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Through the Storm
He’s spent his life trying to outrun the storm…she’s the calm he’s been searching for.
Ramona Hendrix
has always followed the rules. She built the steady career, lived the safe life—and now feels like she’s slowly suffocating. The only place she comes alive is at a Nashville music venue on the weekends, where the thrum of guitars and the chaos of live shows remind her what it feels like to breathe.
When she’s offered a last-minute chance to hit the road with Atlas Obsidian, a gritty emo rock band in need of a merch girl for their summer tour. It’s spontaneous. Wild. Exactly what she needs. But she fears the reckless decision might disappoint the people she cares about most.
Atlas Obsidian Frontman Elias Hawthorne is magnetic on stage and mysterious off of it. With lyrics that hint at a haunted past and a silence that speaks louder than any song, he keeps everyone, even his bandmates at a distance. Ramona is intrigued, drawn to the rawness in his voice and the way his eyes seem to carry the weight of untold stories.
As long drives and late-night load-outs blur the line between strangers and something more, Ramona finds herself falling into a secret romance with Elias—it’s intense, unexpected, and impossible to ignore. With every mile, she uncovers more of the truth he’s buried behind his guarded exterior.
But Elias’s past isn’t finished with him yet. And as the ghosts he’s spent years outrunning threaten to catch up, Ramona must decide if she’s brave enough to stand in the fire with him—or if this summer was only ever meant to burn.
He is chaos and shadow.
She is serenity and light.
Together, they just might learn how to survive the storm.
When she’s offered a last-minute chance to hit the road with Atlas Obsidian, a gritty emo rock band in need of a merch girl for their summer tour. It’s spontaneous. Wild. Exactly what she needs. But she fears the reckless decision might disappoint the people she cares about most.
Atlas Obsidian Frontman Elias Hawthorne is magnetic on stage and mysterious off of it. With lyrics that hint at a haunted past and a silence that speaks louder than any song, he keeps everyone, even his bandmates at a distance. Ramona is intrigued, drawn to the rawness in his voice and the way his eyes seem to carry the weight of untold stories.
As long drives and late-night load-outs blur the line between strangers and something more, Ramona finds herself falling into a secret romance with Elias—it’s intense, unexpected, and impossible to ignore. With every mile, she uncovers more of the truth he’s buried behind his guarded exterior.
But Elias’s past isn’t finished with him yet. And as the ghosts he’s spent years outrunning threaten to catch up, Ramona must decide if she’s brave enough to stand in the fire with him—or if this summer was only ever meant to burn.
He is chaos and shadow.
She is serenity and light.
Together, they just might learn how to survive the storm.
427 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 15, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
June 14, 2026
As a millennial x elder emo I ate this up like there’s no tomorrow
May 29, 2026
We all love a tortured MMC and then when you make him an emo rock band guy?? Hello , my millennial self was so satisfied to meet Elias.
Atlas Obsidian is more than a band, they are a true family so I loved seeing how they took our FMC, Ramona, in! She got to know them all on their band tour and I was giggling at all their shenanigans, especially book club!
The mutual understanding between Elias and Ramona was beautiful and I loved how kt developed.
And watch out for that ending, it packs a punch!
Atlas Obsidian is more than a band, they are a true family so I loved seeing how they took our FMC, Ramona, in! She got to know them all on their band tour and I was giggling at all their shenanigans, especially book club!
The mutual understanding between Elias and Ramona was beautiful and I loved how kt developed.
And watch out for that ending, it packs a punch!
May 20, 2026
This book is so much more than a mere rockstar romance. It's an experience.
An experience where you're completely immersed, transported and lost into a world of music, where you feel like you're actually experiencing what the FMC is experiencing. Something that only a true lover of music can portray and execute into words from real world situations, which is a testament to the author.
Rebecca articulated, encapsulated and poured that into this masterpiece.
You follow along this journey through only the FMC's POV, Romona.
She is struggling and unfulfilled in her dead end, dull, overworked, underpaid and under appreciated job which is so true to life for so many people. She is a people pleaser, which hit home to me. Through her part time job, she comes across the captivating band Atlas Obsidian (the end notes articulate perfectly how she created the depths of this band)
And is completely captivated by them, through an altercation, she is given the opportunity of a lifetime to become a merch girl for the band, and after thoroughly contemplating her life and where it's headed and what she wants to do with her life, she accepts and starts her journey of a lifetime on tour with the band.
During this journey, there is found family, acceptance, pain, depression, pure joy, love, grief, guilt, revelations and secrets unfolded where this book transforms from a simple rockstar romance to a soul crushing emotional whirlwind loop de loop rollercaster of emptions where you can see first hand about overcoming deep rooted issues, healing (true healing, not the MMC and FMC falling in love and magically everything is right in the world because "love conquers all") no. The work put in is clearly shown on page. So many books don't do that and it's so important that impressionable readers who are dealing with grief deal with their trauma, this is done the RIGHT way.
They FOUGHT for this. And their love wasn't easily come by, it was messy..which is so true to life, no fluffy butterflies and rainbows. It was ugly, and soul destroying.
Also, cotton candy skies did something explainable to me and was one of my favourite songs and parts of this book. I'm not emotionally recovered from this AT ALL.
I also loved how real world books was incorporated into this, Xaden..shadow daddy..HELLO?! Chefs kiss.
And also real world bands, it made the book seem that much more realistic and being able to connect more to the book than using non fictional bands.
Rebecca did a phenomenal job on this masterpiece, you can tell she poured her blood sweat and tears into this book.
This book is healing.
This book portrays the power of music perfectly.
This book is sheer perfection.
If you read any book in your life. Please read this, you won't regret the journey you take.
5 🌟 through and through.
An experience where you're completely immersed, transported and lost into a world of music, where you feel like you're actually experiencing what the FMC is experiencing. Something that only a true lover of music can portray and execute into words from real world situations, which is a testament to the author.
Rebecca articulated, encapsulated and poured that into this masterpiece.
You follow along this journey through only the FMC's POV, Romona.
She is struggling and unfulfilled in her dead end, dull, overworked, underpaid and under appreciated job which is so true to life for so many people. She is a people pleaser, which hit home to me. Through her part time job, she comes across the captivating band Atlas Obsidian (the end notes articulate perfectly how she created the depths of this band)
And is completely captivated by them, through an altercation, she is given the opportunity of a lifetime to become a merch girl for the band, and after thoroughly contemplating her life and where it's headed and what she wants to do with her life, she accepts and starts her journey of a lifetime on tour with the band.
During this journey, there is found family, acceptance, pain, depression, pure joy, love, grief, guilt, revelations and secrets unfolded where this book transforms from a simple rockstar romance to a soul crushing emotional whirlwind loop de loop rollercaster of emptions where you can see first hand about overcoming deep rooted issues, healing (true healing, not the MMC and FMC falling in love and magically everything is right in the world because "love conquers all") no. The work put in is clearly shown on page. So many books don't do that and it's so important that impressionable readers who are dealing with grief deal with their trauma, this is done the RIGHT way.
They FOUGHT for this. And their love wasn't easily come by, it was messy..which is so true to life, no fluffy butterflies and rainbows. It was ugly, and soul destroying.
Also, cotton candy skies did something explainable to me and was one of my favourite songs and parts of this book. I'm not emotionally recovered from this AT ALL.
I also loved how real world books was incorporated into this, Xaden..shadow daddy..HELLO?! Chefs kiss.
And also real world bands, it made the book seem that much more realistic and being able to connect more to the book than using non fictional bands.
Rebecca did a phenomenal job on this masterpiece, you can tell she poured her blood sweat and tears into this book.
This book is healing.
This book portrays the power of music perfectly.
This book is sheer perfection.
If you read any book in your life. Please read this, you won't regret the journey you take.
5 🌟 through and through.
