It's such a refreshing and fast paced holiday romance ❤️ I loved the romance, the interactions and sparks between the two protagonists ❤️🤌
She was a rich and city girl and he is a most loved and popular small town boy 💖🤌 loved the pair.

Much thanks to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for the audiobook version of this book. The narration was excellent with both parts well done.

I loved the cover of this book and settled in for a cozy listen as described as a nice beach read. I adored the setting of a small beach town with plenty of tourists and beaches and boat tours. The plot was great but I didn’t quite love the characters. First, I couldn’t quite feel their age. Based on the fact that Caroline is about to start her career and Dune still lives in the family home I could see them older than mid 20s but they felt a lot older than that. The insta love was fairly realistic though this novel moved from PG to M in seconds. I didn’t have headphones in at one moment and had to slam the pause button before one of my kids walked in. But if you like heat in your romances you’ll enjoy it. I could have used a bit less to make it more cohesive with the story, but I’m probably the minority.

Overall it was ok. It was like a steamy hallmark movie in the aspect that you could see every single plot line before it happened. It was so cliche at times. Which isn’t bad if that’s what you’re looking for - a mindless love story.

This was a really sweet listen. A sweet opposites attract, small town story that is a great summer listen read. It is heartwarming, light and well narrated. Dune is a well liked good guy, has a close family, is a very big fish in that small town and only does short term relationships (if you can call them that) with visiting tourists. Caroline just graduated from Yale and is taking her own version of a last hurrah before she starts a job she has less than zero desire to do and is doing only to please her father and is confused about what she wants the rest of her life to be. The last thing she is looking for is a relationship with a man her exact opposite who is five hours away. The best laid plans! Enjoyable with the happily ever after ending I was both hoping for and expecting.

This was such a cute, light summer read. I really liked the execution in the audiobook, I think it was done so well! I don’t think I would have liked it nearly as much as I did if I just read it, but the audio was done really well.

A friend asked me the other day, “How can you read like you do?” Because as I’m doing endless amounts of laundry for four kids….i can be on an island, eating a lobster tail, and following this adorable love story unfolding between Duke and Caroline.🦞☀️🚲🌊

I have giggled out loud so many times and smiled with how cute this love spark between these two characters are. Caroline takes off to an island for three months and runs into an island gentleman Duke. He walks her back to her apartment, and asks if she wants to help him for the summer. Working is the last thing she had planned while visiting the island but she can’t quite get enough of him. A fun spicy, island, summer romance…and there’s lobster tails. Loving this book so far! @heidimclaughlinauthor #thelobstertrap #tantoraudio #netgalley @tantoraudio @netgalley

The Lobster Trap speaks from the heart. The words are not always beautiful, but no less profound. McLaughlin and Maye grace emotions with food for thought. Caroline and Dune are caught between what the heart wants and what reality dictates. When words get in the way, it's the soul that burns bright. Summers and Borne push through the boundaries of life with enlightening words of love and hope.

Thank you NetGally and Tantor Audio for the ALC of "The Lobster Trap" by Heidi McLaughlin.

What I loved about the audiobook:

The two voice actors were brilliant and I really did enjoy the narration. Really brought the characters to life. I also enjoyed the beach town aesthetic and vibes. Furthermore, the side characters Speed and Willson really added to the listening experience.

What I disliked about the audiobook:

I am not a fan of insta attraction, as the tension and build-up are completely lacking. Throughout the book there is an emphasis on them being from different worlds, however I would have liked this to be further explored by the two worlds clashing. They only mentioned their differences, but their relationship was never really “tested” by this issue for example by a family member showing up at the small town. I also found the chapters when the relationship being tested in the real world too glossed over and unbelievable as there seemed to be no issues or resentment. Moreover, the epilogue seemed a too easy fix for the relationship issue without them really showing strong communication and problem solving (especially giving the FMCs family dynamic).

This book was so cute! I love a good summer time romance and Caroline and dune were so great together.

Thank you NetGalley and Tantor Audio for this audio ARC of The Lobster Trap by Heidi McLaughlin.
If you like slow burns, then this is the audiobook for you. I didn’t really enjoy this book based on some of the content. I’m not a big fan of overly sexualized and books especially when they’re audio. I’m also very picky about my narrators and their voices when they switch between characters and I would have to say that these narrators were not my favorite.

After graduation, Caroline decides to take the summer off in Seaport. She has a job lined up at a huge corporate firm that she’s not even sure she wants. Coming from money and status and the fact that her father got her the job she feels obligated. Her parents are also not thrilled that she had chosen to summer in Seaport rather than the Hamptons or another local. When Carolyn gets to Seaport, she instantly falls in love with the town, but little does she know she’s about to fall in love with the most famous tour captain Dune.

Dune Carter is well-known around Seaport not only because of his family and their ties to the area but also his playboy status, especially with summer tourists. The moment Caroline steps Dune’s charter boat to go whale watching there’s something about her he can’t forget despite her namebrand clothes and the high price tag that she exudes. Dune wants to know more. Dune makes it his mission to get to know Caroline, despite all his previous reservations and in the end, this may cost him his playboy status. He offers Carolina job in hopes that he’ll get to know more about this woman who caught his eye.

