Another Life by K.L. Shandwick

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I’m going to crank out a review before I get distracted with the chaos that is my life.

Usually if a book didn’t tickle my fancy I skip providing a star rating as to not negatively impact the book’s average. Most times I chalk my dissatisfaction with a book to my own personal preferences or experiences. Today however, I felt this book earned it’s 3-star rating. Why?

First, the book was obnoxiously repetitive. Cole repeats himself throughout the entire book. Every epiphany and new lesson he masters is the same concept just worded slightly differently. It was tiresome as a reader yet the author would present it as character growth. It was the same awareness of his loss, grief, moving on, etc. While the angst and turmoil in the beginning of the book was strong enough to hook readers the rest of the book didn’t have the same quality of plot.

Secondly, Harper is a mix of bold yet subservient. It gave me whiplash and made her character unbelievable. Sometimes she was hyper aggressive in her sexual demands with Cole. For example, in one conversation she makes a crass statement about “fucking”. Yet that dominance didn’t come through in other aspects of her life. She seemed absolutely satisfied to continually mention Cole’s first wife. While certainly they needed to come to some understanding in the beginning of their relationship it was highly inappropriate to mention her all.the.time…especially during her wedding vows. That’s YOUR day, Harper!

Lastly, (well, not lastly but I don’t need to butcher this book to death) when Cole and Harper decide to pursue a relationship it’s mentioned they love each other…yet Cole’s first conversation is to learn about Harper’s life. She’s such a stranger to him that he has to inquire about where she grew up, her parents, how many siblings, etc. Based on the information provided to me as the reader their attraction was lustful but not based on meaningful conversation, mutual interests, or awareness of each other’s needs/wants.

My dearest book buddies, please know that I hate to bash books. The author has taken time, their creative energy, and invested part of themselves to bring the project to completion. I respect their craft and admire their tenacity to see the project to fruition. (Something I have yet to do!) However, I want people that follow my reviews to see my honest opinion. If I gave every book a 5-star rating that just wouldn’t be accurate or fair.



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Rock My World by Mia Ford




DNF at 52%

I’m halfway thru the book – so why stop now? Because I simply can’t take Addison’s behavior anymore. Her actions are childish and she doesn’t learn from her mistakes or mature as the story unfolds. For example- Addison is dating the love of her life, soul mate, etc. He’s a musician who’s starting to become successful which also translates to being very busy. One night she’s out at a bar when a friend tells her that she saw her boyfriend kissing someone else. Does she confront the situation like a rational adult? Nope, she leaves without confirming his infidelity, transfers to another college, and never speaks to him again. The poor guy spends 6 years having no clue why his girlfriend ghosted him. After they reconnect and he assures her that he never cheated- guess what? Lo and behold the same friend throws a tantrum, insists he cheated, and refuses to be Addison’s friend until she’s no longer speaking with her ex-boyfriend. Drama Llama for sure! Now- stick with me book friends!!! This is the part that made me give up on the story. Even though Addison herself acknowledges her exboyfriend was telling the truth about not cheating – she ghosts him AGAIN after the conversation with her friend. Turns out – she once again was wrong and is just dragging this poor guy through all this pain for nothing…AGAIN. Dumb biotch. She didn’t learn her lesson. This guy needs to move on to someone more mature. DNF



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Leaving to Stay by Nicole Casey

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Super quick read- fun and flirty. Would have appreciated more depth and character development.



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Incidental Happenstance by Kim DeSalvo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Solid romance novel. A tad slow in spots (especially conversations between Tia and her best friend- seriously they repeat themselves over and over) but all in all a solid read. Intimate scenes were glossed over and romanticized (for lack of a better term). At times I actually imagined the PG ways they described the sex scenes were how my mother or grandmother would have described it. Still worth the read

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Lick by Kylie Scott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was in the mood for a good ole’ fashioned, down & dirty rocker romance. Sadly, “Lick” didn’t meet my expectations which is disappointing especially with a super sexy title like “Lick”. That word alone held empty promises of naughty rocker debauchery.

