Songbird

by Samantha Leigh

He's the ex-bodyguard with a guitar case of secrets. She's the pop princess who needs his protection. Now they're stuck in a cabin with only one bed.

Finn Davenport has spent the last year living alone on his California ranch. A former Navy SEAL with a bleeding heart, he's going to hide in his cabin in the woods until he can leave the world better than he found it.

Rosalie Thorne is the world's biggest pop star, but after falling for her smooth-talking manager, she finds herself at the mercy of a cheating control freak with a choke hold on her career.

The last time Rosalie felt safe was with the bodyguard her ex-fiancé fired. Finn wants no part of her celebrity world, but when the woman he can't forget shows up in a wedding dress pleading for protection, he can't turn her away. When he learns her stalker is on the loose, he’s not letting her leave.

As Rosalie uncovers his deepest dreams and their chemistry jumps from sheet music to bed sheets, Finn gives up the life he wants for the woman he needs. But when their plans start to unravel and Rosalie's stalker threatens them both, their future is anything but certain.

And how will Finn live with himself if he can't keep Rosalie—and her heart—safe?‘Songbird’ is a forced proximity steamy small town romance with an HEA. It’s the third book in the Aster Springs series and can be read as a standalone.

Tropes:
- bodyguard x celebrity
- reclusive hero x heroine in danger
- touch her and die vibes
- forced proximity (only one bed!)
- mutual secret yearning
- runaway bride

Genres: Romance, Forced Proximity, Small Town Romance, Found Family, Military Fiction, Music, Romantic Suspense

384 pages, Hardcover

Published November 13, 2025

About the author

Samantha Leigh is the author of hot and heartfelt small town romance. Her heroes are dirty but her heroines like it that way, and they always get their happily-ever-afters.

Sam lives in Sydney, Australia, with her book boyfriend husband and their two soccer-obsessed kids.

Find Sam online!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samanthaleig...

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthalei...

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthaleigh...

Reviews

[madi · Rating 3 out of 5]

⋆˙⟡ — 3 stars
𐙚 spoiler-free review ♡

♡ ⋆｡˚ thoughts
i really thought this was gonna be a new fav because i loved the last books in this series, but something just didn’t click for me 😔 the biggest problem for me was how fast everything happened, especially the romance and smut. still, this was cute and super quick to read, so it wasn’t a bad time at all 🤭

♡ ⋆｡˚ characters

♡ ⋆｡˚ rosalie
i liked her a lot. she was stressed and overwhelmed, but in a way that made sense for her character. her love for music was so sweet and one of my favorite parts of the book. she felt real, even if i didn’t fully connect with every part of her story.

♡ ⋆｡˚ finn
he was honestly a cutie 😭 tough outside, soft inside. i loved his gentle moments with rosalie, and he had a lot of scenes that made me smile. i just wish we got a little more of his actual emotions instead of guessing how he felt.

♡ ⋆｡˚ their relationship
they were cute together, and some scenes definitely gave me butterflies 🥹 i just wanted more build-up before things got physical. the chemistry was there, but i wanted it to grow more naturally instead of jumping straight into things.

♡ ⋆｡˚ final thoughts
even though i didn’t love this, i still think a lot of people will enjoy it. and i’ll always pick up whatever she writes next 🤭

₊˚ ‿︵‿︵‿︵୨୧ · · ♡ · · ୨୧‿︵‿︵‿︵ ˚₊

𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ pre-read ♡⋆°｡⋆𐙚
⤷ i’ve loved the other books in this series, so i’m so excited for this one 🤭 bodyguard x celebrity and there’s only one bed?! 🙈

thank you so much to love notes pr and samantha leigh for the arc ♡

[Lilyya ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

“And that’s all I need. I don’t care about suits or spotlights when I have you.”

Rosalie was a runaway bride, a world-famous pop star about to marry a man who was slowly destroying her life. while making the last adjustments to her wedding dress, she stumbled on an old photo of her ex-bodyguard, Finn, the only person she had ever hired herself before her controlling fiancé started pulling every string and firing anyone who didn’t fit his plans. that single glimpse of the past was all it took for her to finally run.

