The Natural History Novellas

The Natural History Series, Book 4

By: Erin Mallon

Narrated by: Joe Arden, Jason Clarke, Teddy Hamilton, Erin Mallon

Length: 5 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

It’s two years later....

The couples from the Natural History series are back, and they’re all over the map!

In Flirtin’, Calliope is now a full-time dino romance author. She is wildly in love with her narrator/astronomer boyfriend and hoping to win big at her first Las Vegas book signing. But when Ralph is the one to hit the jackpot instead of her, their own happily ever after needs a rewrite.

In Buggin’, Mabel and Wally head to the Netherlands with two goals only: to celebrate redheads and sell some honey. They never anticipate that a mysterious man stirring up trouble will be just what they need to make life taste even sweeter.

In Baitin’, Louise and James are living it up in Hawaii and counting down the days ‘til their new baby arrives. The perfect time to host a beach wedding for their friends and family, right? When unexpected guests appear and their birth plan goes out the window, they learn once and for all to take their cues from the ocean and go with the flow.

©2023 Erin Mallon (P)2023 Oh Yes She Did Productions

✫✫ 5 Stars ✫✫

THIS IS A MUST LISTEN ROM COM & SO MUCH MORE!!!
What an awesome ending to a great series. I'm going to miss these characters so much. I loved Flirtasaurus, Lovebug & Sharkbait but I really loved getting this "Where are they now?" book! It felt like spending time with old friends.
These novellas all kept perfectly in line with each couple and all their craziness and I laughed from beginning to end. I love how Erin makes us laugh at some serious subjects and how she always weaves a little reality in her books. It almost feels like she adds a little secret code into her books and you can decode it if you know the inside jokes or the Facebook book world. I see you Erin 👀

One of the best parts about this series for me is that I never laugh at books and she makes me laugh throughout this entire series and there is something different about Calliope, Mabel & Louise that I can absolutely relate to. They all have insecurities but they surround themselves with people who help give them confidence. I also love their friendship. One of the best lines in the book is

"Don’t let anyone tell you that internet book friends aren’t real friends. They’re the best friends!” and that is so true!!!

I would love to go into all my favorite parts of this book but they would all be spoilers and you just need to listen to this book so you can hear Erin, Jason, Joe & Teddy flawlessly perform this hilarious book! Each of them were awesome with the humor which I don't think is always easy as a narrator.

Such a fun listen

These glimpses into what came after were so funny and heart warming and crazy! Erin and the guys were great narrating all the characters quirks!

Erin Mallon is great!

Such a fun followup to the series! Very creative and easy to listen to. 3 great rom-coms in 1 book.

Loved these laugh-out-loud, heartfelt novellas!

Reading The Natural History Novellas by the talented Erin Mallon was a super good time, however listening, brought them to a whole new laugh-out-loud level, and I honestly couldn’t get enough! I loved Callie, Ralph, Mabel, Wally, Louise, and James so much, I wrote a separate review for each of their novellas! Thank you, Erin, for these fantastic stories!

Flirtin'
Erin and Jason Clarke narrate Callie and Ralph’s novella! I loved Erin’s portrayal of Callie’s fire for her work and her ambitious personality (Hello mile high club), but also her insecurities and doubts she has that so many of us can relate to. Oh, Ralph-alpha…I adored getting his POV in this novella and WOW did Jason deliver! In his performance, you could feel Ralph’s love and dedication for Callie but also get a glimpse of his vulnerable, nerdy self! This made me love him even more. However, when Jason unleashed Ralph’s confident, over-the-top, romance narrator persona, Rock Cosmos, prepare to laugh and swoon at the same time! (Look out for that growl, ladies!)

Buggin'
Erin and Joe Arden narrate Mabel and Wally’s novella. Erin truly gives it her all delivering Mabey Baby’s bubbly, upbeat, and free-spirited personality. I love how Erin showcases Mabel’s love and adoration for Wally and is not afraid to let her freak flag fly! Plus, that improv song! (Pollinate me!) Getting inside Wally’s head in this novella was quite entertaining, and YES, Joe sure made him even more burly and loveable! Joe’s hilarious and heartfelt portrayal of Wally’s intentions, protective side, and of course his unconditional love for Mabel was spot on! (weird quirks and all!) Erin and Joe both shine in the way they present the unique one-of-a-kind connection these two have no matter what crazy curve ball is thrown their way. (Hello proposal!)

Baitin'
Erin and Teddy Hamilton narrate Louise and James’ novella. Erin’s portrayal of Louise’s anxious and stressed persona in this novella is something a lot of women can relate to while pregnant. I adored how Erin’s performance of Louise showed she finally let herself find support and comfort in others and turns into one amazing new momma! Teddy brought his swoon and charm proving James’ love for Louise had not faltered. I enjoyed that he wanted to take care of her and pamper her in any way he could. Erin and Teddy's performances, alike, demonstrated that James and Louise could get through anything including unique BroSpa and bugorlette parties and hosting a wedding on the beach with an unexpected but welcome surprise!

like visiting friends

I had so much fun visiting with the gang from the Natural History Series. As always, the immensely talented Erin Mallon brings all the laughs and also gives us plenty of heart.
These books gave me so many moments where I was literally laughing out loud.
But just as often, there were some truly touching moments that warmed my heart. I especially loved the scene with the ladies floating together. It was beautifully written.
These stories take place 2 years after the books ended and give us glimpses of where all our favorite couples are now. I loved every thing about these novellas. It felt like I was visiting with old friends.

