This book started off kinda rocky for me. But by the second half I was actually invested in the characters.
Unfortunately for the audio, the male narration was much crisper to listen to than the female, making the switch between POVs a little jarring.

We follow Joe a Pizza restaurant start up and Starlight a woman he's seen in passing that has caught his eye.
Working at a local advertising agency its not long before she, to Joe's embarrassment, spots him dressed as a pizza slice.

Without giving away plot points the story goes on to explore grief, although not as fully as I'd have liked. The story tries to keep the tone light hearted which does feel right for the style of writing but leaves some of the characters a little dismissed in some areas.

2/ 5 for Spice- A couple of scenes.

The Pizza Man surprised me in the best way. I picked it up expecting something light and fun, and while it definitely delivers on humor and banter, it also has a lot of heart. The main character is messy, relatable, and trying to figure out life, and I loved how the romance unfolded with equal parts sweetness and spice. What really stood out to me was how grounded the story felt. It is not just about falling in love, but also about self-discovery, taking chances, and realizing you deserve happiness.

At times the pacing felt a little uneven, but overall it was such an enjoyable read. The writing flows easily, and the characters feel like people you could actually meet. I found myself rooting for them from the very beginning. If you are looking for a romance that balances humor, heat, and emotional depth,

I enjoyed this story although it felt a little rushed and really wanted the chapters to be longer to help build the tension and provide a little more support to the plot.

I loved the characters and felt they were well written and were dynamic, the pace was very fast but the chapters felt like they ended very suddenly and on the occasions that the characters overlapped it felt a little disjointed and unecessarily repeated.

The most frustrating was the FMC and her reaction to the post first night events, she was very erratic and it felt that she was acting out of character and to say that her lack of sympathy to the MMC's family drama was at times silly and really started to lose my interest at how angry I was at her. She was very immature at times and felt like she needed to have more of a steel backbone. Her friends and colleagues didn't help and their advice was lacklustre. Her losing her virginity caused her to act like she had been attacked, considering that im assuming she is in her early 20's and holding down a job I was shocked at how she handed the situation.

The MMC asking her to attend a funeral after meeting her a couple of times and one night was a little jarring but I was able to look past it.

The narration was good and the pace was good although I had to have it on 2x speed as it sounded a little too slow at times.

It was really good. Definitely different for me. I usually don't do audio books. But I really enjoyed the characters through the book. I was completely engaged in the story the whole time. You have the carefree feeling, charming aspects, and romancing in the book. Its quirky, fast paced, and has a few LOL moments. Genuinely adore it!

The premise of the story is very sweet, the narrators did well. I especially enjoyed the female narrator. I can appreciate Bella’s struggle with work.

I would have liked more in-depth character profiles on each of the characters. It would have added to the story.

A nice read, I loved the characters and it was such a good read. The plot was great. The multiple povs was a nice touch however it felt very confusing at times, I think it might’ve been better had there been less of was slowly introduced in a way where it’s not so confusing

Special thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the advanced listening access!

This book was such a sweet, feel-good romance! Bella, caught up in the fast-paced world of her advertising agency, collides with Joe, a pizza shop owner with a big heart and an oversized delivery costume that instantly sets the tone for something fun and different. Their chemistry is full of those little moments—stolen glances, playful banter, and quiet acts of care—that slowly build into something more meaningful.

What I loved most was Joe himself. He’s such a kind, grounded character, and the way he consistently showed up for Bella (from pancakes in the morning to being open about his family struggles) made him completely endearing. Bella’s journey of figuring out whether to stay in her safe, structured world or take a chance on love gave the story its emotional weight, and it was easy to root for her growth.

The narration added another layer of charm. David Hoskin and A J Wilder brought both perspectives to life in a way that felt authentic and warm, perfectly matching the light-hearted but heartfelt tone of the book.