She ends up at his small, in Finn’s secluded cottage, just wanting a place to breathe, to think. i absolutely adored how the forced proximity kept them tangled together until every buried emotion finally comes to the surface.

Samantha Leigh’s writing in this one was masterfully crafted. the family dynamics, the tenderness between them, the tension, it was all so beautifully done. the celebrity and ex-bodyguard setup was executed perfectly, and the touch of suspense with her stalker added an edge that balanced the romance so well.

all in all, i really liked this one. it was everything i hoped for: emotional, tense, and quietly romantic.

many thanks to the author for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review

[Jill (readinginpjs) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Finn & Rosie 🥹🥹 this was such a sweet story, and I LOVED this runaway bride/celeb x reclusive (former) bodyguard dynamic 😍

Thank you Love Notes PR & Samantha Leigh for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

✦ tropes & stuff:
🎵 famous popstar fmc
🕶 protective tattooed bodyguard mmc (& former Navy SEAL)
👰‍♀️ runaway bride
🌹 reclusive hero x heroine in danger (a little romantic suspense)
🏠 temporary roommates
🛏 only one bed
💋 forehead kisses
🥹 secret (mutual) pining
❤️‍🩹 caretaking
🎶 making music together
🔗 forced proximity
💞 dual 1st person pov

•┈••✦ review ✦••┈•

🎧 audio/ebook | ⭐️: 5 | 🌶️: 3 |

I adore this series, and the Davenports, and I was so curious to get to know Finn better!

My heart 🥹 his inner thoughts of not feeling good enough for more in his life, and for Rosie, totally broke me 😭

I love how they both helped heal each other in the ways they needed, and were 100% in each others’ corners every step of the way.

I’m completely obsessed with the scenes where they’re creating music together 🥹 and their (re)meet cute was absolutely the best, hilarious & sweet at the same time 🥰

I truly believe Samantha’s books are way too underrated, this is my 5th read of hers and they’ve all been FANTASTIC!

📖 Songbird by Samantha Leigh
📚 book 3 • Aster Springs series
💜: contemporary romance (mf)

*Connect with Me*
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[Lauren (lololovesthings) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars.

I thoroughly enjoyed Samantha Leigh's "Songbird." From the very first chapter, I knew I was going to be hooked on falling in love with Rosalie Thorne and Finn Davenport. This is a book where the FMC is a world-famous pop singer and the MMC is her former bodyguard. Rosalie is trying on her wedding dress for her impending marriage to a horrible man named Chip, who is cheating on her with her assistant. She sees a photo of Finn in the shop and decides that that's enough for her to assume that fate has intervened on her behalf. She skedaddles out of the boutique with haste and goes straight to Finn's ranch house, hoping he will give her a secluded place to stay while she rebuilds her life after heartache. The thing is, both Finn *and* Rosalie had feelings for one another, however fleeting, so the chemistry between them is palpable, and the tension between them is off the charts. He's a broody, slightly reclusive grump, and she is sunshine personified. He wants nothing more than to protect her, as is his instinct as a former military servicemember/her former bodyguard, but it's more than that. As the youths say, he is down bad for her. And she is just as smitten!! I love how Samantha Leigh takes the necessary time to show Finn and Rosalie becoming good friends and then becoming more. That much-needed build-up gives readers something to yearn for, and we all need a good yearn every now and then! I love how they wrote music together; it made me kick my heels while I was reading this! This book is really, really sweet, but there is a lot of heat and spice as well. I think it is well-balanced! There is also a little suspense going on as Rosalie has a stalker that cannot be located, and honestly, I should have called the ending from a mile away, but truthfully, I just didn't put the pieces together, so that was exciting. All in all, this is a solid romance with a lot of vulnerability, passion, and growth. I can't wait to go back and read the other entries in this series!

Thank you to Samantha Leigh and Love Notes PR for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

[Chiara^•^ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Songbird by Samantha Leigh
4/5⭐
3/5🌶️

This was my first book by this author, and I really enjoyed it! The story revolves around Rosalie, a pop star who’s about to marry her fiancé. Just days before the big day, while adjusting her wedding dress, she stumbles upon a photo of her ex-bodyguard and suddenly realizes she’s not on the right path. So, she decides to take a leap of faith and runs away to find him!