June 2, 2026
4,5⭐
Absolutely LOVED this. It made me feel all the feelings, from laughing, giggling and kicking my feet to crying in public transportation. And his speech in the epilogue??? EVERYTHING. But also this quote:
'I call you Flowers because I can't think of anything more beautiful. Because wildflowers grow where they shouldn't. Through cement. In the shadows. You showed up in my life when I didn't think anything good could grow in me anymore... and ever since, you've been blooming in places I thought were long dead.'
Absolutely LOVED this. It made me feel all the feelings, from laughing, giggling and kicking my feet to crying in public transportation. And his speech in the epilogue??? EVERYTHING. But also this quote:
'I call you Flowers because I can't think of anything more beautiful. Because wildflowers grow where they shouldn't. Through cement. In the shadows. You showed up in my life when I didn't think anything good could grow in me anymore... and ever since, you've been blooming in places I thought were long dead.'
May 10, 2026
Through the Storm- ARC Review
Relatively spoiler free view: this was my first ARC ever so be nice! I really enjoyed this book! The chapters were quick to get through which I love in a book. It was the Ultimate slow burn but still perfect pacing. I like how it didn’t take forever and a day for the plot to build. I loved the shout outs to the romantasy series I’ve read (crescent city, fourth wing, quicksilver). It made the story even more immersive for me. When I get to the part of the book where everything is peaceful and happy, but then see I still have 25% left, that’s when I know things are about to go down. The little twist towards the end… didn’t see that coming and I pride myself on being able to pick out really obvious “twists”. I really REALLY wish there was a soundtrack of the Atlas Obsidian songs because I would be playing that on repeat. I also would buy a tshirt if she sold them *cough cough*.
When I read books written in first person, I picture myself as that character, and it was great to have a character like Ramona to live through for this adventure. It’s nice to see a FMC with the same personality traits as me, i.e. people pleaser constantly saying yes and putting other people’s needs before their own. I have a tendency of growing tired of my FMC after a while, either due to consistent stubbornness or just poor treatment of other characters in the books and terribly lazy redemption arcs. Ramona wasn’t one of those for me. Seeing her grow throughout the book was refreshing. I didn’t have times where I was screaming at her (internally) to stop doing something self destructive.
The dynamic between Ramona and Elias had me tearing up if not in full blown streaming tears. He’s a brooding, badass rockstar with his demons, but he’s also a giant teddy bear. He’s mysterious, deep, protective, considerate, and every girl’s dream MMC. His story and struggle broke my heart, I couldn’t help but root for him the entire time. The definition of a human shadow daddy, Elias Hawthorne has now made his way onto my list of book boyfriends.
Relatively spoiler free view: this was my first ARC ever so be nice! I really enjoyed this book! The chapters were quick to get through which I love in a book. It was the Ultimate slow burn but still perfect pacing. I like how it didn’t take forever and a day for the plot to build. I loved the shout outs to the romantasy series I’ve read (crescent city, fourth wing, quicksilver). It made the story even more immersive for me. When I get to the part of the book where everything is peaceful and happy, but then see I still have 25% left, that’s when I know things are about to go down. The little twist towards the end… didn’t see that coming and I pride myself on being able to pick out really obvious “twists”. I really REALLY wish there was a soundtrack of the Atlas Obsidian songs because I would be playing that on repeat. I also would buy a tshirt if she sold them *cough cough*.
When I read books written in first person, I picture myself as that character, and it was great to have a character like Ramona to live through for this adventure. It’s nice to see a FMC with the same personality traits as me, i.e. people pleaser constantly saying yes and putting other people’s needs before their own. I have a tendency of growing tired of my FMC after a while, either due to consistent stubbornness or just poor treatment of other characters in the books and terribly lazy redemption arcs. Ramona wasn’t one of those for me. Seeing her grow throughout the book was refreshing. I didn’t have times where I was screaming at her (internally) to stop doing something self destructive.
The dynamic between Ramona and Elias had me tearing up if not in full blown streaming tears. He’s a brooding, badass rockstar with his demons, but he’s also a giant teddy bear. He’s mysterious, deep, protective, considerate, and every girl’s dream MMC. His story and struggle broke my heart, I couldn’t help but root for him the entire time. The definition of a human shadow daddy, Elias Hawthorne has now made his way onto my list of book boyfriends.
May 15, 2026
ARC Review!
I don’t typically stray from the romantasy that I always read. However, I found myself smiling and giggling along as I read through this story, but also reflecting inward to think about myself in comparison to the characters. This is one of those books that I was thinking about while doing other things because I wanted to get back to it to see how the story developed.
A slow burn is one of my favorite tropes, but I often find they’re not done well because they’re not actually slow. 100% not the case with Elias and Ramona. Following their story you really got to feel it build.
This book was such an easy read which I loved. The side characters were entertaining (shoutout Cody).
Overall, this story has depth and skillful pacing. I never felt like it was too fast or slow paced. It’s a book you could get through in a weekend, so if you’re like me and find yourself needing the occasional palate cleanser from romantasy.. put this book on the top of your TBR!
Oh, and the hot, brooding (“shadow daddy”) MMC like Elias made it all the better (look up Vlado Saric from Melrose Avenue..)!
I don’t typically stray from the romantasy that I always read. However, I found myself smiling and giggling along as I read through this story, but also reflecting inward to think about myself in comparison to the characters. This is one of those books that I was thinking about while doing other things because I wanted to get back to it to see how the story developed.
A slow burn is one of my favorite tropes, but I often find they’re not done well because they’re not actually slow. 100% not the case with Elias and Ramona. Following their story you really got to feel it build.
This book was such an easy read which I loved. The side characters were entertaining (shoutout Cody).
Overall, this story has depth and skillful pacing. I never felt like it was too fast or slow paced. It’s a book you could get through in a weekend, so if you’re like me and find yourself needing the occasional palate cleanser from romantasy.. put this book on the top of your TBR!
Oh, and the hot, brooding (“shadow daddy”) MMC like Elias made it all the better (look up Vlado Saric from Melrose Avenue..)!
May 26, 2026
This book was an absolute master piece. I’ve read a lot of “rockstar romances” but none of them even compare. Such a beautiful story! 🤘🏽🖤🫶🏽
June 11, 2026
Normally being a reader of dark romance and relatively new to the rockstar romance genre, I wasn't sure what to expect from 'Through The Storm' but I was blown away from the very start.
It's funny, sad, compelling, intriguing, steady-paced and wonderfully written. The author also writes about the traumas the characters have suffered with such empathy, you almost feel the need to step inside the pages to give out hugs 🫂
Rich in emotion, with a beautiful slow-burn, the story of the main two characters, Ramona and Elias, grabs you firmly by the heart strings and pulls gently. You simply can not help falling in love with them.
And the full write up of the song lyrics in the back of the book. Wow!
I'm so looking forward to reading more of Atlas Obsidian's story
It's funny, sad, compelling, intriguing, steady-paced and wonderfully written. The author also writes about the traumas the characters have suffered with such empathy, you almost feel the need to step inside the pages to give out hugs 🫂
Rich in emotion, with a beautiful slow-burn, the story of the main two characters, Ramona and Elias, grabs you firmly by the heart strings and pulls gently. You simply can not help falling in love with them.
And the full write up of the song lyrics in the back of the book. Wow!
I'm so looking forward to reading more of Atlas Obsidian's story
June 5, 2026
Through the Storm is exactly the kind of rockstar romance that reminds me why I love this genre. Rebecca Elder has crafted a story that balances the glamor of life in the spotlight with the very real vulnerabilities that exist behind the stage lights. This romance takes over your brain and your heart - you get totally sucked into it!
Elias is the kind of book boyfriend readers dream about. He's talented, covered in tats, undeniably swoon-worthy, and he isn't afraid to get his knuckles bloody if someone messes with someone he loves. He's every bit the rockstar heartthrob you'd expect. And don't even get me started on the layers beneath the fame that make him unforgettable. The way he loves made it impossible not to root for him from beginning to end.
And then there's Ramona. She's the kind of heroine who feels like a real person rather than a character on a page. Her growth throughout the story made every emotional moment hit hard. Not to mention CODY. That's my boy. I am so stoked for his book.
