Audiobook Review: Call Me Maybe by Cara Bastone

Author: Cara Bastone

Narrator: Luci Christian & Neil Hellegers
Title: Call Me Maybe

Series: Love Lines #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Humor
Format: Audiobook
Published:  October 20, 2020
Where I Got It: Audible 

Summary: 

Paint your toes. Pick up the wrong coffee and bagel order. Drive from Brooklyn to Jersey in traffic so slow you want to tear your hair out. It’s amazing all the useless things I can accomplish while on hold for three hours with customer service. Three hours when I should be getting the Date-in-a-Box website ready to launch at the big business expo in a few days. Except my shiny new website is glitching, and my inner rage-monster is ready to scorch some earth… when he finally picks up. Not the robot voice I expected but a real live human named Cal. He’s surprisingly helpful and really knows his stuff, even if he’s a little awkward…. in an adorable way.

And suddenly I’m flirting with him? And I think he’s flirting back.

And suddenly it’s been hours, and we’re still on the phone talking and ordering each other takeout while he trouble shoots my website.

And suddenly we’re exchanging numbers and sending texts and DMs every day, leaving voice mails (who even does that anymore?!).

And suddenly I’m wondering if it’s possible for two people fall in love at first talk.

Because I’m falling… hard.

Review:

Been meaning to listen to this little guy, but it kept falling to the back burner for some reason. Finally grabbed it and started it

Vera and Cal are meant for each other, but it will take tech issues and hours on hold before they finally talk. The universe has a funny way of putting people in each other's lives. They connect right away, and the sparks fly....on the phone, of course. 

This was a quick listen. Not super long, and I got this done really quick because I couldn't stop listening. I had so much fun.

Loved the conversations and the talking and them getting to know each other. It was all very sweet. This is extremely clean and sweet. I loved being a fly on the wall for their conversations. It was done well. 

My issue is the ending. The solutions were too quick and clean. I also wanted to see them interact in person more. We needed that to solidify their love. Maybe we'll see them around in book 2 since it is about her brother. We shall see....I have book 2 downloaded and ready to go. 

But yes. Cute. Sweet. I wanted more in-person interaction though, to LOVE this. 

I'll give it a 4. 

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #21

Reading Challenges Update (March - May)

We are..............................

Let's see how we are doing. 

Goodreads - 54/144. Eeehhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Soon to be 55. I'm nearly done with this current audio.

2026 Romance Reading Bingo Challenge - 15/25 (full sheet). 10 away from a full sheet!

Library Love Challenge - 14/48. Doing okay-ish!

Audiobook Challenge - 20/50. Made some headway after a slow start! 

Best of May

Bye May! Hello June!!!

Here are our faves for May. 

Best Book of the Month:

Blodeuedd - I Who Have Never Known Men by Jaqueline Harpman

"Omg fantastic!"

Carole -  Death at a Highland Wedding by Kelley Armstrong

"Loved it!!!! Loving this series!!!!"

Best Movie of the Month:

Carole -  The Sheep Detectives (2026)

"Adorable and so good!"

Blodeuedd - Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (2025)

"I had forgotten that this came out last year so I watched it."

Best TV show of the Month:

Blodeuedd - Maxima (s2) , Running Point (s2) , Mentalist (s2 - 3) , & Elsbeth (s2)

"Maxima s2, Running Point s2, Mentalist s2 and 3 and Elsbeth s2. I was busy!"

Carole - Outlander (s6-7) & Victoria (s1-2)

"Outlander is good. Am I ready for the last season? No. And thanks to a friend I am rewatching Victoria. I forgot how good this was."

Best Cover of the Month:

C's pick - "Amazing!"

B's pick - "Cute!"

2-in-1 Book Review: Echo of Silence & Dorian by Nalini Singh

Author: Nalini Singh

Title: Echo of Silence

Series: Psy-Changeling #2.5

Genre: Short Story, Paranormal Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 101

Published: August 23, 2016

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

In a deep-sea station, Tazia Nerif has found her life's work as an engineer, keeping things running smoothly. But she wants nothing more than to break down the barrier of silence between her and her telekinetic Psy station commander . . .

Review:

I love going back and catching some of these shorts and novellas from this series. It's fun! The only way to read this was by borrowing the anthology. It works. 

Here we follow Tazia and Stefan. Tazia is an engineer and likes to keep things running smoothly. Stefan is Psy and has a strong barrier of silence to protect him and everyone around him. Being telekinetic can be powerful, but dangerous. After a disaster strikes, the two work together to save as many people as they can. 

This was lovely. I loved watching these two find common ground. And then friendship. And then more. Not a lot of crazy drama. Some external and some internal, but it was manageable and worked for a short story. 

Loved the depth. Loved the couple. *chef kiss*

5 stars. 

Author: Nalini Singh

Title: Dorian

Series: Psy-Changeling #5.1

Genre: Short Story, Paranormal, UF

Format: ebook

Pages: 39

Published: August 23, 2016

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

A changeling who can never shift lives a life of quiet frustration—until he learns how to let his leopard come out and play . . .

Review:

Yet another one from the anthology that I wanted to read!

Here we see Dorian in the early parts of his life. He was a changeling who could never shift until he finally learns how to let his leopard come out and play. 

Awwwww I loved seeing a young Dorian. I wish this was a touch longer. Maybe a scene or two more!! Dorian is a lovely character. Now I want to read his book again. It has been so long. 

But yes. Another short one that gives you a taste of the world and the author. It's such a good series overall. 

4 stars from me. 

Reading Challenges:

- Library Love #12 & 13