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A Musa do Rocker

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Poderá uma revelação do passado destruir uma ligação assim tão forte?

O regresso de Penelope Ward com um romance inesperado e inesquecível.

Só eu sabia o motivo que me tinha levado até ao deserto da Califórnia, onde, abrigado por uma área rochosa e desolada, se encontrava um estúdio de gravação. Nesse dia, quando a porta se abriu e um homem me convidou a entrar, deixei que ele pensasse que eu estava ali para a entrevista de emprego para assistente de digressão dos Delirious Jones, uma das bandas de rock mais famosas dos Estados Unidos. Afinal, aquele trabalho até poderia ser empolgante para uma recém-licenciada como eu, mas a verdade é que a entrevista não foi propriamente um sucesso.

Antes de sair do estúdio, entrei por engano na casa de banho dos homens e acabei à conversa com um atraente desconhecido, que só depois vim a saber que se tratava de Tristan Daltrey, o vocalista da banda. Nessa noite, recebi um telefonema a confirmar que tinha sido escolhida.

Com o início da digressão começou a minha história complicada com o Tristan. Embora eu soubesse que não devia passar tanto tempo com o líder da banda, estabelecemos uma ligação muito forte e passávamos muitas noites a conhecermo-nos melhor em jantares informais e longas conversas.

Mas, apesar de tudo o que nos unia, eu ainda escondia o verdadeiro motivo que me levara ali - e isso poderia pôr tudo em causa e mudar o rumo das nossas vidas para sempre.

304 pages, Paperback

First published August 26, 2024

1411 people are currently reading
15338 people want to read

About the author

Penelope Ward

98 books25.8k followers
Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.

She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.

With millions of books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over forty novels.

In 2014, Penelope’s fourth book, Stepbrother Dearest, became the #1 bestselling independently published Kindle ebook of the year on Amazon.com and was credited with igniting an entirely new subgenre of romance. Her 2016 smash hit RoomHate debuted at #2 on The New York Times Bestseller list. Penelope is an Audie Award Winner and three-time Goodreads Choice Romance of the Year Nominee. Her books have been featured in Entertainment Weekly and Publisher’s Weekly (Starred Review).

Penelope’s novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.

She can often be found chatting live with her readers in her private Facebook group, Penelope’s Peeps.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 601 reviews
Profile Image for Penelope Ward.
Author 98 books25.8k followers
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August 25, 2024
THE ROCKER'S MUSE is LIVE on EARLY on Amazon! Get it while it's $3.99 (U.S. Pricing) for a very limited time. (Moving to $4.99 permanently after release.) It is also NOT in Kindle Unlimited, so grab it at the lowest price NOW!
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DF65ZC18
Pre-orders:
Apple: bit.ly/4dEzNR2
Kobo: bit.ly/4fMvZ1P
Nook: bit.ly/3YO7zic
Google Play: bit.ly/3X7a4uK
Special-Edition Paperback Preorder: bit.ly/46NOOxv
What You Can Expect:
• ROCKSTAR
• 15-YEAR AGE GAP
• SMALL TOWN
• FOUND FAMILY
• SLOW BURN
• FORBIDDEN
Profile Image for Em (semi-hiatus).
736 reviews273 followers
August 27, 2024
Lame and laughable at first, but it became downright unbearable once the hero called the heroine a "horny, gap-toothed little minx."
Profile Image for warhawke.
1,549 reviews2,235 followers
August 21, 2024

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Type: Interconnected Standalone from Rockstar series
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:




An unexpected job interview and a chance encounter with lead singer Tristan Daltrey took Emily Applewood on tour with his famous rock band, Delirious Jones. Despite their differences, they became each other’s refuge amidst the chaos of life on tour. But a life-altering secret threatened to change both of their futures.



Tristan was such a nice guy with his calm and respectful demeanor, with moments of mischievousness. Emily got herself in a situation but managed to adapt easily. I like the bond they had and enjoyed the presence of the band members as well.

Tristan wanted me to go anywhere I wanted and have adventures. But having the freedom to do that made me realize my heart only wanted to be with him.