I'm always excited to find stories that capture both the electricity of the music world and the emotional depth that makes readers invest in a couple. This book delivers both beautifully. Rebecca has created a romance that will leave readers thinking about these characters for a long time.
Book two cannot come out soon enough!!
Elias is the kind of book boyfriend readers dream about. He's talented, covered in tats, undeniably swoon-worthy, and he isn't afraid to get his knuckles bloody if someone messes with someone he loves. He's every bit the rockstar heartthrob you'd expect. And don't even get me started on the layers beneath the fame that make him unforgettable. The way he loves made it impossible not to root for him from beginning to end.
And then there's Ramona. She's the kind of heroine who feels like a real person rather than a character on a page. Her growth throughout the story made every emotional moment hit hard. Not to mention CODY. That's my boy. I am so stoked for his book.
I'm always excited to find stories that capture both the electricity of the music world and the emotional depth that makes readers invest in a couple. This book delivers both beautifully. Rebecca has created a romance that will leave readers thinking about these characters for a long time.
Book two cannot come out soon enough!!
May 24, 2026
Thank you so much to Rebecca for providing an advanced reader's copy! I did really enjoy this book, there was a lot of development between the two characters that I felt was required for them to form a healthy relationship. While I did feel like there were some moments that I didn't necessarily feel like they were needed to carry the story along, I do feel like this was well written. I really enjoyed being able to witness the interactions between the two main characters, but also the development and interactions with the side characters as well. I highly recommend if you love a dark, moody MMC, also - a golden retriever side main character (are we getting a Cody arc). I can't wait to continue to watch Rebecca continue her career as a writer.
May 26, 2026
This book is not your average romance book. Yes there’s definitely romance in the book but it also covers deeper topics. The book flowed so well and intertwined the deeper issues in which a way that it all just made sense. I really liked Ramona because I’m also a people pleaser so it was easy to relate to her.
Also this book is a total slow burn but definitely worth it!! I really enjoyed reading it and getting a taste of the music scene. The found family in this book is also just perfect! So many of my favorite tropes in one book. OH! And there’s a playlist. Gotta love a book with a playlist!
May 31, 2026
So, I love a good rockstar romance. When I saw this book, I had to preorder the deluxe package! I am so glad I did! I started the book and literally lost sleep over it. In the way that I did NOT want to go to bed because I had to keep reading it.
I absolutely loved these characters. Well, all the good ones anyway. The jerkies can kick rocks. I found myself smitten, laughing, smiling and freaking crying.
I love that there were song lyrics throughout the book. I am a sucker for that.
There were mental health struggles, abuse, addiction and death that were part of their journey.
The writing was so well done and detailed. I am stoked for Rebecca Elder to bring the stories of the other band members to life!
I absolutely loved these characters. Well, all the good ones anyway. The jerkies can kick rocks. I found myself smitten, laughing, smiling and freaking crying.
I love that there were song lyrics throughout the book. I am a sucker for that.
There were mental health struggles, abuse, addiction and death that were part of their journey.
The writing was so well done and detailed. I am stoked for Rebecca Elder to bring the stories of the other band members to life!
June 25, 2026
Emo about it 🥹
I found this book from one of those Instagram booktok posts. After reading the post and coming across the post Rebecca made about giving Melrose Avenue her book so they could read the dedication and boy was I sold. My elder emo heart ,and just loving Melrose Avenue in general, knew this was going to be a must read. This book exceeded my expectations and more and I can honestly say that this book broke me and rebuilt me in the best ways! Love love love this book and Atlas Obsidian.🫶🏼🫶🏼
I found this book from one of those Instagram booktok posts. After reading the post and coming across the post Rebecca made about giving Melrose Avenue her book so they could read the dedication and boy was I sold. My elder emo heart ,and just loving Melrose Avenue in general, knew this was going to be a must read. This book exceeded my expectations and more and I can honestly say that this book broke me and rebuilt me in the best ways! Love love love this book and Atlas Obsidian.🫶🏼🫶🏼
June 3, 2026
Love, love, love it. Haven't been this hooked on a book in a while
June 1, 2026
This book was so good!! I’m so glad I saw the TikTok that prompted me to order it!
The emotions Rebecca captured of Elias and Ramona were incredible!! I gobbled this story up in only a couple days!! 🖤🤘🏻🎸🎶🎤
The emotions Rebecca captured of Elias and Ramona were incredible!! I gobbled this story up in only a couple days!! 🖤🤘🏻🎸🎶🎤
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️
Through the Storm — ARC Review
I don’t even know how to act after finishing this book. I took FIVE full pages of notes… and I loved every single second of it.
Imagine being stuck in a soul-sucking office job, living for music on the side… and then getting the chance to go on tour as a photographer, merch and social media manager for your new favorite band right after you discover them or should I say after they discover you. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity….just like reading this book is :) JUST do it!
From the very beginning, I felt seen. That line about being “the reliable one” who gets taken advantage of? Yeah… that hit a little too hard. This book doesn’t just tell a story—it understands people, especially the ones who give too much of themselves.
And then we’re thrown into the music scene—the vibes, the tension, the energy. I was hooked instantly. Atlas Obsidian has that chaotic brotherhood that feels so real—messy, hilarious, loyal, completely ride-or-die. Cody had me laughing nonstop, and Elias… yeah. He’s THAT broody, emotionally wrecked, secretly soft man we all eat up.
Watching Ramona go from overworked, overlooked, and stuck… to someone who finally chooses herself? That arc was everything. Her quitting her job felt like freedom—not just for her, but for anyone who’s ever felt trapped in a life that didn’t fit.
The romance? Gods. The slow burn. The tension. The tiny moments that build and build until you’re practically vibrating waiting for them to just kiss already—and when they do? Worth it. Every second. Elias and Ramona are the perfect contrast: sunshine and storm, softness and edge—and it works so well it actually hurts.
What really sets this book apart is the emotional depth. This isn’t just a rockstar romance. It dives into trauma, addiction, and healing, and what it truly means to love someone through their darkness without losing yourself. There were moments that took my breath away, moments that made me laugh out loud, and moments that gave me actual chills.
And the music? The author didn’t just sprinkle in songs—she built a full emotional soundtrack. Lyrics with meaning. Songs that matter. It felt like more than just a book—it felt like an experience.
The found family? Top tier. The band, the friendships, the support system—it all felt earned and genuine. You can feel how much these characters grow together.
By the end, I was completely wrecked in the best way. The love confession, the song, the way everything comes full circle… yeah I definitely had chills.
This book is chaotic, emotional, romantic, funny, painful, healing—and completely addictive.
I didn’t just like it.
I lived it
Through the Storm — ARC Review
I don’t even know how to act after finishing this book. I took FIVE full pages of notes… and I loved every single second of it.
Imagine being stuck in a soul-sucking office job, living for music on the side… and then getting the chance to go on tour as a photographer, merch and social media manager for your new favorite band right after you discover them or should I say after they discover you. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity….just like reading this book is :) JUST do it!
From the very beginning, I felt seen. That line about being “the reliable one” who gets taken advantage of? Yeah… that hit a little too hard. This book doesn’t just tell a story—it understands people, especially the ones who give too much of themselves.
And then we’re thrown into the music scene—the vibes, the tension, the energy. I was hooked instantly. Atlas Obsidian has that chaotic brotherhood that feels so real—messy, hilarious, loyal, completely ride-or-die. Cody had me laughing nonstop, and Elias… yeah. He’s THAT broody, emotionally wrecked, secretly soft man we all eat up.
Watching Ramona go from overworked, overlooked, and stuck… to someone who finally chooses herself? That arc was everything. Her quitting her job felt like freedom—not just for her, but for anyone who’s ever felt trapped in a life that didn’t fit.
The romance? Gods. The slow burn. The tension. The tiny moments that build and build until you’re practically vibrating waiting for them to just kiss already—and when they do? Worth it. Every second. Elias and Ramona are the perfect contrast: sunshine and storm, softness and edge—and it works so well it actually hurts.
