Like It's 1999

Like It’s 1999 was fun, fun, fun, beginning to end. The Boston Classics started with a bang with What I’m Looking For and the story of Kate and Will, and this novella continues the tradition. Love ‘em and Leave ‘em Alice Kim is Kate’s best friend from childhood, and “Hot” Steve Lowell is her ex-coworker. Their nicknames say all you need to know about them and their approach to life so far. They each have a One Time Rule, and neither of them does relationships or intends to ever, ever, ever get married. So that makes them perfect for each other, and on New Year’s Eve 1988 when Will and Kate announce they are getting married and want both Alice and Steve to be in the wedding, the fact that these two can’t keep their eyes, hands or anything else off each other and hook up for one night of wild, steamy, amazing, fantastic (you get the picture) sex isn’t going to be a problem, right? There’s the One Time Rule, their shared aversion to commitment, and their absolute conviction that they won’t cause Will and Kate any problems by becoming a couple. But as they say, famous last words . . . .

Steve and Alice plan a wild wedding party complete with a perfect prank that frightens poor Will and Kate half to death. And they do just fine, thank you, with sticking to their Nope, Once Is All There Is rule. For a while, anyway. They toss movie lines and other cultural references back and forth and work together so well, having fun, knowing what to expect from the other, having sexy thoughts, letting little words like maybe forever creep into their minds – but wait. What about THE RULE? They have a little bitty slip again at the wedding, and while it’s amazing, they love it, it’s marvelous, etc. etc. etc., there is also a lot of guilt. So they make a vow, a pact. Neither of them is ever going to get married anyway, so if they are both still single in 10 years why not just go ahead and get married and be friends with a marriage certificate and those terrific benefits?

A lot can – and does – happen in 10 years. And here we are, Kate and Will’s anniversary, their children, Will’s ex-roommates and their children. And Alice and Steve. Still attracted to each other? Well, duh. Still single? No spoilers here. You’ll have to read Like It’s 1999 to find that out.

I listened to an audiobook version of Like It’s 1999. This series is at its best narrated. Hearing the words just brings it to life. Listening was most definitely a pleasure. 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. I received a free copy of this audiobook and voluntarily leave this review. All opinions are my own.

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

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