Two sides of the same man, passionate about two things—music and Holliday Hughes. With her intoxicating mix of strength and vulnerability, confidence and sex appeal, he couldn’t get enough of her.
Together, love was a storm of chaos and calm. When fame became a force to be reckoned with, could their love hold them together or would their notoriety tear them apart?
“This isn’t how our melody goes. This isn’t how we were supposed to play out.”
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, S.L. Scott, writes character driven, heart-racing suspense, and swoony romances that will leave you glued to the page. With stories ranging from witty beach reads to heart wrenching and heart healing, her stories are highly regarded as emotional, relatable, and captivating.
Her books are more than escapes for the voracious readers of today. They are journeys of the heart that always come with a happily ever after reward at the end.
4.5 stars!! I absolutely love this couple and the alternating POVs were perfection.
"Why do you love me?" he asks, his voice a whisper in my ear as I close my eyes. "Because you gave me the fairytale when I didn't believe in them."
I LOVED The Resistance and couldn't wait to read the continuation of Holli and Dalton's story! While the first book in the series gave these two a happy ending, The Reckoning dives into "real life" issues, with Holli and Dalton learning how to live in their new roles and deal with her career and his skyrocketing fame as a rock star.
This book has a great story, strong characters and very steamy sex. There's also a new character that I loved to hate! Dalton is still dealing with the loss of his best friend and the fact that absolutely nothing that he does is private. His life has become an open book. It is also hard to know who to trust, and combined with Holli's busy schedule, these two have some tough times ahead.
"... every dark day is worth the hundred light ones..."
The Resistance was a total surprise for me and I loved that everything with these characters is not all happiness and light. Holli and Dalton love each other but they both struggle with trust issues, jobs, and the pressures of a long-distance relationship. Dalton might be a famous rock star but Holli also has her own pressures to deal with because of her new logo and brand, which has now become a household name. Add to that the fact that she is now doing photo shoots with a sexy male model and Dalton becomes insanely jealous.
Will these two overcome the pressures of their crazy lifestyles? Can Dalton be happy with married life? Relationships involved compromise and sacrifice and I loved how this story played out. The Reckoning is a great story with some angst, great characters and hot sex. Highly recommended for all fans of rockstar romances!!
We absolutely loved The Resistance and we loved Dalton and Holliday. When we heard we were to be treated to more of them…well, we were chomping at the bit to get stuck in!! But sadly, the couple we so admired and adored in The Resistance bore no resemblance to the couple who seemed to revel in bickering and creating drama in The Reckoning.
The back and forth, the drama for the sake of drama, the hysterics, accusations, the ‘did he/did she’ between Dalton and Holiday gave us whiplash. They seemed intent on trying to piss each other off which only served to leave us exhausted and in fear of disconnecting from a couple we so admired.
For this reason we couldn’t go any further with their story and instead would prefer to remember them as we left them in The Resistance.
I am definitely in the minority but this book didn't work for me AT ALL. I barely made it to 20% and it was very clear that the same formula I've read so many times: It just doesn't hold my interest anymore.
I adored Dalton and Holliday in the first book and will just pretend their story ended there.
DNF 53% - We absolutely loved The Resistance and we loved Dalton and Holliday. When we heard we were to be treated to more of them…well, we were chomping at the bit to get stuck in!! But sadly, the couple we so admired and adored in The Resistance bore no resemblance to the couple who seemed to revel in bickering and creating drama in The Reckoning. The back and forth, the drama for the sake of drama, the hysterics, accusations, the ‘did he/did she’ between Dalton and Holiday gave us whiplash. They seemed intent on trying to piss each other off which only served to leave us exhausted and in fear of disconnecting from a couple we so admired. For this reason we couldn’t go any further with their story and instead would prefer to remember them as we left them in The Resistance.
I'd wholly give this book 5 amazing stars but my feelings just felt that it should be 4.75STARS and although I'm not all into crazy possessive husbands, boyfriends like Dalton who'll act then talk it out later, but I am impressed with the writing style of this author that drew me in and felt everything that they both went through. I wish I didn't but a story with this many emotions worked and I couldn't give up.
