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FireNine #3
Who I Am
*Recommended for ages 18+ due to strong sexual content and mild violence.*
Some stories aren’t easy to tell.
Some situations aren’t easy to relive.
But I was raised to be strong—to hold my own. Because of it, I was hurt, torn down, beaten and even had my heart snatched right out of my chest.
But I’m ready now. It’s time for me to speak up. You want to know what really goes on inside my head, well I’m right here.
Real. Raw. Intense.
This is all me. Roy Sykes. This is my story, and trust me… its far from pretty.
*This is the third book of the FireNine series but it can be read as a standalone.*
Some stories aren’t easy to tell.
Some situations aren’t easy to relive.
But I was raised to be strong—to hold my own. Because of it, I was hurt, torn down, beaten and even had my heart snatched right out of my chest.
But I’m ready now. It’s time for me to speak up. You want to know what really goes on inside my head, well I’m right here.
Real. Raw. Intense.
This is all me. Roy Sykes. This is my story, and trust me… its far from pretty.
*This is the third book of the FireNine series but it can be read as a standalone.*
238 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 27, 2014
63 people are currently reading
1832 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
January 11, 2014
Release Date: January 28th, 2014
"As I sit myself up on my elbows and look into her glistening eyes, I know she feels it, too…
This love. This undeniable, insatiable love."
"As I sit myself up on my elbows and look into her glistening eyes, I know she feels it, too…
This love. This undeniable, insatiable love."
January 30, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. I liked how Williams set the book eight years ago to give us a look into Roy's past. We got to see the early days of FireNine and how it all began. Roy was struggling to help get the band noticed all while taking care of his sick mother and working an illegal job to make ends meet. While practicing in the garage one day he meets Rosemarie while she jogs by. The next year is a whirlwind juggling the band, his mother, and his relationship with Rose. And eventually the band blows up but everything else falls apart. The scene with his mother around 54% killed me!
Then we come to present day when the band is famous and Roy is extremely in love with Kelsey. He is finally happy. But the past comes back to affect his present. Roy makes some stupid mistakes but his love for Kelsey is clear. I thought Roy was a great guy, his 19 year old self was so sweet! I'm glad there's going to be a novella continuing their story because it did feel a little unfinished, but it was great getting to know the mysterious Roy Sykes. Looking forward to Montana's story!
Then we come to present day when the band is famous and Roy is extremely in love with Kelsey. He is finally happy. But the past comes back to affect his present. Roy makes some stupid mistakes but his love for Kelsey is clear. I thought Roy was a great guy, his 19 year old self was so sweet! I'm glad there's going to be a novella continuing their story because it did feel a little unfinished, but it was great getting to know the mysterious Roy Sykes. Looking forward to Montana's story!
August 30, 2017
Roy, loved him more then Gage! Sorry Gage but Roy is just yum...yum...! Although there either needs to be a second book, or a novella dealing with Roy's ex-gf and how Kelsey handles it because to me that situation wasn't resolved. Kelsey she has lady balls she has an issue the woman lets you know, "yes, Roy. Earlier," I snap. "I..saw you. I saw you meet up with her. I saw her hug you. I saw you smiling. You were.. happy to see her, were you not?" Roy he has some jealous issues when it comes to Kelsey, "you lay a finger on her, and I'll break that s*** off!" I seethe, stomping toward him." Kelsey knows how to treat her man, "poking her tongue out, she drags it down savoring every inch until she reaches my balls. Oh, eff. My balls. I'm not read for - It's too effing late. She's already sucking on them, and I'm groaning while fisting her hair. She sucks them gently, and my mouth falls open, wanting more. So much more. "Eff, Kelsey," I groan." I'm really looking forward to Montana's book I really am.
January 30, 2014
I really liked the first two books in this series, but this third installment left me disappointed. The first half of the book was a flashback to understand where Roy came from and why he is so guarded. I thought this section was entirely too long and I was bored. The character Rocky was bizarre, and I didn't buy how Corey and crew were dealt with. I couldn't feel the connection with Roy and Kelsey because a majority of the book wasn't about them. I didn't get Roy's actions with Rosemarie. The whole book just didn't feel right for me.
January 24, 2014
I was given a ARC for my honest opinion.
Roy's story I was looking forward to the most. I wanted to know why he was so quiet, reserved, held back and had a chip on his shoulder. Well, we learn why in this book. He does not hold back and we learn all about his mother, the band before it hit it big, Rose, Corey and all the things he had to do to make a living. It wasn't pleasant and your heart goes out to Roy and everything he went through and was put through. My heart broke for him. Rose was a complete b**** and did not deserve Roy. No wonder he is so guarded. But he treated her like a queen and he treats Kelsey like a queen. Until Rose comes back into the picture. Has Roy moved on from 8 years ago? does he and Kelsey have a shot at love and happiness? can Roy move on and let his past go? you will have to read to find out. Let me just say, it was pretty awesome and we learn all about Roy, get the boys also and Montana is his usual witty and hilarious self. Shanora did not disappoint. A must read for sure :-)
"You're my final love. You're my world now."
"I love you, Kelsey Prior. We'll be okay again."
"I told you, you're my world now. And if you're my world, that means I need you like air. I need you like water. I need you more than I need anything else... more than music. That's a whole lot of needing."
Roy's story I was looking forward to the most. I wanted to know why he was so quiet, reserved, held back and had a chip on his shoulder. Well, we learn why in this book. He does not hold back and we learn all about his mother, the band before it hit it big, Rose, Corey and all the things he had to do to make a living. It wasn't pleasant and your heart goes out to Roy and everything he went through and was put through. My heart broke for him. Rose was a complete b**** and did not deserve Roy. No wonder he is so guarded. But he treated her like a queen and he treats Kelsey like a queen. Until Rose comes back into the picture. Has Roy moved on from 8 years ago? does he and Kelsey have a shot at love and happiness? can Roy move on and let his past go? you will have to read to find out. Let me just say, it was pretty awesome and we learn all about Roy, get the boys also and Montana is his usual witty and hilarious self. Shanora did not disappoint. A must read for sure :-)
"You're my final love. You're my world now."
"I love you, Kelsey Prior. We'll be okay again."
"I told you, you're my world now. And if you're my world, that means I need you like air. I need you like water. I need you more than I need anything else... more than music. That's a whole lot of needing."
August 28, 2014
Ooh Roy .. come out come out wherever you are!! I can't wait for this book!!
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DONT READ UNLESS YOU'VE READ THIS BOOK!!
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ok so let me start out first by saying that I have been waiting for Roy Sykes since Who He Is .. from the very beginning he was interesting to me but I really fell for him in Who We Are .. soo I was ubber excited that his book was next ..♡ Now from the very beginning I did not like Rose at all .. & I didn't like her even more when the whole Tommy situation exploded & Roy took her back & bless his heart he had his sick mom to take care of!!
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I loved Roy & Kelseys part of the story but I hated when they fought ..): stinkin Rose just had to walk back into his life ): .. but im glad they are gonna have a little novella because their side of the story just wasnt long enough for me!!
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Roy Sykes is by far my favorite FireNine member!!
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DONT READ UNLESS YOU'VE READ THIS BOOK!!
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ok so let me start out first by saying that I have been waiting for Roy Sykes since Who He Is .. from the very beginning he was interesting to me but I really fell for him in Who We Are .. soo I was ubber excited that his book was next ..♡ Now from the very beginning I did not like Rose at all .. & I didn't like her even more when the whole Tommy situation exploded & Roy took her back & bless his heart he had his sick mom to take care of!!
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I loved Roy & Kelseys part of the story but I hated when they fought ..): stinkin Rose just had to walk back into his life ): .. but im glad they are gonna have a little novella because their side of the story just wasnt long enough for me!!
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Roy Sykes is by far my favorite FireNine member!!
January 15, 2014
I was given a ARC for my honest opinion.
WTG Shanora!!! Another awesome book!!!
Roy's story....For those of us who were wondering about Roy's past .... all is revealed in this book He does not hold back and we learn all about his mother, the band before it hit big-time, Rose (his first love) Corey and all the things he had to do to make his mom comfortable. It wasn't pleasant and your heart goes out to Roy and everything he went through and was put through. My heart broke for him. Rose was a selfish manipulating bit@h who did not deserve Roy. No wonder he is so guarded. But he treated her like a queen and he treats Kelsey like a queen. Until Rose comes back into the picture. Has Roy moved on from his original broken heart... Can he let Rose go again & have a great life with Kelsey? Read for the answers !!! I would love to see the stories of the rest of the band with one last book containing anything that has been left "unsaid" in the previous ones...
