Irresistible Refrain

Tempest #2

by Michelle Mankin

Two years ago everything changed for the remaining members of the Seattle rock band Tempest.

Two years is a long time.

Too long to keep on remembering.

Not nearly long enough to forget.

In trouble with nowhere else to go songstress Lace Lowell seeks refuge with the band during their stop in New York City. It's a risky move for her because they are both there, two impossibly good looking men whose lives are inseparably entwined with hers. One who bruised her heart and one who smashed it into pieces.

Warren “War” Jinkins, the mercurial lead singer of Tempest, has always had a thing for Lace. But then again so does his best friend and band mate.

Bryan “Bullet” Jackson, the sinfully handsome tat-sleeved lead guitarist, has a bad boy reputation befitting his nickname. For the past two years Bullet’s had a rule with the groupies: one time, never twice, leave ‘em satisfied, but always leave ‘em.

Two guys, one woman, and a host of dark secrets all together within the tight confines of a tour bus as the group travels cross country.

Can the past be forgotten and buried?

Will friendships prevail?

Or will the three of them succumb to seductive impulses too addictive to resist?

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SOUTHSIDE HIGH UPDATE AVAILABLE. If you purchased this title before August 25, 2020, there is an updated version available. To get it:
1. Go to your amazon account on your DESKTOP.
2 Search for this title using the search function under 'content and devices'.
3. When it appears, click the Update Available in blue.
* In the update Irresistible Refrain was extended. It is 45 chapters rather than 43. It was also edited by Pam Berehulke and contains wonderful new content in order to match the prequel SOUTHSIDE HIGH. *

** Irresistible Refrain is a gritty rock and roll tale intended for mature readers seventeen and up. Contains sexual situations, strong language, and drug use. **

Genres: Romance, Music, New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Dark, Amazon

390 pages, Paperback

First published October 2, 2013

About the author

MICHELLE MANKIN is the New York Times bestselling author of over 40 romance novels.
Romance that Rocks.
Her individual books are FREE in kindleunlimited. Link to them on her author page on Amazon:
http://author.to/MyAuthorPage
BRUTAL STRENGTH trilogy
completed series
TEMPEST
a fan favorite and a completed series
FIND ME
a completed trilogy
ROCK STARS, SURF AND SECOND CHANCES
a completed series
STORM is a #1 bestselling standalone spin-off from the Rockstars, Surf, and Second Chances series
GIRLS RANKING THE ROCK STARS (Rock F*ck Club)
a completed series
IN HIS EYES is a standalone spin-off from the RFC
ONCE UPON A ROCK STAR
4 books planned ending with The Right Song
ADDY"S ROLLERCOASTER ROMANCE
Getting it Wrong
Getting it Right
NO QUARTER
Hot Summer School Night
Breaking Her Bad
MAGIC series
a completed paranormal series

Reviews

[*J* Too Many Books Too Little Time · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was pretty



for me.....I never really could get in to it. I didn't feel the story or something...it was more just reading what the characters felt.

Not to mention....this story is a love triangle. Love triangles are definitely hit or miss for me...so maybe I just wasn't in the mood. IDK. None of the characters just really did much for me.

The story centers around Warren "War", Bryan "Bullet" and Lacey "Lace". War and Bullet are in a band called Tempest, along with Lace's brother Dizzy and two other band members (I honestly can't even remember their names). Dizzy and Lace grew up with Bullet but were separated for a time. During that time Bullet and War become friends.

Bullet and Lace fell in love with each other as kids....but by the time they were old enough to act on their feelings and before they got a chance to tell each other how they felt, War spotted Lace and claimed her as his.

This story is told in alternating POVs between Bryan and Lacey and we get flashbacks to certain events in the past. Bryan kind of steps to the side once War claims Lace....he feels he "owes" War after War took some hits for them as kids....kept Bryan out of trouble.

There was a lot of back and forth, and a lot of lack of communication which I hate. War and Lace eventually part ways after a dispute regarding the band. Lace ends up in an abusive relationships. Two years later, she returns to War and Tempest and she and War fall right back in to a relationship. Why couldn't she and Bryan have worked things out at this point?? And why in the world would you get back with him after he screwed you over two years ago?

For me, the relationships never developed enough for me to find them believable I guess. We never got the scene that broke War and Lace up to begin with....therefore I never connected with them getting back together.

It was all just one big miscommunication. Bryan and Lace both felt the same way about each other but neither one would tell the other. Lace wanted Bryan to come in and "save" her and sweep her off her feet and Bryan held back out of loyalty to War.

The writing also felt choppy to me for some reason with the flashbacks. I couldn't connect with the past or the present. This was my first Michelle Mankin read so I don't have other books of hers to compare to, but for a rockstar book I was hoping for more grit, more sex, more rock and roll.

[Tee loves Kyle Jacobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay so where to start with this review...... HOLY EFFING CHRIST ALMIGHTY! Okay now that I have that said I have to say that Michelle Mankin totally ROCKED MY SOCKS OFF with this book. Holy rock and roll bad boys! I can't even think straight as I am remembering some of the things that went down. Man I mean I was so into the book I did not hear or see anything but War, Bullet, and Lace for 8 hours! I love me some rock and roll stories bad boys and the girls who fall for them but this is so much more. I mean you have the rock and roll but you have best friends, lovers, and everything in between. Plus you have the reality of drugs and alcohol that fills the voids they feel even if it really doesn't fill anything. This review is going to be simple and spoiler free because I really want you to read it and enjoy it and watch it unfold naturally because that is what I did and LORD LORD help me JESUS because I was BLOWN AWAY!

