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Boston Classics #1
What I'm Looking For
9 hours, 31 minutes
Recipe for a Boston Classic Cocktail: one part finance geek, one part starving actor, two shots of stubborn and a healthy squeeze of passion. Shake well and serve in a vintage glass.
When Kate Bishop walks into Boston’s famous Bull and Finch pub, all she’s looking for is one guy from her investment firm that she can trust to have her back—a tall order. With a salesman at her side, maybe stage fright won’t paralyze her completely when she presents her meticulously prepared research to clients. And maybe she can save her job.
Romance is the last thing on her to-do list, but a meet-cute with a Shakespeare-quoting bartender has her speculating on the value of diversifying her life portfolio.
Will Talbot is not a fan of the slick financiers who cram into his bar after each day’s closing bell. With their calls for Harvey Wallbangers and their Hermès ties, they’re all the same.
Except for a certain beautiful, buttoned-up brunette with fire in her eyes and a storm in her heart. They’re totally wrong for each other. He should be focusing on his upcoming audition, not coaching Kate on how to act like she's a bona fide member of the Gordon Gekko club.
Problem is, they can’t seem to stay away from each other.
The course of true love never did run smooth, but in this 1980's sweet-and-sexy rom-com, returns on love can’t be measured on the S&P 500.
Recipe for a Boston Classic Cocktail: one part finance geek, one part starving actor, two shots of stubborn and a healthy squeeze of passion. Shake well and serve in a vintage glass.
When Kate Bishop walks into Boston’s famous Bull and Finch pub, all she’s looking for is one guy from her investment firm that she can trust to have her back—a tall order. With a salesman at her side, maybe stage fright won’t paralyze her completely when she presents her meticulously prepared research to clients. And maybe she can save her job.
Romance is the last thing on her to-do list, but a meet-cute with a Shakespeare-quoting bartender has her speculating on the value of diversifying her life portfolio.
Will Talbot is not a fan of the slick financiers who cram into his bar after each day’s closing bell. With their calls for Harvey Wallbangers and their Hermès ties, they’re all the same.
Except for a certain beautiful, buttoned-up brunette with fire in her eyes and a storm in her heart. They’re totally wrong for each other. He should be focusing on his upcoming audition, not coaching Kate on how to act like she's a bona fide member of the Gordon Gekko club.
Problem is, they can’t seem to stay away from each other.
The course of true love never did run smooth, but in this 1980's sweet-and-sexy rom-com, returns on love can’t be measured on the S&P 500.
10 pages, Audiobook
First published May 28, 2020
About the author
Karen Grey
18 books596 followersKAREN GREY is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of vintage romantic comedies with smart heroines and hunky heroes. Drawing on a long career as a performer, her retro 80's and 90's romances are populated with characters working both on- and off-stage in theater, TV and film.
She's a lifelong omnivorous reader (including 20 years as an audiobook narrator). When not reading or writing, she's lounging at the beach or hiking in the mountains. Or dreaming about both with an IPA in hand and a dog or a cat nearby.
To get the latest news, join her VIP club at followkarengrey.com.
If you are seeking content guidance for any of my books (which may include spoilers) it can be found at http://bit.ly/ContentGuidanceKarenGrey
Enjoy your trip back in time! Karen
She's a lifelong omnivorous reader (including 20 years as an audiobook narrator). When not reading or writing, she's lounging at the beach or hiking in the mountains. Or dreaming about both with an IPA in hand and a dog or a cat nearby.
To get the latest news, join her VIP club at followkarengrey.com.
If you are seeking content guidance for any of my books (which may include spoilers) it can be found at http://bit.ly/ContentGuidanceKarenGrey
Enjoy your trip back in time! Karen
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 203 reviews
October 28, 2020
Kate Bishop is an analyst for a Boston investment banking firm. It’s the 1980s so she’s that rare female in a field dominated by ill-behaving men. But Kate’s really smart, socially awkward and needing more practice relating to the people she’s analyzing. One evening following work, she joins her colleagues for drinks and gets some much needed advice from the enterprising bartender, Will Talbot. Will is a struggling theater actor and is working part time to support himself. He’s quite taken with the unusual Kate and they slowly drift into a relationship of sorts.
Both Kate and Will are unconventional and I was immediately drawn to these two. Neither believed they were interested in a committed relationship so they failed to even define what they had. Despite her awkwardness in social situations, Kate’s honesty was refreshing and set her apart from most in her business. Will is skilled at all things Shakespearean and uses that as a fallback to express his feelings, which Kate often needs him to translate. As much as they enjoy each other, especially the steam, neither can either acknowledge they’re even dating because of their own personal baggage.
I enjoyed this story, primarily because I liked these two well developed characters. The throwback to the eighties was nostalgic as I recall that era pretty vividly. Fans of Shakespeare will be in their element as references abound. I’m more like Kate, needing translation which thankfully Will provides so I got the opportunity to learn more about some of the plays. I loved the ups and downs of their developing romance and how it seemed to sneak up on both of them. I’m so glad I got the opportunity to listen to the story as both narrators made them seem real and had excellent timing. It’s a delightful story with lots of comedic moments threaded through the serious. This is a lovely start to a new series.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to the author for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Both Kate and Will are unconventional and I was immediately drawn to these two. Neither believed they were interested in a committed relationship so they failed to even define what they had. Despite her awkwardness in social situations, Kate’s honesty was refreshing and set her apart from most in her business. Will is skilled at all things Shakespearean and uses that as a fallback to express his feelings, which Kate often needs him to translate. As much as they enjoy each other, especially the steam, neither can either acknowledge they’re even dating because of their own personal baggage.
I enjoyed this story, primarily because I liked these two well developed characters. The throwback to the eighties was nostalgic as I recall that era pretty vividly. Fans of Shakespeare will be in their element as references abound. I’m more like Kate, needing translation which thankfully Will provides so I got the opportunity to learn more about some of the plays. I loved the ups and downs of their developing romance and how it seemed to sneak up on both of them. I’m so glad I got the opportunity to listen to the story as both narrators made them seem real and had excellent timing. It’s a delightful story with lots of comedic moments threaded through the serious. This is a lovely start to a new series.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to the author for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
September 9, 2020
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
I liked this book quite a lot. When I found out about this book, I just couldn't resist the chance to read it. A romance set in the '80s really appealed to me on a lot of different levels. I really grew up in the '80s so I was pretty eager to catch a glimpse of some of the things I remember from that era. I ended up having a very nice time with the story and am really happy that I stumbled upon this story.
Kate and Will were both great characters and I really liked the way that they clicked with each other. Kate is incredibly smart and successful in her career. She works in finance and holds a position that is usually thought of as male territory so she has a rather hard time fitting in at work. Will is a Shakesperian actor who also moonlights as a bartender. They meet when she needs a bit of help at the bar and they are drawn to each other.
I really liked watching their relationship progress over the course of the story. Kate was not afraid to ask for what she wanted. There were a lot of obstacles to their relationship but it was nice to see them work to overcome them. Will wasn't sure that they were a good fit but he couldn't help but want to be near her as often as possible. They had fantastic chemistry together and I felt like they were just meant to be.
As I said, I grew up in the '80s so there was a bit of nostalgia in this story for me. I do remember having entire conversations back and forth via answering machines through the '80s and well into the '90s. I also remember when car phones were gaining in popularity. Unfortunately, I also remember the increased prevalence of the sexist attitude that we see in this book from some of Kate's co-workers.
