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The Lillys #2
Girls with Bad Reputations
All her life, Kayla heard the same Don't be so loud. Don't act so wild. Don't take up so much space. Now she's the beating heart of an up-and-coming rock band…and the whole world is going to know her name. Once upon a time, the pressure to be the perfect daughter nearly broke Kayla Whitman. Desperate to find an outlet away from her controlling mother, she picked up a pair of drumsticks, forever altering the rhythm of her life. Since then, she's been determined to make her own way, finding her home with her bandmates even as she fights to keep her past and her present firmly separate. Things were simple enough when the Lillys were playing local gigs at dive bars, but now they're on their first official tour―and all Kayla can see are warning signs. Desperate to escape the worry churning inside her, Kayla finds solace in quiet tour bus driver Ty Baldwin…and discovers in him a kindred spirit like no one she's ever met before. Their connection is immediate and intense, but when increasing scrutiny from the press threatens to destroy Ty's newfound peace and Kayla's carefully guarded secrets, Kayla's forced to make an impossible pursue her dream and risk destroying everyone around her? Or give in and lose the chance of ever becoming the person she's always known she could be.
448 pages, Paperback
First published February 6, 2024
102 people are currently reading
6676 people want to read
About the author
Xio Axelrod
27 books1,187 followersXio Axelrod is a USA Today bestselling author of different flavours of contemporary romance. She also writes what she likes to call strange, twisted tales. Xio grew up in the music industry and began recording at a young age. When she isn’t writing stories, she can be found in the studio, writing songs, or performing on international stages (under a different, no-so-secret name). She lives in Philadelphia with one full-time husband and several part-time cats.
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March 1, 2024Oooh I have been looking forward to this for ages! Second in the series about the all girl rock band The Lillys, this time featuring drummer Kayla.
I think it's fair to say this is at least as much about the Lillys as it is about the romance. Ty and Kayla are a sweet couple, very slow burn romance, and pretty much no conflict once they get together. They both have a lot going on in their lives with the rock band drama and Ty's wrongful conviction and family issues so there's plenty of events, but the romance is just one thread in the story. Which is absolutely fine, I just had other expectations going in so the pacing felt odd until I ajdusted my head.
A long book with a lot of detail, engaged me throughout in a satisfyingly soap operatic way. I really now very much want Jordan and ?Tiff's story please, and I'm guessing Lilly and Cindy??? Thoroughly enjoyable.
I think it's fair to say this is at least as much about the Lillys as it is about the romance. Ty and Kayla are a sweet couple, very slow burn romance, and pretty much no conflict once they get together. They both have a lot going on in their lives with the rock band drama and Ty's wrongful conviction and family issues so there's plenty of events, but the romance is just one thread in the story. Which is absolutely fine, I just had other expectations going in so the pacing felt odd until I ajdusted my head.
A long book with a lot of detail, engaged me throughout in a satisfyingly soap operatic way. I really now very much want Jordan and ?Tiff's story please, and I'm guessing Lilly and Cindy??? Thoroughly enjoyable.
February 7, 2024
This book! I enjoyed this immensely. A female main character that is a rockstar drummer - yes, please! This brought all the nostalgia back for me with Sheila E vibes. Growing up she was one of my fave drummers and even now! This book was all wrapped up in found family and that is my absolute catnip. Xio proved once again that she deserves all the flowers and that she is a beautiful writer. Love the sweet romance too, but my favorite is experiencing Kayla’s journey of coming into her power. I love a strong female that can be soft & vulnerable also. Did I mention the freaking music!!?
February 10, 2024
Girls With Bad Decisions by Xio Axelrod
The Lilly’s series #2. Girl rock band contemporary romance. Can be read as a stand-alone but better as part of the series. This book takes place directly after the first book and the couple from the first book are secondary characters / part of the band, in this book.
Kayla Whitman started to learn to play the drums from her older brother. After he died, she has put her focus and dreams on being a drummer in a rock band. She’s also living a secretive life with the band by using a different name. Her band mates don’t know her real name or that she grew up with restrictions of being proper, quiet, and behaved.
Ty Baldwin is the new driver on the band’s tour of county and State Fairs. He’s constantly reading which makes him a kindred spirit for Kayla and the two soon grow close. He’s had some legal trouble in the past but he just wants to move forward now with a good job to help take care of his grandfather.
But the past isn’t easily forgotten or hidden.
I was so excited to start this second book. I really loved Toni and Seb’s story. This starts shortly after the first from Kayla’s POV. Kayla is impressed with the other women in the group and their talents. She doesn’t realize the key role she plays and often refers to herself as “just the drummer”. Her past is a bit sad and you want her to succeed.
Kayla and Ty together are adorable with their love of books, and carving out their own style. Both have family issues they don’t want to address but they can’t get away with ignoring.
It’s has both sweet and rock and roll vibes and with the band on the route to success, I’m looking forward to the next book of the Lilly’s.
4.5
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
The Lilly’s series #2. Girl rock band contemporary romance. Can be read as a stand-alone but better as part of the series. This book takes place directly after the first book and the couple from the first book are secondary characters / part of the band, in this book.
Kayla Whitman started to learn to play the drums from her older brother. After he died, she has put her focus and dreams on being a drummer in a rock band. She’s also living a secretive life with the band by using a different name. Her band mates don’t know her real name or that she grew up with restrictions of being proper, quiet, and behaved.
Ty Baldwin is the new driver on the band’s tour of county and State Fairs. He’s constantly reading which makes him a kindred spirit for Kayla and the two soon grow close. He’s had some legal trouble in the past but he just wants to move forward now with a good job to help take care of his grandfather.
But the past isn’t easily forgotten or hidden.
I was so excited to start this second book. I really loved Toni and Seb’s story. This starts shortly after the first from Kayla’s POV. Kayla is impressed with the other women in the group and their talents. She doesn’t realize the key role she plays and often refers to herself as “just the drummer”. Her past is a bit sad and you want her to succeed.
Kayla and Ty together are adorable with their love of books, and carving out their own style. Both have family issues they don’t want to address but they can’t get away with ignoring.
It’s has both sweet and rock and roll vibes and with the band on the route to success, I’m looking forward to the next book of the Lilly’s.
4.5
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
April 6, 2024
Such a fun rockin’ book! Another solid read about the all girl rock band The Lillys. Mother- daughter themes, expectations vs dreams. Thoroughly enjoyable.
March 26, 2024
So I received GIRLS WITH BAD REPUTATIONS as an ARC, didn't realize it was part of a series, read the first book, didn't love it (it was fine), and went into this one with low expectations. I did wind up liking the second book a bit more than the first, but it wasn't an all-time favorite.
In book two, we find the Lillys preparing to go on tour, gaining more popularity with every stop. While book one focuses on Toni, the second features Kayla, the group's drummer. Growing up under the watchful eye of her controlling mother, who demanded nothing short of perfection, music and drumming were Kayla's escape. On tour, she forms a fast friendship with their bus driver, Ty, who is escaping life in his own way. But the Lillys' fame threatens to upend both Kayla and Ty's lives.
Two issues here. One: instant love. Kayla and Ty fall head over heels after interacting about twice over two weeks. Please, form a deeper, more realistic connection before vowing your deep, undying love to one another.
Second: These two have their heads in the sand, or the clouds, or both, to the most frustrating degree. Who joins a band expecting to stay hidden and not noticed by the press? Oh I'm in this band, and I want to be successful but oh, no, I am getting famous, and this is a huge problem because my parents will know I'm in a band? Are we twelve, trying to skip school? Ridiculous. And Ty, while I liked him much more, makes some insane choices where he refuses to face reality and could have improved his quality of life YEARS earlier.