But my feelings for The Reckoning just surpasses what and how I felt after this. When Holli and Dalton met, went through hardships in Book 1 I felt like they found their peace but nope they didn't. The Reckoning really dragged out the craziness of a relationship that was either be doomed or just doomed from the start. I just didn't get how Dalton could just be an ass that annoyed me cause everything that was supposedly, supposed to be okay between him and Holli wasn't. So, this angst, mistrust, less honesty, BS and always have to have a crazy home wrecker read (which I wanted to really kick Dalton in the balls till he can't walk) I did however enjoyed it and although I wasn't happy with some of the outcomes that they challenged and then backfired which took away the angst that was building every time Dalton was an ass. However, Holli was true but weak in some ways that I just loved her and I hurt with her, but with that I wished there was more of Dalton POVs and I will forever remember this book.
Ok, so I’m just going to rip the band-aid off and say it… Sadly, I wish Dalton and Holliday’s story ended with The Resistance. There. I said it, and it sure doesn't make me feel good.
When The Resistance ended, I was madly in love with this couple. Dalton isn’t your typical rock star, and Holli isn’t the typical rocker girlfriend/wife. Love, passion, and devotion run deep between these two. This couple set the standard for me when it comes to famous characters in books.
While the characters themselves and writing are still utterly fabulous and to die for, it’s the story itself that didn’t woo me. There was a lot of cliché rock star/Hollywood bull crap flying around. Dalton and Holli were supposed to be the couple that defies the stereotypical famous Hollywood couple mold. If you’ve seen it in the gossip mags, you can probably find it in Dalton and Holli’s story. Dalton and Holli’s relationship was built on overcoming all of the Hollywood bull, and it would have been nice for their story continue that way; but, sadly, it didn’t. It veered head-on into the paparazzi, which ended up controlling the story and pushing it in a direction that wasn’t true to who Dalton and Holli are. So, I’m just going to close my eyes and remember the feeling I had when I flipped the very last page of The Resistance and call it a day.
But despite my feelings about the story, Jack Dalton is still and always will be my favorite rock star.
It seems a bit curious that Ms. Scott has decided to come back to Johnny and Holliday's story and re-number her series...fingers crossed it doesn't ruin all the awesomeness of The Resistance!
"Distance creates insecurities that didn't exist before"
4.5 stars!! Straight up loved this! Felt like it was realistic for a couple who although love each other, both have stressful/busy careers with one being a hot rock star touring to boot!
"Why do you love me?" He asks, his voice a whisper in my ear as I close my eyes. "Because you gave me the fairytale when I didn't believe in them."
"We're stronger than the will of the universe trying to keep us apart"
"Sometimes the smallest things can have the biggest impact"
"Why do you love me?" he asks, his voice a whisper in my ear as I close my eyes. "Because you gave me the fairytale when I didn't believe in them."
I really liked SL Scott's The Resistance but I have to tell you, I ADORED this one! It checks off all my must haves for a great story-angst (tons of delicious angst!) steamy sex, likable main characters, a secondary female character that I despise, humor and a great ending!
At the end of The Resistance, Johnny Outlaw (real name-Jack Dalton) and Holliday Hughes were married and finally getting the happiness they deserved. Dalton (Holli's name for him) is the lead singer of The Resistance but he had to endure some trying times in order to get his HEA with Holliday. His best friend and band mate, Corey Dean was killed in a plane crash, leaving behind his wife and small kids. Dalton spiraled out of control after his death, but with Holliday's help, he overcame his demons and life is a little more settled for them.
But now their hiatus is over and it's time for Dalton to go back on the road. Holli is going to be busy as it is with her own business. She created a snarky lime meme that has captivated millions of people. Her brand, Limelight, is now on greeting cards, logos, shirts-up next is both men's and women's underwear. She was talked into doing a photo shoot with herself as the model. Considering there is a hot male model, Sebastian Lassiter, who will be all over her in the photo shoot, Dalton is less than thrilled.
Holli is enjoying her last night of seeing Dalton perform. but she spots a hot looking woman who seems to be eyeing her man a little too closely.
"You're a lucky woman." Standing nearby with a clipboard, a woman I don't recognize eyes me. She has her dark hair woven into an intricate braid that hangs over one shoulder. Her glasses conceal her eyes a bit, but not enough to hide her beauty. She's thin and wears a fitted Resistance T-shirt that fits over her large breasts rather snuggly.
