It takes work, but it’s all worth it, because what you get in return is someone who knows every little thing about you and loves you anyway.
Karen Grey
Child of Mine
Format:
ebook & audio
3/7/2022 – Updated for audio review
Publisher’s Synopsis:
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.
Point of view:
1st Person. Alternating perspectives between Ben & Lucy.
Rellim’s Thoughts:
3/7/2022 – Updated for review of audio
Child of Mine is the 4th book in Grey’s Boston Classics series set in the late 80s. 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. You could start here as there aren’t any spoilers for previous stories (other than they end up together – but this is romance, so yeah). However, I definitely recommend reading/listening to them in order.
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. There’s also some healing for Bella and Henry individually that helped me believe they were ready for their HEA. Overall, it was an enjoyable listen 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.
About the author:
KAREN GREY is the pen name for award-winning narrator Karen White. A stage, screen and radio drama actor in Boston, New York and Los Angeles in the late 20th century, she started recording books in 1999. Now back in her home state of North Carolina, she shares a home with her family and probably too many pets (canine, feline, avian and reptilian) and continues to narrate audiobooks as well as make up stories.
You can connect with Karen Grey here:
Newsletter signup: https://bit.ly/KarenGreynews
About the narrators:
Erin Mallon is a playwright, author, and narrator of over 550 audiobooks with a special affinity for the romance genre. She is a six-time Earphones Award Winner and a five-time Audie Award Nominee.
Tom Taylorson is a veteran voice actor with decades of experience in commercials, video games, animation, and audiobooks. His clients range from Hyundai to McDonalds, from Blizzard to Warner Brothers Games, to Disney and LucasFilm Animation and beyond. He’s also an award winning audiobook narrator.
My Favorite Quotes
Just touch me how you touched me when we were dancing. But with our clothes off. – Child of Mine by @KarenWhitereads #Audiobook narrated by @taylorson & @ErinMallon #BostonClassics #RomanticComedy #ItsThe80s #SecretBaby #SecondChance #GrumpySunshine
Tweet
We were only together for a few hours, but every moment of that night is seared into my memory. – Child of Mine by @KarenWhitereads #Audiobook narrated by @taylorson & @ErinMallon #BostonClassics #RomanticComedy #ItsThe80s #SecretBaby #SecondChance #GrumpySunshine
Tweet
I always thought that southern people were polite and reserved, but he’s like a New York politician with a Carolina accent. – Child of Mine by @KarenWhitereads #Audiobook narrated by @taylorson & @ErinMallon #BostonClassics #RomanticComedy #ItsThe80s #SecretBaby #SecondChance #GrumpySunshine
Tweet
I can be patient when I want to. It’s just that I rarely want to. – Child of Mine by @KarenWhitereads #Audiobook narrated by @taylorson & @ErinMallon #BostonClassics #RomanticComedy #ItsThe80s #SecretBaby #SecondChance #GrumpySunshine
Tweet
This man turns me on in a way that I honestly have no idea how to turn off. – Child of Mine by @KarenWhitereads #Audiobook narrated by @taylorson & @ErinMallon #BostonClassics #RomanticComedy #ItsThe80s #SecretBaby #SecondChance #GrumpySunshine
Tweet
It takes work, but it’s all worth it, because what you get in return is someone who knows every little thing about you and loves you anyway. – Child of Mine by @KarenWhitereads #Audiobook narrated by @taylorson & @ErinMallon #BostonClassics #RomanticComedy #ItsThe80s #SecretBaby #SecondChance #GrumpySunshine
Tweet
It all feels real and powerful, but also tender and vulnerable. – Child of Mine by @KarenWhitereads #Audiobook narrated by @taylorson & @ErinMallon #BostonClassics #RomanticComedy #ItsThe80s #SecretBaby #SecondChance #GrumpySunshine
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Rellim Reads 
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