YOU SPIN ME audiobook

I love it when a book has both main characters that have things they need to work through. You Spin Me is written in dual POVs. I loved the way they got to know each other first. I think it made for a much deeper connection. Really enjoyed this book. I got it on audio and it was really well done.

Thanks to Home Cooked Books for the ALC of this one and the chance to give my candid review.

You Spin Me
by Karen Grey
(book 3 in the Boston Classics series)

Audiobook narrated by Vanessa Edwin & Eric Michael Summerer

Story Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5/5 (0-5)
Audiobook Narration: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 (0-5)
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.75/5 (0-5)
Steam: 🔥🔥☄️ 2.5/5 (almost closed door)

What I’m Starry-Eyed Over:
🤩 Perfectly cast narrators for this slow burn with so much sweetness, stubbornness, friendship, and love.
🤩 This audiobook narration made me laugh-out-loud one minute and gave me chills the next.
🤩 Nostalgic 80s romcom with radio station advertisements.
🤩 Adorable (hidden) beauty and the beast meet-cute.
🤩 Between stage actress/dance teacher Jess & radio DJ Callihan (Cal).
🤩 When a book gives you goosebumps and “oh my gosh” gasping moments.
🤩 The drunk phone call.
🤩 The coupon book gift.
🤩 Delicate and delicious descriptions of humans, heartache, phone calls, and feelings.
🤩 That first kiss—I love when a lower steam story gives me all the feels.
🤩 So much representation: multicultural, physical disabilities, and learning disabilities, eating disorders.

What I’m Wishing/Dizzy About:
💫 I would like more physical closeness after the drama to help me believe in the HEA.

Trigger Warnings:
🔬 trauma from bullying
🔬 weight/body image issues/disorders.

Karen Grey continues to deliver my favorite aspects of romance in You Spin Me. Authentic and fully developed characters, laughs, tears, sexy scenes, and a wonderful HEA. While the story stands on it’s own – there’s references to events and characters from previous books, the Boston Classics series is best enjoyed in order.

I loved the contrast of Cal & Jess both being concerned about how people react to their looks versus the person inside but for opposite reasons. Much of Cal’s body was burned in a fire when he was a young child and he’s come to expect strangers horrified or pitying reactions. Jess was “blessed” with amazing genetics which gives her a body many admire but then make assumptions about her based on that.

By calling in to the radio station where Cal is a DJ, they get to know each other and build an amazing friendship that is developing into something more. But both are afraid of what happens next. With the story taking place over several months, I love that Grey gives us a lot of time to get to know them as individuals and as a couple. While it is a difficult road for this couple and there are a few misunderstandings – I appreciated that nothing drags out too long.

I like the way that Grey had Cal & Jess understand, accept, and deal with the challenges that each of them brings to the relationship. Overall a fabulous and enjoyable story.

I loved the book, but the narration is amazing. Vanessa Edwin and Eric Michael Summerer are absolutely perfect as Jess & Cal. They both do a fantastic job with voices, emotions, and accents. Summerer’s DJ voices are particularly spot on and the impersonation of Bobcat Goldthwaite had me rolling. I was completely immersed in the world Grey has created and I want her to write another book for Cal & Jess just so I can hear more of them by Edwin & Summerer.

You Spin Me is a friends-to-lovers, grumpy/sunshine romance with a totally fresh twist. This rad retro romcom takes you back to ’88 with radio spots, classic rock references, pop culture nostalgia, and (of course) a smattering of Shakespeare.

Callahan is a radio disk jockey trying to find his hook before his job is phased out. Jessica is an actor/dancer trying to find her new place as she ages out of ingenue roles. Cal & Jess meet over the radio and instant chemistry sparks. They build a fast friendship via late night phone calls. As their friendship blossoms, they encourage each other to take professional risks and overcome their fears.

This retro fairytale explores and pays homage to the arts. Karen White’s occasional use of ballet vocabulary to describe Jess’ everyday actions creates beautiful imagery. You Spin Me features another unique style of chapter breaks with radio ads and DJ plugs.

I love Karen White’s unique wit, imaginative premise, dynamic characters, and appreciation of the arts! Her exploration of body imagery, childhood trauma, and neurodiversity is thoughtfully and beautifully done. Brimming with friendship, heartache, love, and comedy, You Spin Me is an absolute gem!

Vanessa Edwin and Eric Michael Summerer give outstanding performances as Jess and Cal!! They each brought their A game to portray these complex, emotional, endearing characters. From Cal's radio spots and Jess' auditions to their explorations of the characters' pasts, Eric and Vanessa give delightfully fun and emotionally raw performances.

This retro slow-burn romcom captured my heart and never let go. Jessica is an actress who is feeling her age when a younger actress wins the role she wanted. When she is cast in another play as a character who is frumpy and unattractive, it goes against all her hard work to be noticed in this industry. One night on her drive home, she calls into a radio show contest. Cal, the DJ, feels an instant connection to her voice, and asks her to call again. They really enjoy their talks and begin to have feelings for each other. Jessica wants to meet Cal to see if he is as alluring and sexy as her image of him from his voice, but is afraid of what he will see. Cal also has his own reasons for wanting to hide behind his microphone. They are falling hard for each other thru their calls, but will they be able to live up to their expectations in person? What happens when their hearts are so invested, but they aren't brave enough to show their true self? I love Cal and Jessica together. They are smart, and funny, and their strength to overcome their past trauma was extraordinary. This is a beautiful, emotional, and compelling story about two people who are both scarred and broken, but working hard to be whole, happy, and loved. Grey touched on some very sensitive topics with honesty and empathy, helping us to understand and care deeply for these characters.
Vanessa Edwin, and Eric Michael Summerer were so perfectly cast to narrate this fun and emotional romance. They completely captured these complex characters and made me feel all the hope, heartbreak, vulnerability, love, and passion they possessed. I was completely mesmerized by their storytelling making this romance even more captivating.