Clueless Romeo

Okay, let’s get this out of the way: *Clueless Romeo* is the audiobook equivalent of that friend who roasts you mercilessly but would still drive three hours to bail you out of jail. Roman is an asshole—*deliberately* so—and Iggy Toma leans into it with a performance that’s equal parts gravel and smirk. His Roman sounds like a guy who’s smoked one too many cigarettes in dive bars while judging your life choices, which makes it all the more satisfying when his voice cracks just a little during the vulnerable bits. Crow’s writing shines in the back-and-forth; the chemistry between Roman and his chaotic client isn’t just palpable, it’s *laugh-out-loud* funny, the kind of snappy repartee that’s rare in romance without feeling forced. That said, the pacing stumbles in the middle—there’s a lull where Roman’s internal monologue circles the same ‘I’m not like other matchmakers’ schtick a beat too long, and a subplot involving a rival feels tacked on for conflict rather than depth. The production is clean, though Toma’s delivery of secondary characters occasionally veers into caricature (one minor villain sounds like a Bond parody, which undercuts the stakes). Still, the final act sticks the landing with a mix of steam and sincerity that’ll satisfy even the most trope-wary listeners. If you love romances where the emotional payoff feels *earned*—not just handed to you with a bow—this is your jam. Just be prepared to side-eye Roman for 70% of it before he grows a heart.