Book Review Genre: Rockstar Romance

Disclaimer: Reading is all about exploring new worlds, but this Book Review does not shy away from spoiling specific scenes as this is more of my free-flowing thoughts about a book.

The Analysis:

This pick was a part of my Bingo TBR List. So far, I do not have Bingo. I blame my DNF skills which are A++. However, it is succeeding in getting me through my backlist one way or the other. Now, if it pleases you, follow me on Goodreads.

Here’s The Blurb:

Mammas, don’t let your cowboys grow up to be…singers.

Five years ago, I was an oilfield roughneck with little to show for myself besides my voice. I never thought my songs would land me in the spotlight, working with country music legend Krystal King, but now that I’m here, I’m determined to make it all the way to the top. If only Krystal’s haunting eyes weren’t so distracting…

Krystal grew up on stage, and the more time I spend with her, the less I see the appeal of her “golden life.” She’s got secrets, and soon, I’m fostering a wild addiction to her, and letting go of my own dreams to help her heal. But getting her to risk her battered heart may not be possible, and the path to redemption looks like it’s going to be even harder than the path to glory.

Cover Critique:

I love this cover. The book itself is steamy. So, this is a little tame in comparison. However, I’ve chosen steamy covers for tame books lol, see Game of Admirers.

Now The Story:

Book Info:
Pages: 416
Author: Sasha Summers
Available: Google Play

Jace promised a good story from the very beginning. We’re introduced to the heroine as she’s knee-deep in her world as a country music star. Except, the world that she loves is letting her down. And it’s at the hands of none other than her father who has given her music away to her more popular twin sister and another male singer.

Enter the partner, oblivious to the trouble and sexy as all get out. He got his big break on a talent show similar to American Idol. He’s been a fan of the entire family and is genuinely excited about the opportunity. His chemistry with the heroine is also off the charts. But he picks up on the tension. He’s not going to turn the opportunity down, but he’s determined to earn his spot in her eyes. I can appreciate that, though. Even though I’m rooting for the heroine to get her turn in the spotlight and out from under the bad girl image that the media and producers forced upon her.

This was why I was pleasantly surprised that she had such a great relationship with her siblings. They both were getting better deals than her in some ways. Yet, she never held it against them. She chalked it up to the nature of the game and she included her manipulative mother in that assessment. Yet, she never used that as an excuse to mistreat or get revenge on anyone. It was kinda cool.

Now, first annoyance, the heroine keeps calling the hero talentless in the beginning because of how he started. He comes from a reality show. So, he can’t possibly be talented. Um, excuse me, but what hole have you been leaving under missy. In her defense, she’s just not familiar with him. My answer to that is, turn on the dang show and watch it if you want to know how he sounds. It seemed so silly and annoying to hear her complain about whether he could sing or not. I guess YouTube/Google doesn’t exist in this world either. I guess we were supposed to believe she’s more down to Earth for not turning on the internet.

Storyline-wise, just reading about the mother gave me anxiety. She was the mom-ager from hell that gave no qualms to her children’s feelings. She was brutal. I think I was secretly having flashbacks, but that’s another story. This woman’s first act of evil was inviting her daughter’s ex on tour. An ex that used her daughter for fame and fortune. But through pure raw talent, the hero ended up getting the edge and winning the gig.

But the ex was determined to insert some emotional damage along the way. And sure enough, our hero came through with the rescue and I think that was the moment I fell in love with him a little bit. They were clearly attracted to each other. But neither used that moment to expand the toxicity. He walked away and gave her air and she didn’t use her hurt feelings as an excuse to drown in his arms. I respected them both. I also found myself rooting for them to be in each other’s lives.

It certainly doesn’t take long for me to get tired of the heroine judging the hero by her ex’s mistakes. Chick is hurt, hurt, and I just want her to seek therapy so I can read the lovey-dovey parts. I’m taking a point off cause this story lacks any external conflict and it’s all internal on the side of the heroine. It loads the story up with angst and makes it impossible for the couple to be together in a way that only leads to frustration.

For instance, she gets crazy jealous that she “thinks” he sleeping with someone when their not even together. Whether he was or not sincerely doesn’t matter. My mind went, sis, please, just be with him. Like, why do we need to suffer through your crazy too? Now to be fair, his shtick is being the nice guy and a gentleman never has a one-night stand. Whatever, humans be human-ing (not a word) and I was unconcerned.

Point of fact, the heroine has also already been to therapy. Mostly for a trauma that occurred at the hands of her uncle as a teen. This was the moment I knew I wasn’t going to read about two people in the industry, getting to know each other and falling in love. This was going to be a difficult, angsty read. It also confirms the reason why her relationship with her mother is so contentious. And why she has a hard time trusting anyone including her father.

So, I’m kinda surprised when she chooses to jump into a friend’s w/benefits arrangement with the hero. Like, this is the same chick that got mad at his one-night stand, villanizing the man. Okay. But he hangs in there like a true white knight.

There is one quote that perfectly sums up this book that made me wince when I first read it:

…, but he loved her. Even when she was doing her best to drive a wedge between them.

Side note: One of the issues with her ex also stems from bad PR. And having been wrapped up in the Hollywood gossip mill (in my former days). What I know is that PR teams know how to make this stuff disappear. So, I have to suspend some disbelief that she just wants to remain quiet and let her reputation sink for years without buying a life raft.

Anyway, the hero is by her side through all her little ups and downs. He seems to balance perfectly, knowing when to give her space and when to put his foot down and say, hey, no, you need me to be here. His little sister fits in perfectly and gives the heroine her blessing. They were frequently falling asleep on each other and doing cute stuff like that.

But the villain is at these awards shows backstage and he got another girl in his grips. And nope, I’m not talking about the mother. Who for the most part sprinkles trauma into the story and then leaves. Nope, it’s Mr. Handsy. And at some point, he goes too far and tries to rearrange our heroine’s face. The resolution to the assault and molestation case left me wanting more. Although, I was happy with the outcome. I guess, I just wanted more interaction between her and the media. More between her and the other victims etc,.

But what did turn out well was the reveal of her feelings to the hero. Especially, when it’s the sister that is responsible for helping things along. Just gone and say you love each other.

Overall, I definitely don’t think it deserves anything less than a 4. But I will admit that I wasn’t necessarily in the best mood reading this. It was more emotional and I went into it expecting something lighter.

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Book Review At A Glance:

Recommendation:  4 out of 5

Book Cover Appeal (for new cover):

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Story & Narration:

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Romance:

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Character/(s) Personality:

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