…… they’re here…… get ready, it’s going to be one hell of a ride…..
They were the new ‘It’ guys. Sought after and wanted, anything and everything they had, they were given anything to get it. But it was him, he was their king, a dark angel, mysterious and oh, so deliciously bad.
He grew up on the streets of Brooklyn in a time of extravagance and possibilities, a little rough around the edges with a hint of arrogance and seduction. A promise to a friend leads them down a rollercoaster ride filled with danger and suspense, from the discos, to the streets of Harlem and drug lords in Mexico. Until it all collapses. Just when he’d found the one woman who could save him from himself, and the beast inside him.
We all have that first true love, the one we never forget, the one that makes our heart hurt, even today. This is their story. It spans decades. This is his story…. All wrapped up in the decadence of the ‘80’s: Sex (lots of it). Drugs (almost as much). Discos (where it all happened). How it all crashed in the 90’s. And today, how it found her once again…
"I am just a woman, like many of you, who has lived through beauty and ugliness, happiness, (sometimes extreme), and sadness, (sometimes heart wrenching), and have grown to love life and myself even more. I write because I love the characters, I am madly and hopelessly in love with them and want to share them with you. Life is beautiful and is meant to be enjoyed day by day, sometimes you have to pick out the good stuff with a magnifying glass like a needle in a haystack, but enjoyed none the less. The stories that I put on paper, I think, help us to find that enjoyment a little bit more."
"This book hooked me in right from the start". .. 5 Stats is not enough.
The Author has done a wonderful job entwining the many characters of this story, creating a beautifully written masterpiece. While the story main focus is on Michael and Natalie and the struggles and heartache they have faced together and alone. We also get a look at the charm, charisma, and yes the dragon's of the men who make up The Rooster Club. It shows true struggles that people fight with in every day which made this story seem more real. It's really easy to read and follow along with. The story transitions smoothly from present to past. I felt myself being stuck into the story just from reading the Introduction alone. There is just something that completely fascinates me about these people and their lives. It is so different than anything I have ever read.
N.M Catalano has truly outdone herself. I loved every minute of it. I am completely blown away.
The Rooster Club was a different read. Yes it has romance and sex but it also shows the seedy side of the 80's and early 90's. The dark side of the club life that I lived. Yep 80's girl all the way, big hair and all. The cocaine deals and cocaine use which was rampant at that time. The promiscuity of men and women. Addiction and illness. It was kind of like the 60's on steroids.
Michael and Natalie meet young and have a strong connection. Natalie is a sweet innocent young lady that has ambitions for her life. She falls hard for Michael. Michael has great intentions but falls into a bad scene and loses his way and broke Natalie's heart in the process.
Years later they reconnect.
Catalano gives us the entire disco scene; clothes, lingo, lights, dancing and drugs. Oh and the club owners in sleazy polyester suits! Loved.
I laughed at the cocky boys, cringed at some of the hairy situations they got themselves into and shed a tear at the mistakes made.
An all around great read with some real life situations.
I love the name of this book! It's what drew me to the book. Well, that and the talented storyteller, N.M. Catalano. Let's face it, I'd read pretty much anything this woman would write. So with the name like The Rooster Club, I was expecting a sizzling, hot read but I got so much more! SO MUCH MORE! I went from cringing to laughing to OMG did that really just happen! All I'm gonna say is Mexico and donkey... good Lord let me cover my eyes. I sat reading nervously. My heart was racing for Michael. I wanted to junk punch him numerous times. I hated him, I loathed him, and I freaking LOVED him. My heart broke for Natalie. I was on her side from the start, waiting for her to walk away but she couldn't. She loved him until her love just wasn't enough. And the side characters! Wow. I'm not sure who my favorite was.
N.M. Catalano painted a spot on description of the over indulgent lifestyle of the 80's. I felt I was back there again with my big hair (even though I was really young in the 80's! lol). I loved seeing the characters grow and develop. The writing was great. Great job once again! Your books keep getting better and better!
The title of this book threw me off a little when I first read it. I expected it to be a book that fits most molds and was very pleasantly surprised that it did not! This book had all of the excess of being young and free in the 1980's with lots of sex and drugs. However, what I enjoyed about this book was the story behind all of that. Michael did not have a traditional home life and was forced to make it on his own at a young age. This influenced his decisions and even addictions he had to deal with (and its consequences) as he got older. Natalie was much more naive in her upbringing, but these two were undeniably drawn together despite their differences. As they are reunited as adults, this story takes you on the ups and downs of their relationship in the heyday of 'The Rooster Club' and has you hoping they can get it right in the end.
