Head back to the 80’s for a second chance romance

📖I loved the 80’s and can relate to so many things in this story. Very fun and entertaining book!

Child of Mine is book 4 is the Boston Classic series.

Isabella (Bella) is a single mom to Lilah; she is doing her best and getting a fresh start to move on from her past. She is a very giving, caring, protective and fantastic mom.

Henry arrives in town looking for a fresh start as a hot shot director. He is single, doesn’t like kids but is a director for a kids tv show.

As the relationship blooms they share their past mistakes, regrets, feelings of failure and lost time. This is a lovely story filled with second chances, forgiveness, angst, understanding and some heat.

🎧 The narrators are totally Rad! Erin Mallon and Tom Taylorson are perfect for this book. I’ve listened to several books by Erin and she is amazing in each one. She is so incredibly talented with her voice variations. This my first audiobook by Tom and I really enjoyed his narration. His voice is warm and cozy. They both bring these characters life in the most fantastic way. They bring the book to life with their wonderful narration.

Congratulations Karen, Erin and Tom!

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Fun, Nostalgic, and Emotional Story

“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.

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Totally awesome nostalgic romance

Child of Mine is a heart warming second chance romance and the latest in the Boston Classics series by Karen Grey.

If you haven’t read any of the other books in this series, this book will have you reconsidering it. The books are all set in the 80s and if you grew up in that era, you will love the sense of nostalgia that you experience as you fall in love with the world Ms. Grey creates.

Child of Mine centers on Bella and Henry. 7 years ago they had a moment of passion that, due to a complicated series of events, ended as quickly as it began. Their lives went on different paths and neither anticipated seeing each other again.

Bella became a single mom after that encounter, and when she crosses paths with Henry again she struggles with how to tell him the truth about the child he didn’t know he fathered.

Honestly, I’m not a fan of the surprise baby trope. But Ms. Grey deftly handles the emotional toll that keeping such a big secret takes on Bella and makes her character sympathetic, which is no easy feat! Although there are elements of comedy in all her books, what impresses me the most is the way she tackles big issues in such a detailed way.

I particularly enjoyed the attention focused on Lilah. She is the center of Bella’s world and it’s only natural her character should be well drawn out and not considered an afterthought. It was also sweet to see how Henry slowly grows to see children as more than an annoyance, which will be critical when he’s faced with the knowledge that he is a father himself.

When the truth is finally revealed, the pain and resentments are not glossed over. The struggles that Bella and Henry go through made me invested in seeing them achieve their happily ever after.

The narration of this audiobook adds intensity to the emotional elements of the story. Erin Mallon is the perfect choice as Bella. Her character is so complex as she deals with competing inner voices. The fact that I was able to sympathize with Bella even when I strongly disagreed with her choices, is due in part to Ms. Mallon’s moving portrayal. She captures Bella’s strengths and vulnerabilities beautifully.

This is the first time I’ve listened to Tom Taylorson and I was so impressed. I absolutely loved his performance. He has such an appealing voice and with an everyman quality that was perfectly suited to Henry. He captured the vast array of emotions so well! I particularly enjoyed his handling of the scenes with his mother as well as Henry’s efforts to bond with his newly discovered daughter, Lilah. I can’t wait to hear more from him.

Child of Mine has definitely earned its space in what has become one of my favorite romance series.

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Excellent series for audio, awesome 80s references

Child of Mine could be a stand alone, but I was glad I had listened to the other books in the series first because previous characters did appear in this one. I love the whole series and appreciate how the stories are all different from each other, so I'd recommend starting with What I'm Looking For and listening to all of them.

Like the rest of the Boston Classics series, Child of Mine is set in the 80s. All the references to 80s pop culture, especially tv shows and celebrities, connect the story to the time period. It illustrates how much has changed with the world, yet many themes are still the same. I'm not a fan of characters who keep secrets, but Karen's writing style and the 80s references and the Boston Classics world and the narrators kept me engaged in the story until the secret(s) were revealed. Plus, being introduced to Bella in the earlier books and learning more details about her circumstances in this one, I had more patience for her situation.

Erin Mallon and new-to-me Tom Taylorson did a fantastic job performing the story. They sounded appropriate for the characters and brought energy and emotion to the story. The typewriter sound effects at the beginning of the chapters added to the nostalgia.

I received a copy of the audiobook at my request, and the opinions here are my own.

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Emotional and Captivating!

