Thirty-Two Going on Spinster: Spinster Series, Book 1
Audible Logo Enjoy this audiobook free + more
Free title with your free trial!
$0.00
  • Click above to get a preview of our newest plan - unlimited listening to select audiobooks, Audible Originals, and podcasts.
  • You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
  • $7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel online anytime.
Learn more about membership
Sold and delivered by Audible, an Amazon company
List Price: $17.19
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible’s Conditions Of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice.
Sold and delivered by Audible, an Amazon company
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs

Thirty-Two Going on Spinster: Spinster Series, Book 1 Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Becky Monson (Author), Ann Marie Gideon (Narrator), Tantor Audio (Publisher)
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 3,940 ratings
See all formats and editions

From Readers' Favorite Book Award winner Becky Monson comes the first book in a chick lit romance series that will keep you laughing.

Julia Dorning is a spinster, or at least on the road to becoming one. She has no social life, hates her career, and lives in her parent's basement with her cat, Charlie.

With the arrival of Jared Moody, the new hire at work, Julia's mundane life is suddenly turned upside down. Her instant (and totally ridiculous) crush on the new guy causes Julia to finally make some long-overdue changes, in hopes to find a life that includes more than baking and hanging out with Charlie.

But when the biggest and most unexpected change comes, will the new and improved Julia be able to overcome it? Or will she go back to her spinster ways?

Previous page
  1. Listening Length
    7 hours and 52 minutes
  2. Author
    Becky Monson
  3. Narrator
    Ann Marie Gideon
  4. Audible release date
    December 25, 2018
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Tantor Audio
  7. ASIN
    B07L5P8N44
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
Next page

Read & Listen

Switch back and forth between reading the Kindle book and listening to Audible audiobook.
Add the audiobook for a reduced price of $7.49 after you get the Kindle book as part of your Kindle Unlimited subscription.

Product details

Listening Length 7 hours and 52 minutes
Author Becky Monson
Narrator Ann Marie Gideon
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date December 25, 2018
Publisher Tantor Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B07L5P8N44
Best Sellers Rank #233,157 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#2,575 in Humorous Fiction & Satire
#4,213 in Romantic Comedy (Audible Books & Originals)
#10,058 in Humorous Fiction

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
3,940 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Meredith Schorr
5.0 out of 5 stars relatable and fun
Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2014
Verified Purchase
Julia has no passion for her job, lives in her parent's basement, and has no social life or romantic prospects to speak of. According to the dictionary meaning of "spinster" she is well on her way and she already has the cat! She lives a pretty boring life until Jared, the new (gorgeous) co-worker joins her company. Julia is feeling vibes that he's interested but because he's not exactly forthcoming and she's far from confident, she has trouble reading his signals. Each time she convinces herself that he only likes her as a friend (and he keeps referring to her as "his friend"), he does something to make her think, "maybe he DOES like me." The tension culminates in an awesome scene (no spoilers) but just when you think things will work out, Jared betrays Julia in a way she is certain she will never be able to forgive and she wonders, once again, if the life of a spinster is inevitable after all.

This was a very funny book and Julia was an extremely relatable and likeable main character. The "waxing" incident had me in stitches. I wanted so badly to inject her with some self-confidence, although her self-deprecation was charming. I was angry at Jared on her behalf and agree that he crossed a line, but at the same time, I wanted to shake Julia into pursuing her real dreams instead of accepting a ho-hum existence. I very much felt her confusion as to Jared's interest in her and it brought back memories of a guy I used to work with who gave me mixed messages - flirted with me but didn't take it further - and I hoped that Julia would have better luck with her crush than I had with mine.

The author has a fantastic sense of a humor and an enjoyable writing style and I will definitely pick up her next book when it comes out. Soon I hope.
16 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Never Judge a Book by it's Movie
4.0 out of 5 stars Too funny, too cute
Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2014
Verified Purchase
Oh my, oh my. I have just finished wiping the tears of laughter from my eyes. This is seriously funny.

