The A.I. Who Loved Me

This book felt weirdly like the Murderbot books but romancey and with a plot I predicted but also didn’t expect. Either way, I loved it. The premise was an AI moved in next door (or synthetic human, I guess) and then he’s in love with Trinity. Except he doesn’t know what love is as he is still learning and rebuilding his memory and mind after some unnamed event. Trinity it recovering after an injury working for the Hive some weird government thing. She’s got a lot of trauma going on even though she’s pretty much recovered physically. She doesn’t realise that Li Wei is an AI at first but discovers it as she gets to know him but she definitely has a physical connection with him. This book was so good at burying the big reveal at the end. I could tell something was off but still didn’t guess straight away. It was such a good listen and felt justified as an audiobook first as it was such a great voice cast.

Trinity Jordan lives in an apartment complex set in a future US. Everything seems fine, sure she's struggling with a traumatic experience and needs therapy for it, but the dystopian vibes of the world are tucked to the side, for the most part. She meets her neighbor's unusual nephew Li Wei and is immediately drawn to him, as he is to her. Of course, the reason Li Wei is so odd is because he is the titular A.I. He struggles with trying to become more human as well as trying to gain access to some hidden memory files he's not allowed to reach just yet. As he figures himself out, he also starts to figure out Trinity as well. There's the growing attraction between them but there's also something not quite right with her, either. The story is short and sweet. Due to the length, there isn't a whole lot of time to get pulled in by the romance and I found myself rooting for it mostly on the surface level. It felt a little too quick, even though I understand why. I believe the backstory revealed at end would have been a much more compelling narrative and wish we had gotten that story instead. I did enjoy that instead of just a romance story, there was also a bit of a mystery plot.

The concept and plot were interesting and something very different for me. Unfortunately the narration especially trinity felt like they were reading straight from the script and kind of flat.

This is more of a novella length story, and the pacing starts slower than you might expect with that limited time. The major subplot doesn't get fully revealed until late and then the pace and tone change a lot. As with many short romances, it is a little bit instalove. If that bothers you a lot, then maybe you won't get on board with the couple. I had a great time and really enjoyed this fun romance with a sci-fi twist. The characters and plot each get attention, even though in the beginning it may not seem to have much plot. For about 2/3 it is a rom-com with a bit of futuristic flavor. Then it turns into fast-paced sci-fi adventure and there is real danger. I loved the friendship dynamics between the group of characters and I did feel the chemistry and the relationship develop between the couple. Because Alyssa Cole took more time in the set up with the characters and the bit of worldbuilding, once things really took off there were more stakes and I was grounded enough with them to care. I think this will be even better on reread (or relisten) because I will notice more little clues and understand what they are leading up to. This is an Audible Original full-cast audio recording. I loved the voice performances and it was very entertaining and immersive.

I'll admit I put off reading this one for quite a while because despite really enjoying several of Alyssa Cole's books in the past, I had a hard time wrapping my head around the concept of this book. Silly me. I should've known she'd do a fantastic job with this story, as unconventional as it was. The A.I. Who Loved Me was a delightfully unique story and the production of the audiobook was stellar. I had so much fun with this book. It was funny, but also delivered some heat and feels.

It took me a little while to listen to this one. I did enjoy it but I have had a bit of a hard time listening to audiobooks this past week because I have had hearing issues. Anyway, I loved this audiobook. The story kept me entertained and I did love the fact that there are a few narrators because I do find it helps with the story. If you are looking for a good rom-com book or audiobook I do recommend this one. I know I will be listening to it again in the very near future. I give this 5 out of 5.

This was such fun, and think it may be the start of a whole series which I would be so into. And it is more sci-fi than I had imagined going into it, with a cute kitty to boot! (So yet again, I prove that I'm unapologetically trash with certain inclusions in romance books😆... I'll read and enjoy them just no matter what!). There is also a mystery type plot and interesting use of the (view spoiler)[amnesia trope (hide spoiler)]. Not sure if that last bit is a spoiler or not, but want to be cautious JIC because I hate being spoiled for plot points. Please Alyssa, can we have some more???