Waltz

Rhapsody #4

by Amy Booker

Waltz - a dance in triple time performed by a couple, who as a pair turn rhythmically around and around as they progress around the dance floor.

In music, timing is everything.

Newly minted rockstar Remington Matthews never expected to fall for an introverted tattoo artist when he returned home for his sister’s wedding. But sparks fly between the restless extrovert and his sister’s best friend, Monroe, despite their opposing natures.

Just as their summer fling ignites, realities loom. Remy’s band Murderous Crows begins touring Europe while Monroe leaves for an apprenticeship in New York. Their budding romance survives the temporary parting but faces a serious test when a huge career opportunity opens up for Monroe.

As their globe-spanning careers pull them apart, Remy and Monroe long for compromise. Their contrasting personalities complement each other, but can these opposites find harmony across the miles? Or will forced separate paths permanently fray the bonds of new love?

Waltz , Book #4 in the Rhapsody Rockstar Series, is an emotional rockstar romance about two people discovering that embracing each other’s strengths and flaws forges the strongest union, no matter the distance.

Genres: Second Chance, Romance

392 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 27, 2023

About the author

Amy Booker is a full-time author and former musician now living her passion of writing complex contemporary romances that immerse readers into the realities—both beautiful and gritty—of life on stage and behind the scenes. Most feature rockstars, while some venture into the glitz of Vegas.

With over a dozen novels under her belt, Amy draws from her own experience to pen authentic plots and multidimensional characters. Never one to shy away from tough topics, her books tackle real situations with emotional depth.

When she's not crafting her next book, you can find Amy embarking on thrilling travels, getting lost in audiobooks, catching Arsenal matches, or tuning into the Critical Role D&D show. She shares her home with rescue pup Gunner and has an adult son with special needs who fills her days with both challenges and immense love.

Stay up-to-date with Amy’s latest heartfelt releases on www.amybookerauthor.com.

Reviews

[Paula Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book from Amy. A tearjerker that takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions, especially if you have relatives in the grip of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Remy and Monroe are tested to the limit with long distance separations, family issues and past losses.

“It’s a unique kind of loss, mourning someone who is still here” Profound, but true!

“How is it possible to feel like you’ve known someone forever after only one electrifying kiss” Swoon

“Sometimes caring for someone just isn’t enough” A harsh lesson to learn at any age.

“She was a once-in-a-lifetime love to anchor me against the storms”.

Thank you for another wonderful and thought provoking book Amy.

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

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy Wineburg, Robin Williams, Judy Garland all chose to be performers, but even for them the pressures of being in the public eye were overwhelming. Monroe was a young woman who avoided the public. She knew how cruel people could be when her close friend drowned in front of her. Still, when she fell for her best friend's brother, a rock star, she couldn't imagine the cost. She was stalked, vilified in the media, to the point she lost a job and an apprenticeship. It was beginning to touch those around her and she felt she had no choice but to break up with the man she loved.

This engaging book gives a behind the scenes account of the trials suffered by those whose only sin is falling in love with a public figure.

Hard to put down.

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

[Maddy Matos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remy is single and a gorgeous rockstar, and he’s happy about his state of singleness. He’s been avoiding going home for a while but now his sister is getting married and he can’t put it off any longer. Monroe is an introvert and she likes her quiet life of art and tattoos. Her tattoo shop is doing well and her art might be on its way. Her BFF is getting married and the week is going to be fun. Remy and Monroe hit it off, they are the same yet different. They face problems with his fans and Monroe has a past problem that made things even worse for their relationship. Their journey back to each other was giving me heart palpitations. The ending was romantic and had me cheering. I’m giving this book five stars and I highly recommend it.

[Mandy Foley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man did I cry ugly tears with this one, the emotional scars that both Remy and Monroe hide are part of the reason their attraction is so strong, they can see the pain in each other, but they are so different and with distance keeping them apart at every turn can their intense attraction survive? Work is pulling them further apart and the cruelty of the paparazzi and fans is driving a wedge that may be to big to overcome, can love survive all, or are some loves meant to burn bright and short??

[JoJoRe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remy and Monroe’s story was everything! Angsty, sweet and swoony. Their story pulled at my heartstrings and never have I ever wanted two souls to find each other more than these two after their globetrotting separation but dealing with present and past trauma is difficult and these two needed to find themselves first after the heartache.