What really sets this book apart is the emotional depth. This isn’t just a rockstar romance. It dives into trauma, addiction, and healing, and what it truly means to love someone through their darkness without losing yourself. There were moments that took my breath away, moments that made me laugh out loud, and moments that gave me actual chills.
And the music? The author didn’t just sprinkle in songs—she built a full emotional soundtrack. Lyrics with meaning. Songs that matter. It felt like more than just a book—it felt like an experience.
The found family? Top tier. The band, the friendships, the support system—it all felt earned and genuine. You can feel how much these characters grow together.
By the end, I was completely wrecked in the best way. The love confession, the song, the way everything comes full circle… yeah I definitely had chills.
This book is chaotic, emotional, romantic, funny, painful, healing—and completely addictive.
I didn’t just like it.
I lived it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
This book didn’t just break my heart… it sat with it quietly afterward 🖤
I expected a rockstar romance. What I got was a deeply emotional story about loneliness, healing, and two people trying to find a place where they could finally stop pretending they were okay.
Ramona’s story hurt in such a quiet, relatable way. She’s done everything “right” her entire life — built the stable future, followed the rules, became the dependable person everyone could count on — yet she feels completely disconnected from herself. That ache of living a life that looks fine on the outside while slowly suffocating on the inside was written so beautifully.
Then there’s Elias Hawthorne.
And honestly… I don’t think I was prepared for him.
He carries the kind of sadness that bleeds through every lyric, every silence, every look. The more you learn about him, the more you understand that he’s spent years believing he has to carry his pain alone. Behind the fame, the music, and the walls he built around himself is someone exhausted from surviving.
What made this story unforgettable for me was how gentle their love became.
Not perfect. Not easy. Just real.
Ramona doesn’t try to “fix” Elias, and Elias doesn’t magically erase Ramona’s fears. Instead, they slowly become a safe place for each other in the middle of all the chaos. Their relationship felt intimate in a way that had nothing to do with physical chemistry — it was in the late-night conversations, the understanding, the vulnerability, and the way they saw each other completely.
And when Elias’s past finally starts catching up to him… you feel the weight of it. The fear. The desperation. The heartbreak. There were moments in this book where my chest genuinely hurt for them because you could feel how badly they wanted peace but didn’t know if they deserved it.
This story feels like:
🎶 Music that says the things you can’t
🌧 Carrying pain you never learned to talk about
🖤 Loving someone at their most broken
✨ Finding freedom in being truly seen
🔥 The terrifying hope that maybe healing is possible
Some romances give you butterflies.
This one gave me bruises.
And I mean that as the highest compliment possible.
I expected a rockstar romance. What I got was a deeply emotional story about loneliness, healing, and two people trying to find a place where they could finally stop pretending they were okay.
Ramona’s story hurt in such a quiet, relatable way. She’s done everything “right” her entire life — built the stable future, followed the rules, became the dependable person everyone could count on — yet she feels completely disconnected from herself. That ache of living a life that looks fine on the outside while slowly suffocating on the inside was written so beautifully.
Then there’s Elias Hawthorne.
And honestly… I don’t think I was prepared for him.
He carries the kind of sadness that bleeds through every lyric, every silence, every look. The more you learn about him, the more you understand that he’s spent years believing he has to carry his pain alone. Behind the fame, the music, and the walls he built around himself is someone exhausted from surviving.
What made this story unforgettable for me was how gentle their love became.
Not perfect. Not easy. Just real.
Ramona doesn’t try to “fix” Elias, and Elias doesn’t magically erase Ramona’s fears. Instead, they slowly become a safe place for each other in the middle of all the chaos. Their relationship felt intimate in a way that had nothing to do with physical chemistry — it was in the late-night conversations, the understanding, the vulnerability, and the way they saw each other completely.
And when Elias’s past finally starts catching up to him… you feel the weight of it. The fear. The desperation. The heartbreak. There were moments in this book where my chest genuinely hurt for them because you could feel how badly they wanted peace but didn’t know if they deserved it.
This story feels like:
🎶 Music that says the things you can’t
🌧 Carrying pain you never learned to talk about
🖤 Loving someone at their most broken
✨ Finding freedom in being truly seen
🔥 The terrifying hope that maybe healing is possible
Some romances give you butterflies.
This one gave me bruises.
And I mean that as the highest compliment possible.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I don’t even fully know how to put into words what this did to me ❤️
From the very beginning, it felt like I was being pulled straight into a world that understands what it means to feel like you don’t quite belong anywhere, until you find a scene, a sound, a place that finally makes sense of the chaos inside you. The emo scene in this story isn’t just a backdrop… it feels like survival. Like oxygen for people who’ve been holding their breath for too long.
Elias absolutely wrecked me in the quietest, most devastating way. Fiercely loyal, deeply protective, but constantly pushing everyone away because he’s already decided he’s too broken to be loved back. And yet, in the only language he trusts, his music, he lets everything spill out. The pain, the sorrow, the things he can’t say out loud without falling apart.
And then there’s Ramona.
Watching her through her POV feels like standing in the middle of something tender and terrifying at the same time. You feel every shift in the air between them, the light, carefree moments that make you forget to breathe, and then the heavier ones that sit on your chest long after you’ve put the book down.
Their story doesn’t pretend recovery is clean or easy. It shows addiction in a way that hurts, because it doesn’t just consume the person going through it, it ripples through everyone who loves them. It breaks things. It rebuilds things. Sometimes it does both at once.
And on top of all the heaviness, the side characters bring so much life to the story. They’re sincere, fun, loyal, and make the found family feel like the heart of everything. Especially Cody, he’s this absolute ball of sunshine, Elias’s total opposite, basically a tattooed punk golden retriever. He brings so much warmth and light into every scene he’s in and balances the story beautifully.
At its core, this book is about pain, healing, music, and the way people can slowly find their way back to each other even when they think they’re too broken to be loved.
From the very beginning, it felt like I was being pulled straight into a world that understands what it means to feel like you don’t quite belong anywhere, until you find a scene, a sound, a place that finally makes sense of the chaos inside you. The emo scene in this story isn’t just a backdrop… it feels like survival. Like oxygen for people who’ve been holding their breath for too long.
Elias absolutely wrecked me in the quietest, most devastating way. Fiercely loyal, deeply protective, but constantly pushing everyone away because he’s already decided he’s too broken to be loved back. And yet, in the only language he trusts, his music, he lets everything spill out. The pain, the sorrow, the things he can’t say out loud without falling apart.
And then there’s Ramona.
Watching her through her POV feels like standing in the middle of something tender and terrifying at the same time. You feel every shift in the air between them, the light, carefree moments that make you forget to breathe, and then the heavier ones that sit on your chest long after you’ve put the book down.
Their story doesn’t pretend recovery is clean or easy. It shows addiction in a way that hurts, because it doesn’t just consume the person going through it, it ripples through everyone who loves them. It breaks things. It rebuilds things. Sometimes it does both at once.
And on top of all the heaviness, the side characters bring so much life to the story. They’re sincere, fun, loyal, and make the found family feel like the heart of everything. Especially Cody, he’s this absolute ball of sunshine, Elias’s total opposite, basically a tattooed punk golden retriever. He brings so much warmth and light into every scene he’s in and balances the story beautifully.
At its core, this book is about pain, healing, music, and the way people can slowly find their way back to each other even when they think they’re too broken to be loved.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴛᴏʀᴍ || ᴀʀᴄ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ
𝓣𝓱𝓻𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓼𝓽𝓸𝓻𝓶 𝓘 𝓯𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓭 𝓶𝔂 𝔀𝓪𝔂 𝓱𝓸𝓶𝓮
✨5/5
🌶️3/5
I have no idea how to describe my feelings; I’ve experienced a true “𝓢𝓪𝓵𝓿𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷” story in which I was both in tears and madly in love.
“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘍𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘴.”
