What do you think?
Rate this book
Runaway Train #4
Melody of the Heart
As Rolling Stone magazine prepares an issue on successful rock star marriages, they sit down with Brayden and Lily Vanderburg. After all, the two have been a couple since they were fifteen years old. But there is more to the story than meets the eye, and their love took a slight detour before finding happily ever after.
Told in flashbacks from the present to the past, Brayden and Lily share the story of their unbreakable love.
EXCERPT
“So was it love at first sight for you two?” Giovanni asked, leaning in expectantly.
Lily tilted her head at me before giggling. “Not exactly.”
Giovanni’s dark brows knit together. “Oh?”
I couldn’t help the smile that stretched across my face as the familiar memory played in my mind. “I owe my marriage to my lovely wife’s penchant for apple thievery.”
Lily sputtered with outrage. “I was not stealing apples. We had just moved in, and I wasn’t sure where our property ended and your grandparents began.”
After winking at her, I focused my gaze on Giovanni’s amused one. “The first time I ever laid eyes on Lily was on a Sunday afternoon when I was visiting my grandparents. She was wearing a blue sundress with a satin ribbon in her hair. She could have had the face of an angel, but I wouldn’t have noticed because she had the hem of her dress flipped up to cradle the apples she was picking from my grandparents’ tree. All I could focus on were her long, tanned legs and the brief glimpse I got at what was between them.”
“Brayden Michael Vanderburg!” Lily exclaimed. Just hearing her call my full name caused warmth to enter my chest. I loved everything fucking thing about her—I loved the mortified flush that dotted her cheeks, I loved her voice that could change from soothing to sexy within a second, but most of all, I loved that a woman as amazing as she was actually loved me.
“I’m just answering the man’s question, sweetheart,” I replied.
Told in flashbacks from the present to the past, Brayden and Lily share the story of their unbreakable love.
EXCERPT
“So was it love at first sight for you two?” Giovanni asked, leaning in expectantly.
Lily tilted her head at me before giggling. “Not exactly.”
Giovanni’s dark brows knit together. “Oh?”
I couldn’t help the smile that stretched across my face as the familiar memory played in my mind. “I owe my marriage to my lovely wife’s penchant for apple thievery.”
Lily sputtered with outrage. “I was not stealing apples. We had just moved in, and I wasn’t sure where our property ended and your grandparents began.”
After winking at her, I focused my gaze on Giovanni’s amused one. “The first time I ever laid eyes on Lily was on a Sunday afternoon when I was visiting my grandparents. She was wearing a blue sundress with a satin ribbon in her hair. She could have had the face of an angel, but I wouldn’t have noticed because she had the hem of her dress flipped up to cradle the apples she was picking from my grandparents’ tree. All I could focus on were her long, tanned legs and the brief glimpse I got at what was between them.”
“Brayden Michael Vanderburg!” Lily exclaimed. Just hearing her call my full name caused warmth to enter my chest. I loved everything fucking thing about her—I loved the mortified flush that dotted her cheeks, I loved her voice that could change from soothing to sexy within a second, but most of all, I loved that a woman as amazing as she was actually loved me.
“I’m just answering the man’s question, sweetheart,” I replied.
156 pages, Nook
First published October 6, 2014
86 people are currently reading
5319 people want to read
About the author
Katie Ashley
66 books9,010 followersKatie Ashley is a New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon Top Three Best-Selling author of both Indie and Traditionally published books. She's written rockers, bikers, manwhores with hearts of gold, New Adult, and Young Adult. She lives outside of Atlanta, Georgia with her daughter, Olivia, her rescue mutts, Belle and Elsa, and her two cats, Mama Kitty and Luna. She has a slight obsession with The Golden Girls, Shakespeare, Harry Potter, and Star Wars.
With a BA in English, a BS in Secondary English Education, and a Masters in Adolescent English Education, she spent eleven years teaching both middle and high school English, as well as a few adjunct college English classes. As of January 2013, she became a full-time writer.
Although she is a life-long Georgia peach, she loves traveling the country and world meeting readers. Most days, you can find her being a hermit, styling leggings, and binging on Netflix whenever her toddler daughter isn't monopolizing the TV with Paw Patrol or Frozen.
CONNECT WITH KATIE
➜ NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/2ljVosh
➜ FACEBOOK: facebook.com/katie.ashleyromance
➜ FACEBOOK READER GROUP (ASHLEY'S ANGELS): facebook.com/groups/ashleyangels
➜ WEBSITE: www.katieashleybooks.com
➜INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/katieashleyluv
➜ TWITTER: twitter.com/katieashleyluv
➜ PINTEREST: pinterest.com/katieashleyluv
With a BA in English, a BS in Secondary English Education, and a Masters in Adolescent English Education, she spent eleven years teaching both middle and high school English, as well as a few adjunct college English classes. As of January 2013, she became a full-time writer.