The story was engaging with funny moments interlaced with emotional situations. I loved how the author managed to seamlessly change the direction of the story.

The Rocker’s Muse is a story of forgiveness and acceptance. It would appeal to readers who enjoy slow-burn, age-gap romance.





🎵🔹️🎵. . . (F)BR with Loyda . . . 🎵🔹️🎵



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For graphics, trailers & author services visit Warhawke Design Studio.

Profile Image for Jan.
1,251 reviews989 followers
November 27, 2024

I went into this book with low expectations, having struggled to get into the author's recent releases, but I was craving a rock star romance and decided to give it a shot. I'm so glad I did! This one was a pleasant surprise. I immediately felt a strong connection with both main characters, and I loved that they communicated openly with each other. The age-gap dynamic really worked for me, as I’m a sucker for that trope. The character development was solid, and the storyline was engaging from start to finish. It was a refreshing read that exceeded my expectations, and I’m so happy I took a chance on it!

Profile Image for MELISSA *Mel Reader*.
1,396 reviews1,506 followers
August 27, 2024
4.5 Stars!
(ARC provided by author)

Emily Applewood is a communications major who recently graduated from college. She’s in between jobs and was still trying to find her place in the world when she finds herself in the middle of the California desert. Her life is complicated right now, and she longed for an escape from her problems. Then the perfect opportunity practically falls in her lap in the form of a job offer. Four months on the road as the assistant for the upcoming music tour of a popular rock band. The past few years have been rough for her, and she could use a change of scenery. It could be a fun experience, and give her some time to think about her future. The added bonus is the gorgeous stranger she recently encountered turns out to be in the band. While taking a break from reality, she enjoys talking with him. As a crush develops she realizes she cares about him. Soon she’s in over her head with feelings that can’t go anywhere since they will part ways when the tour ends.

Tristan Daltrey is the lead singer and star of the rock band Delirious Jones. When he suddenly feels an undeniable connection to the band’s newest employee he knows he can’t cross that line. At twenty two, she’s way too young for him, but she’s real, genuine, and he can’t help being fascinated with her. He enjoys spending time with her, and she quickly means a lot to him. Will something unexpected turn into more, or will secrets threaten their growing bond?

The Rocker’s Muse by Penelope Ward is a standalone, small town, age gap, found family, slow burn, opposites attract, forbidden, friends to lovers, rockstar romance about friendship, self discovery and healing. This was a unique, captivating story full of emotion, humor and sizzling chemistry, and was packed with secrets and many twists and turns throughout. I loved this world and now need books for both Atticus and Ronan! <333

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***NOW AVAILABLE***
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Profile Image for Ana | SheSaidYestoBooks.
1,992 reviews151 followers
September 4, 2024
This book felt more like I was in a therapy session than reading a romance novel. Boring!

TROPES: rockstar, age gap (22 & 38), workplace, insta-love
Profile Image for Vi.
150 reviews248 followers
April 19, 2025
Que surpresa tão boa, meu deus! Eu antes de pegar neste livro, não tinha a certeza se ia gostar, mas eu amei 🥹

A vibe, as personagens, OS TEMAS, a história de cada um deles, tudo perfeito. Amei-os tanto, juro-vos que não há um defeito.

Nunca tinha lido nada desta autora, mas adorei a escrita e a forma como ela conseguiu encaixar temas tão importantes nesta história e neste mundo.

Estou completamente rendida! Um favorito
Profile Image for Auntee.
1,356 reviews1,469 followers
August 27, 2024
I’ve read a lot of this author’s books, and loved most of them. But sadly, this one was just ok for me. It may be because I’m not really a fan of rock star romances, or it may be that there was way too much dialogue in this book between the H/h where they went round and round about why they shouldn’t be together (he was 15 years older than her; she worked for him as an assistant on his tour; and then the biggest roadblock about why they couldn’t be together came out later in the story *sigh*)…it just got a bit repetitive. But I did finish it..I wouldn’t call it bad at all (there were some good parts and I didn’t guess the big reveal), it just wasn’t a favorite trope I guess. Will I read the next book in the series about the drummer in the band (Atticus)? I have to admit I’m a bit intrigued…
3 1/2 stars
Profile Image for Lo Bookfrantic.
838 reviews595 followers
September 6, 2024
4.5★★★★Stars

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Type: Interconnected Standalone from Rockstar series
POV: First Person - Dual

“You brought me back full circle. You brought me home.”