WTG Shanora!!! Another awesome book!!!
Roy's story....For those of us who were wondering about Roy's past .... all is revealed in this book He does not hold back and we learn all about his mother, the band before it hit big-time, Rose (his first love) Corey and all the things he had to do to make his mom comfortable. It wasn't pleasant and your heart goes out to Roy and everything he went through and was put through. My heart broke for him. Rose was a selfish manipulating bit@h who did not deserve Roy. No wonder he is so guarded. But he treated her like a queen and he treats Kelsey like a queen. Until Rose comes back into the picture. Has Roy moved on from his original broken heart... Can he let Rose go again & have a great life with Kelsey? Read for the answers !!! I would love to see the stories of the rest of the band with one last book containing anything that has been left "unsaid" in the previous ones...
March 6, 2021
My rating: 2 1/2 stars.
What I liked: I really liked Kelsey(h) when she confronted Roy(H). I just wished she would have made him work harder to earn her back.
What I didn’t like: I didn’t like Rosemarie(h) and how Roy lied to Kelsey at first. He really was an idiot and should have listened to his girlfriend when she asked him not to go to Rosemarie’s cousin. I also needed more. Plus, didn’t like Kelsey’s friend Eliza advice. It just rubbed me the wrong way.
How hot was it: 3 out 5
Triggers: Ex comes back and causes problems with the H and h (the ex does kiss the H)
Final thoughts: I think I should have done a reread of the first two because this book didn’t work for me (I read the first two book when they first came out so it’s been awhile). I do believe that there might be an extra book to close up the loose ends with Roy so maybe it will help me like the book better because this book had way to much of the past and not of them now or in the future for me.
What I liked: I really liked Kelsey(h) when she confronted Roy(H). I just wished she would have made him work harder to earn her back.
What I didn’t like: I didn’t like Rosemarie(h) and how Roy lied to Kelsey at first. He really was an idiot and should have listened to his girlfriend when she asked him not to go to Rosemarie’s cousin. I also needed more. Plus, didn’t like Kelsey’s friend Eliza advice. It just rubbed me the wrong way.
How hot was it: 3 out 5
Triggers: Ex comes back and causes problems with the H and h (the ex does kiss the H)
Final thoughts: I think I should have done a reread of the first two because this book didn’t work for me (I read the first two book when they first came out so it’s been awhile). I do believe that there might be an extra book to close up the loose ends with Roy so maybe it will help me like the book better because this book had way to much of the past and not of them now or in the future for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2016
Wow! I was lucky enough to have received an ARC of this book. I finished it one day! I love this series!!! There is so much emotion and pain behind Roy, and I was glad to find out why he is so quiet and keeps to himself. Shanora is such an amazing writer and love all the details she gives in her writing. I always feel really connected to her characters. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because I would have liked to know more about how Roy and Kelsey first got together (besides what little we were given in Gage's story). Shanora is autobuy for me and I will continue to read any book she writes!
February 8, 2014
I luv this series an was dyin 2 read this book an I was so not disappointed I liked Roy from the first 2 books but didn't really get 2 know much about him so this book was brilliant we found out everything he went through an god he went through so much between rose an his mum Roy is just so carin an would do anything 4 anyone I just luvd him after read this an I luv what him an Kelsey had they r just amazin 2gether I dyin 2 read more from this series xxx
January 28, 2014
**TARA & SHANYN'S REVIEW**
Roy Sykes is a broken man. Before his band made it big as FireNine, Roy’s life was spiraling downhill. This is Roy’s story as told by him during an interview for a magazine article about his life. The first 57% of the book is a flashback to Roy’s life 8 years ago, and how the decisions he has made, and things he has done made him the man he is.
“I think...that was the hardest shit I’ve ever been through-and I’ve been through a lot of shit.”
After meeting and falling for a mob bosses daughter, Roy allows himself to finally open up to the one the girl who has stolen his heart. When everything around him seems to be closing in on him, Roy depends on Rose to be his light at the end of the tunnel. Through the course of a year, Roy struggles through ups and downs with Rose, until finally all of his dreams seem to be finally coming true. Suddenly his world comes crashing down again around him leaving him heartbroken.
T: I loved Roy in the first two books in the FireNine series, so I was super excited to learn Roy’s back story. I was intrigued by what was going on in his head and the way he was. While I did enjoy learning Roy’s back story, I felt that it ran a little flat for me, and was drawn out a little longer then I would have liked.
S: I agree Tara. I couldn’t wait for Roy’s book to be released. I wanted to know what made him who he is. But, I too felt it was drawn out too far. I kept finding myself asking “When will we get to the present”? I am so glad I know more about him, but it could have been done within 30% of the book.
“A huge part of me died after my encounter with Rose and mom’s death.”
FireNine is reaching the peak of success, Roy has moved on from his past, and Kelsey enters his life just when he needed her the most. At 57%, we come back to present day and pick up with Roy’s life.
“I wanted to dig deeper because, in some sort of way, what I saw in her eyes had also been hidden behind mine.”
T: I absolutely love Kelsey…I can totally relate to the passion Roy has for her. Their instant connection in Who We Are had me cheering for their relationship. I knew from the start she was going to be the one to break Roy, and show him what true love was all about.
S: Kelsey and Roy make me so happy together! She knows how to relate to Roy, and had me believing she could be the one person to change his life. She would open his heart. I just hoped he would let her.
Things are going great for Roy and Kelsey until Rose re-emerges in his life and things start to unravel. Roy finds his emotions are torn between past and present, the love he shares with Kelsey, and the love he once knew with Rose.
*Will Roy let Rose come between him and Kelsey?
*Are the memories of his first love too hard to let go of?
*Will his past come back and ruin the life he has created for himself?
*Will Roy find his Happily Ever After?
These are just some of the questions you will be asking yourself as you read through the second half of the book. While they will all be answered, you may find yourself surprised at how it all plays out. During a brief time, you will want to slap Roy and ask him “why Roy why?”
“It was because of you that I believed in love again.”
S & T: We were both expecting an angsty, drawn out, twist and turn time here. It felt so rushed and predictable. We would have loved to see a confrontation between Kelsey and Rose, and to see Roy prove himself to his one true love.
“This right here, this angelic girl lying beside me and the boys I’ve grown up with, are all I have in this world now.”
Overall we really enjoyed reading Who I Am. We both agree it is a 4 Star read. To get the full experience and fully understand Roy, you should read Who He Is and Who We Are, which btw are both AMAZING!!! Although, Who I Am, only briefly touches on the past characters from the first 2 books in the series, it is important to have a glimpse into Roy’s actions in those books to understand him completely.
“I love Roy Sykes with my whole heart. I love him more than I’ve loved anyone else. Our love...it’s infinite.”
*An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review*
Roy Sykes is a broken man. Before his band made it big as FireNine, Roy’s life was spiraling downhill. This is Roy’s story as told by him during an interview for a magazine article about his life. The first 57% of the book is a flashback to Roy’s life 8 years ago, and how the decisions he has made, and things he has done made him the man he is.
“I think...that was the hardest shit I’ve ever been through-and I’ve been through a lot of shit.”
After meeting and falling for a mob bosses daughter, Roy allows himself to finally open up to the one the girl who has stolen his heart. When everything around him seems to be closing in on him, Roy depends on Rose to be his light at the end of the tunnel. Through the course of a year, Roy struggles through ups and downs with Rose, until finally all of his dreams seem to be finally coming true. Suddenly his world comes crashing down again around him leaving him heartbroken.
T: I loved Roy in the first two books in the FireNine series, so I was super excited to learn Roy’s back story. I was intrigued by what was going on in his head and the way he was. While I did enjoy learning Roy’s back story, I felt that it ran a little flat for me, and was drawn out a little longer then I would have liked.
S: I agree Tara. I couldn’t wait for Roy’s book to be released. I wanted to know what made him who he is. But, I too felt it was drawn out too far. I kept finding myself asking “When will we get to the present”? I am so glad I know more about him, but it could have been done within 30% of the book.
“A huge part of me died after my encounter with Rose and mom’s death.”
FireNine is reaching the peak of success, Roy has moved on from his past, and Kelsey enters his life just when he needed her the most. At 57%, we come back to present day and pick up with Roy’s life.
“I wanted to dig deeper because, in some sort of way, what I saw in her eyes had also been hidden behind mine.”