Although she is a life-long Georgia peach, she loves traveling the country and world meeting readers. Most days, you can find her being a hermit, styling leggings, and binging on Netflix whenever her toddler daughter isn't monopolizing the TV with Paw Patrol or Frozen.
CONNECT WITH KATIE
➜ NEWSLETTER: http://bit.ly/2ljVosh
➜ FACEBOOK: facebook.com/katie.ashleyromance
➜ FACEBOOK READER GROUP (ASHLEY'S ANGELS): facebook.com/groups/ashleyangels
➜ WEBSITE: www.katieashleybooks.com
➜INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/katieashleyluv
➜ TWITTER: twitter.com/katieashleyluv
➜ PINTEREST: pinterest.com/katieashleyluv
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 251 reviews
Read
July 10, 2018As usual the h stayed celibate whilst he fucked around, even though he wanted her back he did nothing to fucking show it. Further more her reaction to it annoyed me as hell.
“I would have been surprised if you had remained celibate, especially in your profession.”
She wasn't even the teensiest bit annoyed. Of course not I mean why wouldn't she understand men have have needs after all right? So it's okay I mean what did she expect for him to not stick his dick in every thing that walks? Hah why would anyone suggest something so absurd.
I mean god it was one year. ONE FUCKING YEAR. If he wanted her back he should ve' manned the fuck up and fought for her, instead he was a fucking coward like a lot of heroes I read about. I'm just so fucking tired of the hero that always fucks shit up but it's okay apparently that just makes him ''damaged''. Seriously there are always excuses and this ''boys will be boys'' shit. And then there's the heroine who has to be so fucking forgiving with no fucking self respect. I mean if you turned it around would the hero be as understanding? Ponder that whenever you read about a fuckface hero who you want to just fucking castrate.
And don't get me started on the not using a condom shit even though she knew he let his dick roam free during their seperation. I mean are std's not a real thing in romance novels? Am I missing something? Do they not exist?
This is just my opinion don't let me offend you, maybe it's just that I'm not really the forgive or forget kinda girl.
“I would have been surprised if you had remained celibate, especially in your profession.”
She wasn't even the teensiest bit annoyed. Of course not I mean why wouldn't she understand men have have needs after all right? So it's okay I mean what did she expect for him to not stick his dick in every thing that walks? Hah why would anyone suggest something so absurd.
I mean god it was one year. ONE FUCKING YEAR. If he wanted her back he should ve' manned the fuck up and fought for her, instead he was a fucking coward like a lot of heroes I read about. I'm just so fucking tired of the hero that always fucks shit up but it's okay apparently that just makes him ''damaged''. Seriously there are always excuses and this ''boys will be boys'' shit. And then there's the heroine who has to be so fucking forgiving with no fucking self respect. I mean if you turned it around would the hero be as understanding? Ponder that whenever you read about a fuckface hero who you want to just fucking castrate.
And don't get me started on the not using a condom shit even though she knew he let his dick roam free during their seperation. I mean are std's not a real thing in romance novels? Am I missing something? Do they not exist?
This is just my opinion don't let me offend you, maybe it's just that I'm not really the forgive or forget kinda girl.
October 9, 2014
The title is so cute, because their daughter's name is Melody. It's so adorable, and ironic.
I have been waiting for this book FOREVER!!! I never thought it would happen, but I'm so glad it is. I'm scared because I don't know if this is about how they met, or about their married life. If it is about how they met, I'm worried about the time when they broke up that Brayden mentioned in the first novel. Since I love them together, I will probably bawl if I read about their break up. Brayden said he screwed around during their break up. If I have to read about that, I don't know what I'll do.
I have been waiting for this book FOREVER!!! I never thought it would happen, but I'm so glad it is. I'm scared because I don't know if this is about how they met, or about their married life. If it is about how they met, I'm worried about the time when they broke up that Brayden mentioned in the first novel. Since I love them together, I will probably bawl if I read about their break up. Brayden said he screwed around during their break up. If I have to read about that, I don't know what I'll do.
not-for-me
September 23, 2022Spoilers on the separation
X
X
X
X
X
Another celibate h while the H sleeps around during the year they were separated…
And she doesn’t even make him use protection knowing he’s been spreading his swimmers? Not for me 😑
X
X
X
X
X
Another celibate h while the H sleeps around during the year they were separated…
And she doesn’t even make him use protection knowing he’s been spreading his swimmers? Not for me 😑
February 7, 2015
¡Brayden! ¡Brayden! ¡Brayden!
*********************************************************
Tenía altas expectativas con este libro, y ¿saben qué?
¡Me fascino! Desde el primer libro ame a la pareja, Lily y Bray eran súper lindos y maduros, se podría decir queeran son los que pusieron el ejemplo y los hacían pensar.
También antes de leer el libro venía con la idea de que antes de que Bray sentara cabeza iba hacer un estúpido como todos o que iba hacer tonterías, pero gran sorpresa me lleve al leer que Bray siempre fue encantador y sí, ese año que se separaron fue por culpa de Bray, porque la fama se le subió, pero aun así fue lindo verlos crecer y cometer errores.
