It's been a hot minute since I've read a rockstar romance, and once again, Penelope did not disappoint! She has this gift of writing unique plots that are like nothing I've ever read before—always fresh and new.
This time, we follow the story of Tristan Daltrey, the lead vocalist of Delirious Jones. Emily Applewood ends up in the California desert and finds a recording studio nestled in a desolate area. One moment, she's ready to turn back, and the next, she's the new assistant on the upcoming tour for one of the most famous rock bands!
You guys!!! Tristan Daltrey is swoony with his raspy, melodic voice and his scruffy look and tatted skin—the definition of trouble ...more
Beautifully Broken Life by Catherine Cowles consumed my very heart and soul. This book was gutwrenchingly beautiful. 5 stars easily!! I can't get enouBeautifully Broken Life by Catherine Cowles consumed my very heart and soul. This book was gutwrenchingly beautiful. 5 stars easily!! I can't get enough of Catherine's storytelling. At this point, I can't stop. I will read this woman's entire backlist. Officially a fan of her writing!...more
With her signature small town loving, Devney Perry has picked up the pen as Willa Nash giving readers The Bribe, a story with twists, adventure, and dare I say a bit more wild!
Lucy Ross and her best friend Everly are hiking through Yellowstone when they become stuck on the path of bison. Duke Evans witnesses their distress and comes to their aid. From that moment, there's an instant attraction between Duke and Lucy. But Lucy is running away and trying to hide her true identity, which is why she tells Duke her name is Jade Morgan. Lucy never expected to run into Duke again once in Calamity, Montana, especially not as the sheriff of the small town pulling her over. Offering a bribe to the sheriff, this famous singer will do anything to keep who she really is a secret as well as her reasoning for being in Calamity.
“In public, you’re Jade. But behind closed doors, you’re—” “Lucy?” she breathed. I shook my head. “Mine.”
Duke Evans is perfection! There was just something about his possessive and protective nature that made him one hot alpha. He quickly became a favorite hero of mine. He was fierce and loyal. I may have found Lucy to be a tadbit annoying at first but as the story progressed, I was empathic of her situation and learned to love and respect her. She's a flawed woman and a real down to earth heroine whom we all need in our lives.
Sparks fly between Duke and Lucy!! Their relationship is intense and passionate. There's no secrets between them. No unnecessary drama. Duke pushes Lucy and lets her know that he can be trusted. Lucy soon gets her love for music back, thanks in a large part to Duke.
Ekkkk!! Also, we get the biggest surprise that had me giddy with excitement!! A beloved character from one of Devney's series makes a cameo in this one, and I just about died #fangirldown.
The Bribe had intrigue and suspense mixed with sweet and sexy moments that consumed me. I didn't want to stop reading! Great secondary characters with just the right amount of small town feels. And omg, the premise for the next book... I'VE DIED! Give it to me right now!! I'm so excited, I cannot wait!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author through Valentine PR. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*...more
"Maybe our melody hadn’t come easily. There’d been times when our rhythm had been out of sync. None of it mattered. Because our beauty was in the refrain."
Rifts & Refrains by Devney Perry was just all the FREAKING FEELS!! This book had the perfect balance of angst and swoon that I LOVE! Gah, did this story hurt, but just as many tears as it caused it also warmed my soul.
Quinn Montgomery receives some devastating news that changes her life over night. Now after nine years, she must return back to her hometown of Bozeman, Montana and bury her beloved grandmother, Nan. But Quinn quickly realizes upon returning that alot has changed in the nine years she was away.
Graham Hayes was the boy she left behind and Quinn is shocked to see him waiting for her at the airport. But Graham is no longer the boy she left behind, instead he's a devastatily gorgeous man.
This book continued to hurt my heart and frustrate me at the same time... IT WAS THAT GOOD! I love the sweet torture ...more
The Girl in the Love Song by Emma Scott is an emotional coming-of-age love story drowning in angst from beginning to end!
When we first meet Miller, he's a grouchy thirteen year-old, angry with the world. He's hurt and sad, and feeling lost. One night while escaping from home, Miller ends up behind Violet's backyard. Violet has just turned thirteen and is coming into herself. She wears glasses, has braces, and is kinda nerdish. After their meeting, an inseparable bond is cemented. Four years later, they're now in high school and their friendship has become rocky. Typical high school drama stirred with lots of angst. Our beloved hero and heroine go through many obstacles as well as ups and downs before they're finally together.
Music plays such an important role for Miller. It becomes his outlet. His comfort outside the bleak world he lives in. Through it he expresses his love for Violet.
"I ruined us the first time I kissed her. I’d demolished our friendship, and now neither one of us knew what to do with each other. I didn’t know what to do with the rush of feelings that swamped me every time we touched. Every kiss like a door opening to another life that was too fucking good. I’d been wanting her for so long, keeping her in my love songs where I got to say how it turned out."
Emma Scott is one of those authors who puts her heart and soul into her writing. The beauty of her writing is how cut open and raw it is. She makes you feel every emotion the characters feel as if they were truly your own. The Girl in the Love Song was such a heartfelt friends-to-lovers story that sets the premise just right for future books. I loved the secondary characters in this book, especially the Lost Boys. I couldn't get enough!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author through Valentine PR. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*...more
Dirty Letters by the charismatic writing duo Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland was one of those standalones that you soon won't forget.
As always thes4 STARS!
Dirty Letters by the charismatic writing duo Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland was one of those standalones that you soon won't forget.
As always these two ladies never disappoint when it comes to their book covers and this one was by far my favorite. ViP (Vi & Penelope) really shone the light on mental health, bringing awareness to anxiety/agoraphobia. It is debilitating and a daily struggle and we witness it first hand in our heroine, Luca.
Luca is 25 and faces the daunting task of driving from Vermont to Manhattan to clear out her father's apartment whom has recently passed. She has a set schedule and brings her theparist along to accompany her. Its whilst she's going through her father's mail that she discovers a letter from Griffin, her old pen pal from elementary school. They remained friends and wrote each other everyday until they were 17. After Luca's traumatic accident, she stopped writing him. It's been 8 years and Luca feels regretful and wants to make amends. She decides to reply back just hoping Griffin will find it in his heart to forgive her.
That's how our story begins. Griffin reconnects with his old and dear friend. Unbeknownst to Luca, Griffin isn't your average Joe, he's actually a very famous musician. Will the fame and spotlight put an end to their relationship?
I struggled to connect with Luca which was one of the reasons I dropped a star. But Griffin, I couldn't get enough of him and his sexiness. An equally emotional journey, Dirty Letters is such a sweet and endearing romance that will have you shedding a tear or two along the way. I recommend it 100%!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author through their ARC Team. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*...more
What He Never Knew by Kandi Steiner was an emotional, raw and gripping story about two broken souls brought together by the beauty and power o3 STARS!
What He Never Knew by Kandi Steiner was an emotional, raw and gripping story about two broken souls brought together by the beauty and power of music.
Why the low rating you ask? Well, I wasn't happy with Sarah. In the beginning I cried and my heart ached for her and Reese but as the story progressed Sarah began to annoy me. I needed her to be stronger and hold her head high, not allow herself to be influenced by others. I found her to be too immature for her age at moments. But above all esle, I simply wanted Reese's happiness. Not to say that he wasn't happy, but after all he's been through he needed a redeeming path to show him love.
Ugh, I don't know I'm degressing here! I feel disappointed. This story was going great until it got close to 70% and then everything just crumbled. In that moment, I was just about done with Sarah.
I did find myself loving Kandi's writing. She knows how to make you feel everything all at once. When I heard Reese was getting his story, I knew I had to have it! I love a good taboo and forbidden love story but I needed so much more from the heroine.
Overall, this story had potential. It was filled with lots of angst. If you're a lover of heart gripping pain, then this my lovelies is the story for you!
*AN ARC WAS KINDLY PROVIDED IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.*...more
"Truth didn’t live in the light; it hid in the dark , dancing with demons, afraid to be set free, afraid to be seen by judgmental eyes."
Just when I think Jewel E. Ann can't surprise me with her writing anymore than she already has she proves me wrong and writes Jersey Six! I'm at a loss for words. This book will completely shock you. When you think you have it all figured out, you will soon realize you really don't.
Jersey Six is an interconnected web of hurt, pain, loss, lies, betrayal, and truths. It's so messy and suspenseful and down right f'ed up!
This book is dark. Raw. It deals with abuse. Its not the typical angsty romance you'll read from this author. Not only that, but Jewel also takes the idea of a rockstar romance in a totally different direction.
"Sometimes… sometimes when you close your eyes, when darkness comforts you, the truth doesn’t matter because no one can see it."
Jersey Six relates to real life and the horrors of homelessness. This book tells a broken story yet a beautiful one. It makes you really sit back and think about the kind of world we live in and when do we say 'enough is enough'.
Jewel E. Ann is truly my forever author. She writes such in-depth stories and this one is a prime example of creative uniqueness. Hands down, you will devour this book from start to finish!
*AN ARC WAS KINDLY PROVIDED IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.*...more
Whiskey Girl by Adriane Leigh was my first read by this author and such a beautiful love story it was. A love story brimming with hurtful pa4.5 STARS!
Whiskey Girl by Adriane Leigh was my first read by this author and such a beautiful love story it was. A love story brimming with hurtful pasts, regrets, heartbreak, and second chances. A love story that brings Fallon Gentry and Augusta Belle Benson together. They meet one fated, sunny day on a bridge. Fallon saved her from jumping off. But really they saved each other and from that moment on they were glued together. Due to circumstances beyond their control, Fallon and Augusta are separated until they're reunited 10 years later.
It was such a hard journey for Fallon without his whiskey girl. He carried so much resentment and hurt, never knowing the pain Augusta went through a lot as well. As the story unraveled, lots of truths and secrets come to fruition that shed light on why Augusta had disappeared. Watching these characters grow and seeing their love finally prevail was such an emotional journey.
Whiskey Girl was a timeless love story, filled with music and sunshine. It wasn't easy; it was messy, raw and real. You'll be left longing for a love like Fallon and his whiskey girl....more
I absolutely LOVE Kylie Scott'sStage Dive series, so when I found out there was a novella coming out and it was about Martha, I had to have it!!! You see, I have a hate/love relationship with Martha ever since Lick, but everyone deserves a second chance and Martha has redeemed herself y'all! I enjoyed this mini slice of heaven so much 😍.
If you haven't read the Stage Dive series then I don't know what you're waiting for. Do it, you won't regret it. Martha use to be David's ex and she's Ben's sister. As you can imagine, book 1 was messy, but oh so yummy!
Martha has left the East Coast and comes back home to be with her brother Ben and his family. Watching her squirm and seeing her try to fight her attraction towards Sam, had me living!! #sigh. I loved the dynamic of their relationship. Sam pacified Martha and was protective. He's just a big teddy bear. She felt safe in his arms, but still maintained control. It was wonderful to see them fall for each other!
This book just made me realize how much I missed this series and these characters! Watching how far they've come and seeing them together like the tight knit family they are, made me teary eyed 😢. This novella was a fast read and such a tease. I'm a sucker for them and I wanted more!! Thank you, Kylie for bringing us back!! 😍
*AN ARC WAS KINDLY PROVIDED IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.*...more
Once more, Staci Hart has penned a novel that has captivated my heart completely! Unique in her own right, Staci's writing is flawless as she creates an undeniable connection between tbe reader and characters. Seriously, you won't be able to stop yourself from falling in love with these ingenious characters!!
Val! Valentina. She quickly became a favorite heroine to me. Here's why... She's a voluptuous goddess with Hispanic roots. Flawed and insecure, yet at the same time she's fierce and bold. Val is someone I, or any woman could relate to! Plus, she crushed on the hottest guy 😉
Now, Sam! I'm shook again because Staci gives us not one, but two multicultural characters who both happen to be main characters! #dead It's such a beautiful thing to see two different characters from two different cultures come together.
Sam is Samhir Haddad and he's Lebanese. Different from any other hero I've read, he stuck with me throughout the entire story. Gorgeous, talented, imperfect, and yes a #player. Val never imagined her crush would give her the time of day and soon a friendship unfolds and things become more... But Sam holds a secret close to his heart that could ultimately hurt Val.
Is Sam really just a player, or is there more to him? Read and find out! 😝
Hands down, I loved this book! It had everything! Things I didn't even know I wanted in a book! Dance, tons of culture, and so much music all I could think about at times was wanting to learn to swing dance, too! It even had the fake-dating trope that's hard to resist!!! Thank you so much Staci! I cannot wait for the next books of the Red Lipstick 💄Coalition squad!!
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*** The edit used in this review was taken from the author's Facebook page. ***
*AN ARC WAS KINDLY PROVIDED IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.*...more
A Wish for Us was an emotionally charged, new adult romance that hits you with the feels and the angst, and in the best ways possible!
Cromwell Dean is brooding, broken, and a musical genius. One of the biggest EDM DJs in Europe, he feels and sees music through colors. Bonnie Farraday lives and breathes music, and like Cromwell, she too feels music. She also has dreams and aspirations, wanting to one day play in concert halls around the world. Bonnie and Cromwell are like oil and water, two opposites yet their connection is magnetic and it's truly beautiful to behold throughout the story. Together, they're the perfect symphony. They create notes and melodies that seep into your bloodstream, all while mending each other's souls.
Once again, Tillie Cole has blown me away with her beautiful storytelling. Heartbreaking and inspirational, A Wish For Us left me rearing with goosebumps all over as I felt the music through words and they not only touched my soul, but shook me to my core!
Once again I'm reminded why Mariana Zapata has become one my favorite authors! Rhythm, Chord & Malykhin was a perfect friends to lover5 MAGICAL STARS!
Once again I'm reminded why Mariana Zapata has become one my favorite authors! Rhythm, Chord & Malykhin was a perfect friends to lovers romance filled with sassy, funny and sweet moments. The characters in this book were everything! From the friendships to the dynamics, to the connection each of them had. It all made me giddy and warmed my heart and my soul.
Gaby and Sacha's relationship was so easy to fall in love with. Mariana is the feels giver. She'll give you so many emotions that fill you to the brim and have you constantly swooning.
Rhythm, Chord & Malykhin is a slow burning love story that will have you giggling. It was just magical and I want to be Gaby's best friend and Sacha's soulmate.