What do you think?
Rate this book
Most Wanted #1
I Want You To Want Me: Adam
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "A beautiful love story. "
—Robinne Lee, USA Today best-selling author of The Idea of You
My best friend recognized the international rock god before I did, but by then it was too late. I'd already slept with him.
In my defense, I'd gone out to the club to support my brother's music career, and Adam stopped by the merch table shrouded in a hoodie, sporting grungy jeans and a threadbare T-shirt from a long-forgotten AC/DC concert. How was I supposed to recognize him?
God, it gets worse.
When he asked me what I do, I half lied, "My company's developing a perfume." I couldn't tell him I research boner pills on laboratory mice. Besides, it was true that a coworker had tossed me a vial of some experimental fragrance as I left work. It smelled nice so I tried it on.
Adam leaned in. "What's it like?"
I scooted over. "I'm wearing it."
Gaze locked on mine, he lifted my wrist and brushed his sensuous lips across my skin, breathing in whatever chemical I'd loosed on him. Just like that, an electric charge sparked up my arm. I sucked in a sharp breath, and his eyes dilated black, like this intense desire had surged back toward him.
"Mmm," he said. "You smell intoxicating."
I must have, because he flirted with me, bought me beers… invited me back to his place. I knew I shouldn't go home with him. We were perfect strangers. But God, I wanted to. I wanted more. I wanted him. I thought he wanted me, too.
So when my best friend ran an image search the next day, proving the guy I'd hooked up with was THE Adam Copeland, I had to ask: How had I, a biochemist from suburban New Jersey, attracted that sexy out-of-reach rocker?
And what the hell was in that perfume?
An earlier version of this book was published as Some Kind of Magic.
—Robinne Lee, USA Today best-selling author of The Idea of You
My best friend recognized the international rock god before I did, but by then it was too late. I'd already slept with him.
In my defense, I'd gone out to the club to support my brother's music career, and Adam stopped by the merch table shrouded in a hoodie, sporting grungy jeans and a threadbare T-shirt from a long-forgotten AC/DC concert. How was I supposed to recognize him?
God, it gets worse.
When he asked me what I do, I half lied, "My company's developing a perfume." I couldn't tell him I research boner pills on laboratory mice. Besides, it was true that a coworker had tossed me a vial of some experimental fragrance as I left work. It smelled nice so I tried it on.
Adam leaned in. "What's it like?"
I scooted over. "I'm wearing it."
Gaze locked on mine, he lifted my wrist and brushed his sensuous lips across my skin, breathing in whatever chemical I'd loosed on him. Just like that, an electric charge sparked up my arm. I sucked in a sharp breath, and his eyes dilated black, like this intense desire had surged back toward him.
"Mmm," he said. "You smell intoxicating."
I must have, because he flirted with me, bought me beers… invited me back to his place. I knew I shouldn't go home with him. We were perfect strangers. But God, I wanted to. I wanted more. I wanted him. I thought he wanted me, too.
So when my best friend ran an image search the next day, proving the guy I'd hooked up with was THE Adam Copeland, I had to ask: How had I, a biochemist from suburban New Jersey, attracted that sexy out-of-reach rocker?
And what the hell was in that perfume?
An earlier version of this book was published as Some Kind of Magic.
357 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 31, 2017
153 people are currently reading
2328 people want to read
About the author
Mary Ann Marlowe
14 books373 followersMary Ann Marlowe is a romance junkie with wanderlust. She’s lived in twelve states and three countries, but she’s called the Charlottesville, Virginia area home for nearly twenty years. She’s held dozens of jobs from university-level French teacher to Wall Street computer programmer, got her black belt in karate, and beat Zelda Breath of the Wild. She loves to pull from her experiences when creating her fictional worlds. When she isn’t writing, she day jobs as a developer, hangs with her two amazing kids, and dreams of travel. She also writes under the name Lorelei Parker.
No AI used in the writing, audio, or cover art of any of my books.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 264 reviews
February 10, 2017
I always hate to give negative reviews to newbie authors, but I was really let down by Some Kind of Magic.
From the cover and description, I was expecting a fun chick-lit, contemporary romance cross-over. Some easy escapism and witty writing. From the glowing reviews, I was expecting something different from what we usual see. Alas, this book was same old, same old.
I'll start with the female MC. I'm SO sick and tired of insecure, judge-y, low self esteem female MCs. Though Eden is in a science field and appears to be reasonably attractive, she comes across as the self-doubting girls that we often see in romance. You know the ones; the ones that are so insecure that they don't even realize what a special, beautiful snowflake they are until a boy comes and shows them. Ugh. She also has a laundry list of requirements in a man, and she comes across as really judgmental.
