Slave to the Rhythm (Rhythm Series) (Volume 1) by Jane Harvey-Berrick

The Rhythm #1

by Jane Harvey-Berrick

DANCE. Guns.MUSIC. Bullets.RHYTHM. Pain.Music in my head, dance in my body, the rhythm of my heart. How far can you fall in just one month? How quickly can the human spirit be broken? Where does evil hide in plain sight?Ash wants to dance. Needs it. To leave behind a life of expectation and duty, to set his soul free. But life is never that simple. Every step is a journey on a new road.For every action, there is a reaction.Every choice has a consequence.And when you meet the wrong person, all bets are off.Laney tolerates her limitations, pushing quietly at boundaries. But when Ash crashes into her world through rage and violence, it sets off a chain reaction that neither of them expected.♫♪ ♫♪ ♫♪ ♫ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♫ ♪♫♪

Genres: Dark, Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Friends To Lovers, Dark Romance, Romantic Suspense

Mass Market Paperback

First published March 8, 2016

About the author

Author also writes under Jane H. Berrick

Writing is my passion and my obsession. I write every day and I love it. My head is full of stories and characters. I'll never keep up with all my ideas...

All through 2021, I'll be including a new and original short story in my monthly newsletter. You'll get a FREE copy of my little heartbreaker PLAYING IN THE RAIN when you do.

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I live in a small village by the ocean and walk on the beach every day. It’s on those beachside walks that I have all my best ideas.

Writing has become a way of life – and one that I love to share.

I've just published my first ever historical romance - partly set in Britain during World War Two, and partly set in Iowa and Las Vegas today: THE LILAC CADILLAC

Did you know that I also write books with STUART REARDON, talented, kind AND handsome!
UNDEFEATED
MODEL BOYFRIEND
GYM OR CHOCOLATE?
THE WORLD ACCORDING TO VINCE
THE BABY GAME (Nov 24th 2021)

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Reviews

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't quite sure what I expected from this story, but what I found was a surprisingly complex story - a story about hopes & dreams, and the unsavory characters who pray on those aspirations. Ash was such an authentic character, I easily fell into his story. A young Slovenian man, who thinks his dreams are coming true - an opportunity dancing in Las Vegas, it seems too good to be true. And unfortunately for Ash, it is, he finds himself descending into the dark world of the Russian Bratva. Soon, Ash, is consumed with fear, afraid of every move he makes.



Laney suffers from RA, which during flareups can be debilitating, leaving her in constant pain and wheelchair bound. During a Vegas trip when friends she has an embarrassing little run in with Ash, and is then shocked to see him on stage the next day. During a bathroom break, Laney sees something she isn't suppose too - but luckily, saves Ash. Now these two are thrown together - running scared, the future is uncertain, but these to form a bond.

Why have a beating heart if you don't know why it beats-or for whom.

Slave to the Rhythm was a unique read, I loved the these characters didn't fall into the typical romance box - Ash showed fear, weakness, anger - he seemed realistic. And Laney wasn't the epitome of female perfection - she has real world problems, but their love for each other was beautiful. A wonderfully unique, slow burn romance.





*ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review*

[Jennifer Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ~ 3.75 Stars

”With Ash, I could dance.”

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This book has a very well thought out plot and I give the author a ton of credit because she sure pulled it together and in a somewhat believable fashion. I did feel invested but at times felt like I was pushing through the book. I liked the plot, the characters, and the danger aspect but the story slightly bored me and took me longer than usual to get through it to be honest.

Ash Novack, hero is a Slovenian dancer who specializes in Latin, ballroom, contemporary dance. He has arrived in Las Vegas with a promise of a work and to his horror and a reader’s he falls directly into the dangerous hands of the Russian mafia.

”The rumor is that Sergei wants to be top dog, and with Oleg helping him, it could well happen. There’s a power struggle going on. And you, my friend, have walked right into the middle of it.”



This story is told in dual POVS of the hero and the heroine, Laney. Laney leaves her annoying boyfriend for a girls’ weekend of fun in Las Vegas and meets the hero. This story proceeds in a very different fashion than a reader would assume, as there is no one night stand scenario but a dangerous situation that the heroine rescues the hero from.

”After everything that Ash had been through, after everything my beautiful country had done to him, didn’t he deserve his chance? I could help him.”

Laney helps Ash and these two slowly fall in love while they work to fix the Vegas horrors in Laney’s home town of Chicago. The love between these two isn't instant although their attraction was sparked from Vegas. Ash’s love for dancing and the perils he has faced due to his fall with such level of criminals was heartbreaking, while Laney was a lovely supportive heroine.

”We did everything backward. But that’s us, that’s our story.”



I wished that the love connection was a bit more than I felt and that the story moved quicker in pace. Also, the action scene in Chicago was a bit unbelievable in that the person on the run would bother seeking Ash out. However, the ending was perfect for the couple and brought the story to such a very happy place. I’m excited that Luka will receive a story of his very own and will definitely be checking that out when released!

**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**

[~♡AB♡~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

★★★★★ 5 Stars ★★★★★

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This book was such a breath of fresh air to me, in a huge sea of books all competing for the readers attention this one really stood out with its unique and gripping plot which involved some very serious underlying themes.

Our main hero Ash is a Slovenian dancer who has traveled to Las Vegas in a quest to live his dream doing what he loves, but his excitement is short lived when he finds himself embroiled in the dark and disturbing world of the Russian Bratva and forced to do unimaginable things that can change a man forever.

Ash meets our heroine Laney in the most unlikely circumstances, and together they face an uncertain future, one that has forced them to spend time together, two complete opposites that positively attract.

"She was so passionate, so full of life. I admired everything about her. Except her two left feet. She couldn't dance - probably not even to save her life..."

What I loved most, other than the original and engaging plot, were the way in which the two main characters interacted with each other. Ash was so full of hope and enthusiastic about life, but also a man who had lost his pride. Quite often he could get moody and morose, but Laney knew exactly how to handle him, she was such a sweet and selfless character who appreciated him and all his characteristics. Ash was the perfect man for Laney, never treating her as less than she deserved and all he wanted was to make her proud to be by his side.

The romance was a slow burn, which is perfect for me because I love to watch the development between two people who are transitioning from acquaintances to friends to lovers, watching the fall happen before my eyes, it really helped me connect and believe in their eventual love and respect for each other.

I loved the theme of dance, and Jane managed to really trasnport me into the world of stage dancing and make me feel like I was there, and the added playlist was a great touch.

Wonderfully real characters and a proper page turner, I enjoyed every minute of this book.

Slave to the Rhythm is a standalone contemporary romance, told in dual POV

ARC gratefully received from the author in exchange for an honest review

Images featured in this review were created by me using stock images either purchased from deposit photo or from free stock sites.

[Lea ★ · Rating 5 out of 5]

BOOM! I loved it!

Jane Harvey-Berrick is an amazing writer. She really took me by surprise here.
Ever since I read The Education of Sebastian I was hooked.
It pulled me in and swallowed me whole.
This story will grip you and won't let go until the very last page. It was a heartbreaking, emotional, poignant and unique journey.

Main characters are a disabled girl Laney (she suffers from quite severe case of rheumatoid arthritis) and a struggling dancer called Ash (Aljaž) Novak.
Book is written in both Ash and Laney’s POVs.
After leaving his home country, Slovenia, Ash finds himself entering the brutal and dark world of the Russian Bratva. Book is partly set in Las Vegas and I have to say that first few chapters were really hard to read. I wasn't sure if I was reading a romance novel or a very good thriller.
But make no mistake... not by any means is this a dark romance.

