7 of the Best Romance Audiobook Narrators Working Today

5 hours ago 1

a light-skinned Asian woman smiling and listening to headphones

If you like romance novels and audiobooks, you probably have your favorite voices–the ones that move you emotionally, that carry you along in the story, and, for some, that turn you on just the right way. We all know narrator preference is incredibly subjective, based on all the different synapses shooting off in your head any time of day. So this list is going to be completely different for most of us. I’m just going to tell you about a few narrators who make me come back for more, who might keep me listening when the story isn’t always working, who make me cackle and tear up in my car or while I’m just trying to do some dishes.

If you’re a romance audiobook connoisseur, I don’t need to tell you about Anthony Palmini or Teddy Hamilton. If you’ve been around a long time like me, you might screech at me not mentioning power duo Shane East and Fiona Hardingham, or Justine Eyre, a couple of the more popular names in historical romance. And if you’ve ever heard me talk to Sarah T. Dubb about her books, you know how hard it is for me not to just tell you her whole story about Evan Sibley and Mia Hutchison-Shaw.

So here’s what I’m going to do: I’m going to give you a narrator and a book, and tell you why that book proves my point. Yes? Yes.

The best solo narrator: Natalie Naudus

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

While she tends to prioritize books by Asian authors when selecting new projects, the first book I recall listening to by Natalie Naudus was Casey McQuiston’s comparatively ignored sophomore novel, their first and currently only adult sapphic romance. While the default in many people’s minds is having two narrators for a romance novel, Natalie holds her own for the full 8-12 hours it takes to get through (more, if it’s fantasy or paranormal) and manages to make the different characters rich and diverse enough that we always know who’s speaking and who’s narrating.

The best Historical narrator: Mary Jane Wells

The Duke Who Didn’t by Courtney Milan

Mary Jane Wells is no stranger to a historical romance; if you’ve listened to anything by Lisa Kleypas, Sarah MacLean, Eloisa James, Tessa Dare, Cathy Maxwell, Joanna Lowell, the list goes on and on, you have more than likely heard her voice. She continues to push the limit with rounded and delightful narrations, telling the story in a way that somehow feels both sincere and sardonic. She’s excellent at changing the pitch and timbre of her voice to immediately differentiate between characters, even often offering up a different sound for the point of view character’s speaking voice than their internal narration. And of course, accents. So many accents.

All access members continue below for more of the best romance audiobook narrators.

The funniest narrator: Jacob Morgan/Zachary Webber

Lights Out by Navessa Allen

Look y’all, Elena Wolfe is brilliant, knocked this book out of the park. But Jacob Morgan? Sold this book for me when I went in, not sure what to expect, or how well I was going to handle a book where the stalker??? Was the love interest???? And then there was a goofy little moment during the trigger warnings (because they read those too!) and I was like, okay, I’m sat. The book itself is incredibly funny, so that helps, but the actual performance made all of the best parts come alive. If you want to hear a gold standard dark romantic comedy audiobook, this is the one. Just be prepared to hold everything against it for the rest of your listening life.

The best pair: Wesleigh Siobhan and anybody (but mostly Jakobi Diem or Winston James)

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan

This audiobook is a masterclass in how dual narration can really shine from both narrators’ points of view without having to be a duet. Wesleigh and Jakobi are both great at conveying the feelings that Kennedy Ryan murders you with. If I see a book narrated by these two, I don’t really care what it’s about. I’m gonna listen.

Hostile Takeover by Christina C Jones

Winston James gives Jakobi a run for his money, though. He’s particularly good at narrating the bad boys, the morally gray leading men with feelings, and can make you laugh in spite of yourself. And he holds his own when set against Wesleigh, who knocks every portrayal out of the park. Both of the leading characters in Hostile Takeover are messy, hurt, and angry. These two will make you feel it for days.

Your next favorites: Vikas Adam, Gregory Salinas, and Sean Crisden (I couldn’t choose, okay?)

Tastes like Shakkar by Nisha Sharma

Yes, I know I chose the second book in the series, but this is truly the one where Vikas Adam shines. It might just be because it’s a Much Ado About Nothing retelling, and those are my favorites. Also, Soneela Nankani is brilliant. More of her, please.

A Vow In Vengeance by Jaclyn Rodriguez

You have not lived until you’ve heard Gregory Salinas as Draven, and I will not elaborate.

Sweet Honesty by Joan Vassar

Sean Crisden is one of those narrators who should have as big a screaming following as Jacob Morgan and all those guys, but we know why he doesn’t. His narration will hold down any book, and his voice is smooth and calming in a very different way from some of these deep-throated growlers. You want to experience him killing you softly, this is the book to try. (Check all the content warnings.)

If I had more space, I would wax poetic about my favorite narrations by Therese Plummer (Love, Theoretically), Joe Jameson (Boyfriend Material), and Vico Ortiz (The Stars Too Fondly), or how I need more from Indigo Brown (Son of the Morning) and Weruche Opia (Honey & Spice). But this is already way too long, so just explore these folks on your own, and come find me on socials to tell me who I should be listening to next.