Luckily, issue number one mostly vanishes as the book progresses. Kayla and Ty are cute after a while, I will grudgingly admit. Two little bookworms, quiet and reserved; they definitely are made for each other. Ty has an adorable relationship with his Pop Pop, who has raised him (and seems to be magically wealthy...). And, truly, their ability to avoid reality means they are made for one another.
There's just so much going on here. Continuing drama with Candi, a former Lilly band-mate from book one. So many details about the music industry, touring/being on the road, and more. Sometimes it all just feels... too much. The emphasis on a rock band fronted by diverse women is awesome, though.
Overall, I liked each member of the Lillys enough to get drawn into the story. I just wish everything was a bit more plausible, with more time spent on character motivations and less on minute details.
I received a copy of this book from Negalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca in return for an unbiased review.
In book two, we find the Lillys preparing to go on tour, gaining more popularity with every stop. While book one focuses on Toni, the second features Kayla, the group's drummer. Growing up under the watchful eye of her controlling mother, who demanded nothing short of perfection, music and drumming were Kayla's escape. On tour, she forms a fast friendship with their bus driver, Ty, who is escaping life in his own way. But the Lillys' fame threatens to upend both Kayla and Ty's lives.
Two issues here. One: instant love. Kayla and Ty fall head over heels after interacting about twice over two weeks. Please, form a deeper, more realistic connection before vowing your deep, undying love to one another.
Second: These two have their heads in the sand, or the clouds, or both, to the most frustrating degree. Who joins a band expecting to stay hidden and not noticed by the press? Oh I'm in this band, and I want to be successful but oh, no, I am getting famous, and this is a huge problem because my parents will know I'm in a band? Are we twelve, trying to skip school? Ridiculous. And Ty, while I liked him much more, makes some insane choices where he refuses to face reality and could have improved his quality of life YEARS earlier.
Luckily, issue number one mostly vanishes as the book progresses. Kayla and Ty are cute after a while, I will grudgingly admit. Two little bookworms, quiet and reserved; they definitely are made for each other. Ty has an adorable relationship with his Pop Pop, who has raised him (and seems to be magically wealthy...). And, truly, their ability to avoid reality means they are made for one another.
There's just so much going on here. Continuing drama with Candi, a former Lilly band-mate from book one. So many details about the music industry, touring/being on the road, and more. Sometimes it all just feels... too much. The emphasis on a rock band fronted by diverse women is awesome, though.
Overall, I liked each member of the Lillys enough to get drawn into the story. I just wish everything was a bit more plausible, with more time spent on character motivations and less on minute details.
I received a copy of this book from Negalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca in return for an unbiased review.
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May 26, 2021EDIT 26/5/21: A BOOK ALL ABOUT OUR FAVOURITE DRUMMER? SIGN ME TF UP!!
August 18, 2024
3.5-4⭐️
February 27, 2024
This brought feel-good warm fuzzies of a lovable couple falling hard and fast and also wove in some tough but tenderly, thoughtfully explored topics. Big fan of the all-female rock band empowerment and joy, their supportive entourage, and the fun they had on their road to success.
Content notes: misogyny, toxic family relationships, grief, death of a sibling, death of a parent, ailing caregiver and grandparent, racist injustice in the criminal justice system.
Thank you Sourcebooks and NetGalley for the advance review copy; all opinions are my own!
Content notes: misogyny, toxic family relationships, grief, death of a sibling, death of a parent, ailing caregiver and grandparent, racist injustice in the criminal justice system.
Thank you Sourcebooks and NetGalley for the advance review copy; all opinions are my own!
July 13, 2025
I'm really enjoying this series! This book specifically follows Kayla, a member of an all- girl rock band!
Kayla's following her brother's footsteps as a drummer. This is not the career her parents envisioned for her. Kayla battles doing what truly makes her happy while living in fear of disappointing her parents.
The introduction of Kayla's love interest, Ty, took this story to the next level.
The pacing of this book was perfect (slow burn), and the plot was well-developed.
This series doesn't get enough hype!!
I'm speaking into existence a forthcoming book for the other 2 band members, Tiff and Lilly! 🙌🏾
Side note: For a better reading experience, I would highly recommend reading "The Girl With Stars In Her Eyes" before reading this one!
Kayla's following her brother's footsteps as a drummer. This is not the career her parents envisioned for her. Kayla battles doing what truly makes her happy while living in fear of disappointing her parents.
The introduction of Kayla's love interest, Ty, took this story to the next level.
The pacing of this book was perfect (slow burn), and the plot was well-developed.
This series doesn't get enough hype!!
I'm speaking into existence a forthcoming book for the other 2 band members, Tiff and Lilly! 🙌🏾
Side note: For a better reading experience, I would highly recommend reading "The Girl With Stars In Her Eyes" before reading this one!
December 19, 2023
I first fell in love with Axelrod’s work through “The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes”, the first book in the Lillys contemporary romance series, all featuring absolute rock star women. In this book, we follow the best drummer around—Kayla—as she tries to stay one step ahead of her secret identity getting out, and their booknerd, kilt wearing tour driver—Ty—as he tries to reclaim his life after being falsely accused of a crime. Both of them are trying to live their truth, while still hiding aspects of themselves that don’t represent the people they are. It was that connection—plus an absolute love of literature and the same taste in alt-rock music—that became the basis for this instant attraction, and slow burn romance where authenticity and consent are key.
There’s a lot going on in this book beside just the romance. You have Kayla, worried that the bands’ success is going to oust her as the inspiration for America’s perfect child—Little Miss Yolanda—and thus ruin her mother’s career, alongside working through her identity free of her mother’s domineering plan, plus the drama around the band courtesy of Candi (who you meet in the first book, but if you don’t read that one it’s fine, you still get the gist of what happened), and that’s just Kayla’s side of things. With Tyrell, you have his fear born from the false accusations and trying to move on from that, on top of him trying to rediscover the path he wants to take in life now, and managing his loyalty to his grandfather that is so deep and sweet that it sometimes holds him back from moving forward. The story is told in dual POV so you see both of these characters grow—together and separately—but there was a lot going on in between the tender moments. So much so that, at times, I wish the story was a bit tighter so we could focus a bit more on their romance. I say that mainly because I just adored Ty; he’s such a sweet and marvelous character—a kilt wearing bisexual and demisexual man? Uh, yes please!
I love the premise of this series though. All the members of the Lillys are so distinct and I can’t wait to see where their band goes and to get more of their stories. Right now, Toni and Seb’s story (the first in the series) is still my favorite mainly because Axelrod writes phenomenal second chance and friends to lover’s romances. I also thought Ty’s struggles were a bit more gripping than Kayla’s, but that’s probably just because we needed more time to unpack Kayla’s family drama which would have further taken the emphasis away from the romance, and that wouldn’t have been good, either (hence the 4 stars). It’s a tough place to be, for sure, but Axelrod still managed to tell a sweet love story with just enough steam to keep the reader warm at night. If you’re a fan of contemporary romances with a rock n’roll flare (Axelrod knows her stuff when it comes to the music industry and it’s always a treat to read) then you’re definitely going to want to read “Girls with Bad Reputations” and all the Lillys books, honestly. And thanks to Netgalley for providing an eARC for review!
There’s a lot going on in this book beside just the romance. You have Kayla, worried that the bands’ success is going to oust her as the inspiration for America’s perfect child—Little Miss Yolanda—and thus ruin her mother’s career, alongside working through her identity free of her mother’s domineering plan, plus the drama around the band courtesy of Candi (who you meet in the first book, but if you don’t read that one it’s fine, you still get the gist of what happened), and that’s just Kayla’s side of things. With Tyrell, you have his fear born from the false accusations and trying to move on from that, on top of him trying to rediscover the path he wants to take in life now, and managing his loyalty to his grandfather that is so deep and sweet that it sometimes holds him back from moving forward. The story is told in dual POV so you see both of these characters grow—together and separately—but there was a lot going on in between the tender moments. So much so that, at times, I wish the story was a bit tighter so we could focus a bit more on their romance. I say that mainly because I just adored Ty; he’s such a sweet and marvelous character—a kilt wearing bisexual and demisexual man? Uh, yes please!
