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Just a Girl
In this pitch-perfect novel from the author of When Joss Met Matt (“One of those books that make you forget everything around you.”—Sophie Jordan), a rock ’n’ roll diva must choose between her career and her heart.
After getting kicked out of her own band—by her own boyfriend—Presley Mason finds herself back in Wisconsin, helping her parents run their renowned music store. Instead of belting out powerhouse vocals to sold-out crowds in L.A., she’s stocking shelves and inspecting rental violins. But the shop isn’t all bad: When she’s vacuuming up late one night, she bumps into the guitar teacher with the smoldering amber eyes and the killer tattoo. And that’s when things take an interesting turn.
Presley soon finds that Paul Kellerman is as good in bed as he is on guitar. So why isn’t he stoked to share his band, Jukebox Bleu, with her? Turns out Paul has crippling stage fright, which he’s been self-medicating without much success. But when Jukebox Bleu’s lead singer gets called for military service, the other members beg Presley to front them. Even though she swore never to mix men with music again, the temptation to perform is almost as intense as her chemistry with Paul. Now Presley must decide what’s more important: a second chance at love . . . or rock stardom.
Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
After getting kicked out of her own band—by her own boyfriend—Presley Mason finds herself back in Wisconsin, helping her parents run their renowned music store. Instead of belting out powerhouse vocals to sold-out crowds in L.A., she’s stocking shelves and inspecting rental violins. But the shop isn’t all bad: When she’s vacuuming up late one night, she bumps into the guitar teacher with the smoldering amber eyes and the killer tattoo. And that’s when things take an interesting turn.
Presley soon finds that Paul Kellerman is as good in bed as he is on guitar. So why isn’t he stoked to share his band, Jukebox Bleu, with her? Turns out Paul has crippling stage fright, which he’s been self-medicating without much success. But when Jukebox Bleu’s lead singer gets called for military service, the other members beg Presley to front them. Even though she swore never to mix men with music again, the temptation to perform is almost as intense as her chemistry with Paul. Now Presley must decide what’s more important: a second chance at love . . . or rock stardom.
Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 21, 2016
28 people are currently reading
476 people want to read
About the author
Ellie Cahill
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Ellie Cahill is the author of the Cordially Invited series, including I Temporarily Do, as well as stand-alone romantic comedies like When Joss Met Matt, Call Me Maybe, and Just a Girl. Ellie is also the not-at-all secret pen name of Young Adult author Liz Czukas (Ask Again Later, and Top Ten Clues You're Clueless). Liz's books are often compared to John Hughes movies, while Ellie usually gets compared to Nora Ephron. Either way, if you like a good 80s rom-com, you've found the right place. When they're not writing fun, funny romances full of shenanigans and awkward kisses, Liz and Ellie are at home with their family and a golden retriever with different ideas about the definition of "dog bed."
You'll find Ellie on Facebook and Twitter (@ellie_cahill) but you'll more easily find Liz in those same places as well as Instagram and Tumblr. You'll find either one of them parked in front of the TV every Sunday night getting their fill of Zombies, Westeros, The Doctor, or any other place where cute English guys fight evil.
Speed round: sweet tea, Hufflepuff, dark chocolate, cheese is the perfect food, Go Badgers, and Han shot first.
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Ellie Cahill is the author of the Cordially Invited series, including I Temporarily Do, as well as stand-alone romantic comedies like When Joss Met Matt, Call Me Maybe, and Just a Girl. Ellie is also the not-at-all secret pen name of Young Adult author Liz Czukas (Ask Again Later, and Top Ten Clues You're Clueless). Liz's books are often compared to John Hughes movies, while Ellie usually gets compared to Nora Ephron. Either way, if you like a good 80s rom-com, you've found the right place. When they're not writing fun, funny romances full of shenanigans and awkward kisses, Liz and Ellie are at home with their family and a golden retriever with different ideas about the definition of "dog bed."
You'll find Ellie on Facebook and Twitter (@ellie_cahill) but you'll more easily find Liz in those same places as well as Instagram and Tumblr. You'll find either one of them parked in front of the TV every Sunday night getting their fill of Zombies, Westeros, The Doctor, or any other place where cute English guys fight evil.