This is the fourth book in the Boston Classics series. Isabella (Bella) and Henry's story, set in the 80's, is beautifully written, emotional, and captivating. Isabelle, a single Mom, is beautiful, strong, and independent. Henry is grumpy, but handsome and very supportive. They are opposites attract, but they are perfect together. I loved to follow them in their journey to love. Bella's daughter is such a cute and awesome kid! I liked the humor in this story. This is an excellent retro romance / secret baby romance / second chance to love. Erin Mallon and Tom Taylorson did an excellent job with the narration. I like this series.

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Secret Baby Nostalgic Romance!!

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.

This audiobook is narrated 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!

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80s nostalgia plus a secret baby!!!

I was only made aware of the Boston Classic series when I received an ALC from the author for Child of Mine to review. I listed to the first book was really enjoyed how it was set in the 80s, the humor and just how much times have changed since then. I haven't been able to listen to the second and third books yet, but I absolutely plan to.

Child of Mine centers around one of my favorite tropes: secret baby. I'm such a sucker for the bonding moments between the father and child and this book had some really nice moments. I loved that Bella and Henry still had an instant connection and acted on it instead of drawing it out. Bella learned that she could trust Henry as he showed his commitment to their daughter and to her.

Overall, the characters were well written, the story was great and HEA for the second chance romance/secret baby was well deserved. I wish there were more references to the eighties, but that certainly doesn't make me enjoy the book any less. Read the book! Then go back and read the rest of the series like I'm going to do!

3/8 edit to add that the narration was great! I always enjoy Erin Mallon! Tom Taylorson was new to me, but I enjoyed his narration as well.

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loved it!!

5/5 ⭐
From perms to shoulder pads, bright colors and windbreakers, look out 80s here we come.
Child of Mine is a nostalgic romantic comedy apart of the Boston Classics series.  A secret baby/second chance romance that is entertaining, sweet, funny, Heartwarming and Hot all in one delightful package.

Karen Grey knows how to write characters that are unique, charming and fun but also strong, strong willed and depth that rounds out the many layers. Bella was a character with those layers brought to life so incredibly by one of my favorite narrators Erin Mallon. Isabella York lived a lot of life in her 29 years reaching fame at a young age and some pitfalls along her path she is now a single mother with inner voices she can’t seen to shut up. Hoping to keep the obstacles behind her she ventures on a new career path that will have her staring a part of that past right in his face. Henry Smith who put his dreams in hold to return home and help his family after a sudden loss has finally found an opportunity to once again pursue those dreams. So he packs up and moves to Boston to start a new job that will hopefully open Many new challenges and doors for him. Little does he know he is about to find out some of the best things in life are not something he ever dreamed of. Tom Taylorson is a new to me Narrator but from the first line he spoke he had a fan in me. The southern drawl, the deep slightly raspy tone of his voice…be still my heart he had me all dreamy listening to Henry. Both narrators were outstanding their performances brought all of the feels in this book to life.

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Easy to listen to

I love listening to audiobooks. Karen Grey picked the perfect narrators to tell her story. They brought the characters to life with their perfect voices to bring the emotions of the characters to life. I looked forward to listening every chance I could.

The story itself was interesting. I liked that it flowed easily and moved along at a quick pace. I could relate to Isabella’s choices in life and enjoyed seeing her come back into her own as the story continued. Secret baby is a tough story to tell and it can be a touchy subject but Karen Grey did it perfectly. She took care and showed the love that Isabella has for her daughter.

I listened to the book and did not read it so the many hours I spent listening were very enjoyable and I would love to listen to more from her narrators.

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All the nostalgia in a great Rom-Com!

As an 80’s baby and a 90’s child, give me all the nostalgia stories by Karen Grey. Bella and Henry’s story pulled me in from the beginning.

Bella and Henry have an interesting and intertwined history together that involves a night together, a secret baby who’s now 5 and working together producing a new show. It’s apparent from the beginning that the one night they had wasn’t enough and the two have chemistry. But ghosts from Bella’s past creep back up putting doubts in her mind of any possible HEA for her.

I absolutely loved the timeline and how this story was written. Bella became an instant favorite for me. Her past wasn’t easy growing up on a soap opera in her teenage years to overcome addiction. Bella is an amazing mom who loves her daughter fiercely and wants the best for her. To make sure her past doesn’t affect her. And you can’t help but fall for Henry just like Bella did. His personality and want to be the best Dad he can be wins you over from the start. I loved how there he was for Bella from the beginning. He wanted to reconnect as much as her but also respected her and the friendship they were forming. This series is so much fun and I hope we get more installments.

Erin Mallon was absolutely amazing as Bella. She brought all of Bella’s emotions and humor to life. Tom Taylorson is a new to me narrator and he was the perfect choice for Henry. I will definitely be looking for more books narrated by him.

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