Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date (Bright Falls #3) by Ashley Herring Blake, narrated by Kristen DiMercurio

Okay, so my memory sucks and I remember enjoying the first two Bright Falls books a lot but did I laugh as much as with this one? I don’t think so. I loved Iris from the start and I’m so happy she got her own story. She’s witty and unhinged and delightful. And of course all that wit and and fun hides a world of hurt that makes Iris get in her own way again and again when it comes to Stevie. The truth is, Iris Kelly is terrified of not being enough. Stevie, on the other hand, is terrified of almost everything, and that makes her the perfect match. To get their HEA, they’ll both need to conquer their fears.

Which sounds very dramatic in a way that is totally fitting since part of that happens on stage. Stevie is a talented actress whose anxiety disorder has until now kept her in Portland. A disastrous one night stand with Iris, who’s had to close her paper shop and is now a debut novelist, turns into a fake relationship as one of Iris’s friends (Simon, Jordan’s brother from Astrid’s book) convinces her to try out for a small part in the production of a queer production of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing at a local community theatre.

While I love Iris, Stevie was a bit more difficult for me. Not that she’s not charming, she totally is. The anxiety disorder hit a bit too close to home however. Kudos to the author for writing it in such a realistic manner, by the way.

As with the other two books in this series, Ashley Herring Blake successfully mixes witty repartee and emotional journeys. All the feels and genuine laughter are enhanced by Kristen DiMercurio‘s brilliant narration—though, not being an accent expert, I can’t tell whether she went with cockney or scouse for Stevie’s coffee shop owner boss, the author mentioning both in relation to the character. DiMercurio’s the reason I rated Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail so high and probably why I enjoyed this book so much too. Once again I wish I’d listened to the first book because as much as I loved it, I regret not hearing a book choke-full of Delilah Green. Seriously, I loved Iris in Delilah’s book and Delilah in Iris’s book and that one opens the series while the other closes it is perfection. I enjoyed all the other characters, and all DiMercurio’s amazing voices, but Delilah and Iris have my whole heart. 4.5⭐️