My So-Called Love Life

By: Lauren Blakely

Narrated by: Vanessa Edwin, Sebastian York

A delicious romantic comedy performed by Sebastian York & Vanessa Edwin!

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.

Only now, our publishers are sending us on a joint trip across Europe to mingle with our most devoted readers on an old-fashioned luxury train. And thanks to a booking snafu, we have to share a sleeper car.

You guessed it--there's only one bed.

I'm not sure I can survive the next seven days and nights with my dangerously sexy enemy and all our fiery tension.

Which explodes one night in a desperately needed hate bang.

But the bigger plot twist is this – the more time we spend together, visiting the most romantic cities in Europe by day and discovering each other at night, the more I’m forced to face our past.

To let go of the hurt.

To see the man he’s become.

And when I do, I wonder if it’s too late to write a new happy ending for us?

(Please note: this book was previously titled My So-Called S-e-x Life! The story remains the same under the new title My So-Called Love Life)

©2023 Lauren Blakely (P)2024 Lauren Blakely Books

10 STARS!!!

I wish I could give this more than just 5 stars! I loved everything about this books. Enemies to lovers, Second chance, forced proximity! All of it. and so so many relatable characters.

My So-Called Sex Life is about two Romance writers, Hazel and Axel. while Hazel is a tried and true romcom romance writer, Axel prefers more Roman thriller. They use to write together and wrote a popular book together, but out of the blue Axel drops their friendship and moves on to other writing ventures. A year or so later, they are thrown together during a train trip around Europe with fans or romance and them. Because of a mix up they end up having to share a sleeper room on the train, ever worse then a single hotel room because those sleeper rooms are SMALL, and there is no other option then the (maybe) full size bed for the two of them to sleep on. As they send more time together, secrets start to come out, like why Axel left. you'll have to read to find out more.

The rapid fire witty banter between these two was so much fun to listen to. If anyone knows how to write a good back and forth between two frenemies its LB. There were also some side characters that I absolutely loved!! Melissa, Jackie and Alecia remind me so much of myself and the friends I have made in the book community. It was so nice to see (hear) that in a book, the readers getting a little recognition. And the way Steven interacted with Axel was just so darn cute. I just loved it all.

The book was narrated by the unicorn himself Sebastian York, and Hazel was perfectly played by Vanessa Edwin. I would highly recommend this book to anyone! One of my favorites LB.

Forced proximity perfection!

My So Called Sex Life is the enemies to lovers, grumpy/sunshine story I didn’t know I needed until I met Hazel and Axel. She is a strong, independent, vibrant romance novelist who is winning at moving through life’s confusing web. In typical Lauren Blakely fashion, she has a great support group of friends (including some excellent cameos from other books). Axel is a handsome, broody author of romantic thrillers. They used to be friends who even collaborated on a much-loved series, but there was a very confusing, very frustrating separation that has left them firmly in the realm of barely tolerating each other. When they are thrown together with the perfect forced proximity circumstances on a sleeper train and just - gasp - share a bed - they are determined to make it work for the good of the trip. Shenanigans ensue. Loved it! The humor, the banter, and the evolution of their enemies to friends to lovers is heartwarming and fun to experience. I really enjoy the human condition in Lauren’s world!

Sebastian York is perfect for Axel with his growly voice and ability to bring us those characters that come across as grumpy but have so many hidden layers and protective instincts getting in their way. Vanessa Edwin is just plain amazing in every role, and Hazel is that independent, spunky, sex-positive character perfectly tailored to her performance. Excellent casting!

Fun, Sweet, Sexy, and Romantic

This is the third book in the Dating Game Series. I LOVED IT! Axel and Hazel's story is fun, sweet, sexy, and romantic. The storyline is original, and engaging. This is a great enemies-to-lovers romance. I enjoyed it. Outstanding narration from Vanessa Edwin and Sebastian York. I highly recommend it.

Loved it

It's obvious that the book was amazing when you're sad that it ended. So glad I purchased this one. Really enjoyed the narration and speed of plot development. I loved getting to know these characters. Heading on over to the next book as recommend by this author

Creative Read

I have to admit that I usually shy away from authors writing about writing and “being an author” as it sometimes feels too self-indulgent and the stories haven’t been great, but this book was an exception and I felt like the story was well done. The conflict was unique in the way that even though it was an ordinary problem centered around doubts, I don’t think I’ve seen an author use the angle so well. The journey and settings were interesting and I liked what each of the MCs brought to the story as well as learning about their histories. Kept me engaged. Nicely done!

