Child of Mine

Boston Classics #4

by Karen Grey, Erin Mallon (Narrator), Tom Taylorson (Narrator)

The bigger the secret, the harder it is to hide.

Single mom Isabella York was a celebrity before she had her first kiss, her first date, or her first sip of alcohol. Playing the bad girl—both on and off the set—made up for lost time, but the consequences were life-changing. Back home in Boston, with her “checkered past” behind her, all she wants is to raise her little girl far from the spotlight. After all, revealing her secrets could mean losing everything.

For her, and her daughter.

It’s not that Henry Smith hates kids—they don’t like him. Meanwhile, he’s stuck producing children’s TV, so he’s doing the best he can to be less of a grouch. Not everyone gets a second chance to chase his dream, and if he plays his cards right at this new gig, he can move on to making television that will change the world, not just entertain a bunch of brats.

Even better, he just might be able to talk the woman he never thought he’d see again into greenlighting a do-over.

In this sexy, heartwarming, Secret Baby, 80’s throwback romcom, a Sunshine-Grumpy pair has to face the past before they can find their future… together.

Genres: Second Chance, Audiobook, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Rom Com, Steamy

Audiobook

Published March 11, 2022

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.

She's a lifelong omnivorous reader (including 20 years as an audiobook narrator). When not reading or writing, she's lounging at the beach or hiking in the mountains. Or dreaming about both with an IPA in hand and a dog or a cat nearby.

To get the latest news, join her VIP club at followkarengrey.com.

If you are seeking content guidance for any of my books (which may include spoilers) it can be found at http://bit.ly/ContentGuidanceKarenGrey

Enjoy your trip back in time! Karen

Reviews

[Rellim · Rating 5 out of 5]

3/6/2022 - updated review for audio

3/4/2022 - Erin Mallon & Tom Taylorson!

2/28/2022 - Currently listening to ALC of the audiobook. Love these narrators (it’s a secret til Friday). 🎧📚🥰

10/22/2021 - Bella’s been a secondary character in the Boston Classics series since the beginning and behind “Hot” Steve she’s the story I was most looking forward to. If you aren’t familiar the series it is set in the 80s and these are a nice mix of fun, low/mid angst, & sexy “historical” romance. It’s nice to have read previous stories, but they do stand alone. You would want to read/listen in order though.

I admit that “secret baby” is not my favorite trope. Mostly because I usually find the MC’s reasons for keeping the secret pretty lacking. However, I really loved the way Grey handled it here. No spoilers - so I’m not telling, but it worked for me.

Henry & Bella have a fling and external forces keep them apart for 7 years. Now that they’ve met again - the previously extinguished flame is rekindled. Bella is faced with revealing that they have a child, major career & life choices, plus moving beyond mistakes from her past.

No, she does not consider Lilah one of those mistakes. Bella is a devoted mom and I appreciated Grey’s inclusion of Lilah as an integral part of the story. She wasn’t a prop or someone to be on page for a few minutes just for a joke to work. I also liked Henry’s efforts to get to know his daughter.

There’s a little drama/angst as Bella, Henry, and even Lilah react to the new dynamics. It worked well in giving the story realism and depth. Overall, it was an enjoyable read and a great addition to a fun series.

Narration:
I loved Erin Mallon’s Bella (and Izzy & Quinn). Tom Taylorson’s Henry is equally perfect. The southern drawl is swoon worthy. There’s lots of emotions and revelations in Grey’s writing and I thought Mallon & Taylorson were also terrific at bringing this through. Lots of laughs, but I definitely shed a few tears. Such a great listen.

Many thanks to Karen Grey for gifting me an ALC. I’m consistently enjoying this series.

10/2021 - Bella’s story!!!!

I’m sure I’ll read this … but the audios for this series have been wonderful and that’s what I’m most looking forward to. 🎧📚

[Carole (Carole's Random Life) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/

This was great! I have enjoyed each and every one of the books in the Boston Classics series so far. This is the fourth book in the series but it would work perfectly well as a stand-alone. This book brought together so many elements that I love into a delightful story that I didn’t want to put down. I had a fantastic time reading this book.

I must admit that I was a little nervous when I discovered that this book was a secret baby story because those only work for me if certain conditions are met. I had nothing to worry about because this story was executed very well. Bella is a single mom who is focused on taking care of her daughter. She has a more colorful past from her time starring in a soap opera but she tries to stay out of the spotlight these days. She agrees to take on a producer role on a television show because she cannot turn down the paycheck. She never imagines that she will cross paths with Henry. Henry just arrived in town to direct this new show and he is determined to do a good job. He has always thought of the girl he knew years ago before his life took a turn.

I really liked the characters in this book. Bella and Henry were both great people and I thought that the chemistry between them was amazing. Henry was very forgiving which proved just how much of a good guy he is. Throw in an adorable kid, a dog, a bookstore, a couple of cats, and some family drama and I was a happy camper. I liked the 80’s references and enjoyed the few times that the mention of something from that period sent me on a trip down memory lane.

I would highly recommend this book to others. I found this story to be really well-done with a believable second-chance romance and great characters at its core. I will definitely be reading more of this author’s work in the future.

I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.

[Karen Grey]

Can't wait for everyone to get to read Bella's story.
Available at a special pre-order price now! https://karenwhiteaudiobooks.com/book...

So glad for the audio to be out in the world and even happier for the awesome reviews. Erin Mallon and Tom Taylorson deserve the accolades!

[Veronica Ticker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each time I think I’ve read the best book in the series, and each time the author proves me wrong. This time, she tackles various subjects like child celebrities, addictions, single parenthood, and family conflicts, with her swooniest hero so far and a strong independent heroine. It was fun, sweet, sexy.

After a passionate encounter with a stranger, Isabelle ends up with a child and she runs away from her acting career to protect her daughter. Years later, she finds out that she’ll be working with the father of her kid, and that they’re still attracted to each other. She’s going to try and protect herself, her daughter, her family, her past, her job… her heart. Meanwhile, Henry is trying to show her that she can rely on him, that she isn’t alone.

One of my favorite aspects was the way Henry learns to be a father–going from grouchy adult to protective dad. He messes up, and Isabelle, who’s been a mother for several years already, reassures him. It was adorable, and so relatable. I also loved how he gives himself completely to Isabelle. First his body, because she’s totally in control of how and when they see each other, then his heart.

Though there were a lot of details regarding the creation of a kid show, all of them actually served the romance, showing both main characters in their professional setting, developping their working relationship, but also showing their abilities with children, highlighting Isabelle’s past on set, and Henry’s ambitions. It was clever, as well as interesting.

