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Gigi, Listening
Fans of Sophie Kinsella and Christina Lauren will adore this touching and witty novel about a woman who takes an impulsive trip to England to meet the man behind the audiobook narrator she’s fallen for.
Gigi Rutherford loves love stories. She reads them, she sells them at her romance bookstore, and she could spend hours imagining the meet-cutes of every couple she encounters. But when it comes to her own love interests, Gigi is out of stock. Instead of enduring bad date after bad date, these days she’d rather curl up with her favorite audiobook and the only man who makes her heart skip a beat: Zane Wilkenson, the smooth-voiced narrator Gigi is convinced is her soulmate.
Then, she’s presented with the chance of a lifetime: a ten-day bus tour through the English countryside, an ocean away from her bookstore—all in the presence of Zane, in person, as he leads the tour.
But when Gigi arrives at the bus terminal in London, Zane is nowhere to be found. Until he shows up, she’s stuck with an eclectic group of fellow travelers: recently widowed and chatty Charlotte; trivia-obsessed Francis; Jenny, a true-crime-makeup YouTuber documenting every detail for her subscribers; and Sindhi and Roshi, a long-married couple who can’t stop bickering. Then there’s the brooding bus driver, Taj, who Gigi finds infuriating yet also incredibly alluring . . .
With heart and charm, warmth and humor, Chantel Guertin explores the meaning of love and family—and how, sometimes, the journey to yourself is where you’ll find everything you’ve been searching for.
Gigi Rutherford loves love stories. She reads them, she sells them at her romance bookstore, and she could spend hours imagining the meet-cutes of every couple she encounters. But when it comes to her own love interests, Gigi is out of stock. Instead of enduring bad date after bad date, these days she’d rather curl up with her favorite audiobook and the only man who makes her heart skip a beat: Zane Wilkenson, the smooth-voiced narrator Gigi is convinced is her soulmate.
Then, she’s presented with the chance of a lifetime: a ten-day bus tour through the English countryside, an ocean away from her bookstore—all in the presence of Zane, in person, as he leads the tour.
But when Gigi arrives at the bus terminal in London, Zane is nowhere to be found. Until he shows up, she’s stuck with an eclectic group of fellow travelers: recently widowed and chatty Charlotte; trivia-obsessed Francis; Jenny, a true-crime-makeup YouTuber documenting every detail for her subscribers; and Sindhi and Roshi, a long-married couple who can’t stop bickering. Then there’s the brooding bus driver, Taj, who Gigi finds infuriating yet also incredibly alluring . . .
With heart and charm, warmth and humor, Chantel Guertin explores the meaning of love and family—and how, sometimes, the journey to yourself is where you’ll find everything you’ve been searching for.
363 pages, Paperback
First published March 28, 2023
95 people are currently reading
18310 people want to read
About the author
Chantel Guertin
12 books402 followersBestselling author of 9 novels --
Rom-Coms:
It Happened One Christmas -- Oct 2023
Gigi, Listening (USA) // Two for the Road (Can) - 2023
Instamom -- A PopSugar Best Beach Read 2021
Stuck in Downward Dog
Love Struck
YA:
The Pippa Greene series:
The Rule of Thirds
Depth of Field
Leading Lines
Golden Hour
Rom-Coms:
It Happened One Christmas -- Oct 2023
Gigi, Listening (USA) // Two for the Road (Can) - 2023
Instamom -- A PopSugar Best Beach Read 2021
Stuck in Downward Dog
Love Struck
YA:
The Pippa Greene series:
The Rule of Thirds
Depth of Field
Leading Lines
Golden Hour
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 815 reviews
October 7, 2024
$4.99 @ Libro.fm
I probably requested this because Gigi owns a romance bookstore. Gigi has a favorite audiobook, and is convinced the narrator, Zane, is her soulmate. She books a ten day bus tour through the English countryside when she finds out he is leading the tour. This ends up being as disastrous as you can imagine, but the real heart of the story includes the friends she makes along the way.
📖 Thank you to Goodreads and Kensington
🎧 Thank you to NetGalley and Recorded Books
I probably requested this because Gigi owns a romance bookstore. Gigi has a favorite audiobook, and is convinced the narrator, Zane, is her soulmate. She books a ten day bus tour through the English countryside when she finds out he is leading the tour. This ends up being as disastrous as you can imagine, but the real heart of the story includes the friends she makes along the way.
📖 Thank you to Goodreads and Kensington
🎧 Thank you to NetGalley and Recorded Books
May 8, 2023
2.75⭐
Featuring ~ single 1st person POV, bookshop owner, road trip, slow burn, no steamage
GiGi loves love and just wants what her parents had before they died.
I wanted to love this one ~ she owns a bookstore, her parents meet cute was adorable, but she's in love with a voice y'all and is convinced Zane is her soulmate and she hasn't even met him. I have listened to 100's and 100's of audiobooks and there have been some voices that I wouldn't mind whispering sweet nothings to me, but I probably wouldn't track them down...maybe that's just me. More on the narration below.
GiGi was kind of mean sometimes and too much with her quest to meet this guy. Her friends bought her the 10 day trip, which probably wasn't cheap, and the first minute she realized Zane wasn't there she wanted to leave ~ how rude and wasteful, but she stuck it out and had mostly a good time, when she wasn't snoozing and missing out on the lovely scenery.
I did like the side characters on the trip, they seemed like they'd be fun to hang with. The road trip though England and scenic descriptions were great.
Overall, there were some fun moments that kept me listening. Sure is predictable, but I liked the ending.
Narration:
Natalie Naudus ~ 10 hours 8 minutes ~ she did a fine job, HOWEVER the book is about her loving the voice of Zane, so why did we not have a male narrator for his parts? I mean if she can rub one out to the sound of his voice we should be able to hear what all the hype is about.