Emily Applewood did not anticipated the opportunity of a lifetime, a job she didn’t know she needed completely changed her life. When the lead singer of a famous rock band takes her on the tour of a lifetime, she could not resist. Tristan Daltre, found Emily refreshing, used to fame and no privacy and all sudden having someone who truly see him for who he was, left him feeling refreshing.

During tour they cling to each other more than they intended and when a life-altering secret threatened to change both of their futures, Emily had no choice but to walk away.

I really loved Tristan, he was charming and respectful. I love that he was mature and truly cared for Emily. Emily was a strong heroine that even young had a strong head on her shoulders. The story had so many funny moments as well as emotional ones. It was a perfect combination of romance and angst.

The rocker’s muse is slow-burn, age gap story of forgiveness and acceptance. Romance readers will find this book appealing.

This was a F(BR) with War.

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Profile Image for Irene.
1,048 reviews123 followers
February 11, 2025

SubG: Contemporary Romance
Tropes: Age-Gap, Secret Baby, Forbidden love
Story: 3 stars
Audio: 4 stars
Narrators: Andi Arndt - Connor Crais

I really like PW's writing style and everything I've read so far by her, especially in collaboration with Vi Keeland, I loved. They never fail to entertain me with the MC's witty banter, their chemistry, some level of angst and no OTT plot. But this book was too much. Too depressing, too much going on with both the MC's personal lives, too many secrets and the worst of all; their chemistry or the sexual connection between them felt out of place in this story.
Tristan and Emily connected in a fundamental level, two souls that circumstances (or fate?) brought together to anchor each other in this life. They formed a connection first as friends and confidants that defied social forms or expectations. Of course love was inevitable but I loved how they established a relationship first that was based on honesty and mutual respect with no expectations.
Their sex-scenes felt unfitting to me. Not all love scenes must be hot, with dirty talk and innuendos. I felt that especially with Emily being so young their coming together should be more tender, more like making love than f...ing.
200 reviews18 followers
February 1, 2025
So it was good, the writing was good but why 3 stars?

Let’s start with the plot. 22 year old h meets 38 year old rock star and does not recognize him. She had been in an interview for his upcoming tour prior to meeting. He likes that she did not know him and treated him normally. He gets her hired. So here is where it started to be a bit of a let down. They were both attracted and drawn to each other. The H does some stupid things and it’s not clear if he actually fucked any groupies on the tour or not. Anyway, he is fighting his feelings because he thinks he is too old not good enough etc. She is falling for him but still has a secret. They hook up but no sex.

She ends up quitting the tour and he goes to find her after the US leg is over. Here is what I did not like so her dead boyfriend from HS and her best friend is the H’s son he knew nothing about. Anyway, she tells him the whole story. He is not an ass to her but he sees this as another reason for them to not be together. He leaves and goes to the UK for the rest of the tour and jumps into dating a woman that is working with them. The h sees this and is hurt so she starts dating someone. He comes back to her town the GF shows up she is not evil but not really nice. They end up on a double date, it was just gross that they were both with others when they were in love with each other.

They both breakup with their others and get together but it was so long winded. I hated that the h was with his son and that there was a son at all. A secret brother who she was besties with would have been better. The fact that he moved right into a relationship with OW was gross even if he said it was not serious. The h deciding to date for similar reasons. It was just way too drawn out. There was not much sex in it. I don’t think I’ll read the next one about the drummer who was a huge manwhore after divorce to a woman he still loves.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kindle Crack Book Reviews Cheri .
1,334 reviews1,087 followers
August 26, 2024
Hop on the tour bus and get ready to ride into the feels with the boys from the Delirious Jones band in The Rocker’s Muse by Penelope Ward. This one-of-a-kind rockstar romance is one of my top reads of the year!   Tristian and Emily’s combustible connection made me fall for both characters hard.  I was captivated from the first to the last page.  When I hit the end, I hugged my Kindle. It was that good—Chef’s kiss Penelope. 
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Profile Image for Hayley Gallant .
835 reviews82 followers
February 16, 2025
5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This was such an amazing read!


