Asking for a Friend

By: Lauren Blakely

Narrated by: Andi Arndt, Jason Clarke, Zachary Webber, Erin Mallon

Length: 6 hrs

Publisher's summary

A delicious standalone romantic comedy performed by Andi Arndt and Jason Clarke with special guest stars Zachary Webber and Erin Mallon!

I was only trying to help a friend. I swear. I was legit asking for a friend who was finally ready to date again. I knew what she wanted in a man - smart, funny, ambitious, well-read (no, the sports section doesn't count), and plays a wicked game of badminton. So I did what any good friend would do. Posted it for her. It seemed like a good idea at the time - I’d weed through the candidates, and bring her my top picks. But then he responded. Is it wrong to date the guy I screened for my bestie? Not asking for a friend.

Asking for a Friend is a Boyfriend Material series standalone! Three best friends. Three outrageous proposals. Three chances to fall in love. Three brand new standalones from Lauren Blakely!

©2019 Lauren Blakely Books (P)2019 Lauren Blakely Books

✫✫ 5 Stars ✫✫

Another awesome Lauren Blakely book! I am so excited about this new series after finishing book 1. I was in love with this book because of all the "book love" and banter. Seriously these characters work in publishing so they both love books and their flirting and banter has a lot of book related stuff and that was my complete downfall!

This is a sort of "You've Got Mail" storyline which made it even better. They spend a lot of time chatting and being honest with each other before they even know who each other is so their attraction and their connection felt so real. She was probably more honest than she would have been since she wasn't trying to catch him for herself which is another thing I loved about it. This book felt seriously fun, sexy and sweet all in one perfect package. I can't wait for book 2, thankfully it's LB so we won't be waiting very long. Amy was such a fun character, she is so witty and inner monologue had me giggling through out the story.

I was sold at Jason Clarke and Andi Arndt! They are both fantastic narrators and did an amazing job bringing the banter, wit and chemistry out in these characters
And Erin Mallon and Zachery Webber were also perfect in this performance, you seriously can't go wrong with this all star cast!!

Incredible

This book had me right from the beginning, I pretty much love everything Lauren writes but I still have that one favorite book of hers and I really think this one slid in behind it. I loved the characters Linc and Amy are so uniquely themselves and the chemistry they have. Oooh look out!

Books that make your heart happy, that make you swoon, yet is charming but also totally relatable, that is these characters they just have it all. It makes you never want to press pause.

This book just hit all the right buttons and I hope it hits yours as well.

The narration is fantastic as always, Mrs. Blakely sure knows how to pick just the right voices for each of her characters and she hit the nail right on the head with this cast.

Zachary Webber Steals the Show!

I have to admit that I had a hard time getting into this audiobook. I started it three times and I almost didn’t finish it again. I don’t know why that’s the case because I like most everything that Lauren writes and the performances by all the narrators were exceptional.

This was a lot like a modern-day “You’ve Got Mail” story with likable characters, but I think the person who made this hilarious was Baldwin, performed by Zachary Webber. He usually performs the steamy, hot hero, and not a semi-flamboyant gay man. He was fantastic!

Adorkable Romcom

Overall 5 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 4.5 stars

This was exactly the kind of swoony, low angst romcom that I needed! Asking For a Friend hooked me in right from the start, thanks to two of the quirkiest and most adorkable characters that I've encountered. Linc and Amy were undeniably perfect for each other and their playful banter and conversations made them even more endearing. I loved that there was push and pull thanks to the office romance taboo/some past baggage, but nothing over the top or unnecessary. The drama that does pop up is resolved just as quickly as it appears. It allowed the story to focus on these two and more importantly, the powerful message that "women can support each other even when they compete". Cape power all the way!