Enter the she devil otherwise known as Ashley.
"She's after you." "Who?" Her voice dips into a sadness I'm not used to hearing. "The one in the picture. She wants you. I can tell."
Between Dalton's touring and Holli's business, there are way too many days apart. Dalton surprises Holli by popping up for her photo shoot and just about goes ballistic at the suggestive poses between her and the god like model she is posing with-and an angry Dalton is a dangerous one.
"You're out of line, Dalton." "You're out of line! Why didn't you answer your phone last night? Were you with him? And where's your God damn wedding ring?"
Cue the ominous music right about now. Fasten those seat belts, folks. 'Cause it's gonna get bumpy from here on out.
We're talking jealousy and drunken mistakes and hurtful words and scrupulous people out to ruin our couple. Their own insecurities are their own worst enemies and there are some real heartbreaking scenes in this book. Tears rolling down your face and snotty nose scenes.
Dalton questions whether he wants the rock and roll star life anymore. Holli is taking on more and more and is stretched about as far as she can get. Long absences mean lots of time to listen to the gossip magazines that take everything out of context. The paparazzi are ruthless and drive a bigger wedge between these two.
But they love each other right? And that means they will get their acts together, right? And just when you think that maybe things are going to work out, that vulture gold digging slut roars her ugly head! They've been through a lot to try to save their marriage, but this...this just may be that straw that broke this couple's back.
But I do check my texts. I have two-one from Dalton and another from Rochelle. I read Dalton's first. I fucked up. My heart sinks.
The Reckoning is one great read! I love a roller coaster, tilt a whirl story and they don't come any better than this!
When I was first introduced to Dalton & Holliday in The Resistance, I fell hard for their love story. It was this crazy story of a one night stand that should of never played out. But where is the fun in playing it safe and not going after what you want. Dalton is one HOT rock star with a ego big enough to fill a stadium. He goes after Holliday because if there is anybody that can handle him, its her.
This story takes off after they are married and life starts to settle in for them. Its hard being a successful business woman with a passion to go all the way and your husband is a Hot rock god. They seem to fall into all pitfalls of the limelight. Holliday is one strong woman who will not back down from doing what she wants to do with her life. And when that happens when her husband is on the road all the time, it could lead to a whole lot of space for somebody else to try and come into her world and mess things up.
Dalton has is own problems that he really does not see coming because he is busy just trying to move on from losing his best friend and a new marriage. So you have two people madly in love, but how do you manage all these outside problems…….it can get really messy when you start to second guess that love where it all started from. It turns into a battle of egos and not trusting what their relationship was build on. When they find their way on the same path and understanding each other, they come into a force that nobody can come between the bond that made so strong.
This is a story of passion and lust but turns very real with true love and what really matters in life. Family. This story was so well written because it shows what can go wrong when you don't communicate. You can get lost in your own head and waste so much time that you will never get back.
This was a 5 star read for me because it was a wonderful HEA. I love it !!!!!!!
I’m blown away by this one. How real everything felt. The emotions and turmoil Holli and Johnny went through and suffered. I couldn’t put it down!!! Life around me didn’t exist while I experienced this book.
And no matter how emotional things got, S.L. Scott still managed to through in those moments that made me laugh; which just made it all the more real.
★¸¸.•*¨*•★Unabridged Audiobook Info★•*¨*•.¸¸★ Narrated by: Alexandria Watts and Sebastian York Length: 10 hrs and 36 mins Release Date: 07-21-15 Publisher: S. L. Scott Writing style: Dual POVs Collected formats: Kindle e-book and Audible audiobook •*¨*• Overall rating: ★★★½ Performance rating: ★★★★★ Story rating: ★★☆☆☆ •*¨*• Audible Review Title: “3.5 stars!”
Where does The Reckoning rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far? Performance wise this is an excellent audiobook. I just couldn’t get into the angst of the story and felt detached and impatient for it to end. I liked The Resistance (Hard to Resist, #1) a lot, and I think I may enjoy this author’s other non-rock star romance novels that I’ve already collected.