Finn, her ex-bodyguard, is a former military guy with a complicated past. After losing his job as Rosalie’s bodyguard, he’s settled down in a cozy little bungalow that used to belong to his parents. He’s totally taken aback when Rosalie shows up at his door, especially when she reveals that she bolted a few days before her wedding. But when she asks for a place to stay, he opens his home to her without hesitation.

Their relationship unfolds beautifully and gradually. There’s so much tension and attraction between them, but it isn’t until halfway through the book that things really start to heat up! I loved watching them take their time. Rosalie is so brave for breaking free from her fiancé and reclaiming her independence, and Finn is right there by her side, supporting her every step of the way. It’s heartwarming to see how he makes her feel truly seen—not just as a famous pop star, but as the sweet, kind-hearted woman. He never puts her down, and their connection is so pure and genuine.

Finn's family was a joy to read! One of my favorite parts was the family scenes—they were so heartwarming, and I wished there were even more of those moments. Rosalie fits in perfectly with Finn’s family, and it made me happy to see it. Overall, this was a delightful, sweet, and heartwarming read with a touch of suspense that kept me engaged throughout the book.

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so happy to be back in Aster Springs and finally reading about Finn, our mysterious Davenport brother.

✨Tropes✨
▫️ Forced Proximity (Only one bed)
▫️Runaway Bride
▫️Bodyguard x Celebrity
▫️ Reclusive hero x heroine in danger

Finn Davenport. I don’t even need to say anything else, his name is hot enough. He’s quiet and lost but he loves so deeply. He is truly swoon worthy.

Rosie is super sweet and just wants to feel free again. What better place to be than Silver Leaf ranch with a man who makes you feel safe and loved with just a look.

As much as I loved Finn and Rosie I do think they lacked some depth. Finn was still battling with ptsd and grief but rather than being able to heal he was just constantly put out of his comfort zone to accommodate for Rosie.

It was definitely the spiciest of the series and whilst I did enjoy some of the spice scenes, some felt forced.

Overall, I didn’t love it as much as the first two. I struggled to feel the chemistry between the characters and the storyline didn’t grip me like Wallflower and Sunshine. Despite this it was still a cute slow burn story, it just lacked Samantha’s usual warmth feel good vibe.

Thank you to Samantha for the ARC.

[Jaymie | Girlogic Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finn & Rosie

This is the third book in the Aster Springs series and I highly recommend reading the first two books before starting Songbird to fully appreciate the Davenport family dynamics.

Finn is book boyfriend material. I love it when a man fictional or otherwise, takes the feelings of a female into consideration with everything that they do and that’s exactly what Finn does.
He’s got a sensitive and creative soul but also a lost one. Never knowing where he fits in and loves so deeply.

Rosie is very sheltered. She’s soft and sweet but trying to reclaim her life the best way she can. All while falling in love with a man that finally makes her feel safe and seen.

This is a slow burn romance. It’s sweet and spicy with a dash of suspense.

I did enjoy reading this book but I did struggle to connect to the characters and their chemistry. The book didn’t really captive me or pull me in where all I can think is about these two characters and their journey. It just didn’t flow like or hit the same as Samantha’s other books.

I felt like Finn’s background could have had healing arc more focused on him. I just think it was more about him constantly putting himself out of his comfort zone while clearly still battling serious ptsd.

I think Rosie was very much playing it safe character wise. It would have been nice to see more depth to her. I still enjoyed her character, especially in the beginning at Silver Leaf. I liked her shenanigans.

I enjoyed and was pleasantly surprised at the little twist towards the end. I had my suspicions but wasn’t too sure where it was going.

I did found I was skipping some of the spice. To me personally, it didn’t contribute to their story but was more filler.

As someone who absolutely loves how Samantha has written her previous books and characters, this one just didn’t meet or hold her signature warmth or vibe.

