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Red & Black #1
Charcoal Notes
Ultimate friends to lovers romance.
There was a time when Sebastian Wild had the music world eating out of his hands. Rock band, Fragile were at their height of fame when they gave it all up.
It seemed a good idea when Sebastian started Red & Black record label with his best friend, Alex Devlin. Sebastian was over the moon when Tara Adkins agreed to come on board to spearhead the marketing.
Sweet, innocent Tara. He knew her life choices and had no problem marrying her before he could take her to bed.
The problem? She was his best friend and only saw him as a rock star man whore.
Tara Adkins had been in lust with Sebastian for too many years. Lust had moved to love when she started working at Red & Black record label. The handsome, sexy rock star had her heart racing every time he walked into her office.
The problem? She wished she’d never told him about her rules of love. Date, marry then have sex. He was her best friend and only saw her as an innocent woman who was too buttoned up to let her wild side show.
Sebastian and Tara embark on a passionate journey, attempting to prove to each other that it only matters what they think about their relationship, not the public or his parents. Neither believes they are good enough for marriage.
Sebastian thought he had won her heart until Valentino, the devious, handsome Italian tries to lure Tara away.
Will Valentino beat Sebastian to marry Tara or will Tara listen to Sebastian’s parents and believe she is just another groupie to fall for the rock star?
Find out in the new series of Brighton’s latest record label that every musician wants to be signed to.
Kindle Edition
First published May 17, 2018
276 people are currently reading
411 people want to read
About the author
Grace Harper
80 books184 followersBorn and raised in Wales, in a sleepy town just outside Cardiff, Grace developed a love of stationery at a very early age. She still can’t pass a pen shop without nipping in for a quick look around.
Writing and publishing since 2012, Grace has many books in her back catalog, all in the Romance genre. They range from Rock Star Romance to Small Town Romance and Family Sagas. Be warned, her books have a high heat level!
In a nutshell?
21st Century Romance – Writing about understated powerful women. Understated love stories with a powerful message, each and every time.
Sign up to Grace's newsletter: http://eepurl.com/5-eXX
Like Grace at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GraceHarperR...
Visit Grace's Website: https://graceharperbooks.com/
Writing and publishing since 2012, Grace has many books in her back catalog, all in the Romance genre. They range from Rock Star Romance to Small Town Romance and Family Sagas. Be warned, her books have a high heat level!
In a nutshell?
21st Century Romance – Writing about understated powerful women. Understated love stories with a powerful message, each and every time.
Sign up to Grace's newsletter: http://eepurl.com/5-eXX
Like Grace at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GraceHarperR...
Visit Grace's Website: https://graceharperbooks.com/
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
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August 5, 2025💝FREE on Amazon today (8/9/2018)!💝
September 14, 2020
Loved this story about Seb and Tara. These two had loved each other for so long but neither would tell the other....it was a fun read.
July 15, 2021
Major Plot spoilers ahead. Read at your own risk
ONCE AGAIN MAJOR PLOT SPOILERS AHEAD, THIS IS YOUR FINAL WARNING
I’m so aggravated right now because goodreads just erased my entire review for this book after I spent 30 minutes on it. I was only going to do a quick review, but then it turned out bigger than I wanted, but now it’s gone. Now, I have to think of all the things that I said in that review.
The thing that really drew was the two of my favorite tropes that were here in this story, which were friends to lovers and unrequited love. Then throw into the fact that Seb was a former playboy rockstar, and I was immediately intrigued.
I was anticipating lots of great angst and longing with both of those tropes. Even though there was longing and angst, it wasn’t as much or as intense as I was expecting. However Tara and Seb got together a lot sooner than I thought they would be therefore decreasing the amount of pinning and longing between these two. I wanted that for at least half of the book, however their first kiss happened with in the first third. I wanted more of that stretched out. More of that part of their journey, instead of the outside influences.