Love is a biatch and sometimes we don't get the one we want and sometimes the one we want we have to watch be with someone else. For Lace, War, And Bullet love sucks so bad because they are all in love. Yes a love triangle I know you people hate it but this love triangle works in so many ways because poor Lace has loved one of them since she was a child and the other she used to replace her true love because she thinks he doesn't want her in that way.

As the story unfolds you get to see War who is the lead singer pine over Lace and stake his claim on her as his. War loves Lace ad will do anything to be with her and protect her. But can he protect her from a broken heart? Bullet has known Lace since childhood and loves her with all his heart. He wants her to be his but War staked claim on her first and as a best friend and a bro he will not intrude on their relationship so he will love Lace from afar. But in the mean time Bullet does one night stands and groupies like he is changing his underwear's. He never does then twice and never makes commitments to them. When they go back to the room they know right of the bat that it is a slam bam thank you ma'am now get your ass out because you are just a filler. His heart and mind and soul belong to his true love but can he ever have her?

This is such a must read that will rock your socks off. Man it is like a train wreck happening you see it coming but you can't look away and in this case I could not put the book down!

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/9/2020)! 🎁

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as a beta.Michelle took this book in a completely different direction than her previous series.It is full of flawed & complex characters,with a love triangle in the mix.This book is her best work so far.I can't wait to put up my full review closer to the release date!

Happy Release Day! Here is my full review...
This book is the first in a new series and it totally delivered! Mankin you rock! After reading the first series,which I loved by the way, I can honestly tell you that Mankin poured her all in this book,she held nothing back. This book is raw, real, rocking, drug inducing with real emotion and real life pain. The three main characters: War, Bryan, and Lace, all grow up together as friends. War and Bryan are the best of friends, more like brothers. As they grow up both War and Bryan fall in love with Lace, each in his own way, but only one can have her, who will it be? Lace is a complex and flawed little girl in a woman's body, she is Cinderella waiting for her Prince Charming,so who will be the one....War or Bryan? Read the book and the rocking drama will unfold.
For more indie book reviews: Myindieauthorfix.com
To buy this book go to: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FLG5KPS

[Happy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the new spin off series from Michelle Mankin's Black Cat Record series. If you love a good love triangle, some angst, a bit of steam and rock and roll...then you will enjoy IR. Since high school Bryan "Bullet" and Warren "War" have always been best friends and Lace has always been War's girl. Even though Bryan has been her protector since they were kids, he's always loved Lace and unbeknownst to Bryan, Lace feels the same way. Now years later Bryan and War are in a band, Tempest, and are making a name for themselves and Lace has been left behind. In the midst of a tour, Lace mysteriously joins them due to really bad circumstances. Far too easily, she falls back into a relationship with War living the rock and roll lifestyle.

Again, Bryan is left watching and wanting from afar. Only this time Bryan has had enough and he's scared for Lace. He's willing to fight for Lace, even if it's at the cost of his best friend, but is Lace too far gone in her haze of drugs to notice or care? And will War even let her go? Will any relationship survive the fall out? Read and find out! Yes, this book is part of a series, but each book focuses on a different band member. Looking forward to book 2!

[Brandee (un)Conventional Bookworms · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy WOW! Michelle Mankin has delivered an irresistible read with Irresistible Refrain! It's no-holds barred about drug use/addiction and all its negative effects. But it also offers hope for second chances for love and redemption.

Bryan 'Bullet' Jackson has the world on a string. As the bad boy fantasy of many women, this hunky, tatted up lead guitarist for Tempest can have any woman. And he's had many. But there's only one he's ever really wanted to keep. The one that fits him like the final piece of a puzzle. However, a promise he made as a teenager keeps them apart.

Lace Lowell has lived a very un-charmed life. As the daughter of a drug addict, it has taken a lot of determination just to survive. She always had Bryan, though, for support. Until he broke her heart. And the loss of what she'd always dreamed of having sent Lace on a dangerous downward spiral.

Warren 'War' Jinkins has been Bryan's best friend forever. War has always had Bryan's back, protecting him, even taking the rap for him and suffering the consequences. So he knew when he asked for a promise from Bryan, he'd get it. Bryan owed him. Now the lead singer of their band, these two are tight as ever. Until Lace shows up, ratcheting up the tension.

Irresistible Refrain has an amazingly strong, courageous, and resilient heroine in Lace. She's made more than her fair share of mistakes. But she hits rock bottom and begins her ascent out of hell. She's tried her damnedest to move on from Bryan but can't seem to shake him. However, she has to finally prove to everyone, especially herself, that she can stand on her own two feet before she can have the future she's always dreamed of having. I admire Lace so much. It is awe-inspiring watching her get her life back together - and doing it for herself. I loved seeing her transformation from broken little girl, to self-confident teen, to broken woman, to incredibly capable woman.

Bryan *swoon* is incredible, too. He's a kind, loving and loyal man. We get to see that in how he cares about War, his family, and especially Lace. Lace is his weakness. He never gives up - well, not completely - on having his own dreams come true. It was shocking and swoon-inducing seeing him make the decision to go after what he wanted. He's made mistakes as well, make some on this mission of his. I was so impressed when he came to the realization that he'd made another misstep though. He matured and elevated another rung in my esteem as he made moves to rectify the situation. Bryan evolved from being blindly loyal, giving up things he wanted in a misguided attempt to pay back a debt, to mature and lovingly loyal.

