Cowritten by USA Today best-selling author Tara Sivec and award-winning narrator Andi Arndt, a hysterically funny, heartfelt romance about starting over and taking chances.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 … 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!
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Another LOL hit from Tara! I love Heidi!
Self discovery has never been so funny or cute!! Terrific book. Laugh out loud funny! Romantic! I highly recommend. Terrific narration.
Release Date: December 3, 2019
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Romantic Comedy
Tara Sivec has been one of my favorite authors for a long time. After reading her HILARIOUS novel, SEDUCTION & SNACKS I became an instant fan and haven’t stopped reading her books since. It’s the laugh out loud and relatable moments that suck me in and I honestly can’t get enough. If you’re a romcom fan and haven’t had the chance to read Tara’s work you’re missing out! Trust me on this.
Heidi’s Guide to Four Letter Words was first produced as an audiobook and later released as an eBook and paperback. While I do have the audiobook, my review is referring to the print copy. I will be going back to have a listen though as I need to HEAR Heidi as she tells us all the words that felt dirty and shameful to her PRIOR to her awakening (let me tell, the books descriptions are HILARIOUS). I can only imagine how funnier it is in audio.
That being said, this is a ROMANCE so of course there is a love story involved. Heidi and her neighbor Brent take center stage here and watching their relationship evolve is adorable. Notice how I didn’t say “cute”. I loved how Brent took it slowly with Heidi while Heidi was on a mission for love (in more ways than one). The two complement each other nicely and I loved their blossoming relationship. At the end of the book there is a little bit of drama (I sighed because I felt it was a little silly) but being the romance that it is, it resolves. What a SWEET ENDING TOO!
All in all, I really enjoyed this book and I recommend it to all romcom fans! You can never go wrong with a Tara Sivec book and most of them contain some of the best humor around (I say most because she has a few serious books as well).
This is probably my favorite rom com of the year! Swoony, witty, and completely delightful. If you enjoy audio, then I’d highly recommend listening.
I don’t even know where to begin! I devoured this book – possibly to the point of irresponsibility since I avoided work so that I wouldn’t have to stop listening. I know that this is an Audible Original (way to go with the consistently superb content y’all!), but I sincerely hope that a paperback of the book will be released because it must be proudly displayed on my bookshelf next to my other fave Tara Sivec book, Jed Had to Die. In fact, the same laugh out loud, warm fuzzy feelings I got from Jed I also got from Heidi and her journey to find and be herself unapologetically and with pride. When I say I was lol-ing in the gym on the treadmill without a single care as to who thought I was nuts… Heidi’s Guide to Four Letter Words is uproariously funny, yet heartfelt, poignant, and sexy. It has motivated me to go forth and binge the rest of Tara Sivec’s books and she’s pretty much a must read/autobuy author for me from this point on. And Andi Arndt’s performance is superb as always – this time with a delightful Midwestern accent! I loved her portrayal of Heidi and her aunt and mother, as well as the way she’s able to do male voices without it sounding cringe-y. A gem of a 5 star read for sure! 5 out of 5 wine glasses.
My co-blogger was raving about this audiobook, and of course, I had to check it out.
Heidi is so hilarious and sweet. I don’t know how many times I laughed throughout this book. My favorite parts are when she does the podcast. So fun! Heidi has been sheltered by her mother. Feels she needs to figure out who she is, to get the neighbor of her dreams.
Andi is such a great narrator, and I’ve always enjoyed the books she’s done. But this was fantastic! The whole Minnesota accent. I found myself saying, oh, geez! Quite a bit. I had only 15min left, and I waited to finish. I didn’t want it to be over.
I hope that Andi and Tara collaborate again. One of the best audiobooks I’ve listened to in a while.
3.5 Stars. I really wanted to like this more than I did. I was expecting to laugh out loud, and I did, but there were also SO MANY moments that had me cringing. I listened, and Andi did an amazing job narrating it. I loved getting a look into the life of an audiobook narrator and the behind the scenes, but the story had me just super embarrassed for Heidi.
Audiobook Review:
When I first saw the blurb for Heidi’s Guide to Four Letter Words, I was intrigued. Andi Arndt is a fantastic narrator and seems to make everything she does shine. Add her to the comedic talents of Tara Sivec and it’s bound to be great, right? That’s a resounding yes. Heidi’s Guide to Four Letter Words had me laughing so often my cheeks hurt. It was silly and ridiculous at times, but there was also a sweetness to Heidi, the secondary characters in the book, and the romance that balanced out the humor, making for a wonderful listen that will definitely be among my top books for the year.
