best to hide his feelings, and for about a decade, it worked. Tripp battles addiction with alcohol, and it broke up the couple. The only time we see Tripp is through flashback scenes. There is no cheating!
Lulu meets Leo again a few year after losing Tripp, picking up their friendship where it left off with Leo falling in love with Lulu all over again. This time around he is not alone in the falling department, with Lulu falling fast and hard for Leo, seeing him more than just a friend. Their reconnection brings out the feelings of guilt in Leo because of a promise he made to Tripp during his and Lulu’s break up years ago.
Listening to Lulu and Leo find their HEA was both funny, emotional and sexy.
I recommend binge listening to all three for a complete experience. There’s another story coming, Never Have I Ever which was announced at the end of one of the shorts, and it’s about Piper (sorry I don’t remember a Piper in any of the stories) and whomever she ends up with. So I’m guessing there maybe a chance to see some of these characters again and I can’t wait for it!
The Birthday Suit is my first full cast style narration, and I want more! Most of the narrators, like Arndt, York, Mallon, Bray, Lavoy, East, Clarke and Arden, I have listen to before. All are masters in the field. I really enjoyed the new to me narrators as well, even though their parts were small I will look for more of their work. The full cast style really worked. I felt like I was listening to a movie, bring a new level of listening experience to this audio junkie’s ears.
This audiobook is performed by: Andi Arndt (Lulu), Sebastian York (Leo), Erin Mallon (Ginny) STRONG SUIT, R.C. Bray (George) THE MARTIN, January Lavoy (Kingsley), Dion Graham (Cameron) LUCKY SUIT, Shane East (Dean), Jason Clarke (Tripp), Joe Arden (Noah) STRONG SUIT, Julia Whelan (Tabitha), Robin Miles (Mariana and Vivian), and Savannah Peachwood (RaeLynn).
My Ratings:
Story: A-
Narration: A
Jennifer
About the Book:
New York Times best-selling author Lauren Blakely is back, with an irresistible standalone romance in this all-star production. Revel in a full cast of 12 fan favorite performers—led by award-winning narrators Andi Arndt and Sebastian York.
Leo Hennessey, a charming but introspective executive at a chocolate company, is familiar with rule number one of the Man Code: No matter how beautiful, smart, and witty, never fall in love with your best friend’s woman. Lulu Diamond, for example, the now former wife of one of his fondest friends. Despite Leo secretly pining for this quirky and bold free spirit, she is definitely off-limits. Then Lulu decides to restart her life and fulfill her dream of opening a chocolate shop—and lands back in Leo’s life in a big, unexpected way.