I Enjoy this Author - But Struggled with This One 3.5 stars!!
This is a story about addiction, and a group of friends called The Rooster Club. A young woman named Natalie who follows her older brother and passes herself off as older. This story takes place over twenty five years. Lots of “missed chances” here.
This is a story of attraction, but I would not necessarily consider it a romance.
***** I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book *****
They were the new ‘It’ guys. Sought after and wanted, anything and everything they had, they were given anything to get it. But it was him, he was their king, a dark angel, mysterious and oh, so deliciously bad.
My emotions were all over the board during this read. I’m exhausted but loved it.
Natalie receives a Facebook message from someone she hasn't talked to in years. Is it really him? She does a little Facebook stalking and confirms that it is indeed her first love, Michael. What does he want after all these years?
The story alternates between the POV of both Natalie and Michael and past and present, which I loved, it really gives you the full story. When Michael meets Natalie (Vinnies little sister), sparks fly. Eventually Michael gives into the attraction and has a secret relationship with Natalie.
Michael gets caught up in some crazy sh$t trying to keep his promise to a friend. He also gives into addictions that he seems to have no control over. Natalie starts seeing things that start to annihilate her heart and will start the downward spiral between these two.
All of the characters in the book added a great element to the story. I had a love/hate feeling for Michael throughout the book. At one point I wanted to hurt Natalie’s sister Sylvia. Vinnie, Paul, and Johnny had their great moments as well.
I really loved N.M Catalano’s writing, you are drawn in right from the beginning. There is so much going on but it all flows together so well. I couldn’t help but remember my first love while I was reading. This is my first read from N.M. Catalano and I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be picking up more from this great author. Thank you for the great read and bringing back so many good memories from the 80’s and 90’s. 1-Click today.
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by MAustin from Alpha Book Club
Dear N.M. Catalano, you have officially made the list of authors trying to kill me! Congrats! What. A. GUT. WRENCHING. STORY! Michael grew up on the streets of Brooklyn. A promise to a friend takes him on a heck of a roller coaster ride from the discos, to the streets of Harlem and drug lords in Mexico. In the midst of all of this, he meets the innocent Natalie, and falls in love with her. But he can't stay true to her with the beast inside of him always busting out. He breaks her heart over and over again, until he just disappears after everything collapses. This is their story that spans decades.
OMG my heart has been ripped out, set on fire, stomped to get said fire out, before finally shoving the charred remains back in with no pain meds. I'm still finding it hard to catch my breath even now, hours after I finished it. The character development is spot on perfect, with secondaries that rock just as hard. A brutally realistic, fast paced, original, and very well written story line flows flawlessly. N.M. Catalano, simply put, is brilliant in writing a story that has all of my emotions on overload, and I don't think I'll lose the book hangover anytime soon as these characters have a permanent place in my heart now. I physically experienced every word, rather than merely reading them, and I feel like these characters are my friends. She also did a fabulous job in writing so many characters without confusing the day lights out of me. I was hooked by this masterpiece from the very beginning, and my heart never stopped racing cover to cover. Let me not forget the absolutely EXPLOSIVE sexy scene goodness that will ruin panties, so don't read it in public. So very glad I got the opportunity to read such a talented author, and I can't say it enough, I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY and HIGHLY RECOMMEND The Rooster Club.
When the feeling of self-worth leads you to a spraling staircase going down,down,down... This book is unlike NM Catalano's other novels...it goes deep into addictions,whether they be sexual,drugs,fame or fortune.The main character of this book, Michael, is consumed with sexual addiction and has managed to destroy the only good thing that entered his miserable life because of it. Constantly searching for accepatnce in everything and everyone, Michael makes all the wrong choices for many years. It is only with maturity that he realises the damage he caused with his addiction and does everything in his power to redeem himself in the eyes of the only woman he ever loved. A story which takes you to a time of utter hedonism till today... I loved how NM Catalano never lost hope in her characters and allowed them all to find their little slice of heaven in the end...and that is what I'd like to keep from this novel...Never lose hope,sooner or later (or much later!!!) it will come knocking on your door. 5 Hopeful Stars for The Rooster Club and their boys!