My favourite scenes are all at Silver Leaf. I enjoyed the swimming, gardening and even the bad cooking scenes. Then there is the Davenport family night. Those are always heartwarming and so joyful to read. I loved the ribbing from Charles and just the whole family interactions. Oh and Daisy! She’s a blast.

I love Samantha Leigh and I can’t wait to see what’s next.

Full Review and Ramblings can be found on my blog.

Massive thank you to Samantha Leigh for providing me with an ARC. My review is my own moody feelings and thoughts.

[Alyson Sample · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review. Book 3 of interconnected stand alone. It was a fun cute read with some of the best tropes. Only one bed. Protective man. Found family. This book had quite a bit of spice!!! I really enjoyed this read and I will definitely be working backwards and read book one !!

[Anna Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite book in the series!! It’s been so long since I’ve read the bodyguard trope and wow this was everything. There was a small hint to their history in Sunshine (book 2) but I it was even better than I hoped. Love how protective he is of her, how she brings out his soft side and that they came full circle the end. SO SWEET

Read this when you’re in the mood for…
- bodyguard x celebrity
- lil romantic suspense
- Force proximity
- Banter

I would recommend! You don’t have to read the first books to understand it but they are so good so I would. :)

[°✧ susu ✧° · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick, cute romance read. I liked Rosie and Finn’s relationship because they found ways to compromise and be together when their worlds were entirely different.
Finn was smitten from the start. This random pop star runaway bride just lands on his property, but he doesn’t have the heart to tell her to leave. They end up spending so much time together that when it’s time for Rosie to leave, he can’t help but go with her.


Many thanks to the author and lovenotespr for this earc.

[Kammie Dickerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my, a runaway bride meet cute that pulled on this hopeless romantic’s heartstrings. From the banter, to the over protectiveness, and to the swoon worthy moments this story reminded me why I still can’t let go of finding my fairytale ending. Finn is THE MOST patient man I’ve ever read about and then add in his handsome looks, intelligence, and strong need to protect, he’s basically the top tier book boyfriend. He not only makes Rosie feel seen as more than just a pop star, but gives her a safe haven to be her true self. I will say, Rosie is my favorite character of this story because this woman had the guts to take charge of her life and make a change for herself. She broke free and sung her truth the way it was suppose to be. This story is worth the read and I hope there will be an audiobook in the future!!!!

[GenReadThis · Rating 5 out of 5]

One thing about me…I am all in for any love story involving a burly bodyguard. And for those of you who grew up in the Whitney & Kevin era (👋🏼 millennials), discovering exactly what type of man you’d run to all day, every day – you know exactly what I’m talking about.

Finn is a stoic, ex-military man helping an old friend, when he agrees to work as a bodyguard for singer-songwriter & global superstar, Rosalie Thorne 🎤 as she faces the threat of an unknown stalker. These two soon develop a bond before he is unceremoniously fired by her controlling jackass of a manager/fiancé.

Finn returns to his family farm in 🌻Aster Springs🌻, deciding that he prefers a cabin in the woods to the bright lights of Los Angeles. But there is no cabin remote enough to run from his feelings for Rosalie Thorne.

Back in LA, Rosalie is on the verge of marrying a man she’s not too sure she even likes anymore, when she finds him cheating in the home that they share. An impulsive moment finds her running from LA to the only man who has ever made her feel safe. When she shows up in Finn’s driveway in her wedding dress, he quickly discovers that he would do anything to protect her.

Cue some forced proximity, a single bed, no suitcase and a lovable dog named Dakota 🐕 who instantly takes a liking to the new girl, and this cabin in the woods is ready to go up in flames 🔥 from all the sexual tension.

While reading Songbird, I kept picturing Taylor Swift as Rosie 🌹 and even the trajectory of Rosie’s career in the book reminded me of the superstar, from those Country roots to sold-out stadiums filled with screaming fans. And as a proud Swiftie…this connection (only in my mind 😉) just ramped up my love for this book even more.

But what I love most is the excellent selection of micro-tropes scattered throughout the book, from wearing his shirts 👕 to cooking her meals 🍝 and an epic “fuck it” moment which managed to do the unthinkable by making laundry-day sexy.