Perhaps I’m jaded but this book fell short of my expectations.
Characters- meh
(Evelyn Thomas celebrates her 21st birthday in Vegas and slips a condom in her bra- hoping for some sexcapades. Yet throughout the book she displays an innocence that at the very least is unbelievable.)

Plot- meh
(In an effort to avoid spoilers I’ll just say that there was only one scene that had me on the edge of my seat like a sadist chanting YES, YES, YES when there was some turmoil. That scene alone increased my rating from 3 to 4 stars.)

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Idol by Kristen Callihan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Now THAT is what I call a good, old-fashioned rocker romance novel! 5 stars and 3 “hip-hip-hoorays” for Kristen Callihan’s “Idol”.

Circle ’round folks while I tell you why you NEED to read this book. First- close your eyes and picture Killian aka rock god extraordinaire! When he’s first introduced in the story he’s tall & lean, shaggy brown hair, and dark enchanting eyes who just so happens to be emotionally down in the dumps. I’d enliken him to a kicked puppy that pulls at your heartstrings…but with sex appeal for days & days. Human sex appeal…not dogs! 😉 Killian is searching for something (or someone) who can make sense of the pain and lonliness he can’t seem to escape. (If I were more tech savvy this is when I’d insert the “I Volunteer” meme)

Now let me introduce you to grouchy “Elly May” aka Liberty Bell. She’s short of stature, petite build with a large derriere and a perky chest. Liberty’s “Libby” hair is described as the color of wet sand and her eyes are a stormy gray. Now don’t let her adorable features fool you. This gal is cholk-full of brass & sass with thick emotional walls up all around her.

What did I love about the storyline? Everything! This story evolves from the fictitious Collar Island to New York as the characters chase their dreams, run from their demons with a whole lot of friction between themselves along the way. As a reader I got a peek at both the addictive allure of the rocker lifestyle as well as the isolation and near torturous demands of promoters and the media.

I tip my hat to you Kristen Callihan!

P.S. If my glowing review hasn’t convinced you to check out this book perhaps my mentioning the amazing dirty talk and sex scenes will be worth your while. Holy guacamole even the heated banter and sexual tension leading up to the intimate scenes were fantastic, fantastic, fantastic. *fans face*

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Battlescars: A Rock & Roll Romance by Sophie Monroe
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Immediate reaction after completing the book…how cliche.

I’ll be honest with you lovely people. I’m disappointed in this story, especially since it held such promise! A sexy rocker (yum) who’s getting burned out on the lifestyle. A damaged woman who’s dead-set against romance. It sounded like the perfect recipe for an angsty romance. Alas, Jake Parker was too vanilla (for heaven’s sakes he’s practically a monk) and Aubrey’s resistance lasts all of a millisecond.

Also, Aubrey’s “rebel without a cause” persona translated as a bratty teenager. In the first scene her father shares with her that their family business is struggling and requests her help and good behavior. Her reaction- she glares at, then treats their clients like garbage. What an unprofessional brat!

So thanks, but no thanks. I like my rocker romances with a little more edge and a lot less vanilla. 😉

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The Rocker That Holds Me by Terri Anne Browning
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Are you having a rough week? I’ve got the solution to all your problems! Grab a bottle of wine, change into comfy clothes and pick up this book. It’s a very quick read so you should be able to finish it in an evening. (barring any disruptions of course!) I’ve read a few other reviews of this book and they grumble about the length of the book. I have no complaints with the length (sexual innuendo intended) but I do wish there was a tad more angst.

First, let me warn you right now that there is a certain amount of trust you have to instill in the story. At times it was preposterous but I was in need of a break from reality so I went with it. Sure, sure these super sexy guys want to take care of a young girl with nothing but honorable intentions. SUUUUUURRREEE *winks*

Back to my earlier complaint I would have preferred a little more friction/struggle between Ember and Nik. My all time favorite rocker romance is “The Story of Us” (aka Carnage) by Lesley Jones. If you’ve read the book you’ll understand the level of angst between the two love interests that I was hoping for. Ok, maybe not THAT much angst but a little more would have spiced up the book.

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