*Thanks to the author, RB Media and NetGalley for my audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me here ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
Featuring ~ single 1st person POV, bookshop owner, road trip, slow burn, no steamage
GiGi loves love and just wants what her parents had before they died.
I wanted to love this one ~ she owns a bookstore, her parents meet cute was adorable, but she's in love with a voice y'all and is convinced Zane is her soulmate and she hasn't even met him. I have listened to 100's and 100's of audiobooks and there have been some voices that I wouldn't mind whispering sweet nothings to me, but I probably wouldn't track them down...maybe that's just me. More on the narration below.
GiGi was kind of mean sometimes and too much with her quest to meet this guy. Her friends bought her the 10 day trip, which probably wasn't cheap, and the first minute she realized Zane wasn't there she wanted to leave ~ how rude and wasteful, but she stuck it out and had mostly a good time, when she wasn't snoozing and missing out on the lovely scenery.
I did like the side characters on the trip, they seemed like they'd be fun to hang with. The road trip though England and scenic descriptions were great.
Overall, there were some fun moments that kept me listening. Sure is predictable, but I liked the ending.
Narration:
Natalie Naudus ~ 10 hours 8 minutes ~ she did a fine job, HOWEVER the book is about her loving the voice of Zane, so why did we not have a male narrator for his parts? I mean if she can rub one out to the sound of his voice we should be able to hear what all the hype is about.
*Thanks to the author, RB Media and NetGalley for my audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me here ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
March 15, 2023
Gigi, Listening by Chantel Guertin
Contemporary romance / romantic comedy.
Gigi is a bit of a romantic. She owns a romance book store and believes in love and soulmates. She has listened to one particular audio book dozens of times, falling in love with the narrator. His voice has her mesmerized and fixated to the point she’s searched his online profile and knows he’s a tour guide in the English countryside. A surprise birthday gift from her bookclub has her taking a ten day vacation that includes a tour done by her soulmate narrator.
Gigi is romanticizing her parents meet-cute and is sure she can have the same thing. But when Zane doesn’t show for the first few days of the tour, Gigi has to make the best of her vacation time. Taj makes Gigi a bit crazy and yet she’s fascinated by his strength and ability to entertain and keep everyone on schedule.
We all know what’s going to happen, right? But it takes Gigi a very long time to figure it out for herself. She also needs to do a bit of self reflection. I think she’s way too hard on her brother. Of course, it ends with a sigh and happiness so don’t worry.
Read the fantasy of finding your true love.
🎧 I listened to an audiobook version narrated by Natalie Naudus. She does a really great job with differences between male and female, but more, quite a few of the characters have an English accent (vs for the States). Conversation are fun to follow with the changing accents. Emotions are clearly expressed and I liked the tempo of the overall recording. I did raise the speed to 1.5 finding anything faster was unclear and slower felt like it was dragging.
I received a copy of the from NetGalley and RB Media.
Contemporary romance / romantic comedy.
Gigi is a bit of a romantic. She owns a romance book store and believes in love and soulmates. She has listened to one particular audio book dozens of times, falling in love with the narrator. His voice has her mesmerized and fixated to the point she’s searched his online profile and knows he’s a tour guide in the English countryside. A surprise birthday gift from her bookclub has her taking a ten day vacation that includes a tour done by her soulmate narrator.
Gigi is romanticizing her parents meet-cute and is sure she can have the same thing. But when Zane doesn’t show for the first few days of the tour, Gigi has to make the best of her vacation time. Taj makes Gigi a bit crazy and yet she’s fascinated by his strength and ability to entertain and keep everyone on schedule.
We all know what’s going to happen, right? But it takes Gigi a very long time to figure it out for herself. She also needs to do a bit of self reflection. I think she’s way too hard on her brother. Of course, it ends with a sigh and happiness so don’t worry.
Read the fantasy of finding your true love.
🎧 I listened to an audiobook version narrated by Natalie Naudus. She does a really great job with differences between male and female, but more, quite a few of the characters have an English accent (vs for the States). Conversation are fun to follow with the changing accents. Emotions are clearly expressed and I liked the tempo of the overall recording. I did raise the speed to 1.5 finding anything faster was unclear and slower felt like it was dragging.
I received a copy of the from NetGalley and RB Media.
April 12, 2023
4 solid stars - A great travel rom-com with an overworked & terminally single bookshop owner on an English tour to meet the audiobook narrator & tour guide of her dreams. How will it end & who does she get her HEA with are both a tad bit predictable, but I still quite enjoyed the (bus) journey!
February 15, 2023
A cute non-spicy rom-com for all the neurotic gals out there!
A SHORT PREVIEW:
Take the girl out of her An Arbor romance book shop, but you can't quite take the romance book shop out of her. We follow the story of GiGi, who is gifted a fun trip across Britain by her friends for her 30th birthday...with a twist. The scheduled tour is guided by none other than the audiobook narrator whom she's been obsessed with for years. Once she meets the lauded Zane... will it be the perfect meet-cute like she's read about in her romance novels for years?
THINGS I LIKED:
- As far as romances go, the entire time I kept wondering when the main character was going to understand that perceived attractions that you try to force aren't the same as real attractions that happen naturally. Thankfully she realized that in the end, or I would have had to throw my phone.
- The setting descriptions were one of my favorite parts of this book. If you've ever wanted to travel to England, this is a cute little read if you're inclined to listen to audiobooks on the plane!
- The author did a good job making the character feel more mature in the way she looks at dating since she's thirty - she's clearly well aware of the pitfalls of hookup culture and internet dating.
- I saw the story shaping up around 30% of the book, and I'm not mad about it. There are no annoying third-act breakups, and I really appreciate when authors don't add excessive drama for the sake of the drama.
THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE:
- Overall, for a quick-read romance, this was really cute, but there were definitely parts that dragged in the middle.
