Crushin' Candy

Okay, let’s talk about *Crushin’ Candy*—because this audiobook is a vibe, but it’s not for everyone. If you’re here for a sanitized, Hallmark-style romance, turn back now. But if you want a heroine who cusses like a sailor, has the emotional range of a fireworks display, and narrates her own life like it’s a stand-up routine? Mia Madison’s performance is your golden ticket. She nails Candy’s defensive humor, especially in the early chapters where the banter borders on *too* sharp—there were moments I wished she’d dial it back just a hair, because the sarcasm can feel relentless. But that’s also the point: Candy’s armor is her mouth, and Madison makes you feel every chip in it. Ash Beverly, as the love interest, is the perfect foil—smooth where she’s jagged, steady where she’s chaotic. Their chemistry in the back-and-forth scenes is electric, though I’ll admit the male narrator’s “sexy growl” voice got a little *too* growly during the spicier bits. (Pro tip: lower the volume if you’re listening in public.) The story itself is a masterclass in balancing raunch and realness. Cole doesn’t gloss over Candy’s mom being a former stripper; it’s not just a quirky backstory, but a source of genuine tension and some surprisingly tender moments. The workplace romance trope gets a fresh coat of paint here, too—no billionaire bosses or insta-love. Instead, we get slow-burn attraction complicated by shift schedules, exes, and the ever-present threat of Candy self-sabotaging. My only real critique? The middle act drags just a touch when the conflict starts to feel repetitive (how many times can these two almost-kiss before it gets old?). But the payoff—a third-act emotional gut-punch I didn’t see coming—makes up for it. The production quality is top-notch, with seamless transitions between narrators and just enough ambient noise (a distant jukebox, the hum of a bar) to immerse you without distracting. Bottom line: If you like your romance with a side of snark, a dash of family drama, and narrators who *commit* to the bit, this one’s worth the listen. Just maybe not on your commute unless you’re cool with blushing at stoplights.