And that ending? Absolutely adorable. The final pizza delivery moment tied everything together with humor and sweetness, leaving me smiling long after I finished listening. If you’re looking for a cozy, heartwarming romance with just the right balance of fun and emotion, The Pizza Man is a must-listen.

Joe owns a pizza shop that means the world to him, and Bella works at an advertising agency. The two cross paths and, despite the ups and downs of daily life, manage to make time for each other and go on a date. I have to admit, I wasn’t thrilled when Bella answered her best friend’s call during their date—it felt like one of those moments that could’ve waited with a quick text or even until later.

Joe, on the other hand, completely won me over. He’s such a genuinely kind character—the way he made pancakes for Bella before she woke up was so sweet, and you could really feel how much he cared about her. I also loved seeing Bella support Joe when he was struggling with his father. Those little moments of compassion between them made the story feel real and heartfelt.

And the ending? Absolutely perfect. I actually giggled when Joe personally delivered pizza to Bella and they both played it off so casually—it was the cutest touch.

Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op, and Eddy Twice for the ARC of this audiobook. This review is completely my own, honest opinion.

I just want to start off with the positives. Bella is a hard worker, I do admire what she’s doing with her family. She definitely gives older-sister vibes, even when she’s getting crapped on by her boss. Joe is still a bit of aloof. I do love that he’s caring and protective. He’s also close to his sisters and the want to be close with his father even though he’s distanced himself from him.

What I didn’t enjoy is the fact that Bella is annoying. She goes on about how she wants to talk to Joe, but feels like he’s pushing her to the side… ma’am… his father JUST died, left him this crazy billion dollar company, found out that his dad was messing around with his ex - right after they broke up (it was years ago, but still), and in the middle of this is trying to figure out what to do with his restaurant. Like what do want from him?

Now Joe.. while I’m trying to like him, I don’t know too much about him. Throughout the whole thing. I wish the family drama was explained more, I was wanting more romance, I don’t know. He felt like a shell of a character - super promising and set up for so many possibilities.

I wanted to like the book, but the random side story lines was distracting. The multiple pov was fun, but it got a bit confusing at times. I felt like there was a lot going on and the romance between these two characters was rushed. I can enjoy a quick romance, but this seemed like it was lacking and hurried out together to mimic something. Honestly, I was more interested in their lives aside of their relationship.

This was more of a 2.5 ⭐️ for me.

Omg - this is long overdue. The Pizza Man was cute, but ultimately nothing to write home about. I liked our main characters, but ultimately most of the book felt surface. I enjoyed how our MMC, Joe, supported our FMC, Bella, throughout the book. It was cutie rom-com - quick and easy!

🎧 / 3⭐️


Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the opportunity to listen to this in exchange for my honest opinions! #ThePizzaMan #NetGalley

🎧 ALC Review 🎧

Honestly, if this hadn’t been an ALC, I probably wouldn’t have finished it. The narration really threw me off—it almost sounded like AI and made it hard to connect with the story.

The book itself wasn’t terrible, but it leaned heavily into predictable rom-com territory without much to set it apart. I think I might have enjoyed it more in print, but on audio…not so much.

⭐️⭐️ (for the story, lower for the audio)

#ALCReview #ThePizzaMan #AudiobookReview #Bookstagram #pizzaman #netgalley

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for this ARC!

This book was entertaining. I can't say I've ever really read or listened to a book with this type of plot. The characters were relatable to a point where it's realistic, I think. But, I feel like Bella and Joe's relationship and how they interacted fell a little flat. While it should be classified as a romance, I also feel like there is a lot about Bella and Joe's respective lives that makes it read a little fiction-y more than romance.

Props to the people who read the audiobook! They both made the story really interesting and easy to listen to!

This is a compelling and accessible novel that offers a unique blend of mystery, relatable teenage experiences, and poignant social commentary. It's an excellent choice for a secondary school ESL literature class, as its straightforward language and engaging plot make it highly approachable for learners while providing rich material for discussion.

