It’s that time again! Here is a sampling of some of the romance audiobooks we are looking forward to in December. Whether it’s a long-favorite series, like Julia Quinn’s The Bridgertons, finally coming to audio, or new works from favorite author/narrator teams, like Dannika Dark and Nicole Poole, December has a lot of good listens in store. Comment below to let us know what titles are in your December Wish List!
A Splendid Defiance by Stella Riley
Narrated by Alex Wyndham
A Splendid Defiance is one of my all-time favourite romances. Set during the English Civil War, it’s a Romeo-and-Juliet type story as a cynical captain in the Royalist army falls in love with the sister of a die-hard Puritan. It’s a wonderfully detailed and emotionally nuanced story and it’s been one of my Top Ten romances since the first time I read it more than thirty years ago. I can’t wait to hear Alex Wyndham give voice to one of my favourite heroes. – Caz
I think I’d be prepared to listen to Alex Wyndham read the phone book. Of course I’m going to want this one! – Kaetrin
Narrated by Rosalyn Landor
The six-book Bedwyn saga is a firm favourite with fans of historical romance, and while their appearance in audio is long overdue, if the wonderful Slightly Married is anything to go by, the wait has been well worth it. Mary Balogh + Rosalyn Landor is an unbeatable combination. – Caz
From Sand and Ash by Amy Harmon
Narrated by Cassandra Campbell
Amy Harmon is writing historical romance? The synopsis sounds amazing, and Cassandra Campbell is one of my very favorite narrators. I’m planning to grab this as soon as it becomes available. – Shannon
The Gift by Dannika Dark
Narrated by Nicole Poole
Lovers of the Mageri Series by the fab UF/PNR duo of Dannika Dark and Nicole Poole will be happy to know that a new novella is being released this December. I can’t wait to experience more of this unique world! – BJ
Winter Moon by Dannika Dark
Narrated by Nicole Poole
We are getting a double dose of the Dannika Dark/Nicole Poole winning combination just in time for the holidays, with this Christmas based Seven Series novella. Just when you thought this series was complete, Ms. Dark and Ms. Poole give us something more to look forward to in one of my favorite UF/PNR Series of all time! – BJ
Mister Perfect by JA Huss
Narrated by Rob Shapiro and Ava Erickson.
I’ve heard good things about this author so I’m keen to give this one a go. – Kaetrin
May the Best Man Win by Mira Lyn Kelly
Narrated by Seraphine Valentine and Tad Branson
I’m not one for contemporary romance normally, but this was highly recommended by people whose opinions I trust and when I read the book recently, I loved it. The narrators are not known to me, and reviews here at AG for Tad Branson are mixed, but I’m going to cross my fingers and give it a go! – Caz
An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn
Narrated by Rosalyn Landor
Number three in the much-loved Bridgerton series sees second son, Benedict, get his HEA in this Cinderella-type story. And with Rosalyn Landor once again narrating… this bound to be an outstanding listen. – Caz
I’m queuing it up as I write – can’t wait! This is my second favorite Bridgerton, after When He Was Wicked. – Melinda
Splendid by Julia Quinn
Narrated by Lucy Rayner
This 1995 Julia Quinn release is finally appearing in audio format, and just in time for Christmas too. I loved Lucy Rayner’s narration of Susanna Kearsley’s The Firebird, so I’m sure she’ll do this historical romance justice. – Shannon
Four Weddings and a Sixpence by Julia Quinn, Elizabeth Boyle, Laura Lee Ghurke and Stefanie Sloane
Narrated by Mary Jane Wells
I’m not normally a big fan of anthologies, and even though this is a line-up of HR big-hitters, I might not have been tempted but for the fact that Mary Jane Wells is at the helm, and she can always be relied upon to deliver a superb performance. – Caz
The Roman by Sylvain Reynard
Narrated by Robertson Dean
December is a big month for PNR/UF fans with the conclusion to the Florentine Series being released. Having enjoyed both the story-line and narration of this series, I can’t wait to see what ultimate fate awaits the vampyre & human couple of William and Raven! – BJ
Hostile Takeover by Joey W. Hill
Narrated by Maxine Mitchell
I like Joey W. Hill’s brand of erotic romance so I was excited to see this one in the Coming Soon list at Audible. – Kaetrin
Blood Vow by J.R. Ward
Narrated by Jim Frangione
Although the first Black Dagger Legacy book didn’t thrill me as much as I’d hoped it would, I’m still super excited about Ms. Ward’s latest release in this series. Jim Frangione is the perfect narrator for this paranormal romance series, making this an auto buy for me. – Shannon
Ready to Roll by Suzanne Brockman
Narrated by Patrick Lawlor and Melanie Ewbank
Another Troubleshooters series entry! This is a “novella” (a 6-hour novella, so almost as long as many contemporaries!) with the dynamic duo of Lawlor and Ewbank. A must-buy for TSS fans! – Melinda
Wow, if they are releasing “Splendid” in audio I wonder if “How to Marry a Marquis” will soon follow, it’s my favorite Julia Quinn.
The three Blydon books are being released on the same day – but I’m on the fence about the chosen narrator (Lucy Rayner). She didn’t impress me in Bold Angel, which I reviewed recently. Harper seems to have stopped using good narrators for their historicals – except for Mary Jane Wells. They’ve dumped Carolyn Morris and Rosalyn Landor and now make a lot of use of Carmen Rose and Justine Eyre (who I can’t listen to). One has to wonder if they’re deliberately trying to sell fewer audiobooks.
I wonder if the “good” narrators are just so busy that they are saying no and Harper wants to get the audios out so they just take who’s available at the time. Renee Raudman is so busy that the release of an Andrews new audio is being put off, way off just so Renee can do it and she has been their narrator from the get-go. It’s a thought…..
Well, I don’t want to drop anyone in it so I’ll just say that I suspect that’s a fairly unique case. I suspect it’s cost-cutting…
I’ll be interested to know if Patrick Lawlor reads the text exactly in Ready To Roll. I read the book and there were aspects of it which were total catnip for me but there was also a whole lot of hot mess too. There are sections of the book which are told from various characters’ first person POV and there are actual stage directions in the text (cries). Reading them was irritating – hearing them would be even worse. If Patrick doesn’t actually say them out loud, then the novella will be a far better audiobook (leans forward to speak confidentially).
what?? stage directions?? I haven’t read it yet. (sobs uncontrollably) (j/k – chuckled uncontrollably)
I so wish I was joking Melinda. It’s… extraordinary.
Any idea of the release date for the Stella Riley title? I love Alex Wyndham and love the idea of a non-regency historical.
crossing our fingers for soon, but no word yet on the public release date – it’s done, so it could be any day.