WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR: a nostalgic romantic comedy

Karen Grey

Jun 2020 · Boston Classics Book 1 · HOME COOKED BOOKS

About this ebook

A 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.

★★★★★ “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 Reviews

Finance hotshot Kate Bishop doesn’t expect the 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.

After fate throws this pair of opposites together again, and again, they finally give in to the combustible attraction between them. But when real life throws a monkey wrench into their carefully choreographed plans, 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.

★★★★★ “Such a lovely debut from one of my favorite audiobook narrators! I loved the 80s nostalgia, the answering machine message lead-ins to each chapter, and be still my Shakespeare loving heart--a theatre actor hero (named Will) who quotes from the bard!” USA Today best-selling author A.J. Pine

★★★★★ “Opposites attract! 80s music! Boston! Shakespeare! So many good things in one book!”  Julia Whelan, author of My Oxford Year

★★★★★ “Shakespearean actor Will and financial analyst Kate aren’t exactly star-crossed lovers, but, despite intense attraction, they can’t ever seem to stay together very long. Set within the Boston theater community and the (equally dramatic) world of high-stakes consulting, Grey’s wry, charming, and compulsively readable first novel demonstrates that, when it comes to romance, falling in love is only the beginning.” Dana Sachs, author of The Secret of the Nightingale Palace

★★★★★ "This is my first book by Karen Grey and I’m hooked." Rellim Reads

★★★★★ “This is a fabulous read that’ll take you back in time, make you swoon, and serve you with a heavy dose of nostalgia. Smart escapism at its finest! Five bitchin' stars for What I’m Looking For!” The Rogue Reviews

★★★★★ “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.” Laurie Reads Romance

★★★★★ "Kate and Will share a sizzling attraction and complex connection, giving me all the feels in this timeless romance." That's What I'm Talking About

★★★★★ "Set in the 1980s, this funny yet warmhearted character-driven tale checks all the boxes for classy contemporary romance while providing the longed-for “something different” readers seek out. It’s smart. It’s sexy. It’s sophisticated romance at its best." —Lea Hensley, Audiogals

★★★★★ “I grew up in the 80’s and so I am glad that Karen Grey decided to make a romance series based in the 80’s as it was rather nostalgic. Just look at that cover, phones with cords!! 😉” Books, Movies, Reviews, Oh My

★★★★★ “A very character-driven book that took me back to when I was just starting out in the workforce in the mid 1980’s (one of the best decades!). Take a trip back in time when people actually left messages on answering machines (before texting was a thing) and enjoy!” Comfy Chair Books 

★★★★★ “I would recommend this book to fans of romance.  I thought that Will and Kate were both fantastic characters and I had a great time with their story.  I wouldn't hesitate to read more of Karen Grey's work in the future.” Carol’s Random Life in Books

★★★★★ “A well crafted romance set in the 1980s between two characters who seem to exist in separate worlds yet can't deny their attraction to each other.” Christie, Bookbub

★★★★★ “When a Shakespeare actor meets a financial analyst in the eighties and answering machine messages caption chapters, it’s a recipe for romcom genius! What I’m Looking For is a unique, witty, nostalgia-filled romcom that made me laugh all day!” Liz, Bookbub

★★★★★ “A must-read, fascinating Rom-Com with a wonderful storyline.” Goodreads review

★★★★★ “Eighties nostalgic romantic comedy and answerphone messages that open every chapter...what's not to love about this book!” Goodreads review

★★★★★ “A unique, witty, nostalgia-filled romcom that made me laugh all day!” Goodreads review

★★★★★ “This was a really cute blast from the past. I loved to read a book placed in a world where there were no cell phones available, people used pagers, and answering machines were a regular thing.” Alex, Goodreads

Ratings and reviews

What I'm Looking For is a great escapism read that brings readers back to the eights! The mention of pagers and archaic car phones brought back many beautiful memories of my teenage years. This book has the feels of Romeo & Juliet with Kate and William in very different worlds - AND the twists were seen in Shakespearean plays that it was impossible NOT to compare. I enjoyed the book immensely - from the funny characters, cute plot, and romantic gestures in Shakespearean quotes!

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.

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.

About the author

KAREN GREY is the pen name for award-winning audiobook narrator Karen White. A stage, screen and radio drama actor in Boston, New York and Los Angeles in the late 20th century, she started recording books in 1999. Now back in her home state of North Carolina, she shares a home with her family and probably too many pets (canine, feline, avian and reptile), where she continues to narrate audiobooks as well as make up stories.