So, this was a first on two fronts for me – my first ever audio book and the first book for 2025. I have to admit, I have come to love audio books for when I am unable to sit and read – driving for more than half an hour at a time, piddling around the house, working on the website or store. It really is amazing how I can listen and get stuff done – I rarely am able to focus on two things at once, so this has been a game changer. Oh, and I’m not here for any debating on whether listening to audio books counts as reading.

The Champagne Toast

-Leah Orr Read 1/1/2025-1/2/2025

The Champagne Toast is the quintessential love story cleverly wrapped in a psychological murder thriller!   Orr has crafted a gripping psychological thriller that skillfully balances romance, family secrets, murder, and deceit, all punctuated by a couple of hilariously officious moms who can’t resist getting involved!

Following a successful matchmaking effort, Marilyn and Scratch set the stage for their best friends, Misty and Roland, to embark on a tumultuous love journey.  As family secrets come to light, both Misty and Roland are forced to confront past traumas in a fast-paced narrative that hooks you from the start and keeps you engaged until the dramatic revelations of The Champagne Toast illustrate how love and family loyalties can triumph.

Orr fleshes out all the characters beyond just Misty and Roland, making you feel like you are part of their extended family, especially amidst the chaotic mama drama!  These moms are a riot – let me tell ya!!!!  While the tension escalates throughout the story, the balance of humor and pressure among the characters adds a delightful richness to their personalities.

The vivid descriptions of the settings make seamless scene transitions, creating a relatable ambiance that enhances the reading experience. The brisk pacing keeps readers engaged, urging you to turn the pages until the very end!!

Listening to the audiobook was a truly captivating experience. Annalee Scott and Danny Montooth’s performances as Misty and Roland were incredibly immersive, allowing me to fully connect with the story. I usually multitask while listening, but I found myself engrossed, listening late into the night until I couldn’t wait to devour the rest—leaving me yearning for more, not in a dissatisfied way, but in a “give me more of this amazing storyline” kind of way!

While this is primarily a psychological thriller, it delves into the familial secrets and traumas that both Misty and Roland must navigate together. Underneath it all, it feels reminiscent of the telenovelas I would overhear as a child when playing at the neighbors – packed with drama, exaggerated scenes, and larger-than-life characters that are simply entertaining. The plot twists will leave you gasping, and the finale’??  Well, you’ll have to read (or listen) to discover it for yourself!

If you’re looking for a fast-paced read that will motivate you to finish in one sitting, The Champagne Toast is certainly the book to pop open! I truly enjoyed this refreshing twist on the classic psychological thriller format and highly recommend it to fans of both romance and psychological thrillers; I believe it will resonate with lovers of both genres. Thank you to Leah Orr for a complimentary audio copy of the book The Champagne Toast. 

All opinions in this review are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily with no promise of any compensation from the author, current or future

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