Iris Kelly Doesn't Date

By: Ashley Herring Blake

Narrated by: Kristen DiMercurio

Length: 11 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

A fake relationship after a horrible one-night stand is anything but an act in this witty and heartfelt new romantic comedy by Ashley Herring Blake.

Everyone around Iris Kelly is in love. Her best friends are all coupled up, her siblings have partners that are perfect for them, and her parents are still blissfully married. And she’s happy for all of them, truly. Iris doesn’t want any of that—dating, love, romance. She’ll stick to her commitment-free hookups, thanks very much, except no one in her life will just let her be. Everyone wants to see her settled down, but she holds firmly to her no dating rule. There’s only one problem—Iris is a romance author facing an imminent deadline for her second book, and she’s completely out of ideas.

Perfectly happy to ignore her problems as per usual, Iris goes to a bar in Portland and meets a sexy stranger, Stefania, and a night of dancing and making out turns into the worst one-night stand Iris has had in her life. To get her mind off everything, Iris tries out for the lead role in a local play, a queer retelling of Much Ado About Nothing, but comes face-to-face with Stefania, whose real name turns out to be Stevie. Desperate to save face in front of her friends, Stevie asks Iris to play along as her girlfriend. Iris is shocked, but when she realizes the arrangement might provide her with some much-needed romantic content for her book, she agrees. As the two women play the part of a happy couple, lines start to blur, and they’re left wondering who will make the real first move....

©2023 Ashley Herring Blake (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Kristen DiMercurio returns triumphantly as narrator of the third Bright Falls novel.... DiMercurio's familiarity with all the supporting characters pays off with well-established personalities and voices. When the writing expresses Stevie's anxiety or states how fantastic the characters' acting skills are, DiMercurio rises to the challenge. And the love scenes sound downright sultry." (AudioFile)

“Blake’s third and final Bright Falls romance sends the series out on a high note with more spicy sex and genuine emotion…Blake also does an admirable job of wrapping up the series, bringing all the past couples together one last time in a touching finale. This is a treat.”—Publishers Weekly

"Blake masterfully weaves a tale of growth where friendship, confidence, and passion ensue. A treat for fake-dating fans and happily-ever-after lovers alike."—Kirkus Reviews

"The final installment in the Bright Falls series only further demonstrates why these books have been so beloved: because Blake is a master at her craft, creating carefully plotted stories around flawed, lovable characters that explode with chemistry and tension. Iris and Stevie each have their own compelling pasts, struggles, and dreams, and Blake shows both the hard work and the beauty involved in making those different realities wrap around each other in love. A thoroughly satisfying, heart-clutching conclusion."—Anita Kelly, author of Something Wild and Wonderful

Best in the Series

I adore all the novels in this series but this one has to be my favorite. It’s shameless, funny, sexy, fourth-wall-breaking and so cute. Just one of the best romance novels I’ve read.

💯 fantastic!

I love this series and this third book did not disappoint. Lovable characters, friendships, romance and of course angst. Hope there are more books on the horizon!

Swoonworthy Conclusion

I prolonged reading this for as long as I could so that the series wasn’t done. I wasn’t sure if I was going to like Iris’ story, but dammit I do. Hilarious moments and heartwarming.

A terrific end to the series!

God, I loved this audiobook. The whole series, really, but this one in particular. 

Iris Kelly has some serious protective walls around her heart after previous experiences made her feel like she was only valued for one thing - her prowess between the sheets. But when happenstance brings Portland stage actress Stevie into Iris's life in a very memorable way, Iris has to fight hard to keep that emotional barrier strong. Especially when everyone around her is in coupled bliss - which she is perfectly fine not having for herself, right?

Stevie is trying to move forward after the painful breakup of a long-term relationship and thinks that a casual hookup might get her jumpstarted. But her first attempt at that is disastrous and when the gorgeous extroverted Iris - the object of that first attempt - auditions for a play Stevie is doing, a plan is hatched. Stevie needs to convince her friends she has moved on with someone new so they stop worrying about her and Iris is suffering from writer's block, not feeling any romantic inspiration. Now a romance novelist with her first book in the can, deadlines are looming for the second. Stevie offers to help Iris unlock her romance block in exchange for Iris pretending to be her girlfriend. Win/win.

Both Iris and Stevie's characters are wonderfully fleshed out. It's heartbreaking knowing where their insecurities come and watching them struggle when there's such potential between them. They have explosive chemistry and wow - their scenes together are hot, hot, hot. But Iris is comfortable with sex - not so comfortable with relationships. Even though she shows breathtaking moments of tenderness. Is it possible that Stevie could finally be the one that will see and value Iris for everything she is?

Narrator Kristen DiMercurio has expertly performed this entire series and brought each of the memorable friends' characters to life. While this book is primarily about Iris and Stevie, the friends group shares heartwarmingly special moments as they have in the first two books. I really loved the way Herring Blake wrapped up this series.

I absolutely recommend this one. 

Love love love

I’ve been so excited for this book, and it did not disappoint! While I didn’t mind Iris in the other Bright Falls books, she definitely became a favorite with this one. Stevie is also nicely fleshed out, and I truly loved both of these characters. Ashley Herring Blake has wowed me with this trilogy, and I cannot wait for whatever she writes next.

Absolutely love love love this and the two previous books!

Must read, the way all the stories from all three books come together in the most beautiful happily ever after. My queer little heart can hardly stand it. Beautifully written, I simply cannot get enough! One of my favorites for sure!

Delilah, Astrid,and Iris

Loved all 3 of these books. All were good stand alone, but read them all and beautiful!

Incredible character work

I jumped in without reading the other books (didnt know this was part of a series haha) and the character work is stunning. The way the story progresses with stevie and iris having their own set of issues that they need to overcome especially with iris herself as she believed she was not meant for relationships. All the characters felt fleshed out and the dynamics between them were interesting throughout the book. (I really liked simon and ren along with claire and the rest of iris friend group) It was a comforting read for me and also super interesting. Definitely gonna be checking out the other books!

I’ll miss brightfalls

I will always love this series. It has a very special place in my lesbian heart.

In love with this trilogy

Another great love story! I enjoy that the same voice actor has narrated this book as well as Ashley Herring Blake's Delilah Green Doesn't Care and Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail. Each character is distinct, and the diversity increases with each book.