Fun and Sexy Enemies to Lovers 💋

My So Called Sex Life was just purely simple a funny, witty, sexy, no angst friends to enemies enemies to lovers. I love that Lauren wrote both her leading characters as writers. It’s almost a sneak peek into their lives. The story of Axel and Hazel was just fantastic. You have Axel who’s broody and grumpy as all hell (and a bit of an ass to his former friend and former cowriter Hazel). Hazel has no idea why Axel abruptly ended not only their friendship but also their writing partnership. (they wrote books together that were huge successes in the past). Once they find out that they are both booked on a European book tour on a luxury train, they were hopeful to stay away from each other. Be professional adults. Well, fate had other plans. Come to find out, there was a misunderstanding, and they are sharing not only a room, but sharing one bed together. I love a forced proximity and one bed trope, It makes for some seriously hot hate banging when the two are enemies. I also love that Hazel finally admits she’s never had “book sex” before.. and always writes about it.. that leads to some pretty erotic scenes.. and all that dirty talk?! HOT! I love how Axl and Hazel‘s trip on the train with the people they meet are such a huge fans of theirs, it starts to change the way they look and view each other. It was just so sweet the true friendship and partnership they have. They complete each other. It was just beautiful love story with beautiful descriptions on places I know I want to visit in Europe. I can always count on Lauren to describe in such detail the setting and the scene.
Sebastian York and Vanessa Edwin narrate this beautifully. Sebastian portrays Axel’s broody but funny personality perfectly. Vanessa always brings her heart in every performance, and this was no different. She’s brilliant.

Hella Hot

Love scenes of wha ifs and making them real acting out mind views of a book scene you only dream about!! Give me an amen!!

Hot and Sexy

Just say Sebastian York is narrating and I'm there! What a great fun, cheeky, cleaver story. I love their enemies to lovers sparring and the snippets of insight that goes into writing a meet cute story. Keep 'em coming Lauren!

Loved this fun, witty, sexy love story!

I absolutely loved everything about this beautiful, and amazing romance! This fun, witty, sexy love story transported me into the most romantic places in Europe, and in turn, nestled Axel and Hazel into my heart as well! Axel and Hazel were close and wildly popular writing partners, until Axel mysteriously walked away without an explanation. Hazel has never forgiven him, but has moved on, finding her own success writing romance. Hazel's publisher has booked her and her arch nemesis, Axel, on a luxury train ride through the most romantic spots in Europe, with some of their devoted fans, to recount scenes from their books. As these once close friends, and partners turned enemies, are forced to room together, they begin to face the truth of their long buried feelings. When they can no longer deny their attraction, their nights are filled with fiery passion. But when they return home, can they find the courage to admit their feelings, or risk losing each other by walking away again. Axel and Hazel are great together, and I cheered for them throughout their thrilling, moving, and romantic journey. I loved visiting all the incredible cities, fountains, and other sites across Europe. I loved the skillful way Blakely not only exposed the mind of an author, with the brilliant way Axel and Hazel bantered clever storylines, and then devoured each other during book sex, but she also gave us wonderful reader fans we could relate to, as she made the many famous locations come to life.
A story this seductive, romantic, and moving needs exceptional narrators and Blakey chose beautifully! Sebastian York and Vanessa Edwin gave a flawless performance. Their ability to deliver Ms. Blakely's witty dialogue along with imparting the genuine emotion of all characters was exquisite.
This is a fun, witty, and sexy story that is so full of heart. This beautiful tale made me feel many wonderful emotions, but mostly, it made me happy!

An Enjoyable Read with Great Performances!

𝐌𝐲 𝐒𝐨-𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐱 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 by Lauren Blakely is the first book in the How to Date series. Main characters, Axel and Hazel, have amazing chemistry together.

Both Axel and Hazel were best friends and who wrote together when Axel ended everything between them and left. Fast forward, a year later they are in close proximity taking a train across Europe. On their way sparks seem to fly.

Both Axel and Hazel were witty even though there was some tension there. This book had a bit of an enemies to-lovers vibe, but I enjoyed every minute of it.

Narrators Vanessa Edwin and Sebastian York brought this story to life!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.