A Very No Strings Halloween

Very Holiday, Book 5

De: Kayley Loring, Connor Crais

Narrado por: Connor Crais, Emma Wilder

Halloween: it’s a holiday where people shed their boring everyday personalities and become fantastic beings ready for an epic party. Well, guess what? That’s Billy Boston 24/7, 365, baby! It’s who I was before I became a millionaire and it’s who I’ll always be.

My beautiful next door neighbor, Donna, is a hardworking nurse who takes her job seriously and her fun even more so. All she wants is a no-strings arrangement and that’s fine by me. It’s Halloween for us every time we’re together because she likes to role play. There’s no way to get attached if we’re both pretending to be someone else, right?

It’s all smooth as a good whiskey until my married cousins bet me that I can’t get a serious girlfriend by November.

So, Donna and I make a deal: She’ll help fix me up to be a proper boyfriend and I’ll help fix up the farmhouse she inherited.

The one she thinks is haunted.

And that’s not the scary part.

Because I realize I’m falling wicked hard for Donna. For real. She’s spooked by the ghost, but I’m afraid I’ll spook her if I tell her how I really feel. We made a pact when we started this no-strings thing: If either of us gets serious, we have to end it.

I have to trick Donna into thinking she’s teaching me how to date, when really I’m treating her to dates with me.

But if I screw this up, I’ll lose the woman I’m in love with.

And that’ll haunt me forever.

©2024 Kayley Loring, Connor Crais (P)2024 Kayley Loring, Connor Crais

Ghosts and Role play, anyone?

Billy Boston has been this enigma throughout the Very Holiday books and now we get his story. His friends and cousins have all settled and have great lives, and Billy is still living life like a bachelor, except is he really, when all he wants to do is be with his neighbor Donna?

Donna is a hospice nurse who is Billy's neighbor, and FWB. She inherited a house from one of her patients and the house is the scene of the haunted shenanigans that she and Billy get into.

Donna and Billy fixup this house together and role play the heck out of it, which makes for fun scenes.

I love that Billy is a guy who knows someone from practically any part of the world but doesn't brag about it. He just uses his connections in such a non-chalant way that he makes himself endearing. I don't like people in real life who name drop.

There is a particular scene in Chapter 6 that is going to stay close to my heart forever.

The audiobook was so fun. Hearing Connor Crais and Emma Wilder get into the characters is *chef's kiss*

This was a fun unique story!

I was a little worried that Billy accent was gonna be a bit too much for an entire story but I feel like it wasn’t too bad almost like it was toned down for his book! I love that Donna is a Philly native but she’s hardly giving the vibe of a Philadelphian.. but it’s a hard thing to capture so it’s understandable. Billy was super sweet tho his story was surprisingly really good! I’m happy they all settled down and have their happy ending!

Super cute good story

I liked the narrators and the story was spooky and very much a rom com. The characters were developed enough and adorable no complaints

So cute

Loved this book. Loved the plot, banter, and narration. Perfect light Halloween read for those in the mood for something spicy and spooky without being horror

What a unique and awesome book

Im a big fan of Kayley's books. This such a unique and very fun story. I loved it. Emma and Conner did a fantastic job. Im looking forward to the next book

Fun, flirty, spooky, and spicy

Romcom
Halloween time
Nieghbors to lovers
No strings dating
Paranormal ish
Role playing

Duet narration - Connor Crais & Emma Wilder
God damn I love Connor Crais as a narrator! He has a Boston accent in this one. Emma Wilder is fantastic in this one. These two together was perfection!

Billy Boston is single, a good time kind of guy and his family wants him to settle down finding a girlfriend but Billy isn’t interested in a relationship. Betting with his family that he can have a serious girlfriend by Christmas he is determined to win.

Donna is a Billy’s neighbor and current no strings hook up. They have chemistry and banter. These two characters are hot together. Donna has inherited a house in the country but she swears it is haunted.

This is such a fun, flirty, spooky, and spicy listen. I highly recommend this one for your Halloween TBL!

BILLY!!!

I love this series and this book is no different. It’s about time Billy gets his story. And it was perfect. The audio is always my favorite way to listen to these books, the quality is top notch and produced spectacularly. Casting is on par! Thank you Kayley and Connor for another fantastic and fun story.

Awesome story!

I absolutely loved Billy & Donna's story! I didn't expect this type of storyline at all, however, it was perfectly written! I also loved the narrators, they did a phenomenal job bringing the characters to life!! This book and entire series is a lot of fun!