War - I'm sorry y'all. I'm sure he has some redeeming qualities...somewhere. And I really hope to see them revealed. But all I kept thinking about him was 'he's such an asshole!' He makes decisions and takes actions under the guise of friendship, but his motivation really came into question for me. Perhaps he does just have Lead Singer Disease, as Dizzy said. But he's just a narcissistic asshole most of the time. I didn't really see any character growth for him, but I hope to see some in future installments.

Irresistible Refrain is beautifully rendered and well paced. I delighted in the flashbacks that established the foundation of friendship and love between Bryan, War, Lacy, and Dizzy (Lace's older brother and rhythm guitarist for Tempest). I loved, loved seeing the character growth of both Bryan and Lace...but particularly Lace. She had a long way to climb to reclaim her life, and the resilience and strength she showed was amazing. It was a joy to see the hope offered - hope for second chances at life and love. And the hope for redemption for mistakes made and for the hurt caused by drug use. Ms. Mankin delivers a gritty, realistic story here. But a story with hope.

**I received an eARC of the book, as part of the blog tour, in exchange for an honest review.

[Kimberly Schaaf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly didn't think it was possible to enjoy a "rocker book" more than I enjoyed the three books from Michelle's "Black Cat Series"....but the first book in the Tempest Series has given it a run for its money!!

Bry and Lace's story was one that I couldn't and didn't want to put down. I will warn you, the subject matter is intense and emotional...so it's not for the weak of heart. The turmoil that Michelle puts her characters through is torturous at times, but as always, she rewards them heavily when it's all said and done.

I truly do love the way that Michelle writes about life on the road for musicians/rockers. Sometimes I wonder if she secretly travels with Foo Fighters or something!! She seems to have an insight into this world that isn't hard to believe!! Sex, drugs, and so much more.

The one thing that I love the most about this story is the intensity in which Lace handles everything. Her personal failures and triumphs...I was in tears at several points during the book reading about what Lace was going through or had gone through. So young and so many crazy experiences...like I said, it's intense.

I loved watching the relationship between War and Bry change as well. Bro's before Hoe's....yeah...see how that works out.

Without giving too much away, this is definitely a story worth spending time with. I am impatiently, as always, awaiting book #2 in the series. Well done Michelle!! Well Done!!

[Linda (un)Conventional Bookworms · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just had to re-read this one after I read the prequel novel Southside High this week. And I loved Irresistible Refrain even more so on my second read.
Lace, War and Bry have a very messy thing going on - and now, with the whole back story, it's so much easier to understand everything that's going on.
I also enjoyed it even more this time around - solid 5 stars!

This review was originally posted on (un)Conventional Bookviews

[Daisy Delfin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pages: 314
My rating: 3.5
Read other books by this author in the future: yes
MC: Lace, Bryan, War
SC: Dizzy, King, Sager, Chase

The first book of this series starts two years after the prequel. It’s the second part of the Lace, War and Brians story. There is some heavy stuff in here. But I liked that they are older and more mature. I could not understand how Lace and Dizzy’s relationship changed so much. I did not see much of King and Sager, which was strange, because King was a Lace’s good friend in the Prequel and also Chase vanished.

It was a good entertaining read.

[Bookworm Betties · Rating 5 out of 5]

*****5-Gritty, Drug Induced-Stars*****
this review contains minor spoilers

And here we were all these years later and Lace Lowell still had the ability to tie me up in knots. I still wanted to protect and please her. But because of War I was powerless to do either.
Some fucked up fairy tale I was living.

Wow, I don't know where to even begin. Hello Miss Communication, I'd like to introduce you to my friends Angst & Miss Understanding-now, go fight nicely. Sex, drugs, and Rock-n-Roll...that is definitely the world this book enters. This is no sunshine and unicorns pretty little romance-it's dirty, gritty, dangerous, drugged up & drunk-heartbreaking...lucky for me-I LOVE THAT SHIT!!

Never welcome.
Never wanted.
My mother had been right all along.
A part of me, the part with dreams, the beautiful part, had been snuffed out by darkness. Fear had replaced hope and apathy had replaced fear until all that remained was this empty frame, a place card for the woman I'd once been, still pretty to look at, but hollow inside.

Lacey 'Lace' Lowell has just gone through a violent breakup from a very dangerous man named Martin. With nowhere to go and afraid for her safety, she joins her brothers band 'Tempest' on tour. Only now, she's on the road, jammed in a tour bus with two men who have broken her heart and her trust in the past. It doesn't take long for her to fall back into a relationship with ex-boyfriend, Warren 'War' Jinkins-lead singer, but that doesn't keep her from constantly thinking about Bryan 'Bullet' Jackson-lead guitarist and the man she has loved her entire life, the same one who shattered her heart completely years ago.

My mind remembered how badly Bryan Jackson had hurt me, but my traitorous body wanted me to forget.

“You know me, Lace. I don't do relationships.”
“Yeah, that's not something I'm likely to forget.”

Bryan and War have been best friends since middle school, closer than brothers War has taken the fall for Bryan more than once and always has his back. So when War lays claim on a sixteen year old Lace, Bryan backs off figuring eventually War will get bored and move on leaving Lace up for grabs, little did he know that would never happen. Bryan has known Lace & her Brother Dizzy since he's seven years old and she is the only woman he has ever loved, but loyalty to War keeps him from going after her.

“I saw how you looked at her, man. But I don't want you coming between me and this chick, understand? This one's mine.”
I made a promise based on our friendship that night. And that promise ended up costing me more over the years than I ever could have imagined.

