Softer Than Steel

Love & Steel #2

by Jessica Topper

From the author of Deeper than Dreams and the Much "I Do" About Nothing novels, a story that proves that you have to find yourself before you can find love...

As rock star "Riff Rotten", Rick Rottenberg has enjoyed all the perks that fame can offer, especially now that he's reunited with his former band mate, Adrian "Digger" Graves. But despite his success, Rick is a mess. Still reeling from the death of his wife years ago and terrified his demons will end his career, he agrees to seek help for his anxiety.

Burned by a musician in the past, Sidra Sullivan has closed her heart to love. So when Rick walks into her yoga studio, she wants nothing to do with him--until the bad boy shows an unexpected soft side.

As Sidra and Rick work through their painful pasts, they realize just how strongly opposites can attract. But when a crisis threatens the delicate balance they've forged, they'll discover if their love is strong enough to weather another storm or just too broken to survive...

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance, Contemporary, Music, Adult, Age Gap Romance, Steamy

366 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 15, 2015

About the author

Rock. Write. Repeat.

Jessica Topper broke the rock romance mold with her 2013 debut novel LOUDER THAN LOVE. Her follow-up romantic comedy, DICTATORSHIP OF THE DRESS, was named one of Publishers Weekly’s Best Books of 2015.

After working almost two decades in the music industry, Jessica hung up her touring boots in order to concentrate on her writing. She lives in Western New York with two cats who love to walk across her keyboard, a teenage writer girl and a husband who wishes to remain anonymous. You can visit her at www.jessicatopper.com.

Jessica is the author of two series:

LOVE & STEEL
(Louder Than Love, Deeper Than Dreams, Softer Than Steel – NEW EDITIONS COMING SOON)

MUCH “I DO” ABOUT NOTHING
(Dictatorship of the Dress – January 2015, Courtship of the Cake – June 2015) from Berkley/Penguin RandomHouse.

Reviews

[Baba · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 to 4.5 stars. Rating clarification see below. Full review posted September 11, 2015.






Rating clarification
An extra half star for the fantastic finish (the last 14%). If the romance and heroine had been close to what I experienced in Louder Than Love, Softer Than Steel would have been another five-star read. Easy. There's no need to beat the proverbial bush. I did feel conflicted about my rating and had to sleep over it. While it wasn't a five-star read, the quality of this book in general and Jessica's written words in particular, made Softer Than Steel an exceptionally good and highly entertaining read. It goes without saying that Jessica's skills as a gifted story-teller of rockstar gods are beyond terrific.

"Richard Rottenberg!"
"The ladies prefer to call me Riff Rotten." He snaked his arms around her waist. "And I will gladly soil your reputation rotten, my dear."

Softer Than Steel, follow-up to Louder Than Love, starts off four years after LTL and Deeper Than Dreams ended. Corroded Corpse is back full force as the Rotten Graves Project and Rick Rottenberg ("Riff" Rotten), lead singer, as well as his bandmates are basking in their metalized success. In front of seventeen thousand headbanging metal fans, Rick is their king, yet in reality he feels more like the King of Doom. Nobody, neither his bandmates nor Rick's family, knows about his problem. Anxiety attacks and stress are Rick's constant companions since Corroded Corpse disbanded back in the late 80s. Besides, since Rick lost his beloved wife, Simone, fourteen years ago, his frame of mind deteriorated even more.

Father.
Widower.
Rocker.
Empty nester.

Rick's three grown sons have spread their wings. Even though widower Rick has always denied it, the time will come when he has to move on. At forty-five, the prospect of getting old in his empty nest and dealing with his anxiety on his own, can't be worth striving for. His rocker heart deserves more than that.

Fourteen years, but I still can't shake the hollow feeling inside.

You can, and you will.





"Sod it," he mustered under his next inhale, and she felt a rush of air as his arms swept to pull her toward him, his lips landing on hers in a decadent crush.
"I always know where your body is in space," he murmured, capturing her top lip in both of his. "I can't get you off my mind, Sidra."

Reading Jessica Topper's latest addition to the Love & Steel series and mentally sitting on that mat, you can feel that you're in that moment, in that space of breath. Inhale. Exhale. It's as much energizing as it is soothing and relaxing when these denominators meld together on a mighty inspirational note. It even works when you are someone like me who has never taken a yoga lesson. Steel your outer shell and be ready to soften your heartstrings. You're in for yet another emotional ride.

I won't apologize for adding so many quotes to my review because Softer Than Steel shines once again through Jessica's top-notch writing. I did highlight a lot. Well, I guess you gathered as much. It's just a simple fact that this woman can write and tell a great story. I'm truly worshipping the bloody amazing ground that this exceptionally talented author walks on. And I gotta say that this amazing and fertile ground is littered with beautiful and inspiring words. But. Yes, there is a but. Softer Than Steel is no Louder Than Love and Rick is no Adrian and Sidra is no Kat and Sidra and Rick have no Abbey with an e, either. Granted, Adrian, Kat and Abbey did have a wonderful cameo in STS but it's not their show. It's the show of Rick and Sidra. Without doubt, however, the final 14% to 20% totally knocked my socks off and Jess pulled out all the stops to make Softer Than Steel an unforgettable read. But, looking at the big picture, I just couldn't with good conscience give this book five stars.



I'm not Simone, either, her eyes seemed to say, or perhaps it was his own imagination inflicting such cruel and unusual punishment. After all, he found new ways to torture himself daily, thinking about the way he had abused his own marriage. He'd give anything to take the wasted hours back: the affairs, the lies, the excuses. How he wished he could make it up to his loyal wife tenfold. But how could a sinner repent when his confessor had slipped from his grasp, languishing under her lover's touch before he could fully redeem himself?

Rick knew he was having trouble nailing some of the high notes, but he had no desire to sing in what he called "Cookie Monster tones." "I'm a vocalist," Rick had informed him. "Not a bloody Muppet."



You need a virtue while reading Softer Than Steel and that's patience. The story is told in alternating POVs and the buildup is intense and entertaining, yet long and slow. Rick and Sidra share a few short mutual interludes, but it takes a lot of time until they are together. Though there is enough time to get to the really, really amazing stuff. And I realized that getting to those emotional and deeply fulfilling moments was so worth the wait. While you journey to ultimately arrive at Sidra and Rick's Zen-like nirvana, you are privy to Sidra's skills as a yoga teacher and Rick's anxiety attacks, his writer's block and the compelling dynamics of his band. Sensibilities, power and (monetary) forces in the music business play another important role in this story. By the time you will close the last page of the book, you'll be intimately acquainted with Rick and Sidra and, as a very nice bonus, chances are that you might glow from gobbling up all the Adrian goodness.



A well-meant word of advice
When you think you lose patience and you're close to that edge…then give yourself a nudge, steel yourself and soften because you will get there eventually. Listen and trust yourself and move past that point of impatience. Keep being eager and don't forget to breathe. It's a beautiful place and spending time with Rick and Sidra--even separately--is very rewarding. I believe it was well worth the pay-off in the end.

"He's got a bad case of LSD. You know, Lead Singer Disease. It runs rampant in the East Village."
"Well, I hope it's not catching," Rick said slowly. Could he possibly be a carrier?
"If you experience swelling of your ego, difficulty working well with others, or similar megalomaniacal symptoms, you'd better run for the hills."
Or grab a yoga mat, thought Rick.



"Corpse pose." He laughed. "Gets me every time you call it that in class.
"Why?"
Propping himself up on an elbow, he traced lazy circles around her navel. "I've spent half my life in a different kind of Corpse pose. Traded my soul for a guitar at age seventeen, and the devil made me famous by twenty. Ever since, I've had to fight gravity to stay at the top, to be the big star. I never knew the view was so good from down here."





