This Time Around by Jane Suen

This Time Around

Second-chance romance with razor-sharp chemistry

Written byJane Suen
Length2h49m
Release dateAugust 25, 2023
LanguageEnglish
★★★★☆ 4.4 (3 ratings)

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Quick Facts

AuthorJane Suen
NarratorDevon Grace, Troy Duran
Runtime2h49m
PublishedAugust 25, 2023
Rating★★★★☆ 4.4 / 5 (3 ratings)
CategoriesRomance, Contemporary
FormatAudiobook (Digital)
PlatformAudible

About This Audiobook

*This Time Around* isn’t your typical nostalgic reunion story—it’s a tight, 2.5-hour emotional grenade where the past collides with the present in the most awkward (and delicious) way. Jane Suen skips the slow-burn setup: her heroine, a woman who ghosted her high school sweetheart a decade ago, is now *his* plus-one to a wedding. The premise is absurdly high-stakes, but the execution is grounded in razor-sharp dialogue and two leads who feel like real people—flawed, defensive, and crackling with unresolved tension. This isn’t a story about grand gestures; it’s about the quiet moments where old wounds reopen and new sparks fly in the same breath.

The dual narration by Devon Grace and Troy Duran elevates the material beyond standard romance fare. Grace delivers the heroine’s self-deprecating wit with a dry edge, while Duran’s performance as the scorned-but-not-bitter ex radiates controlled warmth, making their verbal sparring feel like a contact sport. The short runtime means no filler—every scene either deepens the emotional stakes or escalates the sexual tension, and the production leans into intimate, close-miked audio that pulls you into their confined, charged spaces (a car ride, a hotel room) like a voyeur. If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at forced proximity tropes, this one might convert you.

Tags: second-chance romance with emotional punchdual narration audiobook chemistrywedding weekend forced proximityshort romance audiobook under 3 hoursenemies-to-lovers with real stakescontemporary romance for cynics

Why Listen to This Time Around?

  • Expert narration by Devon Grace, Troy Duran brings every character and scene to life across 2h49m of immersive audio.
  • Highly rated at 4.4 stars by 3 listeners.
  • Free with your Audible trial — keep the audiobook forever even if you cancel.
  • Perfect for commutes, workouts, and relaxation. Listen anywhere, anytime.
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Editor's Review ★★★★☆

AudioBook Atlas

I’ll admit: I side-eyed the premise at first. *Another* second-chance romance? But *This Time Around* won me over by refusing to romanticize the past. The heroine isn’t just ‘the one who got away’—she’s the one who *left*, and the story doesn’t let her (or the listener) forget it. Suen’s writing shines in the way she balances humor and heartache; one minute, you’re laughing at a brutally honest quip about exes, the next, you’re gut-punched by a memory that explains why these two are still broken years later. The wedding backdrop isn’t just set dressing—it’s a pressure cooker, and the audiobook’s pacing mirrors that claustrophobic energy. Scenes unfold in real-time, with pauses and overlapping dialogue that feel improvised, like you’re eavesdropping on a conversation that’s been a decade in the making. The narration is a masterclass in contrast. Devon Grace’s delivery is all clipped, nervous energy, her voice tightening when the heroine’s defenses go up, while Troy Duran’s deeper timbre carries a weariness that sells his character’s ‘I’m over this… but am I?’ vibe. Their chemistry is electric, though I’ll dock half a point for a few moments where Duran’s volume dips slightly during quieter lines (a minor mix issue, but noticeable with headphones). My bigger critique? The ending wraps up *almost* too neatly—after so much emotional whiplash, I wanted one last raw, unresolved beat. Still, for a romance this short to linger in my head days later? That’s the mark of something special. If you love enemies-to-lovers but wish it had more bite, or if you’re craving a romance that feels like a late-night confession, this is your audiobook.

Download: This Time Around

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This Time Around by Jane Suen is an immersive listening experience. Performed by Devon Grace, Troy Duran with a runtime of 2h49m, you can start with a free trial that you can cancel at any time. The audiobook remains yours forever, even if you end the trial.