Fun and literal laugh out loud novellas

Oh man, I’ve been waiting for these novellas to wrap a series that has been close to my heart. “The Natural History Novellas” are a fun and literal laugh out loud that were the perfect wrap up to the series.

In “Flirtin’”, Callie is a full time dino romance author and is in Vegas for a signing with Ralph who now narrates all of her books. But when Rock Cosmos is called upon to narrate a scene in her book live at the signing, we see Callie’s vulnerable side.

In “Buggin’”, we get to catch up with Mabel and Wally as they grow their maple syrup business by starting a YouTube channel. They end up going to the National Redheads Day festival where they meet some unexpected redheads. I loved how supportive Wally is of Mabel and all of her hilarious quirks.

In “Baitin’”, James and Louise are living in Hawaii and expecting their first baby together. Lots of chaos ensues when the whole gang visits for Wally and Mabel’s wedding.

Erin wrote three amazing novellas and I loved each one so much. In the first two books, it was only written from the FMC’s POV. I was so stoked to have Ralph and Wally’s POV. And of course James POV, too.

The audiobook version of these books are so well done and brought everyone to life. I will forever listen to Jason Clarke narrate dino romance every time I need a pick me up. Joe Arden was so fun as Wally and brought super loveable gruffy man to life perfectly. Teddy Hamilton as loveable and supportive James was so swoon worthy. And Erin nailed it as each of the girls and I loved listening to her bring her own characters to life.

Perfect Capstone of Awesome Characters

Listening to this story was bittersweet for me. I loved this series so much, but Ms. Mallon's finale for these friends was all you could wish for and more. I was so happy to hear more from the point of views of Wally and Ralph in these stories too. I loved these gentlemen in the books, but it was extra special to hear what they were thinking and experiencing when paired with these amazing women. Do yourself a favor and get this audio, Ms. Mallon leaned into some of her acting/playwrighting chops with this one and it needs to be heard. I honestly don't know how Jason Clarke, Joe Arden, Teddy Hamilton or even Ms. Mallon herself got through this book without cracking up. I bet they did. I'm sure there's tape... somewhere.

Made my heart so happy!

I adored this entire series and these novellas were like the cherry on top! These characters are so fun and quirky! I loved getting the chance to hear what they were up to now! I love Erin’s writing! It’s laugh out loud funny and has so much of heart!

Hilarious Novellas!

Erin Mallon has graced us with three sequel novellas to her Natural History series and I could not be more elated with how these stories have continued! Calliope, Mabel, and Louise are three hysterical, relatable, and lovably nerdy bad b heroines. Their hot cinnamon roll counterparts are charming, supportive, adorkable, and swoon-worthy. They say nice guys finish last, but not when Erin Mallon dreams them up! Well, they may finish second, but that’s because they know how to treat their women. My face is sore from smiling so hard throughout this audio collection. I may have had more than one coffee spittake during this listen! Since two of the Natural History novels were single POV, I was thrilled to hear Ralph and Wally’s POVs in the novellas. Flirtin’, Buggin’, and Baitin’ are fantastic romcom gems! If you have not read The Natural History series Novels, I highly recommend diving into the audiobooks.

Revisit loved characters again - best narrarators!

It gave me Goose Pumps listening to the four of you narrating - my favourite voices in audio!

Holy, cannoli - getting the updates on Callie, Mabey Baby and Mama Lou, plus all their fantastic men… it blew my mind! Being able to listen and read along together, was absolutely perfect. I adored all of these characters in their original books, but to get their story updates a few years later? Chefs kiss - thank you so much for giving us this extra taste of your incredible words, worlds and pieces of your soul, Erin. ❤️

I loved the excellent Vegas book signing with Calliope and Ralph, where she’s embraced writing her Dino romance full-time, and he’s her narrator… and the crowds are going crazy for them!

Mabel and Wally heading to Amsterdam for a red head festival (and sell honey), and happening to meet a guy she’s been messaging online, in her innocence, getting a whole lot more than she imagined. Singing on-stage with him and his family, and even getting Ralph to bring out his death-metal singing once again to ask a question he’d been trying to, for days…

And finally, everyone heading to Hawaii to visit Louise and James, for the big wedding that Louise has agreed to host and help plan - all while extremely pregnant and freaking out.

Re-visiting all of the characters, especially with them all back together at the very end - such a great time, and I really hope Erin will find a way to bring them home to us again someday!!

I 1000% recommend this to absolutely everyone - but definitely pick up the original three books first (back stories are needed)!

I received an advance listen and review copy from Erin Mallon, and this is my honest opinion.