Lost Avalon

Finding Nolan #1

by K.S. Thomas, Karina Gioertz

Fame, fortune and a future paved with rock 'n roll gold - Blaise Nolan has it all. With his brooding good looks, haunting voice and troubled lyrics of a soul gone lost, it's no wonder his band Finding Nolan has been climbing the music charts with back to back hits. Only Blaise didn't wind up brooding, haunted and lost by accident...

Avalon Jennison has been the girl next door since she was five. The best friend since she was eight. The band manager since she was sixteen, and the keeper of his secrets always. Ava's been there every step of the way, helping Blaise live his dreams and keep his nightmares at bay. But the years of putting Blaise's needs above her own are about to be over.

However, Blaise has one secret even Ava doesn't know..and it could be the thing that breaks her heart completely, or finally puts it back together.

**CONTENT WARNING ~ ADULT LANGUAGE**

Genres: Romance, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary Romance, Music, Contemporary, Celebrity, Addiction

213 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 22, 2014

About the author

Dog Lover who likes her pastries full of cream and sugar...oh...and I write some ;-)

Aside from being an author, I am also a mom to a beautiful little girl. I tell everyone I named her after my great-grandmother (because that's the mature answer), but really, I named her after my favorite princess - just so happens I got lucky and they had the same name...If I wasn't a writer, I would work on a horse ranch - I'm an animal lover (in addition to dogs, horses are at the top of my list). I wear flip-flops pretty much everywhere I go. I would rather stay awake until 5 am than get up at 5 am (years of bar tending have left their mark), if I can, I'm going to the beach AND I will always be nice to people who bring me chocolate...or coffee...if you bring me both, I'll probably love you forever.

I write the way I live, following the story wherever it may lead, always ready to start the next one. This is clearly reflected in my body of work which to date includes everything from Children's Lit to Thrillers.
I happily reside in sunny Florida (for now) with my daughter and three dogs.

Reviews

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book through Facebook. It was a free book on Amazon at the time.

The overall concept and storyline of this book was great. I enjoyed the duel POV throughout the book, but would have liked to see more of Blaise's POV. The back stories were emotional, and you could really feel for the characters. However, Blaise's addictions felt like they were resolved a little too quickly for how deep he was into them. Especially when he didn't go into a program to try and quit. Also the way Avalon was just walked all over and came back to Blaise like a puppy just rubbed me the wrong way. I did like the big twist at the ending, and I really liked all the side characters.

Overall this was a good book, it just had some things that didn't fit for me.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/23/2020)! 🎁

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (10/20/2020)! 🎁

[The Romance Book Disciple (Samantha) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, before you read you need to know this book deals with mental health issues, drug abuse, and alcoholism. So, if those things are not things you like to read about, don't read this book.

So, this was a tough book for me. I have seen mental health issues, drug abuse, and alcoholism first hand. Ava's behavior is that of an enabler and it really ticked me off. She lied for Blaise, cleaned up after him, and kept his life going just as he liked it because she was 'helping him'. Their relationship is so codependent its dangerous for both of them. I was NOT rooting for them to get together because the first thing you learn in recovery is that people like this are bad for your sobriety. However, Ava did begin to stand up against him and she says something brilliant that totally changed the book for me (I will post the quote on my blog when I get the review up!). Its one of those quotes that every addict needs to hear because it is the reason they are still addicted!

After that, the book got better for me. Ava has her own issues to sort out and then there is craziness with Linus that really threw in an unexpected plot twist! I'm glad I stuck with the book because it really is a powerful look at codependency issues, mental health and the stigma attached to it, and the dangers of trying to be sober for someone else.

My full post will be here: http://www.thebookdisciple.com on Aug 6th 2015
Heat-o-meter: 1.5 (some sex but it isn't graphic at all and I appreciate that!)
Rating: 4 stars (beginning of the book, 2 stars, but it improved for me!)
HEA: Yes

[Lynn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review



Avalon (Ava), has been best friends with Blaise since early childhood. She was with him when he started playing music, helped form his band and has spent years as his band manager. She has covered up his drinking and drug abuse has always stood behind him. Until one day enough is enough and maybe it is time to move on. Blaise has always had Avalon. Even as he slept around. She has always been there no matter what he did. He knew it and maybe he did take advantage. He never wanted to lose her, he loved her to much. When push comes to shove how do you take it from best friends to the love of your life.

