Can We Skip to the Good Part

De: Melissa Brayden

Narrado por: Quinn Riley

A hilarious, witty, and warm sapphic rom-com about a woman whose life implodes when she loses her job and fiancée in the same week, and decides to join a book club to change things up. But when she finds herself falling for one of the club members, and that person is her best friend’s ex, her troubles have only just begun.

Ella Baker is tired of being an afterthought in her own life. First, her fiancée dumps her six days before the wedding. Then her family jets off on a world tour—without her. And just when she thinks it can’t get worse, her longtime employer forgets to lay her off...That is, until now. It’s time for a reinvention, starting with something totally out of character: joining a book club. Thank God for her best friend, Rachel, who’s always there with popcorn and wine. But when a kiss from a smart, gorgeous, and maddeningly irresistible book club member leaves Ella breathless, she’s stunned to learn the woman who just turned her world upside down is the very ex who broke Rachel’s heart.

Max Wyler doesn’t believe in forever. As a divorce mediator, she’s built a career on helping people walk away amicably. The book club is just an escape—until new member Ella Baker arrives, all sunshine and sass, making Max question everything she thought she knew about love. There’s just one problem: Ella’s best friend is Max’s worst mistake. Which means those pretty blue eyes? Completely off-limits.

Or at least, they should be.

Lots of great interactions

This book came to life because of the narration of Quinn Riley.

I so enjoyed going along this journey of these two women who had this magnetic pole that couldn’t keep them apart, regardless of what girl code might dictate. Until they got caught, it was fun to sneak around with them.

Each main character had certain things that they needed to overcome to truly come together as an intact couple with less baggage.

The epilogue brought the whole book to a wonderful ending and wrapped it up nicely like a good package. Highly recommend it.

YES to Brayden 2.0!

If someone had given me this book with the author name hidden, I never would have guessed it was written by Melissa Brayden.

I’ve always enjoyed Brayden’s books for their lighter fare. Desserts, I would call them. Feel-good stories, lots of witty banter… flirty friend-filled beach reads.

But this, her first indie release, (and I hope this is the first of many!) shows more of her range. The read was deeper, richer, fuller, (much) sexier… and wonderfully romantic. Brayden unleashed, if you will. And I am absolutely here for it!

I listened to the audiobook version narrated by Quinn Riley and while Riley initially seemed to struggle a bit to find Max’s voice, as she got to know the character better she captured her and especially Ella beautifully. Riley excels at emotion and intimacy and she did a wonderful job here.

Both leads are relatable in that while they’ve got it together in most ways, they also have some internal family struggles. I appreciate that Brayden took the time to let them work through those things together and apart.

The supporting characters were great. They made me want to be in an in-person book club in addition to my online international one!

I’m thrilled to finally be able to buy an audiobook by Brayden after having long been disappointed by previous narrators that didn’t appeal to me. But if we get more stories like this with narrators of Riley’s quality, I’m in, in, in!

I’m thrilled that Brayden took this leap and vote that she goes indie from now on! You GO, Melissa! The move certainly paid off.

Love this book

There is no question, when you have a great book, with a well written story, and excellent MC and you add to it a wonderful narration the final product is a great wow. Loved the drama, the relationships, the book club.

Can’t stand the narrator

The narrator’s roller coaster accent made listening to this book almost unbearable. And no voice change for different female characters except for Max. Ok plot.

Melissa Braden and Quinn Riley with a slam dunk

A good romance novel can be predictable and still be good. The blurb has to catch the reader, and the blurb sometimes gives away the story. But what really matters is the journey and this was a great journey with a great cast, and a great narrator.