This book was previously published as Broken Records: A Love Story by Bree Bennett.
A girl running from the past. A rock star with no future. When Lucy Meyer stumbles upon a hidden record store in the heart of Brooklyn, the last thing she expects to find is a washed-up rockstar. Enter Jack Hunter, infamous for his wild behavior and long-gone talent.
As Jack's PR team comes up with the idea to have him settle down and show the world his softer side, Lucy finds herself caught up in Jack’s journey to transform from a reckless rebel to a charming musician with a heart of gold. But as she gets to know him, she sees the glimmer of a kind and passionate musician buried under the tabloid headlines. With his image on the line, can Jack find love and redemption in the form of the enigmatic Lucy?
This was surprisingly good. I wasn't sure about it at first. It is a relatively slow moving romance, but it grew on my as it progressed. It starts as a sort of typical rock star/commoner fake marriage romance plot, but soon it becomes so much more. Lucy was an unconventional romantic lead. It is obvious from the start that she is probably on the autism spectrum in some way, but this is never really addressed in the story. She is just Lucy. She definitely has some pronounced social quirks and issues with crowds and unexpected experiences. She has some tics that she has developed to help her cope with stressful situations. But she and Jack never really talk about them. She is just his Luciana. He loves all of her, quirks and all. I really appreciated this about this romance. Lucy sometimes felt the need to apologize for who she was, but Jack never let her do this. She didn't need to apologize for simply being herself. It made me love Jack all the more.
There is the expected 'I'm in love with him/her, but this is all just fake, so they probably aren't in love with me' plot of this story that is irritating. But, like I say, it is expected with these fake relationship tropes. Luckily, it doesn't last too long. When Jack finally announces his true feelings for Lucy it is lovely. There are some sweet moments peppered throughout this story. It isn't all that epic of a romance, but it was an enjoyable one. I loved Jack and Lucy as a couple, and I am happy that they are on their way to a HEA. I give this four stars. I liked it.
This book is a hidden gem. I judge books by cartoony covers and almost didn't read this.
It's a beautiful emotional story about two people who are going through bad things in their life. Lucy has escaped a bad situation. Jack is an artist who's struggling with his music career and life in general and has no one.
Lucy is neurodivergent and can name any artist and facts about albums. Their "meet cute" was funny...until it wasn't. Jack needs to fix his image and asks Lucy for a marriage of convenience. What starts as a friendship of sorts turns into so much more. They grow individually and together. I cried and laughed with them.
Oh this book was a surprise because I didn't think it would be so cute!!!
I loved Lucy and Jack, the dynamic they had from the beginning, how they met and especially how Jack understood Lucy so well as she was a bit enigmatic and running away from a very bad past (domestic violence). I found Lucy to be a charming character, how smart she was? but at the same time how reserved she was and Jack was a character that I had a hard time gaining affection for because of her immature actions for a 40 year old man, but little by little as I read he won my heart.
The story of this couple is slow, although they meet and a few days later Jack asks her to marry him due to a public relations problem, you see their relationship and love grow and I liked that.
A super sweet, charming story with almost no drama and with characters that are easy to love.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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Oh este libro fue una sorpresa porque no creí que fuera tan dulce!!!
Lucy y Jack me gustaron, la dinámica que tuvieron desde el principio, como se conocieron y sobre todo como Jack entendía tanto a Lucy siendo ella un poco enigmática y huyendo de un pasado muy malo (violencia domestica). Lucy me pareció un personaje encantador, ¿lo inteligente que era? pero a la vez lo reservada que era y Jack fue un personaje que me costo agarrarle cariño por sus acciones inmaduras para ser un hombre de 40 años, pero poco a poco mientras leía se fue ganando mi cariño.
La historia de este par es lenta, aunque se conocen y unos días después Jack le pide que se case con el por un problema de relaciones publicas, tu ves como su relación y amor van creciendo y eso a mi me gusto.
Una historia super linda, encantadora con casi nada de drama y con personajes que son fáciles de amar.
this was actually pretty good! wasn’t sure what to expect - the characters ended up being older than i thought but the story ended up being really cute and sweet. i really liked the neurodivergent FMC representation :) not spicy at all - mild at best but dealt with lots of life topics and was just a wholesome read
i liked the premise of the book. the beginning was good and catchy, but nothing happened after. the plot was stagnant till they got together. i guess it was missing something. i was shocked when Jack said he was 40 years old. i thought they were both in their 20s. Jack was very immature and rude. we didn’t really get a lot of background on him, so idk why he was acting this way.
💕🥹 I'm surprised by how much I loved this! The book just kept getting better and better. I would not have expected a rockstar romance with a marriage of convenience to be my second ever 5⭐ contemporary romance read - but here we are! This story and its characters had more depth than I anticipated, and their relationship was so sweet and authentic. I loved that the character's had their own quirks and distinct personalities. They evolved through the story, and the dynamic between them felt natural.
💕 Lucy was neurodivergent, which added layers of challenges for her as a character. Her panic and anxiety in certain situations was captured so well in the writing, it felt palpable. She struggled with a degree of OCD and was socially awkward. She also had some trauma from her past relationship. I loved the focus on music in this book, and her special talent with it. It was great how she inspired change in Jack, and brough back his creative spark.
💕Jack was rough around the edges in the beginning, frustrated with his life, and primarily concerned about himself. But as the story progressed, he became more attentive, understanding and thoughtful towards her. It was sweet how he softened, and displayed a very caring and protective nature. He had his own past and fame, which lent credence to how it impacted his life and relationships thus far. With Lucy, he started wanting something more, and also grew emotionally. I liked that the book als0 explored his creative struggle with making music and delved into his process.
💕 The inclusion of Lucy's big family as the story went along was wonderful - those scenes were chaotic, hilarious and beautiful. It felt natural, and it was great to see the family bonding.
💕I found it realistic, that Jack didn't instantly get Lucy, it took him time to understand. They both learnt to be vulnerable with each, and those moments felt so sweet and genuine. There was an honesty in their connection and I love that the story stayed focused on the steady growth of their relationship, without any crazy external drama or miscommunication. It focused more on their internal struggles and emotional growth. The nicknames Jack had for Lucy were really cute, and the Mad Jack moment was awesome! I had a fun time putting a tune to it.
🌟 On the whole - this story was endearing, meaningful, funny and lovable. This book is a hidden gem - I would re-read this !
This was a very engaging read. I enjoyed this celebrity/marriage of convenience romance a lot. This story contains references to, and details of, past physical and emotional abuse in an intimate relationship, trauma, panic attacks, anxiety issues, death by overdose, parental alienation, accident recovery, alcohol and substance use and abuse. This is an open door romance with some innuendo and strong harsh language throughout.
Lucy and Jack have a fun meet-cute in a record store, and an even more memorable second meeting. Lucy is a walking encyclopedia of music trivia, and Jack is a bad boy musician who desperately needs to reform his image and find inspiration for a new album. Lucy has a significantly traumatic past and struggles with anxiety. “Every part of her was being held together with constant concentration. Losing that would be catastrophic.” The two begin to build a friendship and agree to a marriage of convenience. The relationship between them is really lovely and tender throughout. For all his rough edges and flaws, Jack is so caring towards Lucy. And so accepting of who she is, her needs, and her challenges. “Although she was her own brand of sunshine, wasn’t she? Sometimes soft and beautiful, sometimes hiding behind her own cloud cover. Sometimes too bright just when you think you need to hide in the darkness, but once she draws you out, you realize it might be for the better.” Both main characters were engaging and interesting. I enjoyed seeing their growth. The secondary characters, especially Lucy’s family, were fun. There were a lot of great moments. It’s a slow burn romance, but the care, affection, and support were there early on. It really was a beautiful relationship. It’s a good book for readers comfortable with the content.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I was just so entertained reading this book, I couldn’t put it down. I read the whole thing in just an afternoon, it was fun and easy and very engaging. It has been hard finding books that actually hook me the beginning to end, my reading slump has been very annoying. But this was just the kind of fresh breeze I needed. It wasn’t the best rock star book ever, but it was a great read for the moment. The main characters were so interesting, I swear I was captivated by both of the from the very first chapter. The FMC was so relatable and real with her different personality. The MMC was actually surprising in how much he fell first and harder, it was so fun to see the grumpy get all soft just for her. I wish we had gotten a little deeper dive into their backgrounds, because there was a lot that could have been explored. This was my first book by Belle Chapin and it was a really good one. I liked how easy it was to read, I got completely engulfed by the story and couldn’t put it down. I needed a soft and comfy read, but that was also interesting and engaging, and this was totally perfect. I’m thankful I found this random recommendation on Reddit and the cover also helped a lot, because I just can’t resist when the two main characters are kind of Reylo coded. I’m really happy I picked this book, it made me smile a lot and it made my heart feel warm and relaxed. I will definitely be looking for other works from this awesome author.
I loved this book! I didn’t want to put it down once things started to get interesting. Definitely check the trigger warnings though because this has flashbacks of domestic violence and panic attacks. Lucy is running from something but you learn her story as the book progresses. Jack Hunter (Jack Vincent) is a famous rockstar who is struggling to write another album. They unexpectedly meet in a record store when Jack is surprised by Lucy’s rock and roll knowledge. Unfortunately he freaked Lucy out and she punched him right in the nose. These two were perfect for each other. He was so good to Lucy once he figured out the things that bothered her. He was the complete opposite of her ex and that’s exactly what she needed. These two needed each other and I loved how that came about. Plus her family was pretty cool also!
