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Songbird #1
The First Time in Forever
For seventeen year old Melody Williams, life is a constant struggle to stay alive and one step ahead of those who seek to reclaim her. In one brief instant, her solitary life is turned upside down when Issac James, a member of the one of the world's hottest singing groups runs, into her, literally with his little blue Porsche. Along with his band mates and best friends, Tyler, Jesse, Tristan and their manager Damon, her life just is no longer lonely, but just got a whole lot more complicated.
160 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 27, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
March 24, 2015
I love C.L. Stones book so this one of cause, was almost as good. I personally prefer the first person narrator point of view but here the third persons wasn't doing any harm either.
I loved all the boys and can't wait for the next book since this book was cut off in the middle of the climax. Who the hell does that? I just hate cliffhangers so I was going to give only 4 stars but then on the other hand the rest of the story was just worthy a 5 star ranking so there you go...
But J.C. Amato you better publish the second book soon or I will have to suffer through more stories which ends are still to wonder about.
I loved all the boys and can't wait for the next book since this book was cut off in the middle of the climax. Who the hell does that? I just hate cliffhangers so I was going to give only 4 stars but then on the other hand the rest of the story was just worthy a 5 star ranking so there you go...
But J.C. Amato you better publish the second book soon or I will have to suffer through more stories which ends are still to wonder about.
May 15, 2016
Why do I get the feeling we will be hanging on this cliff FOREVER?
January 1, 2016
*swoon*
I've been dying for Reverse Harem books. They're soo difficult to come by! (When you want all of the boys to be love interests.)
I'm a little scared...this book came out in January 2015, but I'm not seeing anything about a second one? Is there going to be a second one? What's the plan here?! You can't leave us hanging like that!
The writing had a juvenile feeling to it, and my Kindle copy was riddled with spelling errors, bad grammar, and plenty of missing punctuation. That's not really something that bugs me, but the writing quality did throw me off a little. I do wonder how old the author is. There are some heavy parts that I usually enjoy reading about (drama/angst/etc,) but they could've been handled so much better. It was almost like "let me tell you my entire sob story in three big paragraphs, then we'll all move on. Boys will get angry for a bit, but then we'll laugh and eat pancakes." A good portion of the book felt more like a checklist than a journey.
The boys weren't very believable with just how quickly they fell for Melody. Even Tristan, who wants to hate her knows that he feels something deep for her...it's lacking the believably factor.
Otherwise, it was too short! Ahhh, I'm dying for more. Need this second book so badly. Probably should've waited for the series to be completed before I started on it....
I did truly enjoy this story, though. I would consider it one of my more "guilty pleasure" books.
I've been dying for Reverse Harem books. They're soo difficult to come by! (When you want all of the boys to be love interests.)
I'm a little scared...this book came out in January 2015, but I'm not seeing anything about a second one? Is there going to be a second one? What's the plan here?! You can't leave us hanging like that!
The writing had a juvenile feeling to it, and my Kindle copy was riddled with spelling errors, bad grammar, and plenty of missing punctuation. That's not really something that bugs me, but the writing quality did throw me off a little. I do wonder how old the author is. There are some heavy parts that I usually enjoy reading about (drama/angst/etc,) but they could've been handled so much better. It was almost like "let me tell you my entire sob story in three big paragraphs, then we'll all move on. Boys will get angry for a bit, but then we'll laugh and eat pancakes." A good portion of the book felt more like a checklist than a journey.
The boys weren't very believable with just how quickly they fell for Melody. Even Tristan, who wants to hate her knows that he feels something deep for her...it's lacking the believably factor.
Otherwise, it was too short! Ahhh, I'm dying for more. Need this second book so badly. Probably should've waited for the series to be completed before I started on it....
I did truly enjoy this story, though. I would consider it one of my more "guilty pleasure" books.
August 8, 2015
Looking forward to book 2
I thought the story started off slow but the cliffhanger ending makes me wish the next book was already available. Unlike other reviewers I see very little similarities between this book and C.L.Stone's academy series-- yes, there are a few good guys and one troubled girl, but that's where the similarities end, in my opinion. To be honest there are going to be similarities with every book in the same genre so I don't see this as a big deal. The guys are singers and the girl has a very different history then the main character in the academy series.
