The Belle and the Beard

About This Audiobook

Kate Canterbary’s *The Belle and the Beard* delivers a modern romantic comedy with the bite of a sharp-tongued friend who refuses to let you wallow in self-pity—even when you deserve it. Jasper-Anne Cleary, a 35-year-old graphic designer, is riding the subway home after a very public meltdown at her corporate job when she locks eyes with a man whose beard is so impeccably groomed it borders on a personality. Their meet-cute? He’s an unemployed (and absurdly good-looking) craftsman who’s about to move in with his brother. The catch? Jasper-Anne’s landlord is his brother. What follows is a rom-com that’s less about grand gestures and more about the messy, small moments that make second chances feel real. Canterbary’s writing balances humor and heart without veering into saccharine, making it a standout in the genre’s current crop of charmingly neurotic heroines and flawed but endearing love interests.

Narrators Zachary Webber and Jo Raylan bring a delicious contrast to life: Webber’s velvety baritone lends gravitas to Jasper-Anne’s chaotic self-reflection, while Raylan’s warm, conversational tones make the supporting cast feel like people you’d actually want to grab a drink with. The audiobook’s pacing is tight, with a rhythm that mirrors the story’s sharp humor—no lag time between jokes or emotional gut-punches. If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at a rom-com’s contrived meet-cute but still craved the catharsis of one that gets you, this is your audiobook.