Child of Mine: a nostalgic romantic comedy (Boston Classics)

I have read and loved all of the books in the Boston Classics series so far and every time Karen announces a new one, I get crazy excited. And when she finally released the title, cover and blurb for Child of Mine, I was beyond stoked! We’ve all met and loved Bella as a supporting character through the books. There have been instances where you feel like she’s not going to be your favourite, but then she does something amazing and it changes your feelings right away. So to finally have her story and see more of her and Lilah and just fall in love with this little family gave me life.Child of Mine features child actor and soap star Bella York and her struggles to be everything all at once––a mother, a daughter, an actress and an employee at her mother’s bookstore. Having grown up in the spotlight, Bella is finally free from that life. Like most young celebrities, Bella had her own share of demons that made it hard for her to have a normal life. But now as an adult, and a six year old daughter, she’s doing everything she can to make it work. Including taking a job working on the show that gave her her first break. Henry Smith has had big dreams and he’s done whatever he can to make those come true. A lot has stood in his way, including his own father, but when he loses his father, Henry’s life comes into focus and he becomes more focused on doing what he thinks is right. But when an offer he can’t refuse lands in his lap, Henry isn’t going to walk away from that.Even if it means running into the woman he’s been unable to get out of his head after one hot, passion filled night in New York City.These characters are phenomenal. Karen delivers every single one of her characters with so much care and love and you can feel that as you turn the pages. Bella is aware of her shortcomings, but she doesn’t use them as an excuse for the things she does or the choices she makes. Instead, Bella holds her head up high and works to be better. She’s such a strong and powerful character too, having gone through a lot of things in her youth, and standing tall through it all. Henry is really amazing too. My favourite thing about him is that he doesn’t get along with kids, but he’s directing and working on a kids show––I mean, it’s a running joke through the book and it made me chuckle whenever it came up. But Henry is a great guy, he’s determined and driven, focused on his job, but when the important things start happening, he puts more focus on that. For Henry, the job is important and he works a lot, but he also enjoys the simple things.I am always wary of the ‘secret baby’ trope, because it can go so wrong so fast! But I believe that Karen did a fantastic job showing the struggle these characters go through, the conversation that follows and all of the drama and angst that builds from there. I think this trope can be handled well if the author treats the characters like mature adults and not just two people looking for a way to mess things up.Bella and Henry’s relationship is chef’s kiss. I really liked the amount of communication and connecting they did. They meet under less than ideal circumstances 7 years ago, but when they’re back together in the same space and working around each other, it’s almost like those years between their first and second meeting don’t exist. It’s seamless! Yes, their relationship is heavily sexual and physical, but with each interaction and growing attraction as they work together, their relationship develops. While steamy, it’s not explicit, but it fits these two so perfectly. I even enjoyed the moments of miscommunication because it was a lot of ‘jumping to conclusions’ that were resolved right away, but to see that happen on the page is always a good thing.And of course, the best part of these books is that they’re all set in the 80s. As an 80s baby (I was too young to know a lot of the stuff mentioned, but I still grew up with it) to have a romance series set in that time-frame is so exciting. It’s clear that Karen has does lots of research in terms of television and soap operas, language and clothes, and of course people and the places. And you can see all of that in the tiny details we get while we’re falling in love with these characters. I really hope there’s more books in the Boston Classics series and we get to interact with more characters from past books, because those glimpses of Jess and Cal, Ben and Lucy––totally made my day!Thanks to Karen Grey for generously providing me with an advance copy. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Babies and Bookshop Cats and Shakespeare, oh my!Child of Mine is the fourth installment of Karen Grey’s Boston Classics series. I have read this book twice and I can’t wait until the audiobook comes out so I can experience it again! Child of Mine is an outrageously fun, touching, cheeky retro romcom. Karen Grey has outdone herself once again with more 80’s fun!! Bella is a member of the Shakespeare Boston theatre company and has been an ancillary character throughout the series. I am overjoyed this talented, sassy, brilliant single mom finally got her HEA!“Since I couldn’t find you, I made myself forget about you, which worked just fine. Until you came back.”In this second chance romance, Henry and Bella reunite unexpectedly after a brief one-night stand ended abruptly nearly seven years ago. Bella has a big secret but telling him could tear her carefully balanced world apart. Henry is awestruck when his new job in a new city leads him to the one that got away. As Bella struggles to create a new work/life balance, Hal adjusts to life in a new town while trying to woo his childhood crush.“Honestly, I feel raw, like someone cracked open my chest with a crowbar and exposed inside.”Child of Mine has the signature elements of the Boston Classic series, with unique twists apropos of Bella’s authentic character. I loved the Soap Opera Digest style chapter headings! They fit Bella’s history and Hal’s professional aspirations perfectly! I adore Karen Grey’s twist on the shoulder angel/devil device used as Bella’s inner voice(s). They hysterically communicate the inner conflict Bella struggles with throughout the book. Let’s just say, Quinn gives new meaning to the term “horny devil”. IYKYK. Though Henry’s journey may not seem as arduous as Bella’s, his character arc is heart-wrenching, thoughtful, and adorably fun. Lilah’s precocious and delightful personality is entirely endearing. Her sweet disposition and kindness will melt your heart. Child of Mine takes a bit of a stylistic departure from the rest of the Boston Classics series, and it absolutely paid off. The story flows beautifully with plenty to set it apart from the other books while fitting seamlessly into the Boston Classics world.Child of Mine is a fantastic romcom teeming with Karen Grey’s signature humor, wit, fun eighties nods, and amatory exploits! There are wonderful character catch-ups from the Shakespeare Boston company throughout the book and even some nuggets of wisdom from the Bard sprinkled in. Run, don’t walk back in time to dive into this spectacular second-chance, secret baby retro romcom with a lot of heart and plenty of steam!!*Edited to add audiobook review!5/5⭐️ 5/5🎧I have said it before and I’ll say it many more times, Child of Mine by Karen Grey is a wonderful book! I have read it a few times now and I honestly didn’t think I could love it more. Until I listened to the audiobook…The narrators and sound effects add even more depth and charm to this wonderful retro romcom! The sound effects work perfectly with the story and chapter headings!Erin Mallon and Tom Taylorson did incredibly lovely work bringing this book to life. Tom is a new-to-me narrator, and his narration of Henry was flawless. He masterfully gave voice to the charming, ambitious, grumpy tv producer. Tom’s southern accent is smooth and his voice has a smoky timbre. Erin, the queen of romcom, is fabulous as Bella. Erin’s character voices are pure magic in bringing the robust group of ancillary characters to life.Drawn to Boston by a professional opportunity, Henry is searching for something, though he can’t pinpoint what. He is haunted by his past and the girl who got away. Bella is a former soap star and single mom to a precocious (almost) 6 year old. As a staple in the Shakespeare Boston cast, Bella has developed lovely friendships throughout the Boston Classics series. Child of Mine is full of character catch-ups, cameos and introduces Henry’s lovable family. All voiced to perfection. The Child of Mine audio made me laugh, cry, and swoon. I love this book so much, I was borderline teary-eyed experiencing this audiobook.