The Improbable Meet-Cute
Six Short Rom-Coms to Warm Your Heart
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy Now for $21.92
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
About this listen
What makes love stick? Is it the irresistible spark when you lock eyes across a piazza in Rome? Is it feeling the earth move under your feet? (Wait—that was an actual earthquake.) In these six serendipitous short stories, bestselling authors turn improbable first encounters into hopelessly romantic happy ever afters.
The Exception to the Rule by Christina Lauren
On February 14, an accidental email to a stranger opens the door to an unexpected relationship in a captivating short story by the New York Times bestselling authors of The Unhoneymooners.
Worst Wingman Ever by Abby Jimenez
They’re falling in love, yet they’ve never met. Maybe fate can intervene in a heartwarming “what-if” short story about new beginnings by the New York Times bestselling author of Yours Truly.
Rosie and the Dreamboat by Sally Thorne
For a hopeful and hopeless romantic, it’s love at first sight—with a little twist—in a hilarious short story about finding Mr. Right by the USA Today bestselling author of The Hating Game.
Drop, Cover, and Hold on by Jasmine Guillory
It takes nothing less than a fateful natural disaster to throw two opposites together in a ground-shakingly charming short story by the New York Times bestselling author of Drunk on Love.
With Any Luck by Ashley Poston
Every person she kisses finds their true love, and it’s never her—until now, in this funny and magically romantic short story by the New York Times bestselling author of The Dead Romantics.
Royal Valentine by Sariah Wilson
Valentine’s Day becomes a Roman holiday for a princess in disguise in a dizzyingly romantic short story about making wishes come true by the USA Today bestselling author of The Chemistry of Love.
©2024 The Exception to the Rule © 2024 by Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. Worst Wingman Ever © 2024 by Abby Jimenez. Rosie and the Dreamboat © 2024 by Sally Thorne. Drop, Cover, and Hold On © 2024 by Jasmine Guillory. With Any Luck © 2024 by Ashley Poston. Royal Valentine © 2024 by Sariah Wilson. (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.You may also enjoy...
-
Worst Wingman Ever
- The Improbable Meet-Cute Collection
- Written by: Abby Jimenez
- Narrated by: Andi Arndt, Zachary Webber
- Length: 1 hr and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Holly is dealing with the impending death of her grandmother and still reeling from a bad breakup. One bright spot: a Valentine’s Day card on Holly’s windshield—even if it wasn’t meant for her. An amusing mistake soon turns into a lovely exchange of anonymous notes, little acts of kindness, and a growing affection between two strangers. What happens when one of them has to say goodbye?
-
-
Loved it
- By Asim on 2024-09-01
Written by: Abby Jimenez
-
Bridesmaid for Hire
- Written by: Meghan Quinn
- Narrated by: Erin Mallon, Jason Clarke
- Length: 13 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After years of working her tail off at her event-planning business, Maggie Mitchell is ready for a vacation. With nothing on her mind but R & R, she’s enjoying the warm weather of Bora Bora when in saunters Brody McFadden, her brother’s best friend and also her sworn enemy. Thanks to years of tension between the two—kicked off by a make-out session at her brother’s wedding that ended horribly—Maggie has sworn to stay away from the man. That is, until she finds out he’s in Bora Bora for his boss’s daughter’s wedding, hoping to use the trip to win a real future at the company.
-
-
A great story
- By Michelle on 2024-11-03
Written by: Meghan Quinn
-
The Layover
- Written by: Lacie Waldon
- Narrated by: Jorjeana Marie
- Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After 10 years as a flight attendant, Ava Greene is poised to hang up her wings and finally put down roots. She's got one trip left before she bids her old life farewell, and she plans to enjoy every second of it. But then, she discovers that former pilot Jack Stone - the absurdly gorgeous, ridiculously cocky man she's held a secret grudge against for year - is on her flight. And he has the nerve to flirt with her, as if he doesn't remember the role he played in the most humiliating night of her life. Good thing she never has to see him again after they land....