If you’re like me and enjoyed the other books in the Aster Springs series, Wallflower 🌸 and Sunshine ☀️ , then you are going to absolutely adore Songbird 🐦‍⬛. So thankful to Samantha Leigh for giving me the opportunity to give my honest review.

Songbird 🐦‍⬛ hits bookstores on Nov 14th so pre-order now to make sure you don’t miss it!

[Minnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review

5⭐|3🌶|14%🌶 frequency

My love for bodyguards started with the movie "Bodyguard" from 1992. Yes, I'm old enough to have watched this movie. And I haven't watched it just once, I've watched it countless times 😎
I can't say this book can keep up with the movie. As I said, I watched it sooo often. But what I can say is, the movie can't keep up with this book. Songbird is so much better than the movie. Not just alone because of the ending. I always hated the ending of the movie 😖
So, for everyone old enough to know the movie, I can guarantee you, you will love this book! It's a must-read!

Yes, it's a bit different from the two previous books, because it has a little bit of suspense in it. You know heroine in danger and bodyguard... 😉
But not too much that it would be a huge break to the other books.

I already loved Finn when he came back to Silver Leaf farm during the previous book. I was so excited to read his book. Everyone who knows me knows how much I love dog dads. And OMG is Finn one 🥰 And Dakota has him wrapped around her paw 🤣

If you've read book 1 in this series, you can guess who made Rosalie's first wedding dress. From the wedding, she ran away 😉 Honestly, everyone else would have been a huge mistake 😎

And if you want to know about my feelings while I read this book... Just imagine every single one that exists and more 😎


Thanks to the author for trusting me with an ARC 🩷


Follow me on IG for more
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[Paola · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was extremely excited to read this new release by Samantha because of how much I've loved her last book, and I think my expectations were a bit too high. 😔

Let me start by saying that there was nothing inherently bad with this story! I liked the writing style and the mix of suspense and romance, I enjoyed both main characters, and their relationship was adorable. However, I simply didn't connect with them on a noteworthy level. I liked how the author talked about fame and both the good and the bad things it brings. I enjoyed this glimpse into Rosalie's life, and how she connected with Finn from the very start. His character was all hard edges, but the author also showed us how soft he really is, and the reasons for his reclusiveness and fears. I liked how both of them grew throughout the story, and how they opened up to each other. Still, I wanted a bit more from it all. I did enjoy reading this, and I keep remembering all the good aspects, but something was just amiss for me.

Nevertheless, I would still recommend this! It's an enjoyable celebrity × bodyguard romance with an adorable puppy and a lot of emotional depth, and I think a lot of romance readers would really love this one! I don't think I'm giving up on Samantha, I'm just hoping I'll love her next book more!

A huge thank you to Love Notes PR for sending me an ARC of this book!

[Rombookfanlove · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute bodyguard+ pop star (and runaway bride) story! Really fun premise.

What I really loved is that Finn as a bodyguard isn’t straightforward character. You think he’ll be one thing and he’s another entirely. And he’s not super sure of who he is despite his confidence either. I loved this aspect of him, that there’s more than meets the eye, and it made him an incredibly appealing MMC.

It also made for a nicely layered dynamic between him and Rosie who is trying to figure out who she is after years of being under too much control. This ends up being a very sweet pairing of support for each other really.

There’s some good amount of open-door spice, balanced well with a sweet connection between the two of them and a just a little touch of suspense as well.

There were some choices near the end for this storyline that over-egged it a bit for me but overall a lovely romance.

I would recommend this if you want something a little different, fun, sweet, sexy, and cozy.

4/5 ⭐️

I received an advance copy of the book and have left my honest, influence-free review

[Jess Catlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

“𝑰 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒚, 𝑺𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒃𝒊𝒓𝒅. 𝑰 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒎𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒃𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒗𝒆 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒈𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒓𝒖𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆.”

I was so excited for Finn's story and this didn't disappoint!