- I have a hard time relating to spastic/neurotic characters. Especially when their neuroses are the centerfold of the story? Not to mention that the main part of the plot was a lil' stalkery... until I realized that it's very similar to the beginning of The Lucky One? The Nicholas Sparks book made into a movie with Zac Efron?
- (This needed its own point because it was traumatizing to read about lol) THE MAIN CHARACTER CONSTANTLY GOES TO BED WITH HER MAKEUP ON... and then puts makeup on top of it to cover that mess up the next morning?! I CANNOT. I am not that woman. My face is always washed and moisturized, and I sunscreen the next morning before makeup!! The number of times I visibly cringed whilst listening to those parts was not okay. 😩
NOTES:
- Setting: All over Britain (it's a road trip)
- LGBTQ+ representation
- Single POV
- Contemporary romance / non-smutty
**I received this book as an advanced reader copy, but all reviews are my own. - SLR
A SHORT PREVIEW:
Take the girl out of her An Arbor romance book shop, but you can't quite take the romance book shop out of her. We follow the story of GiGi, who is gifted a fun trip across Britain by her friends for her 30th birthday...with a twist. The scheduled tour is guided by none other than the audiobook narrator whom she's been obsessed with for years. Once she meets the lauded Zane... will it be the perfect meet-cute like she's read about in her romance novels for years?
THINGS I LIKED:
- As far as romances go, the entire time I kept wondering when the main character was going to understand that perceived attractions that you try to force aren't the same as real attractions that happen naturally. Thankfully she realized that in the end, or I would have had to throw my phone.
- The setting descriptions were one of my favorite parts of this book. If you've ever wanted to travel to England, this is a cute little read if you're inclined to listen to audiobooks on the plane!
- The author did a good job making the character feel more mature in the way she looks at dating since she's thirty - she's clearly well aware of the pitfalls of hookup culture and internet dating.
- I saw the story shaping up around 30% of the book, and I'm not mad about it. There are no annoying third-act breakups, and I really appreciate when authors don't add excessive drama for the sake of the drama.
THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE:
- Overall, for a quick-read romance, this was really cute, but there were definitely parts that dragged in the middle.
- I have a hard time relating to spastic/neurotic characters. Especially when their neuroses are the centerfold of the story? Not to mention that the main part of the plot was a lil' stalkery... until I realized that it's very similar to the beginning of The Lucky One? The Nicholas Sparks book made into a movie with Zac Efron?
- (This needed its own point because it was traumatizing to read about lol) THE MAIN CHARACTER CONSTANTLY GOES TO BED WITH HER MAKEUP ON... and then puts makeup on top of it to cover that mess up the next morning?! I CANNOT. I am not that woman. My face is always washed and moisturized, and I sunscreen the next morning before makeup!! The number of times I visibly cringed whilst listening to those parts was not okay. 😩
NOTES:
- Setting: All over Britain (it's a road trip)
- LGBTQ+ representation
- Single POV
- Contemporary romance / non-smutty
**I received this book as an advanced reader copy, but all reviews are my own. - SLR
March 21, 2023
Oh my heart. My love for this one really crept up on me. I read the last few chapters through tears.
When romance bookstore owner Gigi is gifted the opportunity to join a ten-day bus tour through the English countryside, she is ecstatic. But not for the scenery ...
Zane Wilkenson, her absolute favourite audiobook narrator AND presumed man of her dreams, will be leading the tour. What begins as a misguided attempt to meet Zane is a story bursting with unexpected friendships, love, and resurfacing grief.
I've never felt more invested in secondary characters. This eclectic group of bus passengers brought so much humour and tender moments. With an array of personalities and temperaments—all on the tour for unknown reasons—I loved the gradual reveal of each of their lives. Some heartbreaking, some uplifting, all absolutely touching.
And of course there's Taj, the broody bus driver. Gigi, Zane, and Taj: I adored this unconventional love triangle. As Gigi slowly discovers a deeper meaning behind her travels, this happily-ever-after made my heart so full.
(heat level: closed door)
NOTE: This book is titled Gigi, Listening in the US.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
When romance bookstore owner Gigi is gifted the opportunity to join a ten-day bus tour through the English countryside, she is ecstatic. But not for the scenery ...
Zane Wilkenson, her absolute favourite audiobook narrator AND presumed man of her dreams, will be leading the tour. What begins as a misguided attempt to meet Zane is a story bursting with unexpected friendships, love, and resurfacing grief.
I've never felt more invested in secondary characters. This eclectic group of bus passengers brought so much humour and tender moments. With an array of personalities and temperaments—all on the tour for unknown reasons—I loved the gradual reveal of each of their lives. Some heartbreaking, some uplifting, all absolutely touching.
And of course there's Taj, the broody bus driver. Gigi, Zane, and Taj: I adored this unconventional love triangle. As Gigi slowly discovers a deeper meaning behind her travels, this happily-ever-after made my heart so full.
(heat level: closed door)
NOTE: This book is titled Gigi, Listening in the US.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 26, 2022
Such a cute book! I absolutely LOVED the character development for Gigi, such a huge difference in her at the end. Beautiful story of so many lives that were intertwined by one tour. I enjoyed all of the characters so much! Loved the ending for Gigi as well. So many laughs and cute moments and eyes watering moments wrapped up nice in one novel.
I received this ARC by NetGalley and the publishers to read and review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
I received this ARC by NetGalley and the publishers to read and review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.
May 14, 2023
This was a charming and fun book. The characters were an eclectic bunch and you do get caught up in their lives. I developed a genuine affection for each of the characters as I got to know them and found out their secrets. Francis' secret really got to me and caused me to cry. As usual love never works out the way that you think it will so there will be surprises.
November 26, 2023
Thank you netgalley and Kensington publications for providing me with ARC of Gigi, listening.