I thought since Tara made a big deal of her not wanting to sleep with anyone until she was married, that Seb and Tara would have waited a lot longer than they did in the story. Granted they both wanted it and were in love by that point, but still it was such a fix point for her that she just threw that out the window and gave into it pretty too easy. Yes, it was her decision, and he never pushed her into anything. He was more than willing to wait because he knew it was important to her and since he was in love with her and planned to marry her anyway he didn’t see the big deal. So when they had that rushed heated encounter in the bathtub for the first time, it was kind of disappointing. I was hoping that it was going to be this epic love scene that they were going to get for the first time full of tenderness, sweetness, and love. Though it was done with love, it was too hurried of encounter not an epic lovemaking moment that she had been waiting for all her life for. Not that made it any less special for her, but I was just thinking it would be this grand moment between them.
I did like the relationship between Tara and Seb. I thought it was very sweet. It was clear that their feelings had run deep and had done so for a good long while even though they didn’t tell the other that was what they were feeling. It was showed in how affectionate that they were. They had sweet moments of connection that showed they truly knew who each other were. They had that emotional closeness for years. I just really liked seeing their interactions between them that showed that they really loved and cared for one another.
However romance was taken over by the outside stuff that was happening both with characters and the record label. I absolutely hated the stuff with Casey, Quinn, and Valentino. What Valentino did to Tara was absolutely horrible, disgusting, and disturbing. Even though Seb saved her from his clutches in time, his reaction to Valentino was strange. Seb let the dude go with just some heated threats and nothing more. Seb should have called the police and let Valentino be arrested especially since Valentino sexual assaulted Tara in the past, which was another issue I had. Valentino didn’t face the consequences of his actions like at all. It was just brushed off like it was nothing almost. I was just not okay. I was very disturbed reading that scene. It turned my view of the story in a sour direction after that.
Then the stuff with Casey was just too much as well. He was a drug addict, and very verbally violently abusive to Tara. I get that was what drugs do to someone, but ever time Casey and Tara had an encounter I would cringe because I knew it was going to be good. I just hated seeing it happening again and again. Tara wouldn’t listen to Seb even though he was trying to protect her from the unpredictability of Casey. It just was a little overwhelming especially not when expecting it or being prepared for it. I didn’t like that plot line at all. It was just another thing that made this go downhill even more.
Overall, the part I enjoyed the most was the romance, and I wish that would have been the focus of the entire book, instead of the other storylines. Those storylines really didn’t enhance the romance, but instead put it on the back burner because so much was going on around Seb and Tara. I wanted more longing, more angst, and just more of them playing a cat and mouse game until their love for each other was revealed. Once they admitted feelings for one another, there was really nothing standing in their way. It happened so early on when I wanted that to be the main journey in this story. I did like how treated each other with love and respect. I loved the affectionate that they showed one another. I loved the sweet interactions they had with one another. Just everything got in the way of the greatness of their romance. I didn’t like all that outside stuff. Someone of it was very disturbing. It was something that I was not prepared for. It became a really turn off for the rest of the story. Once those things happened in the story, then I didn’t care about it after that.
TW: sexual assault, verbal abuse, drug abuse, and overdose
ONCE AGAIN MAJOR PLOT SPOILERS AHEAD, THIS IS YOUR FINAL WARNING
I’m so aggravated right now because goodreads just erased my entire review for this book after I spent 30 minutes on it. I was only going to do a quick review, but then it turned out bigger than I wanted, but now it’s gone. Now, I have to think of all the things that I said in that review.
The thing that really drew was the two of my favorite tropes that were here in this story, which were friends to lovers and unrequited love. Then throw into the fact that Seb was a former playboy rockstar, and I was immediately intrigued.
I was anticipating lots of great angst and longing with both of those tropes. Even though there was longing and angst, it wasn’t as much or as intense as I was expecting. However Tara and Seb got together a lot sooner than I thought they would be therefore decreasing the amount of pinning and longing between these two. I wanted that for at least half of the book, however their first kiss happened with in the first third. I wanted more of that stretched out. More of that part of their journey, instead of the outside influences.