There are also the elements of "if you dress a certain way or act a certain way, you are 'less than'" in this story. Here, we get the same messages hammered in that I see time and time again in certain romances. Eden wears no make-up and low key clothes, unlike the girls with heavy makeup and dyed hair, who are described as looking more like a "transvestite than a girl." First of all, "transvestite" is a dated, offensive term, and any MC who is judge-y enough to think like that doesn't rank highly in my book. I'm tired of girls having to look pretty but not TOO pretty, or wear just the "right" amount of make-up or certain clothes. It is a subtle way of shaming other women, and I don't like it one bit.
I'm not a huge fan of rock star romances, as a rule, but I've read and loved many in the past. This time, the rock star element felt forced and unrealistic. How could Adam Copeland, the male MC, not be able to go out in public in New York but be able to tour around New Jersey with no issues? Also, I didn't like that Eden's science career seemed like just a stopover to do what she really wanted to do but somehow repressed.
I was expecting some big hook from the perfume with pheromones angle, but I found it to be underdeveloped. I would have rather that entire facet of the story be left out, and this just be a contemporary romance with a non-celebrity and a rock star. I was also expecting some humor, based on the cover and blurb, but this book was more serious than I was anticipating.
This book is very low steam for romance, but a little higher than what many chick-lit readers might expect. The sex is mentioned in round-about terms, but it isn't fade-to-black.
I was expecting something out of the ordinary, but this book was very typical for the genre: jealousy, insecurity, wishy-washy-ness, lack of communication... it all was there. I wasn't a fan, but I'll give it a few bonus points for taking place in my neighborhood, though how the characters could be from Edison and not go once for Indian food was mind-boggling...
*Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
From the cover and description, I was expecting a fun chick-lit, contemporary romance cross-over. Some easy escapism and witty writing. From the glowing reviews, I was expecting something different from what we usual see. Alas, this book was same old, same old.
I'll start with the female MC. I'm SO sick and tired of insecure, judge-y, low self esteem female MCs. Though Eden is in a science field and appears to be reasonably attractive, she comes across as the self-doubting girls that we often see in romance. You know the ones; the ones that are so insecure that they don't even realize what a special, beautiful snowflake they are until a boy comes and shows them. Ugh. She also has a laundry list of requirements in a man, and she comes across as really judgmental.
There are also the elements of "if you dress a certain way or act a certain way, you are 'less than'" in this story. Here, we get the same messages hammered in that I see time and time again in certain romances. Eden wears no make-up and low key clothes, unlike the girls with heavy makeup and dyed hair, who are described as looking more like a "transvestite than a girl." First of all, "transvestite" is a dated, offensive term, and any MC who is judge-y enough to think like that doesn't rank highly in my book. I'm tired of girls having to look pretty but not TOO pretty, or wear just the "right" amount of make-up or certain clothes. It is a subtle way of shaming other women, and I don't like it one bit.
I'm not a huge fan of rock star romances, as a rule, but I've read and loved many in the past. This time, the rock star element felt forced and unrealistic. How could Adam Copeland, the male MC, not be able to go out in public in New York but be able to tour around New Jersey with no issues? Also, I didn't like that Eden's science career seemed like just a stopover to do what she really wanted to do but somehow repressed.
I was expecting some big hook from the perfume with pheromones angle, but I found it to be underdeveloped. I would have rather that entire facet of the story be left out, and this just be a contemporary romance with a non-celebrity and a rock star. I was also expecting some humor, based on the cover and blurb, but this book was more serious than I was anticipating.
This book is very low steam for romance, but a little higher than what many chick-lit readers might expect. The sex is mentioned in round-about terms, but it isn't fade-to-black.
I was expecting something out of the ordinary, but this book was very typical for the genre: jealousy, insecurity, wishy-washy-ness, lack of communication... it all was there. I wasn't a fan, but I'll give it a few bonus points for taking place in my neighborhood, though how the characters could be from Edison and not go once for Indian food was mind-boggling...
*Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
December 22, 2016
I love the idea of a rock star love story and since we have friends in a band, I'm always curious to see how touring is portrayed.
I really liked Eden. She smart and doesn't hide it. I loved her devotion to Micah and her desire to play music coupled with the fear of it felt realistic. As for Adam, I don't even know where to start. He's adorable and I loved the chemistry between them.
The conflict was avoidable because of course it was all based on miscommunication and sometimes the lack of communicating at all. But I can see both sides of the story, so that made it sort of forgivable.