I fell in love with every single scene. The way Elias tried to get Ramona to think only of herself… The way he gave her his bunk bed—which he’d never given to anyone else—just so she could be comfortable… The way Elias, who’d been unable to sleep since that terrible incident, drifted off to the most peaceful sleep of his life in Ramona’s lap… I WAS ALMOST IN TEARS AT THIS POINT. Those moments of closeness whilst teaching Ramona how to throw a punch, and oh, the way he let slip that he cared for Ramona whilst attacking a man in a fit of jealousy… our mysterious ‘Shadow Daddy’ is revealing his feelings
𝘈 𝘭𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩. 𝘘𝘶𝘪𝘦𝘵. 𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘵. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥.
The first kissing scenes>>>. But what a brilliant ‘mistake’ that was—what a lesson it was; we were absolutely hooked. Especially the fact that he sang karaoke just because Ramona asked him to, but only with Ramona—‘The Man That You Are’—and the way he had to admit he could never stay away from the kiss he called a ‘mistake’, even as he was going mad at the thought of Ramona sharing it with someone else.
"𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘺𝘰𝘶."
But what parts moved me the most? The way Ramona proved to Elias just how much he was worth, even though he never saw himself as worthy of love. The fact that Elias went back to the drugs he’d been running from his whole life—all because of that scoundrel Traeger—just for Ramona’s sake… Ramona’s helplessness… I couldn’t hold back my tears.
𝘉𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘵 𝘢 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘰𝘴 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳
🎯 Forced Proximity
🎸 Rockstar Romance
💊Ex Addicted MMC
🩹 Emotional Healing
🚏On The Tour
☀️Grumpy x Sunshine
𝓣𝓱𝓻𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓼𝓽𝓸𝓻𝓶 𝓘 𝓯𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓭 𝓶𝔂 𝔀𝓪𝔂 𝓱𝓸𝓶𝓮
✨5/5
🌶️3/5
I have no idea how to describe my feelings; I’ve experienced a true “𝓢𝓪𝓵𝓿𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷” story in which I was both in tears and madly in love.
“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘍𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘴.”
I fell in love with every single scene. The way Elias tried to get Ramona to think only of herself… The way he gave her his bunk bed—which he’d never given to anyone else—just so she could be comfortable… The way Elias, who’d been unable to sleep since that terrible incident, drifted off to the most peaceful sleep of his life in Ramona’s lap… I WAS ALMOST IN TEARS AT THIS POINT. Those moments of closeness whilst teaching Ramona how to throw a punch, and oh, the way he let slip that he cared for Ramona whilst attacking a man in a fit of jealousy… our mysterious ‘Shadow Daddy’ is revealing his feelings
𝘈 𝘭𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩. 𝘘𝘶𝘪𝘦𝘵. 𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘵. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥.
The first kissing scenes>>>. But what a brilliant ‘mistake’ that was—what a lesson it was; we were absolutely hooked. Especially the fact that he sang karaoke just because Ramona asked him to, but only with Ramona—‘The Man That You Are’—and the way he had to admit he could never stay away from the kiss he called a ‘mistake’, even as he was going mad at the thought of Ramona sharing it with someone else.
"𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘺𝘰𝘶."
But what parts moved me the most? The way Ramona proved to Elias just how much he was worth, even though he never saw himself as worthy of love. The fact that Elias went back to the drugs he’d been running from his whole life—all because of that scoundrel Traeger—just for Ramona’s sake… Ramona’s helplessness… I couldn’t hold back my tears.
𝘉𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘵 𝘢 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘰𝘴 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳
🎯 Forced Proximity
🎸 Rockstar Romance
💊Ex Addicted MMC
🩹 Emotional Healing
🚏On The Tour
☀️Grumpy x Sunshine
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I love a good rockstar romance book but this one wasn’t just good, No, it was AMAZING!!! Some books entertain you for a few hours. This one settled under my skin and stayed there long after I finished the last page.
I wasn’t expecting that level of emotional impact when I started reading, but somewhere between the late-night drives, messy healing, screaming lyrics, and quiet moments between Ramona and Elias, this story completely consumed me.
Ramona’s journey hit especially hard. She’s stuck between the life she’s built and the version of herself she buried years ago, the girl who wanted more than routine and survival. Watching her slowly rediscover pieces of herself through music, chaos, friendship, and love felt incredibly honest.
And Elias… wow. He’s the kind of character who says very little but feels everything too deeply. Broody, guarded, self-destructive, yet somehow unbearably tender underneath all the sharp edges. His love came through in the smallest moments, and honestly? That hurt more than grand gestures ever could.
What stood out most to me was how raw the story felt. It doesn’t make addiction look good or anything, but it shows how the people around you are affected by it as well.
But despite all the heartbreak, there’s still so much warmth woven throughout the story. The band dynamic, the found family energy, the humor mixed into the chaos, it all balanced beautifully. Cody especially brought so much light into the darker moments and completely stole every scene he was in.
The romance itself felt electric in that messy, aching kind of way. Tension packed into stolen glances, emotionally charged conversations, cramped tour bus moments, and the kind of chemistry that builds slowly until it finally explodes. The spice absolutely delivered, but it was the emotional connection underneath it that made everything hit harder.
A big thank you to the author for letting me read this ARC! Everyone needs to add it to their TBR!
I wasn’t expecting that level of emotional impact when I started reading, but somewhere between the late-night drives, messy healing, screaming lyrics, and quiet moments between Ramona and Elias, this story completely consumed me.
Ramona’s journey hit especially hard. She’s stuck between the life she’s built and the version of herself she buried years ago, the girl who wanted more than routine and survival. Watching her slowly rediscover pieces of herself through music, chaos, friendship, and love felt incredibly honest.
And Elias… wow. He’s the kind of character who says very little but feels everything too deeply. Broody, guarded, self-destructive, yet somehow unbearably tender underneath all the sharp edges. His love came through in the smallest moments, and honestly? That hurt more than grand gestures ever could.
What stood out most to me was how raw the story felt. It doesn’t make addiction look good or anything, but it shows how the people around you are affected by it as well.
But despite all the heartbreak, there’s still so much warmth woven throughout the story. The band dynamic, the found family energy, the humor mixed into the chaos, it all balanced beautifully. Cody especially brought so much light into the darker moments and completely stole every scene he was in.
The romance itself felt electric in that messy, aching kind of way. Tension packed into stolen glances, emotionally charged conversations, cramped tour bus moments, and the kind of chemistry that builds slowly until it finally explodes. The spice absolutely delivered, but it was the emotional connection underneath it that made everything hit harder.
A big thank you to the author for letting me read this ARC! Everyone needs to add it to their TBR!
Review of advance copy received from Author
۶ৎ 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙢 𝙗𝙮 𝙍𝙚𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙘𝙖 𝙀𝙡𝙙𝙚𝙧
#arcreview
ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ★★★★★
Tropes- secret summer romance, forced proximity (tour bus), found family, sad emo frontman x mercy girl, tension-filled slow burn, grumpy x sunshine, rockstar romance
—
I need to read more rockstar romance cause this one was so freaking good I went through all the emotions reading this book but it was so worth it in the end for Mona and Elias I love them real bad and their story was so beautiful, emotional, messy, and real but I still couldn’t get enough of them
Mona my girl oh how I love her so much, she’s been feeling like her life is boring and wants something different and exciting so when the chance for her to become the merch girl and part time photographer for the bad she jumps on it and good thing she did cause she instantly bonded with them. Mona is such a sunshine girl I would do anything for her
The chemistry and banter with them is absolutely top tier yeah they made me crash out multiple times but I just love them so much and their story just felt so real in every single way and don’t even get me started on the found family!? I loved it so much had me laughing one minute and then crying the next lol
Elias very mysterious and has been through a lot and is a tough guy to crack but once you do he’s such a complex person that I love so hard. Elias is the frontman for his band Atlas Obsidian who actually may be one of my top bands lol. I loved reading about Elias life and why he is the way he is especially when he’s on stage everything just disappears he was written so well
The slow burn tension had me going crazy like if you guys don’t kiss right now ima cry cause Elias and Mona were just made to be in each other life. Cody is definitely the loml I would do anything for him and I can’t wait for his book. The chaos of the band life and everything was so amazing I loved every second of it.
