What I'm Looking For: a nostalgic romantic comedy

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”.

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.

This book is set in the 80s in Boston & Kate Bishop is a woman in the male saturated world of investment banking business & she is dominating…especially considering she’s a woman. In an attempt to connect with her coworker, she shows at a bar for some after work drinks. But she quickly discovers that her social awkwardness with her coworkers might be her downfall.

Will Talbot is a struggling actor working as a bartender to make ends meet. He loves all things Shakespeare & tends to quote it often.

Will tries to help coach Kate through her social awkwardness & finds her very intriguing. As days go by, they find themselves in an ill-defined relationship. And by ill-defined, I mean not at all. Neither can even acknowledge that they are dating due to personal expectations and baggage. Even though their worlds are so different and so far apart, they are absolutely perfect for each other. Their chemistry & easiness with each other is on point.

As the story progresses, the busyness of both of their lives seems to make them have better relationships with each other’s answering machines. They begin to basically have stolen moments & late nights in order to see each other. The strain on their time takes its toll when Kate is headed home for a family wedding. But…even with that strain, the old adage of “absence makes the heart grow fonder” may have some validity to it.

Even though these two battled through several obstacles to be together, their HEA can be more celebrated because of it.

Audiobook Review:
Karen White delivers a great performance of a confident businesswoman at work. Joe Arden’s narration was awesome & I commend him for not stumbling over all of the Shakespearean quotes…because I would’ve been lost.

**I received an audiobook of this from Home Cooked Books Promotions for my honest review.**

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!