Grumpily Ever After

I went into *Grumpily Ever After* expecting another tired grumpy/sunshine trope, but Hunter and the stellar narration duo of Chloe Ryan and Nelson Hobbs delivered something far punchier. Ryan’s performance as the wedding-planner heroine, Lila, is a masterclass in chaotic energy—her delivery is all breathless laughter and rapid-fire one-liners, making Lila feel like the human equivalent of a glitter bomb. Hobbs, meanwhile, nails the growly ex-hockey player, Rhys, with a voice that sounds like it’s been sanded down by a lifetime of sarcasm. The chemistry between them is electric, crackling with chemistry even when they’re bickering over catering disasters or near-death experiences at a paintball arena. That said, the story isn’t without flaws. The secondary characters occasionally feel underdeveloped, and some of the more sentimental moments tip into schmaltzy territory, especially during the obligatory “I was wrong” speech. That said, the pacing is tight, the production is clean (no distracting pops or plosives), and the runtime flies by—9 hours and 44 minutes felt like 4.5 hours of pure, guilty pleasure. If you’re craving a rom-com that’s equal parts heart and humor, this audiobook will leave you grinning, groaning, and maybe even blushing. Just don’t listen in public unless you’re okay with strangers judging your laughter.