Minor and major quibbles
My biggest issue was that Rick and Sidra didn't spend enough page time together. Fact was, while they had some short interludes, the reader's endurance will be stressed in a major way because you have to wait past the 40% mark until Rick and Sidra really take off together. I understand that both MCs had so much going on in their respective lives and their buildup as a couple happened at a leisure pace. Yet it is not what a die-hard romance reader expects from a…well…romance book.

Rick offered to be there for Sidra when she had her breast cancer screening, but she declined and I was disappointed. And Rick finally talking with Sidra about his beloved Simone happened off page. I.Could.Not.Believe.It. Big, big bummer for me, TBH.

Given the fact that upon is a very formal word, it was used rather generously and felt somewhat repetitive.

Rick is a great guy and I did love him too, but he never could give Adrian a run for his money. I think that Rick didn't have Adrian's exceptional aura, that irresistible magnetism and he lacked Adrian's debonair mischief. It's just an irrevocable fact that Adrian is charisma personified. He's absolutely to die for and an unforgettable fictional hero who will stay in my heart forever. I get it, we don't need a copy of Adrian but I can't help and compare. While Rick had many great moments in STS, he didn't accomplish to play in Adrian's unmatched league. Since I met Kat I always liked Adrian's ladylove very much. That's another difference because I started off liking Sidra until she began to annoy me with her behavior. I understand that she had issues because she had to kick her cheating boyfriend to the curb. She was entitled to her anger and hurt, but when those hurt feelings cloud a heroine's 'vision' and heart, it becomes increasingly difficult for me to keep cutting her some slack. I don't think that she was entitled to her continuous mistrust and her angry attitude.

Back to the good stuff. The following quotes are all about my to-die-for Adrian. Well, mostly about Adrian anyway. I had to spoiler tag some of the quotes. You have been warned.

"Seeing her down there gave you quite the hard-on, I'm sure."
"Bigger than the one you got from smashing that vintage Gibson," Adrian lobbed right back.


"You got us into this, Simon Poxy Le Bon. You're singing lead."
"Fine. You can do all the doot-do-do-doos." Adrian laughed and signaled for the track to start. He began to snap his fingers to fall in with the eighties synthpop beat. "By the way…you totally have my blessing. Curry is, after all, the new national dish of Britain."


"Way of the world these days," Adrian said. "Any album worth its salt has the possibility of being leaked. And honestly, the day the fans don't want to get their hands on our music any way they can is the day I worry about."


This scene was so crazy good and crazy fun, so bloody great. I just wanted to quote every bloody page but, of course, I couldn't do that. *pouts* So you've got to make do with a very short excerpt.

"Tell me why we're doing this again?" Rick talked around the unlit cigar that was wedged between his teeth.
"Because I am the most awesome future brother-in-law in the world," Adrian replied, chomping on the end of his own Camacho Corojo from the duty-free shop. "And you've got time to kill." The two rockers stood in the arrivals terminal of JFK, shades on, awaiting the onslaught of passengers from flight 3029 from Portland.


More Adrian goodness:

"Speaking of friends, both foul and fair-weather," Jim said, leaning over to inspect Rick's caller ID as he deftly dealt another hand of poker, "who invited Isabelle to the bachelor party?"
"If she ends up popping out of my cake," Adrian deadpanned, "I will disown you all." He was actually smoking that cigar from the duty-free shop at the airport.


"I hear my stepdaughter-to-be is playing matchmaker tomorrow," he'd murmured as Sidra carefully added his bride's initials to the hilt of the dagger, close to his clavicle. "She's pretty good at it."
Sidra laughed. "Yes, I heard the story of how you and Kat met. I bet you never imagined meeting the love of your life in a library!"
Shrugging back into his shirt and buttoning it, he'd winked. "We rock stars often find ourselves--and love--in the darnedest places."
As he'd turned to leave, he'd added, "And a word of advice. This guy…he's a little hardheaded. But right here?" He'd tapped his heart with his tattooed knuckles. "He's a softie."

Pfft. Who's hardheaded? Rick or Sidra?


Kat, swathed in an elegant dove-gray gown, seemed to float across the sand. At arm's length, she playfully held the hand of her partner in crime. He was all at once debonair and devilishly doting. And the happiest Rick had ever known him to be.
"Adrian on marriage" was going to be a beautiful thing.

*swoon* Ain't that the bloody truth!




This made me tear up every time I read it. It's Rick's final letter to his deceased wife, Simone:

I'm heading home, my love. And I've been traveling a long time. I've crossed the globe trying to shake you, yet I've been seeking something elusive as well. I'd hoped to feel your presence, and felt guilty when I didn't. But now I know. You're not in that cemetery in Brooklyn. You're not at the hospital wing that bears your name. You're not in the childhood mementos or the synagogue I visit once a year. You're no longer in our Hanalei house, and you're not in the songs I write…or in the songs I choose not to sing.
You have a place in my head, and my heart. The memory of you will always live there. But I've realized for your memory to truly be a blessing, it needs to be just that. Your blessing. For me to move on, to find love, fulfillment, and happiness…with myself. And with someone else, someday. Maybe I'll place this letter with the others, in the hatbox. And maybe I will plant it under the purple naupaka on the mauka side of the house, because that flower always reminds me of you. But it no longer saddens me. I love you, Simone.

This was transcendence.
He blossomed from a compact seed, a slow, steady balance up to a strong, high tree, and for the first time ever, he was able to lift his eyes to the sky and find stillness in the infinite possibility.


Bottom line
With Softer Than Steel, Jessica Topper has delivered yet another exceptionally well-penned and deeply touching rockstar novel. The story is spiked with a very eclectic and memorable cast of secondary characters, a very likable, tortured and sexy hero and a heroine who will introduce you to the secrets of her yoga nirvana. A compelling narrative, a couple of fantastic live gigs and great dialogue that's topped off with a very nice dose of humor make for an overall satisfying and enjoyable read.

Riff Rotten, the King of Doom, found in Sidra's yoga sanctuary not only relaxation, a means to deal with his anxiety and stress, but also a sense of belonging that, after all these years of living without his Simone, nurtured his well-being in a way he could never have imagined. Better yet, he also found love and mended not only his own but also Sidra's heart. Soften for the win!

Fancy that.


Recommended read.


All quotes are taken from the pre-published copy and may be altered or omitted in the final copy

**ARC courtesy of PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW InterMix Romance via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

[Geri Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars!

I won't go and summarize what this book is about since the blurb is pretty straightforward. Anyway, I'm kind of in the middle with this book. Meaning, I liked it well enough, enjoyed some parts of it, but there's this whole ball of issues that I just couldn't ignore.

I loved the writing. Jessica Topper is a talented wordmaster. Period. Her voice is unique and her characters are as flawed as they come, which I really, really liked. I loved how Sidra's Indirish background, her life as a yoga instructor and Rick's music were interwoven into the narrative. It added layers to Softer Than Steel that I liked. Unfortunately, it lacked the most important layer of all: the romance.

Rick and Sidra are so caught up with their own issues -- Sidra with her alcoholic father, her yoga business, her ex, her heartbreak and Rick with his anxiety attacks, his band, his relationship with Adrian and his dead wife -- that I never felt any connection to them as a couple. Don't get me wrong. Their individual journeys are heartbreaking and I liked reading about it, but...where's the romance? This book really felt short in that area, which affected the pacing, too. Rick and Sidra barely spent time with each other during the first half of the book. And even after they got together, they're still miles apart emotionally, which made me less invested in their romance.

And that was a big thing for me because once I couldn't feel something for the main couple, it pretty much affects my overall feeling about the book. There were opportunities that could have made a huge impact to the story like Sidra had a cancer scare and considering Rick's wife died of cancer, it should have been an emotional highlight for the book. Unfortunately, Sidra herself refused help from Rick and that scare was never mentioned again. It was disappointing because it could've given their relationship an emotional jolt. But no dice. And after that blip, none of those issues surfaced again.

