Like It's 1999: a nostalgic romantic comedy novella

Written by Karen Grey

Narrated by Cindy Kay and Ryan West

"This book was seriously so much fun!! I loved everything about it. From the hero and heroine both afraid to commit to each other to the fun movie references to the wedding planning. It was well written and gave me all the feels." -- Lindy, Goodreads

Love ‘em and Leave ‘em Alice Kim and “Hot” Steve Lowell are perfect for each other. It’ll only take them ten years to figure that out.

Just because they throw the most bodacious wedding party ever…

Just because they’re perfect partners in pranks…

Just because they love all the same boss movies…

Just because they share one totally bangin’ night of sex together…

Does not mean they’ll break the One Time Rule.

Even if they do… they don’t do relationships.

And they’re never getting married.

Like, ever.

In this friends-to-lovers, marriage-pact novella spanning the last decade of the 20th century, life forces a playboy and a playgirl grow up—and grow apart—before giving them a chance to create a happy-ever-after they can actually be happy about.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Home Cooked Books
• Release date: Feb 12, 2021
• ISBN: 9781734833089

Karen Grey

KAREN GREY is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of vintage romantic comedies with smart heroines and hunky heroes. Drawing on a long career as a performer, her retro 80's and 90's romances are populated with characters working both on- and off-stage in theater, TV and film. She's a lifelong omnivorous reader (including 20 years as an audiobook narrator). When not reading or writing, she's lounging at the beach or hiking in the mountains. Or dreaming about both with an IPA in hand and a dog or a cat nearby. To get the latest news, join her VIP club at followkarengrey.com.

Reviews for Like It's 1999

[Jen Favey · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a super cute novella that covers some great tropes: Friends-to-lovers, marriage-pact novella spanning the last decade of the 20th century, life forces a playboy and a playgirl grow up. Loved the quick visit back in time. Performances by Cindy Kay & Ryan West are excellent!

[grandmacootie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Like It’s 1999 was fun, fun, fun, beginning to end. The Boston Classics started with a bang with What I’m Looking For and the story of Kate and Will, and this novella continues the tradition. Love ‘em and Leave ‘em Alice Kim is Kate’s best friend from childhood, and “Hot” Steve Lowell is her ex-coworker. Their nicknames say all you need to know about them and their approach to life so far. They each have a One Time Rule, and neither of them does relationships or intends to ever, ever, ever get married. So that makes them perfect for each other, and on New Year’s Eve 1988 when Will and Kate announce they are getting married and want both Alice and Steve to be in the wedding, the fact that these two can’t keep their eyes, hands or anything else off each other and hook up for one night of wild, steamy, amazing, fantastic (you get the picture) sex isn’t going to be a problem, right? There’s the One Time Rule, their shared aversion to commitment, and their absolute conviction that they won’t cause Will and Kate any problems by becoming a couple. But as they say, famous last words . . . . Steve and Alice plan a wild wedding party complete with a perfect prank that frightens poor Will and Kate half to death. And they do just fine, thank you, with sticking to their Nope, Once Is All There Is rule. For a while, anyway. They toss movie lines and other cultural references back and forth and work together so well, having fun, knowing what to expect from the other, having sexy thoughts, letting little words like maybe forever creep into their minds – but wait. What about THE RULE? They have a little bitty slip again at the wedding, and while it’s amazing, they love it, it’s marvelous, etc. etc. etc., there is also a lot of guilt. So they make a vow, a pact. Neither of them is ever going to get married anyway, so if they are both still single in 10 years why not just go ahead and get married and be friends with a marriage certificate and those terrific benefits?A lot can – and does – happen in 10 years. And here we are, Kate and Will’s anniversary, their children, Will’s ex-roommates and their children. And Alice and Steve. Still attracted to each other? Well, duh. Still single? No spoilers here. You’ll have to read Like It’s 1999 to find that out.I listened to an audiobook version of Like It’s 1999. This series is at its best narrated. Hearing the words just brings it to life. Thanks to author Karen Grey and StoryOrigin for providing a copy of Like It’s 1999 for my listening pleasure and honest review. Listening was most definitely a pleasure. This story is funny and sweet and sexy and transports you to the 1980’s and 1990’s. It keeps you guessing and wanting to shake Steve and Alice on more than one occasion. I loved it! I recommend this book and this series and this author without hesitation. All opinions are my own.

[carolesrandomlife · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this novella! I haven't read a lot of novellas lately but there is something really satisfying about being able to sit down and read an entire story in a single sitting. It is even better when that story features characters that can't wait to see again. When I found out that this story would focus on "Hot" Steve, I just knew that I had to read it and it was everything I had hoped it would be."Hot" Steve and Alice are Kate's best friends. Both characters played a role in the first book in the series, What I'm Looking For, and it was fun to catch up with all the key players from this story in this novella. Steve and Alice really are perfect for each other, trading movie quotes with each other at every opportunity, not to mention the chemistry that they share. The events in this story occur on New Year's Eve in a number of years. It was nice to see how much had changed in each of their lives. I just couldn't wait for these two to figure out that they needed to make each other a priority in their lives. I was very happy about how things worked out in the end and happy to see this group of friends remained so close over the years.I would recommend this story to others. I do think that readers will get the most out of this story if they have read the first book in the series but it could work as a stand-alone story if necessary. I definitely plan to read more of Karen Grey's work in the future.I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.