Ash meets Laney in a club in Vegas, where he came to work as a dancer. One thing led to another and she became his silver lining, his way out of the world he found himself in...
I don't won't to reveal too much because you have to fully experience it for yourself, so let me just say that this was so much more than two broken souls healing each other.

Let me just get back to the fact that Ash is Slovenian.
If you don't know, Slovenia is a small country in southern Central Europe bordering Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the northeast and Croatia to the south and southeast.
Since I live in Croatia and quite close to Slovenian border for that matter (and up until 91' we were all living in one country - Yugoslavia) I do understand their language and I spent a fair amount of time there.
You can see that the author did her research regarding Slovenian names, facts etc.
I am sure that research is time-consuming and hard work; however, I did find some facts to be untrue. For example, in one part of the book Ash is explaining to Laney the meaning of his tattoo saying that it is Serbo-Croatian, written in cyrillic letter. There is no Serbo-Croatian language. It can be either Serbian or Croatian. Also, Croatian is not written in cyrillic letter, but Serbian is.
Ok, maybe I'm nitpicking way too much here, but I had to address this basic fact to you.

However, knowing this was written by Jane Harvey-Berrick, who has written a few of my favorite books, I have to give this book a 5 star rating.

I highly recommend it!

Don't waste your time and put this on your TBR list!

**Warning: this book contains issues such as kidnapping, prostitution, and rape.**

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review



Jane Harvey-Berrick creates a devastatingly beautiful romantic suspense in her newest release, Slave to the Rhythm. In the backdrops of mafia, human trafficking, violence, and dance, Ms. Harvey-Berrick brings color, rhythm and light into a haunting and unexpected tale of survival, dreams, and love.



Right off the opening pages, Jane Harvey-Berrick captures our attention as she brings light to the despicable, raw and gritty side of human trafficking. She allows her readers to see the cruel and haunting side of manipulation and crushed dreams. America has always been seen as the land of opportunity and where dreams come true. But in this raw tale, Jane allows her readers to feel the sense of dread, hopelessness, and raw emotional tale of a young man named Ash who was deceived when he came to the United States.

“All I wanted was to feel something other than numbing fear. Two months ago, my biggest worry was Jana breaking up our partnership. Now, a crazed mafia killer had his sights set on either fucking me or killing me. ”

Ash came to the United States from Slovenia in hopes of fulfilling his dreams to dance but instead he finds himself caught up as just another property of the Russian mafia. Like a puppet on a string, everything that Ash holds dearly is destroyed as the men in the mafia made it known that they own him. His life, dreams and passion to dance are held prisoner. Trapped. Imprisoned with the fear of death, Ash finds himself a slave.

Laney is a young woman who is also held imprisoned for a different reason. Her body. Laney has chronic joint pain that forces her to be held captive by a wheelchair. Although she experiences episodes of pain, Laney doesn’t let her condition define her. So when she heads to Las Vegas for a girls weekend with her friends, she meets Ash in a club. Laney is attracted to Ash and his raw grace and beauty as a dancer. And so when she accidentally stumbles and see Ash getting beaten by a group of men, Laney saves and takes Ash in.

In this second half of the story, the story of Laney and Ash begins to take place. When Laney rescued Ash, she gave him a sense of hope. Hope that one day his dreams to dance and grace a stage is a possibility. Their friendship was simple. It was raw, beautiful, and emotionally gripping. And so when their friendship crossed over to a deeper romantic relationship, readers could feel the rhythm of their hearts.

Slave to the Rhythm was an emotionally, raw, gritty, and yet profoundly beautiful. Jane Harvey-Berrick showcases a literary tale that weaves darkness, beauty, hope, and light into one gripping story of survival. She allows readers to grasp the notion that no one can stop your dreams from coming true only you can do that. And in such, Jane Harvey-Berrick will capture your hearts as she reminds us all that love is like dancing, you just have to surrender to the music or in this case become slave to the rhythm.



Review can also be found on Four Chicks Flipping Pages: http://fourchicksflippingpages.weebly...Jane Harvey-Berrick

[Betül · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Received ARC in exchange for an honest review**



"We were dancing, together, our rhythm matching perfectly, because I was moving to his rhythm."

This is now my favorite book by Jane Harvey-Berrick. This book was amazing. It will grab you right from the start and it won't let you go until the end, and even then you'll want more! Jane did such an amazing job with this book. She really did her research and delivered us a heartbreaking and beautiful story. At times certain scenes weren't easy to read but they were REAL. This story isn't a fairytale about two characters meeting and falling in love right away, these characters go through so much as individuals and as a couple. I can't even come up with the right words and sentences to explain how much this story touched me.

"Laney was above the need for oxygen. Moj sonček- my sunshine."

I can't really tell anything about the story because I think the best way to fully experience this book is to go in blind. This story will open your eyes to a dark world which most people are unaware of. Our main Ash is a dancer, and dancing is his life. He travels to Las Vegas to work there as a dancer. He is very excited and imagines a new world opening up for him. But nothing is like it seems. Laney is also in Las Vegas but for other reasons, she is there for a weekend away with her friends.

"Laney was the sun, my sun. She warmed me, she dazzled me. She lit the way like a beacon of hope."

This story is so unique and heartbreakingly real. I had so many different emotions running through me. It is also very unpredictable, you just don't know what will happen next. I also want to mention that the author did an amazing job in not rushing through the story. There are so many books where the author rushes through the last 15-20% of the book, that it ruins the story BUT Jane Harvey-Berrick kept the steady pace going. It was absolutely perfect in my eyes. You still get so many new information the last part of the book and it will keep you intrigued and interested till the last word of the epilogue. There are secondary characters who deserves their story told and I am so happy that at least one of them will get to tell his/her story.

Seriously READ this book!! You won't regret it!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Wow! This story started off with a bang. Seriously. I was hooked from the prologue itself and right up to 25% I was basically falling off my seat with the suspense, paranoia and danger that surround Ash, the dancer who came from Slovenia to Las Vegas to chase his dream, only to get entangle with the Bratva.



I thought this is going to be a dark romance and I'm both exhilarated and nervous. However, the rest of the story was pretty mellow once Ash removes himself from the situation and we get to concentrate on the budding romance between him and his savior, Laney. Of course, the Bratva mess is always on the forefront of Ash's mind and towards the climax, we got a pretty kickass showdown.



Laney, is a woman with a heart of gold and suffered from a health issue. When she saw stranger in need, she jumped in to help without hesitation. Everyone says she is crazy and that she is giving too much, but she sees something in Ash and make her reluctant to let him go.

Regarding the romance between Laney and Ash. Hmm... It would be awesome if only there isn't a current boyfriend in the mix. Although it add a layer to the story, it was also a tricky situation. Not many author can make this work nicely. While, I'm enjoying reading about Ash and Laney's friendship, connection and intimacy, I can't help but feel that something isn't right. She had a boyfriend! I also wish that Ash didn't outright dislike the boyfriend from the first meeting. I think he got something better to focus his attention on, like how to get back on his own two feet. Thank goodness the triangle didn't remain long and I get to enjoy their romance without worry.



The highlight of the entire story is the dance, duh. I never find male dancer sexy until I read this book. The way Jane's depicted Ash movement is seriously mouth watering. I'm considering watching a Broadway just to see it with my own two eyes.

