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rellimreads's review
4.0
8/19/2022 - Updated review for audio.
8/18/2022 - ALC of the audiobook. Maxine Mitchell & Jack Calihan!
6/16/2022 - While the Carolina Classics series is a loose “spin-off” from Grey’s Boston Classics series (both sets of MCs meet in the prequel, I’ll Stand By You) - you could start here and be fine. New location, new folks, new connections.
Grey mixes it up a bit and this series isn’t interconnected standalones. Each book focuses on a different couple, but you’ll meet all the MCs and there’s definitely some story lines (drama!) that will weave throughout the whole series. I love these kinds of series where you can settle in and really get to know all the characters.
8/18/2022 - ALC of the audiobook. Maxine Mitchell & Jack Calihan!
6/16/2022 - While the Carolina Classics series is a loose “spin-off” from Grey’s Boston Classics series (both sets of MCs meet in the prequel, I’ll Stand By You) - you could start here and be fine. New location, new folks, new connections.
Grey mixes it up a bit and this series isn’t interconnected standalones. Each book focuses on a different couple, but you’ll meet all the MCs and there’s definitely some story lines (drama!) that will weave throughout the whole series. I love these kinds of series where you can settle in and really get to know all the characters.
deereads2413's review against another edition
4.0
Disclaimer
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via BookFunnel. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
...
✨Review✨
First off: I appreacieted that there is a content guidance at the beginning of the book. While it is not always necessary, in my opinion, I understand why it was made available for those that do prefer having the some sort of possible trigger warning.
Loved the references to the 90s. Sometimes I had to stop and remind myself that the story is based in the 90s and not present day.
Loved the introduction to Nate
Not gonna lie, there were moments I wanted to give Violet a shake but it passed.
This book is a quick read. Unfortunately, when I received it I was in the middle of packing and moving so it did take me a long time to finish.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via BookFunnel. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
...
✨Review✨
First off: I appreacieted that there is a content guidance at the beginning of the book. While it is not always necessary, in my opinion, I understand why it was made available for those that do prefer having the some sort of possible trigger warning.
Loved the references to the 90s. Sometimes I had to stop and remind myself that the story is based in the 90s and not present day.
Loved the introduction to Nate
Not gonna lie, there were moments I wanted to give Violet a shake but it passed.
This book is a quick read. Unfortunately, when I received it I was in the middle of packing and moving so it did take me a long time to finish.
pattyfgd's review against another edition
5.0
You Get What You Give
Carolina Classics #1
By Karen Grey
Narrated by Maxine Mitchell and Jack Callihan
This has to be one of the most fun summer listens I have had so far! Romantic from the start, Violet and Nate have an instant attraction and a hot one night stand. But the ambition=us and business building, Violet has no idea that her she about to meet the fiercest of competitors. Nate has come to town to start a casting company for his father. Hoping to prove his worth, he starts out strong only to find out the woman of his dreams is his competition! He had no idea his father had a plan in place and it could destroy the one place he has finally felt at home. Will Nate and Violet find a way to be together? Will Violet keep her company afloat or will she go back to teaching? Will Nate make his father proud? I love these characters! Violet is a strong willed woman, following her dream and enjoying the ride. Nate is aware of his shortcomings but finds himself in this coastal Carolina town. Plus we have an array of wonderful friends, like Ford, Dani, Whitney and Sully, each battling their own wars, and I cannot wait to see where Karen Grey takes us with them. With a cliffhanger that literally left my mouth hanging open, I know I am in for an amazing second installment to this series!
Maxine Mitchell and Jack Callihan are our story tellers and what a fabulous team these two are! Mitchell is Violet, with a passionate voice for her job, we can hear the frustration an fear Vi feels as she wonders how things will go. She also adds humor and love to her too as relationships change. Callihan has the most seductive voice and as Nate, it's easy to see how Vi fell for him. But he also brings in the anger and resentment he has, and a glow when he is happy. I loved how this team made the characters realistic and funny, and all around fun! It is a fantastic listen.
Carolina Classics #1
By Karen Grey
Narrated by Maxine Mitchell and Jack Callihan
This has to be one of the most fun summer listens I have had so far! Romantic from the start, Violet and Nate have an instant attraction and a hot one night stand. But the ambition=us and business building, Violet has no idea that her she about to meet the fiercest of competitors. Nate has come to town to start a casting company for his father. Hoping to prove his worth, he starts out strong only to find out the woman of his dreams is his competition! He had no idea his father had a plan in place and it could destroy the one place he has finally felt at home. Will Nate and Violet find a way to be together? Will Violet keep her company afloat or will she go back to teaching? Will Nate make his father proud? I love these characters! Violet is a strong willed woman, following her dream and enjoying the ride. Nate is aware of his shortcomings but finds himself in this coastal Carolina town. Plus we have an array of wonderful friends, like Ford, Dani, Whitney and Sully, each battling their own wars, and I cannot wait to see where Karen Grey takes us with them. With a cliffhanger that literally left my mouth hanging open, I know I am in for an amazing second installment to this series!
