Getting Real

I’ll admit, I went into *Getting Real* skeptical—how many times can we rehash the ‘grumpy meets sunny’ trope? But Emma Chase flips the script by making both leads *equally* stubborn, and the audiobook’s dual narration sells it. Andi Arndt’s performance as the heroine is a standout: she nails the eye-rolls, the exasperated sighs, even the way her voice cracks when she’s trying (and failing) to stay mad. Zachary Webber, meanwhile, gives the love interest a playful arrogance that never tips into smugness. Their back-and-forth in the early chapters—especially the scene where they negotiate a fake relationship over drinks—is so charged, I actually paused to take notes on the timing. The production is flawless, with seamless transitions between perspectives and no jarring volume shifts. That said, the middle act drags slightly with a subplot involving the heroine’s sister that feels underdeveloped. And while the steamy scenes are *excellent* (Webber’s low, amused chuckle during one particular moment? *Chef’s kiss*), the emotional payoff in the final act leans a bit too hard on a miscommunication trope that’s been done better elsewhere. Still, the narration elevates even the weaker bits—Arndt’s delivery of the heroine’s vulnerable moments is raw enough to make you forget the plot’s familiar beats. If you’re a romance audiobook fan who prioritizes chemistry and comedic timing over groundbreaking plots, this is a home run. Just maybe skip the sister’s drama on a relisten.