Overall, the story was fun and mostly fluffy. The bit of angst there wasn't didn't last long and I absolutely loved the grand gesture. I'll definitely be looking forward to future books in the series.
**Huge thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for providing the arc free of charge**
I really liked Eden. She smart and doesn't hide it. I loved her devotion to Micah and her desire to play music coupled with the fear of it felt realistic. As for Adam, I don't even know where to start. He's adorable and I loved the chemistry between them.
The conflict was avoidable because of course it was all based on miscommunication and sometimes the lack of communicating at all. But I can see both sides of the story, so that made it sort of forgivable.
Overall, the story was fun and mostly fluffy. The bit of angst there wasn't didn't last long and I absolutely loved the grand gesture. I'll definitely be looking forward to future books in the series.
**Huge thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for providing the arc free of charge**
January 1, 2017
This is a magical book - this is witty, fun, and a bit steamy. It was such fun that I read it in one sitting.
Eden is a biochemist who is employed by a company who does clinical research on sexual enhancement product or "boner research" which is the term that Eden and her coworkers use for it. One day, one of the scientists gives her a vial of a lovely perfume which is part of a pheromone research project. Eden puts some of the scent on when she goes to one of her brother's music gigs and there she meets an attractive guy in a hoodie named Adam. Though he is not normally her type, Eden is attracted to him immediately. They talk and enjoy themselves during her brother's performance and then go out with her brother after the show. Eden and Adam end up together for the night.
Eden is totally unware that Adam is a well known rock star until after their night together. They both surprised and a bit overwhelmed by the power of their mutual attraction. Eden is also bewildered by the attraction because she does not know if Adam is really attracted to her or if it was due to the pheromones in the perfume. She is also afraid to ruin what she has with Adam and does not tell him about the pheromone perfume.
As the relationship develops between Adam and Eden, the secret becomes more burdensome for Eden. Other complications arise due to Adam's fame and the pressures of being in a relationship where they are constantly in the public spotlight. Further complications occur when Eden decides to test whether the magic is real and stops using the pheromone and tells Adam about it. They are tested but they do find that their magic is real.
I was given this book by NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Eden is a biochemist who is employed by a company who does clinical research on sexual enhancement product or "boner research" which is the term that Eden and her coworkers use for it. One day, one of the scientists gives her a vial of a lovely perfume which is part of a pheromone research project. Eden puts some of the scent on when she goes to one of her brother's music gigs and there she meets an attractive guy in a hoodie named Adam. Though he is not normally her type, Eden is attracted to him immediately. They talk and enjoy themselves during her brother's performance and then go out with her brother after the show. Eden and Adam end up together for the night.
Eden is totally unware that Adam is a well known rock star until after their night together. They both surprised and a bit overwhelmed by the power of their mutual attraction. Eden is also bewildered by the attraction because she does not know if Adam is really attracted to her or if it was due to the pheromones in the perfume. She is also afraid to ruin what she has with Adam and does not tell him about the pheromone perfume.
As the relationship develops between Adam and Eden, the secret becomes more burdensome for Eden. Other complications arise due to Adam's fame and the pressures of being in a relationship where they are constantly in the public spotlight. Further complications occur when Eden decides to test whether the magic is real and stops using the pheromone and tells Adam about it. They are tested but they do find that their magic is real.
I was given this book by NetGalley in return for an honest review.
May 17, 2016
I was lucky enough to read an early copy of this novel. Mary Ann Marlowe has a gift for words and humor, and her characters come to life on the page. Not only is it sweet and sexy and fun, but Adam and Eden embody a rawness that makes them more real than fiction. He's a rock star we could all fall in love with. Can't wait for her next book!
February 4, 2017
Legally, I'm supposed to tell you that I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. But in the interests of full disclosure, I was fortunate enough to be allowed to read it three times prior to publication, am having the paperback delivered to my home the day it's available, and requested this copy from Netgalley because I couldn't wait to read it again. Yes, it's that good.
Opening the first page and being reunited with Eden after more than a year away felt like being greeted by an old friend. The characters are well-rounded, detailed, and somehow very down to earth (since one of them is a rock star). I don't really identify with the woes of the rock star lifestyle, but that's OK because Marlowe wove in universal themes: jealousy, failure to communicate, and a dash of bad decision-making (who hasn't been there?).
The voice leaps off the page; I could eat it with a spoon. I didn't want to stop reading, even knowing what would happen. The sex steamed up my contacts. This book is well-written, fast-paced, and HAWT. From first page to last, I loved absolutely everything about this book. A sparkling debut, indeed. I can't wait until the next book in the series is released.