I usually find a bit of a struggle with Rockstar romance, because I find them a bit unrealistic. But, I actually got the complete opposite with this one.

Even with the huge twist in this one, the characters were so relatable that I found myself devouring this one from start until the end.

The tension between the main characters was off the charts and the slow burn was burning all the way through.

You get:
• Contemporary Romance
• Rockstar
• Spicy
• Forbidden Love
• Forced Proximity
• Twists & Turns
• Age Gap


I highly recommend this one! Available on KU, ebook, hardcover, paperback, and audiobook.
Profile Image for Iris Bicho.
360 reviews733 followers
March 20, 2025
Tou com a maior relação de amor ódio de sempre
Não sei ainda como me sinto em relação a este livro
September 1, 2024
4 ⭐'s

The best part of the book for me was the connection between Tristan and Emily. I loved when they would "just talk". Okay, the not talking parts were pretty good too. 😉

And I loved that I didn't see the twist coming!

Can't wait for Atticus' book...I'm very intrigued about what could've happened!
Profile Image for Richelle Robinson.
1,289 reviews35 followers
August 23, 2024
Thank you Give Me Books for my review copy.

I feel like a broken record at this point but Penelope Ward can do no wrong in my eyes. This book had me ALL in my feels. Like eyes tearing, heart in my throat, did I just read that? Let me read this part again because this can’t be happening. Ward has a very unique way of writing characters that I can’t help but fall in love with and all I want for them is to be happy. This book gave me everything I need in a romance novel and I’m so looking forward to reading Atticus and Nicole’s story next.

Notable Quotes:

We have to make life about more than the uncontrollable sh*t that gets thrown at us.
Profile Image for Stephanie Hubenak.
620 reviews93 followers
February 26, 2025
What. A. Ride. I basically buddy listened to this book with my friend Jules and we couldn't stop listening. This was such a unique storyline and the way it was executed was so good! I also loved that while he was a rockstar, it was HIM that chased her.

What you'll get:
- Rockstar romance
- She works for the tour but didn't actually apply for the job
- Emotional
- Traumatic past
- It's always been you
- Pining

This was so amazing and if you're a rockstar romance lover, you need to immediately pick this up! I cannot wait to start book 2!
Profile Image for Ꮗ€♫◗☿ ❤️ ilikebooksbest.com ❤️.
2,940 reviews2,674 followers
October 4, 2025
Secrets, Soundchecks, and Second Chances



The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💚💜💙🩷
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌍
Character development: 😋🙂☺️😘🥰
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration type: Dual Narration

🦸🏼‍♀️ Heroine Spotlight: Emily Applewood

Emily Applewood wasn’t looking for a job—especially not in the middle of the desert. But when she stumbled across a lone building and a man mistook her for an interviewee, she said yes. Why not? The band Delirious Jones was recording nearby, and Emily, armed with honesty and improvisation, leaned into the moment. She didn’t know what she was signing up for, but soon found herself hired as a hybrid assistant—part lackey, part logistical wizard—for the band’s upcoming tour. Fake it till you make it? She did—with grit, charm, and a dash of chaos.

🦸🏻‍♂️ Hero Spotlight: Tristan Daltrey

Tristan Daltrey, lead singer of Delirious Jones, is thirty-eight and quietly unraveling beneath the weight of fame. The rockstar life has lost its luster, and the constant recognition feels more like surveillance than adoration. He grows a beard to escape the spotlight during recording sessions, only to shave it off when the tour begins. Beneath the swagger lies a secret—one that could shatter his career. Tristan is a man caught between personas, yearning for authenticity in a world that demands performance.