Still, Jessica Topper's writing shined through, which was strong enough for me to give this one a 3.5.

ARC provided by Intermix via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Jx PinkLady Reviews ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's LIVE! * Amazon US * Amazon UK *



SOFTER THAN STEEL is the second full length book in the LOVE & STEEL series. It's about fear, love, healing and destiny... “Omens and opportunities.” Two words that encompass the ethos of this story. It evokes a feeling that the protagonists are meant to find each other, be together and aid each other in their journey of self realization and fulfillment. Yoga brings our protagonists, Sidra and Rick, together and is a devise used to depict the passing of time and the development of their relationship which I found lovely and interesting. I love her cultural background and the way it's meshed into the story. Rick is feeling the sins of his past. He’s melancholy, nostalgic and thinking about the sadness he’s experienced. We see how all of it hurts him right now and how he develops as a character through the pain. I absolutely loved the inclusion of Adrian, Kat and little Abbey. Their scenes always warmed my heart. It's been written as a STANDALONE but I HIGHLY recommend reading LOUDER THAN LOVE and then the beautiful novella, DEEPER THAN DREAMS first to engage in the full ambiance of the Love and Steel world. A world a FIRMLY RECOMMEND.

Softer Than Steel is a Contemporary love story but it's not until the second half of the story that I felt the levels of romance that I crave, and even then it was quite subtle. The glue that holds the story together in the first half did not fully engage my emotions and thoughts. I felt it somehow began in the wrong place. There’s a scene when Rick visits a cemetery which I feel would have been a great opening as it immediately evoked my feelings and drew me in but alas it came later in the story. During the first half the best way for me to explain my feelings is that it felt like I was reading great writing but at the same time I was being shown the wrong scenes, scenes that did not allow me to get to the heart of the story and it felt frustrating because I had fallen in love with Rick in the previous books. The premise of the misunderstanding element of his identity baffled me slightly. His band recently re-exploded into the world and her relative owns a retro music shop, so I feel somehow, someone would have known which raised questions in my head and maybe affected the flow of the story for me a little. In some parts the action and consequence didn’t seem to gel and I had a few issues with time transitions, causing me to have to reread certain parts. I love a slow build and layer building in my stories but had I not read and adored the first two books of the series, I may have decided to put it on hold at around 45%. Not everyone will share my opinion but for those who may, I really want to stress that this book is worth staying the distance because the second half captured me, showcased the essence of the story and engaged my book heart.



The second half of SOFTER THAN STEEL made me fall in love with their story as the themes and emotions emerged. The story totally flourished for me during the last 50%. The writing is subtle and after reading the second half I felt the sentiment that was shown to me in the first half. The author gently tells her heroines history throughout the earlier stages... slowly its exposed, her sadness and vulnerabilities, the things that have shaped her life, it didn't engage me but in this second half I began to reflect on it. Literally from 53% on I was riveted, it went from feeling like a 3 star read to a full on I love you 5 stars, my issues still feel relevant and I wish some things were different but the second half made the whole experience worthwhile and, for me, a 4 stars I-REALLY-LIKE-THIS-BOOK read! So to sum up I have issues and, most importantly, an abundance of love for this story. The series as a whole is simply wonderful and I recommend LOVE AND STEEL to readers who enjoy Contemporary Romance with slow build BEAUTIFUL love stories.

Review thoughts for LOUDER THAN LOVE
Review thoughts for DEEPER THAN DREAMS

Advanced copy provided by the publishers, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review thoughts.

[Deanna❤Pink Lady❤️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m so mixed about this book. I was excited to read after reading Louder than Love. I fell in love with the author’s writing and storytelling so seeing that Rick was going to have a story, I was all ready.

I am sad to say that I just didn’t connect with the characters or the telling of the story. I found this book to be a lot about yoga and little on the romance. I wanted to love as I loved the series so far but I found myself just liking instead of loving. I understand that yoga helps the mind and soul but it just took over this book in a way that did not enhance the story for me. The plot of the story had so much potential but the story line was boring. Places where angst would have heightened the story didn’t occur and thus the instances where I thought Rick and Sidra would deepen their new relationship fell flat. Their backgrounds, their heartbreaks, their hopes………all had for a great love story but sadly it never quite got there for me.

I will say that I loved the parts where Adrian, Kat and Abbey showed up. Of course its not their book but those little parts helped me enjoy.

Maybe it was a case of just me and not the book……… I hope others will love!!

[Wendy'sThoughts · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Getting Centered and Letting o Stars
* * * 1/2
As strong Jessica Topper fan from Louder than Love, I was really looking forward to this book. There were wonderful moments and a path to learning and understanding throughout it. The emotional journey Riff/Rick goes on was extremely touching.

I saw how the idea of interconnected people circulating all around each other ... but never actually knowing of the specific connections... would be a smart plot device.
It was like there were these spinning plates on sticks... and we had to wait and see if they would continue to spin happily or come down with a crash.

There was a theme of yoga as our gal was this amazing teacher and the rock god Riff Rotten needed to get centered. The scenes were instructive... sometimes a bit too much, but the sensuality and importance of what was happening balanced it all out.
The writing was detailed and definitely had love in the air.

~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~
Last year I found Jessica Topper and fell hard for her talent shown in Louder Than Love. There she gave us a book that talked about loving, losing and surviving with class and heart.

But not only did she invent a man to fall for; she gave that man a band-mate who broke all the rules with panache, "Riff Rotten".

Now we get to have the full Rock Star "Rotten" experience but with a twist... there will be a woman who will show him a path he thought was lost to him...

Opposites attracting... Oh, Yeah...

Louder Than Love
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

A gifted copy was provided by PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW via NetGalley for an honest review.

For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways

[Alex is The Romance Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Softer than Steel by Jessica Topper begins 4 years after the previous book, Louder than Love ended.

This is such a beautiful and moving love story of a man coming to terms with the loss of the woman he loved and the woman who pulls him back to living again.

A man holding on to his memories
A woman bound by commitments to her family and friends
Two lives that are about to cross...taking them both on a spiritual journey of self-discovery and of each other.

CHARACTERS
I loved how the diversity of the characters and their cultures were interwoven so well in the story. An Indian/Irish yoga teacher meets British/Jewish rockstar.
Written from both POV’s, we are able to see each other’s side of the story.
The characters come to life and become the kind of people you would like to have in your life.

Rick Rottenberg aka Riff Rotten has been persuaded by his fellow band member and friend to getting back together to form a new band, which they named Corroded Corpse (what a fab and original name…loved it!!).

I loved the take on the older and mature rockstar instead of the usual young and angsty musician.
Rick is struggling with a lot of things in his life….making his comeback, touring, his best friend’s upcoming wedding, unable to get his head around writing music for the band’s new album…still mourning, after 14 years, the loss of his wife….his life is pretty messed up at the moment!!

I so connected with this character… having lost the person I loved earlier this year...I could identify with his pain from losing someone he loved… It’s so hard to let go…..every day is a challenge…..the grief, the anxiety, the void in your life...how to deal with moving forward.
His emotional journey was poignant and uplifting and I was glad he was able to find someone who he could feel a connection with. His interaction with Sidra was really touching and sweet and I like that he wasn’t pushy or overbearing with her.

Sidra Sullivan,yoga teacher, family carer, strong, determined and cautious about giving her heart to just anyone after being betrayed by the man she believed had loved her. I found her extremely interesting and so different from most of the heroine character norms. Her deep love and commitment towards her family and friends, her spiritual side, her kindness to her older yoga students……and that she could have fun and enjoy her life even when things got tough.

Secondary CharactersWhat a joy to meet up with Adrian and Kat as they prepare for their wedding….and Kat’s daughter, Abbey, has turned into the most adorable gem!!! I loved the Sullivan clan and all the wheeling and dealings…especially Sidra’s brother, who I fell in love with. There was a really great family feeling in the story which I really liked.