Secrets, and how they impact someone’s life, were the main theme of the story. While Isabelle is hiding a good chunk of her life, Henry is searching for the secret to be a good father and a good partner. The former was the reason for most of the plot, the latter created a balance between the bit of angst and some cute moments.

As usual, the heavier parts of the story are treated with a lot of respect. No judgement here, but no coldness either. They still induce a deep emotional response. I, at least, wanted to hug all the characters.

Another hit for this series!

Quickie

- Series: Boston classics #4 (can be read as a standalone)
- Hashtags: #romcom #80’s #second chance #secret baby #single mom
- Triggers: mention of past addiction, past drug abuse, underage drinking
- Main couple: Isabelle York & Henry Smith
- Hotness: 4/5
- Romance: 5/5
- + Henry was so swoony
- – some explanations are given way late in the story

EDIT: when I read the book, I imagined Henry with a ‘sunny’ voice, though not exactly high pitched. I didn’t expect the deep low voice of the male narrator, but now I can’t hear it differently. It gives Henry more depth and it’s perfect. And his accent… swoony. As for the female narrator, she was her usual amazing self. The typewriter sound as a gimmick at the beginning of each chapter? Genius. A great audiobook for a great story.

[Jenn Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Child of Mine is the fourth book in Karen Grey's Boston Classics Series. It is an entertaining, emotional, second chance romance that I devoured and loved. Henry and Bella begin in 1982 when they share a passionate one night stand. However tragedy strikes Henry’s family the next day and he is unable to pursue anything further with Bella. Over the years she was never far from his mind and often wondered how she was doing. Bella got a much bigger surprise out of that night when she finds out she is pregnant. Now six years later, Bella has started a new job in television and Henry has been brought on as Producer. Firstly, the “secret baby” storyline is not always my favourite. I can be hard to please when it comes to the validity of the reason the mom is unable to connect with the dad again to share the news of her pregnancy but that was not the case here, and I thought the explanation was very well written and completely understandable for their circumstances. Upon meeting Lilah, Henry forms a beautiful relationship with his daughter and their connection was heartwarming and gave me all the feels. 

Bella and Henry both have really heavy, emotional pasts. Their stories pulled at my heartstrings many times. It is written in such a way that you cannot help but route for them as they work through everything.  Not only is this story, sweet, heartwarming and emotional in spots it also made me laugh, often! Karen Grey does such a great job bringing us back in time with this series. I loved revisiting so many things from my childhood. 

Listening to this story in audio format was a delight. Erin Mallon and Tom Taylorson were the perfect voices to bring these characters to life. I loved all the sound effects that are incorporated in as well to bring even more authenticity to the story. Erin Mallon delivers on comedy and emotion and Tom Taylorson’s southern drawl was perfect and so pleasing to the ear. 

Advanced listener copy received in exchange of an honest review.

[Erin Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Star Review Child of Mine (Boston Classics #4) by Karen Grey

AUDIO REVIEW:

I have listened to a number of books narrated by Erin Mallon but the author Karen Grey and fellow Narrator Tom Taylorson were both new to me.

I enjoy single parent as well as second chance romances and Child of Mine ticked a number of boxes for me. Isabella (Bella) York is a single mum to daughter Lilah has led a checkered past and she and Henry Smith have history that is about to come to light.

Having been in the spotlight for a number of years Bella does everything to avoid it now, focused on being a mum. Accepting a job as a producer for a television show she is shocked to learn that Henry is also a part of the production.
What will happen when secrets come to light? Can Henry forgive Bella? I liked the characters, they were easy to relate to, the chemistry was intense and the angst was not overpowering. I also enjoyed listening to Henry get to know Lilah, it was heart warming.
The narration was good and I enjoyed the performances. Both Erin and Tom were easy to listen to and brought the story and the characters to life for me.

[•Cici• Theory of A Dreamer Book Blog♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being new to Ms.Grey's work i've been looking forward to picking up her books! As soon as i stumbled across the synopsis for this one i knew i wanted to pick it up first! I got right into the Boston Classics world. I enjoyed this story!

Bella and Henry's journey was a breath of fresh air! I really liked how i was pulled in by their first meeting and how their story was different. I enjoyed getting to dig deeper with both of them and how i felt many things throughout!

With Child of Mine, Ms.Grey has created such a good read! I'm looking forward to picking up more of her books in the future!


*I volunteered to read and review a copy of this book from Wildfire Marketing Solutions / the author*

[Jodi - JodiReadsnListens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Child of Mine by Karen Grey is the fourth book in her nostalgic Boston Classics Series. Karen Grey has a way with words that instantly sucks you in and keeps you eagerly turning the pages till the very last word. When Karen said she was writing Bella's story, and it involved a secret baby, I was of course intrigued. I've been anticipating Bella's story and was so excited to finally find out all about Henry and Lilah too, and well, Karen did again, making me fall head over heels in love with these characters.

Henry and Bella have quite a complicated and intertwined story starting with a one night stand that leaves Bella pregnant and no way to contact Henry. Fast forward a few years later and these two, as fate would have, it cross paths once again. Neither one of them really forgetting the other after all these years. Bella is a hard working single mother excited for the opportunity to work on a TV show that helped her make her mark in show biz. Enter Henry, the broody handsome new director that moved to Boston from N.C. to start fresh, who is passionate about his work. These two have a undeniable attraction and with a little workplace romance blooming and a lot of sneaking around, they soon find that they need each other in their lives. However, both have some secrets from their past. If hidden from each other for too long, will they ever be able to truly trust one another?

Overall, I LOVED this book! If you are a fan of an 80s romance with a hot grumpy yet caring man, a determined strong single mama, a sweet and smart little girl (secret baby!), the perfect touch of steam, forced proximity, a little bit of a forbidden workplace romance, catching up with some favorite past characters, some deep real issues, and a swoon-worthy heartfelt HEA, then you will absolutely adore this book. Each couple in this series just keeps getting better and better. I always look forward to more from Karen Grey!

**Audiobook Review**This book is performed by Erin Mallon and Tom Taylorson. Erin Mallon is one of my absolute favorite narrators, so I was thrilled to hear her bring Bella to life! Erin captured Bella's vulnerable and determined spirit perfectly. Plus, in Erin’s performance she conveyed all the emotions of what it took for Bella to be a strong mother working in a career she loved! Tom Taylorson is a new to me narrator and was fantastic as Henry. Tom impressed me with his southern NC drawl! Plus, he brought so much charm and swoon to Henry's character which made it impossible for both Bella and Lilah not to love!

Overall, I LOVED this book! Each couple in this series just keeps getting better and better. I’ve adored this series especially in audio, and I always look forward to more from Karen Grey!

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author and/or publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. A positive review is not required.