I thought since Tara made a big deal of her not wanting to sleep with anyone until she was married, that Seb and Tara would have waited a lot longer than they did in the story. Granted they both wanted it and were in love by that point, but still it was such a fix point for her that she just threw that out the window and gave into it pretty too easy. Yes, it was her decision, and he never pushed her into anything. He was more than willing to wait because he knew it was important to her and since he was in love with her and planned to marry her anyway he didn’t see the big deal. So when they had that rushed heated encounter in the bathtub for the first time, it was kind of disappointing. I was hoping that it was going to be this epic love scene that they were going to get for the first time full of tenderness, sweetness, and love. Though it was done with love, it was too hurried of encounter not an epic lovemaking moment that she had been waiting for all her life for. Not that made it any less special for her, but I was just thinking it would be this grand moment between them.
I did like the relationship between Tara and Seb. I thought it was very sweet. It was clear that their feelings had run deep and had done so for a good long while even though they didn’t tell the other that was what they were feeling. It was showed in how affectionate that they were. They had sweet moments of connection that showed they truly knew who each other were. They had that emotional closeness for years. I just really liked seeing their interactions between them that showed that they really loved and cared for one another.
However romance was taken over by the outside stuff that was happening both with characters and the record label. I absolutely hated the stuff with Casey, Quinn, and Valentino. What Valentino did to Tara was absolutely horrible, disgusting, and disturbing. Even though Seb saved her from his clutches in time, his reaction to Valentino was strange. Seb let the dude go with just some heated threats and nothing more. Seb should have called the police and let Valentino be arrested especially since Valentino sexual assaulted Tara in the past, which was another issue I had. Valentino didn’t face the consequences of his actions like at all. It was just brushed off like it was nothing almost. I was just not okay. I was very disturbed reading that scene. It turned my view of the story in a sour direction after that.
Then the stuff with Casey was just too much as well. He was a drug addict, and very verbally violently abusive to Tara. I get that was what drugs do to someone, but ever time Casey and Tara had an encounter I would cringe because I knew it was going to be good. I just hated seeing it happening again and again. Tara wouldn’t listen to Seb even though he was trying to protect her from the unpredictability of Casey. It just was a little overwhelming especially not when expecting it or being prepared for it. I didn’t like that plot line at all. It was just another thing that made this go downhill even more.
Overall, the part I enjoyed the most was the romance, and I wish that would have been the focus of the entire book, instead of the other storylines. Those storylines really didn’t enhance the romance, but instead put it on the back burner because so much was going on around Seb and Tara. I wanted more longing, more angst, and just more of them playing a cat and mouse game until their love for each other was revealed. Once they admitted feelings for one another, there was really nothing standing in their way. It happened so early on when I wanted that to be the main journey in this story. I did like how treated each other with love and respect. I loved the affectionate that they showed one another. I loved the sweet interactions they had with one another. Just everything got in the way of the greatness of their romance. I didn’t like all that outside stuff. Someone of it was very disturbing. It was something that I was not prepared for. It became a really turn off for the rest of the story. Once those things happened in the story, then I didn’t care about it after that.
TW: sexual assault, verbal abuse, drug abuse, and overdose
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2020
Great story
This was a great story with relatable characters becoming a tight knit family. I didn’t much care for the ending, I thought with Alex and Erin back, there would be an immediate wedding. Tara now wanting to wait just so she could drink alcohol for her bachelorette party and wedding is plain selfish.
This was a great story with relatable characters becoming a tight knit family. I didn’t much care for the ending, I thought with Alex and Erin back, there would be an immediate wedding. Tara now wanting to wait just so she could drink alcohol for her bachelorette party and wedding is plain selfish.
April 19, 2019
Loved this book Seb and Tara danced round each other for a long time before admitting that they loved each other. Seb was the ultimate rock star until he gave it up to start a new label with his best friend from the group.