[Renee Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, my, this was an emotional story, but don’t let that stop you. It’s a beautiful story about life, choices made, mistakes endured, and priceless second chances. Remy and Monroe are masterpieces. The writing is so good and the storytelling is both heart wrenching and romantic. Their struggles were very personal for me, and it made me love these two characters even more. Their love is the best kind… forever.

Brilliant title. A fabulous metaphor.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the world of the Murderous Crows, this is a bittersweet story of an artist, Monroe, and guitarist, Remy, who have a hot and cold relationship. It started off on fire, cooled during their separations, but the slow burn didn't die. Monroe is a talented tattoo artist and Remy is a guitarist for the rock band Murderous Crows. They cross paths at the wedding of Remy's sister, Kat, who is Monroe's best friend. Remy hasn't been home for six years and is dreading going there now. He hasn't wanted to see his grandfather slowly deteriorating, but it's time to face that reality. Remy and Monroe meet for the first time and their breath is taken away and it's as if they've known each other forever. It doesn't take long before they become very close and it takes them by surprise. When Remy is scheduled to go back on tour, it's hard for them to say good-bye, but they make a pact to see each other at every opportunity along the way. But when it gets out that Monroe is Remy's new girl, the fans make sure to harass her and to show her that she's unwelcome. When his fame became too much for her to take, she broke up with Remy and broke both of their hearts. It became too much for me, the back and forth, the continual whining, fear and flashbacks to a tragedy, to the extent that it was hard to take Monroe seriously. And Remy became a shell of the man he used to be and that was a little inauthentic. Thank heavens, they got it right and in a sweet way. The ending was certainly lovely and happy.

[Kari Tidwell (karisbookstodevour) · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute stunner of a rockstar romance! It’s going to build you up, rip you to pieces, and then mend all the broken parts.

Remy finally goes back home for his sister’s wedding after avoiding it for a long time. It’s painful to be back but there’s a little light now that he’s met Monroe, his sister’s best friend. The connection is immediate and deep, and they’re headlong into a whirlwind romance before reality comes crashing in. For Monroe some of her deepest fears are slammed right in her face and for Remy his world feels like it’s crashing down around him. The only thing left to decide is if their love is worth whatever they might have to sacrifice or if cutting their losses is safer for them both.

Amy Booker never fails to amaze me at how she writes her characters, their emotions, and the circumstances that shape, break, and remake who they are. For me Waltz brought out the questions of how much is love worth, what are you willing to sacrifice to have it, and can you put up with parts you can’t stand to get that love? It was an incredible read for me as Remy and Monroe each took their own path to figuring out what was best for them. This books definitely reminds me of the old saying, “if you love something set it free, if it comes back, it’s yours, if not it wasn’t meant to be.” All the frustration, anger, optimism, and heartbreak of that exact saying is wrapped up in this book and it’s fabulous.

[Jane Holloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once more I had to step back from a book in this fantastic series by Amy Booker. I finished it and loved it but the angst was intense and I struggled on and off with it. I have mentioned my dislike of angst in other reviews I have done but this series of books have all been fantastic, so I knew I had to persevere!

Remy is a very single rockstar at the top of his game and he loves everything that goes with it. He is happy to be single until he meets someone at his sister's wedding. Monroe is his sister's bff and she really ought to have been on his avoid list but the sparks were flying between them and they head into a relationship. Monroe is someone who hated attention after a traumatic event in her past. When an opportunity of a huge career boost comes up in New York she takes it but has no way of knowing how things will pan out for her relationship with Remy. I felt awful for Monroe as she is stalked and treated really badly by the media but in her own interests and for the sake of her mental health, she feels she has to break up with Remy even though she is in love with him. I won't mention where things go because spoilers are the worst! I had a bit of a teary moment and needed a bunch of tissues!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ½ Stars for this rockstar romance.

Rockstars are my favorite and this has been a wonderful series! I felt so sorry for Remy and Monroe that things kept separating them. If it wasn't Remy's career keeping them apart, it was Monroe's career ... or just life. I was a nice change that everything just didn't fall into place ... that they had to work at it over a period of time. I found that the beginning was a little slow, but then I couldn't put it down. This is a great addition to the series.