Speed round: sweet tea, Hufflepuff, dark chocolate, cheese is the perfect food, Go Badgers, and Han shot first.
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June 20, 2016
3 - "It'll get better." Stars!
Just a Girl isn’t my first read by Ellie Cahill, and although I enjoyed it more than her previous Loveswept offering; Call Me Maybe I was still left with the feeling that something was missing from the overall story.
I think the main problem I have is that nothing and no-one really stood out for me, the story between Presley and Paul had a really good base, but I just don’t think the author really offered enough expansion on anything. The first 90% was very Shades of Grey a little monotonous and lacking in any real depth of emotion from either of them really, being such a short read it wasn’t a struggle in that I got to that point in relative quick time, but I would attribute to that the fact that a large part of the book also takes place in the form of texts and tweets, so the page turnover was pretty quick.
"If you can get on that stage, so can I."
Presley is kicked out of her up and coming band; Luminous 6 basically because they think she gets too much attention and they would be better off without her, which is even more of a kick in the teeth, when you take into account her on-again, off-again boyfriend is still very much a part of the group. This compels her to return home from the bright lights of LA, and move back in with her parents as well as start back to work in their music shop The Continental. Apart from the obvious peeve at being dumped by her band so unceremoniously, I had to question her actions because it was mentioned more than once that she had been offered several solo deals, in my head I am asking 'why not take one up' seeing as she didn’t particularly want to be back home either.
"Don’t you hate it when that happens?"
My other gripe is her whole relationship with Paul, they literally seem to fall on each other like a couple of rabid dogs without any time taken to get to know the other. The efforts throughout the book to get to know them further as individuals were pretty slim as well over and above the issues Paul have with performance anxiety (playing guitar, and not sexy times wise) and Presley pretty much dry humping him like a dog when they aren’t actually humping. You are given very little depth or emotional attachment between them until it all falls apart in the latter stages.
"I’m not just here for you to snap your fingers and decide it’s okay now."
As I said Just a Girl wasn’t a struggle, but I know it won’t be one I remember too clearly a few months down the road. This author has skill and can put a decent story together, with this one I think more development and added page count into this couple actually getting to know each other rather than all the drama that surrounds them from the off would have helped.
"I choose you."
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
Just a Girl isn’t my first read by Ellie Cahill, and although I enjoyed it more than her previous Loveswept offering; Call Me Maybe I was still left with the feeling that something was missing from the overall story.
I think the main problem I have is that nothing and no-one really stood out for me, the story between Presley and Paul had a really good base, but I just don’t think the author really offered enough expansion on anything. The first 90% was very Shades of Grey a little monotonous and lacking in any real depth of emotion from either of them really, being such a short read it wasn’t a struggle in that I got to that point in relative quick time, but I would attribute to that the fact that a large part of the book also takes place in the form of texts and tweets, so the page turnover was pretty quick.
"If you can get on that stage, so can I."
Presley is kicked out of her up and coming band; Luminous 6 basically because they think she gets too much attention and they would be better off without her, which is even more of a kick in the teeth, when you take into account her on-again, off-again boyfriend is still very much a part of the group. This compels her to return home from the bright lights of LA, and move back in with her parents as well as start back to work in their music shop The Continental. Apart from the obvious peeve at being dumped by her band so unceremoniously, I had to question her actions because it was mentioned more than once that she had been offered several solo deals, in my head I am asking 'why not take one up' seeing as she didn’t particularly want to be back home either.
"Don’t you hate it when that happens?"
My other gripe is her whole relationship with Paul, they literally seem to fall on each other like a couple of rabid dogs without any time taken to get to know the other. The efforts throughout the book to get to know them further as individuals were pretty slim as well over and above the issues Paul have with performance anxiety (playing guitar, and not sexy times wise) and Presley pretty much dry humping him like a dog when they aren’t actually humping. You are given very little depth or emotional attachment between them until it all falls apart in the latter stages.