📃 Plot Pulse

Emily’s new gig is a whirlwind—exhausting, exhilarating, and unexpectedly fulfilling. She rides the second bus with the road crew, soaking in the backstage chaos. After a week, she finally connects with Tristan. Their conversations are raw and unfiltered, each revealing cracks beneath the surface. Emily doesn’t fawn over him, and that’s exactly what Tristan needs. Their bond deepens, built on mutual vulnerability rather than starry-eyed infatuation. But Emily’s past isn’t as simple as it seems—and her secrets might rival his.

💘 What Hit Home

• The slow-burn friendship between Emily and Tristan felt earned and emotionally rich.
• Emily’s secret added real stakes and complexity beyond the romance.
• Strong character arcs and memorable supporting cast gave the story texture and heart.

🧐 What Fell Flat

• Age-gap romances aren’t my favorite—especially when the gap is wide enough to raise longevity questions.
• The groupie scene was uncomfortable. Emily’s reaction felt emotionally muted, and the moment lacked the gravity it deserved—even if they weren’t officially together.

🎧 Narration Notes

Narrated in dual POV by Andi Arndt and Connor Crais, this audiobook delivers on performance. Andi’s range and emotional clarity bring Emily to life, while Connor’s deep, velvety voice is tailor-made for a weary rockstar like Tristan. Their chemistry enhances the story’s intimacy, making each scene feel personal and immersive. I could listen to Connor narrate a grocery list and still be captivated.

📝 Final Takeaway

A backstage romance with grit, heart, and emotional depth. Emily and Tristan’s journey isn’t just about falling in love—it’s about finding someone who sees you when the spotlight fades. Despite a few bumps, this audiobook hits the right notes for fans of character-driven romance with a rockstar twist.

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Profile Image for MissPetiteBrunetteBookBlog.
1,403 reviews262 followers
August 25, 2024
When Emily Applewood accidentally gets an interview as an assistant to a rockstar she wasn’t going to not try. Wouldn’t you? Anyway, it didn’t go well but after a run in with a man on her way out of the building she somehow got the job!! That mystery man…none other than lead singer of Delirious Jones, Tristan Daltrey! Will this blossoming friendship they start grow into something more? Omg, I was giggling from the very first encounter but this isn’t all laughs. There is a touching and emotional story within too. I loved seeing Tristian and Emily bond over their life experiences. What a beautiful slow burn romance about two people from different worlds discovering no matter where you come from we all deal with similar issues. My heart is full!! I need the whole band to get a book too! Top read of 2024. Are you ready to go on tour? Told in first person and dual POV.

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Profile Image for AJ.
3,242 reviews1,070 followers
January 25, 2025
4.5 stars

A gorgeous age-gap, forbidden(ish), rockstar romance, and the beginning of a new series of standalones from Penelope Ward. This is beautifully written love story with twists and turns and heartwrenching emotion, and I loved it.

Emily is a 22 year old who is struggling to find her place in life when she wanders into a recording studio and ends up scoring a job as a runner on tour for rock band, Delirious Jones. It was her accidental run-in with lead singer, Tristan, that got her the job. She had no idea who he was, but their short interaction was sweet and easy, and intrigued the rocker, so once she starts working on their tour, he creates every opportunity he can to spend time with her.

It’s fun and flirty, and I loved the playful dynamic between these two. Emily is not taken in by the celebrity of it all, she’s there to do a job and happily escapes the reality of ‘real life’ for a while and embraces all of her new experiences, and Tristan loves that. They hang out together, they talk, they become friends, and they find a sense of peace and ease together. They can open up to each other in ways that can’t with other people, and they grow close. They’re both feeling an attraction, but Emily is hesitant to actually get involved with a 38 year-old rockstar who is used to having a string of different women in his bed. That doesn’t stop them from crossing the line a few times in scenes that are hot, steamy, and sweetly emotional, showing the growing depth of their feelings for each other. But Emily has been keeping her distance for a reason, and when her truth is revealed, it will turn their worlds upside down.

As always, Ward has thrown a twist in this book which shifts the direction of the whole story and I, in no way, expected this one. I loved the shock factor, and the change that it brought to the story and though it was clever, and so well done. It’s dramatic and emotional and the feels are intense, and I couldn’t put the book down.

