A Match of Misfortune by Jess Heileman

A Match of Misfortune

Regency wit meets reckless, rule-breaking romance

Written byJess Heileman
Narrated byJanna Fox
Length11h24m
Release dateDecember 5, 2025
LanguageEnglish
★★★★☆ 4.9 (4 ratings)

Free with Audible trial. Cancel anytime.

Listen to a Sample

Hear Janna Fox's narration on Audible.

Play Sample on Audible

Quick Facts

AuthorJess Heileman
NarratorJanna Fox
Runtime11h24m
PublishedDecember 5, 2025
Rating★★★★☆ 4.9 / 5 (4 ratings)
CategoriesLiterature & Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Clean & Wholesome, Historical, Regency, Romantic Comedy
FormatAudiobook (Digital)
PlatformAudible

About This Audiobook

Jess Heileman’s *A Match of Misfortune* isn’t your grandmother’s drawing-room romance—it’s a razor-sharp, emotionally untidy love story where fortune favors the bold and misfortune makes for the best kind of chaos. Set against the glittering hypocrisy of Regency England, this isn’t a tale of polite glances across ballrooms but of a heroine who gambles (literally) with her reputation and a hero whose return to society is as unwelcome as it is inevitable. The chemistry crackles with the kind of tension that comes from two people who *should* be enemies but are too clever—and too damaged—to resist each other.

Janna Fox’s narration is a masterclass in tonal precision: her delivery swings effortlessly from biting sarcasm to smoldering intimacy, making the dialogue feel like eavesdropping on a duel of wits. What sets this audiobook apart is its refusal to sand down the edges—Heileman’s prose is laced with dry humor and unflinching emotional honesty, and Fox leans into every barbed remark and breathless confession. If you’re tired of historical romances that play it safe, this is the audiobook equivalent of a late-night whiskey in a gaming hell: intoxicating, a little dangerous, and impossible to put down.

Tags: enemies-to-lovers with biteRegency romance for cynicssharp-witted historical fictionfemale gambler protagonistaudiobook with theatrical narrationunapologetically flawed romance

Why Listen to A Match of Misfortune?

  • Expert narration by Janna Fox brings every character and scene to life across 11h24m of immersive audio.
  • Highly rated at 4.9 stars by 4 listeners.
  • Free with your Audible trial — keep the audiobook forever even if you cancel.
  • Perfect for commutes, workouts, and relaxation. Listen anywhere, anytime.
Start Listening Free
AE

Editor's Review ★★★★☆

AudioBook Atlas

I’ll admit, I went into *A Match of Misfortune* expecting another polished but predictable Regency romp. Instead, I got a story that felt *lived in*—messy, passionate, and refreshingly adult. The plot hinges on a gambling scandal (because of *course* it does), but Heileman uses it as more than a contrivance; it’s the catalyst for a power struggle between two people who’ve been burned by society’s rules and are done pretending. The heroine, Lady Elizabeth, isn’t just spirited—she’s *reckless* in a way that feels authentic, not performative, and the hero’s cynicism isn’t brooding for brooding’s sake; it’s earned. Their dynamic is a push-pull of wit and wounding, and I found myself rewinding Fox’s delivery of their sparring matches just to savor the timing. That said, the pacing isn’t perfect. The middle act drags slightly as subplots involving secondary characters (a well-meaning but intrusive friend, a villain whose mustache-twirling feels a tad overdone) dilute the central tension. And while Fox’s narration is stellar overall, her male voices occasionally tip into caricature—particularly with the more pompous side characters. But these are quibbles. The production quality is impeccable, the emotional payoff is *earned*, and the final act delivers a satisfaction that’s rare in romance: not just a happy ending, but one that feels like these characters *fought* for it. If you love enemies-to-lovers with actual teeth, or narration that makes you forget you’re listening to a performance, this is your next obsession.

Download: A Match of Misfortune

Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

A Match of Misfortune by Jess Heileman is an immersive listening experience. Performed by Janna Fox with a runtime of 11h24m, you can start with a free trial that you can cancel at any time. The audiobook remains yours forever, even if you end the trial.