Miss Match

I started listening to *Miss Match* on a cross-country flight and almost missed my stop because Sternenberg’s narration pulled me in so completely. She gives Samantha a voice that’s equal parts sarcastic and vulnerable, like a best friend who’s one margarita away from conspiracy theories about your dating life. The story’s premise is gold—Samantha’s professional persona is all flawless spreadsheets and infallible chemistry reports, while her personal life is a dumpster fire of bad dates and unanswered texts. The moment she’s forced to play matchmaker for her ex (and his clueless fiancée) is peak cringe comedy, and Riley walks that line between hilarious and painfully relatable without tipping into melodrama. My only quibble? A few side characters veer close to stereotype territory, particularly the wealthy trust-fund client who sounds like a parody of Manhattan elitism. Sternenberg gamely commits to the performance, but the script could’ve given her more nuanced lines to work with. The audiobook’s production is otherwise flawless—crisp sound quality and seamless pacing—though I did find myself wishing for more introspection in the final act. Still, Riley’s sharp eye for modern dating absurdities and Sternenberg’s magnetic narration make this a rom-com that feels fresh, funny, and oddly cathartic. If you’ve ever scrolled through dating apps in despair or cried over a friend’s ill-advised fling, this one’s for you.