This review can also be found in Currant7 Recommends.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars



Isabelle "Bella" York is a dutiful daughter, single mother, former tv actress, Boston Shakespear actor, etc., while hiding her past and secrets. She is trying her best to provide and support her mom's business, taking care of a five-year-old while sharing her acting passion with the Boston Shakespear group in Boston. What happens when a very tempting job offer lands Bella right smack in front of someone impossible to stay away from but can also implode her past, which she is trying to bury?

Henry "Hal" Smith is an assistant producer, now a local public television company director. He took on the new job - uprooting himself from his hometown, his family, and even a going-no-where relationship - to move to a potential career boost. A blast from the past and a surprising discovery makes his fresh start in Boston an interesting one, with him bumping into an old crush/one-night stand.

Child of Mine is a bit different from the previous books in the series since there is more going on in Bella's head than meets the eye. So, aside from readers learning about the dynamics of a secret baby/daughter and the unknowing father, the internal conflict between two personalities may throw one-off. Initially, I was a bit lost with the "many voices" at the beginning. It may confuse some readers, but my advice is to "keep going," and things will "clear up." The technique is effective and gives readers a taste of what might be happening to Belle's POV without prejudice. I thought this was ingenious to the point that I was rooting for the "villain character" most of the time versus the "innocent one." The banter became humorous and compelling.

All the books in the series have it but with a different perspective that stands out in their own right. Belle's grit and determination to "edit" and improve her past image are very admirable and uplifting. It dictates how far and mature her character has developed from young child star to young drama actress, single parent to return to an industry that she feared would expose her "secrets." Hal's issues on advancement and later finding his Izzy make an exciting story from his end, though hands down, Belle's side is what I was yearning for each time.

Belle is a complex character, consisting of a few "made-up characters" throughout her career. This technique helped her separate roles and her non-public persona while navigating in and out of her showbiz world. She thought she could leave the past behind, now that she's a mother, hidden away in their family bookstore and simply doing Boston Shakespear live shows. Although Belle's secret is hinted at slowly in the book, it still catches me "off-guard" when it exploded - there was no one in her circle of family and friends who could save her from it. I love how the author wrote Belle's "disease" and shed light on an "ugly issue" that is usually "swept-under-the-rug" in the acting industry.

Hal is another story. At first glance, he seems so put-together until readers get into his head. What we see is a truckload of anger issues, self-doubt, and sadness the size of the Titanic. It seems that no matter what Hal did - he was sad, upset, angry, and unsatisfied with his life. Things seem to make sense in his world ONLY when he learns about Belle and Lilah. He immediately becomes an integral role to both ladies as being there for them uplifts his self-worth and self-esteem while, at the same time, stepping into one of the most critical roles in his career - a father and partner.

When Hal and Belle succumb to each other, the result is "MIND-BLOWING!" I did not perceive Belle as the timid woman on the outside but a raging fire on the inside. She and Hal's chemistry ignites the pages when they come together like "WOW!!!" Most of the intimate scenes, if not all, affected me more than they should. Hot and bothered has a new definition with Belle and Hal! I'm still daydreaming of those scenes over and over again.

Now, the thing with secrets is that it doesn't stay hidden forever. Someone is causing trouble for Belle that affects her work with the upcoming tv show she's worked hard to get off the ground. Belle, with the support of Hal, decides to face this problem head-on. This search brings back into her "reckless past " and old stomping grounds of New York, with more unexpected revelations that explain everything and hopefully help her heal. I enjoyed this sudden suspense/plot twist by the author. It is a different yet uniquely welcomed approach to the book. It is a different yet uniquely welcomed approach to the book BUT a necessary step to help Belle and the rest of the world know "everything." I liked how she took some responsibility, even if I think it wasn't her's to take at that young age.
Note: the ending may leave some readers feeling “it was too convenient,” BUT given the time of the 80s and the book's focus is Belle and Hal’s story, it is enough and resolved “amicably.”

I love the supporting casts that came in support of Belle and Hal. Most are family, but there are the visiting characters of the past books like Lucy, Ben, Jess, and Cal - the latter two were just from the last book. I am sure that this will give a great teaser of the past character stories, making readers want to backtrack to past books and read these exciting character stories; one of them is a dog trainer!!

Before I round this review out - I LOVE the short tv gossip snippets or "blind items" before each chapter. It is quick, catchy and I can picture the announcer's voice in my crazy head about the latest news and tidbits in the daytime soap industries. It also hints at the upcoming chapter - always a joy to read a few rumors here and there.

Overall, Child of Mine is another successful book and an excellent addition to the Boston Classics series! It will make readers reminisce about the "turning point" of public broadcasting that changes the landscape of how shows last or not. It also talks about complex characters who sought change and redemption from their respective destructive, devastating pasts that shaped their future decisions. The connections between Hal and Belle seem to seep into my subconsciousness and take over all emotional functions since I relate to all their joy, pain, and attraction. There are many poignant quotes that readers will have a good chunk of the book highlighted in post-it notes, sticky tabs, or eBook bookmarks. This book is worth-read about second chances, undeniable attraction, well-written characters, and the ugly and unforgiving side of fame and success, and love that spans time and space.

[LA Loves RomComs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karen Grey's Boston Classics series is like a whole series of romcoms made especially for me. Lots of nostalgia, loads of humor, just enough drama to keep it interesting but not to much to overload you, and overwhelming feelings of love and happiness in the end. Child of Mine, the fourth in the series, really embodies this vibe and left me so, so satisfied. Each book in this series can be read as a standalone, but it's a lot of fun to experience these couples and get to know the wider group in order.

Be warned: this is a "secret baby" romance. Generally speaking, one of my least favorite tropes because many authors use flimsy reasons for the father to be kept in the dark. Karen Grey has created a compelling story and she didn't use an excuse or reason that usually has me cursing the mom. Bella and Henry were combustible from the start, and then separated for so long. It's amazing how quickly they sparked back to life when they got their second chance.

Not only do we have Bella and Henry's relationship, but also their relationships with their daughter, Lilah. Lilah was a breath of fresh air as a child. She has a fierce and devoted mom in Bella, and a father that wants to do the best he can with the gift of her presence in his life. Of course there are a lot of challenges as they become a family, but the story is so well written, witty, sensitive and wonderful, that you're excited for their happy ending.

The audio was simply a treat to listen to. Narrators Erin Mallon and Tom Taylorson were perfectly cast. I loved how Erin played Bella's strength of character. And Tom gave Henry a perfect voice - a perfect balance of a man adapting to the women of the 80s as stronger and more fiercely independent.

[Read What I Like Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Child of Mine is the fourth book in the Boston Classics series by Karen Grey.

