Kylie Scott

Kylie Scott’s Stage Dive series, is, hands down, my favorite rocker series EVER! It just improves with each novel and the third installment, Lead, completely blew me away. It is an absolutely hilarious and achingly heart wrenching romance and I LOVED every single word of it.

Jimmy Ferris is the resident bad boy of Stage Dive and he has the addictions and out of control behavior to prove it. Having successfully completed another stint in rehab, Jimmy is on his last chance with his fellow show more band members so when he is in desperate need of yet another sober companion/personal assistant, they decide Lena Morrissey is just the woman for the job. Having recently sworn off men since her luck in the love department is abysmal, Lena pretty much gives up her personal life to keep Jimmy out of trouble, but her unexpected attraction to the sexy rocker puts their professional relationship in jeopardy.

Lena is my absolute favorite female character in the Stage Dive series. She is funny, saucy, sassy and she won’t take any crap off anyone. Not even Jimmy. No matter what he throws her way, she sets him straight and tells him like it is, or more importantly, she tells him how it is going to be. Lena’s inner dialogue is full of self-deprecating humor that is laugh out loud funny but it is also very poignant as she realizes that her feelings for Jimmy go beyond attraction. She tries to protect herself from getting hurt, but resisting Jimmy is virtually impossible.

Jimmy is closed off, brooding and so unbelievably vulnerable that it takes your breath away. He is arrogant and demanding, but with Lena pushing him, Jimmy’s rougher edges begin to smooth over. Jimmy reveals little about his demons, but with an incredible amount of patience and understanding, Lena gets him to open up about his dysfunctional past. Jimmy is slow to recognize what he feels for Lena and relationships are so far out of his comfort zone, he is at a loss at what comes next for him and Lena.

The relationship between Lena and Jimmy is slow growing and they form a somewhat uneasy friendship that Jimmy counts on to keep him on an even keel. He does not do well with change, so when Lena admits her growing attraction to him, Jimmy does everything in his power to help her get over him. Hilarity ensues but so does jealousy when Jimmy encourages Lena to get a personal life.

At this point in the story, there is an amazing amount of sexual tension between them, but Jimmy and Lena stubbornly refuse to give in to their desire. When they finally do act on their passion, their sex scenes are explosive, incendiary and scorching hot. Jimmy is no slouch when it comes to sexually satisfying Lena, but there is still room for improvement in his emotional education and just when their relationship should be turning a corner, they find themselves at another impasse.

Lead is incredibly emotional, laugh out loud funny and almost unbearably poignant at times. The characters are vibrantly developed, easy to relate to, and even when behaving badly (cough, Jimmy, cough), it is impossible not to like them. The plot is refreshing unique and watching Jimmy’s transformation from an emotionally distant and troubled rock star into a loving man willing to risk his heart is wildly entertaining and immensely gratifying. Kylie Scott continues to amaze me with this phenomenal series and I can hardly wait to read the next Stage Dive romance where it is finally Ben’s turn to find his happily ever after. show less

Twist by Kylie Scott
Dive Bar #2

I have had pen pals in the past when paper and pen were used then later as email buddies. I can honestly say that meeting most of them was even better than expected - but one time it definitely was not. Why? No warning of the visit and the person was not as had been described in the letters. What does my remembering this event have to do with “Twist”? Well, the story told in “Twist” reminded me of my past and made me think and feel and care a bit more show more about the characters I was reading about. It also made me wonder, “What if the guy who showed up on my door had been more like Joe?” – not that Joe showed up at Alex’s door…but still…

Alex had expectations when she showed up to meet Eric at the Dive Bar. She had hopes that their messaging over past months might prove the basis for more and since it was one of the only times she had been willing to try for more it was a BIG deal the way he responded to her appearance at the bar. Eric was surprised, Alex was surprised and so was Joe, the instigator of the mix-up. Turning on her heel to leave should have been the end of the debacle but instead the flu found Alex and Joe stepped in to nurse her back to health. With time their ally they found their way back to the online friendship that they both so enjoyed. With a few twists and turns, ups and downs, interesting moments and some sad ones, too, the couple move forward toward a HEA that they both deserve.