September 25, 2018
After starting this book about a month before, I got to around 15% then decided to skip to 50% then just wen right for the last 2 chapters. It was just slow to me and I couldn't keep reading. Had a sweet ending, but I don't feel like I missed much by not reading more than half the book.
May 30, 2019
Seb is your ‘typical’ musician and Tara is an employee at the same label, and also a virgin. They get together and she ends up having sex with him before they get married. In a nutshell.
I can appreciate the challenge of writing a book and don’t like writing negative reviews however two stars was the most I could give this book.
This book took me longer to finish than I expected as I just couldn’t get excited about it. Aside from the typos and punctuation mistakes there was, for me, a lack of detail in creating the characters and story line and therefore I didn’t get emotionally connected to it. I’m still not sure what the point of it all was. Parts of it seemed wholly unrealistic. If this book were aimed at young adults it might make more sense??
Thank you to Voracious Readers Only for my free copy.
I can appreciate the challenge of writing a book and don’t like writing negative reviews however two stars was the most I could give this book.
This book took me longer to finish than I expected as I just couldn’t get excited about it. Aside from the typos and punctuation mistakes there was, for me, a lack of detail in creating the characters and story line and therefore I didn’t get emotionally connected to it. I’m still not sure what the point of it all was. Parts of it seemed wholly unrealistic. If this book were aimed at young adults it might make more sense??
Thank you to Voracious Readers Only for my free copy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2019
I received a copy of this book from voracious readers and I really loved it. It did take me a while to get into the story line but as soon as I did I was grateful if started. I really liked Tara and how her character was presented in the story. I would definitely want to read the other books in the series.
July 13, 2019
A very intense and detailed dramatic romance. Excellent story and characterizations thus far. All characters involved appear to be well developed to this point. Of course, as with the real world, not all characters are that palatable. There appears to be a nemesis trying to thwart their business success. This is a complex plot line with multiple story lines to follow. Kind of like real life eh, nothing is quite as simple as we think it is. Towards the end of the story I felt that the main female character was not as understanding nor appreciative of the main male's feelings and perspectives. Excellent camaraderie between friends. The work environment they have established appears to operate on a true "team" premise. This story ends on a cliff hanger.
I voluntarily received an advance review copy of this novel via Voracious Readers Only and I am leaving an honest and unbiased review I have no affiliation to this author.
I voluntarily received an advance review copy of this novel via Voracious Readers Only and I am leaving an honest and unbiased review I have no affiliation to this author.
December 21, 2024
December 2024 review -
I absolutely love being back with the Red & Black family. If I knew when I first read this series what I know now, I would have realised that any questions I had at the end of this narrative Grace Harper would ensure that they were answered as the series progresses. I know this is definitely not the last we see of Seb and Tara - their journey continues throughout!
5 stars. My love for Seb is as strong as ever!!
February 2022 review -
I enjoyed reading Charcoal Notes. In fact, there were times when I found it difficult to put my kindle down. This is the first book in the Red & Black series and I have loved getting to know the characters who I am certain will make appearances throughout. Charcoal Notes is Seb and Tara’s story.
I absolutely love both Seb and Tara. I enjoyed the friends to lovers side of this story. They have both loved each other for so long without realising that their feelings were reciprocated. I knew I was invested in the couple because some of Tara’s decisions and actions had my stomach in knots due to being concerned about how those particular scenes would unfold. I didn’t want anything to stand in the way of this couple being together.
I do have a few questions that I hope will be answered in the next book – some important parts of the story that haven’t yet come to a conclusion. I was a bit surprised at how some of the storyline progressed, bearing in mind the strong beliefs of the character in question, but this is their story so who am I to question this. With regards to the pace of the story, I do wish that the ending hadn’t felt so rushed.
