Wonderful story telling by voice actors. Their voices fit perfectly with the characters. The story itself was fabulous. Holly and Jax were adorable together. Had all my faves: great banter, humor, chemistry, lots of flirting, jealousy, life lessons and a great HEA. Found a new great author. Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape for allowing me to listen to this for my honest opinion.

A hot bartender/wilderness mountain man who is entirely against relationships after seeing terrible examples set by his father finds himself falling for the girl he is giving dating advice to in exchange for her help in marketing his new wilderness guide business.

I really liked this one! It was a pretty low stakes, fun and flirty read. It's a closed door romance, but there is some good tension between Holly and Jax.

Holly is looking for the one and Jax is the bartender watching her go on terrible date after terrible date before he ultimately intervenes. Jax was just super hot. I loved that he was the complete opposite of what Holly thought she wanted, but boy was he wonderful to read about. I found Holly's character to be totally relatable. She finds herself looking for the perfect man to fit the white picket fence narrative after being strung along by the same man for so long, but Jax takes the time to show her that there is much more to life than staying within the parameters society deems appropriate and acceptable.

Their story was sweet and heartwarming. Jax truly believed in Holly and wanted her to find what would make her happy. He learned to accept that even though he also believed he knew what he wanted - or didn't want for that matter - he could take his own advice and allow himself to open up to Holly.

The narration by Abigail Reno and David Bendena was great. They did a wonderful job of bringing these characters to life and they were easy to listen to.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing this ALC.

“I want to quit wasting my time on someone who would never love me back, quit letting my life pass me by and quit being afraid to step out of my comfort zone”

This was such a cute read. This is a closed door clean romance and it is SO worth reading. This book gives all the fun banter between the two characters as we watch them go from strangers to friends to jealous and more. This was written and narrated so well that at no point did I feel like I was missing out due to the closed door scenes. The humor is great, the inner monologue is so relatable, and I love how this book gives all the plot and build up without holding back.

A clean sweet romance. Loved the story as well as the side characters.
I didn’t feel like anything was missing with it being clean.

This was an utter delight! I’ve never read anything by Katie Bailey before but now I’ve got to binge their backlist.

I loved Holly and Jax, both together and separately.

Holly has been on some pretty spectacularly bad dates when the bartender at he failed date gives her some advice. She keeps running into him and ends up asking him to give her dating advice.

Jax is the boyfriend of all book boyfriends. I loved him. Jax was so supportive of Holly and teached her to be herself and what she really wants.

The Quit List is why I don’t only read open vs. closed door romance. Jax and Holly have so much chemistry and the banter was top notch. Bailey created so much tension that you don’t need the steam.

The narration by Abigail Reno and David Bendena was fantastic and I loved the dual perspectives. I can’t wait to read Season’s Schemings and the rest of Bailey’s backlist!

Tropes:
Serial dater (looking for the one) and he doesn’t want to settle down
Bad boy bartender turned wilderness guide
Friends to ❤️
Opposites attract
Romcom
Only one tent

Thanks to NetGalley for the ALC! This was an adorable listen!

4⭐️
0🌶️

The perfect way to pass the time, this book gave me the perfect love story between two strangers who become friends and then much more and I love every second of it, the narrators really did a good job. I could picture every situation and beautiful setting the characters were experiencing
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It reminded me a lot of the story of Ginnifer Goodwin and Justin Long's characters in the movie “He is just not that into you”, the bartender helping the helpless romantic to date, but also different characters. She’s not so helpless and he is not a player, they both want different things and stick a deal that make them get close
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Jax is a bartender at an elegant restaurant while completing a series of courses to earn his mountain guide license and live the dream of moving and start his own business in the middle of the mountains.
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From his place at the bar he is intrigued by the brunette who sits at the same table with a different man every week but when he sees a strange situation he decides to jump to help her.
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Holly is surprised by the handsome bartender who decided to help her escape a horrible date but even more surprised by the advice he gives her for future dates.
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Determined to find the one, but with zero vision for reading people, she decides to ask the handsome bartender for help and they end up making a deal. He is going to help her find the one and she is going to help him organize a booking system for his future business
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But as they spend time together, they begin to learn things about each other and doubt the limits they thought they had. Light, fun and cute romance, I really enjoyed this book so much.
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Thanks to Katie Bailey and DreamScape media for give me a copy of this beautiful book in exchange for my honest and voluntary opinion.

Quick Summary: A right time, right place romance

My Review: The Quit List by Katie Bailey is a lighthearted romance with inspired lessons and a sweet friendship that matures into something more.

Question to Consider: Is it possible to find the love of your life when you actually stop looking outwardly and instead look inwardly?