Catching up with previous Blakely characters and the nods to locations and businesses that have popped up through her books are always fun easter eggs to find. The secondary characters were just as wonderful, especially Baldwin. I loved that he got his HEA too ;)

Jason Clarke and Andi Arndt are delicious as always and the cameos by Erin Mallon and Zachary Webber were such a fun treat. Zachary Webber was wonderful as Baldwin! Though the audiobook isn't fully done in the duet style, there are parts (like text messages) that are. The playful banter and back and forth play out perfectly on audio. There's a quick preview excerpt of Tristan and Peyton's story at the end as well to get listeners/readers excited for the next book! If you're looking for a sweet, feel good romcom, you don't want to miss Asking For a Friend!

*I voluntarily listened to a review copy of this book*

DNF

Most boring audiobook ever despite the stellar narrators. I am bored beyond belief the story is ridiculous and the characters are one dimensional. The writing is fine, this is just not at all interesting or fun. YAWN

OMG

This has got to be one if my favorite books. The story is enchanting and the banter between the main characters is witty and electric. I think I smiled the entire time I was listening. I can’t imagine anyone else narrating this story. Perfect voices

A slow burn with a hot coupling.

It’s really 4.5 stars. I wish it was a longer book! I loved these characters!

Amy and Linc have great chemistry. I loved their banter before hooking up and I loved their work ethics. Lauren really conveyed that these characters loved books as entertainment. Not a hobby. I quite enjoyed that.

This idea that Amy would screen guys for her friend was cute. I’ve seen it done before and I think it’s a trope that has a lot of ways it can go. In other words, it’s easy to build a decent story it.

The audio is great. Lauren consistently knocks it out of the park. Andi Arndt and Jason Clarke make for a great coupling. Zachary Webber was a scene stealer with Baldwin. I wish we had a little more Erin Mallon, but that’s just me being selfish.

Meh

Although I did finish this book, I wanted to DNF it at least a handful of times along the way. I found this to be really bland and tedious. It barely held my attention and at times it didn't hold my attention at all but I didn't care enough to back it up and listen again.

My favorite thing about this book was the low level of angst. There wasn't any push or pull and no major drama. I enjoyed the straight forward nature of the plot.

Beyond that, this book just didn't do it for me. It may just be a case of, "it's not you, it's me".

The narration was really good.

Superb All Star Cast

There was nothing remarkable about this story. I never got particularly interested in the characters or their story. Had it not been for the awesome cast of narrators I may have not liked this one at all. There is nothing necessarily wrong and I do believe others will love this one, it just came off as bland to me. All the my favorite narrators were paired together making the narration amazing.

Fun Fun Fun

Very fun, witty story. Andi Arndt and Jason Clarke give awesome performances, and it was a treat to have Zachary Webber and Erin Mallon have small support parts. Kind of a You've Got Mail premise with online dating. I can't express enough how fun of a writer Lauren Blakely can be, the banter just sucks you in, makes you laugh out loud, and root for the characters. You'll not be disappointed.

It was funny, cute and sexy.

Lauren Blakely is one of my favourite authors.

Linc and Amy meet for the first time they meet on his first day of work at her company. But he's desperate not to get dragged into a office romance after his previous bad experience and she's determined to be career focused and get a promotion... both end up on the same dating app while Amy screens potentials for her recently heartbroken bestie. You will have a smile on your face by the time you are finished this book. It felt like hanging out with friends over a glass of wine being told their latest escapades.

Excellent

This was a really good book and a good story I'm looking forward to next book in series.

Even better in Audio!

A fun read and even better listen! I loved Amy & Linc and how they get together. An office / online romance quirkily mixed.
This is a sexy flirty book with everything I love about a Lauren Blakely book boyfriend and heroine.

asking for a friend.

fun story as usual from Laura Blakely. Ideal for a cold wet, windy afternoon in the middle of a pandemic.

A great wee read

This is my first read from Lauren Blakely and although it was a tad predictable I really enjoyed this book, I mean who doesn’t love a hea!!❤️I am now scrolling for sex and shiny things as the teaser was🔥

Fantastic

Both main characters work in a publishing company and are working hard to establish themselves Linc is new to the company and has a strict rule of the relationships within the company.
Absolutely love this book in the way it develops in the story and both characters how they develop the relationship even though they both are even looking to be in a relationship absolutely love the narration cannot be Lauren Blakely for fantastic new narrated books