Me encanto Lily, porque a pesar de que amaba a Bray no estaba dispuesta a ver como él la hacia a un lado, la trataba mal y más que nada ver como ése hombre del que se enamoró cambio y él quería que ella cambiara. Ame a Lily.
Y sí su amor fue Insta-Love, pero fue lindo y la autora lo escribió bien, porque sí me creí su amor.
Jake, ¿quién se lo imaginaba de Jake? Jajajajaja, pero es que Lily es un amor.
También su reconciliación fue SúperInterMegaRápida , pero me gusto.
Ya por último les dejo una parte que ame, fue cuando Bray le pide a Lily que dejé su trabajo para ir de gira con él. Siempre se me ha hecho egoísta eso, que alguien que te ama te pida renunciar a tu sueño y me encanto lo que le dijo Lily:
"Si me amaras, no me pedirías que escogiera. Querrías que hiciera las cosas que me hacen feliz, justo como te apoyé todos esos años".
Ame el libro y a la pareja, sin duda mi favorito de la serie, solo no le pongo 5 porque... No lo sé, pero bueno.
*********************************************************
Tenía altas expectativas con este libro, y ¿saben qué?
¡Me fascino! Desde el primer libro ame a la pareja, Lily y Bray eran súper lindos y maduros, se podría decir que
También antes de leer el libro venía con la idea de que antes de que Bray sentara cabeza iba hacer un estúpido como todos o que iba hacer tonterías, pero gran sorpresa me lleve al leer que Bray siempre fue encantador y sí, ese año que se separaron fue por culpa de Bray, porque la fama se le subió, pero aun así fue lindo verlos crecer y cometer errores.
Me encanto Lily, porque a pesar de que amaba a Bray no estaba dispuesta a ver como él la hacia a un lado, la trataba mal y más que nada ver como ése hombre del que se enamoró cambio y él quería que ella cambiara. Ame a Lily.
Y sí su amor fue Insta-Love, pero fue lindo y la autora lo escribió bien, porque sí me creí su amor.
Jake, ¿quién se lo imaginaba de Jake? Jajajajaja, pero es que Lily es un amor.
También su reconciliación fue SúperInterMegaRápida , pero me gusto.
No pude evitar pensar en el viejo cliché de que el tiempo sana todas las heridas. Y mientras que algunas veces disminuye el dolor, el tiempo nunca podrá quitar la angustia de perder a alguien que era tu mundo entero.
Ya por último les dejo una parte que ame, fue cuando Bray le pide a Lily que dejé su trabajo para ir de gira con él. Siempre se me ha hecho egoísta eso, que alguien que te ama te pida renunciar a tu sueño y me encanto lo que le dijo Lily:
"Si me amaras, no me pedirías que escogiera. Querrías que hiciera las cosas que me hacen feliz, justo como te apoyé todos esos años".
Ame el libro y a la pareja, sin duda mi favorito de la serie, solo no le pongo 5 porque... No lo sé, pero bueno.
March 1, 2015
It’s finally time for Brayden and Lily’s story. As the band is being showcased in Rolling Stone, the power couple of rock and roll that have defied the odds sits down and tells their love story. The highs & lows and everywhere in between.
I have to admit when this series first started I was feeling sorry for Brayden and the idea that we’d never get to see him get his HEA in the same way we were all going to get a chance to see his bandmates. But having read his story, I think the way this was done perfectly showcased his importance in these stories. He was the solid for all these friends, the proof that they could take the leap and find a piece of happy for themselves. It was the gift that Lily and Brayden gave to each one of them, a gift they were able to share with someone else.
As much as this was their story, it was also the story of Runaway Train. Each of the band members as they joined, became famous and dealt with the fame that they discovered. I loved seeing that AJ was simply just AJ. His character whether it was early days in the band or years later, falling in love – he was the same guy. Jake had his moments, mostly that had you wanting to throttle him, but it was just another piece of his puzzle – showing how hard he fell for Abby when came into his life. And Rhys. I think he just became my favorite of all the guys in this story. His character was quite vulnerable as he initially joins up with Runaway Train and that vulnerability was something that we saw only a glimmer of during his story.
But back to these two. The format of the story was simple. A question was asked and we faded into the past as these two walked us through their first meeting, first time and all the places they stopped along the way. The split that they encountered was far more emotional than I expected it to be. Ms. Ashley did a fantastic job in not only conveying those emotions but creating the buildup so that when everything collapsed, you felt it deep in your bones. That moment in the story was heartbreaking and just showed how far they had come to be the happy family they were today.
I have thoroughly enjoyed every single book in this series and can’t wait to see what comes with the spin off series for the members of Jacobs Ladder.
