A Very No Strings Halloween

Very Holiday, Book 5

By: Kayley Loring, Connor Crais

Narrated by: 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

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

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

This was such a great book with incredible narrators

I absolutely loved this book! It was the perfect rom com! I loved reading about Donna and Billy falling in love and all their hilarious role playing. I loved the Halloween vibes and the story of Lars and Lara. I loved that Billys family was in the book alot, they were just as hilarious and fun to read about in this book! I laughed out loud several times and there was low angst.
The duet audiobook was absolutely amazing! The narrators did an incredible job bringing this book and these characters to life. I highly recommend this book and audiobook!

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.

Excellent performances of a wonderfully fun romcom

I don’t know why I waited so long to listen! A Very No Strings Halloween is everything it needed to be in order to be Billy’s story. Throughout the series, Billy has been larger than life with incredible adventures and the best shenanigans. From beginning to end he is his authentic self - even when naughty role-playing with the attractive neighbor. It took a special kind of woman to not only get his lasting attention, but to meet him head to head and bring out the very best in him. Donna is that woman! Their love story moves from “no strings” to ALL the strings before they know what hit them, and it is glorious! It’s fun, funny, mischievous, and wonderful with some surprising twists and turns. I smiled and giggled quite a bit, and genuinely enjoyed this audiobook!

Narration in duet by Connor Crais and Emma Wilder really is the icing on this cake. They are both amazing performers who bring their considerable talent to this project with a wide range of characters of all ages, backgrounds, and multiple difficult accents to let you get lost in the story. Excellent casting and performances of a wonderfully fun romantic comedy!