I love the premise of this series though. All the members of the Lillys are so distinct and I can’t wait to see where their band goes and to get more of their stories. Right now, Toni and Seb’s story (the first in the series) is still my favorite mainly because Axelrod writes phenomenal second chance and friends to lover’s romances. I also thought Ty’s struggles were a bit more gripping than Kayla’s, but that’s probably just because we needed more time to unpack Kayla’s family drama which would have further taken the emphasis away from the romance, and that wouldn’t have been good, either (hence the 4 stars). It’s a tough place to be, for sure, but Axelrod still managed to tell a sweet love story with just enough steam to keep the reader warm at night. If you’re a fan of contemporary romances with a rock n’roll flare (Axelrod knows her stuff when it comes to the music industry and it’s always a treat to read) then you’re definitely going to want to read “Girls with Bad Reputations” and all the Lillys books, honestly. And thanks to Netgalley for providing an eARC for review!
February 9, 2024
5 STARS!
Xio Axelrod could write a phone book and I would read it. My god, she is such a brilliant writer! I absolutely loved Kayla and Ty's story in The Lilly's series. Kayla is the drummer for the band, and Ty winds up becoming their tour bus driver. They find a quick and deep connection with one another that is irresistible, smoldering, and teeming with chemistry. They both bring baggage to the table. Kayla has a fraught relationship with her perfectionist mother, who has tried her damndest to control Kayla's life and keep her away from music, one of the few things that keeps her tethered to her brother Zach, who passed away when he was a teenager. Kayla was the inspiration for her mother's children's book series "Little Miss Yolanda," the perfect A+ child who can do no wrong. Becoming a rock and roll star is antithetical to everything her family stands for, and is in direct opposition to everything Little Miss Yolanda is. Ty was raised by his grandfather, who means the world to him and has had various health issues throughout the years. Ty thought he had it made when he was going to college, until someone he considered a "friend" lied and said he plagiarised her work and physically assaulted her. The university took the woman's side, kicking Ty out of school with no evidence to support her claim. He has been trying to pick up the pieces of his shattered life ever since. Eventually, he becomes the tour bus driver for the Lilly's, comes slowly out of his more introverted shell, meets Kayla, and the rest, as they say, is history. Even though Kayla and Ty are a relatively young couple, they feel like mature and realistic characters. Both of them have terrific arcs that feel authentic to their characters. The steam between the two of them is undeniably sensual and incredibly alluring. As with "The Girl With Stars in Her Eyes," the found family element here is strong and makes the story much more rich and complex. The members of the Lilly's have such an indelible bond with one another. Their rock story is chockful to the brim with passion, power, love, respect, and admiration... that, and kick a$$ music! It seems like there are a lot of moving parts to this story, and there are, but Xio Axelrod balances each storyline so no one plot point outshines the other, ensuring that nothing is dropped by the wayside. I absolutely loved this book, and I truly hope you give this series a chance. Xio Axelrod is one of the best romance writers out there right now!!! Listen to the audiobook, if you can, because narrators Benjamin Charles and Tyla Collier bring these characters to life. This is one of the best audiobooks I have listened to as of late. They did a splendid job differentiating between the characters. Fantastic work!
Thank you to NetGalley, Xio Axelrod, and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
Xio Axelrod could write a phone book and I would read it. My god, she is such a brilliant writer! I absolutely loved Kayla and Ty's story in The Lilly's series. Kayla is the drummer for the band, and Ty winds up becoming their tour bus driver. They find a quick and deep connection with one another that is irresistible, smoldering, and teeming with chemistry. They both bring baggage to the table. Kayla has a fraught relationship with her perfectionist mother, who has tried her damndest to control Kayla's life and keep her away from music, one of the few things that keeps her tethered to her brother Zach, who passed away when he was a teenager. Kayla was the inspiration for her mother's children's book series "Little Miss Yolanda," the perfect A+ child who can do no wrong. Becoming a rock and roll star is antithetical to everything her family stands for, and is in direct opposition to everything Little Miss Yolanda is. Ty was raised by his grandfather, who means the world to him and has had various health issues throughout the years. Ty thought he had it made when he was going to college, until someone he considered a "friend" lied and said he plagiarised her work and physically assaulted her. The university took the woman's side, kicking Ty out of school with no evidence to support her claim. He has been trying to pick up the pieces of his shattered life ever since. Eventually, he becomes the tour bus driver for the Lilly's, comes slowly out of his more introverted shell, meets Kayla, and the rest, as they say, is history. Even though Kayla and Ty are a relatively young couple, they feel like mature and realistic characters. Both of them have terrific arcs that feel authentic to their characters. The steam between the two of them is undeniably sensual and incredibly alluring. As with "The Girl With Stars in Her Eyes," the found family element here is strong and makes the story much more rich and complex. The members of the Lilly's have such an indelible bond with one another. Their rock story is chockful to the brim with passion, power, love, respect, and admiration... that, and kick a$$ music! It seems like there are a lot of moving parts to this story, and there are, but Xio Axelrod balances each storyline so no one plot point outshines the other, ensuring that nothing is dropped by the wayside. I absolutely loved this book, and I truly hope you give this series a chance. Xio Axelrod is one of the best romance writers out there right now!!! Listen to the audiobook, if you can, because narrators Benjamin Charles and Tyla Collier bring these characters to life. This is one of the best audiobooks I have listened to as of late. They did a splendid job differentiating between the characters. Fantastic work!
Thank you to NetGalley, Xio Axelrod, and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
February 9, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Sourcebook Casablanca for hitting me an early copy of both the ebook and audiobook of this gem!
Girls with Bad Reputations is not just a love story. The romance was beautiful, a not-so-slow burn, friends-to-lovers story.
But what captivated me in this book were the background stories, where our main characters come from, and why they are the way they are.
Kayla is pulling a double Hanna Montana act. Famous since childhood thanks to a series of books her mother wrote about the perfect child, Little Miss Yolanda, Kathrine - Kayla for friends - wants just to follow her late brother's dream to be a rockstar drummer.
Ty is the perfect student, but when he gets tangled in various injustices, he is forced to quit university and accept any job to help his grandfather out.
Ty is a kind soul, searching for the quiet life he was used to. After his grandfather pushes him to do something for himself he decides to take a job as a bus driver for an all-girl indie rock band, with a no fraternization closet written boldly in his contract.
Ty and Kyla met and they found each other. But like I said at the beginning of the review this book is so much more.
Kyla and her mother's relationship was what struck me the most, but there are various themes that make this book very interesting and I´m sure it will enter soon many people´s hearts.
For the audiobook, the production, like everything Dreamscape, is flawless. The voice actors did a great job interpreting the characters. I loved both of their voices.
Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Sourcebook Casablanca for hitting me an early copy of both the ebook and audiobook of this gem!
Girls with Bad Reputations is not just a love story. The romance was beautiful, a not-so-slow burn, friends-to-lovers story.
But what captivated me in this book were the background stories, where our main characters come from, and why they are the way they are.
Kayla is pulling a double Hanna Montana act. Famous since childhood thanks to a series of books her mother wrote about the perfect child, Little Miss Yolanda, Kathrine - Kayla for friends - wants just to follow her late brother's dream to be a rockstar drummer.
Ty is the perfect student, but when he gets tangled in various injustices, he is forced to quit university and accept any job to help his grandfather out.
Ty is a kind soul, searching for the quiet life he was used to. After his grandfather pushes him to do something for himself he decides to take a job as a bus driver for an all-girl indie rock band, with a no fraternization closet written boldly in his contract.