Maxine Mitchell and Jack Callihan are our story tellers and what a fabulous team these two are! Mitchell is Violet, with a passionate voice for her job, we can hear the frustration an fear Vi feels as she wonders how things will go. She also adds humor and love to her too as relationships change. Callihan has the most seductive voice and as Nate, it's easy to see how Vi fell for him. But he also brings in the anger and resentment he has, and a glow when he is happy. I loved how this team made the characters realistic and funny, and all around fun! It is a fantastic listen.
00laura23's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This is an entertaining, fun read. Nate and Violet are interesting, relatable, intriguing, entertaining, complex, captivating characters. I enjoyed them as individuals and a couple. Their romance is very fitting for these characters and I enjoyed it’s twists and turns. The various secondary characters added to the fabric of the story and my enjoyment. I love the friendship and family aspects of the story. They both added layers to the story. The story is easy to read and get into. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
I enjoyed the audio version of this book and the narrators.
I enjoyed the audio version of this book and the narrators.
deereads2413's review
4.0
Disclaimer
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via BookFunnel. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
...
✨Review✨
First off: I appreacieted that there is a content guidance at the beginning of the book. While it is not always necessary, in my opinion, I understand why it was made available for those that do prefer having the some sort of possible trigger warning.
Loved the references to the 90s. Sometimes I had to stop and remind myself that the story is based in the 90s and not present day.
Loved the introduction to Nate
Not gonna lie, there were moments I wanted to give Violet a shake but it passed.
This book is a quick read. Unfortunately, when I received it I was in the middle of packing and moving so it did take me a long time to finish.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via BookFunnel. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
...
✨Review✨
First off: I appreacieted that there is a content guidance at the beginning of the book. While it is not always necessary, in my opinion, I understand why it was made available for those that do prefer having the some sort of possible trigger warning.
Loved the references to the 90s. Sometimes I had to stop and remind myself that the story is based in the 90s and not present day.
Loved the introduction to Nate
Not gonna lie, there were moments I wanted to give Violet a shake but it passed.
This book is a quick read. Unfortunately, when I received it I was in the middle of packing and moving so it did take me a long time to finish.
kristisam's review
5.0
This was my first book by this author and I’m hooked. Violet and Nate’s enemies to lovers small town romance was filled with witty banter and a dash of sass. Violet is feisty and determined and I enjoyed watching her and Nate spar. I loved the childhood friends dynamic. It added another layer to the story and made me want to get to know them all a bit better.
I’m so glad that I chose to listen to the first book in this Carolina Classic series. Maxine Mitchell and Jack Calihan’s incredible narration transported me into this sleepy Southern coastal town and warm inviting community created by Karen Grey.
I’m so glad that I chose to listen to the first book in this Carolina Classic series. Maxine Mitchell and Jack Calihan’s incredible narration transported me into this sleepy Southern coastal town and warm inviting community created by Karen Grey.
laura_theaudiowasbetter's review
3.0
This was my first Karen Grey book, I was fortunate to get a advance listener copy in exchange for this honest review - and I enjoyed it so much. To me this was a strong 3.5 star book (my ranking is 3 is good, 4 is great, 5 has to BLOW ME AWAY) and a great start to a new series.
Set to the backdrop of a Dawson's Creek inspired TV show, we meet Summer and Nate at a bar - where I'm sure most of the 90's dating scene was set. Before Snapchat and text messaging and using the internet to Google sleuth your next date. Just two people attracted to each other and acting on it.
Cue the next day when Summer, who runs a local casting company, finds that Nate is not only her new competition in town, but he's stolen her main income generating production.
What I enjoyed about this story is Karen's ability to weave enemies to lovers in a low angst environment. You were able to allow their combative nature to breath and get to know the ensemble cast of friends (whom I'm assuming will be featured in subsequent books in this series) without feeling overwhelmed by all the goings on. You were able to focus on Summer's issue with personal abandonment and feeling like she's the only one that will take care of herself and Nate's issues with always feeling overlooked by his father while simultaneously still seeking his acceptance.
Maxine Mitchell and Jack Calihan were phenomenal in this audiobook performance, proving to me that Jack is made more for contemporary romance than I originally gave him credit for.
Interested to see how the second book in the series plays out as we left on a bit of a cliffhanger for a side character.
Set to the backdrop of a Dawson's Creek inspired TV show, we meet Summer and Nate at a bar - where I'm sure most of the 90's dating scene was set. Before Snapchat and text messaging and using the internet to Google sleuth your next date. Just two people attracted to each other and acting on it.
Cue the next day when Summer, who runs a local casting company, finds that Nate is not only her new competition in town, but he's stolen her main income generating production.
What I enjoyed about this story is Karen's ability to weave enemies to lovers in a low angst environment. You were able to allow their combative nature to breath and get to know the ensemble cast of friends (whom I'm assuming will be featured in subsequent books in this series) without feeling overwhelmed by all the goings on. You were able to focus on Summer's issue with personal abandonment and feeling like she's the only one that will take care of herself and Nate's issues with always feeling overlooked by his father while simultaneously still seeking his acceptance.
Maxine Mitchell and Jack Calihan were phenomenal in this audiobook performance, proving to me that Jack is made more for contemporary romance than I originally gave him credit for.
Interested to see how the second book in the series plays out as we left on a bit of a cliffhanger for a side character.