Iconic: The Last Love Song: An Angsty Rockstar Romance

by Laikyn Meng

Before we were big names, we fell into the chaos of love, and I chose our secret vows over her. It all started with a song, and I knew eventually it had to end with one as well. Loyal Luxley I can hear the deafening thunder of the crowd the first time the woman of my dreams walked out on stage. Lottie isn’t to be blamed for what happened, not America’s sweetheart. No, I wrote the greatest love songs, all envious words by my shortcomings. When Alma Wyatt became Lottie Lovell, the world went crazy, but I was the first to fall in love. It started with a few lost lyrics, but I knew they found their true home when she sang them. In her voice, with my words, I discovered the real magic of making music.
Alma Wyatt (Lottie Lovell) They called him a saint, the second coming for the music industry. It wasn’t his fault; I walked out on that stage with my own two feet. But that spot under the headliner light was never mine. It always belonged to him. He wanted to be a star; I wanted to find my soul. Our love boomed record sales, concert tickets, and a public slow-burn of lust-filled wishes. Until he stole our sacred words and shared them with the world. ♥We were destined to be together.♥ Lottie & Loyal, we wish we knew that before everything became a one-hit-wonder. The Last Love Song is an angsty Rockstar romance. 18+ Mature Content, Explicit Language and Sexual Scenes, Abuse, and Violence.
Scenes involving assault, self-harm and suicide are discussed.

217 pages, Hardcover

Published February 23, 2023

About the author

Laikyn Meng is an award-winning Japanese American indie author.
She has penned over forty publications. She maintains a steady stream of romantic expression involving diverse character representation.
She is the author of noteworthy series, the female empowered; Femme Fatale, and the family drama; Mum's the Word. Her poetry and memoirs have appeared in literary magazines. Laikyn's unique tone is an iconic symbol for her stories.
Originally from Idaho, she now resides wherever the road takes her and her three children. A dreamer, traveler, and overall lover of life.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorlaikyn...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laikynmeng/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/laikynmeng/

Reviews

[Doris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loyal and Alma

I would give this book 3 ½ stars. If it is rock romance, I’ll always grab it as I did with Iconic. I did have some problems with this book and did not really feel drawn in to it. With that said I would try another book by this author because not all books are for all readers.

[Grinning Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

H/h: Loyal (“Lux”) and Alma (“Lottie”)
POV: 1st person dual
Genre: Literary Romance
Heat level: warm- it’s about the feelings, not the steam
Standalone?: Y
Cliffhanger: N
HEA/HFN: Y
Triggers: language, violence, explicit sensual content; discussion of self-harm feelings as well as s. assault and abuse.
Tropes: Rockstar, Second Chance

If you are looking for a facile, happy read, this is not the book for you. This is not a simple romance. This is literature. Characters are layered. Serious issues are confronted and discussed. The characters make choices that carry an impact. The story has betrayal and acceptance, love and love of fame. Alma must learn to love and stand up for herself, while Loyal has to learn what’s real and what’s important. The characters grew and changed. The triggers were tough to deal with.
This was a tough book to read. But I’m glad I did. The ending felt a bit rushed, but that’s my only complaint.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[J. Ockenhouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked how I was so invested into all the characters and how each was important to get all that's going on. The flow and pace made each page eager for me to read.

The ups and downs felt as though you going through their emotions as well. I received an ARC for an honest and voluntarily review.

[Di · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laikyn Meng's mastery of conflict, tension, and timing along with flawless characterization and sexual attraction turn ICONIC into a unique and entrancing romance that touches the heart deeper than most.

[Maddy Matos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lux is a rising rockstar and he’s just met the love of his life. I’m finding this story a little difficult because of the many characters involved. Alma is not a run away, but is a damaged soul. Lux and his brother were raised in foster care, more damage. Lux is twenty-one years old but acts much younger, or maybe he’s mentally challenged. At this point I just don’t know. This story is not happy or fun, it’s kind of dark. I don’t know where this story is headed and I’m forty percent into this story. The story is beautifully written and it feels like poetry. The thoughts going through their heads are deep, I just wish there was more showing and less telling. Also Lux and his brother had a sad childhood but we don’t know much about it so when he’s thinking about his pain, we don’t know what that was. The ending was good, I’m giving it four stars and I recommend it.

[Brittany S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I received an arc of this in exchange for my honest review. This in no way influenced my review.