It has been fabulous getting to know the Red & Black record label family and they truly are one big family who look out for each other. I realised after reading the author’s notes at the end of this book that Erin and Alex’s story is told in the This Love series and I will definitely be reading it one day soon as I am desperate to learn more about them both - Erin in particular.
I award Charcoal notes 4 stars. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
I absolutely love being back with the Red & Black family. If I knew when I first read this series what I know now, I would have realised that any questions I had at the end of this narrative Grace Harper would ensure that they were answered as the series progresses. I know this is definitely not the last we see of Seb and Tara - their journey continues throughout!
5 stars. My love for Seb is as strong as ever!!
February 2022 review -
I enjoyed reading Charcoal Notes. In fact, there were times when I found it difficult to put my kindle down. This is the first book in the Red & Black series and I have loved getting to know the characters who I am certain will make appearances throughout. Charcoal Notes is Seb and Tara’s story.
I absolutely love both Seb and Tara. I enjoyed the friends to lovers side of this story. They have both loved each other for so long without realising that their feelings were reciprocated. I knew I was invested in the couple because some of Tara’s decisions and actions had my stomach in knots due to being concerned about how those particular scenes would unfold. I didn’t want anything to stand in the way of this couple being together.
I do have a few questions that I hope will be answered in the next book – some important parts of the story that haven’t yet come to a conclusion. I was a bit surprised at how some of the storyline progressed, bearing in mind the strong beliefs of the character in question, but this is their story so who am I to question this. With regards to the pace of the story, I do wish that the ending hadn’t felt so rushed.
It has been fabulous getting to know the Red & Black record label family and they truly are one big family who look out for each other. I realised after reading the author’s notes at the end of this book that Erin and Alex’s story is told in the This Love series and I will definitely be reading it one day soon as I am desperate to learn more about them both - Erin in particular.
I award Charcoal notes 4 stars. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
March 23, 2020
Just didn't catch my interest. Seemed shallow. Stopped at 9%
June 7, 2021
This is a funny, sassy, smart, women that is trying to find her way in life. She has two men that want her. One will do any under handed thing to get her. The other wants her on her terms but can she past her self to believe he really wants her? A great read to get lost in.
December 21, 2024
December 2024 review -
I absolutely love being back with the Red & Black family. If I knew when I first read this series what I know now, I would have realised that any questions I had at the end of this narrative Grace Harper would ensure that they were answered as the series progresses. I know this is definitely not the last we see of Seb and Tara - their journey continues throughout!
5 stars. My love for Seb is as strong as ever!!
February 2022 review -
I enjoyed reading Charcoal Notes. In fact, there were times when I found it difficult to put my kindle down. This is the first book in the Red & Black series and I have loved getting to know the characters who I am certain will make appearances throughout. Charcoal Notes is Seb and Tara’s story.
I absolutely love both Seb and Tara. I enjoyed the friends to lovers side of this story. They have both loved each other for so long without realising that their feelings were reciprocated. I knew I was invested in the couple because some of Tara’s decisions and actions had my stomach in knots due to being concerned about how those particular scenes would unfold. I didn’t want anything to stand in the way of this couple being together.
I do have a few questions that I hope will be answered in the next book – some important parts of the story that haven’t yet come to a conclusion. I was a bit surprised at how some of the storyline progressed, bearing in mind the strong beliefs of the character in question, but this is their story so who am I to question this. With regards to the pace of the story, I do wish that the ending hadn’t felt so rushed.
It has been fabulous getting to know the Red & Black record label family and they truly are one big family who look out for each other. I realised after reading the author’s notes at the end of this book that Erin and Alex’s story is told in the This Love series and I will definitely be reading it one day soon as I am desperate to learn more about them both - Erin in particular.
I award Charcoal notes 4 stars. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
I absolutely love being back with the Red & Black family. If I knew when I first read this series what I know now, I would have realised that any questions I had at the end of this narrative Grace Harper would ensure that they were answered as the series progresses. I know this is definitely not the last we see of Seb and Tara - their journey continues throughout!
