May Contain Wine

About This Audiobook

Lani Lynn Vale’s *May Contain Wine* is a military romance that swaps out tired tropes for razor-sharp banter and a heroine who’s as quick with a comeback as she is with a camera. Calloway Alvarez isn’t your typical love interest—she’s a journalist on a charity assignment, interviewing a squad of special forces soldiers who are equal parts intimidating and absurdly charming. The audiobook thrives on its dual narration: Mackenzie Cartwright’s delivery of Calloway’s dry wit makes her feel like the friend you’d text at 2 a.m., while Teddy Hamilton’s gravelly, understated performance as the stoic (but secretly smitten) soldier sells the slow-burn tension.

What sets this apart from the crowded military romance shelf? The humor isn’t just sprinkled in—it’s the backbone. The soldiers’ group dynamic crackles with authenticity, from their merciless teasing to the unspoken loyalty beneath it. And the chemistry? It’s less about grand gestures and more about the quiet moments: a shared glance, a loaded pause, the way Calloway’s voice wavers just slightly when she’s caught off-guard. The 6.5-hour runtime flies by, thanks to pacing that balances steamy tension with laugh-out-loud scenes (like a disastrous wine-tasting gone wrong). If you’re tired of insta-love or brooding alphaholes, this is the palate cleanser you need."

"review": "I’ll admit, I rolled my eyes when I saw *another* military romance—until five minutes into *May Contain Wine*, when Calloway’s internal monologue had me snort-laughing in my car. This isn’t just a love story; it’s a masterclass in *voice*. Mackenzie Cartwright’s narration is the standout here: she nails Calloway’s mix of professional detachment and barely suppressed exasperation, especially in scenes where the soldiers test her patience. (Her delivery of *“I swear to God, if one more of you calls me ‘darlin’…”* should come with a warning for causing public laughter.) Teddy Hamilton, meanwhile, plays the strong-silent type without falling into monotony—his performance is all about what he *doesn’t* say, and it’s magnetic.

The story’s strength lies in its refusal to rush. The romance simmers over shared meals, late-night talks, and a slow unraveling of Calloway’s guarded heart. That said, the middle act drags slightly with repetitive banter among the secondary characters—while their camaraderie is fun, a few scenes could’ve been tightened. And fans of high-stakes drama might find the conflict underwhelming; the biggest obstacle here isn’t a life-or-death mission, but Calloway’s fear of vulnerability. But that’s also why it works: the emotional payoff feels earned, not manufactured. The production quality is flawless, with seamless transitions between narrators and no jarring volume shifts. Bottom line? If you love enemies-to-lovers with a side of found family and enough sarcasm to fill a battalion, this is your next listen—just maybe not in public, unless you’re prepared to explain why you’re grinning like an idiot."

"tags": [
"military romance with humor