T: I absolutely love Kelsey…I can totally relate to the passion Roy has for her. Their instant connection in Who We Are had me cheering for their relationship. I knew from the start she was going to be the one to break Roy, and show him what true love was all about.
S: Kelsey and Roy make me so happy together! She knows how to relate to Roy, and had me believing she could be the one person to change his life. She would open his heart. I just hoped he would let her.
Things are going great for Roy and Kelsey until Rose re-emerges in his life and things start to unravel. Roy finds his emotions are torn between past and present, the love he shares with Kelsey, and the love he once knew with Rose.
*Will Roy let Rose come between him and Kelsey?
*Are the memories of his first love too hard to let go of?
*Will his past come back and ruin the life he has created for himself?
*Will Roy find his Happily Ever After?
These are just some of the questions you will be asking yourself as you read through the second half of the book. While they will all be answered, you may find yourself surprised at how it all plays out. During a brief time, you will want to slap Roy and ask him “why Roy why?”
“It was because of you that I believed in love again.”
S & T: We were both expecting an angsty, drawn out, twist and turn time here. It felt so rushed and predictable. We would have loved to see a confrontation between Kelsey and Rose, and to see Roy prove himself to his one true love.
“This right here, this angelic girl lying beside me and the boys I’ve grown up with, are all I have in this world now.”
Overall we really enjoyed reading Who I Am. We both agree it is a 4 Star read. To get the full experience and fully understand Roy, you should read Who He Is and Who We Are, which btw are both AMAZING!!! Although, Who I Am, only briefly touches on the past characters from the first 2 books in the series, it is important to have a glimpse into Roy’s actions in those books to understand him completely.
“I love Roy Sykes with my whole heart. I love him more than I’ve loved anyone else. Our love...it’s infinite.”
*An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review*
September 2, 2023
3 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 28, 2014
Who I Am is the third book in the FireNine Series. The book’s focus is the band’s mysterious guitarist Roy Sykes. We don’t hear much from Roy or learn much about him in the first two books of the series (Who He Is and Who We Are) … Roy’s focus is his music – not the partying, not the groupies. There are hints made at a painful past that has made him the way he is. Who I Am is Roy’s story.
Who I Am can almost be divided into two different books … the past and the present. Roy is doing an interview, opening up to his fans about his past. The first half of Who I Am is just that …. Roy telling his story. He looks back eight years to when FireNine is a struggling local band, hoping to make it big one day. Roy is living with his mom, who is battling a terminal illness. He loves and adores his mother and he will do just about anything to take care of her and help make ends meet. And by anything I mean working for a local drug dealing thug who does horrible things to Roy throughout the story.
And then he meets Rosemarie. Roy has no idea she’s a mob boss’ daughter until he makes a delivery to her house. Even though it should, it doesn’t stop him from falling for her. She’s sweet and beautiful and seems to be crazy about Roy.
I was getting myself into something new.
Something different.
Something dangerous.
But at this moment, as I held her in my embrace and she held me back, I knew what I’d gotten myself into would be worth it…
Oh Roy …. If only you knew just how wrong you are! Their relationship seems too good to be true and, well, it is. Rosemarie is just a major bitch and breaks Roy’s heart … just when he needs her the most.
I just… sat there and blended in with the darkness, wondering how the hell I was going to get myself out of this one. This was my heart. This was me. And she fucked it all up. She… destroyed me.
After reading the first half of Who I Am, I felt such a connection to Roy. My heart broke for him, all that he endured and went through, especially with his mom.
Roy meets Kelsey in Who We Are and something comes alive in him that had been dead for a long, long time.
I never thought I’d see that part of me again – the part where I was alive, energetic… happy …. But I was wrong. Kelsey Prior showed up, and she took over every single part of me.
Kelsey is sweet and beautiful and she genuinely loves Roy …. not the musician or the fame but him. She gets him, she sees into his soul. And as much as I adore Roy, I was so mad at him when he screwed it all up. After his interview aired, someone decided to crawl out from under the rock she’d been hiding under for eight years. Yes, Rosemarie returns and Roy, despite his best intentions, makes a series of bad choices and leaves Kelsey with no choice but to kick him to the curb.
Where is Roy’s heart though? Is it in the past with Rosemarie or with Kelsey?
I know I lied to you and I promised you I never would, but if you think for a second that I won’t fight my hardest to win you back and make you mine all over again, you’re wrong.
Who’s trying to win who back? Has Rosemarie really changed? Can Roy leave his past where it belongs or does first love run too deep to walk away from it when it returns?
In the end, Roy gets the girl but I'm not saying which one!
I can’t get enough. I love her. I’m in complete love with her. I’ll never let something this good to me go. Not again. Not ever.
She is the love of my life.
She is my hope and faith.
She is my motivation.
She is my diary.
She is my world.
She is the joy I never thought I could have again.
She is my restoration.
She is who I am.
Who I Am can almost be divided into two different books … the past and the present. Roy is doing an interview, opening up to his fans about his past. The first half of Who I Am is just that …. Roy telling his story. He looks back eight years to when FireNine is a struggling local band, hoping to make it big one day. Roy is living with his mom, who is battling a terminal illness. He loves and adores his mother and he will do just about anything to take care of her and help make ends meet. And by anything I mean working for a local drug dealing thug who does horrible things to Roy throughout the story.
And then he meets Rosemarie. Roy has no idea she’s a mob boss’ daughter until he makes a delivery to her house. Even though it should, it doesn’t stop him from falling for her. She’s sweet and beautiful and seems to be crazy about Roy.
I was getting myself into something new.
Something different.
Something dangerous.
But at this moment, as I held her in my embrace and she held me back, I knew what I’d gotten myself into would be worth it…
Oh Roy …. If only you knew just how wrong you are! Their relationship seems too good to be true and, well, it is. Rosemarie is just a major bitch and breaks Roy’s heart … just when he needs her the most.
I just… sat there and blended in with the darkness, wondering how the hell I was going to get myself out of this one. This was my heart. This was me. And she fucked it all up. She… destroyed me.
After reading the first half of Who I Am, I felt such a connection to Roy. My heart broke for him, all that he endured and went through, especially with his mom.
Roy meets Kelsey in Who We Are and something comes alive in him that had been dead for a long, long time.
I never thought I’d see that part of me again – the part where I was alive, energetic… happy …. But I was wrong. Kelsey Prior showed up, and she took over every single part of me.
Kelsey is sweet and beautiful and she genuinely loves Roy …. not the musician or the fame but him. She gets him, she sees into his soul. And as much as I adore Roy, I was so mad at him when he screwed it all up. After his interview aired, someone decided to crawl out from under the rock she’d been hiding under for eight years. Yes, Rosemarie returns and Roy, despite his best intentions, makes a series of bad choices and leaves Kelsey with no choice but to kick him to the curb.
Where is Roy’s heart though? Is it in the past with Rosemarie or with Kelsey?
I know I lied to you and I promised you I never would, but if you think for a second that I won’t fight my hardest to win you back and make you mine all over again, you’re wrong.
Who’s trying to win who back? Has Rosemarie really changed? Can Roy leave his past where it belongs or does first love run too deep to walk away from it when it returns?
In the end, Roy gets the girl but I'm not saying which one!
I can’t get enough. I love her. I’m in complete love with her. I’ll never let something this good to me go. Not again. Not ever.
She is the love of my life.
She is my hope and faith.
She is my motivation.
She is my diary.
She is my world.
She is the joy I never thought I could have again.
She is my restoration.
She is who I am.
January 27, 2014
She is the love of my life.
She is my hope and faith.
She is my motivation.
She is my diary.
She is my world.
She is the joy I never thought I could have again.
She is my restoration.
She is who I am.
SQ Williams hit it (haha, get it, cause it’s about a band…) with Who I Am, the third novel in the FireNine series. This novel tells us about Roy Sykes, and who he really is. In the first two novels, Who He Is and Who We Are, we get a little background on the quiet guitar player, but not enough that we are satisfied.
Roy Sykes is the lead guitarist in the popular rock band, FireNine. Him and three other guys started out as a local band, finally getting their shot at fame. Women have never been hard for them to get, but sometimes, there’s just that one that gets to you…
While Roy is sitting on a park bench, mindlessly strumming his guitar, a woman happens upon him. Rosemarie Beretta, a woman who will change his life forever.
She was stunning. Gorgeous. Every word in the fucking book that related to beautiful.