Has The Reckoning turned you off from other books in this genre? I would say that I have to be more careful reading rock star romance trope novels because they don’t really appeal to me much. The novel has to be centered around something other than ongoing trust issues for me to enjoy it since I feel distrust in a celebrity relationship is expected and unavoidable.
Have you listened to any of Alexandria Watts and Sebastian York’s other performances before? How does this one compare? Yes, I actually really enjoyed The Resistance (Hard to Resist, #1) by S. L. Scott, narrated by Alexandria Watts. I think that may have been the first time I heard Alexandria narrate a novel in fact. I’ve listened to Sebastian York narrate many romance novels and enjoyed his performance here although Johnny Outlaw’s POV chapters were a smaller percentage of the novel. I think both narrators did an excellent job. This just wasn’t the story for me overall.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you? That was my problem. I couldn’t reconnect emotionally to these two characters. I think not being a rock star romance trope fan was the big issue. The writing itself was fine, but it wasn’t the right plot for me to read.
Any additional comments? This sequel tackled how now married couple Holliday Hughes and Johnny Outlaw had to work out their trust issues while both of their careers put stress on their relationship. I loved the chapter titles. They alternated between Johnny’s and Holliday’s observations. I also really like the stylish cover. Fans of the rock star romance trope, angst and sequels in general will probably really enjoy this one.
I ended up having a bit of a love/hate relationship with The Reckoning. This book picks up right where we left Holli and Dalton/Outlaw in The Resistance and begin to see what happens after the Happily Ever After.
What I loved - getting to see what happens after a fairly whirlwind romance between two strong willed people.
What I struggled with - The drama, oh the drama..... There were multiple times that I wanted to take both characters and crack their heads together because they were both being so stubborn!
As much as I struggled with the drama level, because it flirted with my "over the top meter" I also appreciated the fact that this was probably a pretty accurate representation of what happens when one (or both) people in a relationship have a high profile. The situations also played into the fact that while these two characters loved each other, they didn't necessarily know each other very well before thrusting the most important of relationships into the meat grinder of celebrity.
As a reader, I wish I had spaced out reading The Resistance and The Reckoning. They are companion books, but I think I might have enjoyed The Reckoning a bit more if the emotional ride of The Resistance had time to settle a bit more. I am definitely looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Review: Typically I put the blurb and book cover up so you have a kind of idea about what I'm talking about when I start going on about a book, but because I am going to wrap two books up in one review I decided to skip that part. So here's my quick synopsis of the books...Jack Dalton aka Johnny Outlaw is the frontman for the band The Resistance. He's the hot rocker lead of this story, tired of groupies he meets a hot businesswoman in a bar who had no idea who he is. Their one-night stand turns into so much more, but can these two survive love in the limelight?
These two books are part of a series about a rock band named The Resistance. There are four band members and I believe books 1&2 are the only books about Dalton and Holliday. So, if you like rocker romance I would say this is probably right up your alley, however, I had to stop at book 2 because I want to smack fire out of the heroine by the time I was on book 2 chapter 2. Ugh! She annoyed me...
This series started out strong. I was all in with book one as I enjoyed the back and forth between Dalton and Holli. Him a rock star trying to keep a low profile, she a businesswoman in Vegas for a conference. It was the perfect setup considering she didn't know who he was and he was looking for someone to like him for him and not his stage persona. Holli was great in book one, strong, independent and fun. I thought I was going to love her to pieces...boy was I wrong, she turned into a whiney, needy, brat. Look, I am all for love. That all-consuming-I-can't-get-enough-of-you love, but at some point, the big girl panties need to come out. Holli, however, pulled them out at the wrong time, each time.
Dalton's the epitome of the tortured rock star. He's cocky, sexy and loves to errmm...well, y'all know what I mean, but underneath all that was an insecure, gentle soul who struggled. I wish this story was told in dual POV, but instead, it was told mostly in Holli's with quotes from Dalton starting each chapter. There are one or two chapters that were narrated by Dalton but it really just wasn't enough of his POV which I believe would've really helped a bit.