The first part of the story and the subsequent part does feel as if I'm reading two different book. One is full of danger, another more towards contemporary romance. The romance here is not as cookie cutter and there are some element of some flaws being introduced. I think it shows some raw emotion and life can't be always perfect. And lastly, I can't wait for Luka's story, but please not with Yveta.

[Ayushi Agarwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

""SLAVE - A LOVE STORY""

"And I became the dance. I was a matador, facing a pitiless enemy."

I've actually become the slave to the rhythm of this story. The story is so beautifully written that it has touched a part of my heart deeply. I'm in no state to form words to describe this incredible book. It was life altering. The determination, the strength, the power and the enthusiasm of the characters was breathtaking.

"But I'm not giving up..
I can't count on anyone but myself..."

The story gripped me until the end making my heart pound vigorously at every line of the page. The world of dance highlighted by the author is indescribable. The story took me through a emotional turmoil making me weak in knees. The emotions through which I've gone while reading the book left my heart shuddering. The book is gonna capture your heart so profoundly that you'll not leave it for a second. I was in awe for both the characters. Somewhere deep down my bones, the story and the characters have been engraved in my heart. I loved the idea of the story. What else should I say, everything was perfect.

"Ash had come into my world through rage and violence, but every time I saw him, I smiled; when he walked into a room, he lit it up."

"But with Laney, it was her warmth that attracted me, her softness and her strength.
She’d seen me, too. Really seen me—at my worst, at my weakest—and she’d helped me. Saved me."

The pain through which Ash has gone, mentally and physically, can be actually felt somewhere deep down. The character, Ash depicted is so lively, playful and full of colors is refreshing. When you read the story you can actually feel the happiness vibrating through the character. The way Ash describes his happiness and brokenness through dance was admirable and impressive. Ash and Laney are like two different poles with nothing in common, yet they felt each others pain and fell for each other deeply. Laney was suffering from a disease, yet she was sweet, selfless and full of life. She believed in Ash right from the start when everyone else doubted, despite herself having flaws from which could never recover, she never let Ash waiver from one word i.e. Hope. She helped him through darkness no matter the consequences. They were the quintessential of what true love should be. The performance given by Ash at the end of the story was the main highlight. It was exhilarating. The message given through dance was stimulating. The author has taken the readers to a new world, a world full of hope, full of love, full of keenness, full of enthusiasm, full of passion, in short full of life.

"She was my friend. The best friend I’d ever had.
Maybe I was reading it wrong, but it felt like there was something more between us.
It was confusing.
But then the memories slammed back, reminding me that she was too good for a man who would never feel clean again."

"She understood pain and wasn’t cowed by it. She didn’t let illness beat her. It didn’t own her. I gritted my teeth: I might be marked, but Sergei was not going to win."

When you actually think there is no hope left in you and no fight to pursue further against all odds, that's when you don't give up easily. That's the time you clung to the word hope, though easily said rather done. When you think no one is going to love you for you scars or for your flaws, you are actually wrong. When you least expect, love knocks on your door helping you to breathe again and giving you a reason as to why life should go on and why dreams should be dreamt again despite the darkness.

"And I forgave him for being stubborn and secretive. And I forgave him for being intense and driven. And I forgave him for shouting at me when he was stressed and tired. I forgave every time he’d closed me down or shut me out, because this was him telling me through every step, through every movement of his beautiful body, that I was loved, that I was desired, and that everything that had happened between us was real.
We were real."

"Music was in his heart and in his soul, and in that moment, I knew I had to set him free."

[Carol***BeautyandtheBeastlyBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

6 + stars

Complete post here: https://beautyandthebeastlybooks.word...

***ARC received from the author in exchange of an honest review***

Starting a new Jane Harvey-Berrick book is always also a new experience. Specially when it comes to epic romances, forged in such a real "fictional" world. The background world to her stories are always so real, and because of that we can relate to her characters.

 

Slave to the Rhythm is a quintessential Jane book. If you have read Jane's books you know what I mean. It's got this magical quality only she can bring to words. It makes the words flow so easily and it creates living, dancing poetry in form of sentences and feelings. But although this one is quintessentially Jane, it also brings something new. Something different. A darker side of Jane, a side I never imagined before and I'm glad, because it is MIND-BLOWING.

 

This is in no way or form a book in the dark romance "genre". It's not about a girl who falls in love with her captor, it's not about BDSM, it's not about a traumatic past. But there is a traumatic present, that it's so present, it will haunt you while you read those parts. No, the darkness Jane brings to this book is as real as her writing-style. It's not her usual style, but nonetheless it is AMAZING. It brings so much proud to my heart to see not only an author, but a person, I love dearly becoming this epic force! When I thought it wasn't possible, Jane took me completely by surprise with a story that bleeds trough every page.

 

I never read the blurb of Slave to the Rhythm before going in and after reading the prologue I literally exclaimed OH MY GOD! It was that good. I just KNEW it would be one of Jane's powerful reads! But I never imagined how powerful she could get until I kept reading it!

 

This book is beyond EPIC! For me it's Jane's best work so far! It's different than her usual stories but it has what Jane does best: making it so real that the story will grip you and not let go of your heart and feelings!!

 

I felt desperate. I felt angry. I felt love. I felt angst. I had so many feelings that it's so hard to put all of them in writing! You should expect a great story when you start a Jane Harvey-Berrick book, but I was not prepared for this. I never expected to read a story that would move me this way. Yes, many of Jane's stories have moved me so much, but never as deep as Slave to the Rhythm. I still can't stop thinking about this story and I believe I never will, even though I'm not even sure I could re-read it again so soon. Both because it was so powerful and because I want to hang on to the feeling of reading such an incredible book for the first time.

 

Reading this book was like watching a movie unfold, the story goes fast, but not in a fast pace, it's because it's so complete. We get to see the characters as friends and then falling in love and then they have to overcome the difficulties. Difficulties both of them already had before they even met.

 

My poor Ash! Everything he went through completely broke me! And I related SO MUCH to Laney!

 

In none other book of Jane's I related to the characters this much, I've always related more with one of the characters, and felt like the story belonged to one of them a bit more (like Lifers is so much more about Jordan and The Travelling Woman more about Aimee, even though it's her story with Kes), but with this one the story truly belongs to Ash and Laney, they are true partners in every sense but specially in how the story is equally about both of them. They are partners in my love and feelings for Slave to the Rhythm. Both of their stories together made a combination of an EPIC love story I will never forget!

 



 

I absolutely LOVE dancing and music. So relating to that part of the story was easy for me, but even if you haven't heard a thing about music or dancing I belive you'll still be able to relate to what Jane's characters (and her too) created!

 

I love how she starts the story with the prologue and then we get to see what happened in the weeks prior to how it all started for Ash and Laney. It's almost like from the moment they meet, the real story begins. No matter what they went through before that, and believe me, it was a LOT, when they are together is like in a movie where the hero and heroine have that chemistry that goes out of the screen and everyone can see why they are so perfect together. That is how it is when Ash and Laney are together.

 

I love that by 50% the story was already so complete, because so much had already happened. I ABSOLUTELY love stories that can be like that and never run flat. There isn't a flat moment in Slave to the Rhythm and the last 50% are just as amazing as the first ones. This story is a full cycle, and a rollecoaster of emotions you will gladly ride! Some parts of it were literally painful to read. Some got me thinking "Will Jane really go there?", and not only she did, but she went beyond there. This book is all about going beyond.