It takes us back to the 80’s in a world of TV shows and soap operas. It was nice to go back and remember some things I didn’t even remember from the 80’s (I was only a little kid), like having to pass notes because people didn’t have cellphones, being aware of the amount of time you spent on the phone because it was expensive and you couldn’t just make a video call, people actually watching TVs and not YouTube or streaming services… but I digress.

The story of Bella and Henry is one of second-chances, letting the past go, telling truths we are afraid to reveal, overcoming fears and keeping on fighting even when life throw us a curveball.

In spite of being a romcom, the book brings us important messages about addiction and mental illness.

The comic relief: definitely Quinn and Izzy’s banter, they were really funny!

Summing up, it was a beautiful message, the characters were very real, flaws and all. Personally, I really enjoy a book that besides entertaining, teach us new things and this one definitely did. Congratulations Karen!


Karen kindly sent me an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Universal

Bella never thought she'd see her one night stand again. Why'd he have to appear now? Now when she's trying live her life away from the public eye, raising her daughter? Will Henry convince her to give him a chance to win her heart? Her and her daughter's hearts?



I loved the other story I read in this series - Forget About Me, so I already knew I was in for a treat heading into this one. A nostalgic, sweet treat. And I loved it! Grumpy/sunshine, secret baby, and set in my era, the 80s? How could I not fall head over heels for this story, for Bella, Henry, and all the other lovable characters that make up this world?



ARC provided by Wildfire Marketing Solutions for an honest review.

Review / Release Blitz: Live Through Books Blog.

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[ReadaholicDeb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book by Karen Gray that I've read.  Even though it is Book 4 in a series, I read it as a standalone and didn't feel like I missed anything. 

This book caught my interest for being a single mom and grumpy hero.  I love seeing grumpy heroes take on the role of dad.  I love reading the antics of kids and Liliah did not disappoint.  She was cute, smart, and a bit of a sassy little girl.  I would have loved more scenes with her.  The secret child aspect had me on my seat waiting for the moment the Henry finds out about Liliah.  For someone who didn't like kids, he did not fail as a new dad.

This story is much more than a HEA story.  This story is about deep characters who show a lot of growth.  Bella is a former child star overcoming addiction who has a one-night stand with Henry.  We later find out that Henry never truly forgot his one night with Bella. Fate brings them back together when Henry and Bella start working on a new television show together.  It doesn't take long for their connection to bring them back together. Just as things are going well, problems arise.

I was skeptical about the story being set in the '80s. The book did not feel "dated".  It was fun remembering TVGuides and VCRs.  For others hestitant for the same reason, the story was relevant to any decade, even today.

At first, I found Bella's inner dialogue between her personalities a little different and struggled with this part of the story.  For others who struggle, I would say stick with it.  Her inner thoughts become a key to Bella's growth.  They helped me better understand her character as she worked to overcome who she was in the past and who she is now. 

This was an enjoyable read and just the few glimpses of Bella's friends Ben (Book 2) and Jess (Book 3) I want to read their books from the series.  I want to know more about Jess and her battles.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 4 in Grey's Boston Classics' series and another fantastic read / listen. So a couple of things that make me partial to this listen. First the male lead character is from my home state - so okay - love me some NC southern anything! Secondly - this takes place in the best era ever - the 80's and finally while Grey has delivered time and time again - the dual narration on this listen was perfect! I loved both the main characters Henry and Bella and I adore that while this is a sweet and steamy romance it touches on some tough, real life issues in a way that was true then and true now. I commend Grey on her ability to captivate the readers and reach into these topics in a way that reflects how serious they were and are still all while providing a heartwarming romance with a beautiful HEA. I am in love with this series and this book. Perfection!

I received a free copy of this book at my request and I voluntarily provided this review.
This review is based on the audio version of this read.

[Lisa Mandina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve enjoyed all of this series, but I think this one might be my favorite! I say that, but really, all of them were good! We’ve gotten glimpses of Isabella in other stories, so it was fun to get to actually read her story and see her get her HEA. And it was really so perfect that her HEA came from a guy who you wouldn’t expect would be perfect with kids. Because he wasn’t. He knew, and he definitely gave several examples as the story got going. However when it came time to meet and spend time with Isabella’s daughter, it mostly seems to work out just fine. His and Isabella’s connection is really hot though, and you can totally feel the attraction between them.

The big reveal is given away pretty quickly in the story, at least for the readers. And then when later on there is one for Henry, the way he reacts is perfect in my opinion, very realistic. Not just drama for drama’s sake in a story. As we get closer to the end, there is an explanation of what love and being married should be, and it is what I want. Working for it. The little things. Compromise. As I said, I think this book was just a perfect realistic story in so many ways, at least wrapped around all the wildly out there aspects of the plot.

The time period, late 80s, really speaks to me as well. Even though I was just graduating from high school and getting ready to go off to college during this time period, a lot of the environmental and situational aspects of this story still brought back fond memories. The teen show Boom! I used to love shows on Nickelodeon and the Mickey Mouse Club, and all those types of things. I remember when smaller bookstores seemed to be pushed out by the bigger stores like Barnes and Noble. This story didn’t bring as much music to mind as others in the series did, well, except for hearing Axl Rose’s voice singing “Sweet Child of Mine” every time I even though of the title of the book.

A great story, and like I said, one of my favorites of the series if not the best for me!

Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.

[Jackie Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

AUDIO REVIEW
Karen Grey us a new author to me and after listening to Child of Mine I’m struggling to understand why I haven’t come across her before now. I love single parent and second chance romances so as soon as I read the blurb I knew this book was going to be right up my street. This is single mum Isabella ‘Bella’ York and Henry Smith’s journey and it’s a journey you want to join.
It was only meant to be one night but after a passionate night with a stranger Bella ends up with a daughter and to protect her daughter Lilah from the limelight she runs from her acting career. Accepting a job as a producer for a TV show she is shocked to come face to face with the man she has run from so what happens when a Henry finds out he has a daughter……
This is a heartwarming story with wonderful narration, Erin Mallon and Tom Taylorson did a great job with all the emotions you would expect from a story full of secrets. They brought the characters and their story to life and I will certainly be checking out other works by this author and by the narrators.

[christyheartsbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so much fun! I loved going back to 1989. It was so fun seeing all the play on different popular soap operas that I used to watch with my mom as a kid. Also really loved how real issues from that era were used in this book, I respected that aspect so much.

This is one of those secret baby books that the reason for keeping it a secret is actually legit. I chuckle just thinking about it. It was definitely a different world in 1989. I really enjoyed this story. It was low on the angst with the perfect amount of heat. I also really respected how their daughter wasn't just mentioned in passing. She was an active and integral part of the story. Really enjoyed this one!