Opening the first page and being reunited with Eden after more than a year away felt like being greeted by an old friend. The characters are well-rounded, detailed, and somehow very down to earth (since one of them is a rock star). I don't really identify with the woes of the rock star lifestyle, but that's OK because Marlowe wove in universal themes: jealousy, failure to communicate, and a dash of bad decision-making (who hasn't been there?).
The voice leaps off the page; I could eat it with a spoon. I didn't want to stop reading, even knowing what would happen. The sex steamed up my contacts. This book is well-written, fast-paced, and HAWT. From first page to last, I loved absolutely everything about this book. A sparkling debut, indeed. I can't wait until the next book in the series is released.
May 20, 2016
I was so fortunate to read an advance copy of this book! The writing is smart, witty, steamy, and fun, but it's also satisfyingly emotional and real. I loved the quirky beginnings of their relationship (through her work as a biochemist, Eden ends up wearing a pheromone spray--the modern version of a love potion--and attracting a handsome stranger). Though the premise is fun, the conflict quickly deepened to more personal territory. Adam is beloved as a superstar, but very few people truly know him. Eden, who craves normalcy after being raised in a rather wacky household, has a hard time trusting her place, and seeing a future, in the life of a rock god. These are characters who stay with you. Can't wait for Marlowe's next book!
May 17, 2016
This book was so much fun to read. It's witty, sexy, full of heart, and lets you live out that "bang the rock star" fantasy you know you have but will claim otherwise even though you shouldn't. I wish all books made me feel the way Some Kind of Magic made me feel.
May 20, 2016
I had the great pleasure of reading this book pre-publication. Mary Ann Marlowe creates a magical debut full of heat and heart. I fell in love with Adam and Eden, both for their vulnerability and charm. The intriguing concept wrapped the whole read in a will-they-make-it tension that had me screaming for a HEA. I rooted for them the whole way! This book was truly music to my ears.
December 12, 2016
My little hard rock fangirl heart fell so hard for this book. Love the music focus and the swoony romance. Such a fun read.
February 7, 2017
I'm more of a mystery girl than a romance reader but Some Kind of Magic makes me realize why people love romance novels so dang much. It's such a great book. I loved getting to spend time eavesdropping on Eden and Adam's whirlwind romance that may or may not be the result of a chemically enhanced perfume.
The author does such an amazing job of taking a high-concept premise (not to mention the music industry) and making it feel so real. I wanted them to be together as if Eden was my bff from college. I was nervous during their first official date like "Both of you better not mess this up." When she felt insecure about their relationship and the perfume's role in it, I wanted to give her the type of advice you always give your girlfriend but never take yourself. And I literally laughed out loud at least three times per page. This book is the perfect combination of women's fiction and romance and has so many elements that will appeal to fans of both genres.
And I can't wait to be all up in Eden's on-the-brink-of-superstar-status brother Micah's business for the next book in the series Crazy Kind of Love. It's a good thing that we only have to wait until fall.
The author does such an amazing job of taking a high-concept premise (not to mention the music industry) and making it feel so real. I wanted them to be together as if Eden was my bff from college. I was nervous during their first official date like "Both of you better not mess this up." When she felt insecure about their relationship and the perfume's role in it, I wanted to give her the type of advice you always give your girlfriend but never take yourself. And I literally laughed out loud at least three times per page. This book is the perfect combination of women's fiction and romance and has so many elements that will appeal to fans of both genres.
And I can't wait to be all up in Eden's on-the-brink-of-superstar-status brother Micah's business for the next book in the series Crazy Kind of Love. It's a good thing that we only have to wait until fall.
February 13, 2017
This was perfection, addicting, consuming, and so much FUN! Oh how I love these characters. Looking for something to grab your attention, make you laugh, swoon, and possibly sob? Well, my friends, this is the book. I read it in a day. I crave these kinds of stories.
September 13, 2016
Fun and engaging, this was such a great read! I loved Eden and Adam, and seeing how their story unfolded. The music aspect felt like an added bonus; I wish I could actually hear them sing together.
November 10, 2016
Man, this book is so good. It's funny, it's brilliant, it's well-written. It hits all the right spots and is so stinkin' satisfying.
(This is a review of an ARC)
(This is a review of an ARC)
February 9, 2017
This novel is the classic case of right thing at the right time. It's sexy at the right times. Romantic at the right times. Smart, witty, clever, serious, funny, sad, hopeful, honest, all at the right times, and the story gripped me from start to finish. The progression of the story felt natural and realistic, even when the premise is centered on the idea of a 'love potion' bringing Adam and Eden together. I enjoyed the touch of music and original lyrics, and I was excited to see there will be a second book featuring Micah, Eden's brother. A very satisfying and fun book!
