Book description
June 12th
Just finished Playing for Keeps on audiobook, and wow. I'm still buzzing.
You know that feeling when you're definitely not the type to fall for the "neighbor from hell" trope? Haley's exactly how I'd react-quiet, tired of being walked over, snapping at Jason over his ruined petunias like she's finally found a reason to stand up. But the magic here isn't just the grumpy-to-gooey shift-it's how real she feels. The narrator (shoutout to whoever voiced her-voice like a warm cup of tea with a hint of sass) nails Haley's internal voice. You hear her hesitation, her sudden courage, the way she's not a pushover anymore but still learning.
Jason's the kind of guy who'd make you roll your eyes at first-too much charm, too little restraint, the whole "bad boy" thing-but the audiobook makes his shift feel earned. Not just "oh, he's sweet now," but showing it. Like when he says, "This isn't a game," and you hear the quiet intensity in his voice. No grand speeches, just that moment where the tension drops like a stone. I've read a dozen books where the hero's "dark past" is a footnote. Here, it's in the voice-how he speaks, the way he pauses. You feel why he's not just playing games.
And the best part? The author's own background sneaks in perfectly. Haley's the shy bookworm she was as a kid, but now she's got a spine. Jason's got that EMT-level calm (you can hear it in his voice when he's not being a jerk), and it's not a gimmick-it's just there, woven into how he moves through the world. Like Mathewson knows her characters inside out because she's lived that messy, funny, awkward life.
I was so invested I almost missed my stop driving home. That's the sign of a great audiobook: it doesn't just tell a story, it pulls you into it. You're not just hearing Haley's journey-you're living her quiet rebellion, her shock at realizing Jason sees her, not just her apartment. The ending? Perfect. Not a full stop, but a sigh of "yes, this is just the beginning."
If you love romance that's got heart and humor (and a hero who's not just a pretty face), this is your next listen. It's the kind of book that makes you want to text a friend: You HAVE to hear this. I'll be waiting for the next one.
- Sarah
Corny
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RightN0w2
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Daffy Girl
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Mallow Man
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Darth 44
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Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience