Jilly's Reviews > Rock Chick Regret

So, I took a little break from the Rock Chick series in order to let my Buddy Group catch up with me. Also, I needed a break from the alpha males in them. Most of you know me as an alpha female because I am, so sometimes it's hard for me to swallow all of the alpha male crap that other people find romantic. I don't find pushy, aggressive men attractive. I do, however, like men who are assertive, confident, and protective. It's a fine line and the Rock Chick guys cross over it a little too much for my tastes.

All that said, I thought Hector was a much better hero than some of the past guys like Mace and Eddie. He was really careful with Sadie because she had been raped. BUT, once he got comfortable, he did piss me off when he told her that she couldn't dress how she wanted because she needed to cover herself up as his woman. And, later, after he gets in a bar fight with some guy who says something about Sadie, he blamed her way of dressing. But, the guy had known Sadie for a long time and had been having dirty thoughts about her for years. Does that mean that Sadie's outfit was to blame (she showed a little cleavage - gimme a break)? Hector used that guy's dickery to try and control Sadie. And, then he blamed her, which is shaming her. It's the oldest story in the world when women's clothing is an excuse for men's bad behavior. It's just wrong. So wrong...


Yes!! You tell them, girlfriend!

Okay, and now let's talk about using rape as a plot device. Don't.


There is way too much rape, threats of rape, almost rapes, and rapey talk in these books. Please stop!

And, finally, my last complaint: Sadie's use of the expression "Blooming Heck". First off, I don't think that's a thing.



I've never heard an American use "blooming" as an adjective in general, but "blooming heck" makes it even worse. Stupider. More Stupid. Blooming Stupid.
And, she says it a lot. Like at least once a page. Just stop!

Okay, now the things I liked, cuz there were a few things.

First, I thought that Hector was actually pretty sweet and kind for the first half of the book. He didn't even try to kiss Sadie for a long time because he didn't want her to feel pushed and didn't want the rape PTSD to activate. He gave her time and space, and would ask her permission before he touched her. That gave him points (before he lost them on the telling her how to dress thing).

Second, we got some new characters in Ralphie and Buddy, Sadie's gay friends. They were more than awesome and super supportive of her. She felt like she had nobody who cared about her, but they did. She really just wouldn't allow anyone to get close. They swooped in after she was attacked and gave her what she needed to heal. They brought in a rape crisis counselor, but never pushed her. They allowed her to heal in her own time. They were amazing! I want to be their friend!

Finally, the whole Rock Chick world has developed and I love that we are seeing these relationships grow. There are lots of weddings and babies these days. I am just waiting for the next book to get Ally's story. Also, I wish there would have been a book that had Darius's story, but I think this series is done. That's a shame because he is definitely interesting.