People think being alone is lonely but sometimes, being in a wrong relationship can be lonelier.
This might be the cleaniest romance book I have ever read or will ever read. I enjoyed it quite a lot. This book was a whole package. The Story starts with Gigi short for Georgia on a blind date which is going horribly wrong. As we go into the story, we get immersed into the book world of Gigi, a world of books and library and audiobooks and what else a reader can ask for.
The characters felt quite real and although I wasn't fan of Gigi but I liked other characters especially Taj. I was kind of expecting a twist at the end as the story had lot many hints one being specific that and it kind of bothered me.
I was glad to have picked up the book as the whole tour felt like an amazing and exhilarating experience, the journey amidst various parts of Britain. Even though I enjoyed the whole book very much, the second half was quite better. Gigi was an exhausting character like most female protagonists of the romance books are but I guess that's how it goes.
The thing I loved most about it is that all the references of the books used in it did not feel forced. They felt very natural and subtly installed throughout the book. Like it was need of the story, not an author showing off how much she has read. At the end, When I checked the list of books, I was amazed at the number as I didn't really realise that these many books have been mentioned.
I will definitely recommend reading it to everyone who loves reading Rom-coms.
People think being alone is lonely but sometimes, being in a wrong relationship can be lonelier.
This might be the cleaniest romance book I have ever read or will ever read. I enjoyed it quite a lot. This book was a whole package. The Story starts with Gigi short for Georgia on a blind date which is going horribly wrong. As we go into the story, we get immersed into the book world of Gigi, a world of books and library and audiobooks and what else a reader can ask for.
The characters felt quite real and although I wasn't fan of Gigi but I liked other characters especially Taj. I was kind of expecting a twist at the end as the story had lot many hints one being specific that and it kind of bothered me.
I was glad to have picked up the book as the whole tour felt like an amazing and exhilarating experience, the journey amidst various parts of Britain. Even though I enjoyed the whole book very much, the second half was quite better. Gigi was an exhausting character like most female protagonists of the romance books are but I guess that's how it goes.
The thing I loved most about it is that all the references of the books used in it did not feel forced. They felt very natural and subtly installed throughout the book. Like it was need of the story, not an author showing off how much she has read. At the end, When I checked the list of books, I was amazed at the number as I didn't really realise that these many books have been mentioned.
I will definitely recommend reading it to everyone who loves reading Rom-coms.
February 7, 2023
an expert in the romance genre, but a fool in love, is our titular character gigi rutherford: book store owner, and our next relatable fictional woman. harbouring a crush on an audiobook narrator allows her friends to surprise her with a ten-day tour through england's picturesque cities and counties for her thirtieth birthday, led by the said crush. when late for this tour, she has no choice but to join another before they intercept, where she meets three other tourists that soon become friends, and a disgruntled bus driver, taj, with whom sparks fly with.
with developing chemistry with taj, and the eventual meeting with her crush leading to all she thought she ever wanted, what ever will she do?
gigi, listening by chantel guertin is where character development shines. each character is fascinating to some degree, and their shared journeys mean that they are easy to love, and root for, making for a very enjoyable story.
- 3.5 stars!
with developing chemistry with taj, and the eventual meeting with her crush leading to all she thought she ever wanted, what ever will she do?
gigi, listening by chantel guertin is where character development shines. each character is fascinating to some degree, and their shared journeys mean that they are easy to love, and root for, making for a very enjoyable story.
- 3.5 stars!
March 15, 2023
I loved this book and audio book! So much so I can’t wait for it to come out so I can rush out and buy it. It’s one I simply need to have a physical copy of.
Ok, hear me out. You know when a book is so good you simply can’t let it go? You end up going back and rereading the last few chapters again just to experience it one more time . . . Yes? Well, that was me and this book. *sigh*
Gigi is one of those characters you simply have to like because of how genuine she is and secretly envy because she owns a romance bookstore. I don’t care if she is fiction or not, she is quite literally living my dream! I digress. Gigi is basically in love with the voice of an audio book narrator. Relatable, right? Insert me listening to Shane East reading me to sleep. . . Hell, Julia Whelan reading the male narration even makes me swoon! Needless to say, I get it.
When Zane is a no show, Gigi relaxes into herself; for what seems the first time in her adult life. That is when Taj sneaks in right under her nose. Taj. Sweet, gruff, swoon worthy, Want to know what I love about him so much? THEN READ THE BOOK and thank me later.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of the ePub and the Audio book. They were both simply amazing and I am already itching to read it again. All thought and opinions are my own. #GigiListening #NetGalley
Ok, hear me out. You know when a book is so good you simply can’t let it go? You end up going back and rereading the last few chapters again just to experience it one more time . . . Yes? Well, that was me and this book. *sigh*
Gigi is one of those characters you simply have to like because of how genuine she is and secretly envy because she owns a romance bookstore. I don’t care if she is fiction or not, she is quite literally living my dream! I digress. Gigi is basically in love with the voice of an audio book narrator. Relatable, right? Insert me listening to Shane East reading me to sleep. . . Hell, Julia Whelan reading the male narration even makes me swoon! Needless to say, I get it.
When Zane is a no show, Gigi relaxes into herself; for what seems the first time in her adult life. That is when Taj sneaks in right under her nose. Taj. Sweet, gruff, swoon worthy, Want to know what I love about him so much? THEN READ THE BOOK and thank me later.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of the ePub and the Audio book. They were both simply amazing and I am already itching to read it again. All thought and opinions are my own. #GigiListening #NetGalley
March 14, 2023
5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
📖Book 39/100
💫Genre: Contemporary Romance
🎧ARC🎧
Narrated by:
Natalie Naudus
🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
This was a clean, witty, and heartfelt romance book that I really enjoyed. Gigi a small business bookshop owner travels across the world to meet Zane. She’s spellbound to his voice since Zane is the narrator to an audiobook that meant so much to her parents. As she travels for that one purpose, she takes back so much back with her. The characters were all so well written (even Zade), and I absolutely loved the character development of Gigi. She does a complete 360 change. I loved the ending, and I hardly ever give a romance with no steam a 5🌟 review! I also loved how she had to learn how to cope with her parents death.