The drama from book 2 was more my speed because this is Dalton and Holli after 2yrs of marriage. Now, I loves me some baby mama drama and this book was chock full of it! But it was also full of insecure whiney-ass Holli which made it a bit hard to love. However, let me say this, Danny needs his own book. Danny's not a bandmate he's Holli's neighbor and the man. At one point, I wanted him and Holli to hook-up and say screw the rock star but that wasn't in the cards. And then there's Sebastian and Ashley, the villains, I also love villains, they made this story more interesting and pushed me to finish it. As a series, I give these two books 3 stars. Book one is 4 stars and book two is 2 stars. I'm not sure if I'll read the others, probably, just not right now. I need a minute.
I LOVED Holliday and Dalton in The Resistance. When heard SL Scott was releasing The Reckoning I immediately knew I that I had to read it! This is a follow up to The Resistance, which should be read prior to The Reckoning.
The Reckoning takes us deeper into the high profile lives of Holliday and Dalton and the obstacles that their fame presents. Holliday's company, Limelight, has been extremely successful - clothing and accessories lines and ad campaigns to support them. Dalton and The Resistance have also continued making music and are touring the world. Their story continues as they try to balance fame, media attention, over the top fans and the demons that Johnny Outlaw carries with him.
I seriously LOVE Holliday Hughes. SL has done an amazing job of writing her feisty and take-no-bullshit attitude and equally balancing it with the love and adoration she has for Dalton and her family and friends. She is such a strong heroine that I can only describe her as badass!
As the lead man for The Resistance, Jack Dalton/Johnny Outlaw is insanely hot and sexy. On the stage, he exudes "confident rock star", playing to every part of the persona, Johnny Outlaw. But where he is confident on stage, playing in sold out venues for countless adoring fans, he still carries the weight of Cory's death with him. He grapples for the strength that emanates from the connection with Holliday, but is it enough to carry him through the war he wages with those demons?
SL creates great characters, and Holliday and Dalton are no exception. You can feel their connection, their strengths, and their misery come alive on each page. Dalton is very swoony with Holliday – he loves he woman! But SL balances it incredibly well with real life situations and a grittiness that comes with loving and sharing a life with a man like Jack Dalton. Their story is flawlessly written and filled with ups and downs, heartache and heartbreak, happy and sad tears. Another great addition to the Hard to Resist series!
Wow, So much drama! I was wary of this book, mainly because a lot of the reviews are not favorable. A lot of readers deemed unnecessary to throw the characters from the previous book into a rollercoaster of pure senseless drama. I agree that it was a lot of drama, but I don't necessarily agree that it was unnecessary. I think it's the author's prerogative to take her characters for a spin, so to speak. I personally thought that this couple didn't get a HEA, in the first book, they got a HFN, and so the story was left open for a second part. In this book, we get to see what happens to Holli and Dalton after they marry and they have to deal with the obstacles of being In the spotlight him as a famous rock star, and her as an entrepreneur, with Pete that will try to come between them and destroy their marriage. Will they cave in to temptation and the pressure of fame, or will they trust each other and put each other first? Sure, this was a total angst fest, but it wasn't the depressing type, it was more like the frustrating and fun kind. It was just drama resulting from bad decisions, immaturity, screwed up priorities, and lack of trust. There was nothing triggering like deaths, sickness, abuse, or any other dark subjects, so this was a relatively light drama. Mainly just the frustrating, I "hate them, they're so stupid", kind. And I have to say, the author made up for everything by giving us a super sweet, kinda cheesy, overly indulgent ending and epilogue that was super satisfying. Everything was resolved, the villains got their comeuppance (that was the best part), and the couple finally got their much needed HEA. So, in short it was an angsty but entertaining read, it definitely kept my interest until the end, couldn't put it down, so I enjoyed it.
The Reckoning is the continuation of Johnny Outlaw - aka Jack Dalton's story with Holliday Hughes Dalton.
Every bit as angst & anxiety inducing as the first book, but with more hope with every turn of the page.
Dalton & Holliday belong together. She is good for him and he is good for her. Their weakness lies in not having 100% honest communication and occasionally believing the lies told by outsiders and the gossip mongers. Also - while I don't know why Holliday felt like she had to be the model for the photo shoot and video for their new line of products, I also felt like Dalton (Johnny when he's being a jerk) had a big time double standard for what she did for her career vs what he did for his. To his credit, he recognizes his own weaknesses in this area and was always ready to apologize (no more sorries) when he was in the wrong.