You'll find:
🎤 forced proximity (one bed 🙈)
♠️ bodyguard / celebrity
🎤 second chance (ish)
♠️ runaway bride

A grumpy bodyguard and sunshine pop star? Yes please 🙌🏼

I really really loved the little backstory with Finn in this one. His growth, compassion and understanding for Rosie really stood out for me.

I will say thoug, this one fell a little flat compared to the first 2 which were both 5⭐️ for me. I think maybe it was the lack of family time and group time on the ranch? I am a sucker for found family 😂

I'm excited to see what happens in Charlie and Daisy's stories!

Thanks so much Samanatha and Love Notes for the ARC! 🤍

[Keri Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I keep seeing people say that this book isn't as good as the first two. I'm wondering if we read the same book!? This book was SO good. Ummm.. bodyguard turned to lover.. yes please! It was well paced. Didn't move too slow or too fast. It had the perfect amount of love, spice, and a twisty couple parts at the end. Finn was the perfect MMC. Broody, but sweet. Rosie is a little badass and I'm so happy she took charge of her own life! I REALLY wish there were more family parts, but that's just me being picky. I hope we get to see Charles and Daisy get their HEA.🖤

Thank you so much Samantha and Lovenotes PR for the arc!

[Morally Grey Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
Lectura ligera y super rápida.
Cantante famosa - ex guardaespaldas🫦

Finn, que HOOOMBRE. Lit no hizo absolutamente nada mal, siempre estaba buscando el beneficio de Rosie, protegerla y hacerla feliz.

Rosie sufrió muchísimo en todo el libro, y me dio bronca que en ningún momento trato de contar su historia para decir la verdad sobre Chip y la farsa que plasmó, pero bueno, el obtuvo su merecido igual. Me gustó como fue ganando confianza a lo largo del libro, y como se podía abrir con Finn sin miedo.

Y Dakota tan tierna🩷

Esperé un poco más de la escena bonus, pero el libro me gustó bastante.

[Tatum Harkavy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.7
What a wild ride. I love a bodyguard X anyone, so this story was peak!! I freaking loved Rosie and how she grew throughout this whole story. Shall I even talk about hottie with a body? Finn is such a sweetheart. He takes care of Rosie so well, and I love him wholeheartedly. This story is well paced, easy to read, and filled with love and cute dogs. 100% recommend!! Thank you for the ARC!!

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️

This book was so sweet. It was so much fun to read and the storyline was honestly so perfect.

My favorite part of the book was the first half where we’re at the cabin while the two MCs get to know each other. But the second half, is just as good and honestly so important to the character development.

I loved how easily these characters fall into each other and how the FMC falls into the MMC’s family.

[Stacie Farrugia · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! This book had me from the first chapter. Hook line and sinker.

Finn and Rosie's story is absolutely loving, cute, surreal and hit all the right spots.

Thank you for this ARC.

Dakota also gave me a little giggle when she rolled around in the mud.

But reading how Rosie grew up with nothing but then found love with Finn and gained a loving family brought a tear to my eye.

[MyBookNest7 · Rating 3 out of 5]

“People think I’ve got it all, but I never had anything until I had you.”

I’m not sure what made me request to be an advance reader for this one, but I’m glad my past self did not miss the chance. Finn and Rosie fit so well together that they made me worried for a minute whether they’ll take the leap for a life together. And everything just has to fall in place for a love so true, after all!

“I don’t know how to let you go.”

[Kaity · Rating 5 out of 5]

They are so sweet and so spiccyyyyyyyyyy

[Mairyn Schoshinski · Rating 3 out of 5]

#palettecleanser

[Bryanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alpha Read ❤️

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25. Just like the others in this series I so love the world and the way this author writes. Some parts dragged on, sometimes the MMC in particular bugged me, but overall so steamy and sweet and full of love.

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

A broody man and a sunshine girl will always make me happy, and you throw in a cute dog? Done for.

Finn, my god what a man. I love him, his vulnerability, his pain, his cockiness, dry humor and broody nature. He was just so perfect…and hot too! He talked her through it, but was gentle when needed and selfless always. Her safety was his priority and her happiness his focus. He was devoted and in love and I was so happy for him to find a purpose. Sure, music could be his thing, but never fame. Him and Dakota and their little cabin expanding into a family was a beautiful journey and I was beyond enamored by the end (lol, by 20% in why lie). And then that ending, ugh disgustingly obsessed with him.