THE ROMANCE
Sidra and Rick’s first meeting was so memorable. Sidra holds an elevator for a flustered looking man and the two spend the next few minutes taking each other in….Sidra has no idea who the man is and Rick can only think about the fantastic smell of bagels coming out of the packet Sidra is holding. The banter between them is hilarious. And when he turns up unexpectedly at her yoga studio…..well….you just have to read the book to find out more.

Okay, their romance starts off very very slowly…the two only really get together half-way through the book but the build-up is moving and really engaging.

Sidra helps Rick to let himself open up to new experiences and feelings……
Sidra plays a huge part in Rick moving forward and we see many of her influences…one of my favorite…..Rick, on stage, singing a song her wrote and dedicated to Sidra.

”He embraced the deepest truth, breathing deep and allowing his mantra to come forth. And into the mic, he murmured, “This one is called Dove.”

Their journey is amazing and incredibly touching, deeply emotional and I felt the need to see the two finding happiness together…

THE SETTINGS

Vivid and vibrant descriptions of the area where Sidra lives, her yoga studio which is behind a record store in a building that has an history that is totally unexpected that also connects Sidra and Rick in some way…..and makes me believe even more in fate…kismet….that these two were meant to find each other.

POIGNANT

Reading the final letter Rick writes to Simone, his deceased wife, I couldn’t stop crying…. I'm heading home, my love. And I've been traveling a long time. I've crossed the globe trying to shake you, yet I've been seeking something elusive as well. I'd hoped to feel your presence, and felt guilty when I didn't.
But now I know.
You're not in that cemetery in Brooklyn. You're not at the hospital wing that bears your name. You're not in the childhood mementos or the synagogue I visit once a year. You're no longer in our Hanalei house, and you're not in the songs I write…or in the songs I choose not to sing.
You have a place in my head, and my heart. The memory of you will always live there.
But I've realized for your memory to truly be a blessing, it needs to be just that. Your blessing. For me to move on, to find love, fulfillment, and happiness…with myself. And with someone else, someday.
Maybe I'll place this letter with the others, in the hatbox. And maybe I will plant it under the purple naupaka on the mauka side of the house, because that flower always reminds me of you. But it no longer saddens me.
I love you, Simone.
If you want to read a beautiful and uplifting love story, then please read this book. For me, it’s one of those stories that I will remember for a long time and will reread it again in the future.

I loved this quote

[Jessica]

Steel yourselves - Softer Than Steel is here! If you've read Louder Than Love, you'll remember Rick from Adrian's band - this is his story!




I'm so excited to share this next installment in the Love & Steel series with readers! I call this my "rock and roll yoga love story" - read on:

Under the liberating guise of his alter ego ‘Riff Rotten’, Rick Rottenberg has circled the globe playing sold-out shows and sampling the universal delights that fame and fortune allow a rock star of his caliber. But he can no longer ignore the panic attacks plaguing him with increasing regularity. Not knowing where else to turn, Rick finds himself turning a doorknob – entering not only into the spiritual world of yoga, but into a retro world of rock music he had long abandoned as well. Revolve Records reminds him of why he picked up a guitar in the first place, and he hopes that Evolve Yoga – and its sexy owner - will help him forget everything else.

Swearing off musicians has been Sidra Sullivan’s mantra ever since a charismatic singer with a bad case of LSD (Lead Singer Disease) blocked her chakras and closed off her heart. The last thing she wants is another huge ego in tight pants hanging around, consuming her time and attention. But when Rick makes an offer to save her family’s historic Lower East Side building in exchange for her help, she begrudgingly makes an exception.

As she works him up to more challenging poses, he begins to wear down her walls of protection, challenging her to see him in a different light. She, in turn, teaches the steeled, seasoned rock warrior to soften his stance and find strength from within. But when a rock and roll power play threatens to disrupt the delicate balance that has grown between them, Sidra must decide whether to follow her head and fight, or to open her heart and fly.

[TeriLyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Softer Than Steel generously provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**


4 "He had known her name." Stars

With each Jessica Topper book I'm continually impressed with her level of writing. This author possesses great story telling skills. Her words always engage me and keep me intrigued with her characters. If you're looking for this book to be fully focused on the romance or to be the kind of book that focuses on the life of this rock star, it's not. It's a contemporary, engaging story of healing, moving forward from a painful past, and finding a balance in one's life.

Softer Than Steel comes as book two in the Love & Steel series featuring Rick "Riff Rotten" whom we met in the first installment of the series. Rick constantly struggles with a tragic loss from his past and is learning to seek help for his issues. The pain in this man was rather subdued he's learning to live again yet still has the nagging anxiety from grief constantly plaguing him. He meets Sidra who's flawed in her own way, once burned by Rick's stereotype. They're an interesting pair. And the story took on a life of it's own as it really felt more like Rick's story of healing rather than Rick's love story. What I loved most about Softer Than Steel being Rick's story is that as a reader it was so enlightening to be inside the mind of Rick after having read Louder Than Love and being introduced to "Riff". There are many sides to this man, more to his story with Adrian that Topper developed so well in book two. I feel more inclined to rate the book based on the Rick's journey rather than on the romance of the story. Yet still, their story together, Rick & Sidra's, was one of healing. The powers of that were instrumental to both of their lives.

Jessica Topper has a way with words to really make you feel an emotional impact of what you're reading. I can't mention enough how much I adore this author's story telling skills. She engages and intrigues and in Softer Than Steel gave life to a character I honestly wasn't quite sure I wanted to like. But she made me and a lot of that is thanks to the way she writes and presents her truly flawed, real characters. This is a series I highly recommend to those looking for an honest, raw contemporary series that prides itself on the positive aspects of healing through love, letting go, and moving on.

[Kelly| Just Another Horror Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

***4.5 stars

[Katy Loves Romance ❤️]

ARC gifted via netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! 4.5 romantic, mystical stars!
I loved this so much!
Adrian is still my favourite but Riff gave a run for his money. And don't even start me on Sidra <3

Here is my full review, posted on my blog as usual.

This is the second full-length novel in the Love and Steel series and there was a sequel novella to book 1, Louder Than Love. It can be read as a standalone though I recommend following the whole series, these are some fabulous rockstar romances and always have something more in them.

I'd describe Rick and Sidra's story as an engaging, a rockstar romance of its own kind. Ms Topper gives the reader a beautiful mix of the world of rock-and-roll and the curious spiritual and physical world of yoga, mixed with Indian (Eastern) philosophy and some Irish exuberance.

The story is told from dual POV and the romance is lovely but it's not the sole focus of the story. It's a beautiful tale of overcoming loss, of dealing with stress and anxiety, finding inner peace and learning to love (again).

Ms Topper masterfully creates complex characters, modern-day people with modern-day problems and add the gentles touches of philosophy and music.

One of the things I really liked in the story was the strong presence of NY in it. The author literally takes you there on NY streets and cafes and parks and yoga clubs and music stores. As someone who has never been to New York, or even USA, it was a fascinating journey and felt totally immersed in the world of Sidra (and Rick) where the city and the neighbourhood where she lived made a lot of who she was.

It's a slow-building romance, both Rick and Sidra have too many issues of their own to deal with. They don't really come together until late in the story. As I romance reader I wanted to romance to be stronger, more present, all-encompassing, but at the same time I appreciate how complex and multi-layered the lives the characters were and their slow coming together felt right and fitting. Like some of the other books Ms Topper, it's a very character driven story where the romance is strong and engaging but not the only focus. We experience the life of all the characters, including the supporting ones, in its richness and complexity.