 

Laney is a great heroine, she has got a HUGE baggage. I mean, I don't think any other character of Jane had to deal with as much as she did. Usually her female characters are less broken than the male ones and they help them along the way. With Laney, she was as broken as Ash, but her broken pieces are a bit more aparent. And even so, she has a heart of gold. I think what ultimately drove Ash to her was her compassion and her heart. No matter how many beautiful women he might have encountered, none of them compares to Laney and what she has done for him.

 

Now Ash...Jane surprised me a lot with everything she threw at my poor Aljaž! He is by far her most broken character yet. But he also has this lightness to him. He makes us like him so easily because to him things are quite simple, even when complicated. He finds joy in the most simple of things like dancing and music. And for a love of both I just kept thinking that I needed to enter my book and get him for me, because he is EVERYTHING. Ash has his moments of being unresonable and unfair to Laney. But after everything the guy went through, it's not only comprehensible, but expected. He has credit for being a bit of jerk, specially because he realises it. He has a good heart and good meaning. The times he might lash out on Laney are extremely unfair to her, because she was the best friend he could ever find. But I got it and I forgive him because we tend to lash out on the people we're most close to or care the most, with no explanation or justification. I'm not saying he is always right, after all he is a human being and flawed as any other one (I love how Jane portraits her characters entirely, specially their flaws, that's one of the things that make them so real), but I can give him a wider berth than most characters.

 

For me I not only live their story with them but it was more than that. It was like I was inside the book but watching them. I related a lot to Ash, but Laney? I can relate a lot with her and her problems, and even if you're not like her like I am, you will relate too, because that's the only choice with a book so masterly written!

 

I love that this story is so powerful. It's full of powerful (and real) quotes! We can see (and feel) they weren't thrown in the book just to impress. They come from the heart and whenever we get a story that comes straight from an author's heart to their words, we have book magic! Book perfection, I dare say! Slave to the Rhythm is a ONE OF A KIND book. One that you only find a very few to read in a year and I belive it will be a hard one to top in 2016!

 



 

You all know how much I love Jane's writing, I've talked about it a lot in here. And several of her books are favorites of mine. Jane has consistentially shown how good of a writer she is, but with this book she steps out of AMAZING, and goes straight to a whole new level of INCREDIBLE. Slave to the Rhythm is simply FLAWLESS.

 

Jane can write. She wrote us about a controversial (epic) romance between an older married woman and a 17 year old boy and then years later. She wrote us about a beautiful boy who finds love in a girl who represents everything he has lost but who shows him the sound of their love is higher than any other sound. She wrote us about a girl and a boy who don't want to live imprisoned in a life sentence of emptiness and show the society that caring is the road to freedom. She wrote us about the magic in the carnival. The magic that creeps inside our hearts and it's called love. And she wrote many more stories, those are just my favorites. But now? Now Jane has written about love in a way that, belive me or not, has managed to surpass any other tale of love she has written so far. Yes, love is patient and kind. But Jane shows us that love is also RAW. Love is dirty and ugly. Love can be unfair, but on top of it all love is POWERFUL!

 

It's oftenly said that the song and dance chooses the dancer and I belive that one of the greatest metaphors in this book is how much love is like dancing. Love is like a dance that you weren't even invited too. It starts and you have no other choice than to start moving. No matter the rhythm, you can't help falling in steps with it. Love is the rhythm in which our hearts beat. And to become a slave to that rhythm? A slave like Ash and Laney? That makes Jane the most amazing coreographer because she is the one that makes us realise that a love like theirs is the biggest goal to achive in the world and the most beautiful show!

[Lelyana's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of Jane's best work so far !


Glad I was part of the dance community when I was young, so I'm fully understood the struggling and the passion of moving your body to follow the rhythm of the music.
One of Jane's best work so far.
Glad I was part of the dance community when I was young, so I'm fully understood the struggling and the passion of moving your body to follow the rhythm of the music.

This was a different experienced with Jane's book. It's darker than her usual. It was also one of her best work so far. I cried, I blushed, I scared. I want to come inside the book and helped Laney and Ash to solve everything, kicked out the villains. And then dance with them in the end. Laney and Ash deserved so much in life after what they had been through.
This was a mind blowing read, and Jane did it very well. This book is stellar!

Jane broke my heart, made me cried, angry and sad. But as usual, she put it back together again, all the broken pieces and leave me smile after I finished the book. Ash and Laney, will stay with me for a very long time.
This is the book you must read, put down whatever you read now, and read this, experience the journey with them.

Jane's writing skill is also what make me still and craves her books, because, this woman can write !
Slave to the Rhythm, is one of a must read book you need to put on your top TBR list.
Highly recommended !

*ARC was given in exchange for a fair and unbiased review*





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Review for Lelyana's Book Blog.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * *

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow...I absolutely loved this book.

Ash is a gifted dancer from Eastern Europe who has been lured to the bright lights of Vegas. But when he arrives, instead of fulfilling his dream, he finds he's trapped in a living nightmare. When Laney witnesses something that puts her in danger, they are forced to flee Vegas together.

This was such a page turner thanks to the delicious chemistry between Ash and Laney, but the suspense was ramped up by a plot that was original, lively and compelling. I was completely engrossed in this, my eyes glued to my kindle as I pottered around with it and I devoured the whole damn thing in less than a day. I rarely do that anymore.

Now Strictly really isn't my thing, all of that flouncing around with alarming eyebrows sweating greasepaint and nylon usually leaves me cold, but Ash was all man; his single-minded intensity, his grace, his toned and disciplined body functioning under his command...

"He fucked like he danced - intense and full of passion, utterly focused."

Yeah, then I got it.

Loved this. Standalone complete story. Highly recommended.

**Thanks to the lovely Jane Harvey-Berrick for my arc. **

[Sybil aka Lala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last night I met this guy. His name is Ash. He’s beautiful. He has a sweet soul and so much pride. It’s not what you think. LOL, I’m serious. Look, he’s in love with someone else. OK. Let me start from the beginning.

So last night I met this guy and he told me his story. He’s from Slovenia and he came to Las Vegas to be a dancer. He was born to dance and after his dance partner left him, he found an advert for a job as a dancer. So he applied and got on the next plane over. He thought that all of his dreams would come true but things didn’t work out so well. He lived through some things. Some very dark, very disturbing things that no human being should ever have to live through.



He introduced me to Laney. She suffers from RA and sometimes the flare ups are so debilitating that she’s wheelchair bound and in extreme pain. They met when Ash was at his lowest point but she was able to save him. She’s so unbelievably strong and even though she faces challenges every single day, she is still so selfless and her passion for life is inspiring. She went above and beyond to help him, but…



They came up with this crazy plan. LOL, it’s ridiculous really and … Well I’m sure it’s going to get worse before it gets better. Laney is very patient but her family are all extremely protective, to the point of being stifling. Ash is dealing with a lot of inner turmoil. Laney has done so much for him and he has so much pride, he needs for her to see him as a strong and virile man but how can she when he’s the one dependant on her? And if she ever finds out what exactly he’s lived through, how will she be able to look at him as a man again? But God, he doesn’t see how great he is, how beautiful and strong and wonderful. Laney sees it though. Even if he is a bit of a stubborn hothead sometimes.