I truly wanted to love Rosie, and in some ways I did, but at time she came off so selfish and self centered that it was annoying. It felt like her life and wishes were more important than Finn’s. Sure, he always put her first because he loved her to the point of selflessness but her? I didn’t catch that vibe from her always, at times it was more of an “I need him” to either make herself feel better, safer or more confident. She did however won me over in the end, she grew and changed and finally realized fame was not all and that she could have both worlds without damaging their relationship.

I just loved being back in Aster Springs, seeing these characters again and I can’t wait to see who falls in love next, and fingers crossed it’s soon because I’m impatient lol!

Sam and LoveNotes, thank you for the opportunity to read this early, like the second it hit my kindle early!


Quotes:

I can't breathe. I can't fucking breathe. Rosie has become the oxygen in my lungs, and she's got the power to take it away.

"I want you to come," I say, low and husky. "Hard. On my dick. On my hand. On my mouth. I want you to come while I watch you touch yourself. I want your orgasm to be the reason I exist."

"Deep breath, Songbird. The deeper you breathe, the deeper I get."

"Waiting for a man that would stretch her the way she needs to be stretched. Waiting for the moment she was treated the way she deserved to be treated. The day she'd be fucked" — he pumps upside me, hard and feral, and I respond with a wordless cry-"by a man" —another thrust, and I'm almost there _"who knows" —Finn's cock throbs and twitches inside me, and I can feel his orgasm bearing down alongside mine "what the fuck"-another pump of his hips, hard and nearly violent, that pushes me over the edge "he's doing."

"Maybe now I can stop dreaming about what it would be like to swallow you down."

"I hope you're happy, Songbird. I thought I was a mess for you before, but you've just gone and fucking ruined me for life."

There may be applause. There may be cheers. There might even be a few sniffles. I don't know and I don't care. I'm too busy kissing the woman I love.

[Ely · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book in return for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Samantha Leigh has been on my radar for a couple of months now so when I saw a sign-up for an e-ARC of her newest title, Songbird, I took it as a sign to finally pick up one of her books.

I've never read any bodyguard romances before, but I do love a good small-town and forced proximity in my romance so I was excited for this one. I still don't know if the bodyguard thing is really for me—there wasn't any part of it I disliked in this point, it just didn't hit me in the feels the way other tropes do. In spite of that, I really enjoyed the romance between Rosie and Finn. I love how Finn supports Rosie from the get go—he instantly goes into protective mode whenever she's around and I love that. This book deals with some tough subjects and so having a hero be so gentle and protective made the whole thing a lot easier to read.

On the topic of tough subjects, I thought the manipulation from Rosie's ex-boyfriend was dealt with well. It felt real to me and never overdramatised or trivialised so props to Samantha Leigh for her careful writing there. I wasn't a huge fan of the stalker plotline that ran alongside everything else—while I think the writing of it was also good, I felt like there was so much going on already that for me it didn't really interest me.

I wish I’d had time to read the first two books in the series before starting this one. They’re interconnected but can be read in any order; still, I’m usually a stickler for reading series chronologically. I love following the couples and watching the broader timeline unfold, so coming into this one without the others did lessen my enjoyment a little. It just adds so much more context, and I felt like I was missing something by not having read the earlier books, especially when the other characters popped up. I hope I'll get the chance to go back to them at some point, but I doubt that'll be this year.

If you're looking for a small-town romance with a bit of twist, Songbird is definitely worth picking up.

[Melissa Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

** received as an ARC, Thankyou!!!**

ohhh i think I was most excited for Finn's story and it did not disappoint!!!

I loved the introduction to their background and the explanation as to where he was before coming back home that Chord eludes to in book one. It comes full circle and the set up leading to these two from the other books is perfect!

Rosie is someone you want to be BFF's with... you know it from the jump. Her loneliness and fame make for a sad life and you just wanna give her a hug!!