I would recommend this book to fans of romance. I thought that Will and Kate were both fantastic characters and I had a great time with their story. I wouldn't hesitate to read more of Karen Grey's work in the future.
I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
Yes, I finished a book! I cannot believe that it has taken me 7 weeks to finish one little book. That's what moving will do to you.
Initial Thoughts
I really did enjoy this book. I thought that the 80's setting was very well done and it brought back a lot of memories for me. Kate and Will were both great characters and it was fun watching their relationship develop. I look forward to reading more of this talented author's work in the future.
I liked this book quite a lot. When I found out about this book, I just couldn't resist the chance to read it. A romance set in the '80s really appealed to me on a lot of different levels. I really grew up in the '80s so I was pretty eager to catch a glimpse of some of the things I remember from that era. I ended up having a very nice time with the story and am really happy that I stumbled upon this story.
Kate and Will were both great characters and I really liked the way that they clicked with each other. Kate is incredibly smart and successful in her career. She works in finance and holds a position that is usually thought of as male territory so she has a rather hard time fitting in at work. Will is a Shakesperian actor who also moonlights as a bartender. They meet when she needs a bit of help at the bar and they are drawn to each other.
I really liked watching their relationship progress over the course of the story. Kate was not afraid to ask for what she wanted. There were a lot of obstacles to their relationship but it was nice to see them work to overcome them. Will wasn't sure that they were a good fit but he couldn't help but want to be near her as often as possible. They had fantastic chemistry together and I felt like they were just meant to be.
As I said, I grew up in the '80s so there was a bit of nostalgia in this story for me. I do remember having entire conversations back and forth via answering machines through the '80s and well into the '90s. I also remember when car phones were gaining in popularity. Unfortunately, I also remember the increased prevalence of the sexist attitude that we see in this book from some of Kate's co-workers.
I would recommend this book to fans of romance. I thought that Will and Kate were both fantastic characters and I had a great time with their story. I wouldn't hesitate to read more of Karen Grey's work in the future.
I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
Yes, I finished a book! I cannot believe that it has taken me 7 weeks to finish one little book. That's what moving will do to you.
Initial Thoughts
I really did enjoy this book. I thought that the 80's setting was very well done and it brought back a lot of memories for me. Kate and Will were both great characters and it was fun watching their relationship develop. I look forward to reading more of this talented author's work in the future.
June 10, 2020
Well, I wrote it so I think it's the best book it can be! Hope you'll enjoy it, too :)
October 10, 2022
10/2022 - Relisten
9/27/2020: Updated for Audiobook
This is my first book by Karen Grey and I’m hooked. A fabulous mix of endearing and realistic characters, humor, a little bit of guarded hearts, and if I’m being honest I did tear up at one point. Grey brings the reader completely into 1987 in a way that the time period almost becomes a secondary character while not overwhelming the cast or story in any way. I do admit to spending quite a bit of time Googling pics of JFK Jr. who is Will’s look-a-like. Or vice versa.
Will is an actor/bartender who is trying desperately not to sell out and ends up falling for Kate the finance analyst. On paper, or in a spreadsheet, these two don’t have much in common but we get to know them separately and together and this couple definitely adds up. What I especially love about this is that while there are several steamy scenes between Will & Kate, there is also a lot of talking, dating, and fun. I couldn’t help but be invested in their HEA. This is fairly low angst, yet compelling. A fine line that Grey artfully balances.
I found myself equally in love with the charming and fascinating secondary characters. While none stand out as the obvious choice for the next book in the series, I’m voting for the enigma that is “Hot Steve”.
A side note, check out the author's blog for a post about how Grey and her book designer/illustrator came up with the fabulous cover for the book. I found it really fascinating as I’m enjoying this new trend of graphic-based covers.
While I enjoyed reading this – the narration was even more fun. Joe Arden & Karen White do a fantastic job with Will & Kate. The accents for the secondary characters were a nice touch. Then! There’s the few really emotional parts. White does great, but the fact is Will’s chapters have some much heavier scenes and Arden had me in tears.
While I received a free advanced copy of the ebook from the author, I purchased the audiobook.
9/27/2020: Updated for Audiobook
This is my first book by Karen Grey and I’m hooked. A fabulous mix of endearing and realistic characters, humor, a little bit of guarded hearts, and if I’m being honest I did tear up at one point. Grey brings the reader completely into 1987 in a way that the time period almost becomes a secondary character while not overwhelming the cast or story in any way. I do admit to spending quite a bit of time Googling pics of JFK Jr. who is Will’s look-a-like. Or vice versa.
Will is an actor/bartender who is trying desperately not to sell out and ends up falling for Kate the finance analyst. On paper, or in a spreadsheet, these two don’t have much in common but we get to know them separately and together and this couple definitely adds up. What I especially love about this is that while there are several steamy scenes between Will & Kate, there is also a lot of talking, dating, and fun. I couldn’t help but be invested in their HEA. This is fairly low angst, yet compelling. A fine line that Grey artfully balances.
I found myself equally in love with the charming and fascinating secondary characters. While none stand out as the obvious choice for the next book in the series, I’m voting for the enigma that is “Hot Steve”.
A side note, check out the author's blog for a post about how Grey and her book designer/illustrator came up with the fabulous cover for the book. I found it really fascinating as I’m enjoying this new trend of graphic-based covers.
While I enjoyed reading this – the narration was even more fun. Joe Arden & Karen White do a fantastic job with Will & Kate. The accents for the secondary characters were a nice touch. Then! There’s the few really emotional parts. White does great, but the fact is Will’s chapters have some much heavier scenes and Arden had me in tears.
While I received a free advanced copy of the ebook from the author, I purchased the audiobook.
March 28, 2021
This book was equally sexy, emotional and funny. I couldnt put it down. This is my first book by Karen Grey, and it won’t be by last. Karen Grey’s writing is different, unique and addicting. The characters are quirky, and adorable and had amazing chemistry. I adored the Shakespeare quotes and theatre scenes. Will was such a real, raw character. My absolute favourite scene was near the end when Will is auditioning for a new role and has an incredibly emotional performance. It was a beautiful and impactful scene. Kate was vunerable in her shyness but supportive of Will and super sweet. I loved the dynamic and chemistry of these two characters and there were plenty of side characters that I am intrigued by and look forward to reading more in this series to come.
August 5, 2020
“’This is very midsummer madness,’” he says.
What I’m Looking For by Karen Grey is an engaging, romantic, vintage comedy set in Boston in the 1980’s. It includes a profusion of cultural ‘Easter Egg’ references for reminiscing enjoyment.
It’s the first full-length book authored by Karen Grey, a moniker for Karen White. She opted to use a moniker to avoid confusion with another author by the same name. Karen is one of my favorite audio book narrators. So much so that I have discovered numerous new favorite authors by picking up audio books that Karen has narrated. Picking up her debut stand-alone book was a no-brainer.
What I’m Looking For is the story of actor/bartender Will Talbot and investment analyst Kate Bishop. Their tale is told from Will’s and Kate’s alternating points-of-view allowing readers to be privy to each of their thoughts and motivations.
Our hero, Will, is a charismatic heartthrob – depicted as looking like JFK Jr. When Will was thusly described, it brought back memories of when “People” magazine famously dubbed JFK Jr the “Sexiest Man Alive.” Will is at ease on stage and is a drama geek who can quote Shakespeare like the renowned English poet himself.