August 29, 2017
*I received an ARC in return for an honest review
A retelling of Love Potion No9? Sign me up!
On top of one of my favorite movies of ever being retold in prose, with a few twists, I deeply enjoyed the well-rounded, fleshed-out and very real characters of this book.
It’s hard, sometimes, as an author, to do that. It takes a lot of work behind the scenes that the reader never sees and I’m thrilled that Ms. Marlowe did it because it made me adore her characters.
I’m not a sucker for ‘rock star romance’ I mean it’s not really my thing because I don’t have a fantasy of sleeping with my favorite rock star (lol, not even Levine, who I find soooo sexy) but I loved the MC Adam in this book, his trials and issues made him well rounded and believable. I am a scientist, and the FMC Eden was represented quite well in all aspects of that, including her list of things for a mate! (hah, so true to form there, at least for me). The way she thinks makes her a highly empathetic character for me.
Ms. Marlowe’s voice leaps up off the page and grabs you by the throat, refusing to let you go until you finish the book and the sex… oh my… I don’t make any bones about loving graphic, open door sex scenes that melt my panties, and my desires (ahem) were met perfectly in this book. The sex didn’t fall into the trap of being gratuitous either, there was enough story to carry it.
The story is smart (yay for smart writing!) and well written, with few editorial issues and the pace is page turning. It even had a satisfying emotional feel to it, which not every book can do for me.
Did I forget to mention it’s funny, too? It is. One-liners, sly jokes and laugh-out-loud humor kept me smiling throughout. I needed that laughter today, and for that reason alone the book would have garnered five stars. The REST is just as good though. Highly worth reading.
I look forward to reading anything else Ms. Marlowe writes.
A retelling of Love Potion No9? Sign me up!
On top of one of my favorite movies of ever being retold in prose, with a few twists, I deeply enjoyed the well-rounded, fleshed-out and very real characters of this book.
It’s hard, sometimes, as an author, to do that. It takes a lot of work behind the scenes that the reader never sees and I’m thrilled that Ms. Marlowe did it because it made me adore her characters.
I’m not a sucker for ‘rock star romance’ I mean it’s not really my thing because I don’t have a fantasy of sleeping with my favorite rock star (lol, not even Levine, who I find soooo sexy) but I loved the MC Adam in this book, his trials and issues made him well rounded and believable. I am a scientist, and the FMC Eden was represented quite well in all aspects of that, including her list of things for a mate! (hah, so true to form there, at least for me). The way she thinks makes her a highly empathetic character for me.
Ms. Marlowe’s voice leaps up off the page and grabs you by the throat, refusing to let you go until you finish the book and the sex… oh my… I don’t make any bones about loving graphic, open door sex scenes that melt my panties, and my desires (ahem) were met perfectly in this book. The sex didn’t fall into the trap of being gratuitous either, there was enough story to carry it.
The story is smart (yay for smart writing!) and well written, with few editorial issues and the pace is page turning. It even had a satisfying emotional feel to it, which not every book can do for me.
Did I forget to mention it’s funny, too? It is. One-liners, sly jokes and laugh-out-loud humor kept me smiling throughout. I needed that laughter today, and for that reason alone the book would have garnered five stars. The REST is just as good though. Highly worth reading.
I look forward to reading anything else Ms. Marlowe writes.
February 20, 2017
I just finished reading Some Kind of Magic by Mary Ann Marlowe and wow, this was so much better than I expected. There are quite a few rock star romance stories out there and I've read a few but typically they are so similar and only sightly enjoyable. It was written in first person, which isn't something I usually like. But it works here. So the book already had that working against it and it still managed to win me over.
The chemical reaction plot was humorous but also molded the rest of the story into what it was. I wanted to keep turning the page and only put it down for a short time to sleep. The next day I dove right back in and devoured it until done. The characters are believable but not stale and they go well together. Being famous is not always easy and they certainly had their difficulties. And the fact Marlowe got me teary-eyed in a few spots, puts her right up at the top of my list. The conflict at times simply gut punched me and I could feel the pain the heroine was going through.
I would highly recommend this story and the author as one to watch. I know her books will be going in my TBR pile when new ones come out!
The chemical reaction plot was humorous but also molded the rest of the story into what it was. I wanted to keep turning the page and only put it down for a short time to sleep. The next day I dove right back in and devoured it until done. The characters are believable but not stale and they go well together. Being famous is not always easy and they certainly had their difficulties. And the fact Marlowe got me teary-eyed in a few spots, puts her right up at the top of my list. The conflict at times simply gut punched me and I could feel the pain the heroine was going through.
