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Love of a Rockstar #1
Love of a Rockstar
Marlene Parker thought she met her soul mate at eighteen but when he left her pregnant and alone to pursue a life of rock n roll, she vowed to never love again. Now four years later, she is being offered the dream of a lifetime. Moving to France with her daughter to start anew. There is only one problem. Marlene’s formative ex is back in town, and his pull is strong as ever.
Luke Anderson has everything a man could want. Fame, fortune and enough beautiful women to last him a lifetime. That is until a young runaway shows him what is truly important. Family. A word in which plagues Luke with regret. As a scared twenty two year old he ran away from the love of his life and their unborn child. Now ready to reverse his biggest regret with only three days to do it, Luke’s fate hangs in the balance. The question is, will he be able to convince Marlene their love story deserves a second chance?
Luke Anderson has everything a man could want. Fame, fortune and enough beautiful women to last him a lifetime. That is until a young runaway shows him what is truly important. Family. A word in which plagues Luke with regret. As a scared twenty two year old he ran away from the love of his life and their unborn child. Now ready to reverse his biggest regret with only three days to do it, Luke’s fate hangs in the balance. The question is, will he be able to convince Marlene their love story deserves a second chance?
252 pages, ebook
First published September 9, 2014
30 people are currently reading
2000 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Simone
14 books166 followersNicole Simone works in digital media by day and at night, pen’s character-driven romance novels that will make your mama blush. She lives in Portland, OR with her lab mix, Loki.
She loves hearing from her readers and can be reached at info@authornicolesimone.com
She loves hearing from her readers and can be reached at info@authornicolesimone.com
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November 16, 2014
Title: Love of a Rockstar
Series: Standalone.
Author: Nicole Simone
Release Date: February 11th, 2014
Rating: 4 stars
Cliffhanger: No.
HEA:
Love of a Rockstar is not your usual rock star romance. It’s more a story about family, love and finding your own path in life. I was very quickly pulled into it and after finishing I have to say that I found it not only entertaining, but a solid four star debut novel. Nicole Simone positively surprised me.
Despite few small matters that didn’t satisfied me fully or simply didn’t work for me, Love of a Rockstar was splendid read and I think that lovers of second chance stories that include heartbreaking moments and regrets while being mixed with easy, witty banter as well as intense sexual chemistry will appreciate it.
This story follows Marlene and Luke. They were each other’s first love. Marlene loved Luke with all her heart, but he had loved not only her. In his soul there was always his second passion – music.
When Marlene finds out she’s pregnant, Luke swears he will take care of her and the baby. But when she’s eight months pregnant he runs away on a tour and doesn’t come back. Luke started his career as a musician but at the same time he lost the woman of his life and his unborn baby.
Four years later, Marlene is living her life; working, nursing her broken heart and taking care of Nil is everything she has time for. When unexpectedly she sees Luke that is finally ready to come back and face his responsibilities, her world crumbles for the second time.
"Lukes absence from my life didn't change the fact that he was my Krytonite."
After the years filled with all this pain, loneliness and regret Luke wants to have his family back, and he’ll fight for Marlene and Nil. And he won’t take no for an answer.
“I am going to fix this.”
“Yeah, just you try,”
This book was heartbreaking. I really felt Marlene’s pain and deep longing and I have to say the author impressed me with her storytelling skills. Thanks to that it was very easy to relate to everything that happened to Marlene and understand her choices. Even when they did seem to look rushed or wrong I could relate with heroine’s reasoning, which made me like her more. She was strong woman and I admired her for that. I was glad she wasn’t one of those whining crybabies that only look for troubles and bitch about them. No, Marlene, despite everything that happened and her broken heart done the best she could and didn’t hide her head in sand. She didn’t need a knight in shining armor, she needed an equal partner.
At the beginning I hated Luke. Leaving his eight months pregnant girlfriend is more than dickhead’s move. Seriously, it was very hard for him to not only win over Marlene and Nil but me too. Well, he did it. Somewhere in the middle of the book I broke and wanted to console him myslef. I found out there was more to him than one terrible mistake.
I also adored Nil. This sweet little girl stole my heart. She made me swoon and laugh many times.
“I’m a fan of daddy,” Nil bounced up and down on her bottom, excited. “So he can play music for me and stay.”
There were things that irritated me, though. I was very angry at one of the characters that messed some things up and personally I would kick this person ass if I was Marlene.
What I didn’t like also was the lack of epilogue or proper ending. I felt like it was rushed and could have been done better while being more complex. Ten more pages would make this book spectacular.
Regardless, I enjoyed reading Nicole Simone’s book. I definitely will be on a look out for more of her work and can honestly recommend Love of a Rockstar to all of you that want to spend a nice evening with decent romance, deep characters and entertaining plot.
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* ARC provided by an author in exchange of a honest review. This review will be also posted on Smokin' Hot Book Blog on 10th Feb. during the blog tour *
June 12, 2016
*ACR copy in exchange for an honest review *
"I still look for your face in the crowds...oh if you could see me now..
would you stand in disgrace or take a bow ? oh if you could see me now.."
Love of a Rockstar is defiantly not your usual angsty type of rockstar reads like How to Kill a Rock Star. or Love's Rhythm..but instead it was more of a quick,non-twisted and fun read that most 'second-chance' romance readers would definitely enjoy.
"He was the Ying to my Yang, always balancing me out...
The summary pretty much spells out the whole plot.
Boy loves girl.Boy scared of that love.Boy gets cold feet over fatherhood...boy runs...and then ends up becoming a rock star.
Like I said there is absolutely no misunderstandings or lies that tore these two leads apart,unlike other books where the heroine scarifies her love for his dreams or the hero doesn't know about his kid until years later.Here,Luke pretty much knew what was leaving behind and he did it anyway and then grew to regret it.
I think what bothered me was ending.For some reason it really felt rushed.One second she mad at him,and then suddenly she just throws everything including her future away and decides to trust him again,just because of a few cheesy words ... :/
So lame.
Plus I kept wishing the plot was a bit more solid and angsty, Love of a rockstar would have defiantly made it as a 4-starer...if there had been just a bit more of DRAMA,sprinkled in here and there.. and As mentioned my issue with the end.I Personally felt, Luke definitely had a lot more of grovelling to do and ..for some reason I found the lead's chemistry so to be seriously lacking and that Finn guy...he kinda kept disappearing before the end :P
RECOMMENDATION :This book had a lot of potential to be even more amazing...but in the end, this turned out to be just ok..All those raving 4star reviews on GR Defiantly notched up my expectations a bit to high,maybe that's just it.
"I still look for your face in the crowds...oh if you could see me now..
would you stand in disgrace or take a bow ? oh if you could see me now.."
Love of a Rockstar is defiantly not your usual angsty type of rockstar reads like How to Kill a Rock Star. or Love's Rhythm..but instead it was more of a quick,non-twisted and fun read that most 'second-chance' romance readers would definitely enjoy.
"He was the Ying to my Yang, always balancing me out...
The summary pretty much spells out the whole plot.
Boy loves girl.Boy scared of that love.Boy gets cold feet over fatherhood...boy runs...and then ends up becoming a rock star.
Like I said there is absolutely no misunderstandings or lies that tore these two leads apart,unlike other books where the heroine scarifies her love for his dreams or the hero doesn't know about his kid until years later.Here,Luke pretty much knew what was leaving behind and he did it anyway and then grew to regret it.
I think what bothered me was ending.For some reason it really felt rushed.One second she mad at him,and then suddenly she just throws everything including her future away and decides to trust him again,just because of a few cheesy words ... :/
So lame.
Plus I kept wishing the plot was a bit more solid and angsty, Love of a rockstar would have defiantly made it as a 4-starer...if there had been just a bit more of DRAMA,sprinkled in here and there.. and As mentioned my issue with the end.I Personally felt, Luke definitely had a lot more of grovelling to do and ..for some reason I found the lead's chemistry so to be seriously lacking and that Finn guy...he kinda kept disappearing before the end :P
RECOMMENDATION :This book had a lot of potential to be even more amazing...but in the end, this turned out to be just ok..All those raving 4star reviews on GR Defiantly notched up my expectations a bit to high,maybe that's just it.
February 6, 2014
4 heartwarming stars!!
Marlene Parker was eight months pregnant when the love of her life walked out on her to pursue his dreams of being a musician. She felt devastated, betrayed and she swore to herself not to let it happen again.
Luke Anderson was finally living his dream but at the expense of the woman he loves and their unborn child. After four years of regret and loneliness, Luke is finally ready to face his responsibilities.