The story revolves around **Leo**, a high school student working part-time as a pizza delivery driver, and his observation of the strange and unsettling behaviors of his customers. What begins as a series of quirky anecdotes soon morphs into a full-blown mystery when a customer suddenly disappears. Leo, with the help of his friends, must piece together the clues, leading them down a path filled with unexpected twists.

This book's greatest strength for an ESL classroom lies in its **simplicity and relevance**. The dialogue is natural and contemporary, reflecting how teenagers actually speak. The themes—friendship, first jobs, navigating social hierarchies, and the tension between anonymity and observation in a digital world—are all highly relatable for teenage students. The mystery element is a great motivator, encouraging students to actively read and predict what will happen next.

A teacher could use this book to introduce a variety of literary concepts. The narrative structure, told from Leo's perspective, is perfect for discussing **point of view and unreliable narrators**. The character development, particularly Leo's transformation from a passive observer to an active investigator, provides a strong basis for analyzing **character arcs**. Furthermore, the subtle social commentary on isolation in modern society, despite constant digital connectivity, offers an excellent opportunity to explore **deeper thematic analysis**.

The Pizza Man was an entertaining listen that had moments of laughter and hopeful vibes. The narrators did a good job of telling the story that I didn't get bored or lost in my thoughts. They did a good job of showing the connection of the FMC and MMC, the slow burn was there.

The Pizza Man is the second book that I have read by Eddie Twice both in audiobook format. This was an easy book to listen to a lighthearted romance story of Bella and Joe who both suffer some trials and tribulations within the story, but support each other throughout. Joe’s job as a pizza delivery guy is not exactly what it seems initially, but Bella is happy with him as he is and doesn’t expect anything more..

The narrator of this audiobook was easy to listen to and I’m sure I’ll listen to another one of Eddie Twice’s books in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book.

I recieved this as an audiobook and I could not get into the narrator for the FMC , it was hard to listen to . I DNF @23 %

This is such a deliciously fun rom-com that starts with a case of mistaken identity and quickly turns into a story full of charm, chemistry, and personal growth. When Lily opens the door expecting a paid date and finds a pizza delivery guy instead, hilarity ensues—but so does something real.

Whether you're reading the ebook or listening to the audiobook, this story is a treat. The banter is sharp, the romance is steamy, and Lily's journey of self-discovery is both relatable and empowering. Add in a meddling best friend, a disapproving mom, and one very unexpected meet-cute, and you’ve got a recipe for a thoroughly entertaining ride.

This is perfect for fans of quirky romances and feel-good endings—with just the right amount of spice.

I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

NetGalley review of ALC.
Goodreads and Fable

3/5 stars listened 8.16.25 to 8.17.25

Book review: over all was alright. The fast pace instalove story. Predictable. Kinda wish they communicated better at the beginning but worked out in the end. I wanted more of a backstory of their lives

The ALC review: actors did great. The FMC part was muffled to me while listening. Chapter 34 was repeat at the beginning…. I think it was 3 times. So that kinda threw me off but overall not bad.

Thanks to NetGalley for letting me listen and review this. The Pizza Man from Audio ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op

The Pizza Man: https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/book/678731
Pub Date: Jun 05 2025

Well, not the greatest Book I've listened to, But Thanks Netgalley for the Listen. I mean it wasn't all that bad, the story was kinda ok 😏 Out of the two narrators I did kinda like the male's voice David Hoskin did a great Job with the accents even though I wouldn't know if that was his actual voice or his working voice since it was the first time I listened to something narrated by him. A.J. Wilder was also ok, could have been better if her Mic didn't sound so off. But hey you win some you lose some right? 🙂

If you want a cozy treat, one that’s lighthearted, quirky, and doesn’t demand much, The Pizza Man is a fine pick. It’s perfect for a lazy afternoon when you just want something sweet and uncomplicated.
But if you’re craving emotional realism, a slow burn, or well-rounded characters, you may find it lacking, like there's more sizzle than substance.