I fell in love with the whole band. What an awesome group. I don't think a single one of them had a filter on the mouth. Especially Ava, if she thought it, she spoke it. She had problems with trusting men. Who can blame her. She loves Blaine as her best friend. She has never stopped to think it might be more. Blaise is your typical rock star. When it comes time for him to make changes in his life, he is off to a rough start but once he sets his mind to it. There is no stopping him. Two broken people trying to find their way through life. Lots of craziness, lots of humor and some angst. You are drawn into the world of Finding Nolan. A place you might not want to leave.

[Rachelle Ayala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heavy and hard-hitting romance about addiction and codependency.

First of all, K. S. Thomas is a masterful storyteller. She pulls you into Blaise and Ava's story with graphic descriptions and raw emotions. Who wouldn't feel for Ava as she manages self-destructive Blaise, bent on ruining his life to cover up for his hidden pains.

While Ava seems to have it together on the surface, she also unravels when she realizes she's in love with Blaise. She worries that they are both too effed up to have a normal life together, and when Blaise calls her on her problems, she runs away, like she always does.

Through a lot of angst and family craziness, Ava and Blaise realize they both need to heal and figure out what is important.

A lot of drama is packed into this story and there are many poignant moments as both of them unpeel their exteriors aside to let each other in.

This book isn't just a rockstar romance with lots of sex, booze, and action. It's a deeper psychological thriller and one that brings awareness to important issues. Bravo to K. S. Thomas for handling these demons and showing how Blaise and Ava learn to trust each other enough to be victorious over their pasts.

[Rebecca Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible book about addiction and best friends relying on each other through thick and thin to an unhealthy point.

Ava is the manager of the band Finding Nolan, which is lead by her best friend Blaise Nolan. Nolan and Ava have been best friends since they were 9 years old are both battling demons from their childhood.

Due to Blaise trying to hide his addiction from everyone but Ava and Royce, a bandmate, Ava and Blaise pretend to take their relationship to the next level in order for Blaise to attempt to get clean.

Will Blaise be able to stay clean for Ava or will the demons that both of them face destroy any attempt at a healthy relationship?

I absolutely loved this book and I can't wait for the next one to come out!!

[Chantelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Two fucked up peas in a broken pod. That was us.”

“Sure, we had experienced extreme pain, but it was that precise experience that had allowed us to feel supreme happiness. Because there wasn’t one without the other. It was through the struggles that we’d found success. Through our fears that we’d found courage. Through the heartache that we’d found love.”

[book · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read 69% and I'm still not feeling it. The story is okay but nothing happens. Every time I think something amazing is going to happen it all goes meh again.
I'm giving up

[Jacquely · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF'd at 80%. 2 star rating because the first 20% or so was well paced out and there was a true conflict that was im play. I felt like the FMC was a bit of a pushover, letting the same thing happen over and over again even when they said they would not go back. Rhe charac
Ters felt like they were whining most of the time, imo.

Good grammar though 🤷‍♀️

[Kim Person · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely LOVED it!!!!! I'm dying for more of the boys!!!!!

[Rina Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars - Loved Avalon she was so strong for Blaise and her family but was weak for her own needs.

[Julianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked it a lot. In the heroes to swoon for anthology.

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ava and Blaise have been best friends for so long it's as if they were always that way. She's his band's manager. She's his rock. And she's his enabler. Yep, I said enabler. Because his addiction and his self-destructive behavior is something she covers up for him so the other guys in the band, and the rest of the world, don't know he's so messed up. And honestly? That enabling hasn't helped him at all. Until one day he finally messes up so badly that Ava's done and she takes off. But of course, she comes back when he goes off the deep end. Will Blaise get himself together and become the man Ava needs and deserves?

Eh, I gotta admit this book drove me crazy. I understand that it's probably realistic in the way she enables him, but I hated the back and forth between them. And I hated that he his recovery was sorta just swept under the rug. The way the author handled his sobriety seems unrealistic, which is strange considering the way Blaise's addictive behavior, and Ava's enabling, seems very realistic.

So 3.5 stars because the story itself is interesting, but not 4 or more stars because parts were unrealistic, and the push and pull, back and forth drove me bonkers.

ARC via Booksprout for an honest review.

Blog | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

[Diya (Melancholic Blithe)⚡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know as a matter of fact how I should proceed with this review. For starters, this book is intense. Not a murder-thriller types intense but intense at a totally different level. At first I didn't know what to expect from this book but as I started reading it, I was so glad that I picked it up. I wouldn't have wanted to miss this one.

Lost Avalon tells you about two people who have been there for each other forever, fighting off complicated situations and experiencing utter misery. They have been broken too little pieces which are very difficult to rejoin. In spite of this, they find their way to each other, fight their inner demons, their insecurities and their addictions.