I have to admit when this series first started I was feeling sorry for Brayden and the idea that we’d never get to see him get his HEA in the same way we were all going to get a chance to see his bandmates. But having read his story, I think the way this was done perfectly showcased his importance in these stories. He was the solid for all these friends, the proof that they could take the leap and find a piece of happy for themselves. It was the gift that Lily and Brayden gave to each one of them, a gift they were able to share with someone else.
As much as this was their story, it was also the story of Runaway Train. Each of the band members as they joined, became famous and dealt with the fame that they discovered. I loved seeing that AJ was simply just AJ. His character whether it was early days in the band or years later, falling in love – he was the same guy. Jake had his moments, mostly that had you wanting to throttle him, but it was just another piece of his puzzle – showing how hard he fell for Abby when came into his life. And Rhys. I think he just became my favorite of all the guys in this story. His character was quite vulnerable as he initially joins up with Runaway Train and that vulnerability was something that we saw only a glimmer of during his story.
But back to these two. The format of the story was simple. A question was asked and we faded into the past as these two walked us through their first meeting, first time and all the places they stopped along the way. The split that they encountered was far more emotional than I expected it to be. Ms. Ashley did a fantastic job in not only conveying those emotions but creating the buildup so that when everything collapsed, you felt it deep in your bones. That moment in the story was heartbreaking and just showed how far they had come to be the happy family they were today.
I have thoroughly enjoyed every single book in this series and can’t wait to see what comes with the spin off series for the members of Jacobs Ladder.
July 31, 2017
La única queja que tengo es que Lily no lo debió perdonar tan rápido, quizá hacerlo sufrir un poco. Y Jack es Jack, el mismo idiota. Amo a Lily y Bray y lástima que no tuvimos más de ellos siendo papás sobre todo de Lucy.
October 13, 2014
I'm not a big fan of prequels but I have always loved these guys so I couldn't pass it up. I enjoyed the way that this story was told with the back a and forth in time. I always thought of Bray as the good wholesome guy. I was completely unprepared for the break up and his bad behavior. Personally I wish she would have made him grovel, but I understood why she gave her old Bray a second chance, this made me want to go back and read the whole series all over again
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2014
Runaway Train is back!
Jake, AJ and Rhys had their books, now it's Brayden's turn.
Brayden was the responsible, sweet, and level-headed member of the band. He was the only one married at the start of the series. While the three guys enjoyed the success and the groupies before finally finding the girls that changed their lifestyles, Brayden was loyal and so much in love with his wife, Lily. He was the voice of reason, the one who kept the guys in line. His marriage was the benchmark by which others aspired to emulate. After all, they were high school sweethearts that stood the tests and trials of a rockstar life.
But how difficult were those trials that test their love? And how did they beat the odds? True love. The answer is true love.
Written as part of a magazine interview, Brayden & Lily went on a trip down memory lane, from the time they met when they were sixteen years old to present. They had so much history together, had always been the perfect couple since the first book, that it was hard to imagine they were anything but sweet and devoted to each other. Young love that blossomed into an all-consuming love had survived the trials that came with any normal relationship, and the fame that came with Brayden's success and the people around them. It was no mean feat, but they did it all. And we get to read all they had gone through to be at the current stage in their lives.
It was also nice to see how the band started. To see them as the struggling band at the beginning of their careers and not the world famous Runaway Train was humbling and inspiring. Then the book ended giving us a glimpse of how the Runaway Train family was doing at the present time, so far off from the manwhores they once were.
Though these characters will be missed, I hope we still get to see them on the Jacob's Ladder series.
May 16, 2015
It was good to finally read Brayden and Lily's story, but as usual LOTS of flashbacks aren't for me. I just don't like them. A few of them are fine, but the whole book. No way. I understand it was the only way to tell their story, but it was too much.
I don't know why, but Brayden is the only member of Runaway Train I don't like that much. After reading his story and I must admit it was sweet, I just don't feel the love.
Of course If you are a Runaway Train fan, you must read it. So buy it.
I don't know why, but Brayden is the only member of Runaway Train I don't like that much. After reading his story and I must admit it was sweet, I just don't feel the love.
Of course If you are a Runaway Train fan, you must read it. So buy it.
October 12, 2014
As with all of the other Runaway Train novels, I absolutely loved "Melody of the Heart"! I was so thrilled to have been able to read Brayden and Lily's story. It was amazing to see all of the ups and downs they faced from the very beginning until now. I also loved how we were able to see a sneak peek into Rhys and Allison's big day. That was the icing on the cake. Once again, Katie Ashley managed to do a phenomenal job and I can't wait to read The Jacob's Ladder series, a spin-off to Runaway Train. It has been an incredible journey reading this series, and one I will never ever forget!
October 30, 2014
Wow!Brayden and Lily . . . well, they also have their ups and downs, but I can't imagine that Brayden also once got lost in fame and money that he gave up his love for Lily. His behavior was sooooo . . . I don't get how can Lily forgave him so easily, even though she knew he became a man whore after they broke up . . . maybe that's what true love is. Once again, Jack proves to be a total jerk in Brayden's and Lily's relationship, I can only say Lily, Mia and Abby are all saints to endure Jack's rudeness.