-
-
Amazing
- By KayA on 2022-09-14
Written by: Lacie Waldon
-
Under the Mistletoe
- Spice Up the Holidays with Five Short Stories (Under the Mistletoe Collection)
- Written by: Ali Hazelwood, Tessa Bailey, Olivia Dade, and others
- Narrated by: Vivienne LaRue, Summer Morton, Connor Crais, and others
- Length: 7 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Curl up by the fire with some of today’s hottest authors as they serve up enough holiday sweetness and sizzling spice to melt the frostiest heart. As the temperature drops, friends and neighbors might need to turn up the heat, and even old enemies just might get a second chance. Get ready to tingle all the way ...
-
-
Amazing!
- By catherine on 2024-12-13
Written by: Ali Hazelwood, and others
-
Wild Love
- Rose Hill, Book 1
- Written by: Elsie Silver
- Narrated by: Zachary Webber, Vanessa Edwin
- Length: 11 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Rosie Belmont has been driving me wild for years. The good kind of wild. The bad kind of wild. But mostly the kind of wild that comes with wanting your best friend’s little sister and knowing you can’t have her. After living in the city, she comes blasting back into Rose Hill like a storm. Beautiful, messy, and chaotic. And one wide-eyed desperate plea for a job is all it takes for me to hire her.
-
-
Slow burn but once it hits 🥵 (worth the journey)
- By vanessa leblanc on 2024-05-13
Written by: Elsie Silver
-
The Love Wager
- Written by: Lynn Painter
- Narrated by: Kristen DiMercurio, Zachary Webber
- Length: 7 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Hallie Piper is turning over a new leaf. After belly-crawling out of a hotel room (hello, rock bottom), she decides it’s time to become a full-on adult. She gets a new apartment, a new haircut, and a new wardrobe, but when she logs onto the dating app that she has determined will find her new love, she sees none other than Jack, the guy whose room she snuck out of.
-
-
Excellent read
- By Asim on 2024-08-11
Written by: Lynn Painter
-
Worst Wingman Ever
- The Improbable Meet-Cute Collection
- Written by: Abby Jimenez
- Narrated by: Andi Arndt, Zachary Webber
- Length: 1 hr and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Holly is dealing with the impending death of her grandmother and still reeling from a bad breakup. One bright spot: a Valentine’s Day card on Holly’s windshield—even if it wasn’t meant for her. An amusing mistake soon turns into a lovely exchange of anonymous notes, little acts of kindness, and a growing affection between two strangers. What happens when one of them has to say goodbye?
-
-
Loved it
- By Asim on 2024-09-01
Written by: Abby Jimenez
-
Bridesmaid for Hire
- Written by: Meghan Quinn
- Narrated by: Erin Mallon, Jason Clarke
- Length: 13 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After years of working her tail off at her event-planning business, Maggie Mitchell is ready for a vacation. With nothing on her mind but R & R, she’s enjoying the warm weather of Bora Bora when in saunters Brody McFadden, her brother’s best friend and also her sworn enemy. Thanks to years of tension between the two—kicked off by a make-out session at her brother’s wedding that ended horribly—Maggie has sworn to stay away from the man. That is, until she finds out he’s in Bora Bora for his boss’s daughter’s wedding, hoping to use the trip to win a real future at the company.
-
-
A great story
- By Michelle on 2024-11-03
Written by: Meghan Quinn
-
The Layover
- Written by: Lacie Waldon
- Narrated by: Jorjeana Marie
- Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After 10 years as a flight attendant, Ava Greene is poised to hang up her wings and finally put down roots. She's got one trip left before she bids her old life farewell, and she plans to enjoy every second of it. But then, she discovers that former pilot Jack Stone - the absurdly gorgeous, ridiculously cocky man she's held a secret grudge against for year - is on her flight. And he has the nerve to flirt with her, as if he doesn't remember the role he played in the most humiliating night of her life. Good thing she never has to see him again after they land....