I was so invested in these two as a couple. I love that the age gap isn’t a problem between them, they own what they’re feeling, and they embrace it, despite their differences. They have challenges to face and hurdles to overcome, and they’re open about those too. They definitely have a complex situation to navigate, but they do it honestly and they’re there for each other, and I loved watching their story unfold.

“You brought me back full circle. You brought me home.”

Tristan’s bandmates, Atticus and Ronan, are lots of fun, and I really enjoyed the teasing, brotherly dynamic between the boys. And Penelope Ward is not done with the boys of Delirious Jones just yet! Atticus’ second-chance-romance is hinted at in this book, and I’m so excited that we will be back with more books for these boys before too long.

This is a really beautiful story. I loved the romance, and I loved the heartfelt journey of these two characters.

I loved it – 4.5 stars.

The audio is narrated by Andi Arndt and Connor Crais, and they do a great job, as always. I really enjoyed listening to this one!

Profile Image for Bronwyn.
1,460 reviews37 followers
May 14, 2025
3.5 stars: It has been may years since I’ve read a book by Penelope Ward. Way back when, I had loved Jake Undone and the subsequent books in that series. As my tastes have waxed and waned over the years and I’m back to reading more MF romance, I figured I’d give another one of her books a try. I also have a soft spot for rocker romances. Add in an age gap and I couldn’t pass this up.

This is the story of Emily (22) and Tristan (37). Tristan is the lead singer of a rock group and Emily falls into a job as a sort of “gopher” for the US leg of their tour. I loved how that all came about and how their friendship formed. The way Tristan would play little pranks on Emily just to be with her was cute. It took a while for their obvious sexual attraction to become something physical. When Emily’s “big secret” was revealed, I think it was well done and it all felt natural with the way things played out. There was a lot of emotion that I look for in books I read. I even had to grab some Kleenex a few times.

But there were a few things that didn’t work for me. I didn’t like the sex scenes. It’s a precarious balance between getting that emotional connection with the steam that everyone wants. These scenes were too porny for my taste. Too much wetness, too many juices, and drops of “hot cum”. 🤢 But hey, if you like that, enjoy! It just wasn’t to my liking.

I also really didn’t like the addition of the OM/OW stuff. Even though we didn’t witness any love scenes with these other characters, I didn’t see the necessity of their addition to the story. Things could’ve progressed perfectly fine without them. Just because someone is hurting doesn’t mean they automatically seek someone else out. That definitely affected my rating in a negative way.

I thought the name of the album the band released was offensive and tasteless. When Tristan called Emily that “nickname” it was only once and said in jest. I would have been irate to find that they named the album that. Another negative point, even if it’s minor.

Initially, I had been planning to read the other band members’ books. When I looked for them, I saw that only Atticus, the drummer, has a book. According to a few reviews I read, Ronan doesn’t have, and apparently won’t be getting, his own. The reviewers said that Ronan’s love story was boiled down to a few sentences at the end of Atticus’s book and it will only be a duology instead of a trilogy. So I think I’ll pass since Atticus’s story doesn’t seem to take place around the other band members. It’s a second chance romance between him and his ex-wife in a small town. I liked how Emily and Tristan’s story included the band on the road.
Profile Image for Jen Altman.
483 reviews66 followers
August 25, 2024
Penelope Ward has done it again with a novel worthy of ALL THE STARS! From the moment you start reading, you’ll be completely consumed in this breathtaking and unforgettable story. Even days after finishing it and starting other books, I’m still thinking back to parts of it. The emotion is so REAL!

I’m definitely digging the age gap trope lately. It’s no surprise that Penelope crafted a sometimes controversial trope into something that just feels right. She truly has a way of developing characters that you can’t help but fall in love with. The chemistry between Tristan and Emily was so intensely powerful and went far beyond mere physicality with a deeper, more meaningful bond.