I would highly recommend this story and the author as one to watch. I know her books will be going in my TBR pile when new ones come out!
January 7, 2017
I had the great pleasure of getting an advance copy of this book. As many commenters have said, this is a smart, sexy, and fun read. Marlowe is a master of one-liners. What really makes this books rise above for me, though, are two things. The first is the authenticity of the backstage life of a musician. From tour buses to fan boards, Marlowe finds just the right details to make you feel like you've scored a VIP pass without ever falling into the trap of just plain showing off how well she knows this world. The second thing I love about Marlowe's book is that she rides the line of meeting all the expectations and desires of a romance reader, but never, ever tips into cliche. If there's a secret or a misunderstanding, she airs it right away and lets the tension come from the complex characters trying to sort out what it means to be in love in a world as complicated as our own.
In short, read this book. You'll have a great time, you'll feel like you really took a trip with a rock star, and you'll feel like it was the best couple of hours you've spent doing something recently.
In short, read this book. You'll have a great time, you'll feel like you really took a trip with a rock star, and you'll feel like it was the best couple of hours you've spent doing something recently.
February 14, 2017
This book is fantastic on so many levels. It will speak to anyone who's ever had a crush on a rock star. While that part of the story is the vicarious-living wish-fulfillment hook, the characters are incredibly and refreshingly real. They're complex and flawed (sometimes insecure and quick to jump to conclusions), just like real people. That's where the magic of this book lives for me--in the scary uncertainty of what it means to really love someone, imperfections and all.
Marlowe skillfully juggles all of this emotional vulnerability with the fun scientific aspects of a modern-day love potion, the witty banter of two headstrong characters, and a sizzling romance that made me grateful the cover didn't have a shirtless dude on it to give me away as I read it in public, blushing like crazy. Because whew!
It kept me up reading way past my bedtime. I'd swear I was going to sleep, and then the next chapter would start with something that cracked me up so unexpectedly that I had to keep reading. ("My weekend was a shit sandwich.") The voice in this novel hit tilt on the super-fucking-funny-o-meter. It reminded me of Alice Clayton humor, but a little younger & edgier. I will definitely be paying attention to this author's career, and look forward to reading future novels from her! 5 stars!
Marlowe skillfully juggles all of this emotional vulnerability with the fun scientific aspects of a modern-day love potion, the witty banter of two headstrong characters, and a sizzling romance that made me grateful the cover didn't have a shirtless dude on it to give me away as I read it in public, blushing like crazy. Because whew!
It kept me up reading way past my bedtime. I'd swear I was going to sleep, and then the next chapter would start with something that cracked me up so unexpectedly that I had to keep reading. ("My weekend was a shit sandwich.") The voice in this novel hit tilt on the super-fucking-funny-o-meter. It reminded me of Alice Clayton humor, but a little younger & edgier. I will definitely be paying attention to this author's career, and look forward to reading future novels from her! 5 stars!
December 13, 2016
This book was exactly what I needed to read after a rough week. It’s transportive, funny, smart, and emotional. I loved it!
February 9, 2017
Loved this book. It is full of magic, romance, sparkle, laughter, happiness and a happy ever after. Absolutely everything that you want in a good book.
Wonderful.
Happy reading everyone
Wonderful.
Happy reading everyone
December 30, 2016
Reading Some Kind of Magic is the literary equivalent of consuming a big chocolate cupcake with loads of buttercream frosting—it goes down easy! I enjoyed reading this book late into the night over my holiday break. The story combines romance with a behind-the-scenes exploration of today’s celebrity culture, a critique of commercial pop music, and a look at what it takes to “make it” as a career musician.
The romance between Eden (a biochemist) and Adam (a rock star!) is fun and steamy, but what I enjoyed just as much was Eden’s story. She’s a young woman who realizes she isn’t happy with her life the way it is, and takes the steps necessary for a course-correction before it’s too late. It’s a nice story for anyone who feels trapped in an unsatisfying job. The reader gets to live vicariously through Eden, who is willing to toss aside a comfortable existence for a chance to live her dream as a musician. (And yeah, if you can get the guy in the end too, that’s a nice bonus!)
The romance between Eden (a biochemist) and Adam (a rock star!) is fun and steamy, but what I enjoyed just as much was Eden’s story. She’s a young woman who realizes she isn’t happy with her life the way it is, and takes the steps necessary for a course-correction before it’s too late. It’s a nice story for anyone who feels trapped in an unsatisfying job. The reader gets to live vicariously through Eden, who is willing to toss aside a comfortable existence for a chance to live her dream as a musician. (And yeah, if you can get the guy in the end too, that’s a nice bonus!)