November 12, 2014
Fue una historia muy entretenida pero al terminarla quede un poco decepcionada, esperaba otra cosa del libro, ademas me parecio que la historia era demasiado predecible, en las historias anteriores siempre habia " algo " que convertia el libro en algo mas que en un simple libro, pero la historia de Brayden y Lily me parecio que le falto ese algo que hacia especial a esta saga.
3 Estrellas!!
June 18, 2016
This was a very sweet look into the lives of Brayden and Lily. Now we finally know the back story of them. I always enjoyed the glimpses we got of this couple, Lily always seemed very sweet and down to earth.
Want to read
January 4, 2014Yay!!!! We get to see this two couple's amazing love story!!!!
Want to read
September 30, 2014
January 3, 2015
Brayden me has gustado por lo tierno que eras pero ver tu lado oscuro me gusto mas
May 16, 2021
This book was short but still beautiful to read.
July 30, 2018
What a lovely finale to the series. We now get the back story of Brayden and Lily. Through all the other books in the series, these two were the couple everyone envied - they had it all. What we didn't know was that they had a bit of a rocky ride along the way.
Told as Brayden and Lily reminiscing while giving an interview, it was a good way to see how they both remembered their early days.
Told as Brayden and Lily reminiscing while giving an interview, it was a good way to see how they both remembered their early days.
November 24, 2014
Lo acabo de terminar y estoy muy emocional. Okay, necesito re-organizar mis sentimientos, porque aceptar el hecho de que éste haya sido el último libro de esta serie que tanto amé, tanto disfruté y que ya forma parte de mí, es difícil.
Este libro es básicamente la historia de Lily y Brayden desde el comienzo. Fue tan dulce, ver como se conocieron, como todo era tan inocente y genuino desde el principio. Se conocieron a los 16 años y al poco tiempo se enamoraron el uno del otro. Pero lo más lindo era que a medida que crecían y maduraban, se enamoraban cada día, más y más y más.
Este libro nos permite vislumbrar que aunque tal vez cerca de ser perfecto, la historia de amor de Lily y Brayden no siempre fue así. Tuvieron su altibajo, y aunque al leerlo te dá mucha bronca saber que fue porque Brayden se dejó influenciar por la fama, y la fortuna, y el egoísmo de Jake, de cierta forma, permite ver que no todo tiene que ser perfecto y constante en la vida, para ser hermoso y próspero.
Sí, me dio bronca la actitud de Brayden. Sí, me dio bronca que haya tardado tanto en recapacitar. Sí, me dio bronca que Lily lo haya perdonado tan rápido, y SÍ, definitivamente me dio bronca el idiota de Jake con su egoísmo y egocentrismo.
Es realmente increíble como ese tipo siempre está queriendo perjudicar a las personas buenas y dulces, que encima lo quieren y se preocupan por él.
Recapitulación sobre la personalidad insoportable de Jake:
En el primer libro Music of the heart, somos testigos de las mil vueltas que le dio a Abby, y de cómo simplemente porque sí, la trataba mal, pensando que con una disculpa se arreglaba todo. Era entendible que en esos momentos, él estuviera atravesando por algo muy difícil, pero... y después? Porque yo claramente recuerdo cuando en Music of the soul, fue un maldito cretino con Abby, su esposa, y el destrato que le hizo pasar. NI HABLAR de la forma en la que trató a Mia, sin ningún motivo. Faltándole el respeto a alguien que siempre fue una amiga para él, y que encima, es la esposa de su mejor amigo, el ser más hermoso que puede existir, mi amado A.J.
Pasemos a Strings of the heart, la historia de amor de Allison y Rhys, en la cuál al enterarse de que su hermana y él estaban enamorados y querían estar juntos, se creía que tenía el derecho como para meterse en el medio? Pero con qué autoridad moral? Y con qué cara se anima a insultar y menospreciar a su hermana, por el hecho de amar a Rhys?
Y bueno, por supuesto que también fue el bastardo del siglo con Lily. Realmente éste tipo tiene un problema grande con las mujeres. De buenas a primeras, comenzó a tratar mal a Lily, porque no quería que se casara con Brayden, porque estaba CELOSO de que ella lo amara a Bray, y no a él. Y aprovechó la situación de Brayden siendo un idiota sobre la fama y la fortuna, para manipularlo para que tratara mal a Lily y que se alejara de ella.
Y lo peor de todo? Es que TODOS le perdonan estas actitudes de mierda como si nada. Como si dijeran "Sí, es un forro, pero vamos a perdonarlo porque a pesar de que tuvo una madre amorosa y cálida, que lo crió con amor y afecto, se cree que tiene el derecho a tratar a todo el mundo como si fueran inferiores, cuando el único con síndrome de inferioridad es él."