About the Book: Holly Greene and Jax Grainger are at odds when it comes to their outlook on a partner. She is actively seeking someone who is ready to settle down. He, in contrast, is not looking for anything quite as serious. When a date gone wrong happens on his watch, he swoops in and saves the day. She, in turn, saves him, as he endeavors to move his career to the next level. What can these two friends learn from each other?

About the Characters:

Holly - > Driven yet hesitant to act or push for what she wants, insecure but at her core lies a strength, family oriented, playful and not afraid to laugh at self, good person

Jax - > Goal oriented, hardworking, confident swagger, adventurous, motivator, good friend, willing to be stretched

Favorite Quote: "Pursue who you are."

Favorite Scenes (coded, so as to avoid spoilers):

- The Save

- Read the Room

- Dancing in the Club

- Wilderness Adventures

- Knowing Self

- Hobbling Toward the Future

- The Revision

- The Next Part


About the Audiobook: Narration was performed by Abigail Reno and David Bendena. They jived well together. I thought they had a nice rhythm and flow between them. Emotive movements and expressed communications were paced well.

My Final Say: I found this contemporary novel to be young, fresh, and oh so delightful. Holly and Jax were made for each other. They had a friendship that progressed so organically. I loved the way they supported each other. They were able to grow separately and together. Also, they did not allow their not so good past experiences to define them.

Other: Knowledge bombs were sprinkled throughout this story.

Rating: 4.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: NA to A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status: Clean
Level: 💖
Audiobook: Yes
Narration: +
Cover: +

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Dreamscape Media), and to NetGalley. Thank you for granting access to an ALC for review. The words I have shared are my own.

This is my first read from the author's work and the opposite attraction was used so well in this plotline that I absolutely love it. The book just keeps getting better and better page by page and chapter by chapter!! Both the lead characters were so well written that there was not a single moment of dullness in the plot. I had a great time reading this.

i liked the story. i believe i would have liked this better if i would have read it. i did not care for the narrator.

Holly Greene is on the journey for love. Only the people she finds on her dating app don't ever end up being someone to stick with. She's also habitually going to the same spot every time - no matter who she is going out with.

Jax, the bartender at said "spot," has noticed Holly's approach to finding her perfect man, and he takes it upon himself to help her on this road to happiness and love. From tweaking her dating profile to taking her out of her comfort zone and on a wilderness excursion, Jax realizes that his feelings for Holly go far beyond wanting to help her find the man of her dreams. He wants to BE that for her.

Despite their best efforts on both parts, one thing led to another, and the sparks flew.
This was an excellent listen! It's definitely going on my list of favorite summer reads.

Such cute side characters and funny banter made me giggle as I did laundry or walked with my daughter.

Thank you so much to Katie Bailey and Dreamscape Media for the ARC through NetGalley.

This is a nice easy read with some good lessons for sure. Tell who doesn't want a Jax??? Jax and Holly were both so wonderful. Holly was easy to identify with and feel like you knew her personally. Jax completely took me by surprise. He was not at all what I thought he was gonna be but in the best way. He was kind, caring, protective and just overall wonderful. They had such great banter and their friendship was the most fun. They were just so good together and complemented each other in the best ways. Their chemistry was insane…that first kiss…These two had such phenomenal growth and I loved seeing them grow separately but also together and being so supportive of each other. I loved the slow-burn despite the obvious attraction and chemistry between them. Their friendship unfolded naturally and developed into deeper feelings that they both fought for a long while. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher. I will be reading more Katie Bailey for sure.

5 out of 5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

WOW! This audiobook was a sloooooow burn but it was so worth it! The banter had me laughing out loud in my car. The characters all have depth and interesting motives for why they are the way they are. I love the fact that this book was able to stand on its own but still leaves room for other books with different characters. I also thoroughly enjoyed that this book was set in Georgia because I know some of those landmarks. Jax and Holly have such good chemistry from the very beginning. Although Jax volunteers to be Holly's dating coach and well... we know how that turns out. Jax and Holly fall for each other and it is so much fun watching them along the way. This book is closed door, low spice and no third act breakup! Katie Bailey did an amazing job with this book and I am so excited to read more from this author.

P.S. Jax naming his dog Rick after Rick Astley so he knew he was going to his forever home is the most adorable thing I've ever seen.

Oh my gosh, you've got to check out The Quit List by Katie Bailey. It's such a refreshing twist on the whole friends-to-lovers vibe! Holly's on a mission to ditch her dating disasters, and who better to help than Jax, the ruggedly charming bartender? Their banter is just everything, seriously. It’s one of those light, feel-good romances where you’re just smiling the whole time you’re reading.

And the setting? Absolutely dreamy. Imagine all this happening in the backdrop of wilderness adventures—just adds that touch of spice and fun. I loved how they both are so opposite yet click so perfectly, helping each other grow along the way.