How much do you expect to learn in a 10 day bus tour with so many strangers???
✨✨✨✨✨
Lessons I took away from it were; Things don’t always go as planned, careful how you say things, and grief is hard but sometimes you have to let go for your own well being.
📌Publishing Date:
March 28, 2023
💫Thank you @netgalley and @rbmedia__ for this enjoyable read in exchange for an honest review.
#GigiListening #NetGalley
#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagrammersunite
#bookreview #booktok #book #books #booksarelife #booksaremagical #bookrecommendations #bookrecommendation #bookclubforintroverts #booklovers #booklover #romancebooka #fiction #fictionbooks #booknerd #bookworm #bookworms #bibliophile #romancebooks #audiobook
#contemporaryromance #netgalleyreviewer #netgalleyreader #arcreader #netgalleyarc
📖Book 39/100
💫Genre: Contemporary Romance
🎧ARC🎧
Narrated by:
Natalie Naudus
🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
This was a clean, witty, and heartfelt romance book that I really enjoyed. Gigi a small business bookshop owner travels across the world to meet Zane. She’s spellbound to his voice since Zane is the narrator to an audiobook that meant so much to her parents. As she travels for that one purpose, she takes back so much back with her. The characters were all so well written (even Zade), and I absolutely loved the character development of Gigi. She does a complete 360 change. I loved the ending, and I hardly ever give a romance with no steam a 5🌟 review! I also loved how she had to learn how to cope with her parents death.
How much do you expect to learn in a 10 day bus tour with so many strangers???
✨✨✨✨✨
Lessons I took away from it were; Things don’t always go as planned, careful how you say things, and grief is hard but sometimes you have to let go for your own well being.
📌Publishing Date:
March 28, 2023
💫Thank you @netgalley and @rbmedia__ for this enjoyable read in exchange for an honest review.
#GigiListening #NetGalley
#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagrammersunite
#bookreview #booktok #book #books #booksarelife #booksaremagical #bookrecommendations #bookrecommendation #bookclubforintroverts #booklovers #booklover #romancebooka #fiction #fictionbooks #booknerd #bookworm #bookworms #bibliophile #romancebooks #audiobook
#contemporaryromance #netgalleyreviewer #netgalleyreader #arcreader #netgalleyarc
December 22, 2022
First The White Lotus took me to Hawaii and Sicily. However, I wasn't done going on virtual vacations and thankfully Chantel Guertin delivered with her latest rom-com, Gigi, Listening. I got to go all over England from the comfort of my own couch (or treadmill). This was such a sweet and fun story that I enjoyed as much as her previous novel, Instamom.
I'm sorry this review is so short, but I only have good things to say about this novel and I don't want to spoil anything. I love that Gigi owns a bookstore and that she stops in all the bookstores on her tour of England. She mentioned a book in the beginning that was totally made up just for this novel, but I wish existed in real life. It was an Orthodox Jewish modern day rom-com version of Anna Karenina called, wait for it...Rosh Hash-Anna. The descriptions made everything in the story come to life without taking away from the narrative.
I highly recommend Gigi, Listening for your 2023 TBR. It publishes this spring and you will definitely want to get your hands on a copy!
Movie casting suggestions:
Gigi: Zoey Deutch (After seeing her in Something From Tiffany's, I couldn't picture anyone else.)
I'm sorry this review is so short, but I only have good things to say about this novel and I don't want to spoil anything. I love that Gigi owns a bookstore and that she stops in all the bookstores on her tour of England. She mentioned a book in the beginning that was totally made up just for this novel, but I wish existed in real life. It was an Orthodox Jewish modern day rom-com version of Anna Karenina called, wait for it...Rosh Hash-Anna. The descriptions made everything in the story come to life without taking away from the narrative.
I highly recommend Gigi, Listening for your 2023 TBR. It publishes this spring and you will definitely want to get your hands on a copy!
Movie casting suggestions:
Gigi: Zoey Deutch (After seeing her in Something From Tiffany's, I couldn't picture anyone else.)
Taj: Sean Teale
Zane: Theo James
Charlotte: Valerie Mahaffey
Jenny: Lana Condor
Nelle: Kirsten Vangsness
Violet: Fiona Shaw
March 10, 2023
This was a cute rom-com! I loved the fact that she had a chance at the guy she originally went after and didn’t end up choosing him. A perfect depiction of how we can build people up in our minds and they turn out to be nothing of what we expected. Plus, the best romance is the one you don’t see coming.
🌀Synopsis
Gigi is in love with Zane. She’s never met him but she knows if they meet it will be love. In fact, she listens to his audiobook on repeat just so his voice can soothe her.
She finally gets the opportunity to go to London to meet him but when she gets there he is gone. Since he is supposed to return anyways she goes along with the tour. She quickly makes friends on the tour and the group grows closer daily. She has an on/off friendship (maybe more) with their bus driver Taj.
By the time Zane shows up, Gigi is already having feelings for Taj. Zane is who she came for though and she’s determined to take her shot with him. The more they are together, though, the more she realizes they don’t have much in common and he isn’t who she thought he was. By the end of the tour Zane has shown her his true colors and in the process wrecked things between her and Taj. She leaves the tour early and is determined to fix things with Taj before she has to leave.
🌀Synopsis
Gigi is in love with Zane. She’s never met him but she knows if they meet it will be love. In fact, she listens to his audiobook on repeat just so his voice can soothe her.