Ty and Kyla met and they found each other. But like I said at the beginning of the review this book is so much more.
Kyla and her mother's relationship was what struck me the most, but there are various themes that make this book very interesting and I´m sure it will enter soon many people´s hearts.
For the audiobook, the production, like everything Dreamscape, is flawless. The voice actors did a great job interpreting the characters. I loved both of their voices.
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May 4, 2024I struggled with Girls with Bad Reputations for a few reasons, despite the fact that I do like the band.
First off, I just really don't need books about men who have been falsely accused of sexual assault in my life right now. Yes, it happens, but not nearly, remotely as much as assault happens. I didn't appreciate that there was also a lack of nuance here about this. It was solely focused on how this sucks for him, which it does. Mileage will absolutely vary here. I've read several of these books, and it's not a plot line I can really stand when the comments on every single post about a woman accusing a man of sexual assault is that she must be making it up.
Secondly, I never really felt the chemistry here, though I truly wish I did. They're both really sweet people, and I loved how they bonded over authors of color and love of reading. That was great. I just never really felt the passion between them. They felt more like friends to me. There was also a very half-assed attempt at making this romance forbidden that really felt pointless. But it's also possible I would have felt it if I hadn't been thrown off by the SA plot.
Finally, while I appreciated the complex family dynamics on Kayla's side, the resolution was laughable. It resolved with a snap, and that's just not realistic. It would be nice if one honest conversation fixed everything, sure. But come on, her mother was so freaking toxic, and she's not going to magically become the most supportive mom ever because you said how she made you feel one time. Like she's never said anything before? It's ridiculous, I'm sorry.
Basically, there is some great stuff here, but it felt like maybe this needed another editing pass. Also personally the male MC's trauma was just not trauma I have the energy for right now. It's a valid thing, but I cannot put my energy there until women are safer.
First off, I just really don't need books about men who have been falsely accused of sexual assault in my life right now. Yes, it happens, but not nearly, remotely as much as assault happens. I didn't appreciate that there was also a lack of nuance here about this. It was solely focused on how this sucks for him, which it does. Mileage will absolutely vary here. I've read several of these books, and it's not a plot line I can really stand when the comments on every single post about a woman accusing a man of sexual assault is that she must be making it up.
Secondly, I never really felt the chemistry here, though I truly wish I did. They're both really sweet people, and I loved how they bonded over authors of color and love of reading. That was great. I just never really felt the passion between them. They felt more like friends to me. There was also a very half-assed attempt at making this romance forbidden that really felt pointless. But it's also possible I would have felt it if I hadn't been thrown off by the SA plot.
Finally, while I appreciated the complex family dynamics on Kayla's side, the resolution was laughable. It resolved with a snap, and that's just not realistic. It would be nice if one honest conversation fixed everything, sure. But come on, her mother was so freaking toxic, and she's not going to magically become the most supportive mom ever because you said how she made you feel one time. Like she's never said anything before? It's ridiculous, I'm sorry.
Basically, there is some great stuff here, but it felt like maybe this needed another editing pass. Also personally the male MC's trauma was just not trauma I have the energy for right now. It's a valid thing, but I cannot put my energy there until women are safer.
February 23, 2024
love love looove the lilys ❤️
February 16, 2024
This book was fantastic! Great plot, great main and side characters that were not just your typical any steriotype, found family, family drama, slow burn romance. I really loved it. I'm a Lillys fan. Can't wait for the next one. Happy reading!
August 3, 2024
Thank you so much to Sourcebook for the ebook!!
This book is out now.
Content Warnings from Storygraph:
I AM SO MAD AT MYSELF FOR NOT PICKING THIS UP SOONER!
I was enthralled from the story of Kayla from the very beginning. The way Xio has built this rock band world has been so fun to see and read about.
I love how we got a little bit of her backstory and how the death of her brother affected her into her adulthood. I also loved the growth that Kayla had with her parents. I was frustrated for her and just wanted to shake her mother. I was so glad that by the end they were able to have a long overdue conversation. I love seeing Kayla's relationship with the other band members! I don't recall seeing as much of the other personalities in the first book as I did in this one. And I really feel like we may be getting her book next??
Oh sweet Ty! Just give the man all the books in the world! He just is trying to get by day to day and lead such a quiet life. I love his relationship with his grandfather who raised him. He went through some challenges in college that change the course of his life and truly just wants to work and earn enough money to keep his head above water. The opportunity to drive a tour bus for the Lilly's comes at the perfect time! He found this community of family and what better way to get close to people than the forced proximity of a bus.
Kayla and Ty together was just so sweet to see! I love how they bonded over reading and talking about books. They were able to open up to one another and I just loved seeing their time together throughout the book. I just love them together! We got to see Seb & Toni in this and it makes me excited that we will also get to see Kayla & Ty in future books.
I did my reading via audio and both Tyla Collier & Benjamin Charles were so good as their character! I have to give kudos to Benjamin who nailed the grandfather Van down so well! He really turned himself into an old man. And Tyla was able to just fluidly go through all the different female voices.
This book is a lofty book coming in close to 450 pages but let me tell you. It did not feel like that at all. I thought the pacing was great and that it moved quick.
I really enjoyed the first book but this one was just SO good!! I am very excited to see what is next for Axelrod as well as the success of the Lillys!
This book is out now.
Content Warnings from Storygraph:
I AM SO MAD AT MYSELF FOR NOT PICKING THIS UP SOONER!
I was enthralled from the story of Kayla from the very beginning. The way Xio has built this rock band world has been so fun to see and read about.
I love how we got a little bit of her backstory and how the death of her brother affected her into her adulthood. I also loved the growth that Kayla had with her parents. I was frustrated for her and just wanted to shake her mother. I was so glad that by the end they were able to have a long overdue conversation. I love seeing Kayla's relationship with the other band members! I don't recall seeing as much of the other personalities in the first book as I did in this one. And I really feel like we may be getting her book next??
Oh sweet Ty! Just give the man all the books in the world! He just is trying to get by day to day and lead such a quiet life. I love his relationship with his grandfather who raised him. He went through some challenges in college that change the course of his life and truly just wants to work and earn enough money to keep his head above water. The opportunity to drive a tour bus for the Lilly's comes at the perfect time! He found this community of family and what better way to get close to people than the forced proximity of a bus.
Kayla and Ty together was just so sweet to see! I love how they bonded over reading and talking about books. They were able to open up to one another and I just loved seeing their time together throughout the book. I just love them together! We got to see Seb & Toni in this and it makes me excited that we will also get to see Kayla & Ty in future books.
I did my reading via audio and both Tyla Collier & Benjamin Charles were so good as their character! I have to give kudos to Benjamin who nailed the grandfather Van down so well! He really turned himself into an old man. And Tyla was able to just fluidly go through all the different female voices.
This book is a lofty book coming in close to 450 pages but let me tell you. It did not feel like that at all. I thought the pacing was great and that it moved quick.
I really enjoyed the first book but this one was just SO good!! I am very excited to see what is next for Axelrod as well as the success of the Lillys!
December 25, 2023
This book was honestly just SO GOOD!! I adore Ty and Kayla and their love story was just everything I wanted. I honestly had a hard time writing some highlight down because I really just loved this whole book and so wholeheartedly recommend it (I do highly recommend reading The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes first because I think you need to know what happens in that book to fully appreciate this one).
Kayla is the drummer for the up-and-coming band, The Lilly's, and is struggling with parental expectations. She's hidden her life from her high achieving and exacting mother, whose high expectations only increased after the death of her brother. Ty picks up the gig of driving the band's tour bus while trying to figure out what to do with the rest of his life after being unjustly accused of plagiarism and assault and being kicked out of college. Both Kayla and Ty have a lot in common - they love books and are huge nerds - and find themselves starting a friendship that bleeds into more.