Will first meets our heroine, Kate, when she orders a drink at his bar. Will has an aversion to financiers so Kate is someone he normally would avoid – but, there’s an unexplainable spark and he finds himself attracted to her even though they seem to have nothing in common. I enjoyed tagging along as they talked and shared doing fun things like indulging in ice cream kisses.
Kate is not looking for a relationship. She’s still reeling from a fairly recent breakup. She’s a finance nerd - very good at tallying figures and trends - but awkward and shy in front of clients. She is ambitious and focused on her career goals which include becoming the leader of the all-male rat pack at work. To do so, she must add excelling at public speaking and relating to her audience to her repertoire of talents. Open sexism was inescapable back then and successful businesswomen were a rarity. To prevail, she was going to have to be much better than the guys. Thankfully, Will steps in to help Kate with tips on how to calm her anxiety and focus on her audience.
The couple’s path to a relationship is not smooth. In the 80s, email, Internet, and cell phones do not exist. There’s no firing off a quick text. You can wait days for a phone call and there are these things called answering machines which require reading a manual to set up and use. Pagers are a thing too. Plus, Will and Kate are each stubborn as can be. There were times I did not see a path forward for them. I wanted to shake them. Yet, when they were together, it was easy to dream of what could be.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention two secondary characters. Alice is Kate’s best friend and a hoot. She encourages Kate to step out of her comfort zone. The second is “Hot Steve,” who starts out as a despicable jerk, but as the story progresses, he evolves into a good friend to Kate.
Following please find a few of my favorite lines from That’s What I’m Looking For:
He scoots closer. “I just want this bit, right… here.” His lips brush the side of my mouth, then he licks just below my bottom lip. “Mmm. That’s good chocolate.”
“Ice cream kisses.” My tongue may be cold, but the rest of me is heating up fast.
---
If I could manage a portfolio like he manages a kiss, I’d be a millionaire.
---
“I might need something else to make me feel completely well.”
“I’m not a doctor, but I’ve played one on stage. Maybe I can help.”
---
“I feel like I’m dating a vampire,” I confess to Alice over our post-run breakfast Saturday morning. “It’s been weeks since I saw Will in the daylight.”
“That’s so romantic,” Alice sighs.
Will’s and Kate’s story took a few chapters for me to get into – but, once I did, I couldn’t put the book down. It was fun to watch these seemingly opposites come full circle and learn to trust their hearts and each other. Kate puts it well; “You taught me that risking loss makes life much more precious.” I admit to laughing out loud way too many times to count and I snuggled into the amazing warm fuzzies at the end. What I’m Looking For is a smart, sexy and warm-hearted nostalgic romp and a wonderful escape read.
Now, I’m wondering which secondary character will get their story told in Karen's next Boston Classics' release. Whoever it is, I look forward to reading it!
What I’m Looking For by Karen Grey is an engaging, romantic, vintage comedy set in Boston in the 1980’s. It includes a profusion of cultural ‘Easter Egg’ references for reminiscing enjoyment.
It’s the first full-length book authored by Karen Grey, a moniker for Karen White. She opted to use a moniker to avoid confusion with another author by the same name. Karen is one of my favorite audio book narrators. So much so that I have discovered numerous new favorite authors by picking up audio books that Karen has narrated. Picking up her debut stand-alone book was a no-brainer.
What I’m Looking For is the story of actor/bartender Will Talbot and investment analyst Kate Bishop. Their tale is told from Will’s and Kate’s alternating points-of-view allowing readers to be privy to each of their thoughts and motivations.
Our hero, Will, is a charismatic heartthrob – depicted as looking like JFK Jr. When Will was thusly described, it brought back memories of when “People” magazine famously dubbed JFK Jr the “Sexiest Man Alive.” Will is at ease on stage and is a drama geek who can quote Shakespeare like the renowned English poet himself.
Will first meets our heroine, Kate, when she orders a drink at his bar. Will has an aversion to financiers so Kate is someone he normally would avoid – but, there’s an unexplainable spark and he finds himself attracted to her even though they seem to have nothing in common. I enjoyed tagging along as they talked and shared doing fun things like indulging in ice cream kisses.
Kate is not looking for a relationship. She’s still reeling from a fairly recent breakup. She’s a finance nerd - very good at tallying figures and trends - but awkward and shy in front of clients. She is ambitious and focused on her career goals which include becoming the leader of the all-male rat pack at work. To do so, she must add excelling at public speaking and relating to her audience to her repertoire of talents. Open sexism was inescapable back then and successful businesswomen were a rarity. To prevail, she was going to have to be much better than the guys. Thankfully, Will steps in to help Kate with tips on how to calm her anxiety and focus on her audience.
The couple’s path to a relationship is not smooth. In the 80s, email, Internet, and cell phones do not exist. There’s no firing off a quick text. You can wait days for a phone call and there are these things called answering machines which require reading a manual to set up and use. Pagers are a thing too. Plus, Will and Kate are each stubborn as can be. There were times I did not see a path forward for them. I wanted to shake them. Yet, when they were together, it was easy to dream of what could be.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention two secondary characters. Alice is Kate’s best friend and a hoot. She encourages Kate to step out of her comfort zone. The second is “Hot Steve,” who starts out as a despicable jerk, but as the story progresses, he evolves into a good friend to Kate.
Following please find a few of my favorite lines from That’s What I’m Looking For:
He scoots closer. “I just want this bit, right… here.” His lips brush the side of my mouth, then he licks just below my bottom lip. “Mmm. That’s good chocolate.”
“Ice cream kisses.” My tongue may be cold, but the rest of me is heating up fast.
---
If I could manage a portfolio like he manages a kiss, I’d be a millionaire.
---
“I might need something else to make me feel completely well.”
“I’m not a doctor, but I’ve played one on stage. Maybe I can help.”
---
“I feel like I’m dating a vampire,” I confess to Alice over our post-run breakfast Saturday morning. “It’s been weeks since I saw Will in the daylight.”
“That’s so romantic,” Alice sighs.
Will’s and Kate’s story took a few chapters for me to get into – but, once I did, I couldn’t put the book down. It was fun to watch these seemingly opposites come full circle and learn to trust their hearts and each other. Kate puts it well; “You taught me that risking loss makes life much more precious.” I admit to laughing out loud way too many times to count and I snuggled into the amazing warm fuzzies at the end. What I’m Looking For is a smart, sexy and warm-hearted nostalgic romp and a wonderful escape read.
Now, I’m wondering which secondary character will get their story told in Karen's next Boston Classics' release. Whoever it is, I look forward to reading it!
August 1, 2020
This book was so much fun, taking us back to the 80's we meet the very awkward Kate Bishop, she is a financial analyst working in an all male office. She tries her best to fit in and be one-of-the-boys, but she mostly fails miserably.
She is brilliant at her job, but she has problems with speaking in front of people, and has trouble with social cues.
While trying to impress her work colleagues, she agrees to go to a social gathering at the local bar, this is where she meets Will, an actor/bartender, who notices how uncomfortable she is, and offers her a drink that won't end up with her on the bar floor as she really doesn't do well with alcohol.
Although these two people shouldn't fit together they do brilliantly, Kate being her usual awkward self doesn't immediately see the connection, while the Shakespeare spouting young Will does feel a spark.
