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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The Beast Within (The Conversion Series Book #5) by S.C. Stephens

 

BLURB

Nika Adams has had a challenging year. She gave her heart to Hunter Evans, only to have him break it. But Nika refuses to give up hope. Not when there's a chance she can save her true-love—even if she must save him from himself.

Julian Adams finally knows what he wants, and is truly happy. But when he gets mixed up in Nika's suicide mission to save her wayward boyfriend, he begins to wonder if his dream girl can handle the dangerous life that comes with being an Adams 

MY REVEIW

From S.C. Stephens, The Beast Within starts right where The Next Generation leaves you.  Told in first person, from dual perspectives, the continuation of this story will not disappoint.  You'll appreciate way S.C. brings you back up to speed with all the players.  Prepare to be entranced by bonds that may not always remain unbroken.

As Hunter Evans begins working through the reality of becoming what he's been taught to hate - "And who wouldn't struggle with becoming a bloodthirsty nightmare?" He will do what ever it takes to put things right, to avenge his lost soul, bring his unbeating heart peace & justice to this new life.  In the meantime, Nika is left reeling with the remnants of a shattered heart, & feeling every moment of bliss her brother has with his new love, through their ever present emotional bond. 

This story paranormal romance has it all, love, romance, action, surprise twists & an ending that will keep you begging for more.  Heartbreak like no other "Even though we could both potentially live for several millennia, there was no future for us."  Deciding whether to fight, or to let go for self preservation & that of the one held most dear.  Dealing with loss - "My entire life swept away in one painful bite, replaced by a life I barely recognized, and didn't want."

So much emotional turmoil, "I felt lost as I stared into her eyes. I also felt found." - your heart will race, you will get choked up, giggle, worry & feel relieved - all while these characters are learning to accept the new normal & coming to understand that the most important bonds aren't always what you might expect.  Delivering heartbreak & breaking bonds between one another to protect those they love the most, even if - "Her ache was my ache."  Surviving betrayal & abandonment of the worst kinds.  Loving the family who live & fight & put their lives on the line for one another, without thinking twice.  "So long as my undead heart still had life in it, I would use it to protect them. They were all that mattered now."

Have I mentioned how great it is that S.C. throws in some pretty funny dialogue along the way - "Wow, I was about to get staked, just like in some lame vampire flick." LOVE ~ I love that these characters continue to grow & learn life lessons - you can't hate what you don't understand "...see past the species, to the person beneath it."   That they continue to care even when they think they shouldn't & begin to find the beauty in the darkness.  I couldn't get enough of the strong family ties "Family is important. It's possibly the most important thing there is."  I simply can't wait to read more ~ Family is Forever: The Conversion Series Book #6 coming next year

"I'm not scared of you. I'm in love with you."

"So...good..."

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon US/UK

 

The Next Generation (The Conversion Series Book #4) by S.C. Stephens

 

 

BLURB

Nika and Julian Adams have a lot of secrets. But that's to be expected when you're a "little bit" vampire. When you're a supernatural being that is emotionally bonded to your twin, fitting in can be a little challenging. But these sixteen-year-old siblings are determined to find their place in the world...even if it kills them.

 

Fitting in can be hard for anyone. But for Julian and Nika Adams, it's especially challenging. Born as partial vampires, a rare offshoot of pureblood vampires, the twins have had to deceive people their entire lives—distancing themselves from their peers.

Nika desperately wants a hero, a soulmate, someone she can trust with every fiber of her soul—someone as amazing as her father. The boys at her high school aren't impressing her, but, luckily for Nika, Hunter Evans has moved into the neighborhood.

Julian desperately wishes he could sever the empathic bond he has with his sister. While it was fun to experience each other's emotions when they were kids, now that Julian finds himself pining for a girl he can't have, sharing his feelings is the last thing he wants to do. 

 

From S.C. Stephens, The Next Generation is a spin-off to her Conversion Trilogy.  Told in first person, from dual perspectives, this is an entrancing read.  Take your time with it, there is a lot of information to be absorbed if you haven’t read the Conversion Trilogy – don’t be discouraged - totally worth it! 

~”…love and sacrifice…”~

Living in Salt Lake City – “Visit Salt Lake. Different by Nature.”.  This is a story about incredible family bonds “It was our gift, our curse…”, intense friendships, first time love & overcoming the challenges that come with being teenagers – with the added stresses of being a rare sort of breed - “Being human wasn’t easy. And being a human who was part vampire was even less easy.”.  Having to live deceptive lives to protect themselves, their family & those they hold most dear, the bond between these characters is beyond close – their “…family is everything.”.  Angst, “a love triangle, or, square, to be more accurate…”, mystery, action, & fighting against a threat you didn’t see coming.  So much more emotion than I expected with surprise twists & little bit of a cliffhanger that will leave you ready for more… have no fear… The Beast Within – coming in January 2018.

“It warmed and terrified me all at the same time.” 

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon US/UK

Fraternize by Rachel Van Dyken

BLURB

Emerson just made her dream come true as a professional cheerleader for her favorite pro football team. But even though the plus-size athlete is breaking down boundaries, she still has to contend with the massive rulebook. Carbs? Nope. Chocolate? Definitely not. Still, Emerson loves her curves, and she’ll rock the hell out of this job even if it kills her. Except for one mandate that is easier read than done…

No fraternizing with the players.

Problem one is Miller Quinton: Emerson’s first love, first sex, and the guy who still ignites her daydreams and R-rated fantasies. Thrown back together, Miller and Emerson feel the undeniable pull of passion again, even if the conflict that tore them apart seems insurmountable. Then there’s way-too-sexy Grant Sanchez. He has a serious reputation with the ladies, and when it comes to winning someone he wants, he doesn’t let anyone stand in his way.

Now Emerson is breaking every rule in the manual. But what she doesn’t know is that she’s part of a wicked little game—one that could steal both her dream and her heart.

My Review

Fraternize is a new sexy contemporary romance from Rachel Van Dyken with a sporty love triangle theme.  Emerson & Miller were best friends that became more only to be pulled apart.  Who knew a sport could have the power to bring them together.

Told in first person from a love triangle point of view - with some flash back action that gives depth to the extent of the best friend-first love relationship between Emerson & Miller. Funny "Go shower. You smell like whiskey and bad choices.", witty, "...sexy-as-hell...", "...dirty McDonald's foreplay." & heart felt.  This is a story of what happens to young lovers when the promises they make get broken & they grow up to find each other again.  Grudges are held & blame is placed - only to find that situations aren't always what they seem. "It was perfect. And it was hell."  These characters work through putting the past behind them "...maybe the past was defining our future-just in a way neither of us could have imagined." as they face abandonment issues, emotional wreckage, loss & a love triangle to boot!


I swear I smiled through 90% of this book.  The friendship & love between characters, their respect & protective nature, the way they persevered through difficult times, the athlete/guy code - the super hot angst UGH!  Rachel has it all in this funny, sexy & heartwarming take on young love, moving on & growing up.  I'm hoping for a chance for a certain guy & a certain girl to have a story of their own sometime soon... "Where one door closes, a freaking garage door opens."


ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.


Amazon US/UK