Audiobook: Heidi's Guide to Four Letter Words by Tara Sivec & Andi Arndt
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Story
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Narration
Heidi's Guide to Four Letter Words
Contemporary Romance
Audible Original
September 3, 2019
Audiobook
Listening Length: 6 hours and 15 minutes
audible.com
Cowritten by USA Today best-selling author Tara Sivec and award-winning narrator Andi Arndt, a hysterically funny, heartfelt romance - created specifically for the audio format!
Nothing good ever comes from drinking a box of wine alone. So when I decided to entertain my drunken self by setting up some hand-me-down podcasting equipment and reading the steamy parts from romance novels, I never thought anyone would actually listen. The fact that I admitted my huge crush on my sexy next door neighbor made the whole thing even more mortifying. But sometimes life surprises you, and that's how my podcast, Heidi's Discount Erotica, was born.
Now I, Heidi Larsen, a sweet former kindergarten teacher in Waconia, Minnesota, lead a scandalous double life reading erotic novels to the listening world. And with each episode, I find myself embracing my new alter ego more and more. Now I'm starting to feel more comfortable in my own skin and do things I never would have dreamed of - like kissing my neighbor.
Look out, Waconia, because Heidi's on the loose! She's in your ears, in your hearts, and down your pants...wait, that didn't sound as good as it did in my head. Well, you get the picture, don'tcha know!
Welcome to Heidi’s Discount Erotica Podcast do do DO!
Heidi’s Guide to Four Letter Words is a RomCom brought to us by the collaboration made in romance novel heaven of Tara Sivec and Andi Arndt. And let me just tell you guys right off the bat, it is everything you could ever want in a romcom. I easily, and happily class this title as one of my top three reads of 2019.
Now, that being said, I am super conflicted about Heidi’s Guide, though not for the reasons you might think. I am a (quietly) proud Minnesotan and this book, especially the audio book, is a gorgeous love letter to all that is Minnesota and growing up here. From the very get go I was smiling ear to ear and giggling with how much I love this book. BUT… now here is where the conflicting feelings come in. I, like all good Minnesotans that are not my grandmother, are CONVINCED our accents are NOT that bad. I swear. It’s not… Guys, it totally is, I know it is, but I will deny it to my dying day. Just never ask me to say “boat, boots, or lake” dont’cha know.
Heidi’s Guide is the story of Heidi Larsen, a former kindergarten teacher, who grew up and still lives in Waconia Minnesota. (Side note, every single time Andi pronounced “Waconia” in the book it made me giggle cuz it was just so perfect.) Heidi has always followed in the path her parents and community have set for her, like all good little Midwestern girls are supposed to. She was happy in her life, she knew what to expect, and the most dangerous and thrilling part of her life was watching her gorgeous new neighbor from the safety of her front porch… or from inside her hydrangea bush.
Heidi’s quiet, sheltered life gets thrown for a loop when she takes a job as the office manager for a recording studio where they record *gasp* dirty books! In an effort to break out of her shell and learn to actually be able to carry a conversation with her neighbor, Heidi brings home some old podcasting equipment one day and tasks herself with reading excepts from some of the novels they record at the studio.
“This couple is dry humping in public! It’s serious business! I’m not laughing. I’m not.”
Anywho… Heidi’s life only gets better the more she grows her podcast and eventually she and the sexy neighbor give things a shot. Now Let me tell you, things get hot and heavy and oh so steamy between the two of them! Oh cheese and rice… the bit with the neckties… everyone’s worst nightmare!
“This is no time for sympathy! I have a butt that needs touching!”
This book seriously has everything you could want from a romance novel, it is laugh out loud funny, the steamy bits hit all the right notes, the romance between Heidi and Brent is seriously swoon worthy. The cast of supporting characters is amazing as well, her parents are ridiculously hilarious and I swear her mother was modeled after one of my aunts.
Now if you are a regular listener of Romance audiobooks then it is a safe bet to say you have listened to a book narrated by Andi Arndt. She is a powerhouse in the narrating world and easily one of my favorites. Her male voices are always so good you forget it is a woman reading them, and this was no exception. I have to say though, her accent is without a doubt my favorite part of this book. The accent, the inflection, she just absolutely nails it on every count. I am not ashamed to admit I have already listened to this title twice because it just brings my heart so much joy.
There is one line I want to call out, because I swear it is the MOST Minnesotan sentence that has ever been uttered, and it encapsulates what growing up here is like so perfectly.
“Oh, hey now Margie. We’re Lutheran. We work in Catholic schools. Ever heard of the Reformation?”
“Well fine, and who gives a rats patootie what she does Peggy?”
Well now, on that note I will leave you guys with this. Do yourself a favor and go listen to Heidi’s Guide to Four Letter Words, and really listen to it. Few books have left me with this much of a warm fuzzy feeling as this one has. It is well worth the investment dontcha know. Yeah sure ya betcha it is!