Love of a Rockstar is a story about Marlene and Luke. Marlene is a pastry chef and Luke is a rockstar. The second-chance-at-love trope is one of my fave tropes in romance and LOAR delivered that and then some.
This is not your typical rock star story. At the heart of it, this book is all about family. After the fallout with Luke, Marlene has to deal with her family, who didn't approve of Luke in the first place. She has to deal with being a single mother with limited prospects having to put her dream of going to pastry school in Paris when she got pregnant. And she has to deal with raising Nil, her adorable 4-year old daughter.
At first, I was put a little off by Marlene. She came off as a little too snide for my taste. But as the story went along and I got a glimpse into her past relationship with Luke, I was won over. My heart breaks for her and as a mother myself, I recognized the sheer amount of pressure she felt raising her daughter alone.
Luke grew on me too! I thought I might hate him because of what he did but when things starts coming to light, I was enamored with him as Marlene was. Yes, what he did was unconscionable but I really felt his regret and sorrow. And the fact that
I did a few quibbles though...
♪♪I didn't like Camille especially after I found out what she did. Her advice to Marlene was mind-boggling.
♪♪ The Finn angle was a little anti-climactic. He was there and then he just disappeared. LoL! Poor guy.
♪♪ The ending was a little abrupt. I still have a lot of questions. This is one of those books that needs a long-ass epilogue and it has none. I'm sad. :(
Love of a Rockstar is a solid debut by Ms.Simone, and such as it is, a very satisfying read. I'll definitely be reading more from this author.
ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Marlene Parker was eight months pregnant when the love of her life walked out on her to pursue his dreams of being a musician. She felt devastated, betrayed and she swore to herself not to let it happen again.
Luke Anderson was finally living his dream but at the expense of the woman he loves and their unborn child. After four years of regret and loneliness, Luke is finally ready to face his responsibilities.
Love of a Rockstar is a story about Marlene and Luke. Marlene is a pastry chef and Luke is a rockstar. The second-chance-at-love trope is one of my fave tropes in romance and LOAR delivered that and then some.
This is not your typical rock star story. At the heart of it, this book is all about family. After the fallout with Luke, Marlene has to deal with her family, who didn't approve of Luke in the first place. She has to deal with being a single mother with limited prospects having to put her dream of going to pastry school in Paris when she got pregnant. And she has to deal with raising Nil, her adorable 4-year old daughter.
At first, I was put a little off by Marlene. She came off as a little too snide for my taste. But as the story went along and I got a glimpse into her past relationship with Luke, I was won over. My heart breaks for her and as a mother myself, I recognized the sheer amount of pressure she felt raising her daughter alone.
Luke grew on me too! I thought I might hate him because of what he did but when things starts coming to light, I was enamored with him as Marlene was. Yes, what he did was unconscionable but I really felt his regret and sorrow. And the fact that
I did a few quibbles though...
♪♪I didn't like Camille especially after I found out what she did. Her advice to Marlene was mind-boggling.
♪♪ The Finn angle was a little anti-climactic. He was there and then he just disappeared. LoL! Poor guy.
♪♪ The ending was a little abrupt. I still have a lot of questions. This is one of those books that needs a long-ass epilogue and it has none. I'm sad. :(
Love of a Rockstar is a solid debut by Ms.Simone, and such as it is, a very satisfying read. I'll definitely be reading more from this author.
ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.
April 13, 2015
No! No, no, no, no! When you decide to read a book with the main theme being a second chanche to love, you absolutely demand and await for magnanimus drama, love/hate elements and of course unadulate sexual tension. Not a lobotomized heroine and the biggest, most selfish bastard around!
Luke Anderson left! After a three year realationship, right before Marlene gives birth to their child, he decided to leave everything and become a rockstar, 4 years later he is back. Ok, you can tell right away that the guy is a collosal douchebag, but even though he made mistakes, i was still ready as a reader to forgive him and enjoy their second chance story.
But no, he had to be an ass even after he came back, almost everything he said or did made me furious. Marlene on the other hand, was spineless and even though i liked her so much with her sassy attitude on the first 25% of the book, later on she became an unberable character.
The lack of chemistry was so devastating, as it were the characters inconsistencies. Let's not start about how easily she forgave him because that's mindblowing in a bad way. But to be fair this book had potential, it was straight with no twists of any kind, and some interesting characters.
Thank God, there were aspects that i loved. Mostly of course, Nil! She was magnificent. Such a sweet and brilliant kid, with a high sentimentality awareness. I loved that little girl to bits. The brightest point for me. And maybe her grandmothers story was the next one.
THOUGHTS ABOUT THE BOOK
- Tiny little things kept bothering me all the time.
- Like his name changing all the time.
- Or the back up dancer story.. Jesus!
- The whole idiotic chaos near the end, with the reporters and Finn was ridiculous.
- The editing was mostly good.
- Finn's story with Paris, was too wrong.
- Luke wasn't even a "bad boy". You know of the sexy kind..
ARC provided via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review. Thank you!
Luke Anderson left! After a three year realationship, right before Marlene gives birth to their child, he decided to leave everything and become a rockstar, 4 years later he is back. Ok, you can tell right away that the guy is a collosal douchebag, but even though he made mistakes, i was still ready as a reader to forgive him and enjoy their second chance story.
But no, he had to be an ass even after he came back, almost everything he said or did made me furious. Marlene on the other hand, was spineless and even though i liked her so much with her sassy attitude on the first 25% of the book, later on she became an unberable character.
The lack of chemistry was so devastating, as it were the characters inconsistencies. Let's not start about how easily she forgave him because that's mindblowing in a bad way. But to be fair this book had potential, it was straight with no twists of any kind, and some interesting characters.
Thank God, there were aspects that i loved. Mostly of course, Nil! She was magnificent. Such a sweet and brilliant kid, with a high sentimentality awareness. I loved that little girl to bits. The brightest point for me. And maybe her grandmothers story was the next one.
THOUGHTS ABOUT THE BOOK
- Tiny little things kept bothering me all the time.
- Like his name changing all the time.
- Or the back up dancer story.. Jesus!
- The whole idiotic chaos near the end, with the reporters and Finn was ridiculous.
- The editing was mostly good.
- Finn's story with Paris, was too wrong.
- Luke wasn't even a "bad boy". You know of the sexy kind..
ARC provided via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review. Thank you!
January 29, 2014
4 Lover of a Rockstar Stars
My review can be viewed here also --> http://tinyurl.com/ktwl7gf
ARC Provided by the author, "Nicole Simone" in exchange for an honest review (Thank you)
All hardout lovers of a good rockstar romance will be all over this!!
He was the yin to my yang, always balancing me out
Just one month before Marlene was to give birth Luke walked out of her life to pursue a life changing opportunity of becoming a rockstar..
A wee girl whom she named NIL "Light of the sun."
"Lukes absence from my life didn't change the fact that he was my Krytonite."
Four years go by, Marlene is in what she terms a "safe" relationship until the day when Luke makes a reappearance in her life..
Don't go stereotyping this guy because of his persona of being a rockstar because that is far from the truth..When I started reading this I judged him as a deadbeat dad turning his back on his responsibilities but keep reading..
A beautiful story about heartache, love lost, and love reunited..
All pictures in this review were made up by myself (KAT)
My review can be viewed here also --> http://tinyurl.com/ktwl7gf
ARC Provided by the author, "Nicole Simone" in exchange for an honest review (Thank you)
All hardout lovers of a good rockstar romance will be all over this!!
He was the yin to my yang, always balancing me out
Just one month before Marlene was to give birth Luke walked out of her life to pursue a life changing opportunity of becoming a rockstar..
A wee girl whom she named NIL "Light of the sun."
"Lukes absence from my life didn't change the fact that he was my Krytonite."
Four years go by, Marlene is in what she terms a "safe" relationship until the day when Luke makes a reappearance in her life..
Don't go stereotyping this guy because of his persona of being a rockstar because that is far from the truth..When I started reading this I judged him as a deadbeat dad turning his back on his responsibilities but keep reading..
A beautiful story about heartache, love lost, and love reunited..
All pictures in this review were made up by myself (KAT)
February 27, 2015
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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My honest review:
Love of a Rockstar is not your typical rocker book. It is not angst driven. The rocker's lifestyle is hardly mentioned because the book is about getting one's priorities in order and making amends for past misdeeds.
The premise of a redeemed rocker always makes for an interesting storyline, but, for me, there are gaps in the plot.
At times, I felt like the storyline was rushed - the reunion seems too quick. The supporting characters' acceptance of Luke so easily is a bit problematic given the past four years of Marlene's life.