[Cyndi Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Child of Mine is the second book by Karen Grey that I've read and it's one of the most delightful books I've read all year (in lockstep with the other Karen Grey book I read this year,  You Spin Me). Centered on actress Isabella York, her adorable and precious daughter Lilah, and Henry, the father that Lilah knows nothing about. As secret baby books go, this is one of my favorites.

There are many great moments in the story, but the characters are truly some of the most endearing. Grey's writing is whip-smart with wonderful dialogue (especially the voices in Bella's head), interesting developments, and steamy sexy times. I highly recommend this book and am planning a read of all of Karen's books in the very near future. 5++ stars

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

[Turn the Pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐


If you like 80s nostalgia you'll love this rom-com! A single-mom, grumpy/sunshine romance set in Boston is a great read. It's a workplace romance with a single mom who is a prior actress, a new in town grumpy producer (who the kids are scared of), and second chances.

Henry and Bella have a complicated history and when Bella runs into him on the set of a TV reboot, she freaks out. She's been keeping a few secrets...including an almost 6 year old little girl. Henry just wants his life back on track after living back at home for 7 years, so he takes an AP job in Boston, where he runs into his childhood crush...again.


This story was well written and I loved the 80s nostalgia. I also thoroughly enjoyed the dialogue in the office as it made me connect more to the characters by learning their strengths both in the office, and outside of it.

There are some overlaps of previous characters in the series and I do think you'd want to read them all in order to have the best reading experience, but this can be read as a standalone as well.



Note to those who follow my smutty readers who follow my reviews: there is fade to black and no real spice here. But the story is great!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fourth book in Karen Grey's charming series set in the late 1980's finally tells the story of Bella, a former teen and soap opera actress who left the profession for years, but has recently resurfaced in the Boston Shakespeare company. It's been obvious throughout the series that she has a backstory since she is the single mom of an adorable and precocious 6 yr old with no partner in sight. The book opens with an explosive one night stand Bella has with Henry, a rising young TV exec at a wrap party for the soap she was working on. When she later learned she was pregnant, she had no way to contact him since he disappeared immediately after, and she never got his last name.

Moving forward seven years, Bella is offered a job as an assistant producer on a reboot of the PBS educational show that made her famous at age 13. She gets quite excited by the prospect, that is, until she meets the new director, who turns out to be Henry, her lost one night stand and the father of her child. Seven years later, their chemistry is still off the charts, but now Bella's got quite the dilemma in that she is petrified to have to tell Henry he's a father.

As in the previous books, there were serious themes running through this book, although the tone never bogged down. Bella is a recovering addict, clean and sober for 7 yrs after a stint in rehab, but the stress and pressure she comes under due to the new job and Henry's reappearance, causes her to struggle with her sobriety like never before. Henry is also struggling with guilt over an argument with his father that turned out to be the last time he ever spoke to him. Not only can he not change the outcome of that argument, he still feels the pull of his desire for a filmmaking career rather than settling in to a more conventional lifestyle in North Carolina like his family wants him to do.

As always, the author is spot on with her cultural references, although the soap opera snippets and tidbits weren't as engaging to me as the references in previous books have been. I loved Bella and Henry. Both had real human weaknesses and were definitely not depicted as "perfect" characters, what with Bella's difficulty in opening up to others, her temptation to addictive substances, and Henry's career devotion, his occasional grumpiness and temper, as well as his uncomfortable interactions initially with the kids on the show. Their warts just made them more interesting and relatable. I hope the author chooses to continue this series as I'm really enjoying it. I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Every new thing I learn about you makes me want to know more.”

Child of Mine is book four in the Boston Classics Series and is once again a nostalgic story set in the 80’s. Bella is a former child star and soap opera actress who has left the spotlight behind to raise her daughter, Lilah. Henry had a childhood crush on Bella and when they meet, they had a one night stand which resulted in Lilah, but circumstances tore them apart and Henry never knew he had a daughter. When they unexpectedly reunite years later, they have to navigate their pasts and their present to determine their future.

“You’ve had a piece of me since—well, probably since I watched you do that back walkover on TV. Every other moment I spend with you, you steal a little bit more.”

Both Lilah and Henry are a bit broken and need to face demons from their past. Filled with humor and sexiness and dash of angst, this story tackles the serious issue of addiction while the characters deal with mistakes and regrets from their past. I loved watching them learn to trust one another and to realize that the support of another can make you stronger. As always, Karen Grey presents a couple who is truly stronger together than apart and who work through their issues to become healthier and happier individuals.

The audio of Child of Mine is performed by Erin Mallon and Tom Taylorson. Both do a superb job of bringing Lilah and Henry to life. The emotion of the story was clearly heard in both their performances and the little soap snippets at the beginning of each chapter brought back fond memories of when I was soap obsessed!

As a child of the 80’s, I love all of the references to that time and it is what makes this series so fun. Add in the superb character development and Child of Mine is a great addition to this series.

[Bette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Story & Narration🎧 Gripping & Heartfelt!

Child of Mine: a nostalgic romantic comedy
Boston Classics, Book 4
By: Karen Grey
Narrated by: Erin Mallon, Tom Taylorson

It is great to revisit Karen Grey’s “Boston Classics” world again and take a nostalgic trip back in time. I am loving this series, each book stands on its own but I highly recommend every single one, the originality is brilliant, the stories are entertaining and pull you in like no other, grabbing your attention and captivating it the entire book. The characters are realistic, easy to relate to and connect with, they are likable and easy to care about too. This book is Isabella York and Henry Smith’s story, Isabella, a former child actor, went from being Izzy in a fun kids show called “Boom” to being a villain in a soap opera, named Quinn. She got herself caught up in some bad things while hanging out with the grownups, including drugs. After cleaning up her act she is ready for the next phase in her life. She goes to the studio’s holiday party to say goodbye to everyone and goes to clear out her old dressing room. She stops at one of her favorite places, a sanctuary hideout, only to find someone is already there and is doing a happy dance, or what appears to be that. Henry Smith left his hometown, Raleigh, to catch his big break in the film industry and he received news that he got the assistant producer spot. He slipped out onto a balcony to shout out his joy and do a happy dance. It surprised him when he got caught and not just by anyone but by the girl he had a crush on, Izzy from Boom. Isabella was going to leave but wound up staying and the two hit is off. His celebration turned out to be so much more for him, a one-night stand to remember. It was a life-changing night for both of them. After their encounter, he gets a call that he needed to return home to North Carolina and Isabella went home to make mends with her Mom and wound up staying there, never making it to Hollywood as she originally planned. Isabella, now goes by Bella, she is a single Mom who lives in Boston, helping her Mother with her bookstore and acting on stage for Shakespeare Boston theatre company. She gets a surprise offer to work behind the scenes in the reboot of “Boom”. She considers taking the job, but when she sees who she will work with, she is not sure it is a good idea. Henry has been working for a station down in Raleigh, but was looking to further his career and jumped on the opportunity to work on the remake of “Boom”. He was not expecting to see Izzy again but was ecstatic when he did, thinking it would be great if they could get together again. But it did not look like she felt the same and she has her reason, her name is Lilah, his daughter, a daughter he does not know exists. She couldn’t take that job, but life has a way of forcing you to face your past and it turns out she needs that job and winds up having to work closely with Henry. I loved how everything played out in this book, it is a beautifully written story that is cleverly plotted with a perfect balance of drama, comedy, both heartfelt and heartwarming emotions and romance. There are so many wonderful moments and scenes in this book, some will make you laugh, some may bring a tear to your eyes, but all are amazing. Bella’s inner battles with her two sides, the villainous Quinn and the good girl Izzy, were hysterical. Her daughter was a darling and that scene in the bookstore tugged on my heartstrings. Karen Grey, thank you for another wonderful story and emotional rollercoaster ride.