With lots of 80's references throughout the book, and the brilliant narration by the always brilliant Joe Arden, and the fabulous narration by the author herself, Karen Grey/White has made an instant new fan in me.
It was cute, very funny, and sometimes cringeworthy with some of the characters antics!
The audiobook was done brilliantly, and I loved the added extras such as the answering machine voicemails that were left, it made me very nostalgic.
All in all it was a great read, and I can't wait to see what the author comes up with next, I wonder if we will have a story for "hot Steve"?
She is brilliant at her job, but she has problems with speaking in front of people, and has trouble with social cues.
While trying to impress her work colleagues, she agrees to go to a social gathering at the local bar, this is where she meets Will, an actor/bartender, who notices how uncomfortable she is, and offers her a drink that won't end up with her on the bar floor as she really doesn't do well with alcohol.
Although these two people shouldn't fit together they do brilliantly, Kate being her usual awkward self doesn't immediately see the connection, while the Shakespeare spouting young Will does feel a spark.
With lots of 80's references throughout the book, and the brilliant narration by the always brilliant Joe Arden, and the fabulous narration by the author herself, Karen Grey/White has made an instant new fan in me.
It was cute, very funny, and sometimes cringeworthy with some of the characters antics!
The audiobook was done brilliantly, and I loved the added extras such as the answering machine voicemails that were left, it made me very nostalgic.
All in all it was a great read, and I can't wait to see what the author comes up with next, I wonder if we will have a story for "hot Steve"?
August 31, 2020
I received this ebook for an honest review from the author. Thank you!
What I’m Looking For is the first book in the series Boston Classics by Karen Grey. This is the first book that I read by Karen Gray and I enjoyed it. What I’m Looking For is the story of Kate and Will, two nerds.
Kate is nerd finance and she works in man’s world. After a bad relationship, she now focuses on her career and her goals. She doesn’t want a relationship but when she meets a Will for the first time, she was attracted to him and was interested in this guy who talks in quotes from Shakespeare.
Will was a good looking actor and part-time bartender and Shakespeare’s nerd. He loves to play in the theatre. Will like Kate doesn’t want a relationship and for him is important his work. Will is intrigued by Kate and he wants to know more about her, so he invited her to a date. They had fun together and decided to be friends with benefits. Both of them had a busy schedule but they made time to see each other and to have fun together. They developed feelings for each other and they become more.
I really enjoyed the journey of Kate and Will. Kate and Will were great characters and really liked to see them grow and to communicate their feelings. It was fun to remember that don’t always exist cellphones and internet or text messages. What I’m Lookin For by Karen Gray was a funny and steamy romance.
What I’m Looking For is the first book in the series Boston Classics by Karen Grey. This is the first book that I read by Karen Gray and I enjoyed it. What I’m Looking For is the story of Kate and Will, two nerds.
Kate is nerd finance and she works in man’s world. After a bad relationship, she now focuses on her career and her goals. She doesn’t want a relationship but when she meets a Will for the first time, she was attracted to him and was interested in this guy who talks in quotes from Shakespeare.
Will was a good looking actor and part-time bartender and Shakespeare’s nerd. He loves to play in the theatre. Will like Kate doesn’t want a relationship and for him is important his work. Will is intrigued by Kate and he wants to know more about her, so he invited her to a date. They had fun together and decided to be friends with benefits. Both of them had a busy schedule but they made time to see each other and to have fun together. They developed feelings for each other and they become more.
I really enjoyed the journey of Kate and Will. Kate and Will were great characters and really liked to see them grow and to communicate their feelings. It was fun to remember that don’t always exist cellphones and internet or text messages. What I’m Lookin For by Karen Gray was a funny and steamy romance.
October 3, 2020
Such a lovely debut from one of my favorite audiobook narrators! I loved the 80s nostalgia, the answering machine message lead-ins to each chapter, and be still my Shakespeare loving heart--a theatre actor hero (named Will) who quotes from the bard! The audio is fantastic. I've always loved Karen White's narration, but how have I missed out on Joe Arden??? His performance--especially in a pretty emotional scene toward the end--was off the charts. Welcome to the top of my list, Mr. Arden. You and Ms. White make a fabulous audio pair!
October 10, 2020
This book was a great surprise! I fully enjoyed all the 80s references and Shakespeare! Kate is a super successful woman working in Finance and Will is a starving actors. They are both a bit nerdy and uncomfortable in their own skin. However they have instant chemistry when they meet. This was just a great feel good story! Joe Arden brought so much life to Will’s character and hit a home run ;especially in chapter 26! Karen White’s performance was amazing as well. These narrators fully immersed me in Will and Kate’s story! I loved it!
May 18, 2020
This story was bodacious! Totally Tubular! I loved falling back in time. Bravo Karen! Thank You for writing it.
July 25, 2020
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
What I'm Looking For is a unique sort of romance, not quite contemporary and not historical, set in the 1980s. I was actually about the age of the characters during this time period. The chapters all begin with an answering machine message. I don't remember using that at all. I had messages from secretaries at work and by the mid 1980s I had a car phone with voicemail. Based on Kate's job and traveling, she might have had a car phone rather than a pager.
Kate felt very realistic to me. Some women of this time period, wanted to have careers and be independent. I did. While they might also want to have a relationship and eventually marriage, it wasn't always easy. Certainly, some men were creeps professionally and personally. I also experienced being the higher paid person in the couple. But in addition to all these male/female turbulent changes happening and misogyny in the workplace, Kate had her own issues.
Kate and Will had both experienced bad breakups so they wanted to have a monogamous relationship without the strings so they wouldn't get hurt, which is nearly impossible and hard to be the longer they are together. Each had some family issues as well. Kate's family was well-meaning but a bit old-fashioned with more of a focus on getting married than her career. Will's family was broken and left him with financial anxiety.
I appreciated the growth in their characters and the honesty they had with themselves and each other. For the most part, they did communicate and they didn't try to ignore what they were thinking or feeling. They had areas where they did not agree or some misunderstandings but everybody has those. I liked the way they supported and encouraged each other in their careers and to think more broadly in their personal perspectives.
The Boston Classics series is just beginning and I'll be interested to see which characters are the focus next. The epilogue shows this couple five years in the future which is satisfying and makes me think they won't be the main characters in the next book.
Narration:
Karen White is a long-time favorite so it was easy to listen and feel the emotional timbre of her performance. Her narration of the Kate point of view sections seemed like a larger percentage of the book. I am long aware of Joe Arden but I guess I haven't listened to him before. He was wonderful and handled the voices well. I listened at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip:
https://soundcloud.com/karen-white-48...
Review copy was received from Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
What I'm Looking For is a unique sort of romance, not quite contemporary and not historical, set in the 1980s. I was actually about the age of the characters during this time period. The chapters all begin with an answering machine message. I don't remember using that at all. I had messages from secretaries at work and by the mid 1980s I had a car phone with voicemail. Based on Kate's job and traveling, she might have had a car phone rather than a pager.
Kate felt very realistic to me. Some women of this time period, wanted to have careers and be independent. I did. While they might also want to have a relationship and eventually marriage, it wasn't always easy. Certainly, some men were creeps professionally and personally. I also experienced being the higher paid person in the couple. But in addition to all these male/female turbulent changes happening and misogyny in the workplace, Kate had her own issues.