Nothing had fucking changed. Twenty thousand people screaming my name during my guitar solo at the Garden, plus two twins, but none of that mattered to me. Not when my best friend had the woman I'd always wanted.

Being cramped on a bus tests both of their limits, Bryan hates seeing her with War and Lace hates feeling like she was never worth fighting for while swimming amongst groupies and Bryan's past. Chemistry mounts, tension fills the air, building up to an explosion neither are prepared for.

“You're fucking engaged, aren't you?” His voice was deadly quiet, but his expression was so wild and wounded that I took a step back. “Why, Lace? How could you do this to me? To us?”
“What us is there, Bryan? Prom was a long ass time ago. War wants me. He makes our relationship a priority. When have you ever done that?"

Traveling across country, they are all keeping secrets that may threaten to destroy everything. Friendships will be tested, hearts will be broken, while everything begins to spin completely out of their control. I'm not usually a huge fan of triangles, but I never could pass up a rocker and angst is my BFF so this book still totally worked for me. Drama around ever corner, characters I completely fell in love with, and a kickass story made me an insta-fan of Michelle Mankin's. There is one thing that has left me a little unsettled, the fate of one particular character was left hanging out in the breeze. I won't say who and ruin the ending for you, but I'll just say they went completely off the rails and disappeared. As much of an ass as they kinda turned into-they still stole a piece of my heart in the end and I really would like to find out what happens for them next. Even though they have fallen off the grid, I'm hoping to hear more from them or even of them in future books ** fingers crossed ** Cannot wait for muchMUCH more from this series- I am FAR FROM READY to leave the 'tempting men of Tempest'

I should let it go, let her go, but that's what I had done two years ago and I didn't know if I had it in me to do again, even for War.

He was the constant in my life, my irresistible refrain. I could no more keep myself from needing, wanting, or returning to him than I could keep myself from breathing. It was always going to be him.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!!! This book is such a dark, sexy, heavy, emotional and moving read.



Let me start out by telling you that Irresistible Refrain takes you on one crazy journey! The book follows a rock band named Tempest. You get to know each person in the band eventually and I really liked that aspect of the book. Michelle Mankin did an amazing job with all the characters in this story! BRAVO! I loved them!

The book begins with you being introduced to Lace Lowell. Lace has had a very tough life. I really felt for her. She had a horrible upbringing and it hasn’t really gotten any better for her especially when it comes to the men in her life. Her very abusive boyfriend has finally pushed her too far and she has decided to seek refuge with her brother’s band. This is where we find out that it is not just her brother in this band that she wants to seek refuge with. The other band mates are Warren aka “War” (her previous boyfriend) and his best friend Bryan aka “Bullet” (the boy who got away?). As soon as Lace comes back, War and her pick up right where they left off. Which leaves Bryan looking on again, as his best friend is with the girl he has loved since he was a kid and can never have. Or can he have her? I don’t want to give a lot away about what happens in the story because it is a must read! But I will say this……you will not be disappointed in the end. It is an amazing book. It isn’t for the faint heart but it is definitely worth the read.

Michelle did any amazing job with the relationships in this story. I will tell you that I loved Bryan and Lace’s relationship the best. I loved that they both have deep feelings for each other but haven’t found the right time to express it and be together. I couldn’t stop reading! I needed to know what was going to happen next. Through-out this story…. OH MY!! the things that happened. I can’t even tell you how many times my mouth just hung open in shock! It definitely had me re-reading portions because I couldn’t believe the things that went down. But it was soo worth it in the end. Woah!!!

I cannot say enough about this story. It was a very heavy yet sexy and exciting read. I will definitely recommend this to all my friends!

I give this book 4 ½ stars!!


*Written for Seductive Romance Reviews

[Anny hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

Wow let me just start by saying that this is the first book that I get to read from this author and I love it. When I participated on the cover reveal of this book, I was so intrigue with the blurb and the cover that I said I really want to read this story, and now I got the chance to read it.

This book made me feel a lot of things, my emotion where like a roller-coaster, one minute I was happy the next I was mad that I just wanted to through my laptop across the room, but I love every single minute of it I am gone keep this short because I don’t want to give anything away.

I love the characters and how the story was set up, I really like how you could get to read from both point of view, love how the band support each other and how they are there for each other.
I love Bryan "Bullet" Jackson he is the lead guitarist for the ban Tempest, he is handsome with tat-sleeved has that bad boy reputation and he has a one rule with the groupies, one time, never twice, and leave them satisfied but always leave them.

He’s always being in love with Lace and is always trying to be away from her after two years of not seen her. Lace show up on the tour bus seeking refuge after she left her ex-boyfriend. The thing is that Lace also had always being in love with Bryan.

But being back on the bus she end up getting back together with Warren "War" Jinkins, his the lead singer of the ban tempest and is also in love with Lace, and is also Bryan Best friends.

this book is full of secrets and you get to see what each one of them is going through and how they are trying to manage their relationship as also their friend ship, some time I got really mad at Lace that all I could say his right in front of see all the good he could give you, I really enjoy this book and I really love it and can’t wait into you get to read this awesome story.

I want to thank author Michelle Mankin for introducing me to this amazing books and giving me the chance to read it about this awesome characters.