Tristan was no stranger to women throwing themselves at him trying to get their own 15 minutes of fame, but Emily was different from the very beginning. She was the piece of his life puzzle that he didn’t even know was missing. It was so incredibly beautiful! While these characters grappled with past hurts and the moral struggles of wanting something they knew they shouldn’t, the angsty drama only made their love story an even more heartfelt journey. Whenever it seemed like Tristan and Emily were ready to advance their relationship, something always seemed to come up and derail their progress creating that slow burn tension us romance lovers crave.

What makes this book so unique is while the few spicy scenes are undeniably HOT, the story has so much substance. It keeps you hooked from start to finish! If you think you’re in for just another standard rockstar romance, think again! The unforeseeable plot twists and emotional roller coaster of this touching storyline is unlike anything else out there!
Profile Image for Lynsey A.
1,970 reviews
October 7, 2024
This had an interesting premise that intrigued me so I bought this one. I'm always a bit leery of PW books since lots of times there is stupid drama but as I said, I was intrigued. There was drama but not like tear them apart, I hate you stuff, but they were apart and did have another significant other but in all seriousness, his was to forget her and hers was basically the same thing.

Anyway, it's a good story with quite the scene of dirty talk and my goodness, Tristan certainly loved to have Emily for dinner!

Anyway, I didn't figure out the big secret until it was about to be revealed and it was not too big a shocker.

But I enjoyed the book enough to give it 3 stars. I'm hoping some day I'll read another of her books that speaks to me the way Neighbor Dearest did. I love that book so much. Well, maybe someday.
Profile Image for Annica ⚡️ annica_reads_books ⚡️.
656 reviews146 followers
February 21, 2025
I was in a massive book slump, and this audiobook pulled me out of it. 5 stars for keeping my attention from start to finish, the plot twists, and the surprisingly emotional moments. I'm thrilled that I listed to this!

P.S. This is a very slow burn. You'll get detailed spice scenes, but this is a book "with" spice, not a "spicy" book. The story focuses heavily on plot, tension and character development over smut just for the sake of it.

P.P.S. The narrators were perfect—Connor Crais and Andi Arndt were expertly cast for the two love interests.

*I was gifted a copy of this audiobook from Must Love Audio and Penelope Ward, but all thoughts and opinions here are my own. Thank you Penelope and MLA!
Profile Image for Christina.
245 reviews14 followers
August 26, 2024
An emotional rockstar romance with several twists and turns I didn’t see coming! What made this story unique compared to other books in the same trope is that this time, it’s not really the rockstar who is damaged. It’s the muse! Emily has a tortured past and carries a lot of guilt and grief. Her relationship with Tristan is based on lies but evolves into something real and beautiful. About halfway through the story took a turn I was not expecting, and the book levels up in a way I didn’t expect. Fans of Penelope Ward will enjoy this one for sure!
Profile Image for Patrícia.
216 reviews2 followers
March 24, 2025
Fiquei muito desiludida com este livro. Adorei todos os livros desta autora e fiquei tão contente por ver mais um traduzido mas isto foi aborrecido…
Foi tudo meh. Os personagens, os diálogos, nada me conseguiu conquistar. Nem parecia que estava a ler um livro da Penelope Ward. Sinceramente nem sei se vá continuar esta série ou não…pode ser que até melhore mas depois desta desilusão até tenho medo que seja mais do mesmo.
Profile Image for Justadele.
925 reviews1 follower
August 26, 2024
I don’t know what exactly it was but I just wasn’t feeling this story at all..something was missing…not sure if it was the depth of the characters or the writing…just felt very disconnected to it and was a struggle to finish
Profile Image for TheSassyNerdBlog.
1,100 reviews434 followers
August 26, 2024
You’ll enjoy this book if you like these tropes… ♡


♡ Workplace Romance
✿ Age Gap
♡ Rockstar Romance
✿ Friends-to-Lovers
♡ His PA
✿ Emotionally Charged
♡ Angsty
✿ Undeniable Attraction
♡ Meet Cute
✿ Lead Singer Hero
♡ Slow Burn
✿ Instant Attraction
♡ Forbidden Love
✿ Accidental Encounter
♡ Secret Pasts
✿ Forced Proximity

I first read Penelope Ward a couple of years ago when I read Dirty Letters, which is a book she co-wrote with Vi Keeland and I fell in love with both authors together and as individual writers. When I saw the blurb to this book by Penelope, I knew I needed to read it and I was over the moon when I got picked for an ARC! Penelope honestly really cannot write a bad book. It’s so easy to fall in love with her words and her ability to fictional world that’ll take you away from reality and have you falling deeply in love with the characters within the pages of this incredible love story. The author raised the bar when it comes to this one.


