What I'm Looking For

Boston Classics, Book 1

By: Karen Grey

Narrated by: Joe Arden, Karen White

Length: 9 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

Recipe for a Boston Classic Cocktail: one part finance geek, one part starving actor, two shots of stubborn and a healthy squeeze of passion. Shake well and serve in a vintage glass.

When Kate Bishop walks into Boston’s famous Bull and Finch pub, all she’s looking for is one guy from her investment firm that she can trust to have her back - a tall order. With a salesman at her side, maybe stage fright won’t paralyze her completely when she presents her meticulously prepared research to clients. And maybe she can save her job.

Romance is the last thing on her to-do list, but a meet-cute with a Shakespeare-quoting bartender has her speculating on the value of diversifying her life portfolio.

Will Talbot is not a fan of the slick financiers who cram into his bar after each day’s closing bell. With their calls for Harvey Wallbangers and their Hermès ties, they’re all the same.

Except for a certain beautiful, buttoned-up brunette with fire in her eyes and a storm in her heart. They’re totally wrong for each other. He should be focusing on his upcoming audition, not coaching Kate on how to act like she's a bona fide member of the Gordon Gekko club.

Problem is, they can’t seem to stay away from each other.

The course of true love never did run smooth, but in this 1980s sweet-and-sexy rom-com, returns on love can’t be measured on the S&P 500.

©2020 Karen Grey (P)2020 Home Cooked Books a division of Jasper Productions LLC

Didn’t make it past chapter 4

The only reason I downloaded this book was for Joe Arden but sadly the story was so blah I just couldn’t keep listening. Another audible credit wasted.

Wonderful 80s Throw Back Romance!

I selected this audio book bc I enjoyed one of the author's other novels and I'm a fan of Joe Arden's work. This story takes place in the late 1980s and you can quickly tell that roles of women in the workplace looked quite a bit different then. Kate is extremely hard working in the man's world of finance, and Will has a deep love for the stage. They come from opposite worlds and have to navigate what life can look like together. They are both workaholics and when their schedules miss each other, you will hear an answering machine message that they leave for each other. Loved this detail! Kate is very methodical, rational, and by the book and Will is full of emotion and a dreamer. I loved seeing them learn from each other, and how progressive their relationship was for that time period with some switching of stereotypical gender roles. Will loved to cook and Kate brought him flowers for their date. Joe Arden was an absolute delight to listen to in this story- from his occasional, subtle, Boston accent, to his Shakespearean quotes, to his character's emotional breakthrough- he was perfect for this role.

Love Joe Arden as Will

Unique story written today and reflecting the eighties, one cannot get enough of Shakespeare and thank goodness for Kate, who was rather amusing when needing translation. Needless to say, Joe Arden was fantastic! However, Karen White, AKa Karen White should stick to writing, her voice literally hurt my ears (4/12/22 edit revision)

Perfect blend of nostalgia and swoon!

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! The audio is fantastic. I've always loved Karen White's narration, but how have I missed out on Joe Arden??? His performance--especially in a pretty emotional scene toward the end--was off the charts. Welcome to the top of my list, Mr. Arden. You and Ms. White make a fabulous audio pair!

Heartwarming blast TO the past

So I stumbled upon this book based on a podcast in which Joe Arden discussed it. I am SO glad I bought this. It was nothing like I expected and everything I didn't know I wanted to hear.

What I'm Looking For is a fantastic story of opposites attracting and finding love when you least expect it-and certainly not with who you would expect it with. I loved getting to know Kate. I very much sympathized with her; I adored her quirkiness and geekiness. Karen White brought her to life seamlessly.

Will was a dream to me, right from the start. I understood his convictions and I really loved getting to take a trip back to being a theatre kid. He's open about who he is, and while I did want to slap him at times, I respected him. I swooned hard for Will and don't regret it a bit.

I enjoyed the interactions between these characters, and watching them explore and figure themselves out individually and as a couple. I believed in them. They felt real and authentic. Authentic enough that I wanted to shake both of them at different parts-they felt that real.

The narration here is TOP NOTCH. I'd rate it higher than 5 stars if I could. These two flow seamlessly between characters, using different nuances of accents and such in a way that just made each character sound unique. It just flowed. There is one scene in particular that Joe narrates that, I must admit, moved me to tears. Outstanding performance.

I have to give a shout out to all the fun 80's references. I felt like a kid again and I swear I snorted every time I heard the answering machine. Give this book a try-you won't be disappointed!!

Wicked Smart!

This book was a great surprise! I fully enjoyed all the 80s references and Shakespeare! Kate is a super successful woman working in Finance and Will is a starving actors. They are both a bit nerdy and uncomfortable in their own skin. However they have instant chemistry when they meet. This was just a great feel good story! Joe Arden brought so much life to Will’s character and felt all the feels; especially in chapter 26! Karen White’s performance was amazing as well. These narrators fully immersed me in Will and Kate’s story! I loved it!

Turn back time...in the 80s!

Okay, I had to admit I bought this audiobook for 3 reasons, the cover, the 80s and yes, Joe Arden. What I love the most is how it truly are back in time, page by page, set in the 1980s and I dig the Shakespeare lines! You see, you are truly back when it’s all about cord phones and truly spending time together. No texting, no tweets, no instagram, no facebook....barely social media. Just people working things out without internet, the down and gritty cute-met kind of way. You will be in a journey of how their relationship goes- whether friends to causal to something more! I dig it very much! I am a 90s kid and so, I guess I got a sliver of the 80s. In any case, you must be a true fan Of the 1980s to comprehend what’s going on, tbh. So, I guess I dislike it because I had to referred how that joke is funny by looking it up. Sad, I know. Yet, when I do look it up, It’s pretty hilarious! Eck.

I love the characters! Karen White did so well and it was my 1st time hearing her, too! She’s good!!! Also, I don’t think you can go wrong pairing up with Joe Arden! And Yes, he is my favorite audio narrator! They are both amazing together and truly bring the characters to life. Well-developed and strong personalities!

I felt giddy, a little angst, and quite enjoyable to listen to. It’s a lovely story!

A lot of nostalgia and fun

Very enjoyable story, You feel that you’re one of the main character’s friends when listening to this book. I love how it takes you on the ride of Kate and Will’s mistimed and unsuited love story. If. you love some eighties nostalgia this could be your next summer read.

Very Enjoyable!

This was the first book by Karen Grey that I’ve read. The book was well plotted and the characters had substance.

The narration was good and really made the story enjoyable.

I recommend the author and the narrators.

Not bad, some inconsistencies, told through lens of today

Male narrator is fine. Female is sometimes grating. Story is cute and 1980s references are fun. Some are wrong ... The look back lens of today lends a different feel to how we remember things from the past. Overall cute story.