Though Ty and Kayla are both relatively young, they never feel young or immature, which is something I so appreciate as I get older. Their relationship is really built on respect and kindness and they actually communicate with each other and are unquestionably there for the other. Ty in particular just really got my heart - he is so sweet, his relationship with his grandpa is just absolutely so lovely, and I love how he is so unapologetically himself!
I really felt for Kayla and the expectations her mom has - I was so glad to see her stand up to herself and try to explain her experience to her mom and work to rebuild their relationship. It's incredibly clear that the author really knows her stuff in regards to the music industry and it was truly a delight to read about. I'm obsessed with the Lilly's and their friends - I'm really excited for a Tiff book and then maybe Lilly's?? I'm so intrigued by her in particular.
Read this for:
- BIPOC Characters
- Queer and Gender nonconforming Rep
- Rock star
- Found Family
- Dual POV
I could not recommend this series enough and I can't wait to see what happens with the Lilly's next!
Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and Netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Kayla is the drummer for the up-and-coming band, The Lilly's, and is struggling with parental expectations. She's hidden her life from her high achieving and exacting mother, whose high expectations only increased after the death of her brother. Ty picks up the gig of driving the band's tour bus while trying to figure out what to do with the rest of his life after being unjustly accused of plagiarism and assault and being kicked out of college. Both Kayla and Ty have a lot in common - they love books and are huge nerds - and find themselves starting a friendship that bleeds into more.
Though Ty and Kayla are both relatively young, they never feel young or immature, which is something I so appreciate as I get older. Their relationship is really built on respect and kindness and they actually communicate with each other and are unquestionably there for the other. Ty in particular just really got my heart - he is so sweet, his relationship with his grandpa is just absolutely so lovely, and I love how he is so unapologetically himself!
I really felt for Kayla and the expectations her mom has - I was so glad to see her stand up to herself and try to explain her experience to her mom and work to rebuild their relationship. It's incredibly clear that the author really knows her stuff in regards to the music industry and it was truly a delight to read about. I'm obsessed with the Lilly's and their friends - I'm really excited for a Tiff book and then maybe Lilly's?? I'm so intrigued by her in particular.
Read this for:
- BIPOC Characters
- Queer and Gender nonconforming Rep
- Rock star
- Found Family
- Dual POV
I could not recommend this series enough and I can't wait to see what happens with the Lilly's next!
Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and Netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 16, 2024
ARC review.
ok yessssssss, I loved everything about this one. I didn't read the 1st book yet and after this I may have to now go back and read Toni and Seb's story but hiii yesss helloooo a new book boyfriend is born. Of course i loved Kayla, drummer extraordinaire who has her own family baggage going on but Ty mi amor!! Our hero is a pan black man who is a bookworm and wears a kilt and has his ears and nose pierced mmhmm. These two together were so sweet and cute.
I loved how their relationship grew and they just talked things out? Their openness with each other was really refreshing. I love how much they're both enamored with each other in different ways, and they just pay attention. For eg: Ty giving Kayla his straw because he knows she needs something to tap with and she doesn't have her drum sticks. small gestures like this maaaan, so cuuute in romance.
Their romance was a good balance with the rise of the Lillys! I loved getting to each know each member of the band and at no time did I feel like the romance was overshadowed.
Whew, Kayla's issues with her mom come to a head which was much needed and so does the stuff Ty had to deal with, with his past and fears about his grandfather's health etc.
The author did a great job with showcasing the music industry I think. (she's a recording artiste herself so!) Even though some of the descriptions of things did go over my head lol it wasn't too jargon heavy or anything like that to the point of bogging down the flow of the story.
Loved Kayla and Ty, loved all the other characters as well (except Candi she can kick rocks meh!) and I can' wait to see whose book is next. I'm really intrigued by whatever's going on with Tiff so *eye emoji*
ok yessssssss, I loved everything about this one. I didn't read the 1st book yet and after this I may have to now go back and read Toni and Seb's story but hiii yesss helloooo a new book boyfriend is born. Of course i loved Kayla, drummer extraordinaire who has her own family baggage going on but Ty mi amor!! Our hero is a pan black man who is a bookworm and wears a kilt and has his ears and nose pierced mmhmm. These two together were so sweet and cute.
I loved how their relationship grew and they just talked things out? Their openness with each other was really refreshing. I love how much they're both enamored with each other in different ways, and they just pay attention. For eg: Ty giving Kayla his straw because he knows she needs something to tap with and she doesn't have her drum sticks. small gestures like this maaaan, so cuuute in romance.
Their romance was a good balance with the rise of the Lillys! I loved getting to each know each member of the band and at no time did I feel like the romance was overshadowed.
Whew, Kayla's issues with her mom come to a head which was much needed and so does the stuff Ty had to deal with, with his past and fears about his grandfather's health etc.
The author did a great job with showcasing the music industry I think. (she's a recording artiste herself so!) Even though some of the descriptions of things did go over my head lol it wasn't too jargon heavy or anything like that to the point of bogging down the flow of the story.
Loved Kayla and Ty, loved all the other characters as well (except Candi she can kick rocks meh!) and I can' wait to see whose book is next. I'm really intrigued by whatever's going on with Tiff so *eye emoji*
April 29, 2025
I really enjoyed this book #2 in The Lilly's Series! This book concentrated on Kayla's life, the drummer in the all female band. I loved the characters and it was captivating reading about their personal as well as their professional lives. I wish they really did have a band so I could listen to the songs mentioned in the book. I hope Xio Axelrod gives us another book in this series.
March 26, 2024
I can officially tell the drummer and the bassist apart!
For this one, I don't think a plot summary is necessary, at least, nothing beyond: this is a continuation of the Lilly's series, where in The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes we followed Toni and in book 2 we're following Kayla, the drummer, and the band is gaining recognition and spends the course of the book doing the festival circuit. Their driver is Ty, and he and Kayla have instant chemistry. There, plot.
I didn't like this one as much as book 1, but I only kind of didn't like it. Mostly I was just kind of indifferent towards it. As in, everything I'm about to expound upon are just points that took away from me loving it. None of the below points are things I hated. I wanna make that clear! I think Xio is a great voice in the romance lexicon and I still enjoyed this.
HOWEVER
Kayla and Ty's romance was not as compelling as Toni and Seb's. There was much more backstory to Toni and Seb, so this might be considered unfair, but there it is. There was nothing for these two to get around, they had so much in common, they were literally made for each other. It was NOT not believable, I just wasn't rooting for them as hard BECAUSE they didn't need it.
Kayla's parents were SUPER problematic!! Mostly her mom, but her dad wasn't much better. I have said this before about Xio's books and I'll say it again: I feel like she tries way too hard to make the conflict way too overblown. Kayla's brother died when she was 15, and so her parents - particularly her mom - focused all their energy on making Kayla the perfect child, so she feels bad about being in a band, and this is going to be a huge conflict when, in actuality, Kayla is a full-blown adult and should be completely able to do her own thing. I also lay blame at Kayla's feet because I just said she's an adult and yet she very childishly kept her band a secret from her parents and her parents a secret from her band. More on this later. The point of this point is that the parents themselves were problematic. Kayla's mom at several points said a bunch of problematic, racist, and narcissistic things that Kayla just let pass or worse, apologized for. Or the dad apologized for her mom, and Kayla and her dad rolled over a lot. It was painfully awkward and infuriating.
