Like It's 1999 - Karen Grey

Like It's 1999

By Karen Grey

  • Release Date: 2021-06-07
  • Genre: Holiday Romance
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 18 Ratings
$2.99 On itunes Buy on Amazon

Description

★★★★★"This story is funny and sweet and sexy and transports you to the 1980's and 1990's. It keeps you guessing and wanting to shake Steve and Alice on more than one occasion. I loved it! I recommend this book and this series and this author without hesitation." -- Sally, Goodreads

Love 'em and Leave 'em Alice Kim and "Hot" Steve Lowell are perfect for each other. It'll only take them ten years to figure that out.

Just because they throw the most bodacious wedding party ever…

Just because they're perfect partners in pranksJust because they love all the same boss movies…

Just because they share one totally bangin' night of sex together…

Does not mean they'll break the One Time Rule.

Even if they do… they don't do relationships.
And they're never getting married.
Like, ever.

In this friends-to-lovers, marriage-pact novella spanning the last decade of the 20th century, life forces a playboy and a playgirl grow up—and grow apart—before giving them a chance to create a happy-ever-after they can actually be happy about.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "This book grabbed my attention right from the start and captivated it straight to the end." - Bette, Goodreads

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Funny and sweet and sexy and transports you to the 1980's and 1990's." Bookbub

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "This is a love story between two commitment-phobic people, and it's delightful! I loved watching them grow up and learn what they want in life, and finally finding each other. Again. Though it took ten years." - Claire, Goodreads

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  "Like It's 1999 is full of humor and on-point nostalgia references and movie quotes. Makes me long for the last decades of the 20th century when times were simpler and fun...Highly recommended as well as the other books in the Boston Classics series." - Comfy Chair Books

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  "Highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary(-ish) romance and romantic comedy." Laurie Reads Romance

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "A funny, feel-good novella that is themed perfectly to ring in the new year!" Jodi, Goodreads

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "What can I say? I loved everything about this book! The author engaged me from the 1st quote and I enjoyed strolling down memory lane while reading this sweet and funny story." Goodreads review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Well written romance where timing is everything." Bookbub review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Fun novella that took me back to the good old days!" Bookbub review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "The perfect friends-to-lovers between a playboy and a playgirl." Bookbub review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"It's the perfect pick me up for an afternoon listen and if you are movie buff like me, you will love all the quotes!!" Bookbub review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Sweet, sexy, with lots of compelling funny characters that made you want to read more." Lost in Booklandia

Reviews

  • A New Year’s treat

    4
    By Twimom227
    I fell in love with “Hot Steve” while reading the first book in Ms. Grey’s Boston Classics series, What I’m Looking For. He is a special “guy’s guy” with a heart of gold, becoming one of Kate’s best friends. In that book, we also met Alice, Kate’s long-time best gal pal. In Like It’s 1999, the pair team up to help plan Kate’s wedding and they realize they are quite the pair. However, neither wants a relationship, marriage, kids, etc. So they shy away from anything more than a one-night stand. Like It’s 1999 is a special story that spans a decade. It wasn’t at all what I was expecting, but everything I needed. Steve and Alice are meant to be, but like Harry and Sally, it takes them a while to figure it out. We see them joke and bond, and because the story’s POV is split between the two, we also learn about their fears, making them relatable characters that I really care about. Each struggles to find him/herself and their individual journeys, filled with ups and downs, are necessary for them to blossom into who they are meant to be. Ms. Grey gives readers just enough of both the highs and the lows for me to experience and feel it all. While the novella is a standalone story, I’m glad I read What I’m Looking For first because I got to know both characters before coming into the book. There is a lot of emotions and story packed into the shorter format. I highly recommend grabbing Like It’s 1999 as a New Year’s treat. My Rating: B+ Liked It A Lot

  • Romance that transports you

    5
    By aquatic buckeye
    So fun to go back in time! Like all Karen Grey books, this one strikes a time period chord.

  • Retro 80s romcom!

    5
    By beforetheshow
    Story Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Audiobook Rating: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (0-5) Steam: 🔥🔥 (0-5) closed door What I’m Starry-Eyed Over: 🤩 Retro 80s romcom! Historical romance 1980s style! 🤩 Gorgeous and fun voice narration. So entertaining and well matched to MCs. 🤩 One night only. 🤩 Bridal party and wedding fun—those 80s formal dresses! 🤩 Making marriage deals—love them! 🤩 Asian American (Korean American), mixed-race representation. 🤩 Movie quotes. What I’m Wishing: 💫 I’m a little picky about . . . and then my notes stop. But, you know me, it’s always the physical connection & lusty feels I need more of no matter the steam level, especially after time apart.