You should see the way they look at each other. The can see there are romantic feelings blossoming here. It’s such a delicious slow burn though. They clearly want each other. I’m sure that if they ever get it together it’s going to be explosive. You can see the hunger in their eyes. The chemistry between them is tangible but they both have reasons to fight it.



The story he told me was horrific. It was filled with a lot of pain and turmoil. They can be funny too though, I laughed as much as I cried taking in his story. I just hope they get past their issues soon because there is still a lot of uncertainty and danger they’ll need to face. If ever two people deserved happiness, it’s these two beautiful souls.

Please note: Slave To The Rhythm is a standalone novel with no cliffhanger. Ultimately it is a beautiful romance and a story about two people overcoming impossible odds to find romance. However, don’t be fooled by the pretty cover and the frivolous title. Before these two can even think of finding a HEA, they will have to go on a journey that is sometimes very dark. This book contains graphic descriptions of abuse, rape, sex slavery and violence – if these are triggers for you then tread carefully.

(ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review)

[Jenny - TotallybookedBlog · Rating 4 out of 5]

“In the daylight – that’s when we’ll work things out. Now, in the darkness, we’ll just hold each other. Tonight, let’s believe the fairytale.”

If there’s one thing we can say about Jane Harvey Berrick’s writing, it’s that she always manages to capture our imagination with the beauty and visionary of her stories and never is that more apparent than in parts of this story. There was one particular moment where we felt as though we became a part of the story, watching with anticipation and enthusiasm as a production number was brought to life right before our eyes, bringing forth the energy, excitement and wonderment of the theatre. We were there for every breathtakingly beautiful moment of that scene!

‘His smile lit the dark corners inside me.’

Slave to the Rhythm began with a heart pounding realness that had us holding our breaths as Ash Novak’s dream becomes a living nightmare. What appeared to be a new start in life was a spiral into hell for him and it was with an uneasy sense of foreboding that we became part of Ash’s plight.

Was it fate, that he met Laney? She was like an angel descending on him in his time of need and what this young lady lacked in physical ability she more than made up for in tenacity and heart. Laney loved to save people and Ash definitely needed saving.

‘Now I understood. I was in Hell.’

We did expect a little more grit than what eventuated considering the underlying theme of human trafficking and the Russian Mafia’s involvement. We had expected our hearts to be racing and the suspense to be in abundance and whilst Slave to the Rhythm did begin this way, it petered out to something else.

We never felt the ‘danger’ Ash supposedly faced and the build up to the story didn’t match the middle. It felt a little too safe considering what and who Ash was up against. We really, really loved the ‘afters' which provided us with so much emotion and enjoyment, this part of the story shone like a beacon and we’ll never forget the awe we experienced whilst reading it.

Slave to the Rhythm, may not have brought the heart pounding suspense had expected, but it certainly delivered on the thrilling visual of the dance together with the romance, beauty and emotion we love in a story. We felt the connection between these two characters who were both damaged in their own way. Together these two halves really did make a whole and they stole our hearts.

‘Ash had come into my world through rage and violence, but every time I saw him, I smiled; when he walked into a room, he lit it up.’

We think readers will devour this story and you can bet we’ll be eagerly awaiting Luka’s book… what a story he will have to tell!

✲✲✲✲



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[Gitte TotallyBookedBlog · Rating 4 out of 5]

“In the daylight – that’s when we’ll work things out. Now, in the darkness, we’ll just hold each other. Tonight, let’s believe the fairytale.”

If there’s one thing we can say about Jane Harvey Berrick’s writing, it’s that she always manages to capture our imagination with the beauty and visionary of her stories and never is that more apparent than in parts of this story. There was one particular moment where we felt as though we became a part of the story, watching with anticipation and enthusiasm as a production number was brought to life right before our eyes, bringing forth the energy, excitement and wonderment of the theatre. We were there for every breathtakingly beautiful moment of that scene!

‘His smile lit the dark corners inside me.’

Slave to the Rhythm began with a heart pounding realness that had us holding our breaths as Ash Novak’s dream becomes a living nightmare. What appeared to be a new start in life was a spiral into hell for him and it was with an uneasy sense of foreboding that we became part of Ash’s plight.

Was it fate, that he met Laney? She was like an angel descending on him in his time of need and what this young lady lacked in physical ability she more than made up for in tenacity and heart. Laney loved to save people and Ash definitely needed saving.

‘Now I understood. I was in Hell.’

We did expect a little more grit than what eventuated considering the underlying theme of human trafficking and the Russian Mafia’s involvement. We had expected our hearts to be racing and the suspense to be in abundance and whilst Slave to the Rhythm did begin this way, it petered out to something else.

We never felt the ‘danger’ Ash supposedly faced and the build up to the story didn’t match the middle. It felt a little too safe considering what and who Ash was up against. We really, really loved the ‘afters' which provided us with so much emotion and enjoyment, this part of the story shone like a beacon and we’ll never forget the awe we experienced whilst reading it.

Slave to the Rhythm, may not have brought the heart pounding suspense had expected, but it certainly delivered on the thrilling visual of the dance together with the romance, beauty and emotion we love in a story. We felt the connection between these two characters who were both damaged in their own way. Together these two halves really did make a whole and they stole our hearts.

‘Ash had come into my world through rage and violence, but every time I saw him, I smiled; when he walked into a room, he lit it up.’

We think readers will devour this story and you can bet we’ll be eagerly awaiting Luka’s book… what a story he will have to tell!

✲✲✲✲



✦✦✦ TB Blog :TotallybookedBlog
✦✦✦ Come say Hi : TB on Facebook
✦✦✦Follow us: TB on Twitter
✦✦✦Check out: TB on Pinterest

[Bex | TotallyBex.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

★★ 4.5 Stars! ★★

I don’t know what I was expecting when I started reading this book, but wow, it was so much more than I anticipated. It was raw, yet beautiful; heartbreaking, but full of hope; dark, yet full of love. Slave to the Rhythm is a brilliantly written book about a man who loves lives to dance and the woman who loves him.

Ash moves to Las Vegas from Slovenia to live his dream as a ballroom dancer. He gets more than he bargained for when he discovers that he has sold his soul to the Russian Bratva. He and his fellow dancers are made into modern-day slaves, with no means to escape. Their lives are threatened and they are tortured, both physically and mentally.

Amongst all of this, Ash meets Laney, a woman who would turn into his savior. She helps him escape Vegas, but he is unable to outrun the nightmares and terror that follow him to Chicago. The story changes, though, once they are away from the violence of Las Vegas. Laney and Ash have a beautiful romance amidst the healing and the moving forward with life.

Slave to the Rhythm was so much more intense than I had bargained for. The sadistic Russian men, the horrifying torture, the human trafficking, everything that Ash saw and suffered through was unnerving for me. I don’t mind darker reads, but I usually have time to prepare for them. I was surprised, but I don’t want you to be.

Having said that, I would not go back and change my mind about reading this book. I thought that everything was very well written and handled in a raw and truthful way. It highlights the statistics of human slavery, human trafficking, and drug trafficking that goes on in America every day, right under our noses. I applaud Ms. Harvey-Berrick for pulling back the curtain and giving us a glimpse into a world that no one should have to live in.


▸ ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.

▸ Order: Kindle | Paperback | Kobo | iBooks | Nook

▸ For more reviews, visit

[❃**✿【Yasmine】✿**❃ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't really fussed on this one, and i can't put my finger on why. Overall, it just didn't hit any of the good spots for me.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing!