She finally gets the opportunity to go to London to meet him but when she gets there he is gone. Since he is supposed to return anyways she goes along with the tour. She quickly makes friends on the tour and the group grows closer daily. She has an on/off friendship (maybe more) with their bus driver Taj.
By the time Zane shows up, Gigi is already having feelings for Taj. Zane is who she came for though and she’s determined to take her shot with him. The more they are together, though, the more she realizes they don’t have much in common and he isn’t who she thought he was. By the end of the tour Zane has shown her his true colors and in the process wrecked things between her and Taj. She leaves the tour early and is determined to fix things with Taj before she has to leave.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2023
I adored this road-trip love story that sees romance book store owner Gigi getting gifted a bus tour around England guided by the audiobook narrator she's convinced herself she's in love with.
While the premise is a bit out there, I was completely invested in Gigi's journey to discover real life can be even better than fiction or fantasies and the cast of characters on the tour with her just warmed my heart with each of their different stories.
Great on audio narrated by one of my favourites, Natalie Naudus and highly recommended for fans of Thank you for listening by Julia Whelan. If you're looking for a feel good read with memorable characters and a sweet, PG/Hallmark style love story you need look no further!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for early digital and audio copies in exchange for my honest review. And I can’t wait to participate in a Tandem Global Collective re-readalong with some friends later this week.
This is my new favorite book by Canadian author Chantel Guertin - plus all the romance novel references were so on point and enjoyable for this romance bookstagrammer!!
⚠️CW: Sudden death of parents, grief, loss
While the premise is a bit out there, I was completely invested in Gigi's journey to discover real life can be even better than fiction or fantasies and the cast of characters on the tour with her just warmed my heart with each of their different stories.
Great on audio narrated by one of my favourites, Natalie Naudus and highly recommended for fans of Thank you for listening by Julia Whelan. If you're looking for a feel good read with memorable characters and a sweet, PG/Hallmark style love story you need look no further!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for early digital and audio copies in exchange for my honest review. And I can’t wait to participate in a Tandem Global Collective re-readalong with some friends later this week.
This is my new favorite book by Canadian author Chantel Guertin - plus all the romance novel references were so on point and enjoyable for this romance bookstagrammer!!
⚠️CW: Sudden death of parents, grief, loss
March 16, 2023
I enjoyed the travel aspect of this book and getting to visit the different locations but the rest of this book was unbelievable. The premise sounded somewhat interesting but the thought of someone going on a vacation based on the voice of an audiobook seems silly, not romantic. And the book continues in the same vein, making one ridiculous assumption after another and wasn’t really plausible for someone who is supposed to be business savvy (although I don’t know why I thought that). I get that she was suffering from the grief of losing her parents but her decisions were not well thought out and the book was predictable.
I received a copy from #NetGalley and #RBMedia for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley and #RBMedia for an honest review.
March 24, 2023
Dnf. I just couldn’t do it. I got to chapter 6, mainly to see if she met up with him, and he didn’t even show. 🤣 this was just not my kind of book. It felt obsessive and stalkerish.
April 5, 2023
So I was really excited about this one. It sounded fun and interesting and I was so excited when it popped up on libro.fm for me.
Unfortunately it didn’t live up to my excitement. While I was intrigued about a woman falling for a man’s voice from an audiobook the obsession was really hardcore and it honestly put me off a lot. It’s just beaten into the book so much that I think it’s too much. We get it, she’s on the trip for him. Stop already.
Also, she was super judgy and rude to almost everyone and it’s hard to want to see someone have an HEA when they aren’t very nice.
There were some parts that were cute and some of the tour stops where interesting. The brother deserved a little more respect for sure.
I did feel like there was an incredibly huge opportunity in the audiobook that was missed. Gigi falls for an audiobook narrator’s voice, she even talks about how she fantasizes about it. So why don’t they include a male narrator to voice the audiobook parts for a full immersion of the story? It was really a lost moment, I think.
Also, as a Michigander, I want it to be known that you can’t just go around calling a town by a nickname without explaining it. There is not a town called Ypsi (if it’s spelled correctly in the story, I listened to it). But there is one called Ypsilanti.
Unfortunately it didn’t live up to my excitement. While I was intrigued about a woman falling for a man’s voice from an audiobook the obsession was really hardcore and it honestly put me off a lot. It’s just beaten into the book so much that I think it’s too much. We get it, she’s on the trip for him. Stop already.
Also, she was super judgy and rude to almost everyone and it’s hard to want to see someone have an HEA when they aren’t very nice.
There were some parts that were cute and some of the tour stops where interesting. The brother deserved a little more respect for sure.
I did feel like there was an incredibly huge opportunity in the audiobook that was missed. Gigi falls for an audiobook narrator’s voice, she even talks about how she fantasizes about it. So why don’t they include a male narrator to voice the audiobook parts for a full immersion of the story? It was really a lost moment, I think.
Also, as a Michigander, I want it to be known that you can’t just go around calling a town by a nickname without explaining it. There is not a town called Ypsi (if it’s spelled correctly in the story, I listened to it). But there is one called Ypsilanti.
February 18, 2023
Super cute book about a romance bookstore owner who goes on holiday to meet the man of her dreams - someone who narrated one audiobook with an oh-so-dreamy voice.
I loved the UK setting (omg, I want to go take a bus tour now there), and the characters were all unique and memorable in their own way. Such a fun romcom!
I loved the UK setting (omg, I want to go take a bus tour now there), and the characters were all unique and memorable in their own way. Such a fun romcom!
April 1, 2023
dear universe, when will it be my turn?????????
February 16, 2024
Assignment for Book club this month is to read a romance novel by an author you have never read before. Any romance novel would be a challenge for me, as I think any I have read have been quite by mistake. Nonetheless it was a challenge to find one which the description was enticing. The authors of some of the popular or well known books have written other genres, so I crossed those off the list. A few of the more recent had waiting lists that were too long for my timeline to wait. So here I am….