It just seemed too easy all the way around. Marlene's only actions that show her four years of suffering are the snide comments she makes in passing when Luke is trying to get back with her.
There's really no screaming or confrontations. Yes, she has her daughter to think about and Nil desperately wants her father, but Marlene gave in too quickly without a proper discussion of the past...Luke's promises seemed empty, but Marlene was willing to believe them.
The only thing that I loved about this book was Nil. She was so sweet and brilliant. <3
[image error]
My honest review:
Love of a Rockstar is not your typical rocker book. It is not angst driven. The rocker's lifestyle is hardly mentioned because the book is about getting one's priorities in order and making amends for past misdeeds.
The premise of a redeemed rocker always makes for an interesting storyline, but, for me, there are gaps in the plot.
At times, I felt like the storyline was rushed - the reunion seems too quick. The supporting characters' acceptance of Luke so easily is a bit problematic given the past four years of Marlene's life.
It just seemed too easy all the way around. Marlene's only actions that show her four years of suffering are the snide comments she makes in passing when Luke is trying to get back with her.
There's really no screaming or confrontations. Yes, she has her daughter to think about and Nil desperately wants her father, but Marlene gave in too quickly without a proper discussion of the past...Luke's promises seemed empty, but Marlene was willing to believe them.
The only thing that I loved about this book was Nil. She was so sweet and brilliant. <3
February 10, 2014
Ok yeah, sorry I can't finish this without thinking "what the fuck?!?!"
I can't get over what Luke did in the first place. Heck after I heard the story of what went down the day before he left made me dislike him even more.
sure it was the past, but I feel like he expected everything to go fine if he just all the sudden popped back into Marlene and Nil's life.
The last straw was
This book just wasn't it for me :( I'm nt trying to demote the book or anything, as you can see there are other people who gave this book 4 or 5 stars.
I can't get over what Luke did in the first place. Heck after I heard the story of what went down the day before he left made me dislike him even more.
sure it was the past, but I feel like he expected everything to go fine if he just all the sudden popped back into Marlene and Nil's life.
The last straw was
This book just wasn't it for me :( I'm nt trying to demote the book or anything, as you can see there are other people who gave this book 4 or 5 stars.
March 1, 2015
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Ahhh this is a great lil luv story I really enjoyed it
This story is about about Marlene an Luke they were high school lovers an were 2gether 4 a few yrs but when Marlene got pregnant they were both delighted Marlene was doin a pastry class an Luke was doin well with is singer but when Luke decided he was goin on tour with his band he left Marlene nearly due her baby an was left 2 raise there lil girl on her own so when she seen Luke again after 4 yrs it was a totally shock 2 her he was still the gorgeous sexy Luke who left but she could still the spark between them but she had 2 Protect there lil girl nil how is the most adorable lil girl ever she made me laugh an cry through this book there nothing like a little girl pull in at your heart strings
I have 2 say I luvd both Marlene an Luke's character loads Luke is so cheesy charming arrogant an funny al at the same time an he wasn't goin 2 stop fightin 4 what he wanted he'd already made mistakes he wasn't goin 2 do it again but Marlene had 2 Protect herself after everything at happened the last time an she had nil 2 think about 2 but she was a strong woman but when it came 2 Luke he set of things that hadn't been used in a lil while an she need them satisfied they were hot 2gether
Overall I really enjoyed the story of the book the other characters in the book were good as well the only thing I would of liked was a better ended I was left wantin more it just ended a lil quick 4 me
This is the first book I 've read from this author an I d definitely but read more xxx
Ahhh this is a great lil luv story I really enjoyed it
This story is about about Marlene an Luke they were high school lovers an were 2gether 4 a few yrs but when Marlene got pregnant they were both delighted Marlene was doin a pastry class an Luke was doin well with is singer but when Luke decided he was goin on tour with his band he left Marlene nearly due her baby an was left 2 raise there lil girl on her own so when she seen Luke again after 4 yrs it was a totally shock 2 her he was still the gorgeous sexy Luke who left but she could still the spark between them but she had 2 Protect there lil girl nil how is the most adorable lil girl ever she made me laugh an cry through this book there nothing like a little girl pull in at your heart strings
I have 2 say I luvd both Marlene an Luke's character loads Luke is so cheesy charming arrogant an funny al at the same time an he wasn't goin 2 stop fightin 4 what he wanted he'd already made mistakes he wasn't goin 2 do it again but Marlene had 2 Protect herself after everything at happened the last time an she had nil 2 think about 2 but she was a strong woman but when it came 2 Luke he set of things that hadn't been used in a lil while an she need them satisfied they were hot 2gether
Overall I really enjoyed the story of the book the other characters in the book were good as well the only thing I would of liked was a better ended I was left wantin more it just ended a lil quick 4 me
This is the first book I 've read from this author an I d definitely but read more xxx
February 12, 2014
I absolutely loved the blurb for this book.
Unfortunately, I did not like the book. The writing was too face paced. It was too shallow. And the characters were as bad. The only light in the book was Nil. But damn, how is is possible that a man leaves you after four years yet after seeing each other your still attracted to him??? Atleast let him work for it. But after 2 days, you let him into your life knowing his lifestyle? Then after 3 days you get back with him and he proposes to you in front of people in a concert??? When she's practically dating someone. I know your in love, etc. but don't you have a little self respect left with yourself?? This book could have honestly been better. Deep. But it ended shallow. No connection to the characters.
Unfortunately, I did not like the book. The writing was too face paced. It was too shallow. And the characters were as bad. The only light in the book was Nil. But damn, how is is possible that a man leaves you after four years yet after seeing each other your still attracted to him??? Atleast let him work for it. But after 2 days, you let him into your life knowing his lifestyle? Then after 3 days you get back with him and he proposes to you in front of people in a concert??? When she's practically dating someone. I know your in love, etc. but don't you have a little self respect left with yourself?? This book could have honestly been better. Deep. But it ended shallow. No connection to the characters.
January 28, 2014
Four years ago, 18-year old Marlene Parker thought she had it all with a loving boyfriend to boot. That is, until he boyfriend leaves her high and dry eight months pregnant with their unborn child to pursue his dream in making it big in the music industry.
Now years later, Luke Anderson, rockstar sex god, has returned to make things right and the sparks between him and Marlene are still ever so strong.
Only…Marlene already has already moved on with another and has the chance to restart anew with new beau, Finn, and her daughter, Nil, in France.
Will Marlene let go of old hurts and forgive the man who had abruptly broken her heart? Will Luke redeem himself and prove to her that he’s a changed man ready to take care of his family? And will these two lovers give their love another try?
SO, my verdict?: A very lovely debut for author Nicole Simone!! Albeit, it does have a few snags like:
*a few included clichés (that I won't divulge on) and a couple of parts where you would think the media would be a more prominent entity but they are nowhere to be found during those times.
*As well as a rushed ending!! NOO!! :(
But beggars can’t be choosers I guess. ;)
Over all, a very sweet romance that focuses on family, following your dreams, righting wrongs, and being able to give love a second chance!
*ARC provided for the blog tour in exchange for an honest review.*
September 24, 2015
4 stars! ****
If the book is about musicians then it's good even if it's bad, because I just looooooove musicians. Singers, drummers, guitarist even basist! And LOVE OF A ROCKSTAR was actually really good.
There are dozens of dozens book with similiar motive. Girl's pregnant, guy leaves, girl raises the child, the guy comes back and wants to be a part of the family. Sometimes the guy leaves right away when he finds out that the girl's pregnant, but in this case he left when she was eight months pregnant to pursue his career as a basist, which is quite inovative and I never read something like this before.
So while it was a bit "common", it was also a bit unusual which made it really interesting.
Marlene is a single mom to a four year old girl who loves pink, princesses and unicorns. She works too hard but still is very involved parent. She's determined, strong and proud. She got her heart broken and got through it and came out of it stronger, wiser.
Luke is back now and even though it's only for a few days he's set on getting M back and getting to know his daughter Nil. He's still sinfully hot, just like he was four years ago but there's something different about him now. He seemes calmer, wiser and more family oriented.
It's not going to be easy to get Marlene back. She's in relationship with a polished lawyer who wants her and Nil to move with him to Paris. And she's about to say yes to it and go with him.
For most of the parts I really enjoyed this one. It was gripping, fast-moving, full of action and funny. Sometimes it was too fast. I mean, he was back for only four days. FOUR. And in that time he got to know Nil very well, M said yes to going to Paris, Luke proposed, there was a fight and declaration of love.
When I look back at it, the plot moved ridiculously fast. If I were Marlene I'd have made Luke sweat more. It took him four years to decide he's ready to be a father. Four days isn't enough to make up for it. Not even close.
All in all it was really enjoyable book. I'm guite looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
For more reviews visit: http://do-notdiewondering.blogspot.com
If the book is about musicians then it's good even if it's bad, because I just looooooove musicians. Singers, drummers, guitarist even basist! And LOVE OF A ROCKSTAR was actually really good.
There are dozens of dozens book with similiar motive. Girl's pregnant, guy leaves, girl raises the child, the guy comes back and wants to be a part of the family. Sometimes the guy leaves right away when he finds out that the girl's pregnant, but in this case he left when she was eight months pregnant to pursue his career as a basist, which is quite inovative and I never read something like this before.
So while it was a bit "common", it was also a bit unusual which made it really interesting.
Marlene is a single mom to a four year old girl who loves pink, princesses and unicorns. She works too hard but still is very involved parent. She's determined, strong and proud. She got her heart broken and got through it and came out of it stronger, wiser.
Luke is back now and even though it's only for a few days he's set on getting M back and getting to know his daughter Nil. He's still sinfully hot, just like he was four years ago but there's something different about him now. He seemes calmer, wiser and more family oriented.
It's not going to be easy to get Marlene back. She's in relationship with a polished lawyer who wants her and Nil to move with him to Paris. And she's about to say yes to it and go with him.
For most of the parts I really enjoyed this one. It was gripping, fast-moving, full of action and funny. Sometimes it was too fast. I mean, he was back for only four days. FOUR. And in that time he got to know Nil very well, M said yes to going to Paris, Luke proposed, there was a fight and declaration of love.
When I look back at it, the plot moved ridiculously fast. If I were Marlene I'd have made Luke sweat more. It took him four years to decide he's ready to be a father. Four days isn't enough to make up for it. Not even close.
All in all it was really enjoyable book. I'm guite looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
For more reviews visit: http://do-notdiewondering.blogspot.com
October 21, 2014
***ARC provided through Fiona's Book Reviews in return for my honest opinion***
I'm a bit of a sucker for rock star stories and I've read far more of them than is probably healthy for anyone so I've seen most of the plot twists and turns that come up in these stories several times over so I was surprised and pleased to find one with a new-to-me plot twist; the love of her life who had upped and left her to become a rock star when she was eight months pregnant.
Four years later and Luke - who is, needless to say, hot, rich, gorgeous, ripped and with one of the sexiest low chuckles I've ever read about - is back in town and determined to make his girl and his daughter part of his life again. Their daughter, Nil, is so sweet and lively. She immediately accepts Luke in her life; her presence lends a warm, family feel that is a welcome addition to the typical rockstar story.
Sigh...You want to hate Luke, but he is gloriously contrite, sexy as hell and utterly charming:
Marlene has tried to move on by dating Finn, a 'ken doll' lookalike who doesn't really set her heart racing. She tries to convince herself to make it work simply because he's the sensible, secure and safe prospect for herself and her daughter, haunted by the loss she suffered last time when Luke chose music over her. Luke's ever-sexy presence back in her life is forcing her to face some really hard decisions, and it's not just about her, but about her daughter's future too.
I have to say, the sexual chemistry between Marlene and Luke was gave me butterflies; I absolutely loved reading his efforts to win her back, the writing flowed really well, the characters were lively and interesting and it made for a really engaging read.
Then the plot went a little crazy; Luke was only home from touring for four days, Finn gave Marlene a life-changing opportunity with a deadline and Marlene's gran was keeping secrets and all of this unraveled in the course of a day or so. I was a little disappointed the plot took this turn as, inevitably, with so much going on, scenes turned into a breathless series of busy farces, with characters suddenly doing crazy things and I felt that the story lost some of the delicious chemistry between the main characters that had been built up to that point. It's not that the scenes were bad - actually they were pretty funny and well written - just not my cup of tea.
If you enjoy lots going on in a story then this is perfect for you, but I was loving the slow burn second chance love story that we got at the beginning and personally I would have preferred that to have continued and for the story to have rolled out a little more slowly.
It is definitely one of the better rocker love stories I've read though and I'd recommend it.
I'm a bit of a sucker for rock star stories and I've read far more of them than is probably healthy for anyone so I've seen most of the plot twists and turns that come up in these stories several times over so I was surprised and pleased to find one with a new-to-me plot twist; the love of her life who had upped and left her to become a rock star when she was eight months pregnant.
Four years later and Luke - who is, needless to say, hot, rich, gorgeous, ripped and with one of the sexiest low chuckles I've ever read about - is back in town and determined to make his girl and his daughter part of his life again. Their daughter, Nil, is so sweet and lively. She immediately accepts Luke in her life; her presence lends a warm, family feel that is a welcome addition to the typical rockstar story.
Sigh...You want to hate Luke, but he is gloriously contrite, sexy as hell and utterly charming:
"You can't hate me more than I hate myself," he whispered against my hair.
We stood in the middle of the kitchen entwined as one. Luke rubbed circles on my back in a calming pattern like he used to do when I was upset. Warmth spread throughout my body. I let out a purr of contentment.
Marlene has tried to move on by dating Finn, a 'ken doll' lookalike who doesn't really set her heart racing. She tries to convince herself to make it work simply because he's the sensible, secure and safe prospect for herself and her daughter, haunted by the loss she suffered last time when Luke chose music over her. Luke's ever-sexy presence back in her life is forcing her to face some really hard decisions, and it's not just about her, but about her daughter's future too.
I have to say, the sexual chemistry between Marlene and Luke was gave me butterflies; I absolutely loved reading his efforts to win her back, the writing flowed really well, the characters were lively and interesting and it made for a really engaging read.
Then the plot went a little crazy; Luke was only home from touring for four days, Finn gave Marlene a life-changing opportunity with a deadline and Marlene's gran was keeping secrets and all of this unraveled in the course of a day or so. I was a little disappointed the plot took this turn as, inevitably, with so much going on, scenes turned into a breathless series of busy farces, with characters suddenly doing crazy things and I felt that the story lost some of the delicious chemistry between the main characters that had been built up to that point. It's not that the scenes were bad - actually they were pretty funny and well written - just not my cup of tea.
If you enjoy lots going on in a story then this is perfect for you, but I was loving the slow burn second chance love story that we got at the beginning and personally I would have preferred that to have continued and for the story to have rolled out a little more slowly.
It is definitely one of the better rocker love stories I've read though and I'd recommend it.
July 3, 2014
I'm very torn on what to say. I have a massive amount of respect for authors who pour their hearts and souls into their work for us readers and I vehemently hate writing negative reviews; I even shy away from books that I feel I might not like for that reason. That being said, this book didn't work for me. I read the blurb and even though I rarely get interested in the rocker / actor type stories, this one intrigued me. I thought the premise of Love of a Rockstar was great and I thought I would actually really like it. And other than my one, decidedly big, complaint, it was good. I liked the way things were going, until Luke showed up and Marlene turned into the worst heroine ever. I hate to say that because as a mom I thought she was great. But as the mother of a 4 year old who was left by the love of her life when she was eight months pregnant, having to give up her dreams and embark on single motherhood at the tender age of 20, her reactions to Luke and forgiveness were way too quick. I mean, she lays eyes on him for the first time in four years and she's all lusty. No Ma'am. He needed a kick in the balls and a punch to the face. And some major grovelling. And begging. THEN maybe he could start to woo her again. But alas, that didn't happen. Yes I am a grudge holding, bloodthirsty reader. As a single mom myself, I just did not see her actions and reactions as plausible. She had a few rare moments where she put him in his place, but they were not significant enough for me. Yes, I wanted him to grovel and beg and for them to eventually get back together and have their HEA, but I felt it happened way too soon. The other thing I didn't care for was towards the end, it seemed like the author was throwing the friend under the bus in order to quickly redeem Luke. I didn't like that. I also didn't like when Luke said he didn't think their love story had and end. Hello! Dude. You left... ergo -> end! Ok I'm going to stop ranting now.
I will say that I think this author had a great idea and for other not so crazy readers (like myself) this will probably be a big hit. Even though it hit some major hot buttons for me and got me worked up into a heated fervor, I can objectively see that the author has talent. Maybe especially because her writing got me so worked up! I mean, that is talent when you can get a reader's emotions so involved, be it good or bad, that they go into a passionate rant at work and have their coworkers looking at them like they've lost their mind over a book. Yes this happened to me.