It's 230am and I plowed through the book. Laney and Ash's love story was not an easy journey but it was extraordinary.

Give me a minute to gather my thoughts, take quick nap, dream about my own dancing stud and then I'll come back with a full review.

**************************************

“You shine so brightly.”
“You’re the one who shines, moj soncek.”

I have loved Ms. Harvey-Berrick's books since I first picked up THE EDUCATION OF SEBASTIAN/CAROLINE series a few years back. I devoured that series from page one to the epilogue. I even downloaded the dual books together to add to my library, along with SEMPER FI so that my whole collection could be complete. It's one of my favorite books ever. She is an amazing writer. And I had no doubt that this book would grab a hold of me as well.

“We don’t make any sense, nothing about us fits, but we’re real.”

I was so excited when I first found out that this book had a dancer as one of its main leads. And a male dancer to boot! I love dance. Everything and anything about it. I used to dance when I was younger, and to this day, I am enamored with the beauty of it. I live for the days when I can go to Lincoln Center here in New York City and just give myself over to the stunning dancing and brilliant stories on the stage. Everything about it is glorious. And I was equally thrilled with Ash being this magnificent male dancer who also lived and breathed this craft.



Ash was born to be on the stage and take over his audience's eyes, head, body, heart and most of all, souls. But he was also a very lost and damaged boy who came into an unknown universe full of greed, hate, cruelty and utter loss. All he had was his passion for dance, and if he lost that, where would he go? What would he do? Would he survive such devastation if that was all taken away from him?

Ash had come into my world through rage and violence, but every time I saw him, I smiled; when he walked into a room, he lit it up. The way he’s kissed me, twice, my skin sizzled under his touch.

**********************************

But with Laney, it was her warmth that attracted me, her softness and her strength.
She’d seen me, too. Really seen me—at my worst, at my weakest—and she’d helped me. Saved me.
She was still helping me now.
So brave. So fucking brave.

LANEY! Laney, oh Laney.

What an absolutely sensational human being Laney is. She was the light, the angel, the Heavenly being that Ash didn't know he was looking for. She was the sun that rose and set and he was struck with her kindness and all around beauty.

She was my friend. The best friend I’d never had.
Maybe I was reading it wrong, but it felt like there was something more between us.
It was confusing.
But then the memories slammed back, reminding me that she was too good for a man who would never feel clean again.

Now, you see, Laney wasn't what you called Pageant princess beautiful, or the end-all-be-all that most would consider beautiful as well. She was the kind of beauty that shown through her acts of bravery, her acts of loyalty and above all, her heart of gold. She may not have been the "conventional" bombshell, but she was stunning in the eyes of the man that loved her the most. In Ash's eyes, she was the sunshine that warmed his hardened heart.

“Laney, I…”
“No, not now. In the daylight—that’s when we’ll work things out. Now, in the darkness, we’ll just hold each other. Tonight, let’s believe the fairytale.”

I, without a doubt, fell so head over heels in love with Ash and Laney's story. It was refreshing to read about a heroine who wasn't physically perfect like in other stories. She was real and true to herself and knew she wasn't perfect and still lived her life to it's fullest. Of course she insecurities like any other girl out there, but she embraced them and took life by the balls and ran with it. And having Ash my her side, made that ball grabbing that much more exciting.





Other favorite quotes:

Tears trickled from my eyes, imagining for just a second what it would be like to dance with him like that, to be swept away, to float, to glide, to caress his skin, to move with him through the music, the music that enslaved him. Music was in his heart and in his soul…

**************************************

I wondered later if our love was built in tiny, paper-thin slices, moment, day by day. I asked Ash about it once, when he fell in love with me. His answer was enigmatic—typical Ash.

“When I felt my heart beat again.”

***************************************

We were dancing, together, our rhythm matching perfectly, because I was moving to his rhythm. His strong arms were wrapped around my waist, and my cheek rested softly against his. With Ash, I could dance.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hauntingly beautiful story about a man who loves to dance, how that dance nearly destroyed him, and how a brave woman saved him. Ash and Laney's story will steal your heart and capture all of your emotions. Told from dual POVs, these two will give you proof that love can concur all.

At first, the prologue to this book seemed innocuous, with Ash and Laney meeting for the first time. Then we learn something about Laney just as Ash does, and their earlier conversation is no longer innocuous, but sad. Before the author the delves into where the two go from there, she rewinds a bit, to when Ash first arrives in America.

Ash has big dreams as he arrives in Las Vegas from Slovenia, to begin performing, living his dream. That dream dies slowly from that point forward. Everything that happens after, from his arrival to the show's backer, sends off warning bells. And those warning bells are not loud enough. Ash's life is now controlled by the Bratva, aka the Russian Mafia. Even worse, he has attracted the unwanted attention of the crew's security man, Sergei. This guy will literally make your skin crawl. He uses his position of power to control Ash, and throws out life altering threats with enjoyment. Truly a sickening man. My heart broke for what he did to Ash. But he seems to have an angel looking out for him, and her name is Laney.

I can't give away everything Laney does to help Ash. She truly goes above and beyond to help him, having witnesses a horrible crime against him. She is the definition of a selfless individual. A woman with a heart of gold. Whether she doesn't freely admit it, her heart feels a connection to Ash.

Although Laney makes this huge, life altering decision to help Ash, she never asks for anything in return. She merely wants him to pay it forward at a later day. Like I said, it's impossible not to like this woman. And while she means what she says, Ash is a proud man and wants to do right for her, to give back any way he can. Although these two struggle at times to adjust to each other, they take an odd path towards a closer relationship. One where Laney again makes a sacrifice for him.

The beauty of this story is how the unique relationship between Ash and Laney builds. It's a bit backwards, which even they acknowledge, but it didn't feel any less real. Dance blends fluidly within the story, as Ash struggles to gain back his dream, and how he turns the horrors he and his friends faced, into a story for the masses to appreciate.

I'd be remiss if I didn't acknowledge Ash's dancing friends.
Gary - this guy grew on me. I wasn't sure about him at first as he's a bit abrasive, but he is extremely supportive of Ash, who became his roommate and relied on him during tough times.
Yveta - it is heartbreaking what she went thru and how she felt so deeply for Ash. I'm really hoping she gets her own HEA as this series continues.
Luka - what little I saw of him, I liked. Ash's friend from Slovenia plays a small but important role in helping Ash with his dream. His story is next in the series, and whether that story will include Yveta, is unknown at this point. But either way, I can't wait for it.

After finishing this story, I can safely say that if anyone could take a dance, the Mob, and a woman with a special condition and weave a compelling and beautiful story, it is this author. She has proven once again why I've become a quick fan. This is a MUST READ!

*An ARC was received for an honest review.

For more reviews, visit

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, wow, wow.

Stupendous. Phenomenal. Pulse-Pounding. Heartrending. Tragic. Inspiring. Just a few of the words I would use to describe Slave to the Rhythm, the newest book from Jane Harvey-Berrick. This story pulled me in from the Prologue and hasn't let go even days after I finished reading it.

Times like this I wish I was a writer so that I could write a review deserving of this hauntingly beautiful book. The Prologue had me intrigued, but it was the first chapters that held me captive. They were intense, at times uncomfortable and tough to read, heartwrenching, and I was blown away.

