Falling for the Backup

After a disastrous wedding weekend, Aynslee Shaw boards a flight home to Nashville and finds herself seated next to a charming stranger whose easy laugh makes the hours disappear. When he vanishes before they can exchange numbers, she writes it off as one of those almost-moments. Former Nashville Assassins goalie Jordan Ryan is grinding through a comeback after a career-threatening knee injury, with his focus locked entirely on reclaiming his starting spot. When fate drops Aynslee back into his path, both have to decide whether a second chance is worth the complications.

At just over three hours, the novella is compact but emotionally satisfying, and Lucy Malone's narration keeps the momentum light and warm throughout. Malone brings a natural playfulness to Aynslee's voice that suits the story's breezy will-they-won't-they energy, while giving Jordan's perspective enough grounded sincerity to make the stakes feel real. The short runtime makes it an ideal commute listen, and the audio format suits Aleo's punchy, dialogue-driven style particularly well.