The Love Interest

Deftly crafted, adorably witty, and effortlessly swoony, The Love Interest is a romantic comedy masterpiece. Brilliantly creative, light but emotionally resonant, this is the kind of story that both absorbs you and charms. We have everything we love about Kayley- the sharp humor, the delightful sweetness, the frenetic chemistry, and the innovative narrative approach- all working in perfect symphony to deliver an unforgettably hopeful and endearing story. My heart is all a flutter!The Love Interest plays out like the reels of your favorite, perfectly crafted romantic comedy movie. From the unforgettable and unique meet cute to the happily ever after, The Love Interest dazzles page after page. Delivering a unique romantic euphoria, like the sparkle of a first kiss- as if you’ve been sprinkled with a bit of fairy dust, and suddenly the world feels bright, and shiny, and new again.Like so many Kayley stories before, this story is deliciously rich with inventive humor and charming characters- from our quirky and perfectly matched hero and heroine to the lovable and catalytic secondary characters that orbit and enrich their romance. We have our hero, Emmett, new graduate professor and best selling action-thriller author with an a-list movie deal struggling through a bout of writer’s block. And we have our heroine Fiona- the bright eyed NYC newbie just beginning her career as a Regency romance writer. Both are wrestling with their fictional heroes - and just can’t seem to land on the story they want to tell. Emmett is trapped in his past, and while his hero seems ready for a love interest, he himself is not. And Fiona, a soulful romantic, can’t seem to find the right balance for her story’s love interest, weighed down by her own imposter syndrome. Their chance encounter inspires the direction of their work- helps them envision the love story they need for their characters, but also sparks something neither expected but both somehow needed- they find their OWN love interest in each other. I loved these characters. They are nuanced, interesting, and here I found an even deeper emotional chord, especially with our reluctant hero. Both are captivating in their own way- quirky, vivid, and truly clever. We have the usual witty banter, the creative ways Kayley use different written modalities to express parts of this story, and of course some delicious steam. This is much slower burn than I’m used to- but I found it to be more than worth the weight. We get more angst and emotional longing, ALL that delicious chemistry just brewing. All the fun antics, humor, and story with in a story brilliance aside, the heart of this story is about taking a chance with your heart, about leaning in when someone makes your heart come alive. It's a beautifully straight forward theme, poignant and powerful. And Emmett and Fiona embody it perfectly.I also just LOVED all the different angles through which we get this story- including the stories within the stories. Fiona and Emmett’s characters are real and hugely important to their romantic and character arcs- and the evolution of their work not only gives us a greater window into who the authors are as people but also wonderfully encapsulates key milestones in their burgeoning romance. It’s truly brilliant- and Kayley wows in code switching her own writing style, tone, and voice as she uses snippets from their work to help tell this story. Not to mention, both fictional heroes are comedic gold. And, I loved the subtle nods Kayley gives to both the quirks and challenges of being a writer. There’s a tender honesty and keen self-awareness to it- and I especially loved the direct ways Kayley uplifts Fiona’s craft as Fiona is forced to defend her decision to write romance. Truly innovative and thought provoking story telling- I found myself marveling at its cleverness over and over again.From the first pages where I found myself both laughing in merriment and shedding unexpected but powerful tears, I knew this story would be special. Not only is this Kayley’s most swoon-worthy and most innovative opus yet, but it is also her most emotionally complex. There are truly no storytellers out there like Kayley Loring- and the Love Interest is a perfect example of the talent of her craft and the authenticity of her voice. She reminds us just how magical loving can be- helps us all fall in love all over again with the beauty of falling in love. Every story is just as compelling and unique as the last, but the Love Interest is truly special, and now a personal favorite. Kayley’s love and tenderness for this story, these characters radiate out from each and every word. So much so that you can’t help but fall under their spell- to swoon and sigh and fall in love right alongside them. To have your heart swell with love and joy, to fell full of hope and life. There is not greater feeling-and one that somehow Kayley Loring invokes in me every.single.time. Simply sensational!

