Review copy was received from Publicity team. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Series: Boston Classics #4
Published by Self-Published on December 1, 2021
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 290
Format: eARC
Source: Publicity team
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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.
The Boston Classics series are people stories, with the 80s just a fun aspect, much like the Shakespeare quotes or dogs in one of the books. Things started with Ben and couples have formed from those people connected to him. In Child of Mine, we learn more about Bella who is good friends with Jess, whose story was told in the last book.
The characters are extremely well developed and I feel their emotions, they are so relatable. So much of Bella and Henry’s lives are impacted by their past and the night they met. They’ve both hung onto guilt and let the past dictate some things in their current life.
Henry is just at the point where he is breaking free, or at least is ready to start fresh in the career he really wants, and moves to Boston. He moves to Boston to direct a new TV show and runs right into Bella. Bella, who’s past, Henry, is right there as she starts something new and exciting.
Lilah is the cutest, smartest little girl ever! I enjoy children in stories, and find them fun, Often providing a reality check on the adults. She has to deal with a lot but she really shines.
The work at the tv station and the show Boom was fascinating. I often appreciate business aspects in a story and I did like it here. It added dimensions to their characters and also layers to the story.
I really, REALLY love the way Henry and Bella handled things when it all went rotten. I was so impressed with them and the responsible adults they are, caring about each other, and having compassion for others. I love the connection of family and friends continuing to build in this series.
Excerpt:
HENRY
Hey, I’m not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, so I nod and let this gorgeous wisp of a woman grab my hand—hers small in mine but surprisingly strong—and tug me toward a door I hadn’t noticed before.
“Where are you taking me?”
Her eyebrows waggle, making her more Goldie Hawn than Cheryl Tiegs for a moment. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” She presses a finger to my lips, setting off an electric buzz that zings directly south.
You’d think six months as a page giving tours of this iconic New York building would mean that I knew all her secrets, but Izzy—I still can’t believe that it’s her, the girl that literally gave me my first wet dream—leads me through hallways I didn’t know existed. Sparingly lit with bare bulbs, our shadows are long on the stained concrete. “How did you know about this back route?”
She slips me a secret smile. “I’ve worked here a long time.”
“Right out of school, huh?” If she’s my age, a long time can only be a couple years.
“Pretty much.” Her eyes shutter briefly, but she grips my hand more firmly. “Almost there.”
A metal door leads us to a loading bay, which opens into the scene shop. Now I know where we are. She picks up the pace as we cross the enormous space. When we reach the other side, she bites her lip and tries a door that I know leads to the costume shop. “Damn. I thought maybe we could cut through. We’ll have to go another way.”
“If you tell me where we’re headed, maybe I can help. I used to be a page.”
“You were?” She narrows her eyes at me. “I never saw you.”
“Where do you work, anyway?”
“Never mind.” Tugging on my hand again, she pulls me toward the door that leads back into the public realm. In the small reception area outside the shops, we run into a security guard.
He flicks a questioning gaze at me. “Everything all right, Miss?”
The smile she flashes the older man is respectful but familiar. “All good, Charlie. I’m just picking up a couple things.”
He purses his lips as he gives me another assessing look. “You take care of yourself, sweetheart.”
“Always.”
He doesn’t say a word as she marches through the doorway to the dressing rooms—forbidden territory for tours. There’s a dummy dressing room that we’d show off, but I’ve never seen the real ones. Stars need their privacy.
“Are you on a show here?” I’m in the news division, and I rarely watch the other daytime or primetime fare the station churns out.
Her step falters, but she responds with a “Pfft. Just because I was on Boom for a season? Nah, I’m a—hang on.” She opens the door to an office, and reaches under the cushion of a chair. “People are creatures of habit. This is where Nancy always hides her… ah, got ’em.” She holds up a ring heavy with keys. “For a script supervisor who’s supposed to be on top of all the details, she’s super lax.”
“Are we breaking and entering?”
“It’s not breaking and entering if you have the key, is it?”
Moments later, she’s unlocking a dressing room door that, unlike the others we passed, isn’t labelled with an actor’s name. She flicks on a lamp instead of the overhead lights, tosses the keys on the counter, pulls me all the way inside, reaches around me to lock the deadbolt, and then crowds me up against the door until there’s nothing between us but fabric.
“You are something,” I say with what little air is left in my lungs, her touch amplifying the feeling that anything is possible.
“Shhh.” When she presses her index finger to my lips, I can only lean in to her touch. “I happen to know that this actress is leaving,” she whispers with a conspiratorial grin. “She’s all packed up and out of here, so let’s take advantage of that. As much advantage as humanly possible.”
This day just keeps getting better.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- C21-Fall
Another series I’ve gotten behind in! This story sounds lovely. Wonderful review, Anne💜
Thank you Jonetta. I wouldn’t miss this one.
OH!! I skipped most of the review, just checking the rating and final words. I am waiting for the audiobook. So glad it is another winner. I’m really enjoying this series. SO GOOD!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I thought it was fabulous!
looks like a good one from your review, though not a book I would normally pick up. sometimes a nice, easy, feel good read is in order
The Boston Classics are fun because they are set in the 80s. I rotate my genres a bit so I don’t get bored or tired of one particular type.
Sounds like a fun book and a fun book!
It is a fun book and a worthwhile read.
I don’t know why, but the cover makes me feel like this wouldn’t be a story for me, but seeing your five stars and your description makes me think I might be wrong. I’ll have to look into this.
It’s really good. These aren’t perfect people but they are trying their best.
Yes! I also loved how they handled when things got bad. That makes me so happy when I feel like characters act more realistically in those types of situations. Great review, I loved this one as well!
Thanks Lisa. I don’t know if I’m as good at handling things as they were. It’s wonderful to see an example of it though.