The Vacation Bubble

To Barcelona with Love Trilogy, Book 1

De: Marcella Steele

Narrado por: Zoe Black, James Cassidy

A fling wasn’t on her vacation itinerary. Neither was falling in love.

Romance has ghosted, gaslit, and gone full Shakespearean tragedy on Sofia Drake. She’s basically a one-woman rom-com with no third act. Her spirit animal? An antelope, always ready to sprint if love sneaks up on her again.

Freshly dumped and downsized out of her job, Sofia is ready for a cosmic do-over. A solo escape to Spain seems like the perfect way to hit the reset button on her life... until she runs into Ryan Hunter, the guy she swore she’d never see again—too young, too tempting, too perfectly leading-man material.

But when Ryan offers her an irresistible deal, she can’t bring herself to walk away again. What harm could come from a fling in Barcelona? So she breaks her own ‘no men’ rule and comes up with a new rule: keep it vacation-only. Sun, sangria and maybe a little sizzle.

But as the clock winds down on their time together, Sofia has two choices: guard her heart from the free-fall—or leap, and pray love catches her midair.

Sometimes the best adventures happen when you stop running from what scares you most.

For fans of Beach Read, The Unhoneymooners, and Part of Your World, this witty reverse age-gap romance is a sun-drenched escape with heart, heat, and humor.

©2025 Marcella Steele (P)2025 Marcella Steele

Heartfelt, Passionate, and well Narrated

I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook and following the emotional journey of Sophia and Ryan. Marcella Steele does a great job exploring what it feels like to take another chance on love after past heartaches. It also gives the reader perspective or view points from both characters with the two different narrators which I appreciated! The story captures that push/pull of attraction, creating fear and hope simultaneously, and feels relatable, honest and genuine. Beyond the romance, the story celebrates the resilience of female friendship and bonds that sustain women through all of life's challenges. The narration was good, adding warmth and personality, bringing the characters' to life unlike the flat affect you can get from some narration. Readers who like intimate, character driven romances about trust, second chances and adventure will enjoy this book. It is perfect for a relaxing weekend. I am looking forward to next book in this trilogy!

Over 40 women listen up!!

Location: California and Spain

Tropes: age gap, romance over 40, life after divorce, new lease on life

Sophia got broken up with and lost her job all at the same time. But while out she meets Ryan, a younger and mysterious man whom their share an instant connection. He gives her an invitation to go to Barcelona with him and while Sophia doesn't go with him....she decides to go on her own and they run into each other. A romance blossoms and all the obstacles present themselves.

As a woman over 40 I absolutely loved this book. And I don't say this lightly because I honestly don't love a lot of romance novels. However, this book is different because this book explores a romance of a woman in her 40s and deconstructs all of the hesitations she has about dating and dating younger men This book was done so well, and it was so believable and realistic that I absolutely could