[P.A. Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michelle Mankin is going to blow you away with Irresistible Refrain.Irresisible Refrain is the story of Lace,War and Bryan..the girl that has both their hearts.Who will win out in the end?Be prepared to rock your kindle when reading Irresistible Refrain.If you are familiar with Michelle's Love Evolution series then you will be very excited to see the Familiar Characters in this one as well.Im sorry I don't write reviews with spoilers so all I am going to say is This ones a WINNER!
Michelle's Writing is amazing,She handles tough topic's with the ease of a writer who knows what they are doing.She makes a love triangle work and leaves you wanting more.The story is in Different Points of View and those are also handled with ease to the reader.Don't worry you wont be lost when the Points of View change.This is Michelle's best writing yet.Read it and Enjoy!

[Jenn Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

*****5-Gritty, Drug Induced-Stars*****
this review contains minor spoilers

And here we were all these years later and Lace Lowell still had the ability to tie me up in knots. I still wanted to protect and please her. But because of War I was powerless to do either.
Some fucked up fairy tale I was living.

Wow, I don't know where to even begin. Hello Miss Communication, I'd like to introduce you to my friends Angst & Miss Understanding-now, go fight nicely. Sex, drugs, and Rock-n-Roll...that is definitely the world this book enters. This is no sunshine and unicorns pretty little romance-it's dirty, gritty, dangerous, drugged up & drunk-heartbreaking...lucky for me-I LOVE THAT SHIT!!

Never welcome.
Never wanted.
My mother had been right all along.
A part of me, the part with dreams, the beautiful part, had been snuffed out by darkness. Fear had replaced hope and apathy had replaced fear until all that remained was this empty frame, a place card for the woman I'd once been, still pretty to look at, but hollow inside.

Lacey 'Lace' Lowell has just gone through a violent breakup from a very dangerous man named Martin. With nowhere to go and afraid for her safety, she joins her brothers band 'Tempest' on tour. Only now, she's on the road, jammed in a tour bus with two men who have broken her heart and her trust in the past. It doesn't take long for her to fall back into a relationship with ex-boyfriend, Warren 'War' Jinkins-lead singer, but that doesn't keep her from constantly thinking about Bryan 'Bullet' Jackson-lead guitarist and the man she has loved her entire life, the same one who shattered her heart completely years ago.

My mind remembered how badly Bryan Jackson had hurt me, but my traitorous body wanted me to forget.

“You know me, Lace. I don't do relationships.”
“Yeah, that's not something I'm likely to forget.”

Bryan and War have been best friends since middle school, closer than brothers War has taken the fall for Bryan more than once and always has his back. So when War lays claim on a sixteen year old Lace, Bryan backs off figuring eventually War will get bored and move on leaving Lace up for grabs, little did he know that would never happen. Bryan has known Lace & her Brother Dizzy since he's seven years old and she is the only woman he has ever loved, but loyalty to War keeps him from going after her.

“I saw how you looked at her, man. But I don't want you coming between me and this chick, understand? This one's mine.”
I made a promise based on our friendship that night. And that promise ended up costing me more over the years than I ever could have imagined.

Nothing had fucking changed. Twenty thousand people screaming my name during my guitar solo at the Garden, plus two twins, but none of that mattered to me. Not when my best friend had the woman I'd always wanted.

Being cramped on a bus tests both of their limits, Bryan hates seeing her with War and Lace hates feeling like she was never worth fighting for while swimming amongst groupies and Bryan's past. Chemistry mounts, tension fills the air, building up to an explosion neither are prepared for.

“You're fucking engaged, aren't you?” His voice was deadly quiet, but his expression was so wild and wounded that I took a step back. “Why, Lace? How could you do this to me? To us?”
“What us is there, Bryan? Prom was a long ass time ago. War wants me. He makes our relationship a priority. When have you ever done that?"

Traveling across country, they are all keeping secrets that may threaten to destroy everything. Friendships will be tested, hearts will be broken, while everything begins to spin completely out of their control. I'm not usually a huge fan of triangles, but I never could pass up a rocker and angst is my BFF so this book still totally worked for me. Drama around ever corner, characters I completely fell in love with, and a kickass story made me an insta-fan of Michelle Mankin's. There is one thing that has left me a little unsettled, the fate of one particular character was left hanging out in the breeze. I won't say who and ruin the ending for you, but I'll just say they went completely off the rails and disappeared. As much of an ass as they kinda turned into-they still stole a piece of my heart in the end and I really would like to find out what happens for them next. Even though they have fallen off the grid, I'm hoping to hear more from them or even of them in future books ** fingers crossed ** Cannot wait for muchMUCH more from this series- I am FAR FROM READY to leave the 'tempting men of Tempest'

I should let it go, let her go, but that's what I had done two years ago and I didn't know if I had it in me to do again, even for War.

He was the constant in my life, my irresistible refrain. I could no more keep myself from needing, wanting, or returning to him than I could keep myself from breathing. It was always going to be him.

[Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I was provided with a free copy of this bok for the blog tour. Thank you!*

O.M.G. Another book that I loved. Now seriously, how many amazing books are out there? Not that I complain! Not at all. I was just wondering. ‘Irresistible Refrain’ is surely as hell one of those amazing books!

Yeah, I think you’ve already figured out that I looove this book. If you haven’t…. let me tell you. I. LOVED. IRRESISTIBLE.REFRAIN! A lot!!

Let me start up by saying that this is the first book from Michelle Mankin that I read. So before I started reading I was a little bit nervous because I didn’t know what to expect from the writing style. But all my nerves went away once I read the first chapters and I realized that Michelle is, in fact, a great author.

First, I really, really liked the story. It’s very engaging and it had be hooked the entire time while reading the book. The love story is very beautiful, just a little bit dramatic. It’s one of those stories that gives you chills and breaks your heart but it warms it as well. I was always hoping that something good will happen and Lana and Bry could follow their hearts. The attraction and love between them was obvious. So this is, in my opinion, the best thing about ‘Irresistible refrain’: the story.