Her and Finn together are... chefs kiss... the spice and the dirty talk.. ughghghghghgh

Her helping Finn see himself differently and open up side to him he didn't want to share..

I just love them.. this is suspenseful and i love the possessive body guard troupe LORDY!!!

This was such a good book!!! I am wondering who we will get next???

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is nothing quite like returning to Aster Springs......
This series was what introduced me to Samantha Leigh and my god is it good to be back. And this time we got to follow along with Finn Davenport. The quiet, calm, keep to himself Davenport sibling that I'm sure had so many of us a tad curious about what was hidden beneath all of that. And then cue the entrace of the one person he never thought he could have, Rosalie Thorn, the pop princess. This was a slow burn, filled with comfort, peace, acceptance, discovery, happiness, tension, suspense and love. Sam fed into the fact that they are both artists in their own rights by creating so many moments where the words on the page really tied in with how big their feelings were for each other. Even in moments where lust was a key feature, she was still able to create these beautiful moments with the words used.

What started as soft, safe, comfortable, controlled companionship, quickly turned into fevoured, mutual desperation for one another. And when I say mutual, I mean they were both oh so ready to have and take anything and everything the other was willing to give. Things got hot very quick and lets just say it didn't slow down from there. They obviously felt so at ease with one another that they truly let down their walls and plunged head first into their attraction for each other. And lets just say they both didn't disappoint with the way they were able to so openly express their wants and desires. Both Finn & Rosie had me melting. Everything about these two screamed HOT, HOT, HOT! And can we take a moment to appreciate the fact they were BOTH doing the dirty talking. Rosalie absolutely had her moment where she was like stand back, its my turn. But of course Finn was just as good. Sam definitely tested the waters more with the spice and I was so here for it!

But on top of that they were raw and real and had this deep understanding of each other. They connected in that soul deep kind of way, where their love shone through in not only their actions but also their words and music. They helped each other feel safe and gave each other the support to become the best version of themselves. And in doing so, they were able to create this happy life that they both could enjoy.

Oh Finn. Our sweet, guarded heart, man. He has been through and experienced so much in his life and has so many fears that he's kept himself locked away for so long. He views so much of what has happened in his life as his fault, or something he could have changed the outcome to if he was more present. He's also struggled to ever have hope for more than what he has. But slowly he was able to break down so many of his barriers and that was all through his love of Rosie. She helped him see that life was worth living and its okay to go after things you want. He truly was the sweetest, most gentle, protector of a man. He had such a presence to him and yet had this lightness hidden away. He has this cheeky, fun, playful side that he very rarely let out and he was so talented with both music and drawing. Oh and of course he did some of his best work in the bedroom too. Mr "play the guitar while I play you." Basically, Sam went and created another man for us to swoon over.

And then we have Rosalie. To be honest the celebrity element doesn't usually make me very excited, but with her it was such a miniscule part of who she was at her core. Yes she loves what she does and prides herself on what she has been able to create, but she is also someone trying to be a role model and making the world a better place through music. She knows how privileged she is but the money isn't what drives her. She was really able to take back control of who she is and what she wanted to be throughout the duration of this book. And she was able to do so through her safe haven with Finn. She found her voice and peace that came from the quiet. She is this sweet, yet fierce woman who shows such strength, resilience and talent. She had a way of lighting up a room because she was just genuine in all that she did. And I loved seeing her relax into a life that didn't need to be all glitz and glamour. Did someone say flannel shirts and skinny dipping for the win?

I love the way the entire Davenport family loves and appreciates each other but also any new person brought into the fold. The brother dynamics, the family nights, the family meetings where they would happily do anything to make new partners feel included and part of the family just fill my cup up so much. And even though all these bits are so small to the story, they still hold such weight. I can't wait to see more of this family as we progress through more books.

Although the story didn't grip me quite as much as the first two books, I still enjoyed this book. It was sweet and soft and just one of those books that makes for a quick and easy read. It did lack a little sparkle for me though and I struggled to connect with the characters and their connection at times.

Huge thanks to Samantha Leigh for allowing me to get an early copy of this book to read as an arc. Overall this own was a 4 ⭐️ read for me.