What are audiobooks with similar style to “The Fold”, “14” and “Paradox Bound” by Peter Clines?

[Māris]

I recently listened to these books and I really liked the combination of the following:

- parallel universes and time travel are some of my favorite sci-fi and fantasy topics (also virtual reality)
- well balanced combination of adventures, romance, sci-fi, horror and mystery
- enough technical explanations to make the story more or less believable (unless you get really picky)
- not too dark or ironic - I don't like parodies or completely dark, depressing stories; still some irony and sad moments are fine
- not overly philosophical or intellectual but still with enough twists and puzzles - because I listen mostly to relax but still to get some excitement in those cases when I have "almost guessed right" and still the author managed to surprise me with some unexpected turn
- the main characters are mostly average people and not some superheroes - I really don't like superheroes because I find it hard to relate to them and thus always feel too detached from the story
- the story does not involve politics or epic scale intrigues and is mostly about small communities or groups of people - I'm not a fan of space operas or "political operas" etc.
- no zombies, werewolves, vampires, witches, superpowers, superheroes, supervillains, magic - sorry, I'm not a fan of those
- the ideas and "inner workings" are somewhat unique; at least they are far enough from being cliche to keep me interested
- overall style of the story - I like when it is told from the perspective of a single person or, at most, two characters and describes personal emotions and motivations; I don't like documentary style - when the story is written as if collected from old records or as some history book or news article because that leaves me with subjective taste that "it was in the past and is not important". The feeling of "it is happening right now as I'm reading it" is very magnetic for me.
- the fact that these books are available in audiobook format - I listen after working day at a computer when having a walk outside, so getting some strain off my eyes is important for me.

Essentially, I like longer novels about somewhat average people from our current time and space who get into weird "sci-fi situations" and have to find their way out learning some new stuff and dealing with the situation using what they have on their hands at that moment.

If somebody has read the mentioned books and if they reminded something similar, I would be grateful for recommendations.

[Faith]

Māris wrote: "I recently listened to these books and I really liked the combination of the following:

- parallel universes and time travel are some of my favorite sci-fi and fantasy topics (also virtual reality..."



Try All Our Wrong Todays or The Punch Escrow.

[Hank]

I have three for you, I have read The Fold and 14.

Dark Matter is almost exactly what you are looking for

Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said
and
Regarding Ducks and Universes

both have some of the elements you are looking for.

[Māris]

Awesome, thank you for suggestions.

Some of them I have read but some were new and descriptions seem indeed exciting.

[Scott]

The Anubis Gates would work, I think. It does break your “monster” rule a bit, but in an interesting way, and the rest of the book is strong enough that it could overcome your aversion. Also, the audiobook is read by Bronson Pinchot, who is just terrific.

[Trike]

The Walls of the Universe and sequel, Broken Universe. I read and liked the first but haven’t yet gotten to the second,

The Practice Effect by David Brin.

Wildside by Steven Gould.

The Invisible Library series is Fantasy that visits various parallel Earths, but it’s a fun adventure. It violates your monster rule, but those things aren’t the focus of the stories.