Ty's impossibly tragic background was way too tragic!!! Let me enumerate this for you! Ty's mother died when he was a baby, his dad died when he was a kid, this grandfather is in the early stages of dementia, his college buddy accused him of plagiarism AND THEN assault, he got kicked out of his university and lost his scholarship, and he can't get a job or get into another university because he's been blacklisted. This was just too much!! Now, all this led to him driving a tour van that put him in Kayla's path, but I could definitely argue that about half this tragedy would have been enough. Between this and Kayla's dead brother, there is so much drama in this series! You can't force character development on people like this. I would have believed he was a good guy without false plagiarism and assault charges.
Racism and sexism tropes were overused. I know these things exist and I know that it's important for people who have a platform to bring attention to them, but they were so so so very ham-handed as to actually take away from the importance. Look, if a guy and a girl walk into a music shop and the male employee mistakes the musician for the guy, a simple "oh, it's actually me who's the musician" should suffice. It could easily happen to anyone. Similarly, the racist woman walking by the bus when Ty was checking it was locked was overwrought, and the racist landlord in the middle of majority-black Philly was not at all believable. The biggest offender was Kayla's mom hearing one inkling that Ty was guilty of plagiarism and assault and immediately believing it. It was especially distressing because even as a woman of color, Kayla's mom immediately believed it must be true, because the accuser was from a legacy white family. With no details!! And then had the gall to scold Kayla about not having her facts straight. And also having the gall to call Kayla out for not being enough of a role model for little Black girls. The sole purpose of all these examples is just to infuriate you, the reader, but instead I became infuriated at the author, who should not have to throw every instance of -ism on the page just to illicit a reaction from us. Black people can be intelligent and upstanding members of society. Women can be role models without conforming to I-don't-even-know-what standards. I didn't need anyone to beat me over the head with this.
The overly dramatic conflicts were overly dramatic!
🔴 Between Kayla and the band: why oh why did it have to be so dramatic that Kayla didn't feel she could admit to her band mates that she was the subject of a kids series her mom wrote? Why exactly did she think this was going to be some kind of deal breaker??
🟠 Between Kayla and her mom: I mentioned this already that her mom was problematic but my issue here is how long it took before Kayla worked up the guts to talk candidly with her mom and admit she was in a band (oh! oh! oh! and she isn't even the one who finally came out and told her parents! some acquaintance blurted it out and even took the agency from Kayla!). And then her mom tried to bulldoze her and went on and on about how disappointed she was and I can't stand it when grown women don't stand up for themselves. And I'll address the concept of race in a minute, but specifically, the idea that Kayla is a disappointment because she's not representing her people appropriately! UGH! It all made me so mad and she needed to be put in her place! But Xio opted for a "mom, you're smothering me" approach that was quieter and maybe more peaceful, but was not at all satisfying.
🟡 Between the band mates and Candi: yup, this bitch is back again. She was kind of a nuisance that I thought might get a redemption arc in the first book, but she was just plain bad in this one. And honestly, I'm a tad sad her downward spiral indicates that this troubled young woman is most definitely not getting the help she needs. So, I'm waiting for the "oh no, Candi's dead" subplot later on in this series. In a book with already too many conflicts, this was an unwelcome addition.
🟢 Between Ty and that ridiculous excuse for a journalist: I forgot to add to Ty's list of tragedies that on top of everything else, there was a journalist running around trying to connect the supposed assault with Ty's classmate's eventual drug overdose... I can't even conceptualize how that leap in logic occurred. And Kayla got all embroiled in it too because the "investigative" journalist found out her real last name and therefore who she was, as a way to... discredit the band?? because Ty was their driver??? And wouldn't her parents be disappointed???? I don't know but this was a big part of the many conflicts and it was way too ridiculous.
🔵 Between Tiff and whatever was going on with her: save it for the next book. It had no place in this one. I was pulled in way too many directions as it was.
Gosh it sounds like I had a lot of problems... Let's just say they were easy to articulate. The issues with this book were obvious but not so detrimental as to make the book not enjoyable. It's a 4 from me but only rounded up from 3.5 territory. I still had fun and I'm still rooting for these girls!!
For this one, I don't think a plot summary is necessary, at least, nothing beyond: this is a continuation of the Lilly's series, where in The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes we followed Toni and in book 2 we're following Kayla, the drummer, and the band is gaining recognition and spends the course of the book doing the festival circuit. Their driver is Ty, and he and Kayla have instant chemistry. There, plot.
I didn't like this one as much as book 1, but I only kind of didn't like it. Mostly I was just kind of indifferent towards it. As in, everything I'm about to expound upon are just points that took away from me loving it. None of the below points are things I hated. I wanna make that clear! I think Xio is a great voice in the romance lexicon and I still enjoyed this.
HOWEVER
Kayla and Ty's romance was not as compelling as Toni and Seb's. There was much more backstory to Toni and Seb, so this might be considered unfair, but there it is. There was nothing for these two to get around, they had so much in common, they were literally made for each other. It was NOT not believable, I just wasn't rooting for them as hard BECAUSE they didn't need it.
Kayla's parents were SUPER problematic!! Mostly her mom, but her dad wasn't much better. I have said this before about Xio's books and I'll say it again: I feel like she tries way too hard to make the conflict way too overblown. Kayla's brother died when she was 15, and so her parents - particularly her mom - focused all their energy on making Kayla the perfect child, so she feels bad about being in a band, and this is going to be a huge conflict when, in actuality, Kayla is a full-blown adult and should be completely able to do her own thing. I also lay blame at Kayla's feet because I just said she's an adult and yet she very childishly kept her band a secret from her parents and her parents a secret from her band. More on this later. The point of this point is that the parents themselves were problematic. Kayla's mom at several points said a bunch of problematic, racist, and narcissistic things that Kayla just let pass or worse, apologized for. Or the dad apologized for her mom, and Kayla and her dad rolled over a lot. It was painfully awkward and infuriating.
Ty's impossibly tragic background was way too tragic!!! Let me enumerate this for you! Ty's mother died when he was a baby, his dad died when he was a kid, this grandfather is in the early stages of dementia, his college buddy accused him of plagiarism AND THEN assault, he got kicked out of his university and lost his scholarship, and he can't get a job or get into another university because he's been blacklisted. This was just too much!! Now, all this led to him driving a tour van that put him in Kayla's path, but I could definitely argue that about half this tragedy would have been enough. Between this and Kayla's dead brother, there is so much drama in this series! You can't force character development on people like this. I would have believed he was a good guy without false plagiarism and assault charges.
Racism and sexism tropes were overused. I know these things exist and I know that it's important for people who have a platform to bring attention to them, but they were so so so very ham-handed as to actually take away from the importance. Look, if a guy and a girl walk into a music shop and the male employee mistakes the musician for the guy, a simple "oh, it's actually me who's the musician" should suffice. It could easily happen to anyone. Similarly, the racist woman walking by the bus when Ty was checking it was locked was overwrought, and the racist landlord in the middle of majority-black Philly was not at all believable. The biggest offender was Kayla's mom hearing one inkling that Ty was guilty of plagiarism and assault and immediately believing it. It was especially distressing because even as a woman of color, Kayla's mom immediately believed it must be true, because the accuser was from a legacy white family. With no details!! And then had the gall to scold Kayla about not having her facts straight. And also having the gall to call Kayla out for not being enough of a role model for little Black girls. The sole purpose of all these examples is just to infuriate you, the reader, but instead I became infuriated at the author, who should not have to throw every instance of -ism on the page just to illicit a reaction from us. Black people can be intelligent and upstanding members of society. Women can be role models without conforming to I-don't-even-know-what standards. I didn't need anyone to beat me over the head with this.
The overly dramatic conflicts were overly dramatic!
🔴 Between Kayla and the band: why oh why did it have to be so dramatic that Kayla didn't feel she could admit to her band mates that she was the subject of a kids series her mom wrote? Why exactly did she think this was going to be some kind of deal breaker??
