Iris Kelly Doesn't Date

By: Ashley Herring Blake

Narrated by: Kristen DiMercurio

Length: 11 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

A fake relationship after a horrible one-night stand is anything but an act in this witty and heartfelt new romantic comedy by Ashley Herring Blake.

Everyone around Iris Kelly is in love. Her best friends are all coupled up, her siblings have partners that are perfect for them, and her parents are still blissfully married. And she’s happy for all of them, truly. Iris doesn’t want any of that—dating, love, romance. She’ll stick to her commitment-free hookups, thanks very much, except no one in her life will just let her be. Everyone wants to see her settled down, but she holds firmly to her no dating rule. There’s only one problem—Iris is a romance author facing an imminent deadline for her second book, and she’s completely out of ideas.

Perfectly happy to ignore her problems as per usual, Iris goes to a bar in Portland and meets a sexy stranger, Stefania, and a night of dancing and making out turns into the worst one-night stand Iris has had in her life. To get her mind off everything, Iris tries out for the lead role in a local play, a queer retelling of Much Ado About Nothing, but comes face-to-face with Stefania, whose real name turns out to be Stevie. Desperate to save face in front of her friends, Stevie asks Iris to play along as her girlfriend. Iris is shocked, but when she realizes the arrangement might provide her with some much-needed romantic content for her book, she agrees. As the two women play the part of a happy couple, lines start to blur, and they’re left wondering who will make the real first move....

©2023 Ashley Herring Blake (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Kristen DiMercurio returns triumphantly as narrator of the third Bright Falls novel.... DiMercurio's familiarity with all the supporting characters pays off with well-established personalities and voices. When the writing expresses Stevie's anxiety or states how fantastic the characters' acting skills are, DiMercurio rises to the challenge. And the love scenes sound downright sultry." (AudioFile)

“Blake’s third and final Bright Falls romance sends the series out on a high note with more spicy sex and genuine emotion…Blake also does an admirable job of wrapping up the series, bringing all the past couples together one last time in a touching finale. This is a treat.”—Publishers Weekly

"Blake masterfully weaves a tale of growth where friendship, confidence, and passion ensue. A treat for fake-dating fans and happily-ever-after lovers alike."—Kirkus Reviews

"The final installment in the Bright Falls series only further demonstrates why these books have been so beloved: because Blake is a master at her craft, creating carefully plotted stories around flawed, lovable characters that explode with chemistry and tension. Iris and Stevie each have their own compelling pasts, struggles, and dreams, and Blake shows both the hard work and the beauty involved in making those different realities wrap around each other in love. A thoroughly satisfying, heart-clutching conclusion."—Anita Kelly, author of Something Wild and Wonderful

Best in the Series

I adore all the novels in this series but this one has to be my favorite. It’s shameless, funny, sexy, fourth-wall-breaking and so cute. Just one of the best romance novels I’ve read.

💯 fantastic!

I love this series and this third book did not disappoint. Lovable characters, friendships, romance and of course angst. Hope there are more books on the horizon!

Lovely love story

I’d recommend this book as I would recommend the whole series! Refreshing and intense love story in many dimensions. Self-love, friendship, sexual. And romantic all colliding! I love how the story is all about romance and sex, and yet doesn’t portray it as if it’s all that matters. The sense of self worth and sufficiency is incredible. Really spoke to me!

Ashley Herring Blake Doesn’t Stop

This might be my favorite of these books, and that’s a tall order after the first two! Heartfelt and sweet and sarcastic and just self-aware enough to make me laugh.

Delightful

This story had parts that were eye rolley or too long, but overall, a delightful and happy listening. I especially appreciated the queer style descriptions. I would recommend this.

Another great love story!!

This sapphic romance series of books are my absolute favorite and this one did not let me down!!

Sapphic Bliss

I loved the whole story. The depth the plot the tropes
There is NOTHING I would change. This made me laugh and think and almost cry.

Perfect balance of angst and fluff

This has to be my favorite of this series! As much as I would love to read more about these women, I’m perfectly content with how things ended if this is the end. If you’re looking for the perfect combination of adult angst and fluff, and toss in a wonderful amount of spice, this is your book! We do love a good fake dating trope!

This one is a must read!!!

So hilariously funny, witty, sexy, emotional, and one that ends with a smile on your face. So good that I want to start it all over again. This series ended with a banger and couldn’t be happier with the conclusion to these wonderful women getting their HEA! Please give this one a try, you won’t be disappointed…not with one thing I would of changed either. You want to never put this down and stop listening. You’re so immersed into the story and want to see how things play out so badly. I finished this in one day.

Yes yes yes

Excellent. Loved it. Read to read it again already. MCs are deeply flawed and I love them so much!