February 1, 2017
Those of us who write rock & roll romances know there's a certain beat you have to meet to keep readers entertained and interested. Unsurprisingly, it's a lyrical and flowing pace, and I'm so happy to say this book meets the mark. An earnest, honest musician? A discriminating, snarky scientist? A family connection to the music biz? All those items get checked off in this lovely debut book from a talented and accessible writer.
My favorite thing about Some Kind of Magic has to be the writing. Marlowe's prose doesn't try to seduce readers into appreciating it. It's simply there to tell the story in the manner of some of my favorite authors. She doesn't need smoke and mirrors to be engaging or to draw readers in--her plot and characters do that all by themselves.
If you're looking for a light, fun, breezy, and sexy romp through the world of rock music (and science), you can't go wrong with this book. It's thoroughly enjoyable.
My favorite thing about Some Kind of Magic has to be the writing. Marlowe's prose doesn't try to seduce readers into appreciating it. It's simply there to tell the story in the manner of some of my favorite authors. She doesn't need smoke and mirrors to be engaging or to draw readers in--her plot and characters do that all by themselves.
If you're looking for a light, fun, breezy, and sexy romp through the world of rock music (and science), you can't go wrong with this book. It's thoroughly enjoyable.
February 16, 2017
I loved it! These character snuck up on me and found a place in my heart. I had tears in my eyes for them when they cried but a big smile on my face by the end. Some Kind of Magic was a fabulous debut. Excited to hear that Micah gets his turn in the spotlight next.
February 9, 2017
I'm not a big romance reader, so I can't really tell you how this fits into the genre or anything like that. What I do know is that it's really good. I just knocked out the last hundred pages or so even though I was supposed to be doing something else. Just didn't want to put it down.
It's funny in that way where sometimes you laugh out loud, but even when you aren't laughing, you just smile the whole way through. The characters are really well rounded and you are going to find yourself rooting for them. And they have a lot of sex. Great book. Can't wait for the next one.
It's funny in that way where sometimes you laugh out loud, but even when you aren't laughing, you just smile the whole way through. The characters are really well rounded and you are going to find yourself rooting for them. And they have a lot of sex. Great book. Can't wait for the next one.
December 19, 2016
I rarely finish a book all in one day, but I could not stop reading this one. I'm always a sucker for rockstar romances and this was a great one! Fast read with a super swoony romance, and a quick but believable connection between the couple. I could completely understand why Eden and Adam were drawn to each other - beyond the "magic" perfume. The story wasn't overly angsty though Eden and Adam each had to overcome their their own insecurities and figure out how to make it work between them. Especially with Adam being a a celebrity and in the public all the time.
The story was pretty much perfect for the first three quarters. Then there's a Big Break, which is typical of 98% of romances, and never fails to annoy me. After being pretty good at communicating and working through things, there's suddenly a lot of misunderstanding and drama. I was glad to see Eden grow up a lot during this period and figure out her life more, but I wish is that Still this was really great and the end left me feeling happy and satisfied.
The only other thing I wanted to mention is that there's a small side storyline involving the possibility that a minor character is transgender. I just have some questions about the way the storyline was presented.
Love Triangle Factor: None
Cliffhanger Scale: Standalone*, satisfying end with an epilogue
*as far as I know
The story was pretty much perfect for the first three quarters. Then there's a Big Break, which is typical of 98% of romances, and never fails to annoy me. After being pretty good at communicating and working through things, there's suddenly a lot of misunderstanding and drama. I was glad to see Eden grow up a lot during this period and figure out her life more, but I wish is that Still this was really great and the end left me feeling happy and satisfied.
The only other thing I wanted to mention is that there's a small side storyline involving the possibility that a minor character is transgender. I just have some questions about the way the storyline was presented.
Love Triangle Factor: None
Cliffhanger Scale: Standalone*, satisfying end with an epilogue
*as far as I know
March 6, 2017
This is an incredibly fun and sexy read! For anyone who's ever dreamed about what it's like to date a rock star -- or be a rock star -- this book is for you. Can't wait to read the sequel!
March 10, 2017
This was such a fun and hot read. The chemistry (pun intended) between Adam and Eden was electric. The writing was seamless and the story so well crafted. Can't wait for the next one!
December 21, 2016
Release Date: January 31, 2017
Genre: Chick Lit and Women's Fiction
Some Kind of Magic by Mary Ann Marlowe is a unique and magical story about two total opposites who may just end up falling in love with eachother...