Thank You So Much for giving me this incredible arc !💐🖤
#arcreview
ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ★★★★★
Tropes- secret summer romance, forced proximity (tour bus), found family, sad emo frontman x mercy girl, tension-filled slow burn, grumpy x sunshine, rockstar romance
—
I need to read more rockstar romance cause this one was so freaking good I went through all the emotions reading this book but it was so worth it in the end for Mona and Elias I love them real bad and their story was so beautiful, emotional, messy, and real but I still couldn’t get enough of them
Mona my girl oh how I love her so much, she’s been feeling like her life is boring and wants something different and exciting so when the chance for her to become the merch girl and part time photographer for the bad she jumps on it and good thing she did cause she instantly bonded with them. Mona is such a sunshine girl I would do anything for her
The chemistry and banter with them is absolutely top tier yeah they made me crash out multiple times but I just love them so much and their story just felt so real in every single way and don’t even get me started on the found family!? I loved it so much had me laughing one minute and then crying the next lol
Elias very mysterious and has been through a lot and is a tough guy to crack but once you do he’s such a complex person that I love so hard. Elias is the frontman for his band Atlas Obsidian who actually may be one of my top bands lol. I loved reading about Elias life and why he is the way he is especially when he’s on stage everything just disappears he was written so well
The slow burn tension had me going crazy like if you guys don’t kiss right now ima cry cause Elias and Mona were just made to be in each other life. Cody is definitely the loml I would do anything for him and I can’t wait for his book. The chaos of the band life and everything was so amazing I loved every second of it.
Thank You So Much for giving me this incredible arc !💐🖤
Review of advance copy received from Auteur
4.5⭐
I received this ARC from Rebecca Elder in exchange for my honest review. Thank you so much for making me part of your team. It is an honor.
‘‘The melodies coming from your lips are driving me wild’’
How I ❤️ a good Rockstar story. Perhaps I should say EMOstar story in this case. I never really listen to that genre of music, but Rebecca Elder convinces me to create a new playlist for myself!
As I always enjoy raw emotions, endearing personas and loyal friends, I was not disappointed with this romantic and wonderful novel.
Ramona💐 and Elias🫶 (our MC’s) completely pulled me into their romance and never let me leave. I was impressed by their courage, their resilience and their vulnerability. They are genuine, beautiful inside and out. You will uncover them, one layer at a time.🫣 You will crave for their smiles, perks, laughs, their feelings and secrets...crave as if you would suffocate and lose your mind if you didn't get them.
And what about the side characters? 🤯OMG, they are magnifique. Fun, enthusiastic, sincere, friendly, honest, and they undoubtedly belong in the fabulous world of "Atlas Obsidian".🚍
I am attached to this band, as a group and individually. I need to know their struggles and their wins. I want to follow them straight into their darkness. I want to feel all their jubilant moments. I want to run towards each of their cotton candy skies. Loving them is now part of my life. Fuck, now I need all their stories.😍
As I read "Through the Storm"
I can honestly say this:
⭐ As a woman, I smile
⭐ As a lover, I lust
⭐ As a mother, I sob
⭐ As a friend, I trust
⭐ As a sibling, I hope
⭐ As a reader, I feel
Thank you, Rebecca, for allowing me to dream about such fun and real and incredible characters.✌️
I received this ARC from Rebecca Elder in exchange for my honest review. Thank you so much for making me part of your team. It is an honor.
‘‘The melodies coming from your lips are driving me wild’’
How I ❤️ a good Rockstar story. Perhaps I should say EMOstar story in this case. I never really listen to that genre of music, but Rebecca Elder convinces me to create a new playlist for myself!
As I always enjoy raw emotions, endearing personas and loyal friends, I was not disappointed with this romantic and wonderful novel.
Ramona💐 and Elias🫶 (our MC’s) completely pulled me into their romance and never let me leave. I was impressed by their courage, their resilience and their vulnerability. They are genuine, beautiful inside and out. You will uncover them, one layer at a time.🫣 You will crave for their smiles, perks, laughs, their feelings and secrets...crave as if you would suffocate and lose your mind if you didn't get them.
And what about the side characters? 🤯OMG, they are magnifique. Fun, enthusiastic, sincere, friendly, honest, and they undoubtedly belong in the fabulous world of "Atlas Obsidian".🚍
I am attached to this band, as a group and individually. I need to know their struggles and their wins. I want to follow them straight into their darkness. I want to feel all their jubilant moments. I want to run towards each of their cotton candy skies. Loving them is now part of my life. Fuck, now I need all their stories.😍
As I read "Through the Storm"
I can honestly say this:
⭐ As a woman, I smile
⭐ As a lover, I lust
⭐ As a mother, I sob
⭐ As a friend, I trust
⭐ As a sibling, I hope
⭐ As a reader, I feel
Thank you, Rebecca, for allowing me to dream about such fun and real and incredible characters.✌️
Review of advance copy received from Author
I went into this expecting a fun, slightly chaotic warped-tour/emo style romance, and it definitely delivered that. But I was honestly surprised by how much more I ended up getting out of it.
Ramona as a main character made me feel so seen. As someone who’s definitely struggled with being a people pleaser, feeling stuck in corporate life, and navigating friendships where people have taken advantage of that, I related to her so much. Watching her slowly grow into herself and start choosing what was actually right for her made the story feel really heartening.
I also loved the dynamic between all the characters. The found family between the band members genuinely made my heart so happy. If you’ve spent any time in the emo scene, at shows, or just have a deep love for music in general, that passion really comes through in this book. I was a little nervous the music aspect might feel cheesy, but by the end it was obvious how much the author has been shaped by that community and music scene, and that love really shines through on the page.
I do want to mention that if you or someone close to you has struggled with substance abuse, definitely check the trigger warnings. That said, the healing journey in this book was really beautiful and hit close to home for me. As someone who has lost family to addiction, seeing Ramona’s perspective as someone who loves a person struggling with substance abuse felt incredibly real, and honestly like a perspective I didn’t realize I needed to read.
You can tell a lot of love went into this story, and I’d absolutely recommend it, especially if you love music, found family dynamics, and characters learning to take their lives back for themselves.
Ramona as a main character made me feel so seen. As someone who’s definitely struggled with being a people pleaser, feeling stuck in corporate life, and navigating friendships where people have taken advantage of that, I related to her so much. Watching her slowly grow into herself and start choosing what was actually right for her made the story feel really heartening.
I also loved the dynamic between all the characters. The found family between the band members genuinely made my heart so happy. If you’ve spent any time in the emo scene, at shows, or just have a deep love for music in general, that passion really comes through in this book. I was a little nervous the music aspect might feel cheesy, but by the end it was obvious how much the author has been shaped by that community and music scene, and that love really shines through on the page.
I do want to mention that if you or someone close to you has struggled with substance abuse, definitely check the trigger warnings. That said, the healing journey in this book was really beautiful and hit close to home for me. As someone who has lost family to addiction, seeing Ramona’s perspective as someone who loves a person struggling with substance abuse felt incredibly real, and honestly like a perspective I didn’t realize I needed to read.
You can tell a lot of love went into this story, and I’d absolutely recommend it, especially if you love music, found family dynamics, and characters learning to take their lives back for themselves.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this ARC from the author in exchange for a fair review...and I was so thrilled with the book!
It starts out with fun, creative phrasing that wastes no time acquainting you to the relatable plight of a girl stuck in a soul-sucking "successful" job that seems to bleed more out of her every day...something I think resonates deeply with so many of us who were encouraged to take the safe route with our careers rather than grow up to be all the wonderful dreams we had as kids.
But all of that is about to change when Ramona gets the opportunity of a lifetime. Will she stick with what she's always known, or go on tour with a band that lights her soul up like fireworks...and maybe spend more time with the mysterious front-man who captivates her with every lyric he screams from the stage?