🟠 Between Kayla and her mom: I mentioned this already that her mom was problematic but my issue here is how long it took before Kayla worked up the guts to talk candidly with her mom and admit she was in a band (oh! oh! oh! and she isn't even the one who finally came out and told her parents! some acquaintance blurted it out and even took the agency from Kayla!). And then her mom tried to bulldoze her and went on and on about how disappointed she was and I can't stand it when grown women don't stand up for themselves. And I'll address the concept of race in a minute, but specifically, the idea that Kayla is a disappointment because she's not representing her people appropriately! UGH! It all made me so mad and she needed to be put in her place! But Xio opted for a "mom, you're smothering me" approach that was quieter and maybe more peaceful, but was not at all satisfying.
🟡 Between the band mates and Candi: yup, this bitch is back again. She was kind of a nuisance that I thought might get a redemption arc in the first book, but she was just plain bad in this one. And honestly, I'm a tad sad her downward spiral indicates that this troubled young woman is most definitely not getting the help she needs. So, I'm waiting for the "oh no, Candi's dead" subplot later on in this series. In a book with already too many conflicts, this was an unwelcome addition.
🟢 Between Ty and that ridiculous excuse for a journalist: I forgot to add to Ty's list of tragedies that on top of everything else, there was a journalist running around trying to connect the supposed assault with Ty's classmate's eventual drug overdose... I can't even conceptualize how that leap in logic occurred. And Kayla got all embroiled in it too because the "investigative" journalist found out her real last name and therefore who she was, as a way to... discredit the band?? because Ty was their driver??? And wouldn't her parents be disappointed???? I don't know but this was a big part of the many conflicts and it was way too ridiculous.
🔵 Between Tiff and whatever was going on with her: save it for the next book. It had no place in this one. I was pulled in way too many directions as it was.
Gosh it sounds like I had a lot of problems... Let's just say they were easy to articulate. The issues with this book were obvious but not so detrimental as to make the book not enjoyable. It's a 4 from me but only rounded up from 3.5 territory. I still had fun and I'm still rooting for these girls!!
June 30, 2024
This slow burn romance is the second book in The Lillys’ series. This book is about the drummer, 🥁 Kayla who has been hiding a secret.
Ty is their tour bus driver who has a past but is happy to get such a great job and doesn’t want to make any mistakes.
Kayla catches Ty reading a book during a break and they find out they have a lot in common.
Although this is Kayla’s story, Axelrod weaves in the drama from book one, The Girl with Stars in her Eyes, as the band is on the brink of becoming the next big thing.
Ty is their tour bus driver who has a past but is happy to get such a great job and doesn’t want to make any mistakes.
Kayla catches Ty reading a book during a break and they find out they have a lot in common.
Although this is Kayla’s story, Axelrod weaves in the drama from book one, The Girl with Stars in her Eyes, as the band is on the brink of becoming the next big thing.
April 27, 2024
Fame can bring more than popularity and with the press now hot on their heels nobody’s past is safe.
It’s the 2nd book in the Lilly’s series which can be read as a standalone because this one focuses more on Kayla and her new love interest Ty. Things were simple when the Lillys were playing local gigs at dive bars, but now they're on their first official tour and all Kayla can see are warning signs. Desperate to escape the worry churning inside her, Kayla finds solace in quiet tour bus driver Ty Baldwin…and discovers in him a kindred spirit like no one she's ever met before.
This was a cute bubbly romance kind of slow at times but having the audiobook really kept me engaged. I really enjoyed the diverse cast of characters throughout the book. But what really got me was Kayla and Ty’s insta-love connection. Over the course of the tour they gradually grew closer. Realizing they have so much in common this attraction eventually turned into more which I expected was going to happen. Also knew Kayla’s mom would have an issue with them dating.
I liked that we were given some backstory on the main characters allowing the author to touch on other themes aside from their romance. Kayla dealt with some grief after losing her brother, was a college dropout, living double lives, not to mention she had to deal with a toxic mother who only cared about her reputation. Ty on the other hand had problems of his own. False accusations nearly ruined his life, he’s taking care of his grandfather, and now has to deal with his past possibly being exposed.
This wasn’t an all out fav after reading but still enjoyable. I came for the romance but stayed for the drama. If you liked the first book in this series you’ll adore this one too. Special thanks to @sourcebookscasa for my gifted copy & @libro.fm for my ALC‼️
Rating: 3.75/5⭐️
It’s the 2nd book in the Lilly’s series which can be read as a standalone because this one focuses more on Kayla and her new love interest Ty. Things were simple when the Lillys were playing local gigs at dive bars, but now they're on their first official tour and all Kayla can see are warning signs. Desperate to escape the worry churning inside her, Kayla finds solace in quiet tour bus driver Ty Baldwin…and discovers in him a kindred spirit like no one she's ever met before.
This was a cute bubbly romance kind of slow at times but having the audiobook really kept me engaged. I really enjoyed the diverse cast of characters throughout the book. But what really got me was Kayla and Ty’s insta-love connection. Over the course of the tour they gradually grew closer. Realizing they have so much in common this attraction eventually turned into more which I expected was going to happen. Also knew Kayla’s mom would have an issue with them dating.
I liked that we were given some backstory on the main characters allowing the author to touch on other themes aside from their romance. Kayla dealt with some grief after losing her brother, was a college dropout, living double lives, not to mention she had to deal with a toxic mother who only cared about her reputation. Ty on the other hand had problems of his own. False accusations nearly ruined his life, he’s taking care of his grandfather, and now has to deal with his past possibly being exposed.
This wasn’t an all out fav after reading but still enjoyable. I came for the romance but stayed for the drama. If you liked the first book in this series you’ll adore this one too. Special thanks to @sourcebookscasa for my gifted copy & @libro.fm for my ALC‼️
Rating: 3.75/5⭐️
February 20, 2024
This is so soft. So full of care, compassion, and fluffy feelings. There are complex things going on in both Kayla and Ty's lives, but their relationship is so wholesome and sweet (which I don't mean in a closed door way, there is some heat here, it's just a slow burn to get there ).
Kayla is grappling with the consequences of fame, letting down her family, dealing with her grief, and living as herself authentically in all facets of her life. Ty is trying to move past a false accusation, coping with his grandfather aging, and recalibrating his dreams after dropping out of university. They are both vibrant, realistic characters who leap off the page with real beating hearts. Xio can weave a romance into a plot so masterfully that I never feel a lack of it, even when it's a slow burn like this one. I love that they take their relationship slowly, genuinely becoming friends first before they give into their attraction. It just feels so grounded in reality, where the romance has a chance to breathe a little bit before it becomes an inevitability.
The Lilly's are a great band and friend group, and I loved seeing the whole gang again. They were on the road this time, so not only did Ty and Kayla have lots of forced proximity fun, they all did. And Xio never neglects friendships for the central romance, so there are plenty of great bonding moments, dramatic reveals, and sticky spots between all the characters. It's just one more thing that makes me forget I'm reading a book, because everyone seems so real. There are no simple cutout characters here, and I love it.
Kayla is grappling with the consequences of fame, letting down her family, dealing with her grief, and living as herself authentically in all facets of her life. Ty is trying to move past a false accusation, coping with his grandfather aging, and recalibrating his dreams after dropping out of university. They are both vibrant, realistic characters who leap off the page with real beating hearts. Xio can weave a romance into a plot so masterfully that I never feel a lack of it, even when it's a slow burn like this one. I love that they take their relationship slowly, genuinely becoming friends first before they give into their attraction. It just feels so grounded in reality, where the romance has a chance to breathe a little bit before it becomes an inevitability.
The Lilly's are a great band and friend group, and I loved seeing the whole gang again. They were on the road this time, so not only did Ty and Kayla have lots of forced proximity fun, they all did. And Xio never neglects friendships for the central romance, so there are plenty of great bonding moments, dramatic reveals, and sticky spots between all the characters. It's just one more thing that makes me forget I'm reading a book, because everyone seems so real. There are no simple cutout characters here, and I love it.