I took off one star because this book needs some editing/grammar fixes. Right now the book feels a little unpolished because of these current errors and sometimes these errors took me out of the story.
That being said, I thought the book was pretty well written and each character's POV felt both distinct and relatable. I loved how the author weaved in little details about the boys backstory without bogging the reader down with details all at once. Overall I look forward to reading the next book in the series-- which is surprising since I normally abhor boy band books (though this book is so much more than that)-- and can't wait to follow Amato's journey as they become a more polished and profound offer.
So what are you waiting for? Click "buy now" already!
I thought the story started off slow but the cliffhanger ending makes me wish the next book was already available. Unlike other reviewers I see very little similarities between this book and C.L.Stone's academy series-- yes, there are a few good guys and one troubled girl, but that's where the similarities end, in my opinion. To be honest there are going to be similarities with every book in the same genre so I don't see this as a big deal. The guys are singers and the girl has a very different history then the main character in the academy series.
I took off one star because this book needs some editing/grammar fixes. Right now the book feels a little unpolished because of these current errors and sometimes these errors took me out of the story.
That being said, I thought the book was pretty well written and each character's POV felt both distinct and relatable. I loved how the author weaved in little details about the boys backstory without bogging the reader down with details all at once. Overall I look forward to reading the next book in the series-- which is surprising since I normally abhor boy band books (though this book is so much more than that)-- and can't wait to follow Amato's journey as they become a more polished and profound offer.
So what are you waiting for? Click "buy now" already!
December 4, 2017
This story contains: insta-love, zero world-building, rape as nothing more than plot device(except there is no plot), grammatical errors and characters with absolutely no personality.
There was also slut-shaming of any girl who wasn't Melody(the female main character), there were no secondary characters and the writing inspired no emotions in me besides irritation at the book not being over yet. It ended on a cliffhanger.
There was also slut-shaming of any girl who wasn't Melody(the female main character), there were no secondary characters and the writing inspired no emotions in me besides irritation at the book not being over yet. It ended on a cliffhanger.
July 16, 2016
An interesting and entertaining read
This one turned out to be so much different than I expected. Getting a second chance at life is within her grasp, but I will have to wait for the next book to see where it goes.
This one turned out to be so much different than I expected. Getting a second chance at life is within her grasp, but I will have to wait for the next book to see where it goes.
August 9, 2015
I loved it! I just wish I knew when the second book was coming out!
July 18, 2017
It's so immature, cliche and needs to be edited but I can't stop reading it coz I'm a sucker for exaggerated drama.
I hate myself.
I hate myself.
April 9, 2017
3,5 Actuall rating :)
November 30, 2016
Four "Forte" Stars
I was doing some Amazon stalking when I ran into book two! Having seen this book on many RH lists I held back because most people were saying that they never thought book two would come out. Seeing that I wouldn't have to wait for long I decided to finally read it.
Melody is homeless and hiding when she literally gets hit by a car and passes out. She is brought back to their hotel where she meets the members of the hot new boy band "Forte". Melody is on the run from years in the foster systems, abuse and an evil aunt and uncle. The plot builds and the boys fight falling for her each in their own way.
This one ends on a MAJOR cliffhanger and I am so glad that I waited to read it. I'm not sure how I would have survived otherwise.
I was doing some Amazon stalking when I ran into book two! Having seen this book on many RH lists I held back because most people were saying that they never thought book two would come out. Seeing that I wouldn't have to wait for long I decided to finally read it.
Melody is homeless and hiding when she literally gets hit by a car and passes out. She is brought back to their hotel where she meets the members of the hot new boy band "Forte". Melody is on the run from years in the foster systems, abuse and an evil aunt and uncle. The plot builds and the boys fight falling for her each in their own way.
This one ends on a MAJOR cliffhanger and I am so glad that I waited to read it. I'm not sure how I would have survived otherwise.
December 26, 2016
What the hell? Damn it! This series has got to be finished one way or another with the way the first book ended and all. That cliffhanger was really maddening!!
Please J.C. Amato! You have got to give us, the readers, closure somehow! Finish the story and write the second and last book if you can't or won't make it a series.
