★★★★★ “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 ReviewsA brilliant-at-math-but-challenged-with-people heroine and a stubbornly frugal hero find love in spite of themselves in this vintage romance debut from award-winning author Karen Grey.Finance hotshot Kate Bishop doesn’t expect the cute bartender to quote … cute bartender to quote Shakespeare to her when she meets her colleagues for happy hour, nor for him to rescue the rest of her workday with a special cocktail.
Will Talbot’s head is turned by the adorably nerdy young woman who doesn’t seem to belong with the rest of the power-suit crowd, but his heart knows that he’s got to keep his eyes on the prize: his career as a professional actor.
Opposites attract in this romantic comedy, so this quirky pair finally gives in to chemistry stronger than a stiff Harvey Wallbanger. But when real life throws them a curve ball, will love win? Or will career?
Don’t miss this smart, feel-good series starter set in the late 1980’s—an era of big hair and bigger egos. Each Boston Classics standalone romantic comedy guarantees an evocative trip back in time and a Happy-Ever-After for the ages
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I really love this story!! It makes me laugh! I love Will and Kate’s love story! Karen White and Joe Arden are amazing narrators!! I cannot wait to listen to the next book in the series!
I loved Karen Grey’s “What I’m Looking For,” a fun, sweet story featuring endearing, relatable characters and a well-crafted opposites attract romance. Female lead Kate reminded me very much of the analysts I know through my job: book smart, a bit lacking in people and public speaking skills, but determined to do better in order to advance her career. Kate’s devotion to work and a bad breakup in the past meant that she wasn’t looking for a serious relationship, but when she met actor/bartender Will, sparks flew. They agreed to a casual, no-strings-attached affair, but would they really be able to avoid developing real feelings for each other?
Will and Kate were both quite interesting and three-dimensional, and there was a real sense of character growth over the course of the story. Their relationship growth was nicely paced too, especially given everything else the two of them had to deal with. They didn’t fall in love overnight, but it was obvious that they were drawn to each other in spite of their differences and respective focus on their careers. I especially loved the date when they went for a bike ride and ice cream. They were so silly and acted almost like teenagers! It was nice to see Kate relax and let Will see the side of herself that she had to keep hidden at work.
In addition, I really enjoyed the story’s retro vibe due to the setting in 1988. It doesn’t seem like that long ago, but it’s crazy how much has changed since then, particularly in terms of office behavior. Several of the men in Kate’s office would be fired today for what they considered to be normal behavior back then. The use of landline phones and answering machines was a blast from the past too. (It made me realize once again how much I love texting!)
Overall, “What I’m Looking For” was an excellent read that gave me all the feels and put a smile on my face at the end. I highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary(-ish) romance and romantic comedy. I look forward to the next book in the series!
*Review copy provided by the author via Social Butterfly PR. All opinions expressed are my own.
A rom com set in BOSTON in the 80s?? Yes please!
Sweet book.
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.
A beautifully, realistic romance. A Boston Classics series read. I think this is the first in the series and is Will and Kate’s story. A bit of an opposites attract, these two are from opposite sides of the tracks. Both are so driven when it comes to their work and passions but at what cost? Jealousy and insecurity drive wedges in this budding relationship but the chemistry, communication and love may just save them.
Amazing narration, love dual narration as well as the dual point of view. Well written, smooth, realistic story line and characters make this an absolutely great read/listen.
I received a free copy of this read at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
*this review is based on the audio version of this read.
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.
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.
This book is based in the late 80’s and Kate is working in a man’s world at an office. Kate goes out for after work drinks with the guys in her department and meets a bartender, Will. After just meeting one time, they both can’t stop thinking of each other. Kate and Will gets to know each other better. I like Kate, Will’s a little weird but I like him too. All the men Kate work with I’d love to slap, they are all sexist, the men’s club. This was a great love story. I’ve never read Karen Grey before but I will finish this series. I recommend this book.
This is the first book in the Boston Classics. This is a great classic romance set in the 1980’s. I liked the characters. Kate and Will are opposites attract. Their story is original and unique, interesting, and engaging, filled with humor and romance. Some scenes are hilarious. Joe Arden and Karen White did a great job with the narration. I enjoyed it.
Will and Kate can’ t be more different but their attraction and chemistry is undeniable. Can they make things works or will they lost their opportunity at happiness and love? An emotional, funny and sweet story. The audiobook is really great. The narrators make you feel all the emotions all the way to your heart
This is a nice story with cute 80’s references. My favorite was them talking about how the phone cord wasn’t long enough reach anywhere. Ha ha I remember those days. Kate and Will are good characters. While I liked Kate I struggled at times with her thought process. Her actions vs thoughts were opposites. I would agree with her on one point and that was understanding Shakespeare that Will sprouted off periodically. Its like a foreign language. I did listen to this on audio. The narration was well done.
OMG, this book spoke to my soul!
When a Shakespeare actor meets a financial analyst in the eighties and answering machine messages caption chapters, it’s a recipe for romcom genius!
Will is a theater nerd of the highest order. An actor so dedicated to his craft, he drops lines of Shakespeare into everyday conversation.
Kate is the sweet & awkward heroine working in the male-dominated field of finance.
A chance meeting becomes a fast friendship and a whirlwind romance.
What I’m Looking For is a unique, witty, nostalgia-filled romcom that made me laugh all day!
This theater nerd loved Will’s outrageously awkward, charming and flawlessly appropriate drops of Shakespeare into normal conversation.