Habiendo dicho ésto, quiero decir que a pesar de ésto no le voy a bajar puntaje al libro, porque simplemente va en contra de lo que siento. La historia de Lily y Brayden fue dulce y linda. Y la verdad, es que amo todo lo que escribe Katie Ashley, a pesar de que Jake sea insufrible. Amo su manera de escribir, y amo que cada uno de los personajes de estas historias se metieron en mi corazón, y disfruté con sus historias de amor.
Amé poder ser testigo de las bodas de las 4 parejas. Me encanta poder rescatar algo distinto de cada una de ellas. Y para resumir, soy una fanática de las buenas historias de amor. Y Katie Ashley sin dudas, es una autora que sabe como escribirlas.
No quiero terminar sin decir que A.J. es el AMOR DE MI VIDA. En serio, si existe un hombre como él, deseo con todo mi corazón que se enamore de mí y casarme con él y vivir felices y juntos para siempre.
No puede ser TAN DULCE. Tan increíblemente cálido, y amoroso. Tan atento, tan buena persona. Lo adoro. Es sin dudas uno de mis grandes amores literarios.
Este libro es básicamente la historia de Lily y Brayden desde el comienzo. Fue tan dulce, ver como se conocieron, como todo era tan inocente y genuino desde el principio. Se conocieron a los 16 años y al poco tiempo se enamoraron el uno del otro. Pero lo más lindo era que a medida que crecían y maduraban, se enamoraban cada día, más y más y más.
Este libro nos permite vislumbrar que aunque tal vez cerca de ser perfecto, la historia de amor de Lily y Brayden no siempre fue así. Tuvieron su altibajo, y aunque al leerlo te dá mucha bronca saber que fue porque Brayden se dejó influenciar por la fama, y la fortuna, y el egoísmo de Jake, de cierta forma, permite ver que no todo tiene que ser perfecto y constante en la vida, para ser hermoso y próspero.
Sí, me dio bronca la actitud de Brayden. Sí, me dio bronca que haya tardado tanto en recapacitar. Sí, me dio bronca que Lily lo haya perdonado tan rápido, y SÍ, definitivamente me dio bronca el idiota de Jake con su egoísmo y egocentrismo.
Es realmente increíble como ese tipo siempre está queriendo perjudicar a las personas buenas y dulces, que encima lo quieren y se preocupan por él.
Recapitulación sobre la personalidad insoportable de Jake:
En el primer libro Music of the heart, somos testigos de las mil vueltas que le dio a Abby, y de cómo simplemente porque sí, la trataba mal, pensando que con una disculpa se arreglaba todo. Era entendible que en esos momentos, él estuviera atravesando por algo muy difícil, pero... y después? Porque yo claramente recuerdo cuando en Music of the soul, fue un maldito cretino con Abby, su esposa, y el destrato que le hizo pasar. NI HABLAR de la forma en la que trató a Mia, sin ningún motivo. Faltándole el respeto a alguien que siempre fue una amiga para él, y que encima, es la esposa de su mejor amigo, el ser más hermoso que puede existir, mi amado A.J.
Pasemos a Strings of the heart, la historia de amor de Allison y Rhys, en la cuál al enterarse de que su hermana y él estaban enamorados y querían estar juntos, se creía que tenía el derecho como para meterse en el medio? Pero con qué autoridad moral? Y con qué cara se anima a insultar y menospreciar a su hermana, por el hecho de amar a Rhys?
Y bueno, por supuesto que también fue el bastardo del siglo con Lily. Realmente éste tipo tiene un problema grande con las mujeres. De buenas a primeras, comenzó a tratar mal a Lily, porque no quería que se casara con Brayden, porque estaba CELOSO de que ella lo amara a Bray, y no a él. Y aprovechó la situación de Brayden siendo un idiota sobre la fama y la fortuna, para manipularlo para que tratara mal a Lily y que se alejara de ella.
Y lo peor de todo? Es que TODOS le perdonan estas actitudes de mierda como si nada. Como si dijeran "Sí, es un forro, pero vamos a perdonarlo porque a pesar de que tuvo una madre amorosa y cálida, que lo crió con amor y afecto, se cree que tiene el derecho a tratar a todo el mundo como si fueran inferiores, cuando el único con síndrome de inferioridad es él."
Habiendo dicho ésto, quiero decir que a pesar de ésto no le voy a bajar puntaje al libro, porque simplemente va en contra de lo que siento. La historia de Lily y Brayden fue dulce y linda. Y la verdad, es que amo todo lo que escribe Katie Ashley, a pesar de que Jake sea insufrible. Amo su manera de escribir, y amo que cada uno de los personajes de estas historias se metieron en mi corazón, y disfruté con sus historias de amor.