Remy is in the rock band Murderous Crows and when he goes home for his sister's wedding, he becomes completely captivated by her best friend Monroe. Monroe is a tattoo artist with a troubled past. When she meets her best friend's rockstar brother, she is smitten with him ... but someone as famous as him could never be interested in a small town girl, right? But it seems that everything is stacked against them having a relationship.

I received a early copy courtesy of BookSirens.

[kase · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm I’m a bit conflicted in my feelings on this one. Very angsty, so if that is your thing you may love this one! Best friends brother trope.

A lot of this novel is the couple spent apart physically and sometimes being broken up. Over 9 months pass with tours/breakups/international travel. They spend like 40% of the book not together. Then a 4 month time skip after they’re back together to the epilogue. So I don’t think they really spent enough time on page being together, maybe that’s why I was less invested in them and not rooting for them as much.

No real OW drama but the MMC almost hooks up with someone else while they’re not together but it felt kinda icky to me.

Overall this book wasn’t really for me, despite being one of my favorite genres, but it’s not a bad book!

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

[Anij · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I cling to him tightly, wishing time would stand still."

Wow. Amy is seriously killing me with this series. I can't count how many times she's broken my heart or made me cry and Waltz definitely continued with the same. When you consider the tragic way the series began, I guess I shouldn't be suprised.

You know that old saying if you love something set it free? I think it might have been written for Remy and Monroe. How many times can you say goodbye to the one you love before it breaks you completely? Fortunately they didn't keep trying to find out until they did but it was close. I desperately wanted these two to get their hea.

No spoilers and do yourself a favor and read the other three books first. While technically Waltz is a standalone there is too much you will miss if you don't. Oh, a buy a big box of tissue. You're really going to need it.

[Grinning Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cat’s Stats
MMC/FMC- Remy and Monroe
POV- 1st person dual
Genre- Rockstar Romance
Heat- 🌋🌋🌋. They do the thing without using the P or C words. At times, it’s very soulful.
Series? Y
Safety? Y
Triggers- Language, Explicit Erotic Content, Bullying, Paparazzi, Menacing, Struthionidae.
Tropes- Best Friend’s Brother, Tattoo You, Forced Proximity (Wedding), Opposites Attract (Introvert/Extrovert Edition).
Mewsings
What I Liked- The ostrich alone gets this book four stars. And the playlist really works well with the story. It’s obvious that the author put a lot of thought into what they wanted to convey with the music, and I think they were successful.
What I Didn’t Like- not gonna lie, at times the story dragged. Overall, though, I found it enjoyable.

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

[TELA666 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't expecting the depth of emotion this would have, I'm not sure angst is the right term, it's deeper & out of their control. I was daunted by the chapter count but sped through in under 3 hours, it's that engaging.
Remy has to learn to slow down & consider the implications before running full pelt on emotion. Monroe has suffered negativity before and makes decisions to protect herself.
Those traits combined are at the crux of their timing issues. My only negative was I'd have like more time with them at the end but I'm sure we will see them in upcoming books.

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

[Katja · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a bit angsty. Remy is a rockstar who is sad about his grandfather's Alzheimer's. Monroe has lost a friend in a traumatic way. They have an intense love affair but Remy's fame turns out detrimental for Monroe who has Remy's crazed fans stalking and harassing her on the internet, and live too. I kind of wondered if Kai was a jealous ex and behind some of the harassment to try and break them up, but it didn't turn out to be like that. It was OK but my attention wandered here and there. The final romantic reconciliation is just due to dumb luck, not to any grand gestures, not because of either one of them reaching out.

[Doris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved It!!

I have been following this series and this book is another five-star read from Ms. Booker. I had my heart ripped out and was taken on a crazy emotional ride but I could only hope that Remy and Monroe would find their HEA. They met at Remy’s sister’s wedding with Monroe being her best friend. These two hit it off although totally opposite but with Remy on the road and Monroe starting her tattoo artist apprenticeship I had wondered if they would ever be able to work it out.

This is another rockstar romance that I recommend and I can’t wait to see what comes next.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 4 in Booker's Rhapsody's series and another great book not only by Booker but in this series as well and can be read as a standalone but better as part of the series in my opinion. Our main characters are Remy and Monroe and this book will take you on an emotional rollercoaster of a ride! Booker delivers a wonderful story of life, choices, mistakes and second chances. Heart wrenching and romantic, this book is one to read! I loved it!

