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Hold On to Me

Carolina Classics, Book 2

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Hold On to Me

By: Karen Grey
Narrated by: J. F. Harding, Mackenzie Cartwright
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Summary

She’s my boss, and she’s a stone-cold fox.
Two months ago, I lost my boat, my cat, and—with my leg in a cast—my income. Until I can walk again, the only job I’m fit for is one few have survived.

See, my new boss has a reputation. She's grumpy, no-nonsense, and runs a tight ship. Keeping a firm hold on a movie budget does require nerves of steel, after all. Especially when disaster strikes.

When she yells at me, all I hear is the passion in her voice. All I want in those moments is to kiss her until she can't think straight.

And then convince her that it's okay to fall in love with me.

Fans of 1990's movies like Swimming with Sharks and Beautiful Girls will love this slow-burn, boss-assistant, younger man older woman, entertainment biz, 1990’s office romance from USA Today bestselling author Karen Grey.

©2022 Karen Grey (P)2025 Home Cooked Books Contemporary Romantic Comedy Boss
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Listener received this title free

Well I think I fell in love. A little with the characters, a lot more with their story. I mean, office romance and reverse age gap, I’m all for it. Add to that interesting characters, multiple references that speak to me, and some feminist talk, and I’m sold.

I was a bit anxious to read Sully’s story. In the previous book, as well as in the prequel, a love triangle was implied involving him, his friend Ford, and their friend Whitney. A love triangle that lasts a long time, and that ends badly. So either he finally won the girl, or the author had a neat trick up her sleeve. And she actually had one! She wrote Sully in such a way that the explanation makes sense, and the writing is consistent. Basically, his competition against Ford wasn’t really about Whitney, and his heart was actually free. Well done. And it really helps with defining who Sully is and how he grew up as he is.

After a boat accident and a dire need for a job to get out of his funk and earn some money, he ends up with an office job, which is the exact opposite of what he likes, and working with Helen, a s*xy older woman with a strong will. The dynamics between the two were fascinating. There’s a push-pull force–they’re attracted to each other, but their position at work, as well as the age gap, and the fact that Helen will leave soon, make a relationship difficult. They both learn a lot by working together, even before they become a couple.

Helen carries the feminist subtext, as a woman in a very patriarchal work environment, and through her past–which is slowly revealed. Barely concealed references to real people and events from the entertainment industry ground her struggles into reality. Not the subtlest way to do it, but definitely efficient.

The author wrote s*xier scenes in the previous installment than she did in her other series, and she keeps momentum. Though not everything is on page, what’s happening is kinkier than I was used to with her work. You won’t hear me complain.

Another thing I enjoyed a lot: all the references to the nineties. Movies, music, events… This is me falling back into my sweet sixteen. If I had one.

I finally want to point out that the author made me uncomfortable, but that was the good kind. At some point, Helen speaks with a friend of her relationship with Sully, and asks for her opinion and the story of her own relationship. The friend has some kind of open relationship with her husband, whom she barely ever see, and where cheating is tacitly accepted–it’s more complicated than that of course. As a dedicated monogamist, it made me cringe. But as a reader, I was strangely accepting because the author wrote about it without any judgement, with a list of pros and cons, and through a side character’s point of view. So though I was uncomfortable, it kind of opened my eyes a little. Kudos.

The audiobook was great. The male narrator was perfectly cast, good with Sully's false nonchalance hiding his real vulnerability. The female narrator did amazing with Helen's determination, as well as the rare moments when she lets her walls down. Once again, the audio version brings a great book to another level, thanks to its narrators.

Well I think I fell in love

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Listener received this title free

I am not sure where to start. With the fact that this office romance is exactly the kind of love story I enjoy? Add in the taboo of the older woman age gap? Let's go with Helen. Smart, ambitious perfectionist, handling the budget for the movie set. Very short with her responses, she comes off as aloof and at times a little nasty. That makes her hard to work for! Sully is back from his boating accident, sitting on the couch feeling sorry for himself when his friends get him up, moving and and interview for Helen's assistant. And the story begins. But what is it that intrigues me? I love Helen. I understand her need to accomplish and be seen as successful. Karen Grey makes her real, lets us into her world of fast paced craziness, but also lets us feel how her past shaped her. Sully we met previously, and what I really loved about him was his nonchalance. He could do what needs to be done, get pushed and pulled around by Helen and stand right back up. He could see her for the extraordinary person she is. This is a fabulous story with some wonderful 90's nostalgia, and characters that are absolutely amazing. A wonderful addition to the Carolina Classics.

A book that makes me feel is brought into my heart by it's narrators JF Harding and Mackenzie Cartwright are both favorites of mine and I knew I was in for a treat! Harding is a perfectly cast picking up Sully as if he has known him all his life. Easily understanding his situation, Harding pulls out his fear and frustration, and then lets us feel his change as time goes on. Mackenzie Cartwright gives a commanding performance as the strong, confident and not so confident Helen. She gives her that wealth of arrogance as she is working, but the vulnerability is always evident. Loved this team and how they gave me hours of entertainment.

Sully & Helen!

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Listener received this title free

Carolina Classics Book Two.

Helen O'Neill is the boss everyone wants to avoid. However, after a traumatic boating accident, Sullivan Calloway knows he needs to accept whatever he can get. Sully worked in show business for years, so he knows his way around a set...even if he has to maneuver on crutches. Helen is on deadline and she is relieved to have the help, but she cannot believe the nerve of this guy. He stands up to her when no one else can. That only makes him all the more attractive.

If you've been waiting to hear more about Sully from You Get What You Give, this book is a treat! Sully meets his match in Helen, and gives her a run for her money.

Audio Review:
Mackenzie Cartwright and JF Harding bring the characters to life. Mackenzie gives Helen a fierce air, but allows some softness to creep in as she evolves. JF adds flair to the broken pieces of Sully's psyche. Both narrators gave a nuanced performance that allowed the characters to breathe.

Carolina Classics Book Two

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Listener received this title free

After his accident, Sully is mostly depressed living with her friend Dani. When his friends decide an intervention is due, little does he knows that working as PA for Hellen will change his life. She is his boos and is off limits. He is her assistant and is off limits. But they can’t fight the attraction. But will it only be a fling or will they fight their differences and have a chance at a future together? Great love and life story. Mackenzie Cartwright and JF Harding do a great job with the characters emotions and feeling in a really good audiobook

real attraction

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Sully and Helen are completely opposites that complement each other so well. Helen is hard working, demanding but with a good heart whilst Sully is laid back and liked by everyone as nothing gets to him so when he’s offered the job if working for Helen, he’s more than capable of putting up with the mean boss. For Helen, Sully doesn’t just grate on her nerves, it grates on the smexy ones too.
Both characters have a hurtful past story to tell and when all comes to light both understand each other, better than many others would.

Thank you to Mackenzie Cartwright and JF Harding for an emotional and fun narration.

Helen & Sully

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