The book is entertaining, fun, has some funny and some cute moments...and some powerful tear-jerkers. I won't spoil it, but that scene in the alley is still one of my favorites. <3 I love a book that can make me cry, and this one was the first one that had done it in so long! The flow keeps it moving, and once the spice starts, it definitely delivers plenty of exciting little moments on the road...in the janitorial closet...on the tour bus...etc. >:)
I admire Ramona's courage, Elias is a broody shadow-daddy (as his bandmate loves to call him) and Cody is a fan-favorite that I cannot WAIT to read more about in upcoming works. Rebecca did a great job creating something lovely, like a Summer whirlwind romance full of late nights in music venues and long drives under cotton candy skies, all contained in one book. I'm so thrilled she let me get to know these characters a little bit before the rest of the world, and I can't wait to see what she does next!
It starts out with fun, creative phrasing that wastes no time acquainting you to the relatable plight of a girl stuck in a soul-sucking "successful" job that seems to bleed more out of her every day...something I think resonates deeply with so many of us who were encouraged to take the safe route with our careers rather than grow up to be all the wonderful dreams we had as kids.
But all of that is about to change when Ramona gets the opportunity of a lifetime. Will she stick with what she's always known, or go on tour with a band that lights her soul up like fireworks...and maybe spend more time with the mysterious front-man who captivates her with every lyric he screams from the stage?
The book is entertaining, fun, has some funny and some cute moments...and some powerful tear-jerkers. I won't spoil it, but that scene in the alley is still one of my favorites. <3 I love a book that can make me cry, and this one was the first one that had done it in so long! The flow keeps it moving, and once the spice starts, it definitely delivers plenty of exciting little moments on the road...in the janitorial closet...on the tour bus...etc. >:)
I admire Ramona's courage, Elias is a broody shadow-daddy (as his bandmate loves to call him) and Cody is a fan-favorite that I cannot WAIT to read more about in upcoming works. Rebecca did a great job creating something lovely, like a Summer whirlwind romance full of late nights in music venues and long drives under cotton candy skies, all contained in one book. I'm so thrilled she let me get to know these characters a little bit before the rest of the world, and I can't wait to see what she does next!
May 11, 2026
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️
You’ll fall in love with these character immediately, and they will hold your heart until you hit that final The End. Through the Storm was an absolutely amazing read, it’s full of emotions… honestly it’s full of life. It shows the good, the bad, the hard, the ugly, of living and fighting for life in a way that is both beautiful and beyond relatable! And the romance… man the slow build, slow burn romance between Elias and Romona was so so beautifully written that you just can’t not root for them. Individually Romona and Elias are just two people who have been through so tragic, tragic things and are just trying to not let the darkness of those tragedies steal the light, love, and passions they have left. Even if one of them is doing it by being a bit of people-pleasing, ray of sunshine, who loves fiercely. While the other is a bit of a shadow working in the background and keeping others at arms length so that he feels like nothing can be broken again. And for that alone you’ll love them. But together… together their romance absolutely steals the show… it’s slow burning, it’s awkward strangers, turned acquaintances who are drawn to each other, to reluctant but inevitable friendship, to falling head first into love without even realizing it in just a stunningly written way. Truly I loved every second and word of this book and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a rockstar romance, full of amazing characters, hilarious banter, sizzling romance, swoon-worthy moments, a bit of darkness, and drama, an emotional rollercoaster ride and an ending that will leave you both amazed and wanting more!
I can’t thank Rebecca Elder enough for the incredible opportunity to ARC read this!
Spice:🌶️🌶️
You’ll fall in love with these character immediately, and they will hold your heart until you hit that final The End. Through the Storm was an absolutely amazing read, it’s full of emotions… honestly it’s full of life. It shows the good, the bad, the hard, the ugly, of living and fighting for life in a way that is both beautiful and beyond relatable! And the romance… man the slow build, slow burn romance between Elias and Romona was so so beautifully written that you just can’t not root for them. Individually Romona and Elias are just two people who have been through so tragic, tragic things and are just trying to not let the darkness of those tragedies steal the light, love, and passions they have left. Even if one of them is doing it by being a bit of people-pleasing, ray of sunshine, who loves fiercely. While the other is a bit of a shadow working in the background and keeping others at arms length so that he feels like nothing can be broken again. And for that alone you’ll love them. But together… together their romance absolutely steals the show… it’s slow burning, it’s awkward strangers, turned acquaintances who are drawn to each other, to reluctant but inevitable friendship, to falling head first into love without even realizing it in just a stunningly written way. Truly I loved every second and word of this book and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a rockstar romance, full of amazing characters, hilarious banter, sizzling romance, swoon-worthy moments, a bit of darkness, and drama, an emotional rollercoaster ride and an ending that will leave you both amazed and wanting more!
I can’t thank Rebecca Elder enough for the incredible opportunity to ARC read this!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was such a beautiful story! I loved how the music and passion and angst were interwoven into the plot. I don't think this was a book just any author could write. I am not as into music as much as the author is, but I loved getting a glimpse of what it could be like for your soul to bleed music. I even loved the acknowledgments at the end and need to go listen to some of the bands she mentioned!
The backstory is so well done in this book too. The progression of the peeling back of layers is so nicely timed. Not too much, but enough that you don't feel frustrated.
Some books feel like I made myself read it just to finish the story, but each time I had to put it down, I couldn't wait to get back to reading this one.
The characters will live in my head now, too...
Elias is every bad boy you ever crushed over. He's troubled and sweet and needs someone to see who he really is.
Ramona is a bit of a people pleaser, but she also makes everyone feel seen and appreciated, and you can't help but like her character.
The side character, Cody? His book cannot come soon enough. He's a goof, but he's loyal and kind. He's the ultimate golden retriever. And he and Ramona have the best romantasy book club. I loved hearing snippets of Cody's take on the books. His character cracked me up.
Ok, and the last thing and the best thing? The 3/4 twist at the end was executed so perfectly with the character arcs and plot that it pulled you right through it, and I had to charge along full speed to find out what happened! I hate an awkward twist at the end, but this was perfection!
The backstory is so well done in this book too. The progression of the peeling back of layers is so nicely timed. Not too much, but enough that you don't feel frustrated.
Some books feel like I made myself read it just to finish the story, but each time I had to put it down, I couldn't wait to get back to reading this one.
The characters will live in my head now, too...
Elias is every bad boy you ever crushed over. He's troubled and sweet and needs someone to see who he really is.
Ramona is a bit of a people pleaser, but she also makes everyone feel seen and appreciated, and you can't help but like her character.
The side character, Cody? His book cannot come soon enough. He's a goof, but he's loyal and kind. He's the ultimate golden retriever. And he and Ramona have the best romantasy book club. I loved hearing snippets of Cody's take on the books. His character cracked me up.
Ok, and the last thing and the best thing? The 3/4 twist at the end was executed so perfectly with the character arcs and plot that it pulled you right through it, and I had to charge along full speed to find out what happened! I hate an awkward twist at the end, but this was perfection!
April 2, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
Thank you so much to Rebecca Elder for this ARC copy of Through the Storm!
Through the Storm was such a fun and emotional ride—I genuinely loved this book. From the very beginning, I was hooked by the concert setting and the way Ramona and Elias met. There’s just something about a music/tour romance that hits perfectly, and watching Ramona go from working at a venue to joining the tour as a merch girl made the whole story feel immersive and exciting.
Elias was such a compelling MMC. His struggles with his past and his journey with sobriety added real depth to his character, and I loved how guarded he was at first. Seeing Ramona slowly break down his walls was one of my favorite parts of the book. Their chemistry felt natural, and their banter and growing connection had me smiling (and kicking my feet a little).
The only reason this wasn’t a full 5 stars for me was the twist near the end. Making it seem like Elias had relapsed and overdosed felt really out of character, especially after five years of sobriety and all the growth he showed. While I understand the direction it took and the explanation behind it, it still pulled me out of the story a bit in the moment.