Now on to the characters. Hm… Michelle definitely knows how o create her characters. They are realistic, well created and with different personalities. I liked almost all of them. But I really, really disliked War from the beginning. He is a son of a bitch and a selfish one. I don’t think he ever loved Lana. She was more like a … prize or something. I think he saw her like something that he owned. He never really understood her.

As for Lana, I think her characters is one of the most interesting characters I’ve ever had the pleasure to ‘meet’. Even though she is a trouble young lady, I think that she is also smart and strong. I really liked her for standing up for herself.

Now Bryan… that’s another story. Oh my, such an awesome lad! He is such a caring, strong, smart, funny, lovable guy that I totally understood Lana and her feelings. You can’t not love a guy like him. I adored the way he acted aroung Lana and the way he always protected her. Unlike War, he always thought about Lana before he thought about him and he always put her first.

I also adored the rest of the Tempest members. I liked their relationships with each other and the way they cared about each other.

The flashbacks from the past showed me how much did Lana and Bry change and how much they meant to each other. I loved the scene when they met as childs. It was so sweet!! But I loved every scene of this kind. It was a smart way of showing us Lana and Bryan’s stories.

‘Irresistible refrain’ is a beautiful written book that has the right pace. The action wasn’t too dragged nor too rushed, it was just right. But there are a lot of plot twists that will keep you at the edge of your seat. I sooo loved this thing: the author knows how to keep you guessing.

My reaction after reading the ending? “Yes!” My reaction after reading the epilogue? “WTF?! Just get me the second book already!!” I guess you know why! Yes, there is a little bit of a cliffhanger. And I soooo want to read the second book like right now!!

There is a lot of passion in this book. And also some steamy scenes that will make the book just a little bit delicious. *winks winks*

I definitely recommend this book. The story is a page-turner, the character are likable and real. This book felt so real and I loved this thing! Now I am waiting for the second book in the series! J

Rate: 5 stars out of 5

[Liezel Felix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Growing up together in the harsher parts of Seattle, Bryan always had Warren’s back and vice versa. As much as they could they tried to keep their heads down and stay out of trouble but one wrong decision almost lands both of the boys in juvi. With nothing to lose, War decides rather than bringing them both down he took the fall for their actions. Ever since that day Bryan knew he was indebted to War. He accepted this freely and never hesitated to give in to his bestfriend in all things up until they both got reacquainted with a grown-up Lace.

Brother and sister – Dizzy and Lace grew up in the same apartment that Bryan lived in. As a very young boy her innocence then made Bryan smile. When they met again as teenagers he felt even more captivated by her. As much as he was attracted to Lace, War was too but because of that obligation and loyalty that he had for his best friend he let his feelings take a backseat.

Over the years they both struggled with their feelings for each other. Constantly seeing Lace with War was miserable for Bryan. Lace thought Bryan didn’t give a damn and it was another reason why she used just to escape her own heartbreak. It takes one fateful accident for both of them to come to the realization that whatever they have is worth fighting for.
______________________

I appreciated this story of loyalty, friendship and second chances. I however felt overwhelmed with the back and forth between the past and present tense delivery especially in the beginning. I know that their history played a very important in telling this story but the flipping back and forth for me made the story choppy in the start. Once I got over that issue the story evolved into a thing of beauty.

I love Bryan in this story. I thought his loyalty to all of his friends was remarkable. He was living his dream as a rockstar yet he never fell into that “lifestyle” like War did. I thought it was endearing how he kept a close relationship with his mother and never hesitated to ask for her advice and always valued her opinion.

Lace on the other hand fell into a hard way of life which I thought made her weak. I felt that she too dependant – she had to always have a man in her life to make her feel special. Once she got her life together though she wasn’t what I thought she was afterall. She had the courage and strength and also the integrity to overcome all of her issues not because of that “someone” that was waiting for her on the other side but she was changing for herself.

From the very beginning I thought that the couple had a very strong connection and that they were always meant to be together. It took them a very long time getting there but for me it was necessary for both to mature and find themselves before taking that last leap.

Despite the setbacks I had in the beginning I enjoyed this rocker romance. Bryan and Lace’s story definitely was a great start to this series and I am looking forward to see what the author has in store for us next.

liezelsbookblog.net

[Mandy Reads Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bryan can't get over his first love. And his little 'relationship' with Avery Jones, only showed him how much he misses Lace Lowell and wants to be with her. But she is back together with his best friend and you know the bro code...War had claim on her first so Bryan better back off. And it is absolute torture to see them together.

Lace has always been in love with Bryan. Ever since she was 5 years old, she knew she wanted to marry him. But she believes Bryan doesn't feel the same way she does. That is why she has turned to his best friend once again. She knows how War feels about her. He loves her and she loves him, just not the way she does for Bryan. But with her messed up life, security needs to come first. And War will give her what needs even if he goes about it all wrong.

I was asked to beta read this one and I got to say...I loved it. But I love anything Mankin writes. Her Rock and Roll characters are some of my most favorite ever. They are real, they go through hell and back, and they are totally HOT! What’s not to love, right? But this book is more than just a couple hot guys playing in a band. This story is deeper and darker than Mankin has previously gone before. She delves more into the fray of drug addiction.