-
-
Amazing
- By KayA on 2022-09-14
Written by: Lacie Waldon
-
Under the Mistletoe
- Spice Up the Holidays with Five Short Stories (Under the Mistletoe Collection)
- Written by: Ali Hazelwood, Tessa Bailey, Olivia Dade, and others
- Narrated by: Vivienne LaRue, Summer Morton, Connor Crais, and others
- Length: 7 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Curl up by the fire with some of today’s hottest authors as they serve up enough holiday sweetness and sizzling spice to melt the frostiest heart. As the temperature drops, friends and neighbors might need to turn up the heat, and even old enemies just might get a second chance. Get ready to tingle all the way ...
-
-
Amazing!
- By catherine on 2024-12-13
Written by: Ali Hazelwood, and others
-
Wild Love
- Rose Hill, Book 1
- Written by: Elsie Silver
- Narrated by: Zachary Webber, Vanessa Edwin
- Length: 11 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Rosie Belmont has been driving me wild for years. The good kind of wild. The bad kind of wild. But mostly the kind of wild that comes with wanting your best friend’s little sister and knowing you can’t have her. After living in the city, she comes blasting back into Rose Hill like a storm. Beautiful, messy, and chaotic. And one wide-eyed desperate plea for a job is all it takes for me to hire her.
-
-
Slow burn but once it hits 🥵 (worth the journey)
- By vanessa leblanc on 2024-05-13
Written by: Elsie Silver
-
The Love Wager
- Written by: Lynn Painter
- Narrated by: Kristen DiMercurio, Zachary Webber
- Length: 7 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Hallie Piper is turning over a new leaf. After belly-crawling out of a hotel room (hello, rock bottom), she decides it’s time to become a full-on adult. She gets a new apartment, a new haircut, and a new wardrobe, but when she logs onto the dating app that she has determined will find her new love, she sees none other than Jack, the guy whose room she snuck out of.
-
-
Excellent read
- By Asim on 2024-08-11
Written by: Lynn Painter
-
The Exception to the Rule
- The Improbable Meet-Cute Collection
- Written by: Christina Lauren
- Narrated by: Marli Watson, Andrew Gibson
- Length: 1 hr and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
One typo, and a boy and girl connect by chance. Wishing each other a happy Valentine’s Day isn’t the end. In fact, it becomes a friendly annual tradition—with rules: no pics, no real names, nothing too personal. As years pass, the rules for their email “dates” are breaking, and they’re sharing more than they imagined—including the urge to ask…what if we actually met?
-
-
SO CUTE! didn't want it to end
- By Nikki T on 2024-06-02
Written by: Christina Lauren
-
Two Can Play
- Written by: Ali Hazelwood
- Narrated by: Kelsey Navarro Foster
- Length: 4 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Viola Bowen has the chance of a lifetime: to design a video game based on her all-time favorite book series. The only problem? Her co-lead is Jesse F-ing Andrews, a.k.a. her arch-nemesis. Jesse has made it abundantly clear over the years that he wants nothing to do with her–and Viola has no idea why. When their bosses insist a wintery retreat is the perfect team-building exercise, Viola can’t think of anything worse. Being freezing cold in a remote mountain lodge knowing Jesse is right next door? No, thank you.
-
-
Short + Sweet
- By Annie Tasaka on 2024-11-08
Written by: Ali Hazelwood
-
Ready or Not
- A Novel
- Written by: Cara Bastone
- Narrated by: Alex Finke
- Length: 10 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Eve Hatch lives for surprises! Just kidding. She expects every tomorrow to be pretty much the same as today. She loves her cozy apartment in Brooklyn that’s close to her childhood best friend Willa, and far from her midwestern, traditional family who has never really understood her. While her job is only dream-adjacent, it’s comfortable and steady. She always knows what to expect from her life . . . until she finds herself expecting after an uncharacteristic one-night stand.
-
-
Great, easy listen.