Kate and Will had both experienced bad breakups so they wanted to have a monogamous relationship without the strings so they wouldn't get hurt, which is nearly impossible and hard to be the longer they are together. Each had some family issues as well. Kate's family was well-meaning but a bit old-fashioned with more of a focus on getting married than her career. Will's family was broken and left him with financial anxiety.
I appreciated the growth in their characters and the honesty they had with themselves and each other. For the most part, they did communicate and they didn't try to ignore what they were thinking or feeling. They had areas where they did not agree or some misunderstandings but everybody has those. I liked the way they supported and encouraged each other in their careers and to think more broadly in their personal perspectives.
The Boston Classics series is just beginning and I'll be interested to see which characters are the focus next. The epilogue shows this couple five years in the future which is satisfying and makes me think they won't be the main characters in the next book.
Narration:
Karen White is a long-time favorite so it was easy to listen and feel the emotional timbre of her performance. Her narration of the Kate point of view sections seemed like a larger percentage of the book. I am long aware of Joe Arden but I guess I haven't listened to him before. He was wonderful and handled the voices well. I listened at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip:
https://soundcloud.com/karen-white-48...
June 18, 2020
I grew up in the 80’s an so I am glad that Karen Grey decided to make a romance series based in the 80’s as it was rather nostalgic. Just look at that cover, phones with cords!! 😉
Kate is a bit of a numbers nerd and works for a finance firm and wants to climb up the ladder but she has a hard time speaking in front of people. She is good with all the stats and numbers behind the scene just not talking to clients. Will is a theater actor who is also a part time bartender with a grudge against people in the finance business.
They meet one night when Kate decides to go with some from work to a bar and he fixes her a drink. Will is drawn to her and he invites her to help at place to volunteer (can’t remember what it was) and she brings along a co-worker Steve because they have been paired to work together on some financial things trying to get Kate out of her comfort zone. Will is curious about Kate and finds her easy to talk to but he doesn’t like the fact that she works in finance because his father got railroaded by that kind of thing.
They find it easy to be around each other but with their schedules they often play more phone tag than getting to hang out with each other. They are both very focused on their work and seem to be fine with being friends and then friends with benefits but in between all of that it turns into more but each one has their own hang ups on relationships and a bit of miscommunications happens that will have to be dealt with if they want a happily ever after.
I really enjoyed the story of Kate and Will and liked them both as characters. There were both a bit flawed and had some character growth towards the end which I was glad for. I liked that it was about kind of a shy nerdy woman and a hot theater actor because those are like total opposites and I thought it worked really well. Giving Will an extra job also gave his character a more real feel because I am sure it would have been hard to live on the theater gigs alone. I liked the side characters as well. Will’s two female roommates were fun and kind of motherly to Will and I even liked Steve her coworker a little bit.
What I loved the most was the banter between all the characters as it had me chuckling some times. Overall, it was a fun, steamy and nostalgic romance and can’t wait to see what this author does next.
Kate is a bit of a numbers nerd and works for a finance firm and wants to climb up the ladder but she has a hard time speaking in front of people. She is good with all the stats and numbers behind the scene just not talking to clients. Will is a theater actor who is also a part time bartender with a grudge against people in the finance business.
They meet one night when Kate decides to go with some from work to a bar and he fixes her a drink. Will is drawn to her and he invites her to help at place to volunteer (can’t remember what it was) and she brings along a co-worker Steve because they have been paired to work together on some financial things trying to get Kate out of her comfort zone. Will is curious about Kate and finds her easy to talk to but he doesn’t like the fact that she works in finance because his father got railroaded by that kind of thing.
They find it easy to be around each other but with their schedules they often play more phone tag than getting to hang out with each other. They are both very focused on their work and seem to be fine with being friends and then friends with benefits but in between all of that it turns into more but each one has their own hang ups on relationships and a bit of miscommunications happens that will have to be dealt with if they want a happily ever after.
I really enjoyed the story of Kate and Will and liked them both as characters. There were both a bit flawed and had some character growth towards the end which I was glad for. I liked that it was about kind of a shy nerdy woman and a hot theater actor because those are like total opposites and I thought it worked really well. Giving Will an extra job also gave his character a more real feel because I am sure it would have been hard to live on the theater gigs alone. I liked the side characters as well. Will’s two female roommates were fun and kind of motherly to Will and I even liked Steve her coworker a little bit.
What I loved the most was the banter between all the characters as it had me chuckling some times. Overall, it was a fun, steamy and nostalgic romance and can’t wait to see what this author does next.
July 12, 2020
As many of you know, I'm not a huge romance reader, but since I know the author personally I thought I'd give her first in a new series a try; and, of course, I just had to read it with my ears. Set in Boston in the 1980s, the story introduces us to Will, a Shakespeare actor who holds his ambitions in check, and Kate, a financial analyst who is trying to find her place in man's world. I enjoyed the period details and the believable struggles of Kate in the workplace (balancing fitting in with the corporate culture and cringe-worthy #metoo moments). Although I was confident of a HEA ending, that didn't detract from the fun of this romance, complete with Shakespeare quotes and an insider's look at Boston. Karen White narrated the sections told from Kate's perspective and Joe Arden read the chapters from Will's perspective. Their performances blended well and were expressive and engaging, picking up on the characters' emotional journeys and highlighting the humor. I don't recall who performed the answering machine messages, but I liked the sound effects and the vocal tone. Recommended. (Thanks to the author for a review copy of the audiobook; my thoughts are my honest opinion)
June 23, 2020
Advance Listening Copy provided by Karen Grey and Blackstone Audio in exchange for my honest review.
Kate and Will meet one night on opposite sides of a Boston bar. He makes her a drink and the rest is history. Or is it? The two are equally passionate about their careers. His is acting and hers is finance. They hit it off almost from the start so what could go wrong? I loved these two imperfect people. They were perfect for each other but could it be they met at the wrong time?
I loved listening to this ’80s romantic comedy. Karen White and Joe Arden’s narration was so enjoyable. Joe’s delivery of the Shakespeare lines was wonderful. I forget about the Bard’s genius until I hear it performed well. I enjoyed Karen Grey’s debut novel very much – from the meet-cute to the epilogue.
What I’m Looking For is the first book in the Boston Classics series and I look forward to the next book! Recommended to fans of Rom/Coms and authors like Julie James and Jill Shalvis.
Kate and Will meet one night on opposite sides of a Boston bar. He makes her a drink and the rest is history. Or is it? The two are equally passionate about their careers. His is acting and hers is finance. They hit it off almost from the start so what could go wrong? I loved these two imperfect people. They were perfect for each other but could it be they met at the wrong time?
I loved listening to this ’80s romantic comedy. Karen White and Joe Arden’s narration was so enjoyable. Joe’s delivery of the Shakespeare lines was wonderful. I forget about the Bard’s genius until I hear it performed well. I enjoyed Karen Grey’s debut novel very much – from the meet-cute to the epilogue.
What I’m Looking For is the first book in the Boston Classics series and I look forward to the next book! Recommended to fans of Rom/Coms and authors like Julie James and Jill Shalvis.
May 31, 2020
What I'm looking for is my first encounter with Karen Grey's work. This story is about Kate Bishop who is an awkward financial analyst working in an all-male industry trying to fit in and get along with the others. While learning the sales part of the job, she understands that she has issues with public speaking and social cues.