It's just I picked this book because of the fact that I love the way K. S. Thomas writes. But this book was surely amazing beautiful and expressive and there is no way in thousand years that I am going to forget it. Also, I just love the whole troubled artist/musician/romantic at heart version.

[Vicki Chicago-Marsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this angsty rockstar romance. Since childhood, Avalon has been best friends with Blaise; they grew up next door to each other and she was there to hold his hand through all of his family challenges. When they grew up, Blaise and the band he’d formed became world famous in the music world with Avalon as their manager. As she did when they were growing up, Avalon cleaned up all of Blaise’s messes and saved his career over and over again. When they began a relationship, she had finally had enough of his numerous addictions and put her foot down. A very rough ride soon followed. This angsty story was well-written and didn’t get boring by going over the same things repeatedly like many books do. I loved both of the characters and loved their HEA.

I read this book on Kindle.

[Caroline Doig · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my 1st read and review for this author and I absolutely love this story. Ava gets a call from Blaise Nolan at 4am he says that he is lost so Ava gets out of bed and goes to the penthouse door and Blaise is just standing there he’s drunk and he doesn’t remember how he got there. The band started in Ava’s garage 7 years ago they named the band Finding Nolan after Blaise, in high school Blaise always wandered off and he ended up sitting on a bus stop bench and he didn’t even remember walking there and now it’s a joke between the band members. I’m not going to get too much into this story but if you’re a fan of rockstar stories with all of the good, bad and sad then this is the book for you. Fantastic story and I highly recommend this book it’s definitely well worth the read.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating about 3.5 but rounding up.

This was a great story about two best friends finding love in each other while overcoming some of their demons. It was worrisome to start and I almost DNF'd the story because they were a little toxic together at the beginning. Blaise is an addict and Avalon is a classic enabler. However they both showed some really good growth and I'm glad I stuck with it. Blaise wants to get clean and originally he is doing it just for her but he does begin to take it on as something he needs to do for him, not just her. Avalon stops enabling Blaise and puts boundaries in place. They deserved their HEA.

Some spice but it wasn't graphic and it worked really well with this story.

[Smiler The Avid Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little bit unexplored

So I liked the book overall. I think what I struggled with the most was that for the story and the content it felt too short….not rushed necessarily but the word that comes to my head is unexplored. The romance lacked depth and given the seriousness of addiction it didn’t dig very deep….it felt like I was reading just the actions of the characters rather than their emotions. It touched on it in some ways but I didn’t feel it in its entirety.

[Lisa Sssshhhh I’m reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read

This story could have been amazing as it has a great synopsis. But there's too much drama crammed into a very short story and the expense of character depth and development.
He's the rock star lead singer of the band she manages. He's an out-of-control alcoholic on a path to self destruction. And she has other "addictions" that aren't explained fully. They both have mommy-issues and daddy-issues. And this is only a short book.

[Andrea G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tik Tok did not disappoint

Tried on a whim after seeing the video on tiktok. Felt true to life. The author did a great job of portraying viewpoints and real-life issues. Well set in a rockstar lifestyle, anyone could understand the hero and heroines troubles, solutions, and feelings. The fade ending in the epilogue draws the reader to the next book. I'm looking forward to reading more.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, anyone who has been the responsible adult in a relationship with an addict shouldn’t red this book. It was nearly impossible for me to read. Anyone else should read this because everything from the characters to small sub stories are amazing.

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

[Amy Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blaise and Ava.

This was decent read. I can't say it was lighthearted because there are some serious issues discussed, but in some ways it doesn't seem that they were taken seriously. For example, alcohol withdrawal is very dangerous and can actually be deadly, but in this book it is done without medical support. I did however enjoy the characters and the story.

[Elyn Sulger · Rating 5 out of 5]

🤘Great Rock Star Read

My first book by this author and I'm moving on to book two! I was hooked on the storyline and the author's fine character development. Many real life topics were incorporated into the story and I enjoyed reading this book very much.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava and Blaise have been close since childhood. She manages his band and also helps keep him from self destructing. They both have things they need to work through but if they can, they could be good for each other. Will they make it?

[Krissy Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions between Blaise and Ava. I could not stop reading it! so worth it. Definitely recommend this book to anyone. But beware of the mental health and addiction topics.

[Maegan Solo · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's a no for me

If you struggle with addiction or knows someone who struggles with addiction don't use this book as a reference on how to handle it or support someone struggling with it.

[Coralee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[Katie Whitley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet rockstar romance book. Very slow burn. I enjoyed it. Will probably finish the series.

[Gabby · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars.
It was cute for the most part, but it was just one thing after another.