What I'm Looking For - Karen Grey

What I'm Looking For

By Karen Grey

  • Release Date: 2020-06-23
  • Genre: Romantic Comedies
Score: 4
4
From 309 Ratings
$5.99 On itunes Buy on Amazon

Description

The course of true love never did run smooth.

Like, for real, dude.

When a socially awkward finance-hotshot—aka me—grudgingly walks into Boston's famous Cheers bar to do happy hour with the insufferably misogynistic guys from work, I don't expect the cute bartender to salvage the rest of my never-ending workday with a cleverly disguised mocktail.

I especially don't expect him to talk Shakespeare to me.

Fate keeps bringing us together, just like the star-crossed couples in the plays Will loves to quote. But while the chemistry between us may be stronger than a stiff Cape Codder, it's clear that on paper, the math doesn't add up.

I can't help wondering if we're capable of an ending happier than Romeo and Juliet's. He's living in a dream world while my feet are planted firmly on the ground, and I can't risk my heart again on a guy who'll bail when the going gets rough.

Even if he does rescue me from a murderous juggling clown.

Fans of Lucy Score and Meghan Quinn will love this smart, feel-good, sweet-and-sexy romcom set in the late 1980's—an era of big hair and bigger egos.

♥ Independent Audiobook Awards Finalist 2021 ♥ AudioFile Magazine Earphones Award ♥

★★★★★ "This is a fabulous read that'll take you back in time, make you swoon, and serve you with a heavy dose of nostalgia." —The Rogue Reviews
★★★★★ "This is my first book by Karen Grey and I'm hooked." --Rellim Reads
★★★★★ "This story was bodacious! Totally Tubular!" --Live, Laugh, Love and Books
★★★★★ "I felt like I was in a time warp and I loved it." --Betty Loves Love
★★★★★ "A very character-driven book that took me back to when I was just starting out in the workforce in the mid 1980's (one of the best decades!). Take a trip back in time when people actually left messages on answering machines (before texting was a thing) and enjoy!" --Comfy Chair Books
★★★★★ "Well-written, great lovers, real life. Even took me back to the bad old days of working in the '80s when it was OK for old men in your office to tell you your blouse would look better if you didn't button so many buttons! Seems like a good time for a reminder that things really have changed for the better."--Peggy, Goodreads
★★★★★ "I loved the 80s nostalgia of this novel. I enjoyed how Will and Kate's relationship slowly evolves and feels realistic even in modern times."--Kathy, Goodreads
★★★★★ "Ah, the 80's...pagers, answering machines and waiting days for a call, oh my!" --Kathryn, Goodreads
★★★★★ "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 can't deny their attraction to each other."--Christine, Goodreads
★★★★★ "This was a really cute blast from the past. I loved to read a book placed in a world where there were no cell phones available, people used pagers, and answering machines were a regular thing."--Alex, Goodreads

Reviews

  • Okay..

    3
    By ReaderJulie2025
    Not the easiest book I’ve ever read but not awful. I’m very confused about the timeline, just didn’t seem necessary to be set in the 80s? Could be missing the bigger picture though.

  • Nice

    5
    By g got fee rdycj
    Nice

  • A Blast from my past

    5
    By DontBotherMeImReading
    This book was a blast from the past. I graduated college in 1984 and in the late 1980's was busy wearing business suits, floppy bow ties, and very slowly working my way up the corporate ladder in a traditionally male dominated field. Kate's struggles felt very real to me (probably too much so, as there were a couple of times I had to put the book down as it hit a bit too close to home compared to my own career). However, I loved being reminded of the days before ubiquitous cell phones and texting. I got ALL of the cultural references, the music, the movies, the fashion. The behind the scenes looks at acting also seemed to be particularly detailed and were fascinating. Kate and Will were such opposites. I loved that Kate was the nerdy corporate finance specialist already making decent money and anticipating a much higher salary, while Will was more free-spirited, socially conscious, just on the edge of broke. Yet it was clear that they were both brought out the best in each other, even though they seemed to be such opposites. The "discussions/arguments" about salary and about Will being a house husband and feeling emasculated because Kate made more than him were also spot on for the times. Really the author absolutely nailed the atmosphere and attitudes of the late 1980's and now I'm really looking forward to reading more. I received a copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

  • Wonderful debut

    5
    By RellimReads
    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”.

  • What I’m Looking For

    4
    By Tiggy/Cookie
    First time reading this author. A lot of angst, but still very enjoyable. A lot of sex, but not too graphic. I would read this author again.

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