Will Talbot, Shakespeare-quoting bartender makes a new old fashion without alcohol and saves the day for Kate with her meeting of colleagues at the local pub. Will is a self-assured confident man who is at ease on the stage. These two people have nothing in common except for a spark that ignites them within when they are close contact.
I struggled reading this story, it didn't seem like the characters connected until the middle of the story then they broke up, after which the story picks up steam. Give it a try it might be worth it in the end.
Will Talbot, Shakespeare-quoting bartender makes a new old fashion without alcohol and saves the day for Kate with her meeting of colleagues at the local pub. Will is a self-assured confident man who is at ease on the stage. These two people have nothing in common except for a spark that ignites them within when they are close contact.
I struggled reading this story, it didn't seem like the characters connected until the middle of the story then they broke up, after which the story picks up steam. Give it a try it might be worth it in the end.
October 23, 2020
Nice romance
I felt it all for the characters. A little sympathy, some happiness, and they felt real. Boston and the references and overall the story was cute. Liked it.
I felt it all for the characters. A little sympathy, some happiness, and they felt real. Boston and the references and overall the story was cute. Liked it.
August 31, 2021
3.5 stars really.
So, I’m going a little bit backwards with this series! I started with book 2, then read 2.5, then book 3, and now I’m back reading book 1. I’m actually having a little bit of a hard time with this review though. I jumped at the chance to listen to the audiobook, because I definitely enjoyed the other two in this series that I listened to, and I had time to fit it in with all my scheduled review books. And I do like the story, and the characters. But I did have some issues with both the characters, and even the narrators a little. And I hate saying anything bad about the narration, because I know one of the narrators is the author, and the other is a narrator I usually enjoy. Ugh! But I also want to be honest. So that’s what you’ll be getting with this review.
First, the story. It was definitely excited to go back and learn Will and Kate’s story, as they had parts in the other books that I’d already read later on in the series. So that was neat, and I enjoyed that. However, I had a lot of problems with both Will and Kate and how they dealt or reacted to certain things with each other. First, I totally understand why Will had his issues with what Kate did, and also with money. And really, the author gives us a really great in depth look into Will’s past with what his father really did, and how his mother actually reacted to all of it. But his stubbornness with Kate’s job and then his antiquated ideas about not letting the woman pay for anything, that got really, really old. It was to the point where if I’d been Kate, I wouldn’t have cared about how great his kisses or the physical part of the relationship was, I’d have been done with him.
Now, Kate was a weird issue for me. Um, you know the guy you are dating is an actor. You know he is playing a character in a play, and I believe a Shakespeare play, so a really old story, not something new that someone just wrote, and his acting makes you think he is like that? I mean, had Kate never watched tv or movies or plays or read a book, or anything? And then, towards the end of the story, she sees him get killed on stage, again, part of the play, and she cries and gets really upset? Huh? However, I have to say in the end, when they really finally got to talking and figuring things out after they’d been through their own self discovery moments, I did really like the way the author brought them back together at that point. That part did give me a lot of emotions.
Since I listened to the audiobook, I have to mention the issues with that. Now sometimes I really like the female narrator’s voice. At times it was perfect! And she actually does the male parts very well. But there was something about the voice at times that all I could picture in my head was an old lady who smoked a lot, not the young women characters in the story. That’s the only way I can describe it. The male narrator is one that I like usually, but I noticed this time that he’s not necessarily the greatest at the female parts. One thing that stood out is that he tended to say their lines as if they were questions, I don’t know how to say it. Going up in inflection at the end? You know how you’d read a question out loud? Go ahead, read my last two sentences as questions out loud and see what I mean.
Side characters also really made the book. I loved reading the introduction to “Hot Steve” in this story after really reading his HEA in Like It’s 1999, as well as Alice, Kate’s best friend also in that book. It was also nice getting a little bit of an introduction to Ben from Forget About Me. And finally we got a little bit of time with Jessica from You Spin Me. So really for me that was the best part of the book. I would say this first one isn’t my favorite in the series, but definitely it had a story that was worth reading and taking the time to get into this world.
Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.
So, I’m going a little bit backwards with this series! I started with book 2, then read 2.5, then book 3, and now I’m back reading book 1. I’m actually having a little bit of a hard time with this review though. I jumped at the chance to listen to the audiobook, because I definitely enjoyed the other two in this series that I listened to, and I had time to fit it in with all my scheduled review books. And I do like the story, and the characters. But I did have some issues with both the characters, and even the narrators a little. And I hate saying anything bad about the narration, because I know one of the narrators is the author, and the other is a narrator I usually enjoy. Ugh! But I also want to be honest. So that’s what you’ll be getting with this review.
First, the story. It was definitely excited to go back and learn Will and Kate’s story, as they had parts in the other books that I’d already read later on in the series. So that was neat, and I enjoyed that. However, I had a lot of problems with both Will and Kate and how they dealt or reacted to certain things with each other. First, I totally understand why Will had his issues with what Kate did, and also with money. And really, the author gives us a really great in depth look into Will’s past with what his father really did, and how his mother actually reacted to all of it. But his stubbornness with Kate’s job and then his antiquated ideas about not letting the woman pay for anything, that got really, really old. It was to the point where if I’d been Kate, I wouldn’t have cared about how great his kisses or the physical part of the relationship was, I’d have been done with him.
Now, Kate was a weird issue for me. Um, you know the guy you are dating is an actor. You know he is playing a character in a play, and I believe a Shakespeare play, so a really old story, not something new that someone just wrote, and his acting makes you think he is like that? I mean, had Kate never watched tv or movies or plays or read a book, or anything? And then, towards the end of the story, she sees him get killed on stage, again, part of the play, and she cries and gets really upset? Huh? However, I have to say in the end, when they really finally got to talking and figuring things out after they’d been through their own self discovery moments, I did really like the way the author brought them back together at that point. That part did give me a lot of emotions.
Since I listened to the audiobook, I have to mention the issues with that. Now sometimes I really like the female narrator’s voice. At times it was perfect! And she actually does the male parts very well. But there was something about the voice at times that all I could picture in my head was an old lady who smoked a lot, not the young women characters in the story. That’s the only way I can describe it. The male narrator is one that I like usually, but I noticed this time that he’s not necessarily the greatest at the female parts. One thing that stood out is that he tended to say their lines as if they were questions, I don’t know how to say it. Going up in inflection at the end? You know how you’d read a question out loud? Go ahead, read my last two sentences as questions out loud and see what I mean.
Side characters also really made the book. I loved reading the introduction to “Hot Steve” in this story after really reading his HEA in Like It’s 1999, as well as Alice, Kate’s best friend also in that book. It was also nice getting a little bit of an introduction to Ben from Forget About Me. And finally we got a little bit of time with Jessica from You Spin Me. So really for me that was the best part of the book. I would say this first one isn’t my favorite in the series, but definitely it had a story that was worth reading and taking the time to get into this world.
Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.
June 29, 2020
Very entertaining!
June 9, 2020
This story was a lot of fun. Taking place in the 80's she really used it to her advantage in many ways. We are so used to getting in touch immediately with texts and phone calls now, we forget there used to be more effort. The use of the answering machine was like a character on it's own. Reminding us of pagers and payphones - oh my the effort! But it was very effective for the story telling here.