*Fun fact, Much Ado About Nothing is chock-full of lines easily applicable in everyday conversation. Trust me, stage managers know!
Performances by Joe Arden & Karen White were wonderful! Their chemistry is so organic and easy-going. Joe gives a fun, flirty, and delightfully nerdy performance to bring Will to life. I love when talented narrator/authors narrate their own work! There is a levity and tone of pride that shines through in the audio. Karen is a prime example!
Kate Bishop is a buttoned-up investment firm geek. Will Talbot is a bartender and wants to be an actor. These two star crossed lovers have plenty of chemistry but nothing in common. Hesitant to give in to their undeniable attraction to each other but they are nowhere near compatible in their life goals. Can these two possibly overcome their differences and find they’re happy ever after? This is a must-read, fascinating Rom-Com with a wonderful storyline.
Boston Classics Book One.
Kate Bishop is trying to climb the corporate ladder and on her first outing with “the guys” she meets a hot bartender who quotes Shakespeare fluently. Compared to most of the men she works with every day, Will Talbot is a refreshing and fascinating man. When he invites her to a day of helping kids, she knows he is worth spending time on. Will is entranced by the woman trying to fit in with the stuck-up men in the back of his bar, but he figures she will never take him up on his offer. Kate and Will are from two different worlds, but can they make it work?
If you’re looking for a blast from the past with heat, this is definitely the book for you!
Kate Bishop and Will Talbot are the perfect match. Ha! Not even close. Kate is an uptight, math-loving numbers whiz. Will is an actor, and not one of those frivolous guys that does movies, television or commercials. Will is a serious guy when it comes to his craft – it’s Shakespeare, Shakespeare, and Shakespeare. So how do their paths even cross? He’s a part-time bartender and she works at a financial firm whose young, politically incorrect male employees like to go to bars. They tease her mercilessly, make wildly inappropriate remarks (it IS the 1980’s) or treat her like a little sister. She’s a genius at running the numbers and analyzing them, but in order to keep her job and advance at the firm she needs to present those numbers to clients, and that means getting over her paralyzing stage fright and hopefully finding one of the guys to go on the road with who won’t throw her under the bus. So off to the bar she goes with her co-workers, trying to kind of be one of the guys but not really, and that’s where Bartender Will comes in. He gives her the perfect drink/non-drink so she’ll fit in without actually drinking.
Pretty tame start, right? Why on earth would two so remarkably different people ever see each other again after this innocuous bartender-customer meeting? Well, somehow they do keep seeing each other, ending up in the same places, spending time together – and thinking about each other pretty much non-stop. Of course once they do start to spend more time together each is very, very, very, very (enough verys?) clear that they aren’t looking for a serious long-term relationship, they’ve been down that road before, their careers must come first, they don’t have time for anything more, blah blah blah. And although this klutzy financial wizard and Shakespeare-quoting actor/bartender have very different opinions and butt heads often, you can fairly see the sparks of attraction between them, and the tenderness, too.
What I’m Looking For (or maybe the title should be What I’m NOT Looking For, since Kate and Will are both so very clear about that) is a delightful story, unpredictable, at turns happy and sad. I listened to an audiobook version and was hooked from the very first word, which was cleverly an answering machine message. Remember those? The focus switches between Kate and Will and each chapter begins with that answering machine. The story transports you to the 1980’s. The clothes, hair, music, movies, dating scene, office culture. No cell phones or social media, no #metoo. Kate and Will are fabulous, as are Will’s female roommates who hover like big sisters, and Kate’s office road trip mate Hot Steve and her childhood best friend Love ‘em and Leave ‘em Alice. The story moves smoothly along, lots of surprises, lots of satisfying moments, and enough conflict and uncertainly to keep it interesting. The narration is perfect. I could listen to Karen White and Joe Arden all day long, and I almost did because once I started listening I couldn’t stop! Thanks to author Karen Grey for providing a copy of What I’m Looking For for my reading pleasure. All opinions are my own. I loved this story and this author and can’t wait for more in The Boston Classics series.
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 listened to the audio book!
Congratulations Karen on a great debut story. I loved the narrators, my only thing and this is my preference I’m not a big fan of each narrator taking a chapter only because they each give their own voice to the characters, so each chapter the female and male voice is different but it’s not that big of a deal. I love the whole 80’s vibe of the story and each chapter starts with a message on the answer machine. This is Will and Kate’s story. Will is a Shakespearean actor/bartender and Kate is a finance analyst. Two characters scorned from previous relationships, begin a kind of friends with benefits kind of relationship. But can there be more between these two opposites and can they separate the past relationship issues from sneaking and causing a rift. I enjoyed listening to this opposites attract romance.
This was a very sweet book, that book the hero and heroine wrestle with social norms and how their relationship fits in. Although a rough ride the HEA is worth it!
This is the first book I have read by this author and I’m really surprised she hasn’t crossed my radar before now. This is Will Talbot and Kate Bishop’s story and it’s a fun entertaining read that will appeal to a wide range of audiences.
Kate works in finance and her position is normally a male role so when work gets to much she heads to a local bar looking for someone from the firm who will have her back but that’s where she meets Will a staving actor working as a barman to makes ends meet. Will is not into yuppies ( if you lived through the 80‘s you will know this expression) but something draws him to the beautiful Kate….
Kate is not looking for romance but this funny Shakespeare quoting barman has her wanting more ….
A fun entertaining read that will make you smile and have you swooning, great start to the new Boston Classics series.