This is a really fun and sweet story and I had a good time reading it. So much that I actually read the entire book in one sitting because I simply couldn't get enough! The author does a fantastic job with this book and I felt very connected to the characters. It also reminded me of one of my favorite movies - Love Potion Number 9 -, which added to my reading experience. Of course, this story is quite different in terms of the characters, but so fresh and fun none the less.
If your looking to find a new author to get into, then look no further! Marlowe has a hit on her hands with this witty story and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next. I am highly anticipating her next release. I hope we don't have to wait too long!
Genre: Chick Lit and Women's Fiction
Some Kind of Magic by Mary Ann Marlowe is a unique and magical story about two total opposites who may just end up falling in love with eachother...
This is a really fun and sweet story and I had a good time reading it. So much that I actually read the entire book in one sitting because I simply couldn't get enough! The author does a fantastic job with this book and I felt very connected to the characters. It also reminded me of one of my favorite movies - Love Potion Number 9 -, which added to my reading experience. Of course, this story is quite different in terms of the characters, but so fresh and fun none the less.
If your looking to find a new author to get into, then look no further! Marlowe has a hit on her hands with this witty story and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next. I am highly anticipating her next release. I hope we don't have to wait too long!
February 25, 2017
This book was so much fun! I loved the characters, especially Eden. She was smart and funny, quirky in her own way, and absolutely a doll to read about. Adam was that rock star hottie you can't help but love. Different than the norm, but in an amazing way. Fame didn't make him cocky or rude, never changed his personality either. His love for Eden was fierce, and her's for him the same.
This was an incredibly sweet story with loads of charm that had me swooning like a fool. I can't rec it enough.
This was an incredibly sweet story with loads of charm that had me swooning like a fool. I can't rec it enough.
February 1, 2017
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
I knew I was going to like this one, but I didn't realise I would like it as much as I did! What a pleasant surprise!
I liked both Eden and Adam from the start. Eden was relatable in so many ways, from her interest in biology and genetics (YAY STEM) to her desire to find a guy with a stable job (but, ya know, that goes out the window fairly quickly). I loved Adam and how down-to-Earth he was (now). Their chemistry was really well-written, though I never felt consumed by it.
I LOVED that Adam wasn't Broken, which is the rock star stereotype in books. In fact, I think part of the conflict in the book came down to Eden thinking he'd be like a rock star stereotype, partying all the time and sleeping around, even when his words and behaviour showed he wasn't.
As with 90% of contemporary romance novels, the Issues came down to communication. What's strange in this book is that Eden and Adam were usually quite good about talking through issues, except for the one necessary for conflict in the story. However, I could understand Eden's fear. I think I would also be very shocked and paranoid if a celebrity was into me. I know Adam kept saying he was a normal guy, but come on. I mean, I have issues trusting that actual regular people like me sometimes.
I would say my two niggles with the book were that there were some lulls in the story (e.g. the travelogue bit where they're going from one tour location to the next) and there wasn't enough chemistry sending zings through me. But that's it!
So, like I said at the beginning, I enjoyed SOME KIND OF MAGIC more than I expected to, and I'll be keeping an eye out for more from Mary Ann Marlowe!
I knew I was going to like this one, but I didn't realise I would like it as much as I did! What a pleasant surprise!
I liked both Eden and Adam from the start. Eden was relatable in so many ways, from her interest in biology and genetics (YAY STEM) to her desire to find a guy with a stable job (but, ya know, that goes out the window fairly quickly). I loved Adam and how down-to-Earth he was (now). Their chemistry was really well-written, though I never felt consumed by it.
I LOVED that Adam wasn't Broken, which is the rock star stereotype in books. In fact, I think part of the conflict in the book came down to Eden thinking he'd be like a rock star stereotype, partying all the time and sleeping around, even when his words and behaviour showed he wasn't.
As with 90% of contemporary romance novels, the Issues came down to communication. What's strange in this book is that Eden and Adam were usually quite good about talking through issues, except for the one necessary for conflict in the story. However, I could understand Eden's fear. I think I would also be very shocked and paranoid if a celebrity was into me. I know Adam kept saying he was a normal guy, but come on. I mean, I have issues trusting that actual regular people like me sometimes.
I would say my two niggles with the book were that there were some lulls in the story (e.g. the travelogue bit where they're going from one tour location to the next) and there wasn't enough chemistry sending zings through me. But that's it!
So, like I said at the beginning, I enjoyed SOME KIND OF MAGIC more than I expected to, and I'll be keeping an eye out for more from Mary Ann Marlowe!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 264 reviews