I know my blog is better known for my reviews, rave and opinions on all things Young Adult/Paranormal, Sci Fi and Dystopian, mainly. I also have a secret passion for funny Chick Lit. One of my favorite authors is Ms Sophie Kinsella, she is a master in this genre. So, because of Ms Kinsella's wit and sharp characters I tend to be a little harsh on other authors who miss the mark. I downloaded this book last June, it was offered free on Amazon and I liked the premise.

I, because I wanted a break from plotting what weapons and supplies I'd need if I had to face a post apocalyptic future and picked this up. My one complaint is why I hadn't done it sooner. I admit there are some flaws with it, mainly grammar, I also found out it had been re-edited for that and I possibly had an early edition.

Julia was hilarious as our would be spinster. Though she could be a little whiny and mellow dramatic. Jared was delicious as the new HR assistant cum Julia's wake up call. All in all it was great, albeit the very formula that Kinsella follows. Ditzy heroine with no man, a great and close friend, a slightly quirky, dysfunctional family and the man of the hour handsome, smooth and well turned out.

Was the story a little predictable? Yes it was. However, a true lover of Chick Lit will tell you the characters have to work, you have to believe in them all, and above all the laughs have to come. I didn't just laugh out loud, I banged my hand on the sofa, repeatedly.

There was so many funny moments I could list them all but the 'mustache/herpes' scene was a stand out. Dancing in the elevator and the red stapler were others. Julia was a hoot. There were some more serious moments, when Jared left the Dr Pepper for her in the bakery....tender and sweet. And Julia's angst at the end at what she should do over her heart was a little nice surprise.....non of the usual falling into the man's arms.

If you love good Chick Lit and you have a liking for Sophie Kinsella this is a must read.....I laughed till I cried then laughed again.

Read more of my reviews at Never Judge a Book by its Movie [...]
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Maggie C
3.0 out of 5 stars A reappearance of Chick Lit!
Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2013
Verified Purchase
This book is a cute read. While I almost never see the genre of "chick lit" anymore (think the Red Dress publishing imprint), this book definitely fits that category. As such, I enjoyed a fast and fun read. While we can all probably figure out the ending from about a few chapters in, isn't it fun to see how we get there along the way?

Monson does an excellent job of describing Julia's boring and dead-end job. It felt like I myself was having to go to that job every day as Julia did. I have held jobs like that so I could identify with the soul-crushing aspect of boredom and doldrums. Monson was also spot on that sometimes it takes what it first seen as a tragedy to make changes in your life.

I did find it unrealistic and a bit off-putting that Julia is slender and can eat anything she wants, including all of the delicious baked products she produces. Even many "skinny" women don't feel they're truly thin enough. I think Julia's character would have been easier to identify with if she carried a few extra pounds. Still, the story was good and I liked it enough to want to read whatever Monson publishes next.

If you're a fan of the Hannah Swensen "Cookie Lady" cozy mystery seriesfollow by Joanne Fluke, you might like this book for its baking aspect. If you're looking for a book to load onto the Kindle or throw in the beach/pool bag or take on vacation, look no further.

