By Any Other Name

Kate’s (Fallen) latest enemies-to-lovers romance reads more like a friends-to-lovers, but the ending will leave listeners swooning. Lanie Bloom has just landed the promotion of her dreams as an editorial director at Peony Press. But that promotion comes with a sizable caveat: get a best-selling manuscript from the notoriously elusive romance author Noa Calloway, who is already four months past the manuscript’s deadline. Noa is suffering from a crippling case of writer’s block and, of course, only communicates via email. Lanie and Noa have been email pen pals for seven years, but finally meeting face-to-face turns their worlds upside down. Narrator Brittany Pressley gives a delightful performance in a sweet and optimistic style, which makes Lanie’s voice feel like that of a dear friend. She leans on tender tones that make sorrow palpable when Noa and Lanie talk about their mothers. Overall, this is an enjoyable mix of friendship, love, redefining expectations, and lots of healthy character growth.