I really struggled with this story. I wanted to love it so much more. Rockstar romances are my number one go to trope (well except for enemies to lovers). In Iconic, you have two people, at different points in their music careers, coming together, only to be torn apart. The cover artwork gives a much different story than what the book is actually about.

The book is a difficult one for me. Regarding the plot, there is so much story that is left out. This book needed more time to tell the characters' story. Parts were rushed and the timeline jumps, but with no sense of how much time has elapsed. Other parts reference things that either needed to be told in depth or taken out. As for characters, the real star here in terms of character development is Alma a/k/a/ Lottie Lovell. Its interesting that Loyal often refers to her as Lottie instead of Alma, unable to separate her from her stage persona. You can feel the intensity, the ache from this character. You get hints that she has had difficult times, but you don't get the full story. I wanted more to connect me with this character. Also, Loyal -you know there's more there, but you only get a glimpse of this guy. He just kind of automatically falls head over heels in love with Alma/Lottie and there's no saving him. But why? What makes him this way? Also, the way he is written in the beginning as this "young hearthrob, rebel without a cause" type doesnt really seem to carry through the rest of the story for me. As for the writing, there were some parts that were awkward, and then there were pages filled with some of the most poetic sentences I have ever read.

The story is told in dual viewpoint for both Alma/Lottie and Loyal Lux; while I enjoyed the juxtaposition of the two characters' viewpoints of their feelings and reactions, I think I would have also enjoyed just Alma's viewpoint. I think she has enough to carry the story - and then some.

The spicy factor? Meh. I'd say its pretty tame.

Overall, I have a lot of questions left. However, based on the epilogue, I don't see their story being carried on to another book as there was definitely a HEA. For me, personally, this one is going to be like that song you hear on the radio, that you don't necessarily actively seek out, but gets stuck in your head at random times.

[P.J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Iconic follows a group of musicians who are touring together along with their manager. Lux is a singer/songwriter and is smitten with Alma (stage name Lottie Lovell) when they first meet. The story is told from the POV of both Lux and Alma/Lottie. It follows the musicians as they are touring and Lux and Alma/Lottie are falling for each other. They both had difficult pasts and neither seem to know themselves well or have good coping skills.

I had a really hard time getting into this book. There were several characters that weren't strong enough for me to be able to remember who they were (like, who was the pop star and who played an instrument). I also didn't connect with Lux and Alma/Lottie because they just seemed to make everything lyrical and I didn't feel like we really knew what was going on in their lives. Also, we don't get much backstory on either of them, just the notice that they'd had issues in their past. I think having a deeper dive into that would have provided more insight to the characters and would have made the things that occur later in the book make more sense.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am voluntarily leaving a review after receiving an ARC from Hidden Gems.

It was okay. It is a story told in first person from Loyal and Alma's point of views. It is very angsty and emotional. The book touches on how fame and mental health as well as attempted suicide. It is a love story about how Loyal and Alma find their happy ending and dealing with their fame and musical careers.

[Willie-mai · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sexy, captivating and angst ridden book! It was well written and very entertaining! Loyal and Alma had a deep history and connection filled with love and misunderstandings. They had great chemistry together and the storyline was very well executed! Looking forward to reading more by Laikyn Meng!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

This is a story that primarily focuses on the self and how someone’s entire life can be influenced by other people’s expectations. The love story between Alma and Loyal is filled with pain, conflict but most importantly acceptance and friendship.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Rach3l · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this story but for some reason I couldn’t get into it. I normally like a rockstar romance but this one just didn’t draw me in.

Side note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

ICONIC by Laikyn Meng is a good, and enjoyable rock star romance read. The story has a good story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kindlelover 1220 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is told from dual point of views, Lux and Lottie. It’s a rockstar romance. The story is slow to start, but it does pick up. An excellent story with well written characters.

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Maja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another powerful read from this author. This author knows how to deliver emotional, powerful stories and it did not disappoint. I loved the first person point of view.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read a lot of books written by Laikyn Meng; she is one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of her books.

The story is about Lottie & Lux; a group of musicians touring together.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marie]

I love this plot. It’s well written and love all the characters . Be prepared it will have you crying. A must read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Nate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iconic was Loyal and Alma‘s story. It was a roller coaster of emotions. And a new author, for me. I received an early copy via hg. And voluntarily leaving this review.