Married by Monday

About This Audiobook

Carter Billings could be California’s next governor—if only he could pass for a faithful husband. That’s the premise of *Married by Monday*, and it’s a premise that Catherine Bybee mines for all its absurd, steamy, and unexpectedly tender potential. This isn’t just another fake-dating romance: it’s a sharp-edged satire wrapped in a silk bow. The humor crackles with wit, the stakes feel real (governor’s mansion! a dynasty in the making!), and the chemistry between Carter and his reluctant bride-to-be is so combustible it could power the state grid. Bybee’s characters don’t just fake an engagement—they weaponize it, using love as both shield and sword. Smart, snarky, and packed with California sunshine, this is rom-com therapy for anyone who’s ever nodded along with a lie just to keep the peace."

"Tanya Eby’s narration is the secret weapon here. She juggles Carter’s smug charm, Ellie’s no-nonsense grit, and a parade of supporting eccentrics with effortless precision. Her Carter drips with that infuriatingly perfect man-bun confidence, while Ellie’s voice crackles with the kind of dry humor that makes you want to high-five her mid-scene. The pacing never drags—Bybee’s script keeps the layers of deception tumbling forward, and Eby matches that momentum, delivering punchlines with timing that feels like a stand-up routine. But be warned: the chemistry between the leads is so scorching it might short-circuit your eardrums. This is romance that believes in love’s power to heal, expose, and occasionally blindside you with a proposal you didn’t see coming."

"review": "I approached *Married by Monday* expecting the usual polished, glass-slipper rom-com, but Bybee’s script and Eby’s narration turned it into something sharper—like a rom-com filtered through a political satire documentary. Tanya Eby’s performance is a masterclass in contrast: she nails Carter’s smarmy gubernatorial candidate persona (you’ll want to slap him, but you’ll also root for him) and Ellie’s pragmatic, blue-collar cynicism (her refusal to play second fiddle is refreshing). The first few chapters lean hard into the ‘fake relationship’ trope, but the moment Ellie flips the script and starts using Carter’s own game against him? Pure catharsis. The audio production is flawless—no distracting pops, consistent pacing, and a sound mix that makes the California sunshine feel almost tactile.

That said, the supporting cast occasionally blurs together. The secondary characters, from Carter’s scheming sister to Ellie’s lovable but clueless best friend, sometimes lack distinct vocal identities, leaving Eby to carry most of the emotional weight. And while the ending wraps up neatly, the emotional payoff feels a touch rushed, as if Bybee was more interested in the journey than the destination. Still, these are minor quibbles. Eby’s narration elevates the material into something addictive, and Bybee’s willingness to poke fun at the absurdity of political optics makes this more than just another pretty romance. If you’re craving a love story with teeth—and a narrator who can sell both the smirks and the sighs—this is your audiobook. I laughed, I gasped, and I definitely teared up during the proposal scene. Three tissues and a glass of wine recommended.