Two for the Road by an author I’ve never heard of, Chantel Guertin, a Canadian.
Well … my interest is piqued from the get go! The narrator, Gigi, owns a book store in Ann Arbor, Michigan… (a mere hour away once I cross the boarder!!)
Early on her bookclub is getting set to meet so she checks her fridge to make sure she has enough wine… it will be a long night! (…where do I sign up!)
So Gigi’s friends bless her with a ten day coach tour in England for her thirtieth birthday (nice friends eh?!) And a very short time later, off she goes on her trip, where she has planned for romance to carry the day. (Like you can really plan life to happen according to a script!)
Okay.. so as romance novels go , it’s light, and fluffy, and a little corny….. but … so far… I like it!
As it moves a long, there is humour, and travel (a trip to England), mention of lots of books, flirting, and great descriptions of scenery and places along the way. The plot develops and seems to be predictable but perhaps that is part of the charm. The small group tour has an interesting mix of characters and the tour company staff (a bus driver and a guide) are equally charming.
Since this is a ten day bus trip the story progresses quickly… whirlwind romance perhaps?
The writing is jammed with wonderful historical tidbits about the tour stops, moments of references to books that have mentioned or took place along the tour stops, discussions about books read by the characters (and there’s a complete list of all the books referred to in the endnotes), and many side stories about the quirky characters.
Although the story is predictable the author makes the journey fun, enjoyable. Both the plot and the characters are sufficiently developed to provide for a satisfying experience. It seems to me, in my limited exposure to romance novels, that the predictability is really a standard and is key to the charm as well as the sometimes sappy nature of the story. And like the other few romances I’ve read, I found myself racing through the pages to see how it ends.
Well, maybe… just maybe, I’ll have to add a few more romance novels to my TBR. I will say they are a quick, relaxing fix or follow up to a heavy or otherwise complex read…. Or maybe’s that was just the wine!
I will certainly check out more by this author !
Two for the Road by an author I’ve never heard of, Chantel Guertin, a Canadian.
Well … my interest is piqued from the get go! The narrator, Gigi, owns a book store in Ann Arbor, Michigan… (a mere hour away once I cross the boarder!!)
Early on her bookclub is getting set to meet so she checks her fridge to make sure she has enough wine… it will be a long night! (…where do I sign up!)
So Gigi’s friends bless her with a ten day coach tour in England for her thirtieth birthday (nice friends eh?!) And a very short time later, off she goes on her trip, where she has planned for romance to carry the day. (Like you can really plan life to happen according to a script!)
Okay.. so as romance novels go , it’s light, and fluffy, and a little corny….. but … so far… I like it!
As it moves a long, there is humour, and travel (a trip to England), mention of lots of books, flirting, and great descriptions of scenery and places along the way. The plot develops and seems to be predictable but perhaps that is part of the charm. The small group tour has an interesting mix of characters and the tour company staff (a bus driver and a guide) are equally charming.
Since this is a ten day bus trip the story progresses quickly… whirlwind romance perhaps?
The writing is jammed with wonderful historical tidbits about the tour stops, moments of references to books that have mentioned or took place along the tour stops, discussions about books read by the characters (and there’s a complete list of all the books referred to in the endnotes), and many side stories about the quirky characters.
Although the story is predictable the author makes the journey fun, enjoyable. Both the plot and the characters are sufficiently developed to provide for a satisfying experience. It seems to me, in my limited exposure to romance novels, that the predictability is really a standard and is key to the charm as well as the sometimes sappy nature of the story. And like the other few romances I’ve read, I found myself racing through the pages to see how it ends.
Well, maybe… just maybe, I’ll have to add a few more romance novels to my TBR. I will say they are a quick, relaxing fix or follow up to a heavy or otherwise complex read…. Or maybe’s that was just the wine!
I will certainly check out more by this author !
May 26, 2023
While I was unsure at the start, this book totally won me over and left me swooning!!🥰
Gigi, a set-in-her-ways romance bookstore owner from Michigan is gifted a trip to England to join a bus tour led by none other than her favourite audiobook narrator (and presumed soulmate), Zane. Only, when Gigi arrives, things don’t quite go by the book…
A truly cute and quirky read, Two For The Road is full of love, personality and friendships. I loved getting to witness Gigi’s internal journey and uncover the lives behind each of the secondary characters on the trip.
With highs and lows, this story and its characters just felt so real and genuinely touched my heart. Not to mention totally refuelling my desire to visit England. Although some of this story revolves around serious topics like grief, anxiety and family issues, it never felt gloomy or sad but rather uplifting and inspiring.
Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Random House Canada and Doubleday Canada for an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.
Gigi, a set-in-her-ways romance bookstore owner from Michigan is gifted a trip to England to join a bus tour led by none other than her favourite audiobook narrator (and presumed soulmate), Zane. Only, when Gigi arrives, things don’t quite go by the book…
A truly cute and quirky read, Two For The Road is full of love, personality and friendships. I loved getting to witness Gigi’s internal journey and uncover the lives behind each of the secondary characters on the trip.
With highs and lows, this story and its characters just felt so real and genuinely touched my heart. Not to mention totally refuelling my desire to visit England. Although some of this story revolves around serious topics like grief, anxiety and family issues, it never felt gloomy or sad but rather uplifting and inspiring.
Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Random House Canada and Doubleday Canada for an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.
