Never Fall in Love with a Rock Star by Rachel Higginson

Blurb

My name is Clover Calloway and I’ve lived two separate lives.

The first, I like to call “my past.” I never talk about it. I try not to think about it. My rockstar days of playing in one of the hottest bands on the planet are over. Along with the most volatile, beautiful, tragic love story of all time.

Over the past five years, I’ve settled into my second life. My “normal life.” The one where I work a normal job, hang out with normal people and fall in love with a normal, but wonderful guy. The life where I’m admittedly a little bored, but also safe.

My past wasn’t boring. But my past broke my heart into a million, unfixable pieces. So, I’m determined to keep it where it belongs—behind me.

And the man responsible for the shattering of me? Malachi Porter, lead singer and mastermind of Bright Tragedy, should stay there too. Far away from me and this idyllic life I’ve carved out for myself.

But what happens when my two lives collide?

When Malachi comes crashing into my perfectly normal world, he threatens to destroy it, promises to annihilate everything I’ve replaced him with.

He upends everything I thought I wanted and forces me to question the reasons I left Bright Tragedy all those years ago.

But I didn’t walk away five years ago, I ran. As fast as I could go. And while my heart is whispering that it’s different this time—that he’s different—my brain is screaming for me to run again.

Malachi Porter isn’t a normal guy. And he doesn’t belong in my “normal life.” But, nevertheless, he’s bound and determined to make a place for himself here.

I just hope my heart can survive him, that we don’t burn into another bright tragedy.

My Review

Never Fall in Love with a Rock Star by Rachel Higginson is a fresh take on the Rockstar romance, second chances & coming of age, that go well beyond surface deep.  An ultra angsty, heartstring pulling story that gets you in the gut.

From the start you won't be able to help but empathize with Clover, an extraordinary woman who wants nothing more than to fly under the radar after having left the bright tragedy of love & life behind her "I had loved a broken thing because I wanted to fix it. Instead, it had broken me too."  Resilient & strong, big hearted & funny - "Someone hold my earrings..." protective of her heart & spirit after the overwhelming heartache she's suffered.  A story of recovery from heartbreak & addiction & moving on to discover who these characters are meant to be.  Brought back together when they least expected, reconnecting after years apart, through immense talent & love of music to rescue a song & possibly each other.  "...imperfect humans lost in an imperfect love..."

Oh. My. Goodness.

This story is written with so much emotion, passion & heart.  The perfect amount of angst, don't expect some over the top sexy times, but rather the real deal of what true connection can be body & soul. "A love so deep I could feel it with every breath."

 ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

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Trailer Park Heart by Rachel Higginson

Blurb:

Trailer park born and raised. It’s my legacy. That’s how my mama lived. And that’s how her mama lived. It’s the life I was born into and it’s the life I swore I would leave the second I was old enough to make it out.

Only legacies have a funny way of sneaking up on you. An innocent decision the night of high school graduation led to a series of complications in my plans to escape.

Seven years later, I’ve resigned myself to this small town and the roots I’m tied to. Nothing could make me leave. And nothing could make me spill the secrets that keep me here.

Until he walks back into town with a chip on his shoulder and a stupid hunch nobody else in town has been smart enough to follow.

Levi Cole is my opposite. Born on the right side of the tracks with family money to spare, he’s the kind of black sheep that can afford to be rebellious—because his family will always pay for his mistakes. He’s also the only living heir to Cole Family Farms, after his brother Logan was killed in duty seven years ago.

He sees something in my life that he thinks he has a right to. But he’s wrong. And obnoxious. And he needs to take his stubborn good looks and that intense way he looks at me and go back to wherever it was he came from.

I know better than to trust men like him. I was born and raised in a trailer park, I know nothing good happens to girls like me—girls with trailer park lives and trailer park hearts. Especially from gorgeous, kind, pigheaded men like him.

My Review

Trailer Park Heart by Rachel Higginson is a beautiful coming of age, second chance romance that will have you so hooked by the prologue, you won't be able to put down.  Angsty, funny & sweet, this sexy, emotion filled & heart wrenching tale will make your heart feel full.

