Hold On To Me: a retro romantic comedy

This is the third book in the Carolina Classic, a throwback series. Sullivan/Sully and Helen's story is beautifully written, sweet, emotional, and engaging. They are both interesting characters. I liked their slow burn romance, and push and pull relationship. The definitely complement each other. This is an excellent reverse age-gap/office romance. I enjoyed it. Mackenzie Cartwright and J.F. Harding did an outstanding job bringing this story to life. They are perfect as Helen and Sully. This is an excellent addition to the series. I highly recommend it.

I'm a mega Karen Grey fan - and this is one of her best books so far! I highly recommend everyone picks this up (but even though it could technically be read standalone, it's better having read You Get What You Give, book 1 in the series, first, to meet the other characters and get to know the background).

We finally get Sully's story! This one picks up just a short time after book 1, after Vi and Nate's story ended. Sully has taken off on his boat and heads up towards Chesapeake Bay, when a terrible thing happens... He's back home and recovering but needs to get back working to keep his medical insurance active to keep paying his medical bills from that accident. He has a badly broken leg and can't stand up to do the mic and boom operating on movie and TV sets like he used to, but his friends are still in the industry and able to help set him up as an office assistant to a very hard to get along with line producer.

She, Helen (preferring to be called O'Neill), has difficulty holding onto assistants because she's demanding and likes everything to be done properly and in a timely manner. Her latest assistant just walked out after she messed up and got yelled at by Helen, again... and now she's in a lurch because production is about to begin on the next movie, and she needs an assistant! When she finds out they're sending her a ... young guy ... of all people, she's hesitant. Until he and his set experience, and his takes-no-crap attitude turns out to be exactly what and who she needs. And not just on set, but could it be that Sully, 10 years her junior, is a perfect match in all ways? A quick trip up to Chesapeake during a weekend off from filming, when he needs to retrieve his boat, may answer that question.

Karen always has such a beautiful way of writing, and all of her characters are just so incredible (incredibly written, because they are flawed in just the right ways), and chemistry between them, every time, flows perfectly. This particular story, I think, is the best one yet! And a great reverse age-gap storyline. I can always appreciation this trope, along with the workplace romance. And I love that all 5 of the friends are still present and show up a lot in this one... even Whitney! And the retro, back to the 90's is so much fun (this is set in the year I graduated, so I love that)!

I loved the audio version!! Karen picked the perfect narrators! Mackenzie Cartwright did a beautiful job, as she always does. She’s definitely one of my favorite female narrators and is definitely fast approaching the top of my favorite list of all narrators. She suited O’Neill so very well. JF Harding is a new to me voice. He did a great job as Sully - I don’t think anyone else could have done it better or fit the role more perfectly. Great casting, Karen!

I received an advance review and listen copy from Karen Grey and Home Cooked Books PR, and this is my honest feedback. Thank you, Karen!

Book 2 of the Carolina Classics series. It can be read on it's own. The experience within the friend group is a little richer if you've read book 1 first, but it's not necessary.

Sully and Helen's story is complicated and coloured by past experiences. She's the boss, older by 10 years and very driven. He's more of a go with the flow kind of guy, but his flow has been hindered by a boating accident that broke his leg.

Sully is depressed and mourning at the beginning of the book since the accident caused the loss of his most prized parts of himself (surfing, his boat and his cat). His amazing friend group tries to kick him into gear and off the sofa by finding him a job that is way out of his comfort zone but within his capabilities. And this job puts him into daily contact with Helen and that's not a hardship for him.

Can they each learn from the other and find a middle ground where they can be happy?

The audiobook was performed by Mackenzie Cartwright and JF Harding. They were both delightful in these roles. JF made me feel all the extremes of Sully's personal journey in grieving his boat and way of life. Then he gets all swoony and supportive of Helen's busy schedule, being a refuge for her away from the busy day to day grind. I love a man who cooks and supports a career woman in pursuit of her dreams. Mackenzie is great as Helen. She's in charge and confident but also still vulnerable underneath. She has some history in the industry that when it comes out, it broke my heart.

As always with a Karen Grey audiobook there are treats for the ears included. In this case we have a mix of meditative quotes after a calming chime/gong and the sound of a VHS rewinding/fast forwarding along with 90s movie quotes. I love these nostalgic touches that bring me back to my youth and bring joy to my heart. They set the tone for the chapter beautifully. It almost became a game towards the end of the book for me, could I remember/guess the movie before the narrator told me where the quote came from.

I requested and was provided with an advanced copy of the audiobook. These are my honest opinions.