Resisting the Running Back

I’ll admit, I went into *Resisting the Running Back* expecting another by-the-numbers rom-com, but Lisa Suzanne’s writing—and this audiobook’s execution—caught me off guard in the best way. The premise (fake dating to salvage a reputation) isn’t new, but the *delivery* is. Kelsey Navarro Foster’s narration as the heroine, whose voice oscillates between exasperated teacher mode and wine-fueled rants, had me laughing out loud during my commute. Tor Thom’s Miller, meanwhile, is a revelation: he sells the character’s ‘I’m too cool for feelings’ act while letting the cracks show just enough to make you root for him. Their back-and-forth in the early chapters, especially the scene where they “practice” PDA in a grocery store, is some of the best romantic comedy writing I’ve heard in ages—sharp, physical, and *funny* without relying on slapstick. That said, this isn’t a flawless listen. The middle act drags slightly with a subplot involving Miller’s family drama that, while emotionally rich, disrupts the otherwise tight pacing. And while the small-town setting is vibrant, there’s a missed opportunity to deepen the secondary characters—Miller’s teammates, in particular, feel underutilized. Still, the production quality is top-notch (no awkward edits or volume jumps), and the final act’s payoff—complete with a public confrontation that’s equal parts cringe and triumphant—makes up for any lulls. If you love romances where the humor is as smart as the heart, or if you’ve ever wanted to hear a man with a voice like warm caramel say *“I’m not *resisting* you, I’m *strategizing*,”* this is your next listen. Just maybe don’t play it on speakerphone in public.