I absolutely loved the mystic elements in the story - the Indian philosophy which means so much for Sidra, the restored Jewish faith of Rick, the intersections between them and how they fitted in the very much modern lives of the characters. It's a soulful journey for both Rick and Sidra (for different reasons) and it resonated deeply with my own understanding of love as the coming together of soulmates.

What worked well for me was the way Ms Topper brought the spiritual/artistic elements in the story - the process of making music, writing lyrics, performing, the elements of religion and philosophy of life, the intimate personal dreams and aspirations on the one hand and the routine, everyday issues - medical problems, alcohol abuse, social and work pressure.

Recommended read for fans of skillful storytelling and eganging romance with mature characters!

[namericanwordcat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked so much about this book.

Topper's writing is perfectly pitched with detail, nuance, and insight. Her characters are flawed and lovable just the same.

The main characters here are like to stones striking a spark and that spark is this unexpected love story.

He is much older than her and changing his life. She is so much herself and yet settling into herself.

All the little moments and facets of the characters are what make this a great romance so I don't want to give those things away.

What held the book back for me, were little things, we never really address the hero's past before he reformed in any real way. We don't get to meet his kids with any depth. I would like more time in the HEA but this is a goooood book worth your time and money.

[Mary BookHounds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rick (aka Riff Rotten) is in the midst of recording a new album with his band and while his bandmate and best friend is planning his wedding, Rick is trying to get over that he has just buried the love of his life. Even though, it has been years since her passing from cancer, he can’t forget about Simone and now he thinks he is having a heart attack. It turns out that rock stars can get panic attacks and once under control, they are now taking over his life. Not one to sit by, he decides to take action and finds yoga.

We touched on Rick and his war with Adrian in Louder Than Love and Adrian’s romance with Kat. Those two are both present with a few other characters from that book. You don’t need to read that one first to enjoy this one. When Rick’s panic attacks start to overtake his life and he takes up yoga at his son’s insistence, he has a cute meet with Sidra, an instructor. And the age difference is believable as well as the spark between the two. Of course, the new couple has issues, but they overcome the obstacles that are mostly themselves.

Dear Dog, this sounds like it could be a self-help novel for musicians, but, nope, far from that, it is a romance that will leave you with that good feeling of happily ever after. Topper has quickly become my favorite in the rock star romance department and it is all because she can summon up a rock star on paper that comes across with the true charisma they all have. That X factor is present in all of her books. This one is definitely swoon worthy.

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This didn't quite reach the heights of book 1, Louder than Love. Adrian "Digger" Graves and his journey back to love with the grieving widow Kat is a hard act to follow. Richard Rottenberg aka Riff Rotten and the woman who heals his broken heart, the lovely Indian-Irish Sidra Sullivan are fine but somehow just don't have that some spark. Nevertheless Jessica Topper can write a great contemporary romance and it was enjoyable. I hope she picks up with some of the other characters and continues on with the series .

[Iryna]

Expected publication - September 15, 2015 - exactly two years after the release of Jessica Topper's first novel in her debut "LOVE & STEEL" series: LOUDER THAN LOVE!!!
Well now... Rock star Rick Rottenberg aka "Riff Rotten" will be here to present his life & love story. Cannot wait!!!

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've anticipated Rick's story since encountering him in Adrian's book. This series will be one of my all time favorite rocker romances. Jessica Topper tells a journey and not just a story for her characters. The background of the rock band world of Rick, the yoga world of Sidra, and the other characters doesn't stay in the background, but surrounds the main characters so that the story is deeply organic. The romance isn't the main focus for much of this book, but of equal focus to the individuals growing personally and then together. I loved that. Read this one in two sittings and was still looking for more when it was done.

The series really should be read in order. This book continues from book one and relies on the former book to introduce the world, tone, characters, and backstory.

Father. Widower. Rocker. Empty Nester. His dark brows lifted at that preposterous thought. How could that be? The contradiction in terms describing this current phase of his life brought him back to the present.
Loc 107 Rick from Softer Than Steel

This one picks up pretty much where the novella, Deeper Than Dreams, left off. They were best friends, blood brothers, part of the same rock band, and then it was all ripped away before they've reunited the band and their friendship. Before it was Rick who found love and now he is the one watching Adrian have his turn.

Rick looked to his best friend for backup. Surely Adrian wasn't going to allow him to be subjected to some sort of heart-to-heart alone with Kat?
"Sorry, mate. It doesn't matter how metal you are. If an eight-year old hands you a pink ukulele, you sure as hell better play it." Adrian smiled and began to strum as Abbey made hula motions with her hands to wave Rick and her mother out of the yard.
Loc 759 Rick and Adrian from Softer Than Steel

Pressures from record companies, their managers, and his own personal life leave him barely hanging on. Something has to give and it's Rick Rottenburg as panic attacks and sleeplessness descends. He has to find away to de-stress and gain some peace. His son pushes him toward yoga and Rick decides to give it a try. And that's when he encounters the woman who steadies him and shows him that he might not be done with love. If only he can convince Sidra to step away from all the responsibilities she clutches close to keep the loneliness and fear of being left by those she loves.

Sidra Sullivan is half Indian and half Irish. She lives in the old East Side neighborhood and has her yoga studio in the back of her cousin's record store that her uncle owns. Her musically talented brother works for her friend, Liz, who is struggling since her boyfriend, Kevin, broke things off. Sidra is working hard to earn the money to purchase the building from her uncle because he keeps making noises about selling up. Liz gets her a place teaching yoga once a week upstate at a kid's summer day camp and against her own judgment, she takes on a private student who makes her heart race. Rick's confidence hides a layer of vulnerability and pain, but after watching her dad start drinking hard and checking out on the family when her mom died, having the love of her life cheat on her and leave her for another woman, and dealing with all the men who treat her as an object when they come to her yoga classes, she is leery of men. It could be worse. He could be a rock musician like cheating Charlie. As time goes one, the attraction grows and she is no longer sure who is the teacher and who is the student.

"Time to practice what you preach, teacher."
"You can't manipulate a heart to open," she insisted. The words sounded lame, even to her ears.
Rick's fingertips tilted her chin, and his stare became her personal drishti. Her eyes threatened tears as she locked her focus, losing herself in his gaze.
"But you can allow it to open, under the right circumstances."
Loc. 2652 Rick and Sidra from Softer Than Steel

Without being angsty, this was an emotional read. I referred to this as a journey and it was. The author took the time to set up Rick and Sidra's stories separately before allowing their lives to intersect. They take turns narrating the story in alternate chapters. They meet briefly and part again a few times before sharing a lot of scene time.

Other minor stories are going on too- Adrian and Kat's wedding, the band's work in the recording studio and the dynamics with promoter and manager, Sidra's family troubles and the potential sale of the family building, Sidra's brother's chance to head out with a local band on tour, Liz and Kevin's on again off again relationship, and Sidra's yoga work. The scenes involving little Abbey are always fun little gems and bring smiles. The dynamics in the band group, Sidra and her Sullivan family group, and Kat with her posse of friends are all humorous and the added a lighter, flirty tone to an otherwise more serious story.

I found it refreshing that the romance slowly built and grew organically out of all the times their lives intersected. It really made much better sense this way. In the beginning, Rick is still very much a grieving widower and Sidra is still emotionally bruised from discovering the guy she loved cheating on her and now moving on like they had nothing together. The fire and passion were not lacking once things were well under way. And yeah, a yoga instructor and a middle-aged guy who is fit and taking regular yoga sessions and lessons had no trouble enjoying a physical relationship.

I mentioned the settings and backgrounds earlier. That is another thing that just melds so well with the plot. The story takes place in NYC both posh West Side and older East Side. The city is another character in its own right. I loved the ethnic settings that show the diversity of the city. Sidra's Indian-Irish heritages as well as Rick's Jewish heritage added lovely flavor to the story. I didn't even know there were actual blends of Irish-Indian music or that one could yoga to rock.