When Rose hurts him deeply, he lets himself hurt, but decides that her excuses are genuine, and that she really does love him.
I got so caught up with her that I didn’t even see the darkness at the end of our tunnel. She was my everything, but sometimes we weren’t everything the other wanted. Sometimes we weren’t enough.
After being hurt even deeper than the first time, Roy takes off. His mission is to forget her. And now the band has a contract, and he’s traveling the country.
When back in New York, he meets Kelsey Prior. They start a relationship together and everything is happy and good, until Rosemarie shows up.
I have always been a fan of this series, since the beginning. I love the boys of FireNine. I was always super curious about Roy, since he was always quiet and standoffish. We get to travel into the past and hear about Roy’s struggle. It’s deep, and SQ does a wonderful job of conveying that emotion.
Roy’s story is heartbreaking. He’s been through the wringer. SQ Williams does a fantastic job of letting the reader experience what he’s feeling too. I love that about her writing.
I love that the story isn’t all Roy. There is a little bit of Gage and Eliza, Montana, and Deed. I wish there was a bit more, though. I understand why they didn’t play a bigger role in this novel; it’s Roy’s time to shine.
I felt that Roy got his chance in the spotlight. The story line was never rushed, nor was it too drawn out. It was absolutely perfect. I got to know Roy and Kelsey as well, as some of the chapters were written in her point of view. It’s fun getting to know both characters and how they really feel, rather than being in one’s point of view, and only hearing the other’s feelings when they speak.
This story was fantastic! I was not disappointed. I really hope Montana’s story is next… I love me some Delray. Five stars for the fabulous and fierce, SQ Williams. You go, girl!
She is my hope and faith.
She is my motivation.
She is my diary.
She is my world.
She is the joy I never thought I could have again.
She is my restoration.
She is who I am.
SQ Williams hit it (haha, get it, cause it’s about a band…) with Who I Am, the third novel in the FireNine series. This novel tells us about Roy Sykes, and who he really is. In the first two novels, Who He Is and Who We Are, we get a little background on the quiet guitar player, but not enough that we are satisfied.
Roy Sykes is the lead guitarist in the popular rock band, FireNine. Him and three other guys started out as a local band, finally getting their shot at fame. Women have never been hard for them to get, but sometimes, there’s just that one that gets to you…
While Roy is sitting on a park bench, mindlessly strumming his guitar, a woman happens upon him. Rosemarie Beretta, a woman who will change his life forever.
She was stunning. Gorgeous. Every word in the fucking book that related to beautiful.
When Rose hurts him deeply, he lets himself hurt, but decides that her excuses are genuine, and that she really does love him.
I got so caught up with her that I didn’t even see the darkness at the end of our tunnel. She was my everything, but sometimes we weren’t everything the other wanted. Sometimes we weren’t enough.
After being hurt even deeper than the first time, Roy takes off. His mission is to forget her. And now the band has a contract, and he’s traveling the country.
When back in New York, he meets Kelsey Prior. They start a relationship together and everything is happy and good, until Rosemarie shows up.
I have always been a fan of this series, since the beginning. I love the boys of FireNine. I was always super curious about Roy, since he was always quiet and standoffish. We get to travel into the past and hear about Roy’s struggle. It’s deep, and SQ does a wonderful job of conveying that emotion.
Roy’s story is heartbreaking. He’s been through the wringer. SQ Williams does a fantastic job of letting the reader experience what he’s feeling too. I love that about her writing.
I love that the story isn’t all Roy. There is a little bit of Gage and Eliza, Montana, and Deed. I wish there was a bit more, though. I understand why they didn’t play a bigger role in this novel; it’s Roy’s time to shine.
I felt that Roy got his chance in the spotlight. The story line was never rushed, nor was it too drawn out. It was absolutely perfect. I got to know Roy and Kelsey as well, as some of the chapters were written in her point of view. It’s fun getting to know both characters and how they really feel, rather than being in one’s point of view, and only hearing the other’s feelings when they speak.
This story was fantastic! I was not disappointed. I really hope Montana’s story is next… I love me some Delray. Five stars for the fabulous and fierce, SQ Williams. You go, girl!
January 30, 2014
Wow wow wow! I just finished Roy's story and it is everything I hoped for and more. The first books really didn't go into him very much. He was always the quiet one brooding alone in the corner. Never really talking much except for the occasional one word. You knew he cared about his band brothers and you just felt that something had broken him inside but in this book you find out all that truly happened to make him the way he is.
I personally love Roy. Montana will always be my favorite but there was just something about Roy that made me fall in love with him. I think it's the fixer in me. I would of loved to know him and just hug him. Listen to his story and be there for him. That's why I loved Kelsey. She did just that. She understood Roy because she had been through the same crushing heartbreak as him. She knew what it was like to be in love and have that person shatter you in a million pieces. It's a life changer but with Roy it was different. They found solace in each other. Each giving as much as the other.
This is truly my favorite of this series so far. Shanora told Roy's story so well. He is a lover and a fighter and he proved it over again. Yeah he screwed up but who doesn't. I'm totally satisfied with this story. No questions left unanswered no regret.. This is truly one to read if you love the FireNine boys.. I can't wait for they next..
I personally love Roy. Montana will always be my favorite but there was just something about Roy that made me fall in love with him. I think it's the fixer in me. I would of loved to know him and just hug him. Listen to his story and be there for him. That's why I loved Kelsey. She did just that. She understood Roy because she had been through the same crushing heartbreak as him. She knew what it was like to be in love and have that person shatter you in a million pieces. It's a life changer but with Roy it was different. They found solace in each other. Each giving as much as the other.
This is truly my favorite of this series so far. Shanora told Roy's story so well. He is a lover and a fighter and he proved it over again. Yeah he screwed up but who doesn't. I'm totally satisfied with this story. No questions left unanswered no regret.. This is truly one to read if you love the FireNine boys.. I can't wait for they next..
January 25, 2014
This is the 3rd book in the FireNine Series.
We finally get the history of the quiet lead guitarist….. Roy Skyes.
Roy’s story will rip your heart up and slowly mend it again.
This book picks up where Who We Are finishes…. Roy has opened up to Kelsey and with her support decides to an exclusive interview…. He wants to give his fan more….
We are taken back eight years to before the band got big and nothing is held back…… we get every deep dark secret Roy has….. We see first-hand how hard life was for him.
I don’t want to give away any spoilers but you will finally understand Roy’s quiet reserved demeanour as you learn about his heartbreak with Rose, the lows he had to go to, to ensure a roof stayed over his and his sick mother heads……
This story takes you on Roy’s painful journey and you will be sucked in and fall in love with Roy….. I laughed, I cried and I cried some more.
Following the heart-breaking raw truth interview…. Roy and Kelsey’s love and relationship is rocked….. Has old wounds are re-opened and forgotten memories are bought back to Roy….
Can he stay away from his past and realise how good he’s now got it???
Will Kelsey forgive his error in judgement???
This book is for sure a page turner…. It sucks you back in to the world of FireNine!
I adored this book and fall in love with Roy.
This is a must read for all.
We finally get the history of the quiet lead guitarist….. Roy Skyes.
Roy’s story will rip your heart up and slowly mend it again.
This book picks up where Who We Are finishes…. Roy has opened up to Kelsey and with her support decides to an exclusive interview…. He wants to give his fan more….
We are taken back eight years to before the band got big and nothing is held back…… we get every deep dark secret Roy has….. We see first-hand how hard life was for him.
I don’t want to give away any spoilers but you will finally understand Roy’s quiet reserved demeanour as you learn about his heartbreak with Rose, the lows he had to go to, to ensure a roof stayed over his and his sick mother heads……
This story takes you on Roy’s painful journey and you will be sucked in and fall in love with Roy….. I laughed, I cried and I cried some more.
Following the heart-breaking raw truth interview…. Roy and Kelsey’s love and relationship is rocked….. Has old wounds are re-opened and forgotten memories are bought back to Roy….
Can he stay away from his past and realise how good he’s now got it???
Will Kelsey forgive his error in judgement???
This book is for sure a page turner…. It sucks you back in to the world of FireNine!
I adored this book and fall in love with Roy.
This is a must read for all.
