What Happens in Carolina: a retro romantic comedy

Karen Grey

Dec 2022 · Carolina Classics Book 3 · HOME COOKED BOOKS

About this ebook

First, there’s only one office. Then, there’s only one bed. Then, there’s only one condom.

I’m over the moon when I land my first-ever writing job on a new TV show that’s like, da bomb. So what if my old boss twisted her son’s arm to get me the job?

I’m not so enthused when I have to share an office the size of a broom closet with a grumpy guy who ignores me. I don’t care if he’s totally fly. I’ve got enough on my plate trying to come up with high concept storylines and punchy dialogue for hormone-filled teenagers—the actors and the characters—while being hazed in the writers’ room.

Things begin to heat up between us on a work trip to the gorgeous coastal filming location for our show, but when a hurricane threatens, sharing an office is the last thing we need to worry about.

Fans of TV shows like Dawson’s Creek and Buffy the Vampire Slayer will love this throwback 1990’s forced proximity, partners to lovers, road trip romcom with an unconventionally geeky hero.

Ratings and reviews

What happens in Carolina is a standalone novella that is a side story addition to Karen’s Carolina Classics series. The story takes place within the same time frame as You Get What You Give book one in the series and follows Tina and George the two new writers for the new fictional TV series Lawson’s Reach. I love the Carolina Classics series so far, so I was super excited to read this. First the creativity of this story is just amazing. I don’t believe I’ve ever read a book with two characters like Tina and George before and believe me that’s a good thing. They are wonderfully weird and endearing. Karen did such a wonderful job tying this story into the series so we get some Dani, Ford, Violet, Sully and Whitney appearances, plus the laugh out loud moments that I’ve come to love from Karen’s characters. It’s a fast read but a good read. If you like close proximity, retro Rom-Com you can check this one out!! A huge thank you to Karen Grey for the advanced read!

In a season filled with holiday tales of Mistletoe, cookies, and gifts, this was more than a welcome reprieve. George and Tina are two of the quirkiest people I've had the pleasure to meet in a book. The inner dialogue perfectly matched while outwardly they seem somewhat opposite till they actually sit down to connect. The connection between the two was brilliant. Sometimes when you only see things through your own lens you miss the animation seen through another's. I have voluntarily left this review.

This very cute novella is part of the Carolina Classics series. It tells the story of Tina and George who we first saw in "You Get What You Give" and will apparently continue to see in future stories. It's sweet, short (obviously, being a novella), and to the point, but is just as fun and a story worth telling as the other stories within the series. I was intrigued by Tina and George when reading "You Get What You Give". It is a treat having the gaps filled in with this relook through their point of view. Familiar but new at the same time. A worthwhile quick read.

About the author

KAREN GREY is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of vintage romantic comedies with smart heroines and hunky heroes. Drawing on a long career as a performer, her retro 80's and 90's romances are populated with characters working both on- and off-stage in theater, TV and film. To get the latest news, join her VIP club at followkarengrey.com.