With this series we get a look at the not so glittery parts of Rock and Roll. Yes, these people are real people too. (Well as real as fictional characters can be.) But we see in IR that life is anything but wonderful for these guys. Just because they got a recording contract and are touring over the US, life most certainly did not get better. In fact, it may have gotten worse for some of them.
I am so excited about where this series is going. With all that Mankin left us with at the end, you will be excited too.

[Paula Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favourite things to read about is Music , I am in awe of not only the hunky musicians but also I love to read the behind the scenes of the industry as it fascinates me on how someone who can have so much money , fame and all the girls in the world can lead such a horrible and miserable existence. The other thing I loved about Irresistible Refrain was the fact that the main character's name was Bryan , for those who know me they will catch the reference. In Irresistible Refrain , it starts off with three children - Lace, Dizzy and Bryan , growing up they were the best of friends and Lace and Bryan had this Cinderella and Prince Charming type of relationship going on . Then tragedy struck and the threesome was split until high school started and Bryan along with his now best friend Warren aka War meet up again with Dizzy and Lace. Bryan still holding the torch for Lace is about to ask her out until Warren stakes his claim - not wanting to disturb the bro-code , Bryan goes along hoping it will be a short lived experience . Years past and now Bryan, War and Dizzy along with two others are Rock Stars and the romance between War and Lace is still going. When danger and cracks start appearing in friendships, relationships and their band - is this the time to tell Lace the truth that he has never stopped loving her or will this revelation be the one to end everything in the world of balance ?

Irresistible Refrain was one of those music/love stories that not only shows the dangers of love when it becomes an obsession but also the behind the scenes of the rock n roll world including drugs, sex and manipulation .

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Michelle Mankin book and let it be known it will not be my last. I love rock stars, love triangles, and dual POV so helllloooo I LOVED Irresistible Refrain.

Irresistible Refrain follows Warren, Bryan, and Lacey and the band Tempest in which Warren and Bryan are members.

Bryan is every woman’s dream. He has hot tattoos, a body to kill for, and knows how to bring women to their knees by the talent of his fingers – fingers he uses as the lead guitarist. He can have any woman he wants, but only has eyes for one. Lacey.

Lacey has had her run with love, but manages to stand tall and survive anything that is handed her way. She has Bryan, from afar, and Warren up close. However, only one man truly holds her heart.

Because I like love triangles, I didn’t mind the back and forth. This is story that goes beyond the typical, everyday, “love triangle.” It’s a world Michelle created where there is hope, love, friendship, loyalty, and most importantly second chances. We are given flashbacks to certain events showcasing how true friendships are and where/how love begins.

I enjoyed being able to watch Bryan and Lacey’s growth develop as characters as the story progressed. Yes, I would have liked more “rock n’ roll” but overall I thoroughly enjoyed this story and cannot wait to read more by Michelle! The writing was amazing and I found it interesting being in this crazy world. Michelle Mankin tackles some difficult subjects, including drug abuse, and it was fascinating reading this story as it all unfolded.

[April Merriman · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far my favorite novel of 2013! Michelle put her heart and soul into book one of the Tempest series. Irresistible Refrain is full of raw emotion. The way Mankin portrays the ugly side of life is pure talent! I wept, I laughed, and wept more. I look forward to see what see has instore for the series!
Tempest is a group of rockers from Settle. You may recognize them as the opening act to Brutal Strength (Black Cat Record Series). Bryan, aka Bullet, is battling with himself as his best friend and Tempests lead singer, War, has what he wants.
The guys grew up together along side Dizzy and Lace. Bryan stood in the wing watching War with Lace, while deep down wanting her for himself.
Now years later she is back and Bryan is tired of waiting in the wing.
Lace has a story of her own. With her life self destructing before her can Bryan save her or will it be too late?
The harsh reality of drug addiction tears at your heart!

[Anas Attic Book Blog]

I got this whole series on audiobook from the author. It's a uniquely narrated book in that it has male and female narrators who interact. It is more like a play than the typical audiobook. It was a little dark for me, and I need to love my heroes and heroines...but I can't fall in love with characters who are shooting up. Having a son who is a young touring musician makes this even a little harder to read.

I've put it aside for now, but I would like to try again. Just not for a while.

It's a DNF for now, with the option to begin again.

[Shaina Salisbury-abbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I beta'd this book and I am not giving ANYTHING away. I have loved ALL of Michelle's books but THIS is seriously her best yet. In this book you get to see the gravity of all of her writing, complexities of characters, passionate feelings both good and bad and of course rockstar atmosphere to the extreme.

[Donna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hated it. Can't read about heroine with the hero's best friend shooting up and having sex (while the hero accidentally sees them through an open door - ick!). Not for me. I don't care if they do end up together in the end. He's monumentally stupid, and she is TSTL.

[Kim Person · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh HELL yes this is me




CANNOT FREAKING WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bette Platt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the story!!! can't wait for the next book!!!

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Robin H · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars


ARC received for review.

WARNING: There are one or two minor spoilers here. But nothing big enough that it'll spoil the book.
WARNING 2: There is quite a bit of illegal drug use in this book. IF YOU CANNOT HANDLE THAT then skip this book all together. And by drug use- I'm not talking about merely sparking a joint. I'm talking hard, serious stuff. Cocaine, heroine etc. And some of it is quite graphic in it's description.






Ok. I won't lie. This was a bit of a struggle to get through. We constantly deal with flip flopping from past to present. While I agree that SOME of the backstory is necessary, I feel as if I was inundated with too many details of the past. For example- I didn't need all the details at prom. Really, the only relevant part of that story is that Lace and Bryan slept together. I didn't need details about her dress, the music, the limo etc. Quite a few of the flashback times were like that for me.