🎧📚🎧 And for the amazing narration, Karen Grey could not have cast better narrators to bring her characters and story to life. Erin Mallon and Tom Taylorson are superbly talented narrators and versatile voice artists. They had a complete understanding of the characters they portrayed, gave each a voice that was a perfect fit to that character’s persona, sounding believable in every role they played and just as I pictured the characters to sound. Erin Mallon nailed it as Bella, grasped her every emotion and had you feeling them, she, as always, handles the witty dialogue and inner battles with ease and lands the humor effortlessly. Tom Taylorson was just as amazing and his Henry was spot on, he also captured his every emotion and played the role with perfection. Both were great performing all the secondary roles too. These entertaining storytellers are a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for this wonderful listen.

[Anne - Books of My Heart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
 

Review copy was received from Publicity team. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

The Boston Classics series are people stories, with the 80s just a fun aspect, much like the Shakespeare quotes or dogs in one of the books.  Things started with Ben and couples have formed from those people connected to him.   In Child of Mine,  we learn more about Bella who is good friends with Jess, whose story was told in the last book.

The characters are extremely well developed and I feel their emotions, they are so relatable.  So much of Bella and Henry's lives are impacted by their past and the night they met.  They've both hung onto guilt and let the past dictate some things in their current life.

Henry is just at the point where he is breaking free, or at least is ready to start fresh in the career he really wants, and moves to Boston.  He moves to Boston to direct a new TV show and runs right into Bella.  Bella, who's past,  Henry, is right there as she starts something new and exciting.

Lilah is the cutest, smartest little girl ever!  I enjoy children in stories, and find them fun, Often providing a reality check on the adults.  She has to deal with a lot but she really shines.

The work at the tv station and the show Boom was fascinating. I often appreciate business aspects in a story and I did like it here.  It added dimensions to their characters and also layers to the story.

I really, REALLY love the way Henry and Bella handled things when it all went rotten.  I was so impressed with them and the responsible adults they are, caring about each other, and having compassion for others.  I love the connection of family and friends continuing to build in this series.

 
Excerpt:

New York, 1982

HENRY

Hey, I’m not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, so I nod and let this gorgeous wisp of a woman grab my hand—hers small in mine but surprisingly strong—and tug me toward a door I hadn’t noticed before.

“Where are you taking me?”

Her eyebrows waggle, making her more Goldie Hawn than Cheryl Tiegs for a moment. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” She presses a finger to my lips, setting off an electric buzz that zings directly south.

You’d think six months as a page giving tours of this iconic New York building would mean that I knew all her secrets, but Izzy—I still can’t believe that it’s her, the girl that literally gave me my first wet dream—leads me through hallways I didn’t know existed. Sparingly lit with bare bulbs, our shadows are long on the stained concrete. “How did you know about this back route?”

She slips me a secret smile. “I’ve worked here a long time.”

“Right out of school, huh?” If she’s my age, a long time can only be a couple years.

“Pretty much.” Her eyes shutter briefly, but she grips my hand more firmly. “Almost there.”

A metal door leads us to a loading bay, which opens into the scene shop. Now I know where we are. She picks up the pace as we cross the enormous space. When we reach the other side, she bites her lip and tries a door that I know leads to the costume shop. “Damn. I thought maybe we could cut through. We’ll have to go another way.”

“If you tell me where we’re headed, maybe I can help. I used to be a page.”

“You were?” She narrows her eyes at me. “I never saw you.”

“Where do you work, anyway?”

“Never mind.” Tugging on my hand again, she pulls me toward the door that leads back into the public realm. In the small reception area outside the shops, we run into a security guard.

He flicks a questioning gaze at me. “Everything all right, Miss?”

The smile she flashes the older man is respectful but familiar. “All good, Charlie. I’m just picking up a couple things.”

He purses his lips as he gives me another assessing look. “You take care of yourself, sweetheart.”

“Always.”

He doesn’t say a word as she marches through the doorway to the dressing rooms—forbidden territory for tours. There’s a dummy dressing room that we’d show off, but I’ve never seen the real ones. Stars need their privacy.

“Are you on a show here?” I’m in the news division, and I rarely watch the other daytime or primetime fare the station churns out.

Her step falters, but she responds with a “Pfft. Just because I was on Boom for a season? Nah, I’m a—hang on.” She opens the door to an office, and reaches under the cushion of a chair. “People are creatures of habit. This is where Nancy always hides her… ah, got ’em.” She holds up a ring heavy with keys. “For a script supervisor who’s supposed to be on top of all the details, she’s super lax.”

“Are we breaking and entering?”

“It’s not breaking and entering if you have the key, is it?”

Moments later, she’s unlocking a dressing room door that, unlike the others we passed, isn’t labelled with an actor’s name. She flicks on a lamp instead of the overhead lights, tosses the keys on the counter, pulls me all the way inside, reaches around me to lock the deadbolt, and then crowds me up against the door until there’s nothing between us but fabric.

“You are something,” I say with what little air is left in my lungs, her touch amplifying the feeling that anything is possible.

“Shhh.” When she presses her index finger to my lips, I can only lean in to her touch. “I happen to know that this actress is leaving,” she whispers with a conspiratorial grin. “She’s all packed up and out of here, so let’s take advantage of that. As much advantage as humanly possible.”

This day just keeps getting better.

COYER # 18 Read a book with no magical or futuristic elements.
 