Amé poder ser testigo de las bodas de las 4 parejas. Me encanta poder rescatar algo distinto de cada una de ellas. Y para resumir, soy una fanática de las buenas historias de amor. Y Katie Ashley sin dudas, es una autora que sabe como escribirlas.
No quiero terminar sin decir que A.J. es el AMOR DE MI VIDA. En serio, si existe un hombre como él, deseo con todo mi corazón que se enamore de mí y casarme con él y vivir felices y juntos para siempre.
No puede ser TAN DULCE. Tan increíblemente cálido, y amoroso. Tan atento, tan buena persona. Lo adoro. Es sin dudas uno de mis grandes amores literarios.
October 9, 2014
#SeriesGiveaway Signed Set of Runaway Train Paperbacks by Katie Ashley!
http://wp.me/p2Y3qf-47A
I have adored Braydon Vanderburg since book 1, Music of the Heart. In book 1, he is the stable married band member. I have so wanted to see his and Lily’s story so I have been anxiously awaiting this one and I am so happy to say I was not disappointed. I truly enjoyed this novella.
I loved the tool Ms. Ashley used to tell this couple’s history; a Rolling Stones interview sit-down with Brayden and Lily allows the audience to hear their story, one that started when they were 16 years old.
Brayden’s story of how he came to play guitar is not one I think many readers would suspect; I love his finding his future in his therapy and nope not telling you...read the book. But this is truly an example of "its not what life gives you but what you do with it".
Remember this is a sort of a prequel as it is a married couple telling of how they came to be; so you know they end up married and happy with three children. But it is clear from the moment that they tell their story of how they met that this couple was destined to be together.
Lily, as Brayden’s muse, made for some heartfelt moments and made for a year where the reader can see that Brayden is “lost.”
Yes, there was a point in this story were I wanted to punch Brayden in the face; no it was not as bad as it could have been, but it did make sense given his life at the time. The how this all came together broke my heart.
The use of his car, the Challenger was masterfully woven into this story and truly brought a smile to my face as the details unfolded about it and why it was so special.
This story also allows the reader to see the whole band in his younger days and if I had time I would re-read Music of the Heart over again so I could truly see how Abby affected Jake.
Speaking of Jake nope I did not love him in this book until the very end but it made seeing him at the end at Rhys and Alison’s wedding even more special; oh yes this book ends with the wedding many of us wanted at the end of String of the Heart.
Towards the end of the book, we learn where Lily and Brayden’s oldest child Jude Paul Vanderburg got his name; this was so heartwarming not just the story of how Jude came to be but the use of Paul; Paul is the name of Lily’s father and well the use of him in this story brings things full circle (nope not telling you). And I loved their mission to speak about their youngest Lucy’s Autism; strength of character that I have loved about Brayden since book 1 (yes character he loses for a short bit during this one but like I said this is about how he became the man we all love)
The very end of this book may bring a tear to your eye; such a powerful gesture!
I am very much looking forward to Abby’s brothers, the men of Jacob’s Ladder getting their stories told in 2015.
http://wp.me/p2Y3qf-47A
I have adored Braydon Vanderburg since book 1, Music of the Heart. In book 1, he is the stable married band member. I have so wanted to see his and Lily’s story so I have been anxiously awaiting this one and I am so happy to say I was not disappointed. I truly enjoyed this novella.
I loved the tool Ms. Ashley used to tell this couple’s history; a Rolling Stones interview sit-down with Brayden and Lily allows the audience to hear their story, one that started when they were 16 years old.
Brayden’s story of how he came to play guitar is not one I think many readers would suspect; I love his finding his future in his therapy and nope not telling you...read the book. But this is truly an example of "its not what life gives you but what you do with it".
Remember this is a sort of a prequel as it is a married couple telling of how they came to be; so you know they end up married and happy with three children. But it is clear from the moment that they tell their story of how they met that this couple was destined to be together.
Lily, as Brayden’s muse, made for some heartfelt moments and made for a year where the reader can see that Brayden is “lost.”
Yes, there was a point in this story were I wanted to punch Brayden in the face; no it was not as bad as it could have been, but it did make sense given his life at the time. The how this all came together broke my heart.
The use of his car, the Challenger was masterfully woven into this story and truly brought a smile to my face as the details unfolded about it and why it was so special.
This story also allows the reader to see the whole band in his younger days and if I had time I would re-read Music of the Heart over again so I could truly see how Abby affected Jake.
Speaking of Jake nope I did not love him in this book until the very end but it made seeing him at the end at Rhys and Alison’s wedding even more special; oh yes this book ends with the wedding many of us wanted at the end of String of the Heart.
Towards the end of the book, we learn where Lily and Brayden’s oldest child Jude Paul Vanderburg got his name; this was so heartwarming not just the story of how Jude came to be but the use of Paul; Paul is the name of Lily’s father and well the use of him in this story brings things full circle (nope not telling you). And I loved their mission to speak about their youngest Lucy’s Autism; strength of character that I have loved about Brayden since book 1 (yes character he loses for a short bit during this one but like I said this is about how he became the man we all love)
The very end of this book may bring a tear to your eye; such a powerful gesture!
