Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
First and Forever by Lynn Painter Narrator: Saylor Bell Curda, Aidan Bisset
Published by Penguin Audio on May 12, 2026
Genres: Romantic Comedy
Pages: 320
Length: 7 hours, 19 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
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Duffy Distefano loves three things: her dad, the family cat, and Minneapolis Coyotes football. So when she gets booed out of a game and becomes the internet’s villain, she is distraught—and disgruntled. All she did was shove Coyote Carl away when he made a move on her, but everyone else just saw a woman attacking their team’s beloved mascot. Eager to clear the air, Duffy agrees to an interview on a hit morning show. She doesn’t expect a co-guest to join her—especially not the Coyotes’ star tight end.
When MVP Connor Cunningham gets tasked with damage control to help his team out of their PR nightmare, he thought that meant saying a few words on the team’s behalf. Instead, he finds himself in a highly amusing verbal sparring match with a recently wronged fan on live TV. Duffy pelts him with fiery jabs but is also clearly diehard about the Coyotes—color him intrigued…and attracted.
The interview instantly goes viral, and the public is obsessed with them. A strong push from the Coyotes’ PR team to ride the wave results in Connor asking Duffy out. Despite his distaste for PR stunts, he’s surprised to discover being with Duffy is much easier than he thought, and somehow it doesn’t feel fake to him. Harboring this secret can only blow up, but all he knows is that if he messes things up with Duffy, it’ll be the greatest fumble of his life.
I continue to enjoy reading Lynn Painter. Like some of her others, a bonus here, is the setting in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. I lived there for 35 years.
First and Forever has two main characters who have dealt with loss and continue to suffer somewhat. I’d say they are somewhat on their own, but Duffy has a great friend / co-worker and a clueless but caring family. Growing up with three brothers, it’s not surprising she is a sports fan. Or that as the only girl some tasks fall to her.
Duffy is harassed by the mascot at a game. She and Connor goes on a talk show with her to smooth things over. Connor is a top player. They jab each other in fun and end up joking about going out. The fans love the idea, then they do have a date. They have fun and while they have some trouble sorting out another date, they do text each other and hang out sometimes. Under the pretense of fake, to help Connor promote the team and for Duffy to smooth over the mascot incident, the relationship develops real and wonderful.
Fake dating is a favorite trope for me. But they liked each other and it never felt fake. The usual banter in Painter books was firing on all cylinders. The humor of the dialogue paired with the real emotions in the relationship is fun and kind of magical. Romantic comedy at its best.
Narration:
I’ve listened to these narrators previously. Their performance was in alternating sections by the perspective of either Duffy or Connor. The timing and clarity of the voices worked well with the humor. I enjoyed listening at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Lynn Painter
Lynn Painter is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author who writes romantic comedies for both teens and adults. She lives in Nebraska with her husband and pack of wild children, and when she isn’t reading or writing, odds are good she’s guzzling energy drinks and watching rom-coms.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 26-Audio
This sounds like fun. I also just read a fake dating sports book but it’s fantasy😁
Her books are always fun. The banter feels outrageous because it’s so accurate.
I do want to read more football!
This would be a good one.
Living in the area of the setting would make it special. I do love witty banter too! Great review, Anne!
She’s really my go to author for this kind of rom-com witty banter.
I like the fake dating trope too. This sounds fun!
Somehow the fake dating just gives the couple a chance to get to know each other and be vulnerable but with the shield of it not being “real.” It’s fun.
Ahh, I know how you love stories set in Minnesota. Glad you had a good time visiting there in this story, Anne💜
It’s fun to see old haunts. As fiction, this has some other unreal things.
I feel like I would really enjoy listening to this, as I loved the banter when I read it. Glad you enjoyed it as well!
Thanks Lisa.