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Child of Mine is the fourth entry in author Karen Grey’s marvelous Boston Classics nostalgic romance series. It’s wonderful as a standalone and it’s the perfect continuation of a series I hope lasts forever. Karen Grey doesn’t just remind us about the 1980s. We’re not reading about them – we are living them again. It’s like being in your goofy past, hooking up again with familiar old friends. The clothes, the hair, the music, the attitudes, the catch phrases. The social mores and dating scene that are different than today but the love and loss and hope and heartbreak – and the handsome, sexy guys with smiles that make you melt - are just the same. Will, Ben and Cal to name a few. And now there is Henry. Struggling with a lot of things, but single-minded when he sees the woman he wants. Even if it scares him.

In 1982, two people experience a moment of magic. Real magic. Unexpected, instant attraction, stars, violins, this might be it wow magic. And then, like sometimes happens with magic – poof! And these two people are left wondering, “What if?”

Jump to 1989. Bella York has a quiet life and wants to keep it that way. Raising her (incredibly precocious) daughter and working at the bookstore with her mother and being part of a local theater group is as much excitement as she wants. Until money becomes a big, big problem and she needs to get a job and ends up at the PBS station WGBH. But she doesn’t want her past to ever resurface. Enter Henry Smith, whose life is actually too quiet and who wants to see if he can get back on track after having to abruptly return home years ago and jump off the fast-track train. He, too, is starting work at WGBH. When he and Bella see each other – WHOA! Bella wonders if she can just run home and stay there. Because . . . well, because would be a spoiler and you need to read Child of Mine for yourself and enjoy every single minute of it like I did. But just let me tell you that the room gets pretty crowded with Bella and Izzy and Quinn and Henry and Hal in it! Pretty funny, and pretty steamy!

Author Grey is such a good writer. She has a knack for balancing the humor with the sadness, the fear to jump in with the desire to change life for the better, and for inserting phrases that make you laugh out loud, put your hand to your heart and say, “Awww,” or make you reach for a tissue. The plot is solid and just takes you along with it, making you love these characters so much you never want to leave them, and you want everything to be all right. Saying that Henry looks like a combination of Kurt Russell and Leif Garrett right off the bat doesn’t hurt, either. And the nostalgia of the crazy 1980s is a bonus.

Child of Mine is serious, sweet, saucy, and sexy, sexy, sexy all rolled into one. Old favorite characters appear, expanding the big, happy family we’ve come to love. Lilah is adorable in a so thoughtful and solemn it’s almost scary kind of way. Both Bella and Henry have some issues from the past that must be resolved if there is to be a future. There are surprises and unexpected revelations that need to be worked out. Grey juggles it all to a very satisfying conclusion.

Thanks to author Karen Grey for providing an advance copy of Child of Mine for my reading pleasure and honest review. I love this series and as I finish each book I think, “Wow, that one was the best.” Great characters, great plot, great smooches . . . what more could you want? All opinions are my own.

[Janine Birt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 4 of the Boston Classics Series but fully stands alone. You get quick hits and cameos from characters from the other books but if you haven't read them, you won't feel like you're missing anything. They are awesome little moments woven in that made me sigh happily going "yay!!".

Every time I listen to one of Karen Grey's audiobooks I'm transported back to the 80s in the perfect blend of time travel and nostalgic flashbacks. In this installment we have Soap Operas, Kid's TV and all around ways of life (phone cord wrapped around a finger, quarters for a payphone, introduction of the "clicker" for the TV).

This specific story revolves around Bella, who has appeared as a side character in previous books and Hal/Henry, the father of Bella's absolutely adorable almost 6 year old. They had one night together with no last names and now they are working together on the same TV show. Even though it's been 7 years, the instant connection they had that once, it's still as electric as it was then.

In addition to the "hey, guess what? you're a dad!" that is at the core of the story for Bella and Hal, we also have some really interesting topics that get explored. There's deep emotional thoughts and explorations of addiction, mental health, edutainment (educational TV) and child actors, and even a little on the plight of the independent book store vs. big box chains in malls.

This story packs a lot of punch, but it wasn't at all heavy. It was done in such a beautifully organic way that ebbed and flowed. I would love to have this as a book club read. It would be so great to unpack a couple chapters at a time and just talk it all out because even though it's utterly addicting and you just don't want to stop reading, there would be a lot of amazing things to discuss with another reader.

This audiobook was performed by the ever amazing Erin Mallon and new to me Tom Taylorson. Erin brings a wonderful range to Bella (including her inner voices) and perfection to little "5 & 3 quarters" year old Lilah. I love Erin's kid voices, so precious! Through all the rollercoaster moments of Bella's journey, Erin's performance detached me from reality at times leaving me fully immersed in the story. Tom was perfect as Henry. The slight burr in the voice bringing out the North Carolina. There were some intense moments of the book that occurred in Henry's POV and Tom just made me feel them all. It was incredible.

Another reason I adore listening to Karen Grey's books is that it's almost like they are written with the intension of being heard. When working with formatting of a book to be consumed visually, you have a lot of tools that can be used to separate portions of the scene setting from the story. However, in audiobooks, it can be a little harder since you can't "format" the narration. But Karen always finds a way to bring in these elements in a way that completely reflects the personality of the characters or the theme of the story. In this one, the chapters all start with a little blurb from her take on Soap and TV publications which would be fun to read as they set the mood and help keep track of the timeline. But when heard, they are a pure delight since interwoven with the quick snip of gossip or trade news is the sound of a typewriter. It's like aural formatting. I love it!!

I received an advance copy of the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** AUDIOBOOK REVIEW ***
Who doesn’t love a secret baby, second chance romance?!? Karen Grey’s Child of Mine, book 4 in the Boston Classic Series was a beautiful, charming, funny, and captivating story. I was hooked from the start. This book is set in the late 80s and beautifully paints a picture of life at that time. Bella and Henry have a passionate one night stand and years later reunite when they both work as producers on a reboot of a children’s show. Henry finds out he fathered Bella’s child, which is funny because he comes off as a grump who hates kids. It was so interesting and sweet to see his transformation and developing relationship with his daughter Lilah, into a loving, understanding, patient father. Bella has her own past demons she is still struggling to accept but with the help of Henry and her family she finally gets the closure she’s always needed. Let’s not forget Lilah, she was girl after my own heart, she spoke to my inner bookworm and she was just the cutest. I loved characters were very relatable and likable.