Please J.C. Amato! You have got to give us, the readers, closure somehow! Finish the story and write the second and last book if you can't or won't make it a series.
February 21, 2016
READ BEFORE YOU BUY!
This book has a huuuuge cliffhanger and no news what so ever about book number 2.
With that being Said - I liked it - a bit juvenile, but come on, reverse harem? You just have to love it.
This book has a huuuuge cliffhanger and no news what so ever about book number 2.
With that being Said - I liked it - a bit juvenile, but come on, reverse harem? You just have to love it.
June 12, 2017
NO. JUST NO.
Did not finish. I wasn't a fan of the writing, the story line felt forced, and I just wasn't interested.
Did not finish. I wasn't a fan of the writing, the story line felt forced, and I just wasn't interested.
March 12, 2018
Horrible writing.
August 2, 2020
While I suspect this book started as yet another Ghost Bird fanfic, it does a decent job distinguishing the characters and situation enough that they don’t feel like a simple re-skin. So while the “spirit” of GB remains (and is clearly evidenced in little exchanges like the “just say thank you” one), I feel For The First Time in Forever lays enough of a groundwork to be its own creature.
An incredibly cheesy creature.
I spent most of the book giggling not at the cute interactions, but at how hilariously cheesy it all was. Between the insta-love, the guys describing Melody as “not like other girls” no less than three times, and at one point seriously having her passionately sing Les Mis’ I Dreamed a Dream, because “it so perfectly describes her and her situation”, this book was a fine study on cheesy clichés.
This isn’t a bad thing, necessarily. To be clear: it is by no means a good book, but it is an entertaining one. A cute, dumb, predictable and extremely cheesy break, perfect to read after a dark book, when all you want is cuddles and guys making googly eyes at how very perfect the adorable protag is.
A palate cleanser of a book, if you will.
An incredibly cheesy creature.
I spent most of the book giggling not at the cute interactions, but at how hilariously cheesy it all was. Between the insta-love, the guys describing Melody as “not like other girls” no less than three times, and at one point seriously having her passionately sing Les Mis’ I Dreamed a Dream, because “it so perfectly describes her and her situation”, this book was a fine study on cheesy clichés.
This isn’t a bad thing, necessarily. To be clear: it is by no means a good book, but it is an entertaining one. A cute, dumb, predictable and extremely cheesy break, perfect to read after a dark book, when all you want is cuddles and guys making googly eyes at how very perfect the adorable protag is.
A palate cleanser of a book, if you will.
November 27, 2017
Heartbreaking
Appropriately named Melody, this poor girl had been through the wringer. (Trigger warnings for sexual abuse, specifically underage sexual abuse.) Scooped up after being tapped by Isaac's car they make sure she's ok. Reluctantly they take her back to where she asks them to and she disappears again. When they spot her running through traffic, bloody and bruised, they sweep her away again. This time they decide not to let her go. More than a charity case, she has become a friend and someone they worry about. Someone they want to take care of. She has shed too many tears and they promise to show her laughter instead. Of course, her run of bad luck tears its head again.
This is a slow burn, friends first romance. You get pov from the guys as well as Melody's. Her life has been a nightmare from the moment her mom and then grandmother died. It is some tough reading, not full details but enough. Enough that I'll be watching happy movies to balance out that background scene.
Appropriately named Melody, this poor girl had been through the wringer. (Trigger warnings for sexual abuse, specifically underage sexual abuse.) Scooped up after being tapped by Isaac's car they make sure she's ok. Reluctantly they take her back to where she asks them to and she disappears again. When they spot her running through traffic, bloody and bruised, they sweep her away again. This time they decide not to let her go. More than a charity case, she has become a friend and someone they worry about. Someone they want to take care of. She has shed too many tears and they promise to show her laughter instead. Of course, her run of bad luck tears its head again.
This is a slow burn, friends first romance. You get pov from the guys as well as Melody's. Her life has been a nightmare from the moment her mom and then grandmother died. It is some tough reading, not full details but enough. Enough that I'll be watching happy movies to balance out that background scene.