That said, I still thoroughly enjoyed this book. The romance, the emotional depth, and the tour setting all came together in a way that made it hard to put down. If you love a protective MMC, a strong FMC, and a behind-the-scenes music romance, this is definitely one to pick
Thank you so much to Rebecca Elder for this ARC copy of Through the Storm!
Through the Storm was such a fun and emotional ride—I genuinely loved this book. From the very beginning, I was hooked by the concert setting and the way Ramona and Elias met. There’s just something about a music/tour romance that hits perfectly, and watching Ramona go from working at a venue to joining the tour as a merch girl made the whole story feel immersive and exciting.
Elias was such a compelling MMC. His struggles with his past and his journey with sobriety added real depth to his character, and I loved how guarded he was at first. Seeing Ramona slowly break down his walls was one of my favorite parts of the book. Their chemistry felt natural, and their banter and growing connection had me smiling (and kicking my feet a little).
The only reason this wasn’t a full 5 stars for me was the twist near the end. Making it seem like Elias had relapsed and overdosed felt really out of character, especially after five years of sobriety and all the growth he showed. While I understand the direction it took and the explanation behind it, it still pulled me out of the story a bit in the moment.
That said, I still thoroughly enjoyed this book. The romance, the emotional depth, and the tour setting all came together in a way that made it hard to put down. If you love a protective MMC, a strong FMC, and a behind-the-scenes music romance, this is definitely one to pick
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Through the Storm
So I really really wanted to read this ARC. I applied twice and when I was finally choose I was ecstatic. I had seen advertisements pop up on my feed and this book looked like my jam.
I was not disappointed… this book 🤘
For anyone who loved Edgefest, Warp Tour, Summersault etc. this book is romance and nostalgia all wrapped up in a nice bow. Although mostly emo it still hit home for this concert goer and brought back a lot of amazing memories.
It brought be back to concert beer gardens, mosh pits and merch stands. Drama, love and fist fights.
I love a good rockstar romance and this touched on all the major points. Sex, drugs and rock n roll. I love this book. It was heavy but light and I burned through it.
I highlighted a ton of quotes because Rebecca’s writing is poetry.
“There’s no spring without the rain. No sunshine without the storm. No light without the dark that came before it.”
I’ve said it before but this touched home for me. I just love the name of the brand “Atlas Obsidian” and the original songs written in the book. I could hear them playing in my head.
The FMC Ramona and the male MMC Elias are both emotionally damaged. The way they find their own HEA is just stunning.
I don’t want to give too much away but this is a definite must read for 2026.
Tropes:
Grumpy & Sunshine
Forced proximity
Touch her and die vibes
Found family
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Release Day May 15th
So I really really wanted to read this ARC. I applied twice and when I was finally choose I was ecstatic. I had seen advertisements pop up on my feed and this book looked like my jam.
I was not disappointed… this book 🤘
For anyone who loved Edgefest, Warp Tour, Summersault etc. this book is romance and nostalgia all wrapped up in a nice bow. Although mostly emo it still hit home for this concert goer and brought back a lot of amazing memories.
It brought be back to concert beer gardens, mosh pits and merch stands. Drama, love and fist fights.
I love a good rockstar romance and this touched on all the major points. Sex, drugs and rock n roll. I love this book. It was heavy but light and I burned through it.
I highlighted a ton of quotes because Rebecca’s writing is poetry.
“There’s no spring without the rain. No sunshine without the storm. No light without the dark that came before it.”
I’ve said it before but this touched home for me. I just love the name of the brand “Atlas Obsidian” and the original songs written in the book. I could hear them playing in my head.
The FMC Ramona and the male MMC Elias are both emotionally damaged. The way they find their own HEA is just stunning.
I don’t want to give too much away but this is a definite must read for 2026.
Tropes:
Grumpy & Sunshine
Forced proximity
Touch her and die vibes
Found family
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Release Day May 15th
Review of advance copy received from Author
5 stars for the vibes of this book.
As someone who spent their late teens to mid 20’s going to warped tour, bamboozle, shows in church basements … and who still goes to as many Andrew McMahon shows as possible , this story was pure nostalgia. As I was reading this book, I was picturing my favorite bands and singers from the days of OG warped.
I also was jealous of a fictional character. I wanted to be Ramona sooo badly from the ages of 16-25. She literally lived the dream for the majority of this book. I loved that she wasn’t portrayed as a ditzy, band obsessed scene girl (if you know you know). Her relationships with all the guys was so fun - and watching her break down Elias’s walls was fun.
Let’s get into Elias - my poor tortured soul teddy bear. I think Rebecca did a beautiful job with his character representation. If you listen to some artists talk about their days in being in bands and their sobriety and their mental health - this feels on point. I loved that he was so loyal and protective over everyone but he broke my heart multiple times - I’m glad in the end he let it all go and let everyone in.
The ending took a little bit of a turn and went a little bit off the rails for me personally - but you know what - this whole book was a vibe and I’m not mad about it.
What I do need is Cody’s book. I need to see what kind of woman would lock him down.
As someone who spent their late teens to mid 20’s going to warped tour, bamboozle, shows in church basements … and who still goes to as many Andrew McMahon shows as possible , this story was pure nostalgia. As I was reading this book, I was picturing my favorite bands and singers from the days of OG warped.
I also was jealous of a fictional character. I wanted to be Ramona sooo badly from the ages of 16-25. She literally lived the dream for the majority of this book. I loved that she wasn’t portrayed as a ditzy, band obsessed scene girl (if you know you know). Her relationships with all the guys was so fun - and watching her break down Elias’s walls was fun.
Let’s get into Elias - my poor tortured soul teddy bear. I think Rebecca did a beautiful job with his character representation. If you listen to some artists talk about their days in being in bands and their sobriety and their mental health - this feels on point. I loved that he was so loyal and protective over everyone but he broke my heart multiple times - I’m glad in the end he let it all go and let everyone in.
The ending took a little bit of a turn and went a little bit off the rails for me personally - but you know what - this whole book was a vibe and I’m not mad about it.
What I do need is Cody’s book. I need to see what kind of woman would lock him down.
April 1, 2026
First off, I received this as an ARC in exchange for an honest review, and honestly….
I could not get ENOUGH! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book easily is one of my favorite reads of the year. I loved every second of it. So much so that as soon as I finished I was tempted to just start it all over again.
“Nothing in my life when I didn’t think anything good could grow in me anymore.” 😍😍😍
There’s so much to love about this book but let’s start with the setting and influences:
🤘🏻 I live in Nashville so having an author like Rebecca Elder show that there’s more here than country music, bachelorette parties, and pedal taverns was *everything*
🤘🏻 This entire book is an emo kid/punk rocker’s DREAM. I could literally feel the energy of Warped Tour and Emo’s Not Dead cruise through every page.
And then there are the characters. You have a quintessential closed-off, walls up, broody AF emo front man (and, gurl I do mean emo) and a bubbly — but importantly not naive or silly! — sunshine marketing whizz determined to break down those walls. Just perfection.
Literally so great. I’ll say it again. I couldn’t get ENOUGH. I simply cannot wait to get a physical copy to show off, share, and dive into all over again.
I could not get ENOUGH! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book easily is one of my favorite reads of the year. I loved every second of it. So much so that as soon as I finished I was tempted to just start it all over again.
“Nothing in my life when I didn’t think anything good could grow in me anymore.” 😍😍😍
There’s so much to love about this book but let’s start with the setting and influences:
🤘🏻 I live in Nashville so having an author like Rebecca Elder show that there’s more here than country music, bachelorette parties, and pedal taverns was *everything*
🤘🏻 This entire book is an emo kid/punk rocker’s DREAM. I could literally feel the energy of Warped Tour and Emo’s Not Dead cruise through every page.
And then there are the characters. You have a quintessential closed-off, walls up, broody AF emo front man (and, gurl I do mean emo) and a bubbly — but importantly not naive or silly! — sunshine marketing whizz determined to break down those walls. Just perfection.
Literally so great. I’ll say it again. I couldn’t get ENOUGH. I simply cannot wait to get a physical copy to show off, share, and dive into all over again.
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