You will be instantly drawn in by the "...lifetime of tug-of-war familiarity..."  between these characters "This man was my nemesis and yet he'd managed to light up my entire body with the tiniest touch and the smell of clean laundry."    Secrets & surprise twists you won't see coming are what are in store.  A "...life-altering, soul-shattering, world-rocking kiss." an irresistible pull, passion & the ability to be seen like no other ever had.  Friendships old & new, of the tried & true kind - Lessons in "...passion and promise, anger and truth." Learning to let go of the burdens of "...regret and humiliation and fear." & let others in. 

Written with so much heart, the genuine tenderness can't help but shine through.  I struggled with this review because I don't want to give away to much & spoil the pure beauty.  Couldn't get enough of Ruby's independence & fierce protectiveness of those she holds most dear - without apology.   Levi & the way he makes Ruby feel seen - knows her so well.  So much raw emotion, I absolutely loved this story. 

"...life is hard and heavy..." "...but its also beautiful and so full of joy and laughter and...purpose."

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon US/UK

The Problem With Him (Opposites Attract Book 3) by Rachel Higginson

 

I’m over men. I’m done with them.

Or at least the ones that work in my kitchen. Fine, one man in particular. Wyatt Shaw is cocky and condescending and so far out of his element that he doesn’t know which way is up. Or how to run his brand new kitchen all by himself.

That’s where I come in. Sous chef extraordinaire. Second in command. Bane of his existence. I am the reason Wyatt’s doing so well as the new executive chef of one of our city’s most prestigious restaurants. He has me to thank for his glowing accolades and five-star write-ups. Only if you were to ask him, he’d say I’m his biggest problem.

Despite his discouragement and bullish behavior, I’ve set two goals for myself.

The first? I’m going to fight my way to the top of this male-dominated industry and claim my own award-winning kitchen.

The second? I’m going to do whatever it takes to ignore Wyatt and his rare smiles and the thickening tension that’s started to simmer between us.

Wyatt Shaw might be Durham’s new shining star. He might be up for a James Beard Award. He might be my new boss and key to my future success, but he’s also in my way.

So he can keep his smoldering looks and secret kisses. And he can be the one that figures out how to make it through service without getting distracted by me.

I’m not the problem. The problem is him.

The Problem With Him by Rachel Higginson, book three of her Opposites Attract series, though can truly be read as a stand alone, which I love.  Kaya is a ambitious sous chef striving for success in the heart of Durham, North Carolina, while Wyatt confident & fearless, has recently made his way to executive chef - right where Kaya wants to be.  What Kaya wants most is what Wyatt has, "I would do anything for it." that's just the start of the problem with him.

Told in first person, this is a easy breezy read that is witty, funny & super sexy, burning & explosive with reluctant, yet undeniable attraction.  A "...constant push and pull, bringing the desire between us to a boil."  This is a story of characters working to find their place in careers, relationships & family ~ the struggle is real.  Full of unexpected friendships that turn into strong endearing bonds of the life long kind.  Challenging each other to take risks to achieve all they've dreamed of & more "If there's no risk, there's no reward."  A great look inside the world of culinary arts - "...a special kind of club for people that would rather work than live."  All to ultimately make the very best of this thing called life.  "Whatever it is you want, you have to go hard after it and trust in the journey."

I loved the verbal sparring between Kaya & Wyatt.  The "...go big or go home girl..." that Kaya is & the way Rachel paints the perfect picture of Wyatt's smile.  Couldn't get enough of the chemistry that had been simmering for years.

Looking forward to the fourth & final book in the Opposites Attract Series,
Something About Her
coming in the new year 2019

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon US/UK



Constant by Rachel Higginson

 

Blurb

Fifteen years ago I met Sayer Wesley. I fell in love with him. I promised I would never leave him. I swore nothing could break us apart.

Five years ago I broke my promise. I ran away. I took the one secret that could destroy us both and disappeared. 

Five days ago I thought I saw him. 

I knew it was impossible. Sayer was locked away, serving a deserved sentence in federal prison. He couldn’t find me. 

He wouldn’t find me. I was too good at hiding. Too good at surviving. 

Because if Sayer ever found me, there would be hell to pay for a plethora of sins. The worst of which, he didn’t even know about. 

Five hours ago, I told myself I was crazy. 

Five minutes ago, I saw him again. 

Five seconds ago, I was too late. 