Flirty, steamy and laugh out loud rom-com

Oh Billy Boston, you were worth the wait! “A Very No Strings Halloween” is a flirty, steamy and laugh out loud rom-com that I have been waiting for and I loved every chapter!

Billy is always down for a good time, 24/7. He’s the life of the party and will always be the first to help someone who needs it. But when his cousins make a bet he can’t find a serious girlfriend by November, he knows who to turn to for help. Donna is his next door neighbor and his no strings attached hook up. Donna works hard as a nurse and relaxes with Billy whenever she can. So the two strike a deal. Donna will help him with his dating techniques and Billy will help her fix up a house she’s inherited. But as they work on their projects, lines start to blur between fake and real.

From the first chapter and throughout the whole story, I was smiling and loving Billy so much. He was always so much fun in the previous books and I’m glad he got his story. That man loves his family and will do anything for them without hesitation. He’s the carefree cousin who won a lot of money but is using it the correct way for his business and his future. Donna was amazing too, I loved her career choice and how she was unapologetic on wanting a no strings relationship. Her heart is as big as Billy’s and I loved how they were with each other. The chemistry and connection they had was undeniable and only got hotter as the story went on. The two weren’t afraid to have some fun in the bedroom. The story had me laughing out loud so many times and then swooning the next. And our girl, Piper, makes an appearance and the story wouldn’t have been the same without her.

Connor Crais and Emma Wilder narrated in duet and I loved listening to them bring this story to life. Connor’s accents were absolutely amazing per the norm. His Boston accent was great and I loved him bringing back the Irish accent for Nolan. Emma was so much fun and she was perfect as Donna. Her narration was fun, flirty and sweet just like Donna.

Boston, Banter, and Bedroom Roleplay: A Rom-Com that is Wicked Awesome

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💚💜💙❤️🤎
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌍
Character development: 😋🙂🤨🤣😘
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration type: Duet Narration (Highly Recommended!)

🛡️ Audiobook Review: A Very No Strings Halloween by Kayley Loring and Connor Crais

Series: Very Holiday
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy
Narrators: Connor Crais and Emma Wilder

If you’re looking for a romantic comedy that’s equal parts hilarious, heartfelt, and hot, look no further. This audiobook was hands-down the most entertaining rom-com I’ve listened to in ages — and a huge part of that magic is thanks to the incomparable Connor Crais.

🎙 Narration That Sizzles

Connor Crais, who also co-wrote the book, delivers a performance that’s nothing short of magnetic. He’s long been one of my favorite male romance narrators, and this book is a masterclass in why. His voice? Deep, soft, and undeniably sexy — especially when things get a little dirty. Add in a wicked Boston accent that brings authenticity and charm to every line, and you’ve got a narrator who doesn’t just read the story — he becomes it. He’s also genuinely funny, which makes the banter sparkle.

💘 Plot That’s Equal Parts Heat and Heart

Meet Billy “Boston” O’Sullivan, a lovable, larger-than-life guy with a flair for roleplay and a heart of gold. He’s been enjoying a no-strings-attached fling with his next-door neighbor, Donna, a hardworking Philly-born nurse. Their chemistry is off the charts, and their playful bedroom antics (hello, Mark Wahlberg and Reece Witherspoon in Fear) are as steamy as they are hilarious.

But what starts as a casual arrangement takes a wild turn when Donna inherits a haunted house from a patient — and suddenly, things get spooky, sweet, and seriously swoony.

🎬 Pop Culture, Sports, and Shenanigans

This book is a love letter to pop culture. From movie and TV references to music and sports banter, the dialogue is sharp, clever, and packed with Easter eggs. Donna’s Philly pride clashes adorably with Billy’s die-hard Boston loyalty, and their sports-fueled teasing adds another layer of authenticity to their dynamic.

🏠 A Millionaire in Disguise

One of my favorite twists? Billy’s secret wealth. He’s the kind of guy who flies under the radar — doing big, extravagant things while making it seem like he just “knows a guy.” It’s a refreshing take on the millionaire trope, and it fits his character perfectly. Donna’s appreciation for his quirks, even when others dismiss him as immature, makes their connection feel earned and real.

🎧 Why You Need the Audiobook

While the story would absolutely hold up in print, the duet narration elevates it to another level. Each narrator reads their character’s dialogue throughout, regardless of POV, creating a seamless and immersive experience. It’s the gold standard for romance audiobooks, and this one nails it.

I adored every minute of this listen. It’s the kind of audiobook that makes you laugh out loud, blush a little, and maybe even rewind a few favorite lines. I’ve already added the rest of the series to my wishlist — and if I’d been reading instead of listening, my Kindle would be glowing with highlights.