Emily and Tristan were everything and more than I could ever ask for.

Tristan is used to girls throwing themselves at him, so running into Emily and her not knowing who he was, really baffled him. He wasn’t used to it. Most women would drop to their knees for the man. Most women want him for his fame and looks…He hadn’t realised that Emily was something he never knew he needed in his life, he was a breath of fresh air, so he knew he couldn’t let her slip between his fingers and he needed to get her to agree to join him on the rest of the tour.


Emily has gone to a recording studio and while roaming around she is approached and asked if she is there for the interview and thinking ‘fuck it’, not even knowing what the job is, she plays along anyway. She ends up landing the job as the band's assistant and now she wants to figure out if there is more to Tristan's personality than the public and media paint him out to be. It doesn’t take long for her to start to fantasise about what it would be like to be Tristan’s girlfriend. She knows she shouldn’t be entertaining the idea of being with him in any way whatsoever. It’s not like he’d ever see her in that way anyway, considering she’s just the band's PA and the age gap…

Emily is keeping a big secret that could potentially ruin Tristan’s life and blow up everything he’s worked so hard to achieve. Not able to take the pressure, Emily suddenly leaves the tour but sends Tristan a letter asking him to come visit after the tour has happened and promises him that she will tell him everything.

The tour comes to an end and Tristan makes his way to Emily in Shady Hills and what Emily was about to tell him.. was completely unexpected and completely threw him. He decides to stay in Shady Hills with the band and he and Emily continue to become closer the more time they spend together it’s clear that these two are falling in love with each other and it seems as though they can get through past traumas and all the ghosts from their pasts have finally settled.


Tristan was always very intrigued and drawn to Emily from the moment they bumped into each other in the bathrooms and then after she his hired to work for him, the more time they spent together. The more the lines begin to blur, the chemistry becomes intense and undeniable and it becomes impossible not to fall for each other.


Overall, this was an incredible read. The author has an amazing ability to create a love story that will give you all the feels, it will make you swoon and it will tug at your heartstrings. It was an emotionally charged, heartwarming and beautiful story that will stay with me for a long time!

5 STARS!

Profile Image for Stacey(TotalBookAddicts).
653 reviews57 followers
August 17, 2024
“But I realize now, it wasn’t the past I needed. I just needed the happiness and peace I had back then. And you gave that to me. You brought me back full circle. You brought me home.”

Penelope has gone and done it again with this emotional and beautiful story. I now have fallen in love with another one of her male characters, and he's my absolute favourite one yet.

I can't even put into words how much I loved this while story. In true Penelope fashion, she gave us that plot twist in the book, and I had no idea it would be that twist. I thought two things that might’ve happened but definitely never expected that. I was like, WOW!!! You all need to read it so you can find out what it is, lol.

Tristan and Emily damn I loved those two so much. Tristan is nearly 38 years old, and Emily is 22 years old. Naturally, I love that it's an age gap and also love that Tristan is a rockstar.

I loved how Emily and Tristan became friends. Haha, the things he had her buy for him were hilarious. I giggled and laughed a few times. I loved that Emily felt comfortable in telling him things she doesn't like to share with people she doesn't know and same for Tristan with keeping something from his bandmates which they dont know what's going on with him.

I had all the swooning because Tristan is just so damn beautiful and makes me wish I could jump into this book and hug him, I giggled and laughed alot, I loved Ronan and Atticus too, I had sad tears a few times and then happy tears. I had a lot of hand on the heart moments as well.

Also, the end was perfect, and then something exciting was at the end, and I was so happy about.
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