There is one word I would use to sum up how I felt for much of this book. Frustrated, that's not necessarily a bad thing. This book made me feel like I was part of the story, not just like I was sitting back watching the events unfold. The writing was so well done that I could easily visualize all the scenes perfectly.
I was completely frustrated with Micheal. What he and Natalie had seemed perfect, but he threw it all away with his mistakes. He made some very poor decisions that hurt Natalie and destroyed their relationship. There were a couple times I just sat there in shock, not believing what was happening. My heart just broke for Natalie.
I loved how strong Natalie was. She didn't just wait around for Micheal to wise up. She moved on with her life. For them, timing was everything.
This is one of those books that pull emotions from you from the beginning to the end. If you enjoy books you can experience, books you lose yourself in, you will love this one. I look forward to reading more in the series.
Michael and Natalie's story starts in the 1980's. In the decade where drugs and sex is the norm. Natalie is young lady that falls hard for Michael her first love. Michael has had a hard life and has been on his own from a young age. He knows how to get what he wants, when he wants it. He is a player with the ladies and wants to make something out of his life. Although at times I wanted to give him an earful and kick his butt for the stupid stuff he did. I know his past shaped him into the man he is now. The only question now is if Natalie can forgive his past mistakes and start again.
I love how N.M Catalano describes this setting and story. You actually get a feel for what it was like growing up in that time period and why things happened the way they did. This story is incredible. A hit in my book. I am excited to see what she comes out with next.
I was given an arc for an honest review from Joandisalovesbooks review team.
Oh wow I loved this one of the best I've read I was so happy then I got mad .this story just proves that you will do anything and tolerate anything for the ones you love . A definite must read . I loved all the characters VINNIE and his sexy smile and baby face, Johnny and his hot dance moves, Pauley and his huge cock lol. and the rest of the Rooster Club with the best cocks in town.thank you so much for letting me read this. Really hope there is a future story about Sylvia and Pauley.
Really enjoyable when I got into it. This book does all the way thru go from past to present which was slightly confusing to be honest but once I started to get the fact that the past affected both Micheal and Natalie present I started to not be bothered by the past present flips. This is a love story that spans 25 years. It's also about having serial addiction which shown me that it must be seriously hard to have. Enjoy the book
I had no idea what this book was about from it's title. It was an interesting and good read going back and forth between two decades. I did not particularly care about the drug scene.
Loved this book and it is one YOU NEED to READ—you won’t regret it! What you think you may know about the name—THE ROOSTER CLUB, forget it because it is not what you think. Get ready for an awesome read!. I first have to say, N.M. Catalano you did a fantastic job in making me live in a world I was oblivious to, especially in the 80s—she dazzles us with her heady descriptions of addiction, illnesses, and its devastating hold! You delivered an intriguing and all-consuming book that was very different; it is so raw and gut wrenching and real at its core, you can’t help but to be swept away into Michael and Nathalie’s story.
Michael didn’t have a normal life while growing up, so he did things and had to suffer the consequences for them. You either loved him or hated him, and I was on the latter side for quite some time before he redeemed himself. Natalie was very naive when she met Michael, she was head over heels with him until he broke her heart. Fast forward years later, Natalie receives a Facebook message from Michael whom she has not seen or heard from in years. What does Michael want? Well read the story to find out. I felt everything Michael and Natalie were going through. The road to Michael and Natalie’s happiness is wrought with heartache and the angst is intense. So much came between them, but the love they have for each other couldn’t be broken. The chemistry between Michael and Natalie is undeniable. There always seems to be some obstacles that gets in their way. Will the door open two hearts and a tidal wave of emotions? Will love prevail or will other things take its course? What do you think? N.M. Catalano manages to weave twisted plots centered on romantic ideas with artfully developed characters. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
New author to me - happened to randomly see a post with this cover and blurb, and it was an immediate one click purchase. I loved this book, it was written to draw the reader in - and it grabbed me immediately. I actually felt like Natalie - I grew up in that same time frame, and so many parts of the story just slammed me back right to that time! Details were spot on - the "scene" was so accurate and real. Michael's demons/addictions were very common during that time. I enjoyed the back and forth - the past/present way of storytelling. And I especially loved the "second chance" style of romance --- as adults, with our children now -- it's so freeing to look back on people/places/things and maybe understand a little more about choices.
This was a five star for me and I am eager to discover more from this author.