I found this story even more entertaining with the incredible narration by Erin Mallon as Bella and Tom Taylorson as Henry. Erin Mallon is a favorite voice to listen to and I loved how she was able to showcase all the different facets of Bella, especially her inner dialogue in the forms of Izzy, her younger innocent self vs Quinn, her sassy, bad girl, wild self. Tom Taylorson is a new to me narrator and his voice was just dreamy. He was wonderful as Henry and really captured all the emotions perfectly. His southern drawl was swoon worthy and the cherry on top to make Henry a dreamboat. The best part of the audiobook was all the tabloid Soap Opera headlines that reminded me of when I was a child obsessed with the soap opera Passions, which I had no business in watching, lol. That definitely added to the nostalgia of this 80s classic story. This was a 5 stars for me. This review doesn’t do this audiobook justice, but this is a must listen! You will not regret it.

[Luisa Rivas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It has so many layers, such perfectly imperfect characters, complex and simple at the same time. It’s a second chance, surprise baby, some angst, some fun, and a lot of a great story. I loved that it’s set in the 80’s, so not a historical romance, but not a modern one that has a lot of cellphone and texting. These characters were my age at that time, so I could totally relate!

Isabelle York was a child actor, since she was fourteen. Ambitious and stubborn, she went to New York to start her career in TV, away from her mother and with a father who was pursuing his own demons. Unsupervised, she fell into all the wrong habits until she got away from it all.

Harry Smith veered away from his family landscaping business in North Caroline, went into TV producing to New York and worked his way up. One the night he was celebrating finally getting his dream job, he met Isabelle who was saying goodbye to it all. After a glorious one night stand, he suddenly leaves, leaving her pregnant and with no way to find him.

Six years forward, Isabelle has started a new life, living with her mom in Boston and raising her beautiful little girl. Her life is dedicated to Lilah and working in Shakespeare theatre, helping her mother with her book store.

Harry’s life imploded on that fateful night and he stayed with his family, helping them, until he got a chance to further his dreams with children’s TV. He moves to Boston and surprisingly, finds Isabelle there. It feels like a second chance with a woman he never forgot, but it’s much more complicated than that!

This felt like a long story! And it was a page turner! There were different plot lines, the characters had several issues going in, plus the future of a little girl that everyone fell in love with. Secondary characters are mentioned and it’s obvious they have stories that have been worked before in previous books. Isabelle is still working on her issues and has two voices that ring in her head all the time: Izzy, her young and hopeful self, and Quinn, her jaded and cynic self. It’s an internal war until it’s sorted. Henry is a grump who incredibly, finds a job with children’s TV so he needs to dial his grumpiness in. It’s complicated until it wasn’t and we get to jog along with them during their journey.

It was an entertaining read, I loved that it was a slow pace because with so many plot lines, it needed to be slow and detailed. Sometimes the author fell into more detail than was necessary, as in the TV production job, and it made the plot too slow. I loved Izzy and Quinn’s voices but wondered how Isabelle could stay sane with that racket inside her head. I loved Harry’s devotion to his little girl and how he worked with his patience so he could be worthy of her. Both had guilts from their past and together they needed to work them out. It was a great deal that absolutely all the plot lines were resolved with no wondering what-if’s after the book ended. Excellent work!

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Child of Mine" was a funny, sweet, sometimes emotional, but ultimately heartwarming story featuring endearing, three-dimensional characters and a well-crafted second chance romance. Sparks flew between former child star and soap opera actress Bella York and television producer Henry Smith from the moment they met, but a family tragedy prevented their one-night stand from turning into something real. It did, however, result in a daughter, Lilah, now almost 6 years old. Unfortunately, Henry never knew about his daughter because Bella had no way to contact him after their night together, so when they met again by chance and learned that they'd be working together on a reboot of the kids' show that launched Bella's career as a teenager, she was faced with a dilemma. She knew she had to tell Henry about Lilah, but what if he tried to take her baby girl away from her? Meanwhile, Henry was thrilled to reconnect with the one who got away and find that the attraction between them was as strong as ever. He just needed to convince Bella to let down her guard and give him a chance to show her how good they could be together.

After so many years in the spotlight, Bella was keeping a lot of secrets and carrying a ton of emotional baggage. I loved how patient Henry was with her while she tried to work through it all and overcome her fears about being with him. I also loved Henry's efforts to get over his own fears about being a parent when his history with kids wasn't great. Luckily for him, Lilah wasn't a typical kid, plus his love for her motivated him to find ways to make it work even when it seemed impossible.

Every time I think the books in this series can't get any better, Karen Grey proves me wrong. I highly recommend "Child of Mine" for all fans of contemporary(-ish) romance and romantic comedy and look forward to whatever Grey writes next.

*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

[christine.s.library · Rating 5 out of 5]

** Review based on audio book **

What happens when you come face to face with the man you had a one night stand with almost six years ago? How do you tell him about the daughter you both created that night?

Bella met Henry when her acting career was ending and his as an assistant producer of a TV news program was starting to take off. They had a hot encounter that lasted only a few hours, they didn’t exchange last names or contact info and they didn’t see each other again until they find out they’ll be working together on a reboot of the kids show that launched Bella’s career.

Bella knows she can’t keep their daughter a secret from Henry now that he’s back in her life. She also can’t fight the attraction that still simmers between them. Will Henry even want to be a father? When Bella’s sordid past comes back to haunt her, will Henry stand by her or disappear like so many men in her life had?

Erin Mallon is wonderful as the many facets of Bella particularly the fierce mother determined to protect her child. Tom Taylorson is a new narrator to me and I really enjoyed his performance of Henry’s professional confidence and initial ineptness in dealing with children to his tender determination to win Bella and Lilah over.

Karen Grey’s series of romances set in the 1980’s are such nostalgic treats reminding me of my early childhood and I loved Henry and Bella’s story with all its humor and poignant moments. Lilah is such a delightful little girl, so wise beyond her years, and we have the same birthday!

[Lisa Stinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me this book was a little slow to get going for me. But once I got about half way through, it picked up in my opinion.

Bella was a childhood soap star who got into some very bad habits. Which I’m sure happened a lot back then in the 80’s as well as even more so now. She finally got herself clean and sober and was determined to make something better of her life. Then one fateful night, she meets this guy that she is inexplicably drawn to and they have a wonderful few hours together.

Henry was drawn to who he knew as Izzy, a childhood crush for him. He was in Heaven the few hours they spent together. Then his world upended and his future as he thought it would be was changed.

Then one day, seven years later, he comes face to face with the woman he could never forget. This leads to Bella and Henry working together and trying to fight that pull they both feel towards one another. But Bella has many secrets and she isn’t sure how to tell them. Neither of them believe they have something to offer the other and they will both have to work on trusting each other and building that trust up.

I was frustrated with Bella for much of the first half of the book. I was glad when Henry finally learned some of Bella’s secrets. This is when the book picked up for me.


I enjoy this look back into the past. Even though I was really young in the 80’s, it’s still fun to see how life used to be. I would love to see the author do a series for the 90’s.