I both read the paperback and listened to the Audiobook. I very, very much enjoyed this novel, Kayley Loring's quippy banter and use of the inner monologues are brilliant. She gives us characters like Emmett and Fiona, who are real, and flawed, and basically horny all the time. Really though, who amongst us isn't. I can't recommend this enough, it was such a fun read and listen, I laughed out loud even the second time.Emmett is still mourning a lost love, and Fiona is younger and finding her way in NYC with her cock. Yes you read that right, Fiona also has a 4ft metal cock she takes around the city and randomly photographs. Trust me, this is a thing people do. Really it is. It also leads to some hilarious cock jokes and what's a rom-com without a good cock joke?Shortly after they meet and become enamored with each other, Emmett learns of a situation which prevents them from begin together. They have a unique way of communicating through letters that is very sweet, and funny, and sometimes kind of hot. This becomes a lovers to enemies to loves forbidden romance with a metal cock story. It makes total sense once you get into it.The inspiration they give each other is also portrayed as two books within a book of their works in process, so really you're getting three love stories wrapped in one, 4 if you count the cock's love story.The narration was stellar - Teddy Hamilton as Emmett, he can portray the sadness of the fiance in mourning, and the wit and hotness of the man in love. Mackenzie Cartwright, yes we all now know her as the voice of KL's lady parts and she nails the wit and comedy and longing of all of that. Connor Crais voice's Emmett's book character Jack Irons in those chapters. He also makes a surprise appearance in the Epilogue as the cock. Shane East delivers as Fiona's Historical Romance hero, William. He has some fun with some different accents you'll enjoy.This is a must read/must listen - you just must there's no other option.

Time and time again Kayley Loring proves to her readers what a versatile author she really is.But to write three books in three different genres - MIND BLOWN!!Whether you believe in fate or not, Emmett and Fiona were destined to meet. Their instant connection despite their obvious differences - personality, age, demeanour....Add in a four-foot metal cock, some hilarious moments, one quirky heroine and the fact that this grumpy man is about to become her professor well *now* you know it's a Kayley Loring book.I was fully invested in all stories within this book and when you read it, you'll know just what I mean. What an insight into the life (and those inner voices!) of an author!!

This book was fun to read! Even though the troupe isn’t new - student teacher relationship premise, the way it was written really was. Because both hero and heroine are writers we got to see how their real life was impacting the story each was writing, with chapters giving you a snapshot of each every so often! It was fun to spot the similarities and often seeing the true feelings exposed in their books rather then in themselves at that moment in time.

Reading Kayley’s books is always a surprise, full of laugh out loud moments, steam, love and full on romance. But a surprise indeed, she has an unique way of writing that always keeps me guessing what will happens next and what she will bring to the story that always excite me. One of the things I love the most, everyone and everything has a voice in her stories, everyone, no kidding.Fiona and Emmet were two writers who had a block of some kind, but after meeting one another, they finally find their muse and write away they did. It was fun that they wrote their characters inspired on the other and see a little of them in their own pages. But it’s that typically story the boy meets a girl, they have an amazing connecting during one day and the next he becomes her teacher and all hell break loose! Drum roll for the that forbidden love.It was cute to see Emmett “trying” to pretend that he was fine, that he wasn’t infatuated by Fiona at all, that it was ok to pretend she didn’t exist during classes and that he wasn’t jealous at all! Poor guy. He was the frustration personified and Fiona was amazing, I adored her so damn much and the things that came out of her mouth, it was plain amazing. I loved her sassy and sunshine spirit, but I liked even more when she gave back to Emmett as good as she got, how dare him?They are that kind of couple that gives you butterflies and at the same time you spit your drink laughing. I was obsessed with their road to be together, their letters, their rooster, banter and family. Her parents? Awesome! But his 6yo niece, Bettina? She was the best. This is a must read book for me, as Kayley’s usually are!

This would have been an awesome story if not for the lengthy chapters written in the form of Emmett and Fiona’s individual book chapters. I was so confused the first time it happened I thought there was a glitch with the kindle. There were some really good things in this story and I would have loved for some of those to have been developed further. I want to know more about the other room mate Kioko and Veronica..are the epilogue from their books meant to mirror Emmett and Fiona’s story? See so many questions.