December 10, 2019
This is okay. It is okay enough that I will read the second book to see what happens after the cliffhanger, but just okay enough that if there had been no cliffhanger I would not have bothered.
It's a bit immature. The characters are all in their late teens. The boys are in a famous band. The MC is almost 18, an adult, and has experienced huge amounts of trauma in her home life. And YET they all speak and act as if they are 12 or 13 years old.
The writing style is also a bit immature. The author chooses to explain everything, from what the characters are thinking to how they are feeling and why they feel that way. She doesn't say, "I saw a flash of something close to anger in his eyes, and his jaw tightened." Instead she says, "He was angry that his brothers said that to him." I prefer a less specific style of writing so that I can see everything in my mind. I want to be able to visualize what is happening, not just be told it happened.
Also, this was Insta-Love RIGHT AWAY. It's kind of silly how instant the love was.
It's a bit immature. The characters are all in their late teens. The boys are in a famous band. The MC is almost 18, an adult, and has experienced huge amounts of trauma in her home life. And YET they all speak and act as if they are 12 or 13 years old.
The writing style is also a bit immature. The author chooses to explain everything, from what the characters are thinking to how they are feeling and why they feel that way. She doesn't say, "I saw a flash of something close to anger in his eyes, and his jaw tightened." Instead she says, "He was angry that his brothers said that to him." I prefer a less specific style of writing so that I can see everything in my mind. I want to be able to visualize what is happening, not just be told it happened.
Also, this was Insta-Love RIGHT AWAY. It's kind of silly how instant the love was.
April 6, 2023
I physically could not get half way through this bullshit. I really wanted to because the summary blurb sounded ok and I'm looking for some good reverse harems but it was so poorly written. It's giving wattpad harry styles fanfic ifyk what I mean. Like this girl is fucking pathetic and the guys are so not sexy its not funny.
I've also noticed this in a couple other books too (the ones are indistinguishable from wattpad books), but you- at times- can't distinguish the male dialogue from the female. The guys start saying 'girl you are so funny, I also love chocolate on my fries.' (thats a stupid example but it gets the point across). I think the author just isn't sure yet how to write/think as man, and it makes the guy characters just so unenjoyable. I want a man I can drool over, not think of as my girl best friend.
All in all, this quote finally made me shut the book:
"She's not like other girls."
Stop, dear god please stop.
I've also noticed this in a couple other books too (the ones are indistinguishable from wattpad books), but you- at times- can't distinguish the male dialogue from the female. The guys start saying 'girl you are so funny, I also love chocolate on my fries.' (thats a stupid example but it gets the point across). I think the author just isn't sure yet how to write/think as man, and it makes the guy characters just so unenjoyable. I want a man I can drool over, not think of as my girl best friend.
All in all, this quote finally made me shut the book:
"She's not like other girls."
Stop, dear god please stop.
October 21, 2025
This is sad.
I was really enjoying this book.
It is in need of a better editor because, my god, the mistakes are Atrocious!
But the story itself is good.
And, unfortunately, I stopped reading at 56% because, I found out that the series is incomplete and abandoned by the author.
Massive pet peeve!
I almost cried when I realized, based on comments on the second book, that the series was abandoned back in 2016!
9 years is a little too long to go between books. Especially, when dealing with a series!
This sucks.
I was really getting into this book but, I have my own rules and one of them is not to invest my time, or monies, into an incomplete series.
I don't want to wait months, even years to know what happens next.
Especially, when an author has completely abandoned their readers.
Anyway, back to trying to find a standalone or a COMPLETED series that catches my eye.
This bites.
I really wanted to read this series.
I was really enjoying this book.
It is in need of a better editor because, my god, the mistakes are Atrocious!
But the story itself is good.
And, unfortunately, I stopped reading at 56% because, I found out that the series is incomplete and abandoned by the author.
Massive pet peeve!
I almost cried when I realized, based on comments on the second book, that the series was abandoned back in 2016!
9 years is a little too long to go between books. Especially, when dealing with a series!
This sucks.
I was really getting into this book but, I have my own rules and one of them is not to invest my time, or monies, into an incomplete series.
I don't want to wait months, even years to know what happens next.
Especially, when an author has completely abandoned their readers.
