Dinosaurs & Cherry Stems

By: Susan Jean Ricci

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

A Multi-Award Winner, Dinosaurs & Cherry Stems placed third twice, earning a Bronze in the 2015 Global EBooks Contest for Romance/Erotica, and a Bronze in the Readers' Favorite Awards for Humor. The story was a 2015 finalist in the Independent Author Network contest for Outstanding First Novel and a semi-finalist in The Kindle Book Reviews 2013, Best Indie Book Awards. Twice divorced, cynical Cindy Layton feels like a relic with prehistoric baggage, and doubts she can muster the courage to establish a new relationship, even if it's on her own terms. Her journey out of the Stone Age hits freaky, hilarious turbulence when she joins an Internet dating service. The scammers and weirdoes she meets in cyberspace make Cindy want to crawl back into her cave, until she receives an accidental email from Jay DeMatteo. Jay has the dating blues, too, but after meeting Cindy, reconsiders his options. Now it's up to him to convince her it's never too late to pursue a meaningful relationship, even when a couple is struggling with midlife adolescence.

Trials of Finding the Right Man

Dinosaurs and Cherry Stems was my first audiobook with an AI narrator, interesting concept. The story revolves around Cindy, who finds herself divorced and tries online dating. The author takes us through the process and the adventures. Cindy goes through as an older woman trying to find a normal man. This process can be scary at times, but she does meet Jay. Could this be their love match, give it a listen to find out. It was an enjoyable book to listen to.

A heartfelt story that’s genuine and meaningful!

This is a wonderful story about getting back into the dating scene and possibly finding that guy who clicks. It has humor, twists and turns, emotionally tender and emotionally charged scenes, and a writing style that I found very engaging. I have both the kindle version and the audiobook so I kept reading and listening until I reached the last page.

The main character, Cindy, encounters a lot of ups and downs, but she has the courage and spunk to hang in there after multiple disappointments. All the while, she’s gaining in understanding and wisdom. And maybe that’s the point of what we consider negative experiences. If we don’t let them stop us from living, they can help us make better choices in the future. As we use more discernment in new situations, we might even end up with a life we can embrace and love.

I thoroughly enjoyed DINOSAURS & CHERRY STEMS. The author, Susan Jean Ricci, has written an easy-to-read, entertaining story that rings true to life. Highly recommended.

witty, heartwarming, and hilariously relatable

A witty, heartwarming, and hilariously relatable romp through the trials of dating after divorce, Dinosaurs & Cherry Stems proves that romance doesn’t end with your first heartbreak, or your second.

Cindy Layton is equal parts sass and vulnerability, a woman navigating the post-divorce wilderness with a prehistoric amount of baggage and a healthy dose of skepticism. Her foray into the wild world of online dating is refreshingly honest and laugh-out-loud funny, peppered with scams, awkward encounters, and digital misadventures that many readers will recognize (perhaps too well).

Enter Jay DeMatteo, whose accidental email sparks something unexpected—and real. But Susan Jean Ricci doesn’t hand over a fairy tale. Instead, she guides readers through the messy, endearing, and often frustrating path of a mature romance—complete with emotional baggage, exes that won’t stay exed, family complications, and those universal fears of vulnerability.

Jay and Cindy’s chemistry feels authentic, and their journey is as much about self-discovery as it is about love. Ricci’s writing is sharp and insightful, balancing humor with heart, and reminding us that second (or third) chances at love are not only possible, they’re often the sweetest.

For fans of romantic comedy with bite, warmth, and wisdom, Dinosaurs & Cherry Stems is a delightful read that leaves you cheering for love, laughter, and life. No matter your age.