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

[Danee · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are taken into the lives of Monroe and Remy, they are opposites but that doesn't stop the feelings they have for each other after a few steamy and hot moments between them they both go in different directions Remy goes on tour and Monroe starts with her internship in New York as a tattoo artist which is her dream. Will they keep in touch despite the distance or is it too much and is it not possible to maintain their relationship now that both are busy and a relationship is at a distance?

I received an Advance Reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[K Webz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is going to have a reader going through so many emotions….anger, frustration, heartbreak, hope. When Remy and Monroe meet at his sister’s wedding, they instantly hit it off but you have two people with completely different lifestyles. Remy is a rockstar and Monroe is a tattoo artist but also happy being an introvert.
This storyline was beautifully crafted. It captured all the struggles they had, it was so heart wrenching at times.
A must read!.

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

[Geneva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remy and Monroe's story! I am loving this series and really enjoyed watching these two fall in love. Remy was just so sure he was not going to fall in love like his bandmates.... boy was he wrong! I am so sad I only have one book left in the Murderous Crows series BUT let me just say Amy Booker has given us a whole universe of bands here! I have read some of them and they are just as awesome! So I am looking forward to seeing them all tie in together! If you ahve not read these please take the time and do so - they are great!

[M19arta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing romance full of heartaches and second chances!
The bond between Monroe and Remy was instant and strong, but the fragile and new relationship could not withstand the long distance as each character was focused on making their dreams come true. The painful separation allowed them both to grow as individuals and mature enough to finally fight for the love they share and for their future.

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

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this new "Rhapsody" rock star romance where opposites attract. The story is about Remy and Monroe. He is a rock star that thrives in the spot light. She is a tattoo artist who is an extrovert and his complete opposite. He has returned home for his sister's wedding when he meets his sister's best friend. Sparks definitely fly. I like how their story develops, even the rocky bits. I love the characters and their magical story.

[Linda Wildman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice story

I really liked it. The characters were written well. The romance was great. So glad it wasn't chapters of sex which gets boring. I've read many of the bands and I'm glad that they are shown doing their music. I am from a musical family and its a part of my dna. I really enjoy reading the in's and outs of the recording industry. I don't think going big is that great. Can't wait to read your next book in this series.

[Lauren S · Rating 4 out of 5]

With the internet and all the answers and misinformation available, it's easy to see why living in the spotlight could be uncomfortable. This couple gets the worst of it and they need to decide if they want to keep going. An unusual situation where the sibling actually wants to hook her friend up with her brother. Recommend reading the series in order.

[Sarah Mitcham · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Stars Align.

MF, Opposites Attract, Sisters best friend/Best friends brother, Contemporary, Rockstar, Romance. The fourth book in the series but reads well either as a stand-alone or as part of the series, full of twists and turns, lots of steam, friendships and heartache. A great read with a guaranteed HEA.

[Heather Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great romantic story. Both main characters have things in their pasts to overcome. Do they let their insecurity’s keep them apart.
As the overcome individual insecurity and troubles as a couple you only want them to end up together.

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

[ajscenic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always think that Amy’s books are so well written and this one is no exception. Remy and Monroe’s relationship had some amazing dialogue, heart-wrenching scenes that gives you heart in your mouth moment's and some bittersweet scenes.
This is far from a straightforward story, instead this is a story about all consuming true love that can overcome all obstacles.
Utterly brilliant.

[Dee Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love rockstar romance and Amy Booker always delivers.
Remy and Monroe’s story has heartbreak, twists, banter, steam, struggle, choices, angst, emotion, chemistry, drama and a beautifully wrought HEA.
I can’t recommend this series highly enough, it’s thoroughly addictive.

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

[Maja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the Rhapsody Series and it's Remy's story. I really enjoyed his point of view. If you are looking for angst, sweet and swoony this one is a mixture of all three. I enjoyed this story from start to finish.

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

[Carina Hales · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet love story. It was lovely to see the love and trust bloom amongst Remy and Monroe. Not much angst this book was more about finding that special connection and how to move forward and building trust despite your past. An enjoyable read and a book I would recommend.