  • Try it in audio

    4
    By dektolia
    I love the 80s/90s setting of the Bostons Classics series and the audiobook narrators have been fabulous. After listening to two others in the series, I took a chance on this one even though I'm not a big fan of second chance/long separations. Like It's 1999 is filled with movie references from the 80s and 90s, which I have to say I appreciated much more than the Shakespeare quotes of the first one. I had also entirely forgotten about Ask Jeeves until I listened to this book. I would recommend this book to second chance fans and to those looking to take a walk down the 80s/90s memory lane. Actually, I would highly recommend the Boston Classics audiobooks in general. I listened to the audiobook version and the narrators speak at a faster pace (which I prefer), so they can fit more story into a shorter time. I'd call it long for a novella but short for a full story. I really liked both their performances, though the male narrator sounded older than the character. Cindy Kay and Ryan West were new narrators for me, but I would listen to both again in the future.

  • Nostalgic and fun!!

    5
    By Pattyfgd
    Karen Grey had me at the first film quote! This novella is smartly written, hysterically funny and has a romance too! Alice and Steve have a chemistry, but the two have neither have intentions of marriage. Alice has to marry Korean to appease her family and would rather be alone, and Steve doesn't want to settle down. After being co-bridesmaids for their friends wedding, the two make a marriage pact for years later. But will they still feel the spark then? Alice and Steve are my two favorites of this series. The novella takes us through life as real as it can be, and makes us laugh and even cry a little. It's the perfect pick me up for an afternoon listen and if you are movie buff like me, you will love all the quotes!!

  • Fun read

    5
    By mamagalindo
    Fun novella that took me back to the good old days! Characters were great!

  • Fabulous Story & Narration🎧 A Heartfelt Delight!

    5
    By Bette H
    With character’s referred to as “Love ‘em and Leave ‘em Alice Kim and “Hot” Steve Lowell there was no doubt that I was going to love this book, but then again I had no doubts I would since it is written by Karen Grey a truly gifted author and storyteller. I have been loving her wonderful Boston Classics series, this story is set in that world, each book stands on its own and are enjoyable and entertaining reads and/or audiobook listens. Ok, back to “Like It’s 1999”, this book grabbed my attention right from the start and captivated it straight to the end. I adored the two lead characters, Alice and Steve, they are likable and full of personality. Both are friends with Kate and are asked to stand up for her at her wedding, to be her bridesmaid and brides man. Kate had ulterior motives for this pairing, she hoped her two best friends would fall in love. The chemistry between them was undeniable but Alice had her own life plans plus parents she need to appease. Steve would have liked more but it was a no go so instead they made a pact, in 10 years, if neither one was married they would marry. and it did not include a husband just yet.The story is set over a decade, from 1989 to 1999, a lot goes on in their lives but they never forgot about each other and when they meet again the sparks still fly between them. This novella sized book packs a lot of story, it is cleverly plotted with plenty of drama, a touch of angst, some great humor and witty dialogue, heartfelt and emotional moments and a wonderful romance ten years in the making. Loved the nostalgia of late 80’s and 90’s and all the movie references and quotes. Karen Grey, thank you for another fabulous story. 🎧📚🎧 And for the fabulous narration, Cindy Kay and Ryan West did a great job portraying the characters, humanizing them, giving each their own voice and personality. They handled the witty dialogue with ease and set the perfect tone for the story, captured the characters emotions and projected them in to their performance. They are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for this fabulous listen🎧

  • Hot Steve!

    4
    By RellimReads
    The minute I finished the first book in Karen Grey’s Boston Classics series, What I’m Looking For, I immediately wanted a book about “Hot" Steve. While I don’t think you have to read the other books in the series to enjoy Like It’s 1999, I do think that you’d appreciate some of the references more if you’ve read or listened to at least book 1. Like It’s 1999 is a fun novella featuring Kate’s best-friends “Hot" Steve and Alice as they become co-bridesmaids…er… bridespeople for Kate & Will’s wedding. Grey’s writing style definitely works for me and in this case there were some parallels in my relationship with my personal “Hot" Steve. Hubby and I are known for constantly throwing movie lines at each other, we started dating on New Year’s Eve, and once we got together everyone was pretty much, “What took you so long?” While this is a relationship slow burn, Grey gives us a few steamy scenes and lots of interactions to know that Steve & Alice could be great together. They have a lot of fun and the movie lines definitely kept me grounded in the late 80’s. Unfortunately, the timing isn’t right. For 10 years. We get to catch up with Will & Kate and get a peek into their future. Or, maybe their past? (insert Back to the Future time-bending here) No worries. Steve & Alice’s story gets a cute and happy ending.

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