I LOVE all of the 80's references that are thrown in. Growing up then, it was like finding hidden Easter eggs when I got all those references. Anyone my age will definitely reference Norm in a bar, we can't help it. So hearing it play out in story from that time is cheeky. The outright sexism Kate encountered was also very real, we often today don't realize just how things HAVE changed in the last few decades. Open sexism was pretty common in the 80's and 90's and things could be said that would have you instantly fired today. I like that her character grew and learned how to not only handle it, but essentially stop it and become very respected in her field.
I loved the slow pace Kate and Will's relationship took. It wasn't a instant love, but it grew and became very real. Also, the thought that Will had a problem with Kate paying or making more money, it seems odd today, but that was VERY real, even to the most open men.
The part though that I loved the most, the random Shakespeare quotes littered throughout the story. They fit so well, and with Joe Arden's voice on the audio, oh yes they sounded so sweet.
Without a spoiler, there is a part in the end, he is full of such emotions, and uses Shakespeares words, and oh my... YOU FEEL IT. You feel it so hard, he is not reading this book aloud, he is feeling it.
One key thing to take away, as in so many novels, communication! Communication is so key, and when we don't communicate, we can lose.
I LOVE all of the 80's references that are thrown in. Growing up then, it was like finding hidden Easter eggs when I got all those references. Anyone my age will definitely reference Norm in a bar, we can't help it. So hearing it play out in story from that time is cheeky. The outright sexism Kate encountered was also very real, we often today don't realize just how things HAVE changed in the last few decades. Open sexism was pretty common in the 80's and 90's and things could be said that would have you instantly fired today. I like that her character grew and learned how to not only handle it, but essentially stop it and become very respected in her field.
I loved the slow pace Kate and Will's relationship took. It wasn't a instant love, but it grew and became very real. Also, the thought that Will had a problem with Kate paying or making more money, it seems odd today, but that was VERY real, even to the most open men.
The part though that I loved the most, the random Shakespeare quotes littered throughout the story. They fit so well, and with Joe Arden's voice on the audio, oh yes they sounded so sweet.
Without a spoiler, there is a part in the end, he is full of such emotions, and uses Shakespeares words, and oh my... YOU FEEL IT. You feel it so hard, he is not reading this book aloud, he is feeling it.
One key thing to take away, as in so many novels, communication! Communication is so key, and when we don't communicate, we can lose.
June 11, 2020
I loved this story! She's an ambitious but somewhat shy financial analyst. He's a charismatic, Shakespeare quoting stage actor/bartender. Seems like an unlikely match but as happens in both books and in real life, they had a spark.
Set in the 80s I absolutely loved all of the popular culture references that brought me back to those days. There were also some references to the environment of sexual harassment that was so common and treated as acceptable at that time. Despite that, this story is mostly fun and had many laugh out loud moments.
Now, about the narration. The female narrator, Karen White, overall did a great job and was able to convey the anxiety Kate suffered. As the story progressed she made her sound more confident as she became more confident. The only minor issue i had is that I felt the voice sounded older than the character in the book was supposed to be. It was not a big deal but I did have to remind myself she is supposed to be the approx the same age as Will once or twice. Joe Arden was the male narrator. Joe is a fantastic voice actor and if you don't believe me, wait til you hear a scene toward the end of the book. I don't want to give spoilers so I will be as vague as possible here. It was heartbreaking, emotional and unbelievably moving. I can say, without a doubt, this particular scene was the best acting from an audiobook narrator i have ever heard.
Set in the 80s I absolutely loved all of the popular culture references that brought me back to those days. There were also some references to the environment of sexual harassment that was so common and treated as acceptable at that time. Despite that, this story is mostly fun and had many laugh out loud moments.
Now, about the narration. The female narrator, Karen White, overall did a great job and was able to convey the anxiety Kate suffered. As the story progressed she made her sound more confident as she became more confident. The only minor issue i had is that I felt the voice sounded older than the character in the book was supposed to be. It was not a big deal but I did have to remind myself she is supposed to be the approx the same age as Will once or twice. Joe Arden was the male narrator. Joe is a fantastic voice actor and if you don't believe me, wait til you hear a scene toward the end of the book. I don't want to give spoilers so I will be as vague as possible here. It was heartbreaking, emotional and unbelievably moving. I can say, without a doubt, this particular scene was the best acting from an audiobook narrator i have ever heard.
June 18, 2020
This book was a delight. It is a well crafted romance set in the 1980s between two characters who seem to exist in separate worlds yet cant deny their attraction to each other.
Will is an actor/bartender who can conjure up Shakespeare quotes for any occasion. Kate is a financial analyst who is trying to find her way in the corporate world while facing sexism at every turn.
The 80s references are placed seamlessly throughout the story. I particularly enjoyed the use of answering machine messages to move the story along.
Ms. Gray both as author and narrator effectively takes us back to a time when women were workplace harassment and discrimination were commonplace. A young woman choosing to pursue a career in the male dominated financial sector definitely illustrates how times have changed in a good way for women today.
I also thought it was interesting to see Will grapple with Kate’s independence. His struggle with the fact that she is in a more secure place financially was fascinating and well developed.
Not to give too much away, but there is a point in the story where Will, through his acting, is able to work through a painful part of his past. This scene to me, demonstrates what a wonderful actor Joe Arden is. The emotions he unleashes are so powerful it really took my breath away.
I would definitely recommend this book.
Will is an actor/bartender who can conjure up Shakespeare quotes for any occasion. Kate is a financial analyst who is trying to find her way in the corporate world while facing sexism at every turn.
The 80s references are placed seamlessly throughout the story. I particularly enjoyed the use of answering machine messages to move the story along.
Ms. Gray both as author and narrator effectively takes us back to a time when women were workplace harassment and discrimination were commonplace. A young woman choosing to pursue a career in the male dominated financial sector definitely illustrates how times have changed in a good way for women today.
I also thought it was interesting to see Will grapple with Kate’s independence. His struggle with the fact that she is in a more secure place financially was fascinating and well developed.
Not to give too much away, but there is a point in the story where Will, through his acting, is able to work through a painful part of his past. This scene to me, demonstrates what a wonderful actor Joe Arden is. The emotions he unleashes are so powerful it really took my breath away.
I would definitely recommend this book.
June 25, 2020
Okay, I had to admit I bought this audiobook for 3 reasons, the cover, the 80s and yes, Joe Arden. What I love the most is how it truly are back in time, page by page, set in the 1980s and I dig the Shakespeare lines! You see, you are truly back when it’s all about cord phones and truly spending time together. No texting, no tweets, no instagram, no facebook....barely social media. Just people working things out without internet, the down and gritty cute-met kind of way. You will be in a journey of how their relationship goes- whether friends to causal to something more! I dig it very much! I am a 90s kid and so, I guess I got a sliver of the 80s. In any case, you must be a true fan Of the 1980s to comprehend what’s going on, tbh. So, I guess I dislike it because I had to referred how that joke is funny by looking it up. Sad, I know. Yet, when I do look it up, It’s pretty hilarious! Eck.
I love the characters! Karen White did so well and it was my 1st time hearing her, too! She’s good!!! Also, I don’t think you can go wrong pairing up with Joe Arden! And Yes, he is my favorite audio narrator! They are both amazing together and truly bring the characters to life. Well-developed and strong personalities!
I felt giddy, a little angst, and quite enjoyable to listen to. It’s a lovely story!