January 4, 2024
*I received a free copy of Girls with Bad Reputations from NetGalley. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review which is honest and unbiased.*
OMG! The motherfucking Lillys are amazing! Axelrod has written this all women's rock group that just keeps getting better! And I swear I could hear the music, feel the excitement of the festival crowds, tap my foot with Kayla's drum rhythm, and have my heart beat faster each time she and Ty looked at each other.
There is much more than the music going on with this one, though. Just like in the prior novel, the readers follow one main character, while the rest of the band is very important as well. And it is clear that both knowledge of the music scene and knowledge of music is very strong thanks to the author.
The little bit of drama in The Girl with Stars in her Eyes could still be felt a little bit, but the emphasis here was more on the budding romance between Kayla and Ty, and how the group is on the verge of becoming not only BIG but BIG. Of course, it's not smooth sailing only, but when it is, it is oh so sweet.
If you enjoy stories about women who go after what they want - and what they deserve - music, friendship, love, fighting for what's right - Girls with Bad Reputations should quickly make it on to your virtual shelf, and maybe try to make sure you get the novel on February 6th ;) It really is worth it. Axelrod rocker!
OMG! The motherfucking Lillys are amazing! Axelrod has written this all women's rock group that just keeps getting better! And I swear I could hear the music, feel the excitement of the festival crowds, tap my foot with Kayla's drum rhythm, and have my heart beat faster each time she and Ty looked at each other.
There is much more than the music going on with this one, though. Just like in the prior novel, the readers follow one main character, while the rest of the band is very important as well. And it is clear that both knowledge of the music scene and knowledge of music is very strong thanks to the author.
The little bit of drama in The Girl with Stars in her Eyes could still be felt a little bit, but the emphasis here was more on the budding romance between Kayla and Ty, and how the group is on the verge of becoming not only BIG but BIG. Of course, it's not smooth sailing only, but when it is, it is oh so sweet.
If you enjoy stories about women who go after what they want - and what they deserve - music, friendship, love, fighting for what's right - Girls with Bad Reputations should quickly make it on to your virtual shelf, and maybe try to make sure you get the novel on February 6th ;) It really is worth it. Axelrod rocker!
March 27, 2024
This book was so fun! I spent a lot of my late teens/early 20s doing music promotions and a hobby of mine is going to a lot of concerts and traveling for music festivals so I found it something I could relate to.
This book is actually the second book, and I hadn’t read the first so I can confirm that it can be read as a standalone as I didn’t feel lost when reading it. The characters had their own complex backgrounds, especially difficulties of just existing in society which are unfortunately really realistic; unfortunately in the sense that it actually exists. I love the idea of an all-girl alt band; I’ve seen the Linda Lindas before and they rock. Willow is also amazing. The struggles with the music industry reminded me a bit of Josie and the Pussycats. Overall, this story has a romance subplot but is really about someone living out their dream and honoring their passed brother, while also having that breakthrough conversation with her mom about being her own person and not the idea her mom has for her.
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the read!
This book is actually the second book, and I hadn’t read the first so I can confirm that it can be read as a standalone as I didn’t feel lost when reading it. The characters had their own complex backgrounds, especially difficulties of just existing in society which are unfortunately really realistic; unfortunately in the sense that it actually exists. I love the idea of an all-girl alt band; I’ve seen the Linda Lindas before and they rock. Willow is also amazing. The struggles with the music industry reminded me a bit of Josie and the Pussycats. Overall, this story has a romance subplot but is really about someone living out their dream and honoring their passed brother, while also having that breakthrough conversation with her mom about being her own person and not the idea her mom has for her.
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the read!
February 5, 2024
Excitedly anticipated this book since "The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes" and it exceeded expectations! Ty and Kayla's love story is everything I hoped for. The Lillys and their world are my latest obsession. 📚💖
Kayla, drummer for The Lillys. Ty, the band's tour bus driver, facing life's uncertainties. The portrayal of Kayla's strained relationship with her mother and the insightful glimpses into the music industry enhance the overall enjoyment of the book. Highly recommended for a delightful read! 🎵📖
If you are are an audiobook person I can not recommend this audio enough! Benjamin Charles and Tyla Collier, the narrators for this book, skillfully brought the characters to life. Tyla, especially, captured Kayla's essence, establishing a profound connection that resonated throughout the narrative.
Kayla, drummer for The Lillys. Ty, the band's tour bus driver, facing life's uncertainties. The portrayal of Kayla's strained relationship with her mother and the insightful glimpses into the music industry enhance the overall enjoyment of the book. Highly recommended for a delightful read! 🎵📖
If you are are an audiobook person I can not recommend this audio enough! Benjamin Charles and Tyla Collier, the narrators for this book, skillfully brought the characters to life. Tyla, especially, captured Kayla's essence, establishing a profound connection that resonated throughout the narrative.
February 6, 2024
Kayla comes from the perfect family. Her mother expects perfection. Kayla feels like she isn't perfect and just wants to be herself. She's in a band called The Lilly's and her family has no idea. Her band has no idea who her family is. Her mom isn't the nicest and kind of a snob.
The band is about to do a tour to a bunch of festivals. They hire Tyrell to be their bus driver. Tyrell has a past and he is trying to get past it. He lives with his grampa, his only family.
This was such a fun rockstar Romance. I really enjoyed getting to know the other bandmates. I read this as a standalone but I'll definitely be going back and reading the first of the series. I loved the audio book and the narrators did a fantastic job. I can't wait to read more of the series.
The band is about to do a tour to a bunch of festivals. They hire Tyrell to be their bus driver. Tyrell has a past and he is trying to get past it. He lives with his grampa, his only family.
This was such a fun rockstar Romance. I really enjoyed getting to know the other bandmates. I read this as a standalone but I'll definitely be going back and reading the first of the series. I loved the audio book and the narrators did a fantastic job. I can't wait to read more of the series.
September 26, 2025
4.5/5. What a great time! I enjoyed this one more than the first! I related to Kayla a lot and really enjoyed the journey she went on with self-acceptance, being honest with her friends and parents, and in falling in love.
Ty is the sweetest mmc I have encountered in a long time. I loved his unique sense of style and his kind/quiet strength. The development of the romance between Kayla and Ty was much more believable to me than it was between Toni and Seb in the first book. And Pop-Pop was the best. I absolutely loved seeing the relationship between Ty and Van/Pop-Pop.
The found family in this is beautiful. I’m not sure if there will be more books but i would love to read about Tiff and Lilly!
Ty is the sweetest mmc I have encountered in a long time. I loved his unique sense of style and his kind/quiet strength. The development of the romance between Kayla and Ty was much more believable to me than it was between Toni and Seb in the first book. And Pop-Pop was the best. I absolutely loved seeing the relationship between Ty and Van/Pop-Pop.
The found family in this is beautiful. I’m not sure if there will be more books but i would love to read about Tiff and Lilly!
January 24, 2024
This was a fun next instalment in the Lillys series that follows an up and coming all girl band as they tour around and has the drummer, Mikayla falling for their bookish bus driver Tyrell despite his own bad reputation.
Full of heart and emotional depth, this was a slow burn romance with a great cast of unique and diverse characters. I really enjoyed it especially the audio book narration by Benjamin Charles and Tyla Collier. Recommended for fans of authors like Jasmine Guillory.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review.
Steam level: some open door scenes
Full of heart and emotional depth, this was a slow burn romance with a great cast of unique and diverse characters. I really enjoyed it especially the audio book narration by Benjamin Charles and Tyla Collier. Recommended for fans of authors like Jasmine Guillory.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review.
Steam level: some open door scenes
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