I am very much looking forward to Abby’s brothers, the men of Jacob’s Ladder getting their stories told in 2015.
October 27, 2014
OMG what a book it was sooooooo romantic an cute with a lil bit heart ache but i luvd it (not the heart ache)
the story was so good i luvd that we got 2 go back 2 where it al started an how they meet in this series we alway thought they were so solid that they were high school sweethearts but it was good 2 c how there relationship went from 2 strong 2 have a flaw in there time 2gether that nearly killed there relationship an it nearly did an u would alway think that brayden was perfect would do nothing wrong but he did an it made me want 2 slap him so hard the arse an jake really annoyed me 2 with the way he treated lily how could u even b horrible 2 her she is a total sweetheart an i was shocked when i found out why he was so horrible 2 her i ve luvd her from the very first book so i did want 2 kick arse in some parts but a.j. my fave character in this series was still great an funny an so carin 2 lily an rhys is just a total cutie another thing i luvd in this book was that the sexy time was ohhh so good an very HOT they had great sexual chemistry
i ve enjoyed this series so much i m gutted its over but dyin 4 abbys brother i just know that there books r goin 2 b great
the story was so good i luvd that we got 2 go back 2 where it al started an how they meet in this series we alway thought they were so solid that they were high school sweethearts but it was good 2 c how there relationship went from 2 strong 2 have a flaw in there time 2gether that nearly killed there relationship an it nearly did an u would alway think that brayden was perfect would do nothing wrong but he did an it made me want 2 slap him so hard the arse an jake really annoyed me 2 with the way he treated lily how could u even b horrible 2 her she is a total sweetheart an i was shocked when i found out why he was so horrible 2 her i ve luvd her from the very first book so i did want 2 kick arse in some parts but a.j. my fave character in this series was still great an funny an so carin 2 lily an rhys is just a total cutie another thing i luvd in this book was that the sexy time was ohhh so good an very HOT they had great sexual chemistry
i ve enjoyed this series so much i m gutted its over but dyin 4 abbys brother i just know that there books r goin 2 b great
October 12, 2014
This entire series has been a beautiful song to my heart, and what a precious way to wrap it up than to finally get the love story of Brayden and Lily. Katie revealed many things that we had not known before, making this series even richer. What was really amazing about this story, is that as the reader of this entire series, we know the ending, we know that Brayden and Lily have a happy marriage and 3 beautiful kids; but Katie was still about to make the journey fresh and engaging even though we knew our destination. There were moments in the flashbacks that I got that anxious, nervous feeling, concerned that our couple wouldn't survive, when in the back of my mind, I knew that they would; but the emotions were so real and intense that I was sucked in, which is the testament to Katie's gift as a writer. Thanks Katie; I just love my guys of Runaway Train, but I can hardly wait for our next adventure with Jacobs Ladder!
October 22, 2014
Lets start this out by me saying I don't give many 5 star reviews but this one definitely deserves it. This is Brayden and Lily's story. We get to find out where they are since Strings of the Heart. We also get to finally her the story about really happened when Brayden and Lily fell apart for that time. We find out what brought them together and what brought them back together. There are some interesting things that come to light in this story that I did not see coming which is exactly what you want from a 5 star book. This book will have your attention from start to finish it will have you laughing at moments and wanting to cry in others. I want to say more but I don't want to give away all those twists and turns that make this book so amazing. I would highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone. This whole series is amazing and everyone should have a copy of them.
October 14, 2014
Loved it! What a great way to go back in Brayden and Lily's past by having them interviewed by a rock magazine. Awesome! I love these two together and had been dying to know their story, especially knowing they started out as high school sweethearts. They went through a lot and came out stronger for it! And their love in the present setting, with their children and each other, was inspiring! Love this series and it was great seeing how the band all got started!
January 6, 2016
simply superb. Katie has done a wonderful job giving us the story of Brayden and lily.
the plot was good and the past and present parts in the book definitely made it even more interesting. their love story was one filled with heart wrenching emotions and believe me when I say I cried A LOT. good work Katie. definitely one of the best books I have ever read!!!!!
the plot was good and the past and present parts in the book definitely made it even more interesting. their love story was one filled with heart wrenching emotions and believe me when I say I cried A LOT. good work Katie. definitely one of the best books I have ever read!!!!!
November 20, 2014
I loved this book!!!! But then again I love all my Runaway Train guys!!!! I'm so glad we finally got to story behind such a great couple!!!
November 23, 2014
Hermoso, bello y genial de los 4 Me quedo con Brayden! <3 Quede con ganas de mas! :(
July 22, 2015
Loved hearing the story of Brayden and Lily. This was a perfect way to end the series. Great instalment, great series!
October 23, 2014
love Braden and Lily
Displaying 1 - 30 of 251 reviews