This is the story of Ash, who's arrived in Las Vegas to make his mark as a dancer, and Laney, who's come to Vegas for a girls weekend...neither expecting a brief run-in to put them on a collision course that would forever change their lives. Ash and Laney come together in the most unexpected way...these are 2 people that on the surface should in no way make sense together, but as we get to know them and take this incredible journey with them, I can't imagine one without the other.

Reading this book was such an experience, a stunning, surprising, extraordinary experience.
Slave to the Rhythm is such a poignant and memorable book, I don't think I will forget the love story of Ash and Laney for a very long time.



***I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of this incredible book.

[Bia · Rating 5 out of 5]

***** 5 STARS *****

Can you imagine my excitement when I grabbed my kindle, on a rainy and cold Thursday and saw that I’ve received the ARC for this book? The only thing that stopped me from running and screaming was the fact that I was at work, and this would be really weird.



Now let`s get into business :)

We’re introduced to Ash, a Slovene dancer that received a job proposal on the US, someone who’s only trying to fulfill his dream: take his dancing to as many people as possible. He was supposed to work on a show in Las Vegas, but as soon as he arrived in the airport, things get a little weird. He sees himself in one of the many business of the Russian mob. And if you think this is bad enough, Sergei, the chief of security wants Ash, and to get what he wants, he’ll make Ash pay with money or with this life. Having no other option, he sees himself doing whatever is needed to pay his debt, even if this means hurting his pride.

Laney goes to Vegas on vacation with her friends. This travel means her freedom, just a weekend without thinking of anything important. She sees Ash on a club and she just can’t stop staring. He’s dancing with some other girl but he’s just lost in the dance, without paying attention to his partner. When she leaves and he ends up alone, he finds himself intrigued by the girl alone in a corner. Of course he goes ask her to dance, but for the first time someone rejects him. For him, to dance is something everyone can do. For her, to dance is something she never imagine herself doing.



This is really the start of the book and I can’t say anything else without giving spoilers (and I don’t want to do it). After this, we get to know each part of the story with alternates POVs. Ash is a warrior, he dances because is part of what he is, something he needs to do in order to survive. He keeps dancing even with all the bad things that happens. And Laney, the incredible Laney. She’s not the ordinary girl, the fragile one that falls in love on first sight. She also have her problems, but those doesn’t stop her of doing whatever she wants to do.



This is not an easy book to read, but it’s worth of every second that you’ll spend reading it. It’s such a beautiful book. Their journey is extremely complicate, but makes you stop and think about so many things. And the end. OMG. I really felt like I was at a theater, watching everything with my own eyes. The details are incredible, all attention that was payed is just as flowing as a dance. You guys will have to trust me when I say that this book is awesome (even if I can’t say much about it). Is just another wonderful book written by Jane Harvey-Berrick that melted my heart.

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3
**ARC provided in exchange of an honest review**
Want to check this review in Portuguese? Follow this link

[Annie Brewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read most of Jane's books and I'm impressed with each one she publishes. Even though this wasn't my favorite of hers, I still enjoyed it for what it was. Maybe mafia-type books just aren't my thing, probably because I haven't read enough of them, but I was still able to sit back and enjoy the ride. I can't help but become captivated by her writing and falling for her complex characters. She just has a way of keeping a firm grip on your emotions. Even when you least expect it.

And this one was definitely an unexpected journey. 

From the moment we meet Laney and Ash in Vegas during the prologue, I knew things were going to be complicated for them. I could feel the tension between the two so intensely and that was just the beginning of their emotional love story. Ash was such a complex character and I felt all of his emotions through his body language. And boy, his dancing skills...*fanning self* Laney had her own share of problems, which I felt was handled quite tenderly. She went through so much and it broke my heart. Hell, Ash broke my heart too. But together, they managed to piece it back together. Jane explores some tough subjects you don't come across very often and she did it with dignity and respect. I don't want to get into the body of the story; you can get a feel for what it's about in the blurb.

I will say though, Jane's writing style is so fluid and easy to get into. All of her stories are so different and original. This story was probably her darkest to date but I feel, the darker the better. There was a bit of everything; suspense, danger, romance, and plenty of drama in the mix. But I enjoyed experiencing the dance aspect, Ash's true passion in life. When he was on stage, you could understand why he loved it so much. He was just talented and sexy. And a Russian, just like me. I do have to mention, I've never read a book about a Russian before so that was quite different and refreshing.

I loved the fact that Laney was the one to help Ash through his problems, despite having so much of her own suffering. She was selfless and strong, as far as heroines go. It's usually the females that are the damsel in distress and the hero coming to save the day...yet in this story, it's the opposite. One thing I can count on from Jane is her constant character development. I never find her characters to be weak, male or female and I appreciate that.


The epilogue was perfect! After everything they went through together, I was so happy to see how it wrapped up. Jane is notorious for bringing on the feels and leaving us devastated in the end, so I was glad we got an HEA for this sweet couple.
Going forward, I just know most of my friends are going to enjoy this book. Well, this is the start of a new series and I'm actually interested to see where the next one takes me. As always, I'll read anything by Jane Harvey-Berrick because I never know what to expect but it damn sure isn't predictable. And I just can't help myself.

*arc provided by publisher for honest review*

[Abhilasha]

Initial read
—dnf—

Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with the story or it's writing style but my period just ended and I'm not in the mood for an emotional story right now.
To be honest, I'm still reeling from another heart-wrenching story I finished yesterday. I need something lighter. I'm talking cartoon characters having a dance party or something, sorry!
Don't worry, though I promise to pick you up again soon.

pre-read:
I'm scared of the heartache but can't help myself and too reading it while cramping on my first of period is the plan.

[Elle aka Leftie aka Shoebelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC received from author via blog tour*

Seeing this is Jane's work, I know I shouldn't have been surprised by this at all, but in all honesty, it did, in ways that I didn't expect.

Aside from the fact that this is Jane's work, which generally almost always makes me pick it up sight unseen, so to speak, the cover (gorgeous!) just lured me in further, then the blurb (as if I needed to read it!) just intrigued me. But beyond that, the blurb really gives you just enough without giving anything away.

It ended up being more emotional than I anticipated and I totally appreciated it. It touched on subject that not a lot of people are familiar with yet very prevalent more than one thinks. It touched on the aftermath of horrific events. It touched on what it feels like to live a life that not a lot of people understand or unsure how to react towards, be that coming from lack of knowledge or just plain insensitivity. It touched on finding love despite it all. It touched on acceptance and moving forward.

Laney and Ash met at the most unpleasant time for Ash. Laney became Ash's salvation but in more ways than one, Ash has become the same for Laney. Ash has a noble spirit whether he acknowledged it or not. His passion oozes thru his craft and bleeds everywhere else. There is such vulnerability there that Laney totally got. You can understand his emotional instability brought on by his experience. I understand why Laney felt the way she felt. Laney has a latent strength that not a lot of people acknowledge. Her high spirits are commendable given the hand she's dealt with. She's caring, generous, and beautiful inside and out.

Within the short amount of time that Lane and Ash got to know each other, I believed the emotions that developed. There were horrific events that completely blindsided me, turns of events that was almost expected but still caught me off guard, emotional outbursts out of nowhere that caught me off balance but totally understood, and unexpected moments of levity that gave me smiles... sigh...