July 31, 2023
I loved the premise of this book. I am a big audiobook person so I was excited to read a romance with a romance book stop owner involving an audiobook narrator. I liked the book but it was a little slow paced for me. The side characters were interesting and the romance was cute but the tour setting made for a lot of description I wasn’t too interested in. Also I felt like the book would have made more sense if Gigi was younger. She was pretty idealistic and naive for 30. It did make some sense with her backstory but as someone who is close to 30 I definitely didn’t relate to Gigi even though we have a lot of similar interests. Finally this felt more like women’s fiction than a romance. That’s not negative but I went in expecting a romance so I was a little surprised. Still an enjoyable read. I would love to visit Gigis shop in real life.
July 25, 2022
A big thank you to Netgalley & Kensington Books for the preview of the first two chapters!
Let's just say... I'm VERY intrigued. Gigi is relatable in the sense of her being in one place, but her mind is in another. While on a date with a man, she reflects on why it's acceptable for her date to watch the game, but she can't take a book out and read. I've also had this thought!
She gets an opportunity to meet the guy who narrates her favourite romance audio books...
...and she thinks he's the one!
I can't wait to see where it goes from here. Of course, this is a little bit cheesy, but who doesn't like cheese every once in a while?
Let's just say... I'm VERY intrigued. Gigi is relatable in the sense of her being in one place, but her mind is in another. While on a date with a man, she reflects on why it's acceptable for her date to watch the game, but she can't take a book out and read. I've also had this thought!
She gets an opportunity to meet the guy who narrates her favourite romance audio books...
...and she thinks he's the one!
I can't wait to see where it goes from here. Of course, this is a little bit cheesy, but who doesn't like cheese every once in a while?
February 28, 2023
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the ARC!
DNF 20%.... Overall, I went into this book thinking it would be super cute and heart warming and while some parts of the book were like the romance book store and travelling to England, it was just not for me. Don't get me wrong, I still think what I read was cute and heartfelt but I could not for the life of me shake the fact that the FMC was obsessed with a guy just for his voice. She had also convinced herself that he was her soulmate based on that fact alone! Honestly, it was just very creepy and cringe and I couldn't get over it. It's weird.
DNF 20%.... Overall, I went into this book thinking it would be super cute and heart warming and while some parts of the book were like the romance book store and travelling to England, it was just not for me. Don't get me wrong, I still think what I read was cute and heartfelt but I could not for the life of me shake the fact that the FMC was obsessed with a guy just for his voice. She had also convinced herself that he was her soulmate based on that fact alone! Honestly, it was just very creepy and cringe and I couldn't get over it. It's weird.
April 23, 2023
This is Gigi's story, who is gifted a fun bus tour across Britain by her friends for her 30th birthday to meet Zane, the guy she has fallen in love with after hearing the only audiobook he has recorded.
On the tour she meets multiple tourists and tour guides and makes friends for life. Although her idea of having a meet cute with Zane and a similar love story as her parents might not come true.
I liked that the side characters also had their own stories and a purpose for coming on the tour.
On the tour she meets multiple tourists and tour guides and makes friends for life. Although her idea of having a meet cute with Zane and a similar love story as her parents might not come true.
I liked that the side characters also had their own stories and a purpose for coming on the tour.
July 28, 2024
This book has been on my shelf for like 2 years...I'm just trying to finish any physical book on my shelf before I go to Indigo and blow my pay cheque on more books jk... but not really.
Anyway, the book was a nice and easy read. I liked reading about each town while the main character was on the bus tour, only downside was that the book didn't start picking up until the last 5 chapters.
Anyway, the book was a nice and easy read. I liked reading about each town while the main character was on the bus tour, only downside was that the book didn't start picking up until the last 5 chapters.
July 29, 2023
Like Gigi's beloved romance novels, I fell love with Gigi and Taj - and all the characters on the bus. Great depth to the cast of characters. Overall, a feel-good romance novel that will have you believing in fate.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
March 30, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin Random House Canada, and Doubleday Canada for providing an eARC on exchange for a honest review
Gigi is the owner of a romance bookstore, who has always believed in soulmates, and the power of stories to bring about love. Her parents met because of a book, and she is hoping that same book will bring her, her own happy ending in the form of the audiobook narrator. For her 30th birthday, her friends get her a vacation in England of a 10 day tour of famous churches, guided by Zane, the narrator she fantasizes about. From the minute she arrives in London nothing goes to plan, and her trip, and her search for love may end up looking different to how she always pictured it.
The cast of characters in this one were amazing. They were all so fun and complex and brought a lot of depth to the story. There were big themes of grief, fighting expectations, and living authentically.
There was humour, sadness, joy, and understanding. It was over all a lovely reading experience.
Gigi is the owner of a romance bookstore, who has always believed in soulmates, and the power of stories to bring about love. Her parents met because of a book, and she is hoping that same book will bring her, her own happy ending in the form of the audiobook narrator. For her 30th birthday, her friends get her a vacation in England of a 10 day tour of famous churches, guided by Zane, the narrator she fantasizes about. From the minute she arrives in London nothing goes to plan, and her trip, and her search for love may end up looking different to how she always pictured it.
The cast of characters in this one were amazing. They were all so fun and complex and brought a lot of depth to the story. There were big themes of grief, fighting expectations, and living authentically.
There was humour, sadness, joy, and understanding. It was over all a lovely reading experience.
March 23, 2023
This was a cute charming story about a girl who goes to London on a tour ran by Zane's family. Zane narrated her favorite book that her parents fell in love over and listens to it every night before going to sleep. Her friends buy her a trip to London on that tour so she can meet him and see if he is the love of her life. When she gets there her trip does not start out as according to plan due to Zane not being on the guided tour due a family emergency. GiGi almost decides not go because that was the whole point of the trip but decides to go once she is told that Zane will meet up with the tour later. In the mean time she starts a relationship with the other folks on the trip including a hunky bus driver Raj. Once Zane shows up she gets swept up in the fantasy of him that she built up in her head and trying to convince herself the sparks are there. GiGi discovers that not every love story starts with a perfect beginning. Sometimes it is the middle that matters the most.
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