You have no doubt heard of the quiet man, the gentle giant, that still waters run deep – well, Joe was the epitome of all of these sayings and more. I think he might be one of my favorite book boyfriends so far. Alex is a bit harder to pigeonhole. She’s smart, independent, and hardworking; she has a sense of humor, knows what she wants and needs both in and outside of the bedroom. She has one close friend but otherwise she seems unwilling to commit to a relationship and fears emotional entanglements. I enjoyed the telling of this story, catching up with characters from the previous book and am eager to find out who will star in book three of the series.

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Griffin – This is my honest review.

4.5 Stars show less

One day I picked up a book called “Lick” and thought to myself ok, lets give this a try. Could be interesting! Well SURPRISE it was great, David & Ev’s story was pretty damn fabulous. I think I remember writing in my short review of Lick that I hoped the next book was about Mal, something about him was just so so interesting, its like he just spoke to me. (Ok, I know that sounds a little weird but he did) So I waited and waited, hoping that the next book would be about Mal and I’m show more pretty sure I did a little dance when I discovered it was about him. So this is my disclaimer for the following gush about Mal!

Play, WOW! Funny, Endearing and a just a little Heart-Breaking! I love this book, I love the comedy in it, how Mal always (ok not always) uses himself to brighten the moment, whether it be by crazy stunt or just true feelings he’s always trying to hide. And Anne well I have to say I pretty much love her too! She refuses to let anything ruin her life, yes she’s had set back after set back but she continues to find a way to move forward no matter what! And that’s how we fall into this story, Mal rides to the recuse for Anne, unbeknownst to her! Coming home to find not only that Mal has moved in but he has also taken the liberty to “redecorate” (LOL) I love it, he’s saving the day for Anne even thought he has another motive behind, and that is that he needs a girlfriend. And the only rule he really has for this little partnership is that to the outside world they are a “real couple”. Yes I know what all of you are thinking, a little weird, why would she agree to this. Fascination, that’s why she does it, or at least that’s what I think hell if you had a chance to get see a rock stars live up close why not take advantage of it. But in the end both of their motives, well they aren’t near an underhanded as you would think. When Mal’s world starts to come unhinged though the drama starts to ensue…

I love this book! I knew I was going to like it, but I had no idea just how much in-love Mal would make me fall for him. He’s so witty and charming. He has some serious charisma that will attract almost anyone out there. So I urge you if you’ve read Lick get this book, and if you haven’t read Lick well get it today and then make sure to get Play!

★Jammie show less

Pause
4 Stars

After a devastating car accident, Anna awakens from a months-long coma to learn that her husband has been unfaithful and with her boss/best friend no less. Now with no husband, no home, and no job, Anna is forced to start over, which she does with the help of Leif Larsen, the enigmatic tattoo artist who saved her from the wreck. Suffering from his own traumas, both physical and emotional, Leif is only going through the motions of living until Anna comes along and offers a new show more lease on life. Can these two lonely souls find happiness together?

Anna and Leif's slow-burn, friends-to-lovers romance is enchanting. Anna is a lovely mix of strength and vulnerability, and the way she stands up to the gaslighting from both her ex-husband and her ex-friend is laudable.

Leif's character in the previous book came across as a bit of a man-whore, and I was wary of reading his book for fear that he had not changed. Thankfully, this is not the case, and the care and affection with which he treats Anna make him a truly wonderful hero.

The only problematic aspect of the story revolves around Anna's strange encounter with the driver responsible for the crash that left her in a coma as there is no foundation or development for it at any point in the book. It comes out of nowhere and is just as quickly resolved.

This wonderful duology with its engaging characters and low-angst romances has been a delight to listen to. I look forward to reading more of Kylie Scott's works. show less