Not only was the story itself great fun, but the narration was perfect. The voices, accents, and rhythm were all on point and it was easy to follow along with this well-paced romantic comedy detailing a former kindergarten teacher trying to break out of her shell and discover her inner sex kitten and earn the attention of the hot man next door. If you are jonesing for a good belly laugh or just need a guaranteed smile on your face, I HIGHLY recommend Heidi’s Guide to Four Letter Words.
I absolutely can not recommend this book enough. It was hilarious and sweet and so relatable on so many levels. I’ve said it before, but I adore Andi Arndt, she could read the US tax code and I’d listen, that’s how much I love her, she was phenomenal as always. Confession, this was my first Tara Sivec book and will not be my last. Heidi was so innocent and sheltered, I could completely relate to almost every aspect of her personality, not wanting to disappoint her parents, not knowing how to talk to Brent or ask for what she wants, her obliviousness. Her mom is an absolute gem, just completely made the book, always meddling and showing up at inopportune times, and always with food. If you need something light and hilarious this is 1000% the book you need, even if you don’t need a hilarious book to pad your heart and soul and brighten your day, you still need this book.
Uproariously funny, but a the same time touching and sweet.
This story is a gem, it’s hold your breathe funny, hold your sides and almost spit out your drink hilarious. I hope the authors don’t mind but, if it helps you use a credit, oh well. The scene has to do with melted chocolate and a burnt pee pee and I totally lost it had to pause till I could get it together and stop laughing to go on. I can only hope this isn’t Tara and Andi’s Last collaboration its that good, plus Andi’s narration no words it’s fantastic.
Oh, Jesus, This was a good one! There were many moments where I laughed out loud in public and even said “OH MY GOD” out loud without meaning to. This was a very spicy and sweet story about Heidi who becomes the better version of herself by becoming confident in herself and what decisions she makes in her life. And I greatly LOVED how this audiobook featured some of her episodes from her podcasts. Listening to this TOTALLY made me want to get back into podcasts now!
This audiobook is perfect for those looking for something short and sweet with a twist of spice! And those who don’t mind the sexual content. (BECAUSE THERE’S A LOT OF IT)
MissKitten OUT! (If you have read the book, then you will get the pun)
One of my absolute favorite books by Tara Sivec! You will have a great time with this one. I finished it in one sitting and have already reread it. I loved it so much, it got me thinking about making my own podcast (brainstorming in the works)! For a perfect night at home to spend relaxing, all you need to do is grab some wine and listen to it on audible!!!
Heidi’s Guide to Four Letter Words is probably one of the funniest stories I’ve ever had the pleasure of listening too. It was like the gift that kept on giving and kept getting better and better. Hilarious doesn’t cover it! I loved every second!
What a outrageously entertaining audiobook! Andi is so talented at narrating all the characters in this funny story! Yes it was quirky and all I hear now is Welcome to heidis discount erotica do do do!! The do do do got me every time!! I giggled alot!!
The storyline was so out there which is rather awesome to be quite honest, as who doesn’t love to listen to something incredibly fun to listen to?? Sometimes you just need an audiobook just like this!!
Tara certainly has a knack for great rom com and adding in Andi to the book made it amazing! Great job ladies!!!
— AUDIO REVIEW —
Oh holy crap. Where do I even start? This book was pure delight. Pure goodness. Absolute gold, romantic comedy perfection.
As a born & raised, “ope” and “uffda” uttering, card carrying Minnesotan I was utterly charmed by — well, everything about this story, I adored these characters and their quirks and their adorable (unbiased opinion) accents SO MUCH. They were ADORABLE. And likable. And the storyline maybe should have felt over-the-top sometimes, but that’s not how it came off. It was just hilarious.
Laugh out loud hilarious.
People looking at me funny while I belly laugh in my car while listening — hilarious.
And the narration?
Y’all, I liked Andi Arndt just fine before. But this? This was next level. She was phenomenal. She was the absolute perfect narrator for this book and I have a whole new appreciation and respect for her. She was so amazing.
I can’t say enough good things about this book. It was a complete joy. Romantic and witty and wholly engaging – I cannot recommend this highly enough!