No spicy scenes here, just super sweet and all about that emotional connection. Perfect if you're into romances that focus more on the build-up and chemistry. Definitely, a book that leaves you all warm and fuzzy. Perfect pick-me-up!

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for my advanced listener copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

A light, fun closed door romance! Holly and Jax were really lovable.

The writing was playful, dialogue was on point and I loved the unique wilderness guide career that lent itself to an awesome adventure and setting.

Both narrators were great!

When a rugged bartender (Jax) saves Holly from a particularly angry date, she convinces him to help her find "the perfect guy". After being very clear that they want different things, an easy friendship blooms as they help one another grow. As a fellow "Holly" I have now discovered that listening to audiobooks where the protagonist has the same name as you can make you feel pretty powerful, especially when the story is all about a woman discovering her own self confidence.
As much as this is a romance, it has very little spice, and could easily be thrown into the YA/NA category.
I did miss out on a chapter due to a glitch in my audiobook, and I found that the male narrator was lacking - it felt like the voice would have been more suited to the Dillon character (iykyk). For those reasons I gave the novel a 3.5*

Thank you Natgalley and dreamscape media for the free ALC. My opinions are being left voluntarily. I rwally enjoy3d thisnbook a friend recommended it and definitely exceeded my expectations. The characters were loveable amd relatable thwbwriting was smooth. The romance was well developed and flowed really well. The side characters were fun amd added to the story. Will be recommending to my friends

4.5/5☆

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an advanced audio-copy of The Quit List, in exchange for an honest review.

Katie Bailey's latest romantic comedy, 'The Quit List,' is a cute and unexpected love story. With her signature blend of humor and heart, Bailey creates a tale that will leave you smiling, laughing, and swooning.

The story centers around Jax and Holly, two polar opposites who find themselves thrown together by a shared resolution: to quit their bad habits. Jax, a competitive businessman, is determined to kick his work addiction, while Holly, a free-spirited artist, is eager to overcome her procrastination.

As they navigate their newfound commitment, Jax and Holly's initially fiery exchanges give way to a simmering tension. Bailey masterfully captures the slow-burn build-up of their relationship, infusing every moment with wit and charm. The dialogue is sharp and witty, making the characters instantly relatable and endearing.

One of the strengths of 'The Quit List' is its relatable characters. Jax is a driven and ambitious professional, but his perfectionism often gets in the way of his personal life. Holly, on the other hand, is a creative and passionate individual who struggles with self-doubt and procrastination. Together, they form a compelling and complex couple that readers will root for from the very beginning.

Bailey's writing is both entertaining and heartwarming. She effortlessly captures the awkwardness and excitement of new love, as well as the challenges and rewards of personal growth. The romance between Jax and Holly is both swoon-worthy and authentic, filled with moments of laughter, vulnerability, and undeniable chemistry.

Overall, 'The Quit List' is a highly enjoyable romantic comedy that will appeal to fans of opposites attract stories, witty dialogue, and heartwarming love stories. Bailey's fresh and vibrant energy shines through on every page, making this a book that will leave readers feeling uplifted and entertained.

WHAT A CUTE STORY! I started this book early in the morning, as I am as sick as you can be, and I devoured it in half a day, let me tell you, this is the kind of story that leaves you grinning like an idiot.

I was hooked already when the premise said the grumpy I will never date hot bartender saved her from a very bad date, and as the story evolved. This grumpy started to open up to our sunshine, and a beautiful friendship blossomed. It turned into the cutest friend-to-lovers I have read in a while.

I am a big sucker for broken characters, and when those broken characters get together and start to find that missing piece with each other, to heal, to get out of their shell, to be themselves finally, then its a recipe for a perfect romance in my opinion, and boy did this story delivered.

Tropes:
Dating Lessons
Friends to Lovers
Grumpy-Sunshine
He Falls First

Micro Tropes:
Leaning On A Door Frame
Good Girl
That's My Girl

Also, big applause to Katie for adding Mexican food in her story that is ACTUALLY MEXICAN; I know Tacos are the best; believe me, I know I am Mexican, but she did her research, and I could picture myself eating Tacos Al Pastor.

Although I like spice in my books, Katie is always the example that you don't need spice to make a romance book good!

PS. I loved reading about my favorite chef and her broody hockey player.

Rounded up from 4.5
Holly is trying really hard to find the one. After a particularly disastrous date in a bar, Jackson, the bartender, offers her his help. Love is the last thing he's looking for, and she's not looking for one more player, so their arrangement is just perfect... right?
This is a strangers to friends to lovers, help with dating arrangement, opposites attract, grumpy sunshine, closed door romance. I loved how Jax was ready to go to the ends of the Earth for Holly, ready and willing to help her and make sure she got everything she needed, he had me swooning. It was a super cute and fluffy read, with no third act break up, and the narrator did an amazing job.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.