Next-Lace. She's an addict. We get it. I know she wasn't always right in the head. But she seems to contradict herself time and time again. At one point she's telling us that Brian will be the only man for her, she'll always love him, he's always been there...that kind of stuff. Then a few minutes later she's talking to him and saying that War is the one who's never let her down, War is committed to her (even though he refuses to deal with her when she's not in a perfectly happy mood) I don't know. I honestly couldn't figure out if it was the drugs talking or if it was something she really believed. It made her come across as wishy washy and decisively indecisive. (If that makes sense!)

Finally- this was a very slow read for me. I believe 99% of that was the changing from past to present. It distracted from the main story line. In fact, we don't actually SEE a well developed main story line until around 60% or so- when the flashbacks FINALLY stop. Once the ball finally started rolling I was hooked and enjoyed it quite a bit. Only to have it end somewhat abruptly with a bit of a cliffhanger. That was quite annoying for me, as I felt as if we'd just started diving into the meat of the story.

On the POSITIVE side- the actual writing was well done. Virtually grammar mistake free. I picked out a few here and there, but definitely nothing that will take away from the book. I love that the author accurately portrays the drug use and seems to have done some real research into how heroine affects people. I like how she had Lace turn Bryan down when she got out of rehab. I was so proud of Lace then!

Final thoughts: I'm a bit wary about the second book. I'm not sure if I want to read on or not. Yes, I'd like to see what the future has in store for the band and Lace and the others, but if its written in a similar fashion as this one, with the constant past to present flip flops, I'll pass.

[LaDonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Angsty Electrified Guitars for Irresistible Refrain

I'm not going to sugarcoat it, this is, more often than not, not a pretty book. It's gritty. It's angsty. At times it's downright ugly. But it is also wonderful. And definitely irresistible.

Bryan and Lace have a beautiful history in the midst of too much ugliness. But when the 5 year old daughter of a junkie tells her brother's best friend that she thinks he is Prince Charming and is going to marry him one day....well, it would take a blacker soul than mine not to melt.

Lace grows up to be a hot mess, but something about her called to me more than most heroines do. She has a certain honesty about her that is completely beguiling even when she is doing very stupid things. I admire her strength and determination through all the crap - some put on her, some done to herself.

Bry... well, I have always been a sucker for the guitarist. He does nothing but fan those flames, at least for the most part. Overall a really worthy hero, and definitely earns those Prince Charming points eventually.

War.... I can't say that he drew me in at any point, but had to laugh when he was accused of the heinous LSD (lead singer disease.). All of my nearest and dearest know how I detest that plague (see earlier note about guitarists - even in my fictional escapes I tend to stick to my own rules.). I suppose I can't deny that I am still curious about him though.

Dizzy, though, that curiosity is compelling. (I didn't say they had to be lead guitarist.). This is the first book in a series so I am crossing everything that he has his own book in here somewhere. I own the box set of the first four books, so I am definitely hopping right into the next one. I forsee this being a Tempest weekend - and I am definitely not complaining.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was tough to read at times but at some others it was sweet and kind Moving on to book 2.

As for the book, yes it was great. The characters were really good for me in their real factor. What I loved was that they all grew up in the same low income areas, fought to stay alive and didnt get fame and fortune thrown their way. The author does an absolute service to the reader in the description of drug use, showing the consequences, and the basic cause and effect.

I think I liked Dizzy and his sister Lace more because they were not at each others side at all times. I also liked how Dizzy knew the bad things Lace was doing and let her do them. Too many books show sort of unreal relationships. His was better because he knew she was doing drugs and also too the chance that she would eventually hit rock bottom and do it on her own. As with other vices you sure cant come between an addict and her needle.

The main characters Bryan and Warren were friends who shared a few events as kids that leads to Bryan having the utmost loyalty to Warren.

The miss here for me is slight. The first is the time frame and one flashback was 2 years and one was 6 years. I think I would have loved it had it been alternating chapters of time framed references or a solid book starting with the past. The past explains the future pull between the characters so it would have been greater for me to read it that way.

A little confusion with the names too Bry & Bryan and Warren or War were bad enough but then add the character of Dizzy and a nickname of bullet and I was lost at times.

Last on my list which, like I said was slight, is an aids test. Using needles and no threat or questions was a little strange.

If you love REAL and RAW this is for you. I loved it!

[Marie Vasquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid story about life amidst rock & roll fame as well as friendship forged in the early years; however, I wasn't able to connect with the characters on a level that immersed me into the story. Instead of living it with the characters, I was reading it. The flashbacks started off pretty early and I felt like I was bounced around a bit, but about halfway through the story picked up and kept me in.

Lacy is torn between two men who have been best friends since middle school. She loves them both. It is only in love with one. She and her brother didn't have the best childhood and deep down, she's seeking that missing piece to make her feel whole. She goes through quite a bit and suffers so much internally that it risks everything including the future she's dreamed about.

Bryan is the amazing guitarist for Tempest. Friends with Lace and her brother Dizzy for years and friends with War even longer. Caught between true love and loyalty to a friend who's had his back for so long, he steps aside and vows to stay away from Lacy. But as the years go by, his resolve to hold true to that promise weakens.

When they give in, discord between friend reeks havoc among the band and two lifelong friends, but they grow and become better from that experience.

Again, this was a solid story (hence the 4 star rating). I do recommend a quick trip to an editor. There were quite a few errors within the book that needed be there; however, my rating is not a factor on this.