- By Amazon Customer on 2024-10-01
Written by: Cara Bastone
-
Merriment and Mayhem
- Under the Mistletoe Collection
- Written by: Alexandria Bellefleur
- Narrated by: Amelie Griffin
- Length: 1 hr and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Everleigh Dangerfield’s baking disaster necessitates a call to 911, firefighter Griffin Brantley douses the flames in the kitchen, but the ones he stokes in Everleigh are an entirely different story. Unfortunately, Everleigh’s only visiting and doesn’t do casual hookups, no matter how smoldering the temptation. But Everleigh’s holiday mishaps have just begun. And Griffin is seemingly always on call. If Everleigh is game for a change of plans, he can give her the merriest Christmas of her life.
Written by: Alexandria Bellefleur
-
No Judgments
- A Novel
- Written by: Meg Cabot
- Narrated by: Piper Goodeve
- Length: 9 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When a massive hurricane severs all power and cell service to Little Bridge Island - as well as its connection to the mainland - 25-year-old Bree Beckham isn’t worried...at first. She’s already escaped one storm - her emotionally abusive ex - so a hurricane seems like it will be a piece of cake. But animal-loving Bree does become alarmed when she realizes how many islanders have been cut off from their beloved pets. Now it’s up to her to save as many of Little Bridge’s cats and dogs as she can, but to do so, she’s going to need help.
-
-
Cute story
- By Amazon Customer on 2020-06-01
Written by: Meg Cabot
-
My So-Called Love Life
- Written by: Lauren Blakely
- Narrated by: Vanessa Edwin, Sebastian York
- Length: 8 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
I’ve got a list of people I absolutely don’t ever want to be stuck with on a boat, or a plane, or a train, and it starts and ends with the broody, grumpy, too-sexy-for-my-own good Axel Huxley. Also known as this romance novelist’s number one nemesis. The man is legendary for his mighty pen and his even mightier scowl. I tried to work together with the cocky thriller writer once upon a time, but the two of us are like vodka and good decisions. We don’t play well together.
-
-
Very sweet
- By Michelle on 2024-09-04
Written by: Lauren Blakely
-
Part of Your World
- Written by: Abby Jimenez
- Narrated by: Julia Whelan, Zachary Webber
- Length: 10 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After a wild bet, gourmet grilled-cheese sandwich, and cuddle with a baby goat, Alexis Montgomery has had her world turned upside down. The cause: Daniel Grant, a ridiculously hot carpenter who’s ten years younger than her and as casual as they come—the complete opposite of sophisticated city-girl Alexis. And yet their chemistry is undeniable.
-
-
Great Fast Read
- By Anonymous User on 2022-04-23
Written by: Abby Jimenez
-
Merry Ever After
- Under the Mistletoe Collection
- Written by: Tessa Bailey
- Narrated by: Summer Morton, Connor Crais
- Length: 1 hr and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Evie Crowe is starting over in a strange town with her newborn, and men are the furthest thing from her mind. If only the quiet, hulking farmer, Luke Ward, would stop coming into the thrift shop and piquing her reluctant interest. Evie wants to stay single all the way—she can’t trust anything more than friends-with-holiday-benefits. But Luke is in it for the long haul. He’s fixed on making this a Christmas Evie will remember forever. If she gives him a chance.
-
-
So bad
- By Stella on 2024-12-04
Written by: Tessa Bailey
-
Same Time Next Year
- A Novella
- Written by: Tessa Bailey
- Narrated by: William LeRoy, Carmen Vine
- Length: 4 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Adored by all, Britta is an ambitious waitress working at Sluggers. The popular bar holds a special place in her heart and is a regular hangout for the Bridgeport Bandits, the local hockey club. With a half brother on the team, Britta has a strict no-dating policy for hockey boys. But she does have a soft spot for one particular player.