Very emotional read, I want to say thank you for clearing up, sexual Addition , because that's Exactly what Michael problem was, what I seen where a bunch of guys , that would hit on a girl just to Have sex , there were drugs ,this novel was crazy my mind is in a fog , And poor Natalie she was just a young Girl who happen to fall in love , she went through a lot of pain Michael was married twice and had so Many kids ,her sister Sylvia was trash to me , I kept thinking Natalie move on you deserve happiness But she loved him , After all he put her threw they were married at the end , well like I said a very emotional read You I want to cry thank you ,N.M. Catalano for great novel, wow 5 stars even though you made me cry
This book just broke my heart. I love the way Nadine writes with so much color and vibrancy. I felt like I was living my life over again right in the middle of the 80’s. There was so much heartbreak and angst in this book that I had moments where I wanted to throat punch Michael and shake the snot out of Natalie. I was on pins and needles just waiting for anything that resembled a happy ending and true to the authors style.... she makes you beg for it. If you love great writing, grit, feels and an epic love story that spans time, loss and heartbreak, this book is for you! Read it....
The Rooster Club was fantastic! It takes place during the 80s and 90s, a time in which sex, night clubs, drugs and danger were all the rage. I grew up during that period, and it brought back so many memories of the clubbing era. The music was spot on, and the scenes in this book encapsulated Michael and Natalie's lives perfectly. It's not a sunshine read, instead, we see the way life was back then, and the way addiction was a cruel b***h. I loved how they reconnected. They had such a tough go the first time around, it was amazing to see how round two panned out. This dark, sexy, and lascivious love story was perfectly told!
These fellas are a sight to see! Michael and Natalie will burn the pages, break your heart, make you want to throw the book and make you grin. :) This is not an easy fun filled romance novel. It is fun yes, but also painful, sorrowful, frightening and very very hot!
You will get your HEA but Ms. Catalano will make you work for it.
If you are squeamish about intense sexuality, drugs and alcohol, promiscuity, then this is not the book for you.
There is always a bit of truth in fiction. There are some hard truths in this one. Be prepared. I adore Nadine's work. She does not pull her punches and her stories are all the better for it. This one is no exception.
I thought that this was a very seductive and enticing read. Complex and consuming, poignant and steamy, and heart-tugging with wicked sharp edges, this book is everything you might expect but really so much more. There is an honest grittiness and a wealth of raw emotions flowing throughout this remarkable tale that somehow manages to make your heart ache, while causing it to soar. Just expect your own emotions to run the gamut as you read this book because the feels come in every flavor and variety. this is my elective, candid review.
Loved it, although soooo different from what I expected.
The Rooster Club was a romance that spans decades. Years of taking chances, lost opportunities, heartbreak, addiction and sex. For someone that was a teenager in the eighties, I loved how realistic this story was to the times, reminding me just how irresponsible we were at times.
I had a love/hate relationship with the characters, wanting to scream at them at times. Every time I though Michael and Natalie had themselves sorted and on track, another twist came into play.
With this title I was expecting something lighter, I never read the blurb, I just went in knowing it was an NM Catalano book. What I got was heartbreak wrapped up in a HEA. Natalie and Michael were in love at first sight but soo many things were going on in Michael’s life that he wasn’t in control of, so Natalie kept getting hurt. 25yrs later they get reacquainted. After taking a couple of years for Natalie to trust him again they finally find their HEA. Wow.
I didn't know what to expect when I started reading this book because the title...let's just say I was thinking something way different than what I got lol but I still really enjoyed Michael and Natalie's story although there were times when I wanted to strangle them both. I am still fairly new to N.M. Catalano but I looked forward to reading the rest of her work.
I absolutely loved Michaels and Natalie’s story. An intriguing storyline with characters that heated up the pages with their steamy chemistry. I couldn’t stop reading it until I was finished with the last word. I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for an amazing read
This is a long, intricate story of Michael and Natalie. It's about addiction and it's effects on family and loved ones. Sometimes you get what you want when you wait for it, but the paths you take to get there is not how you though you would get it. Love, sometimes does conquer all.
Michael and Natalie's life is spread out through these pages, the reader witnessing as it all happens, and reminisces with the characters in their flashbacks spanning decades. This couple has been through so much, always struggling to find their place with each other and in the world. Emotionally riveting story!
Oh Wow! What an awesome read! It felt like I was there with them. This, for me, is a unique read. Each character has a story. Michael and Natalie went through so much together and apart. Their pain, struggles, and ultimately their joy is, in away, a beautiful journey. To me, this is a must read.