Lucy Meyer finds the city overwhelming. She walks into a record store and meets Jack Hunter whose wild life and antics diminished his popularity and his music lost the spark that drew people in. Lucy gets pulled into the PR team’s strategy of making Jack appear to settle down and perhaps try to show a bit of his actual self instead of a rebellious, larger-than-life fading star. A marriage of convenience may be just the thing. And as Lucy and Jack spend time together, she actually does see a decent guy who is kind and who still has musical talent and the passion to turn things around in his career. Will falling in love be just what he needs to redeem himself?
Omg this book was the absolute BEST. I nearly didn't read it because I'm not usually a fan of rockstar romances, but I found a recommendation for it on this reddit thread and was so glad I gave it a try! https://www.reddit.com/r/RomanceBooks...
I just LOVED Lucy and Jack (both as people and their relationship together) and the writing had me laughing out loud at least a dozen times throughout the book, not to mention grinning like a loon at all the feels. I'm so excited for Nico's book (and I don't even normally read MM so that should tell you how amazing this author is lol), and really hope she continues this series now that she's back into writing, according to her blog post https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog...
Non NT FMC breaks engagement after fiance hits her, moves away to NYC. Gets short term rental. Finds indie record store, runs into a guy, talks to him, he approaches her, she decks him (startled) and almost breaks his nose. Turns out he's a famous singer, currently down on his luck trying to get another album together.
Their paths cross later at a bar, he's drunk, she helps him home, he has the flu, she takes care of him. Turns into fake dating and then moc to help revamp his image.
Such a sweet book! Surprise sleeper hir book of my summer!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This debut novel is such a beautifully written story that grabs your attention from the first page and doesn't let you go until you reach the end. I loved everything about this story -- the main characters, the supporting characters, the flow and depth of the story, the writing, ... Everything.
For those of you who are looking for a story to take you away from your life, that has depth and purpose, makes you laugh at times but does not turn you into a bawling mess... This is a must read. Fans of Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Kylie Scott, and Kristen Callahan will love this author.
Wow, this book hit me hard. In a really good way. I love love love the writing style: snark/humor/one liners. Even the side characters. You can feel the love the author put into this book.
Neurodiverse main character was well written and super loveable.
I typically read much steamier books, but everything about this book was so well written that I didn't miss it. I look forward to reading more by this author. I'm so glad I picked it up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Please note: this book features themes of alcoholism, domestic abuse, gaslighting, and trauma.
Broken Records features a grumpy, washed-up rockstar (Jack) and a sunshine, neuro-spicy music lover (Lucy). Both characters feel well developed, and their chemistry is immediate. Their banter is fantastic, and I really loved watching their story develop from a fake marriage to something real. I couldn't put this down and honestly wished it was longer. Jack and Lucy are so lovely to one another.
Omg only a chapter in and I love it😭 the FMC and I are kindred spirits~ I feel seen HARDCORE Dinner in America vibes🙏🏻🙌🏻 Bro “you wouldn’t believe me if I told you” is this DIA fanfiction??? Living for it
—- Ok! I loved the FMC and Jack’s dynamic. I do feel that there ended up being too much banter and goofiness than what I would have personally preferred~ but it was an easy and lighthearted read~ the FMC was so unique from what I’ve seen in other romance books and I loved her! It got a little too millennial vibes towards the end, but it was fun!
this was so cute! i was iffy about the first couple chapters but i gave it a chance and i'm glad i did—all the seemingly weird shit lucy does makes total sense by the end of the book.
i love a fake marriage, i love a bad boy, i love a washed-up has-been trying to get their shit together, i love a realistic depiction of being ND and having PTSD... plus a lot of this is actually funny? v enjoyable read.
Belle Chapin has proved with this book that she can not only write a great mm book but an amazing mf book as well! This was not your typical mf romance and to me that is a good thing! These characters are real, they make you feel all the emotions and go through real life problems and work hard for their hea. What an amazing read I highly recommend you give this book a try.
This was a good well written realistic love story, the main characters Jack and Lucy are great but there is also plenty of good side characters as well, looking forward to reading some of their stories in the future. When written this was the author’s debut novel and for a first novel this covers a few sensitive topics that were handled well maybe just add a trigger warning in future.
Lucy has a past she is running from. Jack is rockstar in a writing slump. When they meet at a record store, Jack is taken back by Lucy's knowledge, but hits her trigger causing her to punch him.
Lucy and Jack's story is sweet journey as the learn about each other with a lot of care and affection.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was seriously an unexpected read. I generally dislike musicians/celebrities as main characters, but it was literally impossible not to love Jack. This story was actually not perfect, by any means. There was a ton of plot and development points that needed expanding. But ultimately, what matters is that this is just a wonderful and unique feel good story.
I love a good romcom and a rock star romance? Sign me up. This was great and had some good laughs. The characters were fun and I loved seeing the journey.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love the characters and their flaws and foibles. They compliment each other gorgeously. Flawed and complicated with gentle detail given to each character, they make a beautiful story rich and interesting.
I loved this book. I love the two main characters, but even more I loved all the dude characters too. This is such a solidly good book. This feels like a book that I will reread- such a good comfort read.