That leads me to say that just as with the past stories, this one is steeped in the music world. Nothing like getting a rocker romance with some solid scene time with the music, tours, recording studio, song writing, business, fans, and playing/singing actual music. The author had a really strong grasp of this world as well as Sidra's Yoga world. That, too, deserves mentioning.

It was as if they had both reached their edge, and then took things deeper. Settling into what was. Not worrying about the 'what if' and 'if only'. They managed to soften the steel they'd both girded themselves with, systematically, for so long, and stepped into the process of letting themselves be vulnerable. It was okay to be vulnerable sometimes. It was strangely liberating, and powerful.
Loc 2959 Sidra from Softer Than Steel

So, yeah, this one was a rush. Cover to cover intensely engaging. Rock band fans who don't mind getting zen with some yoga, or just general Contemporary Romance lovers should give this series a try.

My thanks to Penguin Group for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slick's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

Having just read the first book in author Jessica Topper's Love & Steel series, Louder Than Love, I was thrilled to see that book two was releasing soon and jumped on the chance to read and review it. Softer Than Steel is a very different book from its predecessor and that's not a bad thing, in fact I applaud Ms. Topper for writing something so very different for another aging rocker trying to figure out his life and where he fits in the world. A man whose life if spiraling out of control, a woman who gives so much of herself she forgets she's important too, one crazy mixed up meeting, hours of yoga and a connection so strong that the universe seems to draw them together over and over made Softer Than Steel an amazing spiritual journey yet also a sensual and sexy romance.

Rick Rottenberg (aka Riff Rotten) lead singer for the defunct metal band Corroded Corpse and the new Rotten Graves Project has regrets, he has more than a few actually. Jealousy he has that going on as well seeing his best friend in love and happy. And he's got anger wrapped up in not being able to control everything and everyone around him now and in the past. He also has stress induced panic attacks that have led him to believe on more than one occasion that he's having a heart attack. Despite believing he needs the thrill of playing live to thousands of adoring fans, the touring, the song writing, the recording Rick is a ticking time bomb. A panic attack at a ribbon cutting ceremony for a cancer center dedicated to his late wife sends him running and he encounters a woman he has no clue will change his life in more ways than one.

Sidra Sullivan believes that she makes a difference in her student's lives from the very youngest to the oldest. As a yogini she prides herself on her growing practice at her East Village studio Evolve located in a building that has been in her family for generations. She doesn't mind the hard work; teaching classes at a summer kids camp in upstate New York in the summer or the program in the New York schools she did during the school year on a fitness grant. She believes in the harmony and the strength she gets from yoga and in her life she needs it especially when having to deal with her ex-lover who works for her cousin, her brother who despite his wicked talents as a drummer works part time jobs to make ends meet, and her father who during the school year is a respected professor but during the summer turns into a raging alcoholic. Sidra does her best to handle everything unpleasant in her life and she lets it all go when she enters her studio and when Rick comes to her studio she senses a need in him so deep that she vows to help him, little does she realize that Rick may be exactly what she needs although he's exactly what she said she'd never get involved with again.

I'll admit that I had a love/hate relationship with Rick throughout most of this book. It was so easy to tell he was hurting but it was hard to understand where it all was coming from and so when he lashed out at those people who loved him or wanted to help him I really, really wanted to hurt him. I loved the way he burst into Sidra's life and how she helped him without even knowing it the first time they met. How they encounter each other again without trying and the way he burst into her life in a big way after insulting her and treating her badly. Honestly at times I wondered if Rick was bi-polar but as this story went on it was easy to see that his manic behavior came when he was the most stressed and he tended to lash out at the people closest to him. While he made some big changes in his life and learned ways of coping throughout this book, I'd be lying if I said I thought he changed. Yes, he made some changes but in all honesty I think Rick has a lot of work to do in order to truly be happy. One thing I can't deny is his deep feelings for Sidra, feelings that go beyond sexual and feelings that began to form from their first meeting. I believe sometimes a person can touch your soul and that is exactly what Sidra managed to do to Rick and at risk of sounding cliché, it made him want to be a better man, a better person, a better friend, a better lover and a better Dad. Sidra was not without her own issues; having her heart stomped on by the first man she'd given her heart to made her cautious, made it hard for her to trust and made her vow never to get involved with a musician again. Losing her mother at a young age yet trying to keep her mother's memory alive through her work, her teachings and the memories she had left has left Sidra living a life where she feels she must take care of everyone because she wasn't able to take care of her mother. This was an emotional story yet I couldn't help but feel calmness as I read it because in my brain as things would begin to spiral out of control I could hear Sidra reminding me to breathe. It really was amazing how she was so infused into my brain that it helped me get through the rough times just as it helped both Rick and Sidra, with a little help from the universe and a precocious 8 year old named Abbey (Rick's best friend's soon to be step-daughter).

While this book was a little darker, a little more emotional than the first book in this series it was still a fantastic story. I won't say it wasn't without some drama and I will say both Rick and Sidra had some moments that made me want to hit them upside the head, but I can also say that they both learned from the experience, they both took time for reflection, took time to breathe and most of all took time to understand one another completely and fully. While I don't think you'd hear most people screaming sex, yoga, and rock and roll for these two it worked and there's no doubt in my mind they'll be chanting it for a good, long time.

Review copy provided for an honest review.

[Lacey (laceybooklovers) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted at Booklovers For Life

I went into Softer than Steel without having read the first book, Louder than Love, and enjoyed it very much. It was nothing like the other rock star romances I’d read, and I actually appreciated that. The rock stars in this series aren’t twenty-somethings making it big – rather, they’re mature British rock gods in their forties making a comeback. Softer than Steel is definitely a different kind of read, and its uniqueness is refreshing. The more I think about this book, the more I come to like it.

Father.
Widower.
Rocker.
Empty nester.
His dark brows lifted at that preposterous thought. How could that be?

Rick Rottenberg is on tour with his band Corroded Corpse, reunited with his best friend, and should be having the time of his life, but the pressure is getting to him. He’s still grieving the death of his wife fourteen years ago, and add in the stress of being on tour, making a new album, disagreements with management and his bandmates, and constant anxiety attacks, his head is a mess. When he comes across the chance to take yoga to destress, he agrees and finally begins his journey of letting go his grief, remorse, and pain.

Sidra and her yoga teachings had helped him immensely. But this was way beyond her throwing him the life preserver, and he knew he would defend his feelings until the ship went down and he sucked his very last breath of air.
This was transcendence.

Sidra Sullivan is a half Irish, half Indian yoga instructor who’s sworn off all musicians after catching her musician ex-boyfriend cheating on her with a bandmate. When a new English student starts taking one of her yoga classes, she’s intrigued by him, but when she finds out that he’s a rock star, she’s not exactly jumping at the prospect of a relationship. Nonetheless, Rick slowly breaks down her walls as the two get to know one another – they click so well that it’s hard for her to resist this sweet, adoring man.

I really adored Rick and Sidra. These two have great chemistry together, and they also understand each other so well. The way they fall in love will definitely put a smile on your face. The romance is heartwarming and sweet – but it’s also very, very slow, so you need a lot of patience when you read this book. It’s not until about halfway through Softer than Steel that the romance really takes off. But once you get to that point, it’s so worth the wait – this is an incredible romance about letting down the walls around your heart and letting love in again.

They managed to soften the steel they’d both girded themselves with, systematically, for so long, and stepped into the process of letting themselves be vulnerable. It was okay to be vulnerable sometimes. It was strangely liberating, and powerful.

The author put a lot of detail into this story, from the rock star world to yoga, from Sidra’s half-Irish, half-Indian culture to Rick’s Jewish heritage. This book is well-researched, well-written, and overall just a joy to read. I will definitely need to go back and read the first book, Louder than Love. If you’re looking for a unique romance that pull at your heart-strings, and you have a lot of patience, I would definitely recommend you give Softer than Steel a try.

Quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change in the final version.

Thanks to the publisher for generously providing me an ARC to review.

Amazon Ebook: http://amzn.to/1LxHk1G

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[Michel Reinhard (Saucy Southern Readers) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn't wait to get my hands on Softer Than Steel by Jessica Topper. The Love & Steel series is an unique rock star romance series. Rather than featuring young rock gods making their rise to fame, Jessica chose to create rock god legends making a comeback from their super stardom of the eighties. These are middle aged men that can rock the house and still make the panties drop.

Softer Than Steel features Rick Rottenberg , aka Rick Rotten. He's at crossroads in his life and the pressure is on. Rick is a widower, father, empty nester, perfectionist, and lead vocalist for the band. He can handle being on the stage in the spotlight better than he can handle most social situations. He has anxiety attacks that can be brought on by the slightest imbalance or new situation. He hasn't engaged in relationships with the opposite sex since his wife passed fourteen years earlier. He carries guilt, grief, and remorse with stoic pride. He loved fiercely and lost his wife too early.

The band has been touring for the last four years. They were supposed to control their own destiny but the old patterns are playing out. Adrian is finally going to get married. The band is finally going to make an new album. For Rick this is his main focus and priority, for the other members of the band it is secondary to their own personal lives.

Rick's panic attacks escalate and he starts to take yoga as a way of releasing his built up tensions. Rick wanted to learn how to control his panic attacks but he got a bonus to go along with it. He was learning to love again.

Sidra is a yoga instructor. Her vast knowledge of the practice keeps her students coming back for more. When the handsome English Professor joins her class, she finds herself deeply attracted to her new student. When she finds out he is a famous musician all bets are off. She's been there, done that, and walked away deeply scarred. Never again! But Rick is persistent and he shows Sidra there are more sides this man than fame and music.

I really enjoyed the book but it felt a bit slower than the previous books in this series. The book was too well researched. The practice of yoga took over the story and the main characters seemed secondary. I did not feel the overwhelming chemistry, attraction, or passion between Sidra and Rick. I also think that there were too many secondary characters that hindered the flow of the book because the reader had to stop and think how they were connected to the story before they could move on in the passage. There were the band members, their business associates, Kat's group of friends and their families, Sidra's family and friends, yoga instructors, and other supporting characters. Also there were too many different themes going on. Sidra was half Indian and half Irish. There was focus on her culture as well as her family background. The reader also got to experience her past relationship with a musician that left heartbroken. Rick was English and Jewish and there was quite a bit of focus on that, not to mention the band's past and present careers. There was also a focus on Rick's personal past and his loss. There was just too much going on in this book and the romance got lost in many passages.

Overall it was a well written book but just not the same caliber as the previous books in this series.

I would still highly recommend the Love & Steel Series by Jessica Topper.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Softer Than Steel is the second installment in Jessica Topper's fabulous rocker series, Love & Steel. This leisurely paced romance between guitarist Rick "Riff Rotten" Rottenberg and yoga instructor Sidra Sullivan is quite captivating and delectably sensual. Although characters from the previous novel in the series make guest appearances, it can be read as a standalone but I HIGHLY recommend the other books in the series as well.

Rick is thrilled to be reunited with his former band mates but now their latest tour is over and they are back in the recording studio, he is having difficulty focusing on their next album. With a bad case of writer's block, mounting anxiety and a raging case of insomnia, he is getting pretty desperate for some relief from his stress. After yet another panic attack, Rick takes a friend's advice to give yoga a chance and he is delighted when he discovers his new instructor is the woman he unsuccessfully tried to charm when they met by chance a few days earlier. Sidra shares his attraction, but she does not mix business with pleasure and after having her heart crushed by her musician ex-boyfriend, she is really not in any hurry to become involved in another relationship.

Now in his mid forties, Rick's life is full of changes. His three sons are now grown and on their own and he is having a little trouble coping with his empty nest. Although it has been fourteen years since her death, he is still deeply mourning the loss of this beloved wife, Simone. He is also still wracked with guilt and regrets from the mistakes he made in the years leading up to her death. Reuniting with his band mates is a dream come true, and while Rick is ecstatic to be back in the business, there is unexpected tension between the band members as they try to strike a balance between work and their personal lives.

Sidra is a warm, caring and compassionate woman who is very devoted to her family. She is slowly building her yoga business and she also helps out in her cousin's second hand record shop. Her relationship with her ex-boyfriend ended when she found out he was cheating on her and she has no intention of dating another musician. Sidra does not trust easily and this becomes a major problem when she jumps to conclusions about Rick throughout the course of their romance.

The relationship between Rick and Sidra is fairly slow growing and Rick displays a surprising amount of patience as he tries to win Sidra over. They each carry significant baggage from their respective pasts and these unresolved issues lead to many of the problems between them. Both of them find it difficult to open up and communication is one of the couple's biggest issues. Sidra's mistrust leads her to jump to conclusions when she misconstrues Rick's involvement in a situation concerning her family and she is not easily persuaded to give him a second chance.

Softer Than Steel is a wonderful addition to Jessica Topper's Love & Steel series. The characters are vibrantly developed with realistic flaws and issues to overcome. The romance between Rick and Sidra builds at a unhurried pace and it is quite enjoyable watching Rick patiently work his way through Sidra's somewhat formidable defenses. Although the conflict between them is rather easy to predict, their separation provides both characters with an unexpected opportunity to make some much needed changes in their lives. All in all, it is another highly entertaining novel that old and new fans are going to love.

[Cocktails and Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Cocktails and Books

This is an emotional story about Rick Rottenberg, an older, British, heavy metal rocker. He and his group Corroded Corpse are making a comeback and Rick is plagued by panic attacks and having a hard time writing new music. Rick has a lot to deal with including squabbles with his band mates and constant pressure from his irritating manager. Rick is a shell of a man and is still stuck in the past, with thoughts about his deceased wife constantly on his mind. He meets Sidra Sullivan, a yoga instructor when he decides to take up yoga, hoping it will help him deal with his emotional issues. Rick becomes enamored with Sidra as she teaches him to relax and forgive himself for his past mistakes. Rick and Sidra slowly start a relationship, but their pasts make it hard for them to let down their guard and trust each other. Both of them have been hurt and are careful with their hearts. Even though Rick and Sidra are polar opposites, they just seem to click. They are good together and are able to help each other heal and move forward. I liked the chemistry between Rick and Sidra; I just wish their romance moved a little faster.

The unique characters made this story different and refreshing. Rick is a not a twenty something, he is a mature rock star attempting to make a comeback. I liked Rick, he is a good guy with gentle heart behind his heavy metal persona and he also has a sexy British accent. Sidra’s father is Irish and her mother was from India. Sidra looks Indian and yoga consumes her life. She is a spiritual person and good for Rick’s battered spirit. This is the second book in the Love and Steel series and each book is a stand alone, although the characters in the stories are interconnected. It’s told from both Rick and Sidra’s POV, so we can understand what they are both thinking. There are some entertaining secondary characters that add to the story.

Reviewer information can be found under the Tags section of the post on our site.

[Elizabeth H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book begins four years after the end of the novella DEEPER THAN DREAMS. Yes, I was surprised too! I questioned the author on the time jump and she said she was following the original time line. LOUDER THAN LOVE was set in 2004 and SOFTER THAN STEEL will continue on that timeline four years later in 2008.

Riff’s book was absolutely amazing. I loved him, imperfections and all. Sidra was a brilliant character and paired beautifully with Riff. And as always, the supporting cast was brilliant! Many things happened in the book and I’m really biting my tongue in this review because I was so excited to experience them all and couldn’t wait to share my thoughts with the author.

I’d rather not go into too much detail because I want the reader to be surprised. I finished the book a couple weeks ago and am just now getting around to writing the review. I was so emotionally drained reading about Riff’s struggles as well as Sidra’s strength.