February 5, 2014
I was really excited when I read that Roy's story would be out. I knew he had secrets. But this was ugly. At about 45% through, I wasn't even sure I wanted to keep reading. The first half of the book is his life's story just before the band gets discovered. I guess it was hard reading because of the dark issues; but also because it felt like there wasn't very much storyline involving the band. I felt like the story did pick back up a little when it skipped forward to a 'present' day timeline. It still seemed like too much of the story was about his past and more needed to be spent on his current relationship. Though apparently he has a strong current relationship, I didn't 'feel' it as strongly. They were pretty much either fighting or having sex. Which, for me as the reader, doesn't necessarily establish a strong 'your the only one for me' type of relationship they were supposed to have. Maybe my expectations were too high. Maybe this is exactly how the author wanted to portray Roy. In the end, I didn't LOVE the story and I didn't LOVE Roy, like I was hoping to. So for me it was an okay, 3 star read.
January 17, 2014
Oh, Roy. Where the hell did you come from?
I cried, I laughed, I cried... I cried some more.
Roy Sykes is going to rips your heart out and slowly mend it, piece by tiny little piece.
An absolute must read!
I cried, I laughed, I cried... I cried some more.
Roy Sykes is going to rips your heart out and slowly mend it, piece by tiny little piece.
An absolute must read!
January 12, 2014
Review to come on release day :)
Just so you know, if you wanted to know Roy, this book is perfect
Just so you know, if you wanted to know Roy, this book is perfect
January 13, 2014
Arc received from Author.. Review to come. I absolutely Love Roy Sykes!! Shanora! You are truly gifted woman!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
January 29, 2014
This is a Twosome Tuesday review. See reviews from both Heather and Selene below!
Heather's Review:
4.5 "She's who I am" smooches!
Who I am is book three of the Fire Nine Series and Roy Sykes book. It is a book that has become close to my heart. I had the privilege of beta reading for Shanora and what an experience it has been. When I read the first draft it was good… but there were things that didn’t work for me and when I gave her my feedback, Shanora took it all to heart and completely revamped her book. I read it again and it was SO much better. I would have given that version 4 stars. Then Shanora made some more changes on her own and sent us the final version and WOW! Shanora has put SO much work into this book and it shows. I am so proud of the finished product and so proud of her! 4.5 SMOOCHES!!!
Roy had an air of mystery surrounding him throughout the first 2 books. I honestly did not like him at all. He was very stand-offish and rude. In Who I am, we find out why Roy is so different. His life has not been easy. He has a very troubled home-life and has had to take care of himself and his mother for a very long time. Apart from the band and his mom… Roy has nothing but problems.
The book begins with Roy’s past. It goes over all of his troubles but mostly focuses on his relationship with Rose. At the time she appears to be exactly what he needs in his life. She is there for him when he desperately needed someone. They both have different issues and find escape in each other. But, things aren’t all that they seem and she hurts Roy badly. Their relationship has a lot of ups and downs and in the end he is left bitter and broken-hearted.
Jump ahead to the present. After years of loneliness, Roy has finally opened his heart to Kelsey. They are HOT together. *fans self* She is getting him to face his past and to open up to people. While they haven’t been together all that long, they appear to be perfect for each other. And just when things seem to be going right for Roy…
His past comes storming back into his life in the form of Rose… Hello past… meet present. What do you do when the girl you thought was the love of your life comes waltzing back after years of wondering what could have been? Why, you screw everything up of course!
Oh Roy! Things become a mess. Roy has to sort his feelings and figure out where his heart truly belongs. Does he go back to his once great love or move forward with this new relationship and see where that road leads?
Get ready for an emotionally charged read. Who I Am deals with some serious issues and lots of heartache and heartbreak. It is not light. It is deep and heartfelt and another great read by Ms. Shanora Williams!
.................................................................
Selene's Review
4 "Roy Sykes I *heart* You" Smooches
Who I Am is the third book in the FireNine Series. The book’s focus is the band’s mysterious guitarist Roy Sykes. We don’t hear much from Roy or learn much about him in the first two books of the series (Who He Is and Who We Are) … Roy’s focus is his music – not the partying, not the groupies. There are hints made at a painful past that has made him the way he is. Who I Am is Roy’s story.
Who I Am can almost be divided into two different books … the past and the present. Roy is doing an interview, opening up to his fans about his past. The first half of Who I Am is just that …. Roy telling his story. He looks back eight years to when FireNine is a struggling local band, hoping to make it big one day. Roy is living with his mom, who is battling a terminal illness. He loves and adores his mother and he will do just about anything to take care of her and help make ends meet. And by anything I mean working for a local drug dealing thug who does horrible things to Roy throughout the story.
And then he meets Rosemarie. Roy has no idea she’s a mob boss’ daughter until he makes a delivery to her house. Even though it should, it doesn’t stop him from falling for her. She’s sweet and beautiful and seems to be crazy about Roy.
Oh Roy …. If only you knew just how wrong you are! Their relationship seems too good to be true and, well, it is. Rosemarie is just a major bitch and breaks Roy’s heart … just when he needs her the most.
After reading the first half of Who I Am, I felt such a connection to Roy. My heart broke for him, all that he endured and went through, especially with his mom.
Roy meets Kelsey in Who We Are and something comes alive in him that had been dead for a long, long time.
Kelsey is sweet and beautiful and she genuinely loves Roy …. not the musician or the fame but him. She gets him, she sees into his soul. And as much as I adore Roy, I was so mad at him when he screwed it all up. After his interview aired, someone decided to crawl out from under the rock she’d been hiding under for eight years. Yes, Rosemarie returns and Roy, despite his best intentions, makes a series of bad choices and leaves Kelsey with no choice but to kick him to the curb.
Where is Roy’s heart though? Is it in the past with Rosemarie or with Kelsey?
Who’s trying to win who back? Has Rosemarie really changed? Can Roy leave his past where it belongs or does first love run too deep to walk away from it when it returns? In the end, Roy gets the girl but I'm not saying which one!
Heather's Review:
4.5 "She's who I am" smooches!
Who I am is book three of the Fire Nine Series and Roy Sykes book. It is a book that has become close to my heart. I had the privilege of beta reading for Shanora and what an experience it has been. When I read the first draft it was good… but there were things that didn’t work for me and when I gave her my feedback, Shanora took it all to heart and completely revamped her book. I read it again and it was SO much better. I would have given that version 4 stars. Then Shanora made some more changes on her own and sent us the final version and WOW! Shanora has put SO much work into this book and it shows. I am so proud of the finished product and so proud of her! 4.5 SMOOCHES!!!
Roy had an air of mystery surrounding him throughout the first 2 books. I honestly did not like him at all. He was very stand-offish and rude. In Who I am, we find out why Roy is so different. His life has not been easy. He has a very troubled home-life and has had to take care of himself and his mother for a very long time. Apart from the band and his mom… Roy has nothing but problems.
The book begins with Roy’s past. It goes over all of his troubles but mostly focuses on his relationship with Rose. At the time she appears to be exactly what he needs in his life. She is there for him when he desperately needed someone. They both have different issues and find escape in each other. But, things aren’t all that they seem and she hurts Roy badly. Their relationship has a lot of ups and downs and in the end he is left bitter and broken-hearted.
Love. Love is what fucked me up. Love is what literally twisted me up, tossed me around, spat me out, and destroyed me.
Jump ahead to the present. After years of loneliness, Roy has finally opened his heart to Kelsey. They are HOT together. *fans self* She is getting him to face his past and to open up to people. While they haven’t been together all that long, they appear to be perfect for each other. And just when things seem to be going right for Roy…
His past comes storming back into his life in the form of Rose… Hello past… meet present. What do you do when the girl you thought was the love of your life comes waltzing back after years of wondering what could have been? Why, you screw everything up of course!
She’s my queen. My soul mate. I screwed up… and what sucks is I’ll have to see her fall apart when I tell her what just happened.
Oh Roy! Things become a mess. Roy has to sort his feelings and figure out where his heart truly belongs. Does he go back to his once great love or move forward with this new relationship and see where that road leads?
I can’t get enough. I love her…
She is the love of my life.
She is my hope and faith.
She is my motivation.
She is my diary.
She is my world.
She is the joy I never thought I could have again.
She is my restoration.
She is who I am.
Get ready for an emotionally charged read. Who I Am deals with some serious issues and lots of heartache and heartbreak. It is not light. It is deep and heartfelt and another great read by Ms. Shanora Williams!
.................................................................
Selene's Review
4 "Roy Sykes I *heart* You" Smooches
Who I Am is the third book in the FireNine Series. The book’s focus is the band’s mysterious guitarist Roy Sykes. We don’t hear much from Roy or learn much about him in the first two books of the series (Who He Is and Who We Are) … Roy’s focus is his music – not the partying, not the groupies. There are hints made at a painful past that has made him the way he is. Who I Am is Roy’s story.