Holliday is weak when it comes to her heart. And she might have been too quick to believe the bad press, but she was a strong woman and should have fought sooner for the truth rather than hiding out. But she is as quick to forgive because she knows where she belongs and who owns her heart, the same way Dalton knows that she owns his.
I really do love the Hard To Resist series - and while GR thinks I've only read this once, this is at LEAST my 3rd read (and 2nd listen - just wish Johnny had more chapters LOL because I love Sebastian York's voice). And by this time through, the angst didn't hit me as hard because I have a much better familiarity with how the story is going to end - because I know Dalton & Holliday's story doesn't end, only the book.
I loved and hated this book. I loved Dalton (AKA Johnny Outlaw) and Holiday in The Resistance. I loved how they came together and their happily ever-after. It's why we read romance, we want our happily-ever-after more often than not. And we got it in The Resistance...
But then S.L. Scott gave us The Reckoning. It was painful, heartbreaking and sometimes I just wanted to throw my eReader against the wall.
We see Dalton and Holiday right where they left off. Married and trying to build a life together. But how do you do that when he is a rock star every female wants and she is leading an up-and-coming company and working with a-list celebrities.
Every couple goes through trying times and learning to build their foundation, however, with so many building blocks against you, how do you do it?
This is not an easy story to read. It will break your heart and tears will flow freely, but give it a chance, the ending is worth it. Love conquers all after all.
I have enjoyed this series so far and can't wait for more. I would recommend, but you do have to read The Resistance first.
I love this book because I adore Jack Dalton aka Johnny Outlaw!
S.L. is always writing something, but she kept this sequel to The Resistance totally quiet. In fact, I thought there wasn't going to be a book 2. So needless to say when I saw he was back, I was over the moon! I know everyone else was too. I saw the excitement on social media when she recently revealed the story and the cover. OH the cover! I kind of want to frame it. :)
Holli & Dalton are back! Did I mention I love him? Flaws and all? LOL This is from my review of book one (The Resistance) a year ago. I wrote "As the bio says, he’s volatile and demanding and I would definitely add a bit possessive. Call me twisted, but I loved him for it all! LOL" <--- All of this still holds true. In fact, I would say it's rubbed off on Holliday too. She misunderstands, jumps to conclusions and is just as hard headed as he is this time around. Sometimes I want to slap them, most of the time I want to hug them. :) If you loved The Resistance, you'll love this one just as much. This surprise sequel did not disappoint! If you haven't read the resistance.. RUN this one is out the 28th!
This was a great book. I read the other two, and enjoyed them just as much. I am not sure though why I read, are why they were written, in that order, lol So that means that I read books 1 & 3, and now 2. But whatever the order is they were still all great.
I absolutely loved the characters, the story line, all of it, and of course the ending was my favorite.
There were sometimes that I wanted to strangle them both for not just saying what was really happening instead of making eachother believe the worse.
I would recommend this series to anyone, they are very enjoyable books.
Gotta cut review short, might add more later. But in case I can't I loved this book, probably better than the other two. So if you want a great read, pick this book up, you will not regret it.
Both holiday and jack come over so well in the Crowe books that it’s hard to visualise them as this disconnected couple. I found their antics a bit annoying to be honest but thank goodness they got back on track. As for Sebastian and Ashley they should have gotten together.
I loved it, I couldn't put it down. I wanted to strangle both of them at points and I wanted to do severe damage to Ashley & Sebastian!!!! This is a great follow up to The Resistance and I fell in love with Dalton & Holliday all over again.
This book is the ultimate follow-up to The Resistance (one of my favorite books ever). It is a realistic, emotional, turbulent story with all the feels you've come to expect from SL Scott. This story combines romance and angst in one unforgettable read! **Complete review to come.**
I really did love the book. It's a great series that I would highly recommend and I can't wait to read the next book. One thing I could of done without was a little less drama. But does fit well with the life of a rock star. Great book.
Great rockstar romance !! Loving a rock star is a job in itself , but to also be a strong business woman , Holliday is it ,and does she ever have to be strong ! Couldn't put this one down , read both books in a weekend . Loved them !!