The Write Off by Kara McDowell | Audiobook Review

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Two rival authors are forced to confront a decade of love and heartbreak on the campus where it all started in this captivating debut romance by Kara McDowell.

It’s been thirteen years since Mars Darling first met West Emerson on a bench outside their writing class. What started out as a friendly rivalry turned into a best friendship and then, for a brief time, a romance. Now over a decade later, as Mars stands at their college campus as a once-esteemed YA fantasy author, ready to take on a book festival, she comes face to face with West—the muse behind her infamous trilogy’s heartthrob hero, the man who betrayed her in the worst way.

Mars is determined not to let her comeback tour be ruined by the fact that West is also at the festival as an author. But the longer they are on the campus that holds so many shared memories, the more time they have to untangle their past, and Mars starts to question if maybe it’s not only her writing career that deserves a second chance.

Told in two unfolding timelines—Mars and West’s frenzied college days where they grapple with their undeniable connection, and their tension-filled present of heartache and familiar yearning—this charming romance shows that while you can’t rewrite the past, it’s never too late to chase your happily ever after and get back the one that got away.

Why Did I Listen To The Write Off by Kara McDowell?

I love when authors who write in YA branch out into adult fiction. I mean, I will read their books either way — however – it is still like a fun little treat. The Write Off by Kara McDowell looked like a cute contemporary romance and so, I was curious how it would play out. The audiobook is narrated by one of my favorites – Brittany Pressley and so I just knew I had to take some time and listen to this book. I am so glad I did! This story had a trope I like – friends to lovers to enemies to potentially lovers again. Love that journey. So, I was all in while listening. 

What’s The Story Here?

The Write Off follows Mars Darling who is a famous young adult author – her books have been adapted into movies, the youth love her stories. Unfortunately, her last book felt like a betrayal to fans as she poured her heartbreak into her book. However, she’s back in public again, doing an appearance for a literary festival at the campus where she met her former best friend/rival/lover West Emerson. West is also a writer, but not nearly as successful as Mars. His work is a little more literary. As it stands, Mars has not really seen West in years. So, it comes as a shock when she has to share the stage with him at the literary festival. Being in proximity, however, requires the two to confront their past and hopefully move forward. 

How Did I Like The Write Off?

The Write Off by Kara McDowell worked for me. Perhaps I was predisposed to like this because I enjoyed The Prince And The Apocalypse. I found Mars to be a character that I really cared about. She is someone who puts so much of herself into her writing and is dedicated to her craft. I liked the competition between her and West when they first meet. Also that attraction she instantly has for him? That’s captivating. The two make a great pairing even if they just can’t quite get the timing right. I found that West made some choices that were tough as well. The happy ending kind of made me think of When Harry Met Sally, where it happens after years, but when it does, what a payoff. 

How’s The Narration?

Books like The Write Off are my absolute favorite to listen to. Seriously, give me a good contemporary romance and I am sat. The audiobook is narrated by Brittany Pressley who is one of the best in the business. Her voice is smooth and melodic. I listened at 1.5x with no issues processing or understanding the story and the words. I found that Pressley did a great job embodying the characters and story. McDowell’s adult debut is a wonderful read – particularly if you like reading books about writers.

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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