I did have one VERY big concern about reading Riff’s book though. Some of Riff’s history is mentioned in the first book, LOUDER THAN LOVE that disturbed me and I wasn’t excited to learn about it. He had two major vices, women and alcohol. I didn’t want to have Riff rehashing all the terrible things he’s done. Thankfully my fears were misplaced. I really liked the way the author addressed the issues. I thought the author handled his past demons well.

I am so happy that the author decided to expand the first book and give us more stories from the characters I’ve fallen head over heels for. I highly recommend the Love & Steel books to anyone! Jessica Topper has created beautiful stories of a love that defies definition.

***I was gifted an eBook copy from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. All conclusions reached are my own***

[Diane Matlick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderfully emotional and heartfelt book by Jessica Topper! I truly enjoyed the journey i went on with Rick and Sidra, but i especially enjoyed Rick’s story of personal growth and the anxiety, sadness, and isolation he overcame. He was tough to take in the beginning but of course by the end i loved him and i loved Sidra period.

As always, Jessica’s writing is impeccable— clever, polished, and intelligent. She weaves references, symbolism, and the ever present backdrop of my beloved New York City into the story beautifully and that makes it so much richer and multi-layered. Yoga, the Lower East Side, Judaism— she captures everything she writes about perfectly and it really enhances my reading experience. For me, there are very few contemporary writers that can write this well, but also provide me with a story i connect with and get lost in.

I also loved how she portrayed these aging rock stars, it felt so authentic. And when she described Adrian completing the Sunday Times crossword puzzle in pen wearing reading glasses? I'm not sure there's anything sexier than that.

I highly recommend this beautiful story!!

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

After several lousy reads, I came across this series by Jessica Topper, beginning with Louder than Love. This is the second full length novel of the series. I loved the first book, and this one continues the love and music fest with the story of Rick, who we briefly met in Louder than Love. He has wounds from the past which have kept him from letting go and living his life. Sidra, the other MC is damaged as well. We see the continued development of the other characters we met in the first novel. I don't think these novels can be read as stand alone. Jessica Toppers writing style is intelligent, witty, and her characters are muti faceted. I would change only one thing- the sexual chemistry is so hot- the actual scenes seem to be skimmed over at times. This was a gave up sleep and read in one sitting! 4+ stars. Can't wait for the next one!

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Liked the first bk better.

[Cathy M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written story! Slow-building and filled with depth and emotion. Loved it!

[Lauren at Live Read and Breathe Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Transforming Stars!

Source: eARC For Honest Review Courtesy of Intermix | Penguin Group

It has felt like forever since I read Louder than Love, and I will admit that when I read it, I wasn't originally smitten with it, but after reading this & Deeper than Dreams I feel that I should re-read it , because I have a sneaky suspicion that I will love it more this time around.  Maybe originally I wasn't in the mood or the mind frame, who knows, but now I see it in a different light and feel that I missed the boat the first time around. 

Father. Widower. Rocker. Empty nester. 

Now in Softer Than Steel, Rick took along time for him to win me over.   From the first book I have had a love hate relationship with Rick, but here we get to see why he was so driven that he didn't respect what others needed nor himself. 

You've got flames in your hair, my golden goddess.  

Sidra, for the most part I did like, but she had some not loveable moments, however in the end she was pretty good and a perfect fit for Rick. 

Sidra was allergic to giggling.  (Thank god, as I'm as well) 

Adrien is such a great guy and has a huge heart, as he can leave the past in the past.  Now that he's in a great place, he can have Rick's back and help him , even though he doesn't realize that he needs it.

 

As he turned to leave,
he'd added,  "And a word of advice.  This guy . . . he's a little hardheaded.  But right here?"  He'd tapped his heart with this tattooed knuckles.  "He's a softie."

Rick has the exterior shell of an asshole but a soft interior which is released through the practice of Yoga and Sidra.  

At first Rick, was having panic attacks and knows that he has to do something about it.  After many recommendations, he gives yoga a try.  With luck on his side he runs into a beautiful Goddess that he can't get out of his head. 

"Anxiety isn't a sign of
weakness, Rick."  Kat paused a moment, then quietly added, "I've been told it's a sign of being strong for too long."

What first starts as a teacher / student relationship turns into something very meaningful and beautiful.   Not every journey is an easy one and both Sidra and Rick have to learn the hard way, to be able to move forward. 

The world still turns.  Live goes on.

Fancy That.

For both of them to truly give into love they have to dig deep. 

"Nothing would make me happier.  And contrary to my foul mood tonight, I haven't been this happy in a long time.  I'm finally able to live in my skin again.  Because of you, Goddess.  Because you've given me a chance." 

These two may seem from opposite worlds being a yogi and rocker but the stars are aligned and fate has intervened for them to find their way to each other.

"I guess if it was a gift of love, it's never truly lost."

I did quite like this book, and I gotta say that Jessica Topper is such a great researcher when it comes to details in her writing.  Which I find very impressive.  The more real the more believable the story can be.  I don't know much about the heavy metal and music world but I do know the Yoga world and she portrayed that so well, that it even made me get back into my own daily practice after reading this book.

Who do I prefer between Rick and Adrian?  Adrian, for sure, as he's pretty loveable from the beginning where Rick takes quite awhile to love.  Will I continue with this series, if there is more?  Absolutely.  Did I like this book?  Yes, as it's so much more than a regular romance book.  It had depth in the growth of each character during their transformations.  

All quotes taken from pre-published eARC & may be altered or omitted in the final copy.

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[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read the full review on Bookaholics Not-So-Anonymous.

Note: This ARC was provided by InterMix in exchange for an honest review.

There's no denying that this had a unique story, one that gave a feeling of originality that I appreciated. Having a rock star using yoga as a way to deal with his anxiety and stress is nothing new, but Rick's sessions with Sidra allow him to use what he's learned in other aspects of his life as well. Rick's love for Simone is the kind that rock ballads are made of, and finding someone new who sparked that much feeling and devotion from one man is a difficult endeavor, and maybe that's why Rick and Sidra simply didn't work for me. I didn't feel the connection between and often thought that Rick's feelings for Sidra were deeper than hers for him. While Rick dealt with his issues, Sidra, sadly, allowed hers to fester, showing she didn't really practice what she was preaching, which made it even more difficult for me to actually like her.

I liked Rick and thought that he was such an inspiring main character, one who fought to find a way to deal with his circumstances as healthily as possible. He made the necessary changes in his life that brought him far more peace and contentment than he's felt in a decade and a half. He and his best friend and band mate, Adrian Graves, have their issues but the brotherhood and kinship they share felt even more real because of it. His story is what made this such a worthwhile read, but I will say that I also enjoyed the bits and pieces involving Adrian and his fiancée, Kat Lewis (though I was surprised that four years have passed without a wedding), plus the side story with Liz Dooley and Kevin Underwood and the introduction of Seamus Sullivan. So, while Softer Than Steel may not be my favorite in the series, it still gets four stars. ♥

[Heather andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sidra has some fire in her, she's not afraid to tell her man he's wrong, “no? You can screw me on your couch or grab a quick feel on the yoga mat, but God forbid you bring me into your bed.” I liked when Sidra and Rick were content and with each other I think those were my favorite moments in the book, “I want to stay in bed. Right here with you.” He could feel her lips pouting against his sternum. “Probably too much to ask for you to stay here until I get back, right?” I liked this book you saw Rock's growth through the book and it's always fun going on journeys where people change for the good.

[Hope · Rating 2 out of 5]

The romance is lacking in Softer Than Steel. By 40% Rick and Sidra had 4 brief interactions. It wasn't until after 60% that Rick and Sidra's story clicked for me. After loving Louder Than Love and Deeper Than Dreams, I am very disappointed in Softer Than Steel.