Who I Am can almost be divided into two different books … the past and the present. Roy is doing an interview, opening up to his fans about his past. The first half of Who I Am is just that …. Roy telling his story. He looks back eight years to when FireNine is a struggling local band, hoping to make it big one day. Roy is living with his mom, who is battling a terminal illness. He loves and adores his mother and he will do just about anything to take care of her and help make ends meet. And by anything I mean working for a local drug dealing thug who does horrible things to Roy throughout the story.
And then he meets Rosemarie. Roy has no idea she’s a mob boss’ daughter until he makes a delivery to her house. Even though it should, it doesn’t stop him from falling for her. She’s sweet and beautiful and seems to be crazy about Roy.
I was getting myself into something new.
Something different.
Something dangerous.
But at this moment, as I held her in my embrace and she held me back, I knew what I’d gotten myself into would be worth it…
Oh Roy …. If only you knew just how wrong you are! Their relationship seems too good to be true and, well, it is. Rosemarie is just a major bitch and breaks Roy’s heart … just when he needs her the most.
I just… sat there and blended in with the darkness, wondering how the hell I was going to get myself out of this one. This was my heart. This was me. And she fucked it all up. She… destroyed me.
After reading the first half of Who I Am, I felt such a connection to Roy. My heart broke for him, all that he endured and went through, especially with his mom.
Roy meets Kelsey in Who We Are and something comes alive in him that had been dead for a long, long time.
I never thought I’d see that part of me again – the part where I was alive, energetic… happy …. But I was wrong. Kelsey Prior showed up, and she took over every single part of me.
Kelsey is sweet and beautiful and she genuinely loves Roy …. not the musician or the fame but him. She gets him, she sees into his soul. And as much as I adore Roy, I was so mad at him when he screwed it all up. After his interview aired, someone decided to crawl out from under the rock she’d been hiding under for eight years. Yes, Rosemarie returns and Roy, despite his best intentions, makes a series of bad choices and leaves Kelsey with no choice but to kick him to the curb.
Where is Roy’s heart though? Is it in the past with Rosemarie or with Kelsey?
I know I lied to you and I promised you I never would, but if you think for a second that I won’t fight my hardest to win you back and make you mine all over again, you’re wrong.
Who’s trying to win who back? Has Rosemarie really changed? Can Roy leave his past where it belongs or does first love run too deep to walk away from it when it returns? In the end, Roy gets the girl but I'm not saying which one!
I can’t get enough. I love her. I’m in complete love with her. I’ll never let something this good to me go. Not again. Not ever.
She is the love of my life.
She is my hope and faith.
She is my motivation.
She is my diary.
She is my world.
She is the joy I never thought I could have again.
She is my restoration.
She is who I am.
July 21, 2017
Roy's life before Kelsey was everything but easy. Kelsey brought him back to happiness, but in order for FireNine to be successful, the fans want to know more about the mysterious lead guitarist and what makes him so reserved. Although uneasy about divulging his past, he does the interview (taking the reader back to a past of hell that changed everything for Roy).
Talking up his past troubles, brings one back into the picture, Rose. One decision to meet up with her and one mistake that follows might have just cost Roy everything, including his future with Kelsey.
GAH! I love Kelsey and Roy! Hearing about Roy's past, it's no wonder he was so closed off for so long. In book two, you catch a glimpse of Roy's past, but this is truly heartbreaking. You don't see many guys, book boyfriends or otherwise, who are best friends with their mom. Having to take care of her while watching her die and add in the betrayal of Rose... there are few words to describe that kind of pain. Rose is a true manipulator who doesn't appreciate what she has.
*****
Jonas Blue - Perfect Strangers ft. JP Cooper
matt nathanson - come on get higher
Parachute - Kiss Me Slowly
Hot Chelle Rae - Don't Say Goodnight
Boys Like Girls "Be Your Everything"
Lawson - Where My Love Goes, Brokenhearted ft. B.o.B, When She Was Mine
Love and Theft - Angel Eyes
Shawn Mendes - There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back
The Vamps - Somebody To You ft. Demi Lovato
Parachute - Kiss Me Slowly
Hunter Hayes - Wanted
Lee Brice - Hard to Love
Michael Ray - Run Away With You
Eric Paslay - She Don't Love You
Calum Scott - Dancing on my own
James Arthur - Suicide
Ed Sheeran - Happier
A Great Big World, Christina Aguilera - Say Something
Dierks Bentley - I'll Be The Moon ft. Maren Morris
Parmalee - Carolina
Chris Young - Gettin' You Home
Thomas Rhett - Get Me Some Of That, Die A Happy Man
Love and Theft - Night That You'll Never Forget
Willamette Stone - Heart Like Yours
Niall Horan - Slow Hands
Ride (Dirty) - Chase Rice
Florida Georgia Line - H.O.L.Y.
Fifth Harmony - Sledgehammer
Becky G - Can't Stop Dancin'
Jimmy Eat World - hear you me
Oasis - Wonderwall
Brett Young - In Case You Didn't Know, "Kiss By Kiss"
Talking up his past troubles, brings one back into the picture, Rose. One decision to meet up with her and one mistake that follows might have just cost Roy everything, including his future with Kelsey.
GAH! I love Kelsey and Roy! Hearing about Roy's past, it's no wonder he was so closed off for so long. In book two, you catch a glimpse of Roy's past, but this is truly heartbreaking. You don't see many guys, book boyfriends or otherwise, who are best friends with their mom. Having to take care of her while watching her die and add in the betrayal of Rose... there are few words to describe that kind of pain. Rose is a true manipulator who doesn't appreciate what she has.
*****
Jonas Blue - Perfect Strangers ft. JP Cooper
matt nathanson - come on get higher
Parachute - Kiss Me Slowly
Hot Chelle Rae - Don't Say Goodnight
Boys Like Girls "Be Your Everything"
Lawson - Where My Love Goes, Brokenhearted ft. B.o.B, When She Was Mine
Love and Theft - Angel Eyes
Shawn Mendes - There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back
The Vamps - Somebody To You ft. Demi Lovato
Parachute - Kiss Me Slowly
Hunter Hayes - Wanted
Lee Brice - Hard to Love
Michael Ray - Run Away With You
Eric Paslay - She Don't Love You
Calum Scott - Dancing on my own
James Arthur - Suicide
Ed Sheeran - Happier
A Great Big World, Christina Aguilera - Say Something
Dierks Bentley - I'll Be The Moon ft. Maren Morris
Parmalee - Carolina
Chris Young - Gettin' You Home
Thomas Rhett - Get Me Some Of That, Die A Happy Man
Love and Theft - Night That You'll Never Forget
Willamette Stone - Heart Like Yours
Niall Horan - Slow Hands
Ride (Dirty) - Chase Rice
Florida Georgia Line - H.O.L.Y.
Fifth Harmony - Sledgehammer
Becky G - Can't Stop Dancin'
Jimmy Eat World - hear you me
Oasis - Wonderwall
Brett Young - In Case You Didn't Know, "Kiss By Kiss"
October 6, 2021
I have already stated, I was getting lost in the 'FireNine' series by Williams. Now that I have descovered by reading 'Who I Am' that Williams extened the series to include books for the rest of the band I'm thrilled beyond belief.
In 'Who I Am', Roy's story is hard to read because it's emotionally charged. His childhood was just as tough as Eliza's. Though they have some similarities there stories are completely different.
Roy's mother did an excellent job at raising her son to be a strong, loving, and caring person and man. His story is real, intense, raw, uncut. It's not easy for him to relive, but with Kells by his side, it makes it a little bit easier.
Through out the series, we have been given glimpse into Roy's past love. How he came home from tour to find her happy with another man. What the true back story that lead to Roy being hurt, torn down, beaten, feeling as if his heart was snatched right out of his chest is heart wrenching.
Roy shares his first love and first heartbreak. He shares the situation he was fired into to care for his amazing dying mother. How his soul was shattered when he lost her. She was an amazing woman, putting her son first and raising a great man. Especially with the limitations she had.
Just like 'Who We Are' when I say I'm leaving a lot of information out of this review, trust me I am. Just like Gage and Eliza story the fight is emotionally draining, you will feel the heartache right along with the Roy, Janice, (his mother) and Kells. So make sure you grab plenty of tissues, your gonna need them. If you want more deets that make the story a whole. Your just going to have give it a read. I promise you will not be disappointed!
~Laters Peeps
In 'Who I Am', Roy's story is hard to read because it's emotionally charged. His childhood was just as tough as Eliza's. Though they have some similarities there stories are completely different.
Roy's mother did an excellent job at raising her son to be a strong, loving, and caring person and man. His story is real, intense, raw, uncut. It's not easy for him to relive, but with Kells by his side, it makes it a little bit easier.
Through out the series, we have been given glimpse into Roy's past love. How he came home from tour to find her happy with another man. What the true back story that lead to Roy being hurt, torn down, beaten, feeling as if his heart was snatched right out of his chest is heart wrenching.
Roy shares his first love and first heartbreak. He shares the situation he was fired into to care for his amazing dying mother. How his soul was shattered when he lost her. She was an amazing woman, putting her son first and raising a great man. Especially with the limitations she had.
Just like 'Who We Are' when I say I'm leaving a lot of information out of this review, trust me I am. Just like Gage and Eliza story the fight is emotionally draining, you will feel the heartache right along with the Roy, Janice, (his mother) and Kells. So make sure you grab plenty of tissues, your gonna need them. If you want more deets that make the story a whole. Your just going to have give it a read. I promise you will not be disappointed!
~Laters Peeps
May 2, 2022
This is the third book in the FireNine series. Roy is the lead guitarist in FireNine and we get to know him as the stand-offish, quiet, loaner type who doesn’t want to be the focus of attention off the stage. He obviously has some history that you just want to understand! Well I’m this story we learn what happened in is past, and wow! He’s been burned by both male and female in his past and he gets a pleasant surprise when he meets Kelsey; a friend and coworker of Eliza. Sparks fly, history comes to present and causes issues and Roy has to man up!
January 29, 2020
Amazing story!!
This is the 3rd book in this phenomenal series and Roy & Kelsey's story is emotional and heart warming. This is a beautifully written flawless story which had me totally enthralled throughout this additive page turner. I highly recommend for all readers.
This is the 3rd book in this phenomenal series and Roy & Kelsey's story is emotional and heart warming. This is a beautifully written flawless story which had me totally enthralled throughout this additive page turner. I highly recommend for all readers.
February 7, 2023
Roy!
Wow I loved this book even more than I imagined! It’s a wonderful book with all kinds of emotions moving through it honestly as quickly as I could because I simply could not stop! ♥️♥️♥️
Wow I loved this book even more than I imagined! It’s a wonderful book with all kinds of emotions moving through it honestly as quickly as I could because I simply could not stop! ♥️♥️♥️
January 23, 2014
4.5 stars
I've been through some shit, yeah. I've been through heartache, pain, and even suffering. I've been forced to do things I never wanted to do. I've been knocked around and pushed down. I've been hurt over so many things that I forgot what it was like to be alive. My band was all I lived for...it was all I stood for. I had no one to fight for, no one to hold on to. No one to lean on ...all I had was me.
Well, after reading the angsty first two books of this series and already being familiar with the quiet, brooding, mysterious, stand offish (and sometimes a**holish) Roy Sykes, I have to say that his book took me totally by surprise. We knew that he had a troubled past that made him shut down and turn off his emotions. I was expecting a dark, depressing book that made me sad and angry. But this book was actually less angsty, and more positive than the other books. Sure there was pain, heartbreak, loneliness, but there was also a lightness about it. Why? Well, Roy Sykes is a big sweet heart! Yes, in this one we also got to see him happy and even talkative. We know he can be a bit odd, moody, and clueless, but he is also caring, protective, devoted, and respectful.
This book begins in the present as he has agreed to do an interview and tell the story of his past. His new relationship with Kelsey that began in the last book, has made him feel confidant enough to open up more to the public about his life.
Finally we are able to peel back the layers of Roy Sykes. We are taken back eight years to the band's early years, what he had to do to support his ill mom, dangerous partners, and to his first love Rosemarie...the girl who broke him. Roy was already facing a lot of issues at that time of his life, and holding it together was hard for a guy with limited choices, bills, and responsibilities. His life was not easy. He had significant challenges, pain, and felt trapped by his life. But Rosemarie was like a light in his darkness. She gave him something to look forward to and care about. But he gave his all to this one girl with a family that had the potential to ruin his life. Their relationship was complicated and had the power to destroy him.
Love is what f***ed me up. Love is what literally twisted me up, tossed me around, spat me out and destroyed me. I got so caught up with her that I didn't even see the darkness at the end of our tunnel. She was my everything, but sometimes we weren't everything the other wanted. Sometimes we weren't enough.
I adored Roy! I always was intrigued by him, and enjoyed seeing him begin to lighten up in Who We Are. But in this one, he was so different and much more open. He treated women like Queens. He was romantic, loving, committed, and not afraid to show his emotions. We got to see his vulnerability and my heart broke for him at times.
I had mixed feelings about Rose. Initially I liked her okay since through Roy's eyes she was so wonderful and perfect. But there were other times I did not trust her and hated her treatment of Roy. She could be sweet, but could also be selfish and manipulative. There were definitely times I wanted to wring her neck or make her disappear.
This installment had danger, intrigue, desperation, heartbreak, and pain that were all a part of Roy's past. There were some situations and plot twists that totally took me by surprise. And in the present, just as Roy was moving on and happy, the past comes back to haunt him and try to ruin his new found happiness.
I really liked Kelsey as she was truly a nice person who had Roy's best interest at heart. She was genuine, honest, nurturing, and unselfish. Their relationship was good for both of them since they were both moving on from trust issues and heartbreak.
"I told you, you're my world now. And if you're my world, that means I need you like air. I need you like water. I need you more than I need anything else... more than music. That's a whole lot of needing."
But will Kelsey be able to deal with the truth of his past and Rose? Or will Roy lose at love all over again?
Crazy Sh** in life happens for a reason. My life is what made me into who I am today. Life is what tore me down, but it's also what brought me right back up again. Life is a funny thing, and you'll get a whole lot out of it if you just...live.
I loved getting to know more about Roy and what made him the man he turned out to be. This book gives us a resolved ending. But the author is still planning another potential novella for Roy. And Montana's story titled Who I'm Becoming will be the next full book in this series . I love the fun, flirty, Montana and cannot wait for this story.
Thanks to Shanora Williams for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review. Will be posted at Reviews by Tammy and Kim.
I've been through some shit, yeah. I've been through heartache, pain, and even suffering. I've been forced to do things I never wanted to do. I've been knocked around and pushed down. I've been hurt over so many things that I forgot what it was like to be alive. My band was all I lived for...it was all I stood for. I had no one to fight for, no one to hold on to. No one to lean on ...all I had was me.
Well, after reading the angsty first two books of this series and already being familiar with the quiet, brooding, mysterious, stand offish (and sometimes a**holish) Roy Sykes, I have to say that his book took me totally by surprise. We knew that he had a troubled past that made him shut down and turn off his emotions. I was expecting a dark, depressing book that made me sad and angry. But this book was actually less angsty, and more positive than the other books. Sure there was pain, heartbreak, loneliness, but there was also a lightness about it. Why? Well, Roy Sykes is a big sweet heart! Yes, in this one we also got to see him happy and even talkative. We know he can be a bit odd, moody, and clueless, but he is also caring, protective, devoted, and respectful.
This book begins in the present as he has agreed to do an interview and tell the story of his past. His new relationship with Kelsey that began in the last book, has made him feel confidant enough to open up more to the public about his life.
Finally we are able to peel back the layers of Roy Sykes. We are taken back eight years to the band's early years, what he had to do to support his ill mom, dangerous partners, and to his first love Rosemarie...the girl who broke him. Roy was already facing a lot of issues at that time of his life, and holding it together was hard for a guy with limited choices, bills, and responsibilities. His life was not easy. He had significant challenges, pain, and felt trapped by his life. But Rosemarie was like a light in his darkness. She gave him something to look forward to and care about. But he gave his all to this one girl with a family that had the potential to ruin his life. Their relationship was complicated and had the power to destroy him.
Love is what f***ed me up. Love is what literally twisted me up, tossed me around, spat me out and destroyed me. I got so caught up with her that I didn't even see the darkness at the end of our tunnel. She was my everything, but sometimes we weren't everything the other wanted. Sometimes we weren't enough.
I adored Roy! I always was intrigued by him, and enjoyed seeing him begin to lighten up in Who We Are. But in this one, he was so different and much more open. He treated women like Queens. He was romantic, loving, committed, and not afraid to show his emotions. We got to see his vulnerability and my heart broke for him at times.
I had mixed feelings about Rose. Initially I liked her okay since through Roy's eyes she was so wonderful and perfect. But there were other times I did not trust her and hated her treatment of Roy. She could be sweet, but could also be selfish and manipulative. There were definitely times I wanted to wring her neck or make her disappear.
This installment had danger, intrigue, desperation, heartbreak, and pain that were all a part of Roy's past. There were some situations and plot twists that totally took me by surprise. And in the present, just as Roy was moving on and happy, the past comes back to haunt him and try to ruin his new found happiness.
I really liked Kelsey as she was truly a nice person who had Roy's best interest at heart. She was genuine, honest, nurturing, and unselfish. Their relationship was good for both of them since they were both moving on from trust issues and heartbreak.
"I told you, you're my world now. And if you're my world, that means I need you like air. I need you like water. I need you more than I need anything else... more than music. That's a whole lot of needing."
But will Kelsey be able to deal with the truth of his past and Rose? Or will Roy lose at love all over again?
Crazy Sh** in life happens for a reason. My life is what made me into who I am today. Life is what tore me down, but it's also what brought me right back up again. Life is a funny thing, and you'll get a whole lot out of it if you just...live.
I loved getting to know more about Roy and what made him the man he turned out to be. This book gives us a resolved ending. But the author is still planning another potential novella for Roy. And Montana's story titled Who I'm Becoming will be the next full book in this series . I love the fun, flirty, Montana and cannot wait for this story.
Thanks to Shanora Williams for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review. Will be posted at Reviews by Tammy and Kim.
March 31, 2018
Where to start,half book is all Roy past how he meet this snake and she
broke her heart.Overall its really great read.
I now understand more Roy.
broke her heart.Overall its really great read.
I now understand more Roy.
October 8, 2019
The only reason I keep reading this series is because I hate leaving unread books on my kindle and I keep hoping something will get better and make me like the story. Nope.
August 27, 2014
I have read all three books in this series and loved all of them! The first 2 books in this series were about Gage and Eliza's story. Gage is the lead singer of firenine and wowsiers! He is hot! This story is about Roy and Kelsey. Roy is the lead guitarist in firenine and yes of course he is hot too! Let me tell you this is not just another hot rock n roll band book (well it is) but is more than that and should be read by all! I would definitely give these books all 4-5 stars!
She is the love of my life.
She is my hope and faith.
She is my motivation.
She is my diary.
She is my world.
She is the joy I never thought I could have again.
She is my restoration.
She is who I am.
Roy-- Lead guitarist hot as hell! He grew up poor and ended up taking care of his mom for most of his teenage years into his 20's. He sold drugs to take care of his mother and her medical bills, he wasn't proud of that but he had to do what he had to do to survive. The only thing that kept him together was his band Firenine and of course his band brothers. He fell in love with a girl that turned his world upside down and not only was she everything he wanted in a woman but she was also everything he shouldn't because she was a mob bosses daughter. Of course she proved to him that he was nothing to her but a distraction and broke Roy into pieces that he thought he would never survive. As his band gets more successful he meets Kelsey and she rocks his world more than he ever thought was possible, but mistakes will be made and pasts will surface, can they make it through all this and him being famous now on top of that?
Love is what fucked me up. Love is what literally twisted me up, tossed me around, spat me out, and destroyed me. I got so caught up with her that I didn't even see the darkness at the end of our tunnel. She was my everything, but sometimes we weren't everything the other wanted. Sometimes we weren't enough. Sometimes we give our all and nothing comes out of it. We give one-fucking-hundred percent, but in the end, we're left with zero. It wasn't supposed to end that way, and to this day, I blame myself for all the screw-ups.
Just when I thought things were looking up for me and the ones I loved, everything went to shreds. Everything I once cared for was no longer there-- nothing but my guitar and my band anyway. I guess the old man on the bus with the fedora was right. Love doesn't last, but her forgot to add something. Happiness doesn't last either.
Kelsey-- she has been lied to cheated on and will not let another man into her life that will treat her like dirt. She will live her life and steer clear of love. Until she meets Roy.... can he be her game changer? Or will his past come and destroy them? Will her past make her feel like she can't trust Roy after one mistake? Can she learn to forgive and forget?
"You promised you'd never hurt me. You promised me you'd never break my heart. You promised me you'd be nothing like Rick! You promised me lies, Roy! I gave you a chance, but you're just like him! Just fucking like him.
So yes, I will strip this away from you. Men like you, who don't appreciate what they already have when they have it, doesn't deserve me. Men, who have to get drunk just to tell me the truth, don't deserve me. You could've come clean to me the first day you saw her-- at the party. But you didn't. You decided to lie and keep it to yourself. I don't need to bring another liar into my life." I swallow hard, tears blinding me. " Roy I--I trusted you. You told me I could trust you. I thought you'd be different."
"You don't have to compete, Kells. You mean so much to me. It doesn't matter that she was my first love. I'm over that. You're my final love, You're my world now."
"I love you.... so much, Kelsey, I'll leave because I know you're upset. I know I pissed you off... broke your heart. I know I lied to you, and I promised you I never would, but if you think for a second that I won't fight my hardest to win you back and make you mine all over again, you're wrong. I refuse to lose you. Do you understand me?"
You have go to pick up these books asap! And yes there will be more I mean there is still the drummer and the bassist RIGHT!!! Loved IT!! Can't wait for more!!
She is the love of my life.
She is my hope and faith.
She is my motivation.
She is my diary.
She is my world.
She is the joy I never thought I could have again.
She is my restoration.
She is who I am.
Roy-- Lead guitarist hot as hell! He grew up poor and ended up taking care of his mom for most of his teenage years into his 20's. He sold drugs to take care of his mother and her medical bills, he wasn't proud of that but he had to do what he had to do to survive. The only thing that kept him together was his band Firenine and of course his band brothers. He fell in love with a girl that turned his world upside down and not only was she everything he wanted in a woman but she was also everything he shouldn't because she was a mob bosses daughter. Of course she proved to him that he was nothing to her but a distraction and broke Roy into pieces that he thought he would never survive. As his band gets more successful he meets Kelsey and she rocks his world more than he ever thought was possible, but mistakes will be made and pasts will surface, can they make it through all this and him being famous now on top of that?
Love is what fucked me up. Love is what literally twisted me up, tossed me around, spat me out, and destroyed me. I got so caught up with her that I didn't even see the darkness at the end of our tunnel. She was my everything, but sometimes we weren't everything the other wanted. Sometimes we weren't enough. Sometimes we give our all and nothing comes out of it. We give one-fucking-hundred percent, but in the end, we're left with zero. It wasn't supposed to end that way, and to this day, I blame myself for all the screw-ups.
Just when I thought things were looking up for me and the ones I loved, everything went to shreds. Everything I once cared for was no longer there-- nothing but my guitar and my band anyway. I guess the old man on the bus with the fedora was right. Love doesn't last, but her forgot to add something. Happiness doesn't last either.
Kelsey-- she has been lied to cheated on and will not let another man into her life that will treat her like dirt. She will live her life and steer clear of love. Until she meets Roy.... can he be her game changer? Or will his past come and destroy them? Will her past make her feel like she can't trust Roy after one mistake? Can she learn to forgive and forget?
"You promised you'd never hurt me. You promised me you'd never break my heart. You promised me you'd be nothing like Rick! You promised me lies, Roy! I gave you a chance, but you're just like him! Just fucking like him.
So yes, I will strip this away from you. Men like you, who don't appreciate what they already have when they have it, doesn't deserve me. Men, who have to get drunk just to tell me the truth, don't deserve me. You could've come clean to me the first day you saw her-- at the party. But you didn't. You decided to lie and keep it to yourself. I don't need to bring another liar into my life." I swallow hard, tears blinding me. " Roy I--I trusted you. You told me I could trust you. I thought you'd be different."
"You don't have to compete, Kells. You mean so much to me. It doesn't matter that she was my first love. I'm over that. You're my final love, You're my world now."
"I love you.... so much, Kelsey, I'll leave because I know you're upset. I know I pissed you off... broke your heart. I know I lied to you, and I promised you I never would, but if you think for a second that I won't fight my hardest to win you back and make you mine all over again, you're wrong. I refuse to lose you. Do you understand me?"
You have go to pick up these books asap! And yes there will be more I mean there is still the drummer and the bassist RIGHT!!! Loved IT!! Can't wait for more!!
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