Relatively Normal

By: Whitney Dineen

Narrated by: Madeline Mrozek

Length: 8 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

Catriona Masterton's fiancé, Ethan, is normal.

He plans trips six months in advance and arrives at the airport a minimum of three hours early. He purchases life insurance, luggage insurance, and always opts for the extended warranty. He's responsible, reliable, and would make any woman a wonderful life partner.

In other words, he's the exact opposite of the Masterton clan.

Cat's mother has a kitchen-gadget fetish, a father whose best friends are taxidermied field mice, and a super-stoner man-child brother who lives - where else? - in the basement. Then there's Nan, her proud Scottish grandmother with a proclivity for profanity and mischief.

What on earth will Catriona's normal fiancé think when he comes home with her to meet her parents? What will he think when he discovers his soon-to-be in-laws invited Cat's ex to join them for a holiday dinner?

Find out in a laugh-out-loud journey of self-discovery, familial pandemonium, and love. A must-listen for fans of a true romantic comedy!

©2018 Whitney Dineen (P)2019 Whitney Dineen

OK

This book seemed a bit too juvenile for me. The heroine just doesn't face much in the way of real challenges. We should all have her "problems." Her family was hilarious though. The narrator has an easy to listen to voice.

Romance

It started of slow for me but once the book progressed it got interesting. I did wonder where it would go since I usually can guess but not so in this case.

Love in the big city and out!

Nothing like going back to where family is! Staying in place is not what this one's all about and in true Dineen fashion, she made it funny & entertaining as usual! Another great one Whitney & what a way to put a twist on the "Rona"!!

Not sure about this one

This book hurt my heart a bit. I am on the autism spectrum, although not quite as bad as Ethan. I felt like this book hit close to home and we, Aspies, are always on the losing end. I assume Ethan’s dad was on the same spectrum and I do not think he was treated fairly in this book.
I guess we all read to get away from our daily drudgery. Except in this case, the drudgery came to find me and was painted in such a fashion that I did not find flattering. Ethan being called Rainman by those who are supposed to be his friends hurt. Makes me wonder if that is how the normal folks talk about us. I think my husband found what he was looking for in me, even though I am not normal like him. But this book hurt.

I do realize that Cat had to have a way to find her way back to Sam. And that he was a better fit for her in the end. I just got my feelings hurt. Sam is sweet and tries to make up for old hurts.
I got a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Sweet and Hilarious!

This was my first Whitney Dineen's book. Cat's story is sweet and hilarious. I loved it! Madeline Mrozek did an amazing job with the narration. I received this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily written this review.

This book has all the feels...........

Relatively Normal is a book that inspires all kinds of feelings in the listener. At certain times, I was laughing so hard my face hurt. At other moments in the story, I felt so sad for the main character, Catriona. In addition to all the emotions, this book straddles several genres: from second chance romance to family drama to classic comedy. It might sound ambitious for one book to do so much, but the author nails every emotion and nuance beautifully. With Cat, the author has created a character with whom all of us can relate. How many of us don't struggle with some of the cringe-worthy moments of time spent with family as well as loving our families fiercely and protecting them against ridicule (from everybody but us!)? I must admit that Catriona's family would win any contest of oddball, quirky families, and, yet, it is this oddness that leads to unconditional love between all of them. Throw in a fairly low angst romantic triangle - with the perfect outcome, in my opinion - and you have the makings of a truly unique and delightful story.

I am a huge fan of Madeline Mrozek from previous audiobooks, and she does not disappoint with Relatively Normal. This book is narrated from Cat's point of view, and Mrozek's delivery of her independent, strong, and slightly sarcastic personality is perfect. I highly recommend the combined talents of Mrozek and Dineen in this entertaining audiobook production.

I received a copy of this audiobook at my request in exchange for this honest review.

Relatively.....AWESOME!!

Relatively Normal by Whitney Dineen, narrated by Madeline Mrozek is a funny, family-oriented, feel-good Rom-Com about finding oneself and living the life you were meant to live. It is filled with relatable situations, hilarious moments, and characters you can't help but fall in love with. This isn't a book I would normally choose, as I tend to stick to the mystery genre, but because Madeline Mrozek is my favorite narrator, this one moved to the top of my list!! This is the first time I've listened to a book written by Whitney Dineen; I plan to check out other books she has written, and if they are anything like this one, I know my credit will be well-spent.

To prevent giving anything away, I'll let you read the plot synopsis of Relatively Normal on your own, rather than giving a recap. Just know that it is awesome! I found myself many times reflecting on my own life and decisions I've made. It let me see that everything in life happens for a reason, even if it doesn't seem like it at the time, and things always turns out how they are supposed to in the end. I think this would make a great book club read not only because it keeps you laughing, but also because of the potential discussions (serious, light, or humorous) that could take place. The chapters are short (which I love), the characters are well-developed, and the twists that Dineen has thrown in are unexpectedly delightful!

Madeline Mrozek's performance as narrator is excellent, as always. She has a gift of knowing how to immediately pull the listener in. Her inviting tone and friendly voice make me feel right at home, allowing me to soak up some "me-time," while listening to characters I feel like I've known my entire life. There is never a question about which character is speaking because she has special voices for each of them, and effortlessly (or so it seems) stays in charcater the entire story, without fail. It doesn't matter if Mrozek's next audiobook narration happens to be a dictionary, encyclopedia, mystery, or biography, I'll be first in line to buy it, as listening to her perform is an experience within itself.

Without hesitation, I give Relatively Normal by Whitney Dineen, narrated by Madeline Mrozek 5 out of 5 stars, across the board. It will make you laugh one moment, while wishing you could offer a shoulder to cry on in the next. Whether you feel like running to hide or running into a big, giant hug, you will find the story and characters highly relatable. While the storyline focuses on the love-life of Cat, the main character, it's important to know that this isn't a romance. It is a book about relationships, though..... relationships with those we love. Like the characters (and myself), you will find yourself reflecting on how your own decsions have made you the person you are today. It reminds us who is truly important and allows us to think about our own happiness. I recommend this to those who enjoy audiobooks about relationships - family, friends, love - as well as the important theme of staying true to ourselves.

Thank you for reading my review. I hope it was helpful. :-) Happy listening!

Relatively Normal

“I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.”

This book was great! I loved Catriona's family! They are a hoot! I think I found it more comical because I was comparing my Scottish husband & his family to this book. His family came from Scotland and some of the stuff they do and say...kind of reminds me of this family...although his isn't quite as quirky as this group! I am surprised that she could keep her fiancé away from her family for a long as she did & why wouldn't he question it...regardless, this family kept me laughing all the way through. Although Cat's family is very quirky I don't think it was so much the family she was trying to get away from but the town...the unrealistic part for me was the ex-boyfriend...if he dumped you the way that he dumped Cat...why would she go back to him after such a short period of time...its hard to believe that a guy would be pinning after a girl for that long or that a girl would just forgive like she did...all in all it was good & since I had never read/listened to a Whitney Dineen book before...I'm glad I decided to & will be looking to see if there are more that might interested me.

Relatively Normal

Such an entertaining story! The family quirks in this book are so strange and yet endearing at the same time. They are those people where you truly get what you see and are not ashamed or shy about any of it. You will fall in love with this family as you read the book. The romance side of the book is just as good. I loved seeing the way that it turned out in the end.
Narration was great! The accents were spot on.

good story and great characters

The characters are really interesting and funny. I love the strange quarks of the families. Not just Cats family. The story was different than the usual rom com. but funnier. The narration was really very well done and I liked the humor very much.