 

My Review

“We’ve heard the siren’s song and responded to her deathly lure. We’re not criminals. We’re artists. Con artists.” 

Told in first person, this romantic suspense is a steady read that will keep you guessing.  Taking you from the criminal underbelly of downtown DC to Midwest Colorado with flashbacks throughout that keep the twists coming to the very cliff hanger end.  It has who dun it mystery, light moments of humor & heart stopping ones all wrapped into one.  These characters have the most unconventional pasts, which lead them to go to great lengths in search of a life they can call their own for the future.  “We dreamed of distant places untouched by mafia and career criminals.”  A story of family, loyalty & betrayal.  How family isn’t always blood, “I knew from experience that blood could be bought and loyalty wasn’t an inherited trait.”  An intense second chances love story that is sexy, “…hungry, greedy, possessive.” It’s heartbreakingly intense “And it’s deep and wild and forever.”

I love the unique way these characters were brought together, their survival skills & protective nature.  Caroline is my hero, strong & brave even when she doesn’t believe it herself. Sayer – Oh Sayer – sexy, intense, feral “That’s why I keep kissing you.” love him!  I’m glad Rachel chose to turn this tale into a duet & am so looking forward to book two, Consequence, the conclusion to Sayer & Caroline’s epic love story – coming February 2018.

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon US/UK

 

The Difference Between Us: An Opposites Attract Novel by Rachel Higginson

BLURB

I'm cursed.

At least when it comes to finding Mr. Right.

I'm tired of men that only want one night stands or blind dates that are nothing but awkward and uncomfortable. I'm tired of avoiding inappropriate text messages and the constant disappointment of always meeting Mr. Wrong.

After all these years of dates that lead nowhere, I can admit that it's me. I'm the problem. I'm shy and picky and cursed. Definitely cursed.

So I've decided two things.

The first?  I'm giving up dating and relationships and men in general. Maybe, possibly, forever.

The second? I'm going to have to try harder to avoid Ezra Baptiste.

If I couldn't hack it in the kiddy pool of dating, I certainly can't swim in his deep end. He's too successful. Too intense. He's all man when I'm used to nothing but boys pretending to be grownups. He's everything I'm afraid to want and so far out of my league we might as well be different species entirely.

So he'll need to find a different artist to paint his mural. And a different graphic designer to help him with his website. He'll need to find someone else to glare at and flirt with and kiss.

It can't be me.

We're too different.

My Review

The Difference Between Us by Rachel Higginson, book two in her Opposites Attract series, it can be read after The Opposite of You or as a standalone novel.  Striving for success in the heart of Durham, North Carolina, Molly is a young graphic designer & talented painter who is as uncertain in her life as she is prone to be late to absolutely everything (girl after my own heart).  Ezra is a driven restaurateur who always has a vision & a plan “…a man that knew who he was and what he wanted in life. I was just a girl trying to figure out how to check my own oil.”  Different, yes.  Too different…?

Told in first person, be prepared to hit the ground running with this fast paced read that is witty & funny from the start "Why wasn't the not-showered-ratty-pajama look in? Society was the worst. Feminists unite! Also, lazy people. I would also take homebodies.".  This story is full of emotion & inspiration as it takes you deeper, from tough back story beginnings & bad relationships, to sweet, slow-burn, make your breath catch sexy – “sultry wisp of heat…”.  A tale of the challenges of being “in a grown-up life I didn’t know what to do with.” & the search for love & the feeling of being out of your league when it comes to it… “He was basically a Cary Grant movie.”.  Of how to handle over the top uncomfortable work situations, how to make the most out of dysfunctional families & find purpose in this thing called life.  Filled with emotions & refreshingly thought provoking before it’s all said & done. 

I love Molly, her broken filter & internal monologue~ “That’s Alfa Ro-may-o for those of you reading it like Romeo and Juliet.  Because this isn’t that kind of story, yo.”  Bahahaha!!!  I love that Ezra is “…one of the world’s crankiest, hottest, most difficult men.”, alluring & unexpected all at the same time.  I couldn’t get enough of the push-pull snark & enjoyed the verbal duels between these characters way too much.  In the end, I was glad for the how to be “all about following your dreams and going hard after the things you loved most in life.” message.

MUST READ

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review. 

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