I received a complimentary copy of Thirty-Two Going On Spinster in exchange for my honest review. All opinions shared are 100% my own.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
jillya
5.0 out of 5 stars a funny relatable rom-com!
Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2023
Verified Purchase
Julia, at 32, has decided she’s a spinster. She has a dead end job, a cat, and lives in her parents’ basement.
All of a sudden, a new employee joins the company. Will Julia turn things around? Or will she be stuck in her “spinster rut” forever?
Loved this sweet sparkling romance!
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
Kila
5.0 out of 5 stars Cute, funny and addictive
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 1, 2023
Verified Purchase
One of those books that once you start reading you don't want to put it down...addictive. Can't wait to read the next two.
Report
Cliente Amazon
4.0 out of 5 stars Engraçado
Reviewed in Brazil on January 29, 2019
Verified Purchase
leitura leve e engraçada, bom divertimento
Report
Aurora
5.0 out of 5 stars Very funny and light reading
Reviewed in Italy on July 24, 2019
Verified Purchase
Liked that is short and easy but relaxing to read, with interesting hints for professional and personal life I would say
Report
J.B.
2.0 out of 5 stars Bof
Reviewed in France on September 8, 2017
Verified Purchase
Pas convaincue. À peine commencé et le personne principal me rebute déjà. Une espèce de Bridget Jones jalouse de sa meilleure copine plus belle, qui se plaint sans faire d'efforts pour autant, et avec de vieux préjugés : les informaticiens sont tous des "nerds" fan de donjons et Dragons pour le personnage, qu'on peut à peine appeler "homme"... Et outrée qu'une "grosse, en surpoids" (sans rire, c'est la traduction exacte des termes employés) puisse avoir une vie sexuelle et pas elle... Bref. Ça va que c'était en promo... sinon le style est sympa à lire, va pour une lecture d'été sur la plage le cerveau en vacances... Mais le personnage principal est tellement pas sympathique que ça gâche tout. Je met deux étoiles quand même parce que j'ai pas terminé le livre donc il peut y avoir de bonne surprise à la fin, qui sait.
Report
MJ de G
5.0 out of 5 stars Funny and Entertaining
Reviewed in Australia on February 5, 2017
Verified Purchase
My Kindle has a habit of surprising me by showing books that I have downloaded months back in recent titles and this week, I got this delightful surprise, Thirty Two Going on Spinster. Julia Dorning is 32 years old, has been living in her parents’ basement for the last ten years, has the same job in Spectraltech for the same amount of time, doesn’t take to change well and basically lives a boring life. She far from a party girl, she is shy, a bit anti-social and has very little friends, but she has got a great and loud family. She hates her job in Finance, and her boss is horrid to her. She’s got a good work friend in Betsy Brown, who she shares cigarette breaks with, not that she smokes herself, but these gossip breaks gets her through her day.

Jules was the type of person who does not venture outside her comfort zone. After work, the basement apartment is her sanctuary where she bakes her wonderful creations – her cupcakes. The first real step to change she took in her humdrum life was to apply for an opening in HR. She thought she was a shoe in but they hired someone else, handsome Jared Moody. Jules and Jared did not meet in the most ideal of circumstances; he actually caught her hiding under the conference table!

Jules had a massive crush on Jared and waking up every day for work was not too bad now. There is much mystery around Jared’s identity though and Brown, ever the consummate investigator, could not get any information on his background. This was something that worried Jules and Brown. Jared was like a ghost. Jules wanted to get to know him better and she got her wish to work with him on a project. She knew something big was going on but was not privy to it. Even the reports Mr. Calhoun, her boss’ boss, requested her to prepare were hush-hush. She was even forbidden from telling Brown. Mr. Nguyen, her manager one day did not show up for work. Did Jared have anything to do with it? Julia’s life was about to be shaken to the core. Will her budding friendship/romance with Jared survive this upheaval?

This book is told from a first person’s POV. Most of the dialogue is conducted with her own self. Usually a long monologue bores me but this book is quite the exception. There is absolutely no dull moment at all. Julia is one of the most clueless and one of the funniest characters that I have ever read. She is self-effacing, too honest, a terrible liar, an over thinker and a klutz. Meeting Jared led to a lot of changes in her humdrum living. She decided long ago that she fell under the spinster category and would probably be alone all her life with cats. Things started looking up for her when this dapper stranger entered her life. I like the way the author writes because she establishes individuality for each of them, she characterizes the other persona more through actions. She does describe their physical aspects as well but very minimal, enough for this reader to construct pictures in her head.

This was very entertaining and well-edited. I love the humour imbued in all the chapters of the book, even in the most stressful scenarios. Julia is self-deprecating to a fault which makes this reader just root for her happily ever after. I chuckle constantly at the hilarious situations she gets herself into. These are funny and realistic and they could truly happen in real life. If you need a dose of rom-com, pick this up. It’s a standalone but is also part of a 3-book series. I have picked up the other 2 books and I’m sure I will enjoy the continuing adventures of Julia immensely.
Report