-
-
What a nice surprise
- By Jean T on 2023-12-24
Written by: Tessa Bailey
-
Cruel Winter with You
- Under the Mistletoe Collection
- Written by: Ali Hazelwood
- Narrated by: Vivienne LaRue
- Length: 2 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
All newly minted pediatrician Jamie Malek wants is to borrow a roasting pan for Christmas dinner. Unfortunately, that requires her to interact with Marc—her best friend’s troublemaking brother, who’s now a tech billionaire. He’s the one who got away. She’s the one who broke his heart. Outside, a howling blizzard. Inside, a crackling fire. Suddenly, being snowbound with the man she never expected to see again might not be such a bad way to spend a winter’s night.
-
-
Cute, short, read
- By Asim on 2024-12-06
Written by: Ali Hazelwood
-
The Paradise Problem
- Written by: Christina Lauren
- Narrated by: Patti Murin, Jon Root
- Length: 11 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Anna Green thought she was marrying Liam “West” Weston for access to subsidized family housing while at UCLA. She also thought she’d signed divorce papers when the graduation caps were tossed, and they both went on their merry ways. Three years later, Anna is a starving artist living paycheck to paycheck while West is a Stanford professor. He may be one of four heirs to the Weston Foods conglomerate, but he has little interest in working for the heartless corporation his family built from the ground up. He is interested, however, in his one-hundred-million-dollar inheritance.
-
-
I liked the story, BUT…
- By Kristy Keller on 2024-05-23
Written by: Christina Lauren
-
Mistakes We Never Made
- Written by: Hannah Brown
- Narrated by: Juliette Goglia
- Length: 9 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Emma Townsend can sum up her situationship with hot-as-hell romantic red flag Finn Hughes in one word: almost. They almost dated in high school. They almost hooked up after college. They almost took things too far one magical night. Their whole story is one series of “almosts” and “nearlys,” and now they just kind of can’t stand each other. Like, at all. But this weekend, one of their mutuals is getting married...and Emma and Finn will have to pretend they don’t remember how disastrous it was the last time they were in a room together.
-
-
Great beach read!
- By anon on 2024-05-29
Written by: Hannah Brown
What the critics say
“These six funny, tender, and romantic stories, full of promising beginnings and well-developed characters, are performed by eight talented narrators. Christina Lauren's meet-cute is a strong start to the collection.… Marli Watson and Andrew Gibson perform the emails in a nuanced way, realistically portraying excitement, drunkenness, and worry. Fans of Abby Jimenez will enjoy Zachary Webber's return narrating her work. Bailey Carr's performance of Sally Thorne's story is a standout and includes muffled voices heard from inside a sensory-deprivation tank and the calming voice of a wellness center employee.”—AudioFile Magazine
What listeners say about The Improbable Meet-Cute
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Asim
- 2024-10-13
Mixed bag
Ok to grab on sale, but otherwise, I'd just look to pick up the first two stories stand-alone
The Exception to the Rule
- very good story, very good performers, I enjoyed it
Worst Wingman Ever
- excellent story, excellent performers, deserves a stand-alone book
Rosie and the Dreamboat
-good, the performer was fine, though it may be a bit corny
Drop, Cover, and Hold
- not a meet-cute, the character already know each other
-no good, I cut it off; performer was not very good and it has a negative tone/energy
With Any Luck
-not a meet-cute, the chatacters have already been together...
-not very good, I cut it off; I can't stand stupid characters that put themselves in ridiculous situations that the book is then completely based on solving
Royal Valentine
-wasnt for me, I cut it off; the accent of the main character was not very good, and I wasn't a fan of tbr premise
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Lee
- 2024-03-14
Warm feels
Christina Lauren and Abby Jimenez wrote my favourites in this collection. I recommend reading the stories from last to first that way the stories will just keep getting better. They all were cute and gave the warm feels.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- JennSweetReads
- 2024-01-25
This collection is an absolute delight!
I absolutely adored each one of these wonderful Valentine's Day novellas. Treat yourself this Valentine's Day and get this amazing collection, it will definitely make you smile. All the narrators were outstanding!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Charlene Fazzari
- 2024-02-06
Great collection of novellas
My favourite of the six stories was, Worst Wing Man Ever.
Lots packed into a short story.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!