Boston Classics Boxed Set, Volume Two
You Spin Me
Story: 4⭐️s
Narration: 5 ⭐️s
This was a great addition to Grey’s Boston Classics series. The characters were complex and each had a clear arc. Jess and Cal’s romance was sweet and watching their relationship unfold was enjoyable. I love that this and the other stories in the series call back to a time in the past that is further away than some of us like to admit! That setting and what was and wasn’t available then have an impact on some plot points; it makes for some interesting moments that contemporary romances no longer have to deal with. The nostalgia factor in this series is one of its greatest strengths and Grey engages with it throughout in a way that avoided the pitfalls that can arise when a story leans on rather than leans into that trope. The MCs are a wonderful pair and h the way their relationship develops first on the air and then slowly off. The dovetailing of their anxieties - both related to appearance but for differently, yet equally compelling reasons gave some intense layers to the story and to the connection between Cal and Jess.
My only complaint is that the third act from the climax to the resolution was just too quick compared to the build up in the first and even second acts. It took them so long to be in person and then all of a sudden it was the climax and inevitable separation. I just wanted more time with them on the page together as a couple, whether before or after their reunion, which is a testament to the strength of how Grey crafted than characters as much as a weakness in the book itself. Still, overall this was a fun read, especially if you’re a fan of the series.
The audio for this one is excellent. I loved the radio promos as chapter epigraphs. Eric Michael Summerer was the perfect Cal; he brought the humor, vulnerability, and sexiness all in one. It’s the romance H trifecta, and not all narrators are created equal when it comes to striking the balance. Summerer does not have any trouble, and his Cal was everything I wanted him to be. Vanessa Edwin’s performance as Jess was equally remarkable and perhaps the harder job in some ways because of the issue Jess wrestles with and how it slowly revealed as the story progresses. Without spoilers, it would be very easy for the reader/listener to write Jess off for a particular character flaw at the start; however, the way Grey builds the character, coupled with Edwin’s performance provide a bolster and invite us to engage in the journey.
October 2021: I received a copy of this book via the author.
June 2023: Reread and listened for Boston Classics Vol. 2 review and updated some thoughts. All opinions are my own.
Child of Mine
Story: 3.5⭐️s
Narration: 5 ⭐️s
I have to be honest, compared to the other titles in Grey’s Boston Classics series I had a hard time getting into this one; in fact, I picked it up and put it down several times before finishing. I just didn’t connect with the central couple as easily as in previous books; the h, Bella, often frustrated me and though I enjoyed the H slightly more, slightly is the key word there. The plot itself was okay; the secret baby trope is one that already treads a fine line IMO and this incarnation wasn’t compelling to me. The bright spots were to public broadcasting setting (PBS rocks!), Lilah (who can resist a precocious little?), and Ribsy (such a great nod to the wonderful Beverly Cleary!); the thread of Henry getting to know Lilah pulled and interested me much more than his reunion with Bella. Overall, this is an okay addition to the series and though it should definitely be read, I don’t think it is one I will return to as I have with previous installments. Though a strong audiobook production could probably sway me, as Ms. Grey always organizes audios that add another layer to her characters; so, maybe a well-chosen narrator duo could help me to connect more fully to the h/H?
AUDIO UPDATE: As I suspected, the audio version of this book made a huge difference for me. For this production, Grey has narrators, Erin Mallon and Tom Taylorson whom do a really great job adding layers to and evoking empathy for the h and H. Bella and Henry came across much better as I listened to the story compared to just reading about them. Mallon is as compelling in this as she is in all productions and Talorson, who was a new-to-me narrator, imbued Henry with added charm. Henry’s interactions with Lilah are made even more of a high point in the audio. Overall, the Audiobook makes this story better and is well worth the listen and I highly recommend it.
*I received a free reader copy of this book (Dec 2021) and an ALC of the audiobook (March 2022) via the author. All opinions are my own.
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes (Scenes from a Marriage)
Story: 3.5 ⭐️s
Narration: 5 ⭐️s
While I enjoyed the characters of Dee and Sam very much, and narrators Carly Robins and Bradley Ford gave excellent performances,I had the same problem with this novella as I did with “Party Like It’s 1999”: because I was so compelled by the characters, I wanted more of them.
I get that “scenes from a marriage” is the whole point here, but the snapshot structure of the chapters (same time every few years) doesn’t allow much space for the best part of a romance - seeing the relationship between the MCs develop on page (especially the falling in love bit which is almost invisible in the novella). Here, the reader is dropped into each scene and any growth is told rather than shown because it’s happened in the in-between, in the parts we don’t get to read. The sense of them as a united couple, a true partnership, would have felt more earned had their love story been more than snapshots, or at least more snapshots. There was a sense of their professional selves and their activism (which I love and is a major part of my longing for whole book about them!), but I also couldn’t help wanting the connection between Dee and Sam to be grounded by more than just big moment/major decision conversations (changing jobs, relocating ,pregnancies etc.) and physical intimacy. Yes, those are important, I love that they have strong intimacy and are totally supportive of each other. However, we never see any smaller moments that flesh out their partnership, which would have felt more earned if some of the scenes were about smaller things. I also missed the presence of secondary characters; especially since Dee is the child in CoM all grown up, it seemed like a missed opportunity for her story to take this form of novella.
As mentioned in the intro, the narrators are a highlight here. Both do a great job and I am happy to see them narrating another Grey classic together. Robins is a perennial favorite and it was great to hear Ford again. They both enhanced my experience with the story, and were yet another reason I wanted more of the characters because of they way they played them.
June 2023 I received an ALC copy of the audio and a ARC of the novella via Home Cooked Books. All opinions are my own.
