Holly Freakin' Hughes

By: Kelsey Kingsley

Narrated by: Teddy Hamilton, Marie Hawkins

A fun romantic comedy about a woman down on her luck and a handsome, mysterious stranger.

"People like you don't fall in love with people like me."

Meet Holly Hughes, a moderately successful teen advice columnist living in a studio apartment on the Upper East Side with her boyfriend Stephen. She has it all, but at the ripe age of thirty-one, she wants more. She wants to be married, she wants a family, and she's going to have it all with Stephen.

At least, that's what she thought, until Stephen announces he's gay, and the domino effect of unfortunate events begins. She soon finds herself unemployed, single, and living in her sister's house on Long Island, working as her niece's babysitter for less than minimum wage. She's pretty certain she's destined to live in the Land of Mediocrity forever.

And then, her niece runs face-first into a tall, handsome man at the bookstore.

Holly Freakin' Hughes is an HFN title about acceptance, feeling good enough, and the reality that the grass isn't always greener on the other side.

NOTE: This book contains some strong language and sexual situations. Age discretion is advised.

©2017 Kelsey Kinglsey (P)2024 PinUp Audio LLC

Slow but cute

***ALC Review ***
I received a copy of this audio in exchange for an honest review.

Duet Narration is my favorite, so that’s what kept me listening to this story. The narrators put on a great performance for an okay story. It was slow moving and I didn’t feel like I got a lot of the MC’s relationship. They seemed more like side story until the last third of the book. It was cute, but the performance of the narrators kept me listening to the end.

I LOVED THIS!

Story - ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
Spice - 🌶 🌶
Narration - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Holly Freakin' Hughes is my first book by the author and I absolutely loved this! Holly has had a bad breakup with her long time boyfriend. She has also had a string of really bad luck and is regrouping at her sister's house along with her niece. Brandon was dumped by his fiance the night of his first big book celebration and has sworn off relationships ever since. An accidental meet cute at the coffee shop/bookstore has these two starting a situation-ship that is filled with funny banter, lots of angst, and untold truths. Holly never feels worthy due to her string of horrible circumstances. Brandon doesn't think he will ever love again and thinks Holly deserves better. You'll love the FMC, you'll love the MMC. You'll love most of the side characters that operate in their universe. This story is heartwarming, sometimes heartbreaking, with an HEA that will bring you to tears!

The narration was *chef's kiss!! Teddy Hamilton and Marie Hawkins really brought this story to life. I'm a fan of these two individually, but as a duo...fantastic! 5/5 stars!!

Couldn't stop listening!!!

My title your review says everything. Holly Freakin Hughes was an amazing book. It made me laugh and want to smack the characters to get them to realize what was in front of them. Kelsey Kingsley did a fantastic job keeping me intrigued with her words! Teddy and Marie brought the characters to life! Pulling me further into the book. Such a fantastic pair and the right choice! Run don't walk to get this book and sit back, grab a drink and enjoy!

Amazing Voices

I got the incredible chance to listen to the audiobook narrated by Teddy Hamilton and Marie Hawkins.

I absolutely loved this book because it’s so much more relatable than other contemporary romances I have read and doesn’t have too much drama in it (not that there is anything wrong with that but it’s great for this story).
Holly is such a strong character trying to find her way through all the hurdles in her life and she runs into someone who becomes her best friend and changes how she thinks about her life currently at almost age 32.

Teddy and Marie brought the characters to life so amazingly well in this duet style audiobook. I was able to distinguish the different voices and not be confused by who was who.
Whenever I see Teddy is in an audiobook it is usually an automatic listen for me and this was my first Marie Hawkins audio but I will definitely listen to her again.

Friends to lovers

Holly and Brandon were strangers to friends to…just friends. They did have some “more than friends” moments, but pretty much stayed friends for a majority of the story.

Okay, I felt for Holly. Her ex cheated (it was revealed in the very beginning and not explicit), but it kind of messed with her head. So she definitely went through a lot, just trying to figure out who she is and what she wants, and how to go after what she wants.

And Brandon, well. He didn’t have the best situation with his ex either. And I didn’t really like him. I guess I just wanted him to be more…confident? He just let Holly go, despite knowing how she really felt.

Also, Holly was with another guy for a while. They weren’t anything serious, and it was never told in detail, but she was sleeping with him. And Brandon was just like, “okay, you do you.” And I wasn’t expecting to listen to a story where the MCs are with others for a while before getting together.

Eh, this was an okay story. And the ending just seemed a bit rushed, the way they came together.

Audiobook notes:
Narrated By: Teddy Hamilton and Marie Hawkins
Narration Style: Duet

The narrators were amazing! I don’t think I’d have been able to finish this story had I not been listening to it.