Will these three months change Dune from a playboy to an actual romantic? Will Caroline give up her preplanned life for basic living? How will reputations and rumors factor into a successful connection?

Audio Pub Date: June 18, 2024
🌟🌟

This book had some brilliant moments and some really not so brilliant moments. I didn't think much of the plot in general. Rich girl offered a job for the summer and yet this dude calls her rich girl but his family owns most of the businesses? HEAD SHAKE!

But the characters were delightful and I actually enjoyed their interactions which is what saved the book for me.

Narration was good but I just didn't think the plot was set up right here.

3.5 stars rounded to 4

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for allowing me access to this audiobook.
What a great summer read! The perfect beach romance.
After graduating from Yale Caroline Taylor arrives in the small beach town of Seaport for one last summer before starting her corporate job at Goldman Sachs. Caroline had her mind set on exploring the island, sampling local cuisine, and enjoying the shops and boutiques, but fate has other plans for her. Dune Carter noticed Caroline right away when she stepped on his touring boat. He poked fun at her high class appearance, which led to him having her as a new employee on his boats. A summer job sets a romance in motion. After lies are told, Dune has to prove to Caroline that he is worth her time.

The lobster trap was such a perfect summer beach read. I finished it in two days. The plot is simple and predictable, but the characters are sweet and draw you in. A classic East coast beach town where lovers find each other.

This rom-com sold me with its initial premise- an Ivy League graduate taking a few months’ retreat in a small beach town before joining corporate America. A boat tour operator and an unexpected island relationship… but unfortunately did not deliver what I look for in even the lightest rom-com reads. The main characters were 95% of the book’s focus but somehow lacked the kind of depth that helps you feel invested in their stories. There were many threads for potential breadth and depth (examples: his family being close knit and owning half the island’s amenities was mentioned but never developed; her conflictual relationship with her father again mentioned but not developed), but they grew annoying as they were dangled out there in a line or two and then forgotten for the rest of the book. Dialogue was shallow and predictable, nicknames overused and ridiculous, and emotions moved way too fast for how little true depth of connection was portrayed between the main characters. I had to speed the audiobook up to 3.0x speed to get through the final 1/3 and could not believe where the relationship landed by the end given we were covering like three months time. Side note: the intimate scenes were much too open door for my taste, but might appeal to readers looking for that.

Thank you NetGalley and RBmedia for this audiobook access in exchange for my honest review.

Unfortunately this story didn’t do it for me. I didn’t care for the characters and their relationship just felt very forced. It’s Hallmarky with sexy bits that seemed awkward.

Also, the narration was very flatlined. There was no rise and fall of emotion… just very stale.

The book was fine.
I liked the small town summer feel. I hated the nicknames and what felt like instalove. Also didn’t love the “I’m not like other girls” the FMC had

The lobster trap. This is a book of a rich Yale graduate that comes to a small island and falls in love with the local boat captain

I love Heidi McLaughlin but this book was very flat for me. The narration was okay but definitely didn't help liven it up any either. It's a very light beach read, so I think a lot of people will like it but it just wasn't for me. I needed more chemistry.

3.5/5 - Perfect for a beach read. A sun-drenched, New England summer romance. Watching Dune fall so hard and fast for Caroline was adorable. He was the best part of the book!! Exactly what you want in a romance MMC. Overall the plot was quite predictable, but that’s expected in a romcom.

What I liked:

1) well narrated
2) cute, steamy romance scenes!
3) easy to follow, great for sitting on the beach or by the pool

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

What I didn’t like:

1) The main “conflict” - there isn’t enough back story from Caroline’s past to justify her insecurities and immediate belief of what Bryant tells her, even though when he first sits down she calls him out for maligning Dune and clearly having bad intentions. It felt very hot/cold and a bit immature for her to react the way she did, without at least talking to Dune about it first. We know she’s had to live up to the high expectations set by her father, but that doesn’t seem to be involved with the conflict at all. It was a weak premise to create drama.

2) The dialogue could be stilted and over the top depending on the situation. It didn’t read very naturally in the audiobook. Could have been the narration but I think it was more the way it was written!

3) The epilogue - I knew exactly where the story was going when they reunited on the boat, and it’s one of my least favorite tropes. More of a personal preference than anything else.

The Lobster Trap is a angsty, steamy summer romance, and a great option for a beach read.

Caroline and Dune’s relationship was cute, and escalated fast. I didn’t completely connect with the characters, and found Caroline’s reaction in the conflict a bit confusing. However I enjoyed the beachside location, and the idea of Caroline escaping her buttoned down life for the freedom of a beachside town.

The audiobook is dual narration, and the narrators really inhabited their characters. I found it was a fun, easy and engaging listen.

Thank you Tantor Audio and NetGalley for a copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

This is the perfect Beach read romance. I knew it would give me all the right Vibes for the hot summer days that we've had recently. The imagery of the ocean and the small Sea Town is exactly what a reader wants in the summer. The romance was fast hot and passionate. Just don't read the epilogue.