5 stars. My love for Seb is as strong as ever!!
February 2022 review -
I enjoyed reading Charcoal Notes. In fact, there were times when I found it difficult to put my kindle down. This is the first book in the Red & Black series and I have loved getting to know the characters who I am certain will make appearances throughout. Charcoal Notes is Seb and Tara’s story.
I absolutely love both Seb and Tara. I enjoyed the friends to lovers side of this story. They have both loved each other for so long without realising that their feelings were reciprocated. I knew I was invested in the couple because some of Tara’s decisions and actions had my stomach in knots due to being concerned about how those particular scenes would unfold. I didn’t want anything to stand in the way of this couple being together.
I do have a few questions that I hope will be answered in the next book – some important parts of the story that haven’t yet come to a conclusion. I was a bit surprised at how some of the storyline progressed, bearing in mind the strong beliefs of the character in question, but this is their story so who am I to question this. With regards to the pace of the story, I do wish that the ending hadn’t felt so rushed.
It has been fabulous getting to know the Red & Black record label family and they truly are one big family who look out for each other. I realised after reading the author’s notes at the end of this book that Erin and Alex’s story is told in the This Love series and I will definitely be reading it one day soon as I am desperate to learn more about them both - Erin in particular.
I award Charcoal notes 4 stars. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
January 16, 2023
This one may take you a little while to get into, but stick with it…it is worth it. Oh, you’ll connect with Seb right away. He is amazing! Tara? Not so much. She seems standoffish, but she really isn’t. The two of them have been dancing around one another for years. They are finally in one another’s orbit every day and it is harder and harder to keep up that dance. They both feel unworthy and intimidated by the other for totally different reasons. Neither one of them truly, fully show themselves to the world. There is a lot going on throughout this story. Some of it takes a little bit to figure out as it stems from past history. The pace of the story is slow at first, but when it takes off there is no stopping it and the pages fly by.
I will admit that I sometimes (OK, most of the time) have trouble reading British authors. Ms. Harper is from Wales and has a unique style. Her writing was much more tolerable than most UK authors. At least in my humble opinion. I enjoyed Charcoal Notes and will definitely be reading more in the series.
I will admit that I sometimes (OK, most of the time) have trouble reading British authors. Ms. Harper is from Wales and has a unique style. Her writing was much more tolerable than most UK authors. At least in my humble opinion. I enjoyed Charcoal Notes and will definitely be reading more in the series.
March 2, 2025
disappointed
I would have given this 3 stars but for the fact that she went home and not just for a week, she went for a month and the worst part is that she told everyone else she was pregnant except for the most important person. Seb should have been the one to be told first, even before her parents. That was a hurtful mistake and no way would any male would be happy that the others knew before him. And if she loved him the way she said she did there is no way she would leave him for a month to figure “things” out!!
I would have given this 3 stars but for the fact that she went home and not just for a week, she went for a month and the worst part is that she told everyone else she was pregnant except for the most important person. Seb should have been the one to be told first, even before her parents. That was a hurtful mistake and no way would any male would be happy that the others knew before him. And if she loved him the way she said she did there is no way she would leave him for a month to figure “things” out!!
October 12, 2021
Nice read but????
This story was really enjoyable but then it ends. The characters were protective of each other. There are so many unanswered questions in this story. Not clear on the concdrt, parents or ending. No epilogue this really is not how to end a good read.
This story was really enjoyable but then it ends. The characters were protective of each other. There are so many unanswered questions in this story. Not clear on the concdrt, parents or ending. No epilogue this really is not how to end a good read.
May 6, 2024
Charcoal Notes, Red & Black book one by Grace Harper. I loved this story! Sebastian & Tara’s story so far. I hope there is a lot more. I wasn’t a fan of how it ended but I enjoyed the story before the end and I can’t wait to read more. I read this book because I read Serenade and loved it.
February 3, 2025
I’m sorry. This book just wasn’t it for me like at all.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews