Catch of the Day

About This Audiobook

*Catch of the Day* isn’t just another rom-com—it’s a masterclass in balancing humor with heartache, where the heroine’s love life is so disastrous it’s almost impressive. Kristan Higgins delivers a story where the romantic stakes feel real because Maggie Beaumont’s missteps (like falling for a priest—*twice*) aren’t just quirky; they’re painfully relatable. The audiobook shines under Xe Sands’ narration, whose warm, slightly raspy voice gives Maggie’s self-deprecating wit an extra layer of charm. Sands nails the timing of Higgins’ razor-sharp dialogue, making even the most cringe-worthy moments (and there are *many*) feel like shared secrets between listener and protagonist.

What sets this apart from typical romances is its refusal to sand down the edges. The small-town setting of Manningsport, New York, isn’t just backdrop—it’s a character, with its nosy neighbors, failing businesses, and the kind of gossip that turns a breakup into a spectator sport. Higgins weaves in family drama (Maggie’s brother is a hot mess with a capital *H*) and financial strain (her struggling fishing boat business) without letting them overshadow the romance. The result? A love story that’s as much about rebuilding self-worth as it is about the slow-burn tension with the gruff, emotionally guarded love interest. If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at a meet-cute but still secretly hoped for one, this is your book."

"review": "I’ll admit it: I side-eyed the premise at first. A woman with a track record of romantic disasters—including a crush on a *priest*—didn’t exactly scream ‘must-listen.’ But within 20 minutes, Xe Sands’ narration had me hooked. She gives Maggie this perfect blend of exhaustion and optimism, like a woman who’s been knocked down but still laughs at the absurdity of it all. Sands’ pacing is impeccable, especially in the banter-heavy scenes with Connor O’Rourke (the love interest, whose Irish lilt she handles without veering into caricature). There’s a moment early on where Maggie’s brother drunkenly interrupts a tense conversation, and Sands’ delivery of his slurred, overly earnest advice had me *actually* laughing out loud on my commute.

The story’s strength lies in its refusal to rush the emotional beats. Higgins lets Maggie’s insecurities—about her business, her family, her love life—simmer, and the audiobook’s 10-hour runtime gives those moments room to breathe. That said, the middle act drags slightly with subplots (the town’s feud over a historical society feels like filler), and Connor’s backstory, while poignant, gets a *bit* too much airtime. But the payoff? Worth it. The final act delivers a satisfying mix of groveling, grand gestures, and—refreshingly—no last-minute miscommunications. If you love romances where the humor feels organic (not forced), the steam is slow-burn but *scorching*, and the narrator makes you forget you’re listening to a book, this is a catch worth reeling in."

"tags": [
"small-town romance with bite