The Price of Scandal

I went into *The Price of Scandal* expecting a standard small-town romance, but Lucy Score delivered a rom-com with a molotov cocktail’s worth of personality. Narrators Natalie Duke and Stephen Dexter are the secret weapons here; Duke nails Emily’s exasperation and slow-burning desire, while Dexter’s Derek sounds like he should narrate a gritty action thriller—except here, he’s growling sweet nothings instead of threats. The production is crisp, with no distracting audio artifacts, and the pacing is relentless, which is both a pro and a con. The first half flies by in a blur of banter and awkward run-ins, but the second half feels a tad rushed, especially when the plot skips ahead without enough buildup for the emotional beats. That said, the audiobook’s strength is its unapologetic messiness—like a reality TV show where everyone’s yelling but you can’t look away. My only real critique? The steam level is dialed to 11, so if you’re not in the mood for a *lot* of make-out sessions in questionable locations (a hardware store aisle? Really?), this might not be your jam. But if you love your romance with a side of chaos and narrators who commit to the bit like it’s an Oscar-worthy role, buckle up. This one’s a riot.