I love the characters! Karen White did so well and it was my 1st time hearing her, too! She’s good!!! Also, I don’t think you can go wrong pairing up with Joe Arden! And Yes, he is my favorite audio narrator! They are both amazing together and truly bring the characters to life. Well-developed and strong personalities!
I felt giddy, a little angst, and quite enjoyable to listen to. It’s a lovely story!
June 10, 2020
Ah, the 80's...pagers, answering machines and waiting days for a call, oh my!
Terrific book that brought me back to a very different time in comparison to today. It was also different from what is seen in many books with everyone jumping into bed right away. There is character and relationship development in the book. It's kind of how it was then...no way to instantly connect or respond.
The sexism references were spot on! Sadly I experienced it first hand, and loved how she was confident enough to handle it the way many of us did...with a little pushback.
I actually teared up when hearing the letters read by Kate and Will. Such emotion that we rarely see with the written word now.
I look forward to the next book in the series.
Terrific book that brought me back to a very different time in comparison to today. It was also different from what is seen in many books with everyone jumping into bed right away. There is character and relationship development in the book. It's kind of how it was then...no way to instantly connect or respond.
The sexism references were spot on! Sadly I experienced it first hand, and loved how she was confident enough to handle it the way many of us did...with a little pushback.
I actually teared up when hearing the letters read by Kate and Will. Such emotion that we rarely see with the written word now.
I look forward to the next book in the series.
June 19, 2020
I love stepping outside of my reading comfort zone and this book is definitely that. I say it’s stepping outside my comfort zone because although it is not really a historical romance it is one that is set in 1987, which would have made me 2. I really enjoyed this book though as all the characters, including the side characters were really fun and real.
This really is an opposites attract love story with Kate being an uptight finance analyst and Will is a wannabe actor who bartends to pay the bills and quotes Shakespeare and makes it look sexy.
I am very thankful for the author for giving me this opportunity to read this advanced readers copy, sometimes something a little different from my norm is exactly what I need to get out of a book rut.
This really is an opposites attract love story with Kate being an uptight finance analyst and Will is a wannabe actor who bartends to pay the bills and quotes Shakespeare and makes it look sexy.
I am very thankful for the author for giving me this opportunity to read this advanced readers copy, sometimes something a little different from my norm is exactly what I need to get out of a book rut.
June 27, 2020
This is my first of Karen White's stories and it will not be my last! She is a brilliant writer that can bring on all the emotions. It brought on plenty of laughter to keep me smiling.
Kate was a beautiful young woman that came from a family with money. Her work with finances were nothing short of amazing , but she had a bad experience with her ex-boyfriend. Will was what we would call a starving actor. He worked in a bar to make ends meet. Then when they met, sparks began to fly in more ways than one.
Karen White and Joe Arden narrated the audiobook and you can find this listen on Downpour.com. They were so perfect with all the emotions with each other, I was sure I was watching the characters in person. I loved it!
Kate was a beautiful young woman that came from a family with money. Her work with finances were nothing short of amazing , but she had a bad experience with her ex-boyfriend. Will was what we would call a starving actor. He worked in a bar to make ends meet. Then when they met, sparks began to fly in more ways than one.
Karen White and Joe Arden narrated the audiobook and you can find this listen on Downpour.com. They were so perfect with all the emotions with each other, I was sure I was watching the characters in person. I loved it!
June 18, 2020
Have you ever bought a book because you love the narrator? Well I just did. Joe Arden is arguably one of the best narrator's on the scene, but his performance in this book is next level greatness. First, this book was super good and entertaining. I felt like I was in a time warp and I loved it. The two MC's were fantastic and the writing was great. I am now a new fan of this author and will be reading, or listening, to more of her books. Now the narration was amazing. There is a scene in this book that is will stop you in your tracks. Joe Arden has rocketed himself to the next level with his performance in this book. Everyone should take the time to listen to this gem!!!
January 5, 2023
Loved this story. This was my first introduction to Karen Grey. I had heard about her 80’s nostalgia books through a narrator I follow. Who doesn’t love the 80’s. And let me say I am not disappointed. Joe Arden and his Boston accent quoting Shakespeare is definitely something you do not want to miss. Karen White was simply amazing both brought life to this amazingly well written story. This story was a cute RomCom that did not disappoint.
July 5, 2020
Perfect summer read. Smart, sexy, funny. Loved the 80's time period and the Boston setting. I'm ready for a visit to Walden Pond!
July 1, 2020
Rating: 4.5 Stars
This story had me laughing quite a bit. Will Talbot's roommates almost had me laughing out loud and I didn't care where I was or who might be listening - want inspiration, think PBS cooking series The Food Flirts. There was a time or two when I would start talking to Kate Bishop. Sad thing is that I got the impression that she wasn't listening to me. Will was a generous man - I'm not talking about money.
Both narrators kept me well entertained. They made it very easy to tune everything out and just enjoy them bringing the characters to life. The sad part is that the roommates seemed to steal every scene they appeared in. On Kate's side, I enjoyed her running partner. The one thing that took me a little while to get used to is a sound effect that you will hear every so often. At the beginning I wasn't sure if it was something wrong with my iPod - sometimes I'm just a little slow.
Slow or not didn't stop me from listening or enjoy getting to know our main characters. Another issue I had is thinking of this as a historical read. But then when you think about the time period and things that are missing since they haven't been invented yet just makes me feel old. That's just another reason to have me laughing. I don't feel that it's that many years ago until I do the math - that just makes me feel older.
Will made me feel older too. Partly because of the quotes he uses and his profession. In high school I had the privilege to go to the American Shakespeare Festival Theatre and watch a play for an English class. And as I reminisce about that time, I remember how many years ago that was and then I realize that Will's too young for me - but one can always dream.
Would I listen to this book again? Yes. Would I read this book? Yes. Would I read more by this author? Yes. Would I listen to more work done by our narrators? Yes to both. I want to see where all of them will take me next.
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
This story had me laughing quite a bit. Will Talbot's roommates almost had me laughing out loud and I didn't care where I was or who might be listening - want inspiration, think PBS cooking series The Food Flirts. There was a time or two when I would start talking to Kate Bishop. Sad thing is that I got the impression that she wasn't listening to me. Will was a generous man - I'm not talking about money.
Both narrators kept me well entertained. They made it very easy to tune everything out and just enjoy them bringing the characters to life. The sad part is that the roommates seemed to steal every scene they appeared in. On Kate's side, I enjoyed her running partner. The one thing that took me a little while to get used to is a sound effect that you will hear every so often. At the beginning I wasn't sure if it was something wrong with my iPod - sometimes I'm just a little slow.
Slow or not didn't stop me from listening or enjoy getting to know our main characters. Another issue I had is thinking of this as a historical read. But then when you think about the time period and things that are missing since they haven't been invented yet just makes me feel old. That's just another reason to have me laughing. I don't feel that it's that many years ago until I do the math - that just makes me feel older.
Will made me feel older too. Partly because of the quotes he uses and his profession. In high school I had the privilege to go to the American Shakespeare Festival Theatre and watch a play for an English class. And as I reminisce about that time, I remember how many years ago that was and then I realize that Will's too young for me - but one can always dream.
Would I listen to this book again? Yes. Would I read this book? Yes. Would I read more by this author? Yes. Would I listen to more work done by our narrators? Yes to both. I want to see where all of them will take me next.
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
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