I will say that I think this author had a great idea and for other not so crazy readers (like myself) this will probably be a big hit. Even though it hit some major hot buttons for me and got me worked up into a heated fervor, I can objectively see that the author has talent. Maybe especially because her writing got me so worked up! I mean, that is talent when you can get a reader's emotions so involved, be it good or bad, that they go into a passionate rant at work and have their coworkers looking at them like they've lost their mind over a book. Yes this happened to me.
February 16, 2014
DNF (I seem to be doing a lot of that these days)
I finally get some of the reviews now. This book was just boring...blah! I really didn't get Marlene (jeez it took me ages to remember her name) I'm sorry but when your boyfriend walks out on you when you're 8 months pregnant, he doesn't just get to come back and everything's ok. She asks like he just went out for groceries for a long time and he's now getting back. Luke basically comes back for FOUR DAYS, only because he was on tour and he just gets to act like everything's ok? REALLY?
I read some of the other reviews and they said that Marlene was headstrong and fierce and blah blah blah, but she was basically a pushover when it came to Luke. He comes back after abandoning her says a few words and he's a changed man? Those few little words made you "melt" really? Come on now.
Sorry but this would never happen in real life, it's just not that easy.
Also, some other reviewers said that the story needs more drama...I completely agree. It was basically just a flat line until I stopped reading, there were no ups and downs..everything just feel flat, as if what was happening wasn't a big deal.
*sighs* Well I guess I'm on to the next one.
I finally get some of the reviews now. This book was just boring...blah! I really didn't get Marlene (jeez it took me ages to remember her name) I'm sorry but when your boyfriend walks out on you when you're 8 months pregnant, he doesn't just get to come back and everything's ok. She asks like he just went out for groceries for a long time and he's now getting back. Luke basically comes back for FOUR DAYS, only because he was on tour and he just gets to act like everything's ok? REALLY?
I read some of the other reviews and they said that Marlene was headstrong and fierce and blah blah blah, but she was basically a pushover when it came to Luke. He comes back after abandoning her says a few words and he's a changed man? Those few little words made you "melt" really? Come on now.
Sorry but this would never happen in real life, it's just not that easy.
Also, some other reviewers said that the story needs more drama...I completely agree. It was basically just a flat line until I stopped reading, there were no ups and downs..everything just feel flat, as if what was happening wasn't a big deal.
*sighs* Well I guess I'm on to the next one.
February 16, 2014
This book just didn't do it for me. It was rushed and silly at times. The characters were flat - I really didn't like any of them, especially Nil - the one character whom I should have liked. The romances were bare bones and I think that Luke was a jerk. There was no grovelling or proving of himself to Marlene - she just let it all go, which in this situation is either A) Not believable; or B) Plain stupid.
I didn't even want to finish this book. There was nothing new or exciting about it.
I didn't even want to finish this book. There was nothing new or exciting about it.
June 2, 2014
Everything happened so fast it gave me whiplash and then the book abruptly ended. There was no kind of transition and the whole book took place in 3 days. I mean WTF I get that this was about old love rekindled but Marlene had no kind of backbone when it came to Luke.
He up and abandoned her 8 months pregnant and in the middle of the night no less. Then he waltzes back into her life damn near five years later and all was forgiven. Just like that. I mean come on Marlene grow a pair. She gave up her education for him as well as her youth and in return Luke left her to do one of the hardest jobs in the world all alone while he went away to go play rock star.
Selfish much?
I didn't like how weak she was for him. I get that your first love is this all consuming entity that some people rarely have control over but I wish she would have held him more accountable for his actions and led with her head and not her heart.
He up and abandoned her 8 months pregnant and in the middle of the night no less. Then he waltzes back into her life damn near five years later and all was forgiven. Just like that. I mean come on Marlene grow a pair. She gave up her education for him as well as her youth and in return Luke left her to do one of the hardest jobs in the world all alone while he went away to go play rock star.
Selfish much?
I didn't like how weak she was for him. I get that your first love is this all consuming entity that some people rarely have control over but I wish she would have held him more accountable for his actions and led with her head and not her heart.
September 7, 2015
The cover sucked me in...but the 1st chapter sucked me right back out.
February 9, 2015
This was a really sweet second chance romance with a rock star. Luke was nothing like I was expecting when I read the description for this book. Marlene is a really strong single mom. My only complaint is that I thought Marlene was a little too forgiving at times. I enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more by this author in the future.
February 15, 2015
Received an ARC for review
It was sweet second chance romance. I can't believe I'm saying this but there was just not enough angst. It's nice to see there's more to their story in the next book because the ending was just too easy. Overall a solid start to this series.
It was sweet second chance romance. I can't believe I'm saying this but there was just not enough angst. It's nice to see there's more to their story in the next book because the ending was just too easy. Overall a solid start to this series.
October 16, 2015
1.5 Stars
February 11, 2014
*****5-Angst & Drama, thy name is Marlene-Stars*****
~I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review~
I swore up and down this side of the Mississippi that when I saw Luke again, I'd give him a piece of my mind. But as he glanced over at me, I felt the air leave my body. His absence from my life didn't change the fact that he was my Kryptonite.
Well....Hello Ms. Nicole Simone and welcome to my favorites list. See, books like this are why I love second chance romances so much. Full of angst, drama, heartbreak, tears, uncertainty and the sexiness of a rocker, the only thing missing was chocolate but HEY-we had that too!! plus the added bonus of the sweetest little princess ever. It all made for a book I couldn't walk away from for even a minute til I got to the end.
I gave birth to Nil as a scared twenty-year-old, but as soon as the nurse placed her in my arms, a woman emerged from within me. One month before I was to give birth, her father got a life changing opportunity to go on tour, and ran off to pursue his dreams of becoming a rock star. My heart shattered into a million pieces when he left, and I had no idea how I would manage single motherhood.
Marlene was in love once -head over heels, all consuming love- til the day he shattered her heart completely by disappearing into the night, leaving her eight months pregnant and alone. Four years later, the single mother, who had to give up her dreams while he chased his, has hardened her heart towards men and Luke especially. While her rock star ex has hit it big and living the life he always wanted, she's working two jobs and driving herself into the ground to take care of their daughter Nil by herself. She's finally dating again, but playing it safe by choosing a guy she feels no sparks with-she's choosing dependability over love to protect herself from ever having to suffer like she did when Luke left ever again. What she isn't prepared for is Luke's sudden reappearance in her life.
“You can't just come in here and pretend everything is the same. Where were you when Nil got an allergic reaction and almost died? Or when she discovered music for the first time? You were fucking groupies in the back of your tour bus while I was here in the same town you left me in, taking care of our daughter. What happened to me is that I grew up, Luke. I suggest you do the same.”
Luke is back in town and he wants to pick things right back up with Marlene and be a father to Nil. Marlene doesn't know what to do, she has Nil to think about this time. When Luke leaves again, like she knows he will, in won't just be her heart he breaks into a million pieces. But at the same time, she doesn't want to deny her daughter the chance to get to know her father.
“She will warm up to you. But you couldn't expect it to happen in an hour. In her eyes, you're a stranger.”
“Thanks for reminding me of that, Marlene,” he bit out.
While his anger was directed at me, the person he was truly mad at was himself.
“You made your bed Luke, now you have to sleep in it.”
Luke wants his family back and will not take no for an answer, but when Marlene is presented with an opportunity to move to Paris like she has always dreamed of, he realizes he only has a matter of days to convince her to look past four years of anger, resentment and heartache, to give him a second chance to be the man she's always needed.
“Marlene, letting you go was my biggest regret, and now that I finally have you back, I don't want to make the same mistake twice...
...I fucked up, I know that, but I want to change. Be the father and man you needed me to be all those years ago.”
I have to admit, I had no real love for Luke in the beginning. Besides the fact that he pulled the asshat move of the century when he left the way he did, but when he returns he seems to expect to be able to pick right back up like the last four years never happened and doesn't understand why Marlene can't just fall in line. He does win me over though, his regret and pain over his actions was very plain to see as was his determination to make things right. But it was how very much he loves Marlene & Nil and how scared he was of losing them again that really got to me. I do wish we could have had a POV jump from Marlene to Luke once in a while just to see what was going through his head. Also, the actions of Marlene's best friend Camille didn't sit well with me. The end did seem a bit rushed and abrupt to me, it just left me with some questions and concerns. At the end of the day, I loved this book which honestly was more about family and forgiveness than the rock star life. Cannot wait to see a whole lot more from this author.
“I don't always say the right thing but the past four years I have lived my life for you so I could come home and stop being an observer. M, I don't make sense without you.”
February 6, 2014
A very sweet romance, Love of a Rockstar was a wonderful read. I really liked this book. It was sweet, romantic, and lovely.
Marlene was a good heroine. She was very devoted to caring for her daughter, and definitely strong for pulling through her heartbreak in the way that she did. I had a few issues with her that I'll talk about later, but, for the most part, I liked her.
Luke was a sweetie. I didn't know what to expect from him and I was wary that I wouldn't like him because he left his pregnant girlfriend, but it wasn't long before he won me over. He was really very sweet and I truly believed his regret over leaving Marlene. He realized his mistake and did everything he could to make it right. Despite my reservations about him, I ended up adoring him.
The romance was lovely. Marlene and Luke were sweet together. Despite their time apart, it was obvious that they never stopped loving each other. And, the chemistry between them was hot. The sparks were flying whenever these two were together. I though they were lovely together.
I totally adored Nil, Marlene and Luke's daughter. I thought she was so cute and I loved how she was included as a major character, rather than just a plot device. I especially loved how Luke interacted with her, because he was adorable with her. I thought her character was lovely.
Now, to what I didn't like about. It's really just relatively minor issues that came together to become a bigger one. 1) Marlene could really be a shrew sometimes. I understood that she was in a difficult situation, but she was downright mean a few times. 2) I didn't understand why the inclusion of Finn (Marlene's "safe" boyfriend) was even necessary. It seemed like his only purpose was to cause a conflict and I thought Marlene was really unfair to him. She used him as a safety blanket, but had no issues contemplating cheating on him with Luke. Then, when she did, she turned against him for getting angry about it. I thought his reaction was reasonable, but Marlene just turned her back on him and couldn't have cared less when he was out of her life for good. That was just mean. And 3) Camile (Marlene's friend) wasn't very nice, for both a decision she made in the past and the genuinely horrible advice she gave Marlene. It made me think less of Marlene when she followed her friend's advice because it definitely wasn't any good. I didn't think she was a good friend at all. These problems did affect my enjoyment of the book, but I still really liked it, so they weren't dealbreakers. I definitely still enjoyed the book.
The plot was fast paced and I was kept interested the entire way through. I really enjoyed the story and the ending, though a bit rushed, was very sweet.
Love of a Rockstar was a lovely New Adult romance. Though I had a few issues with it, I still really enjoyed it and I ended up liking it. Romance lovers, this is a book worth checking out.
*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review
Marlene was a good heroine. She was very devoted to caring for her daughter, and definitely strong for pulling through her heartbreak in the way that she did. I had a few issues with her that I'll talk about later, but, for the most part, I liked her.
Luke was a sweetie. I didn't know what to expect from him and I was wary that I wouldn't like him because he left his pregnant girlfriend, but it wasn't long before he won me over. He was really very sweet and I truly believed his regret over leaving Marlene. He realized his mistake and did everything he could to make it right. Despite my reservations about him, I ended up adoring him.
The romance was lovely. Marlene and Luke were sweet together. Despite their time apart, it was obvious that they never stopped loving each other. And, the chemistry between them was hot. The sparks were flying whenever these two were together. I though they were lovely together.
I totally adored Nil, Marlene and Luke's daughter. I thought she was so cute and I loved how she was included as a major character, rather than just a plot device. I especially loved how Luke interacted with her, because he was adorable with her. I thought her character was lovely.
Now, to what I didn't like about. It's really just relatively minor issues that came together to become a bigger one. 1) Marlene could really be a shrew sometimes. I understood that she was in a difficult situation, but she was downright mean a few times. 2) I didn't understand why the inclusion of Finn (Marlene's "safe" boyfriend) was even necessary. It seemed like his only purpose was to cause a conflict and I thought Marlene was really unfair to him. She used him as a safety blanket, but had no issues contemplating cheating on him with Luke. Then, when she did, she turned against him for getting angry about it. I thought his reaction was reasonable, but Marlene just turned her back on him and couldn't have cared less when he was out of her life for good. That was just mean. And 3) Camile (Marlene's friend) wasn't very nice, for both a decision she made in the past and the genuinely horrible advice she gave Marlene. It made me think less of Marlene when she followed her friend's advice because it definitely wasn't any good. I didn't think she was a good friend at all. These problems did affect my enjoyment of the book, but I still really liked it, so they weren't dealbreakers. I definitely still enjoyed the book.
The plot was fast paced and I was kept interested the entire way through. I really enjoyed the story and the ending, though a bit rushed, was very sweet.
Love of a Rockstar was a lovely New Adult romance. Though I had a few issues with it, I still really enjoyed it and I ended up liking it. Romance lovers, this is a book worth checking out.
*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review
February 13, 2014
As a debut novel this story has a lot of potential. It was a fast read with some hilarious parts.
Character development is where it fell apart for me. They all seemed incomplete. Their motives and reasons for their actions are unclear or just unreasonable. The relationships and behavior don’t make sense.
Luke leaves and never looks back. Camille oversteps her boundaries yet is quickly forgiven-for four years of misery and distance?? Marlene allows and even pushed away Luke. With maturity came realization??
I wanted to love it-but it missed the mark for me. It has a nice ending, just too many unanswered questions.
Character development is where it fell apart for me. They all seemed incomplete. Their motives and reasons for their actions are unclear or just unreasonable. The relationships and behavior don’t make sense.
Luke leaves and never looks back. Camille oversteps her boundaries yet is quickly forgiven-for four years of misery and distance?? Marlene allows and even pushed away Luke. With maturity came realization??
I wanted to love it-but it missed the mark for me. It has a nice ending, just too many unanswered questions.
February 11, 2015
Um, whatever this was supposed to be, I didn't feel it, at all! So fast paced it didn't make any sense and it felt flat.
The plot was just bad, maybe if it went a little deeper it would have been so much better but this was just not good at all. I won't even talk about the characters, it felt like a couple of teenagers were playing house. Didn't work for me.
The plot was just bad, maybe if it went a little deeper it would have been so much better but this was just not good at all. I won't even talk about the characters, it felt like a couple of teenagers were playing house. Didn't work for me.
June 4, 2014
Plagiarism is a terrible thing.
Let me start by saying the first half of this book wasn't bad. Marlene was conflicted, as you expect someone in a romance novel to be when trying to fight of The One who hurt her in the past, but who is, of course The One. As the plot description indicates, Luke left her while she was eight months pregnant with their child. It's understandable she'd have leftover rage.
The book lost me about halfway through when (MINOR SPOILER) . Finn knows she's still in love with Luke -- he even tells her so at one point that it's okay and he loves her enough for the both of them. At this point, I decided Finn was way too good for Marlene and fervently hope he finds a sweet Parisian chick to settle down with.
The book degenerated from there. Marlene can't decide whether to trust Luke or whether less than four days of penance is enough to make up for FOUR YEARS of abandonment (hint from real life and not Whacked Out Romance Land: it isn't), so she hems and haws over do I trust him or do I take my title as Queen of Wishy-Washy and Terrible Motherhood and change my mind a million times? Oh, and by the way, Marlene is a terrible mother. Like, something you'd see in a reality show. Her plot moppet daughter is spoiled, demanding, and bossy with no respect for the adults in her life, and it's no wonder with a mother who gives her everything she wants just because she throws a fit. (SLIGHTLY LESS MINOR SPOILER TO FOLLOW
But you know what? Believe it or not, I could have forgiven all of this and maybe given the book a 2- or a 3-star rating if the author hadn't plagiarized. At one point, Luke's band performs and the lyrics to a song called "Love and Nails" are listed in the book. The lyrics are as follows:
And now a link to the song the author stole those lyrics from (the song is from 1985 or 1986, so I'm seriously doubtful that the plagiarism was the other way around.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-fSv...
This is a blatant ripoff of an old Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam song called "All Cried Out", which was later covered very well by Allure. If at some point in the novel, she had acknowledged this and in the notes said something along the lines of, "Hey, thanks to Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam with Full Force featuring Paul Anthony & Bow Legged Lou and/or Allure, all of whom made the song famous," and adding an appreciation to Full Force, who (according to Wikipedia), wrote the song, I would have been fine. Hell, if she had said the song was called "All Cried Out" and was a cover, that would have been super. No issues here. But seriously, don't play off lyrics that are someone else's by a song that hasn't had much radio play in two decades as a totally different song and then not acknowledge that at some point in the story. That makes me think you're trying to get away with something shady.
And seriously, why rip off Full Force or Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam? The last single Wikipedia lists for Full force was in 1995 and the last album I could find of Lisa Lisa's was done in the mid-80s! These people clearly aren't doing anything anymore, so they probably would have liked whatever fees are associated with ripping off their song. Ripping off a song from Full Force or Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam is like stealing from the homeless. Heck, Lisa Lisa might BE homeless at this point. I don't know what she's up to these days. The point is, Nicole Simone is a fairly unknown indie author, who according to Goodreads, only has two books out, and I would hope she would have some respect and sympathy for other artists. To quote Captain Hook, "Bad form!"
Obviously, this ticked me off. It ticked me off so much that I seriously considered putting the book down and if I hadn't been so close to the end I probably would have. I certainly couldn't wait to be done with the book. I don't like giving bad reviews of authors. I've never been published and I imagine it's a difficult job. I'd be pissed if some jerk reviewer got on a public site and started mocking my work the way I'm doing here. But seriously, don't plagiarize. Give credit where you need to or make up your own lyrics. Because otherwise, that's some Cassie Edwards crap right there.
Let me start by saying the first half of this book wasn't bad. Marlene was conflicted, as you expect someone in a romance novel to be when trying to fight of The One who hurt her in the past, but who is, of course The One. As the plot description indicates, Luke left her while she was eight months pregnant with their child. It's understandable she'd have leftover rage.
The book lost me about halfway through when (MINOR SPOILER) . Finn knows she's still in love with Luke -- he even tells her so at one point that it's okay and he loves her enough for the both of them. At this point, I decided Finn was way too good for Marlene and fervently hope he finds a sweet Parisian chick to settle down with.
The book degenerated from there. Marlene can't decide whether to trust Luke or whether less than four days of penance is enough to make up for FOUR YEARS of abandonment (hint from real life and not Whacked Out Romance Land: it isn't), so she hems and haws over do I trust him or do I take my title as Queen of Wishy-Washy and Terrible Motherhood and change my mind a million times? Oh, and by the way, Marlene is a terrible mother. Like, something you'd see in a reality show. Her plot moppet daughter is spoiled, demanding, and bossy with no respect for the adults in her life, and it's no wonder with a mother who gives her everything she wants just because she throws a fit. (SLIGHTLY LESS MINOR SPOILER TO FOLLOW
But you know what? Believe it or not, I could have forgiven all of this and maybe given the book a 2- or a 3-star rating if the author hadn't plagiarized. At one point, Luke's band performs and the lyrics to a song called "Love and Nails" are listed in the book. The lyrics are as follows:
"Inside I'm slowly dying
But the rain will hide my crying
And you, don't you know my tears will burn the pillow
Set this place on fire 'cause I'm tired of your lies"
And now a link to the song the author stole those lyrics from (the song is from 1985 or 1986, so I'm seriously doubtful that the plagiarism was the other way around.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-fSv...
This is a blatant ripoff of an old Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam song called "All Cried Out", which was later covered very well by Allure. If at some point in the novel, she had acknowledged this and in the notes said something along the lines of, "Hey, thanks to Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam with Full Force featuring Paul Anthony & Bow Legged Lou and/or Allure, all of whom made the song famous," and adding an appreciation to Full Force, who (according to Wikipedia), wrote the song, I would have been fine. Hell, if she had said the song was called "All Cried Out" and was a cover, that would have been super. No issues here. But seriously, don't play off lyrics that are someone else's by a song that hasn't had much radio play in two decades as a totally different song and then not acknowledge that at some point in the story. That makes me think you're trying to get away with something shady.
And seriously, why rip off Full Force or Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam? The last single Wikipedia lists for Full force was in 1995 and the last album I could find of Lisa Lisa's was done in the mid-80s! These people clearly aren't doing anything anymore, so they probably would have liked whatever fees are associated with ripping off their song. Ripping off a song from Full Force or Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam is like stealing from the homeless. Heck, Lisa Lisa might BE homeless at this point. I don't know what she's up to these days. The point is, Nicole Simone is a fairly unknown indie author, who according to Goodreads, only has two books out, and I would hope she would have some respect and sympathy for other artists. To quote Captain Hook, "Bad form!"
Obviously, this ticked me off. It ticked me off so much that I seriously considered putting the book down and if I hadn't been so close to the end I probably would have. I certainly couldn't wait to be done with the book. I don't like giving bad reviews of authors. I've never been published and I imagine it's a difficult job. I'd be pissed if some jerk reviewer got on a public site and started mocking my work the way I'm doing here. But seriously, don't plagiarize. Give credit where you need to or make up your own lyrics. Because otherwise, that's some Cassie Edwards crap right there.
February 11, 2014
*****5-Angst & Drama, thy name is Marlene-Stars*****
~I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review~
I swore up and down this side of the Mississippi that when I saw Luke again, I'd give him a piece of my mind. But as he glanced over at me, I felt the air leave my body. His absence from my life didn't change the fact that he was my Kryptonite.
Well....Hello Ms. Nicole Simone and welcome to my favorites list. See, books like this are why I love second chance romances so much. Full of angst, drama, heartbreak, tears, uncertainty and the sexiness of a rocker, the only thing missing was chocolate but HEY-we had that too!! plus the added bonus of the sweetest little princess ever. It all made for a book I couldn't walk away from for even a minute til I got to the end.
I gave birth to Nil as a scared twenty-year-old, but as soon as the nurse placed her in my arms, a woman emerged from within me. One month before I was to give birth, her father got a life changing opportunity to go on tour, and ran off to pursue his dreams of becoming a rock star. My heart shattered into a million pieces when he left, and I had no idea how I would manage single motherhood.
Marlene was in love once -head over heels, all consuming love- til the day he shattered her heart completely by disappearing into the night, leaving her eight months pregnant and alone. Four years later, the single mother, who had to give up her dreams while he chased his, has hardened her heart towards men and Luke especially. While her rock star ex has hit it big and living the life he always wanted, she's working two jobs and driving herself into the ground to take care of their daughter Nil by herself. She's finally dating again, but playing it safe by choosing a guy she feels no sparks with-she's choosing dependability over love to protect herself from ever having to suffer like she did when Luke left ever again. What she isn't prepared for is Luke's sudden reappearance in her life.
“You can't just come in here and pretend everything is the same. Where were you when Nil got an allergic reaction and almost died? Or when she discovered music for the first time? You were fucking groupies in the back of your tour bus while I was here in the same town you left me in, taking care of our daughter. What happened to me is that I grew up, Luke. I suggest you do the same.”
Luke is back in town and he wants to pick things right back up with Marlene and be a father to Nil. Marlene doesn't know what to do, she has Nil to think about this time. When Luke leaves again, like she knows he will, in won't just be her heart he breaks into a million pieces. But at the same time, she doesn't want to deny her daughter the chance to get to know her father.
“She will warm up to you. But you couldn't expect it to happen in an hour. In her eyes, you're a stranger.”
“Thanks for reminding me of that, Marlene,” he bit out.
While his anger was directed at me, the person he was truly mad at was himself.
“You made your bed Luke, now you have to sleep in it.”
Luke wants his family back and will not take no for an answer, but when Marlene is presented with an opportunity to move to Paris like she has always dreamed of, he realizes he only has a matter of days to convince her to look past four years of anger, resentment and heartache, to give him a second chance to be the man she's always needed.
“Marlene, letting you go was my biggest regret, and now that I finally have you back, I don't want to make the same mistake twice...
...I fucked up, I know that, but I want to change. Be the father and man you needed me to be all those years ago.”
I have to admit, I had no real love for Luke in the beginning. Besides the fact that he pulled the asshat move of the century when he left the way he did, but when he returns he seems to expect to be able to pick right back up like the last four years never happened and doesn't understand why Marlene can't just fall in line. He does win me over though, his regret and pain over his actions was very plain to see as was his determination to make things right. But it was how very much he loves Marlene & Nil and how scared he was of losing them again that really got to me. I do wish we could have had a POV jump from Marlene to Luke once in a while just to see what was going through his head. Also, the actions of Marlene's best friend Camille didn't sit well with me. The end did seem a bit rushed and abrupt to me, it just left me with some questions and concerns. At the end of the day, I loved this book which honestly was more about family and forgiveness than the rock star life. Cannot wait to see a whole lot more from this author.
“I don't always say the right thing but the past four years I have lived my life for you so I could come home and stop being an observer. M, I don't make sense without you.”
March 14, 2017
"Our love story shouldn't have an end, only a beginning."
What a poetic, hot piece of work Luke was...too bad those lines he spews can never make up for leaving his pregnant girlfriend to go be a rock star.
But then again, Marlene ended up taking him back after a four year hiatus and a couple "I'm sorry's."
The story stared off perfectly, there was buildup, frustration and even tears. But with each person Marlene so quickly forgave, the excitement fizzled. First, she allows herself to be Luke's doormat, then eagerly accepts him back, her mother does nothing but criticize her, and then we find out that her bestfriend brokered a life-altering decision for herself behind her back.
What I think is that Marlene needs to surround herself around an entirely new crowd of people, and no, I don't mean her rebound boyfriend, Finn. That nonsense fit he threw towards the end of the book was completely out of character for him.
The book itself was great, hence my 4 star review, but sometimes Marlene's decisions to overlook peoples flaws were a bit too much for me. I just wanted to shake some sense into her. Like, "Get your head out of the cookie dough and open your eyes!"
What a poetic, hot piece of work Luke was...too bad those lines he spews can never make up for leaving his pregnant girlfriend to go be a rock star.
But then again, Marlene ended up taking him back after a four year hiatus and a couple "I'm sorry's."
The story stared off perfectly, there was buildup, frustration and even tears. But with each person Marlene so quickly forgave, the excitement fizzled. First, she allows herself to be Luke's doormat, then eagerly accepts him back, her mother does nothing but criticize her, and then we find out that her bestfriend brokered a life-altering decision for herself behind her back.
What I think is that Marlene needs to surround herself around an entirely new crowd of people, and no, I don't mean her rebound boyfriend, Finn. That nonsense fit he threw towards the end of the book was completely out of character for him.
The book itself was great, hence my 4 star review, but sometimes Marlene's decisions to overlook peoples flaws were a bit too much for me. I just wanted to shake some sense into her. Like, "Get your head out of the cookie dough and open your eyes!"
May 29, 2024
True love is worth the fight even after 4 years of absence.
Logan is called the virgin by his band and people around him, in the 4 years he’s been away from Marlena he’s never banged another, kiss yes for PR but nothing else…. Bass planing rockstar staying clean and free of women? A unicorn in the mix…
HFN, seems like there should be more but I’m good with the ending.
Logan is called the virgin by his band and people around him, in the 4 years he’s been away from Marlena he’s never banged another, kiss yes for PR but nothing else…. Bass planing rockstar staying clean and free of women? A unicorn in the mix…
HFN, seems like there should be more but I’m good with the ending.
February 11, 2014
3.5 Stars
ARC provided by Author for Honest Review
The blurb for this book truly intrigued me. Who doesn’t love a hot rockstar? But then there’s the underlying question, how could he walk away from his pregnant girlfriend and actually redeem himself. I mean is this even possible. Sadly I don’t think I would have forgiven him, but then again this was Marlene’s story and Luke’s confessions were enough for her. I had a love-hate relationship with this story mostly throughout. The low rating mostly comes from my strong dislike of the characters not the writing or minor plot points.
When Luke finally returns a few years have passed. The child he walked out on is no longer a baby but rather a walking, talking toddler who knows nothing about her father. Like any wary mother, Marlene first thought is of her daughter. For years she’s been the sole caregiver, the one who changed diapers, wiped tears and birthed her all alone, even refusing to take any money from Luke for their child. Falling for Luke again can only bring more misery into her life. But of course, you already know what she does. And what bothered me is, she briefly thinks how wrong an idea it would be but within minutes practically changes her decision.
Because of some on-the-road drug mishap Luke has a rude awakening. Was this enough of an excuse for Marlene for his return? Somehow, someway, yes yes it was. He’s always worried about Marlene and never stopped thinking of her. But like a usual weak man, he doesn’t feel good enough for her. But when reality comes knocking he realizes all he’s pushed away and possibly lost for good; the love of a good woman, a daughter who doesn’t know him and essentially the only family that matters.
Overall this definitely fit in the NA genre but I just could not connect with these characters. I disliked Luke from the start and was really hoping he could somehow redeem himself but I hardly feel that. She doesn’t even make him suffer or really work for it and I just don’t accept his sudden turn around after abandoning them to be a rockstar. What was so wrong with bringing her along? Hell, tons of musicians and famous people bring their spouses and children along with them. In a way I feel personally slighted by Luke. I wanted him to behave like a man, and instead I was stuck with his lame excuses and confessions of long lost love. This was a quick and easy read so that helped but if you have a strong dislike for do as they please males than this may not be your cup of tea. The overall story was okay, the supporting characters weren’t all that spectacular, maybe it’s because I just didn’t like Luke and everyone else seemed. I guess I would say read at your own judgment, since I’m hoping the blurb and my ranting review should help you decide.
ARC provided by Author for Honest Review
The blurb for this book truly intrigued me. Who doesn’t love a hot rockstar? But then there’s the underlying question, how could he walk away from his pregnant girlfriend and actually redeem himself. I mean is this even possible. Sadly I don’t think I would have forgiven him, but then again this was Marlene’s story and Luke’s confessions were enough for her. I had a love-hate relationship with this story mostly throughout. The low rating mostly comes from my strong dislike of the characters not the writing or minor plot points.
When Luke finally returns a few years have passed. The child he walked out on is no longer a baby but rather a walking, talking toddler who knows nothing about her father. Like any wary mother, Marlene first thought is of her daughter. For years she’s been the sole caregiver, the one who changed diapers, wiped tears and birthed her all alone, even refusing to take any money from Luke for their child. Falling for Luke again can only bring more misery into her life. But of course, you already know what she does. And what bothered me is, she briefly thinks how wrong an idea it would be but within minutes practically changes her decision.
Because of some on-the-road drug mishap Luke has a rude awakening. Was this enough of an excuse for Marlene for his return? Somehow, someway, yes yes it was. He’s always worried about Marlene and never stopped thinking of her. But like a usual weak man, he doesn’t feel good enough for her. But when reality comes knocking he realizes all he’s pushed away and possibly lost for good; the love of a good woman, a daughter who doesn’t know him and essentially the only family that matters.
Overall this definitely fit in the NA genre but I just could not connect with these characters. I disliked Luke from the start and was really hoping he could somehow redeem himself but I hardly feel that. She doesn’t even make him suffer or really work for it and I just don’t accept his sudden turn around after abandoning them to be a rockstar. What was so wrong with bringing her along? Hell, tons of musicians and famous people bring their spouses and children along with them. In a way I feel personally slighted by Luke. I wanted him to behave like a man, and instead I was stuck with his lame excuses and confessions of long lost love. This was a quick and easy read so that helped but if you have a strong dislike for do as they please males than this may not be your cup of tea. The overall story was okay, the supporting characters weren’t all that spectacular, maybe it’s because I just didn’t like Luke and everyone else seemed. I guess I would say read at your own judgment, since I’m hoping the blurb and my ranting review should help you decide.
June 30, 2014
4 Fabulous stars!
Struggling single Mum Marlene has done the best in life she can for her adorable daughter Nil ever since her father, rockstar Luke Anderson ran away from them a month before Nil arrived. Marlene is devoted to her daughter and has a fantastically supportive family behind her. Life is a struggle but you get the impression that she's doing ok and will do anything to keep her and her daughter happy. She has dreams but these all fell by the wayside when she found herself alone bringing up baby.
Then enters Luke, back in town for the first time in years and with him memories of bad times (as well as the good) that stirs up Marlene's world and threatens to upset the balance of life that she has forged in his absence.
Add to the mix a current boyfriend who is offering her the world on a plate and a life away with aspirations of making her dreams come true and you get great story!
First of I think my favourite characters in the book is the sweet little Nil and also Grandma and Ted! Hilarious but the old bird is full of wisdom for Marlene and her story within this book is actually pretty sweet too! Luke and Marlene have a chemistry which shows in the story and the ease in which they fall back into their old roles is quite endearing too. I love the perspective of this story and initial feeling is that this is promising to be another story about a rocker and his life but there is refreshingly little insight into the rockstar life but a huge contrast in that we get to see just his personal life and his attempts at winning back his family.
I was also surprised by the twist in the story that explained a lot into Luke's disappearance and although at one point I was pretty angry when he explains to Marlene why he never made contact for all of the years he has been assent, my heart utterly melted too. It is a case of don't take things at face value. I also, much as I wanted to, couldn't blame him too much for the length of time he was away but you are still left wondering just why he left in the first place.
After Luke's revelation, you can understand why Marlene makes her decision as she does and I can honestly say it is a really sweet story although I do feel the ending could have been slightly more rounded and not quite as abrupt. I am also left still wondering why Luke left n the first place as this isn't too obvious either. I laughed, felt sad and was left feeling mostly satisfied at how things panned out. It is undeniably a great debut from nicole and I will be waiting for more from her! Definitely worth reading!
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