Thank you, Jane, for another emotional ride! Looking forward to Luka's story:)

[Brit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Advance Readers Copy (ARC) provided for my blog for an honest review via the lovely author

Title: Slave to the Rhythm
Series: Rhythm, #1
Author: Jane Harvey-Berrick
Pages: 291
Genre: Contemporary
Age Group: Adult
Characters: Aljaz Novak, Laney
Point of View: Dual
Happily Ever After: Yes
Release Date: March 8th, 2016
Date Read: February 19th, 2015
Overall Rating: 5 Stars



Unique and unforgettable. Slave to the Rhythm is one of those stories that once you read it you want more. I could have read this in one sitting if work wasn't in the way. Jane Harvey-Berrick is the most unique author I know. Each and every novel of hers are different and interesting. And the way she writes these novels makes my heart stop beating.

I'm not going to lie I was rooting for Ash and Laney throughout the story. Because I felt the connection. And they were a better match than her and her ex boyfriend. I loved the fact this book takes place around dance and the mafia. But what I disliked about the story was that Laney did not have a backbone for most of the novel and I love my heroines strong. And can I say Ash is one of the best heroes I've read in months, and loved the nicknames for Laney

[Natasha is a Book Junkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review posted at: http://natashaisabookjunkie.com/2016/...

[4.5 STARS]

[Kasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

boska!!!

[Livros A Go-Go ~Joyci ~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ash é um dançarino que parte da Eslovenia com a promessa de emprego em Las Vegas.Assim que ele chega ao aeroporto americano, as coisas ficam um tanto quanto estranhas e, para não causar uma má impressão aos seus empregadores, ele comete o erro de não contestar nada. À partir disso ele se vê fazendo parte de um dos esquemas da máfia russa e, para piorar, um dos chefes da máfia se encanta por ele e irá fazer de tudo para que Ash não tenha como escapar de seus desejos, fazendo com que ele pague com dinheiro, seu corpo ou sua vida.
Ao invés de viver seu sonho trabalhando como dançarino, ele passa a viver um verdadeiro pesadelo com graves consequências.



Com Slave to the Rhythm a autora nos presenteia novamente com uma escrita madura e deliciosa de se ler. Neste livro ela inovou em seu repertório de temas e de uma maneira realística e sem floreios abordou o tráfico humano , a escravidão , a violência e a máfia; mesclando-os com temas como a amizade, a paixão e a determinação. Aqui Jane Harvey- Berrick nos apresenta dois lutadores que no percurso de suas vidas fazem sentido e se completam.

Laney viaja à Las Vegas para reencontrar as amigas e ter alguns dias de liberdade sem as pressões e preocupações do namorado.Depois de uma noite em que termina magoada por ter sido convidada para dançar ( algo que ela jamais se permitiria fazer ) ela reencontra o tal dançarino nos bastidores de um espetáculo e em uma situação de risco. Testemunhando tudo que estão fazendo com Ash, Laney coloca-se também em perigo e aí a história dos dois começa, com eles fugindo da cidade juntos e se conhecendo pelo caminho.



Ash está fragilizado e envergonhado por tudo que passou para sobreviver e encontra em Laney a força para continuar sua vida e enfrentar seus problemas e traumas.
Laney está existindo. Embora tenha força e determinação para seguir seus projetos e sua vida com suas limitações, ela está de um certo modo acomodada . Através do convívio com Ash ela aprende a se arriscar mais, a viver mais intensamente e lutar com paixão pelos seus desejos.


Quando suas vidas se chocam ocorre uma amizade, um encontro de corações e uma parceria. Laney faz de tudo para que Ash não sofra mais e possa viver sua paixão pela dança. O que começa como amizade ao longo dos dias vai se transformando em amor, a paixão e prazer que Ash sente por sua dança acaba inspirando Laney em sua vida e suas decisões , fazendo com que ambos se transformem.




Laney e Ash despertaram muitos sentimentos, desespero por ele, raiva pela máfia e pela agressividade do Ash , amor pelos personagens e também pela dança(no capítulo dedicado ao espetáculo de Ash dividimos com Laney toda a ansiedade que ela sente para ver a história mostrada no palco e toda paixão e fúria interpretada por Ash e sua dança).
Embora apresente alguns temas que pessoalmente tenho um certo receio, a história completamente me conquistou.

Ansiosa estou pelo livro #2. :D

*Arc cedido pela autora e Ardent PRose em troca de uma resenha sincera.

[♡ Jeri's Book Attic ♡ Jeri the Romance Bibiliophile ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A long time ago I made myself a promise not to say that I am a fan of an actor as long as that particular actor was only on my “good side” and I loved all of his roles.

Only when I could honestly say that I dislike - better yet – straight on HATED him in at least one role in the middle of several that I loved I would consider myself a fan. (that part is important for me – there must be roles before AND after I liked)

When I started reviewing for Blogs I noticed that there were so many authors out there writing great books. But how many books do you need to read from an author to consider yourself a fan – I wondered ...

Soon it became obvious – basically the same rule applies like in the actors case. You need minimum 3 books and the second one in that calculation has to be one you do not like (in most cases because of the ending).

I read “Dangerous to Know & Love” and I loved Daniel with all of my heart. Then

I read “Lifers” and I liked Jordan but it took until

“Playing in the Rain” to find my LOVE-HATE book when it comes the author Jane Harvey-Berrick.

Now all I had to do was wait … Than I read the Blurb for her new book “Slave to the Rhythm” and I had this feeling that this will be IT – the book to officially make me a fan of Jane Harvey-Berrick.

When I read the first chapters … I was devastated – I thought I made a mistake – because those “wrong people” mentioned in the Blurb – they are the kind of people where I usually call my co-blogger Lauren in to review the book as they are not my favorite reading subject AT ALL.

Could I really be that wrong I thought ? I could not believe it - so I broke my 3 chapter rule (the rule that says – if a book does not catch me within the first three chapters – I should stop)

Don’t get me wrong – the book was great at that moment – just not for me because of the “occupation” of those “wrong people” (it is really hard to review without spoilers sometimes) … but I am so glad that I read on.

Because it was only short afterwards that I was drawn in irrevocably into that story and even though it strangely never made me cry or laughed - this book is still one of the most emotional ones I read so far this year.

The relationship between Ash and Laney has such a strong dynamic.

Ms. Harvey-Berrick managed to transfer all those emotions into the surrounding story I am not sure how she did it but in some ways the story goes backwards while moving forward.

Ash and Laney do not even realize how their relationship is developing – They consider themselves several things – some of them not good or even legal – never noticing what the reader already sees as obvious.

It takes outsiders to hold up a mirror in their face for them to realize. Interesting enough I can not even say that I fell in love with the characters – strangely I fell for the storytelling. The way the author told the reader how the relationship progressed.

At some points I wanted to poke Ash or Laney to point out the obvious.

This book has a strong story to tell to its readers and dating the 29th Feb 2016 I am officially a FAN of Jane Harvey-Berrick

Note to the author : you are still not forgiven for “Cody” #Playing in the Rain though … I always understood the reasons but I can not forget the “how”

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[Rain · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story kicked my emotional ass. Not something I'll re-read, but I'm glad I took a chance and read it.

As much as I ultimately liked this story, Ash and Laney's love was missing something. I like the IDEA of their love, but I didn't FEEL it while reading.

That choreographed last dance was described so perfectly, it had me FEELING along with the audience. It was absolute perfection and why my rating is so high despite struggling to connect with the MC's.

[zgredek- czytelnik · Rating 5 out of 5]

fenomenalna, porywająca rozszarpująca twe serce;) MUSISZ JĄ PRZECZYTAĆ!!!