Anyway, back to trying to find a standalone or a COMPLETED series that catches my eye.
This bites.
I really wanted to read this series.
March 13, 2019
If you're able to over look the errors the book is actually pretty great. I even teared up a little bit...hush don't judge me :P. I am quite annoyed that there isn't a third book and going off of the dates for the first and second book I can only assume there never will be or there was one but it wasn't officially published. That sucks because I wouldn't mind reading more to see what happens, but even though the second book leaves ya dangling off a cliff upside down with no shoes (yup the no shoes part is important hmmph) it's still worth the read, read straight through the night with out really realizing how late it was.
July 30, 2021
Really enjoyed this book. A few grammatical error's but nothing that was too horrible to live with.
My only issue is that the book just ended. I assume it is to be a series, but there was nothing to indicate that on the last page, so I was lost for a minute until I realized that was the cliff hanger. Even a "stay tuned for the next book in the series" would have been helpful!
Hopefully the next one will be out soon, I want to know what happens!
My only issue is that the book just ended. I assume it is to be a series, but there was nothing to indicate that on the last page, so I was lost for a minute until I realized that was the cliff hanger. Even a "stay tuned for the next book in the series" would have been helpful!
Hopefully the next one will be out soon, I want to know what happens!
May 31, 2020
Great story line
So this story is great and has amazing potential, with some proper editing it would be amazing. The only other thing I didn't like was how from sentence to sentence it could change the point of view of the person telling the story. I personally dislike books like that
So this story is great and has amazing potential, with some proper editing it would be amazing. The only other thing I didn't like was how from sentence to sentence it could change the point of view of the person telling the story. I personally dislike books like that
September 27, 2020
Great start to a series!
Melody is living on the streets since she ran away from an abusive situation. Beware there is some talk about physical and sexual abuse. She gets run into by a group of guys and their relationship develops from there. So far this is very slow burn. Major cliffhanger at the end.
Melody is living on the streets since she ran away from an abusive situation. Beware there is some talk about physical and sexual abuse. She gets run into by a group of guys and their relationship develops from there. So far this is very slow burn. Major cliffhanger at the end.
January 17, 2021
Absolutely fabulous
I came across this book through recommendations from a reading group I'm a member of. I am so glad that I took the chance to read it, it was so good. It's reminiscent of Ghost Bird Academy in some ways, just a little darker. Can't wait to continue reading this series.
I came across this book through recommendations from a reading group I'm a member of. I am so glad that I took the chance to read it, it was so good. It's reminiscent of Ghost Bird Academy in some ways, just a little darker. Can't wait to continue reading this series.
December 13, 2016
Quick read
This book reminds me of an old Barbara Cartland romance. Petite innocent girl catch the hearts of four valiant young men. Would really, really benefit from a better job of proof reading.
This book reminds me of an old Barbara Cartland romance. Petite innocent girl catch the hearts of four valiant young men. Would really, really benefit from a better job of proof reading.
July 11, 2017
Not sure
I will read the next one however the "plot" just feels a little far fetched. Will keep going as characters are fairly interesting, enough for me to give this series a second chance.
I will read the next one however the "plot" just feels a little far fetched. Will keep going as characters are fairly interesting, enough for me to give this series a second chance.
January 10, 2018
Oh my god - it was just to much!!!
Every time you thought now it will get better, now comes the turn and she will get a good live and have some fun something even worse happenend to her. Why is the author doing this to her main character??
It was so heartbreaking :(
Every time you thought now it will get better, now comes the turn and she will get a good live and have some fun something even worse happenend to her. Why is the author doing this to her main character??
It was so heartbreaking :(
October 26, 2020
DNF it was too cringey and cliché but really what stopped me from reading was the “she’s not like other girls, she eats meals and doesn’t fawn over us”. I feel like this book had the bones to be good but the execution was poor.
September 18, 2021
needs editing
This book needs editing mostly for missing punctuation. Overall the characters are underdeveloped and the writing is flat. Everything is spewed at you. Too many cliches along with poor writing made this painful to read.
This book needs editing mostly for missing punctuation. Overall the characters are underdeveloped and the writing is flat. Everything is spewed at you. Too many cliches along with poor writing made this painful to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews