Love At First Like

June 24, 2019
This appealing rom-com from Orenstein (Playing with Matches) smartly reveals the tremendous impact social media can have on someone. Eliza Roth and her sister, Sophie, are co-owners of Williamsburg jewelry shop Brooklyn Jewels. After Eliza hears her ex is engaged, she capriciously posts a photo of herself wearing one of the engagement rings from her shop on her Instagram account, which has 100,000 followers. After her post goes viral, she’s inundated with offers of photos shoots, a free venue for the wedding, and a no-cost gown. There’s one problem: she needs to find a groom. Eliza starts dating Blake Barrett, founder of a watch rental company. As their relationship becomes more serious, Eliza hopes that maybe he will propose in time to agree to the wedding date offered by the wedding venue. But Eliza is conflicted, because though she has been content with Blake, she shares a closer bond with her friend Raj, who works at a local bar and has heard all about the details of the wedding plans. Orenstein keeps the plot snappy and funny as the clock ticks down. Fans of romantic comedies where the characters discover what is most important in life will adore this one. Agent: Allison Hunter, Janklow & Nesbit Associates.

Narrator Rebekkah Ross has the perfect feminine voice for romance novels. And even with the uniquely feminine quality of her narration, she is still able to give credibility to her male voices. Nonetheless, Ross's skill is not enough to save this audiobook. Eliza is not a likable heroine, a problem that makes it hard to empathize with her and want to follow down the path she chooses. Ross does an exemplary job with intonation as she tries to pull listeners into the turmoil of Eliza's decisions. But too much buildup and not enough story before the resolution do not satisfy. Great narration, a clever title, and a cute cover still can't overcome the novel. S.K.G. � AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine