Jane Austen Cannot Marry

I’ll admit, I side-eyed the premise at first—*Jane Austen Cannot Marry* sounds like a fanfic prompt gone rogue. But May McGoldrick’s novel commits so hard to its bit that it wins you over. The real delight is Nadine, a protagonist who’s equal parts exasperated civil servant and reluctant romantic. Her mission to ‘un-matchmake’ Austen is packed with hilarious missteps, like trying to explain modern dating to a woman who literally *wrote the book* on romantic tension. The audiobook’s strength lies in Sonja Field’s performance: she nails Nadine’s deadpan frustration (especially in the scenes where she’s stuck in a carriage with Austen, mentally screaming about ‘protocol violations’) and gives the supporting cast distinct, memorable voices. The naval officer’s smoldering baritone alone is worth the price of admission. That said, the pacing stumbles in the middle. The Colorado Rockies sections drag when the plot pivots to Nadine’s personal life—her 21st-century love interest feels underdeveloped compared to the Regency shenanigans. And while the time-travel logic is intentionally loose (this isn’t *Hard Sci-Fi*), a few hand-wavy explanations for Nadine’s tech might frustrate sticklers. Still, the audiobook’s charm lies in its willingness to be silly *and* sincere. The ending ties up a little too neatly, but by then, you’re too busy grinning at the idea of Jane Austen side-eyeing a futuristic dating app to care. Perfect for listeners who want their romance with a dash of literary mischief—and a narrator who sells every eye-roll.