"I’m not just here for you to snap your fingers and decide it’s okay now."
As I said Just a Girl wasn’t a struggle, but I know it won’t be one I remember too clearly a few months down the road. This author has skill and can put a decent story together, with this one I think more development and added page count into this couple actually getting to know each other rather than all the drama that surrounds them from the off would have helped.
"I choose you."
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
June 25, 2020
This was released just before the Cordially Invited series by the author and I really liked the first two books there so I thought I'd see how this one compares as a true stand-alone. And the thing is that it doesn't really, but I'm okay with that. Mostly.
The most notable difference is that this book has a bit of an edge to it. It's not "gritty" or dark or anything like that, but Presley is a musician and fully immersed in music as a lifestyle. So she doesn't blink at drinking and body art and illegal drug use and lots and lots of sex. Don't get me wrong, this is an interesting character and frankly, Cahill nails the characterization so you have not only obscure musical references that make startling sense through unexpected juxtaposition, but music permeates the story in lots of subtle ways, too.
So the storycraft is better than the others of hers I read. Unfortunately, the romance left me frustrated. More unfortunate still, I can't fault her on it because Presley makes the kinds of boneheaded mistakes someone that young and that hurt almost certainly would. She's so caught up in her past pain that she can't see the difference between the egotistical user who dumped her and the loyal, kind, but damaged man she falls in love with. So you have a dark moment that I hated that drags on longer than it probably should have and that has all the consequences it deserved.
Anyway, poor Paul. My heart broke for him. He tries so hard and it's a real shame that his love of music runs head-first into his crippling anxiety (manifest as stage-fright). This is another rock-solid characterization Cahill manages and it felt present and real even though I kind of hated some of the coping mechanisms he has developed. I loved that the one thing Presley got right was helping him understand that he isn't crazy or broken, he's just different and needs certain kinds of help as a result. I like even better that Cahill didn't fall back on the "love fixes things" crutch to get him to a healthier state where he can manage a relationship with someone like Presley. Showing him taking the much harder steps by was so unexpectedly glorious I nearly cried. Okay, not "nearly".
I wish I could give this more than the three stars I'm ending up with. But romance is my jam and Presley slew me with her pain-driven cluelessness and I found it very hard to get through the parts where she was being such a nutjob that she was making things worse on poor Paul. Also, all the sex was driving me a bit nuts, too...
A note about Steamy: There were at least a half-dozen explicit sex scenes putting this on the high end of my steam tolerance. They only didn't cross it by being mostly pretty short. Still, it felt like a lot. Because it is a lot.
The most notable difference is that this book has a bit of an edge to it. It's not "gritty" or dark or anything like that, but Presley is a musician and fully immersed in music as a lifestyle. So she doesn't blink at drinking and body art and illegal drug use and lots and lots of sex. Don't get me wrong, this is an interesting character and frankly, Cahill nails the characterization so you have not only obscure musical references that make startling sense through unexpected juxtaposition, but music permeates the story in lots of subtle ways, too.
So the storycraft is better than the others of hers I read. Unfortunately, the romance left me frustrated. More unfortunate still, I can't fault her on it because Presley makes the kinds of boneheaded mistakes someone that young and that hurt almost certainly would. She's so caught up in her past pain that she can't see the difference between the egotistical user who dumped her and the loyal, kind, but damaged man she falls in love with. So you have a dark moment that I hated that drags on longer than it probably should have and that has all the consequences it deserved.
Anyway, poor Paul. My heart broke for him. He tries so hard and it's a real shame that his love of music runs head-first into his crippling anxiety (manifest as stage-fright). This is another rock-solid characterization Cahill manages and it felt present and real even though I kind of hated some of the coping mechanisms he has developed. I loved that the one thing Presley got right was helping him understand that he isn't crazy or broken, he's just different and needs certain kinds of help as a result. I like even better that Cahill didn't fall back on the "love fixes things" crutch to get him to a healthier state where he can manage a relationship with someone like Presley. Showing him taking the much harder steps by was so unexpectedly glorious I nearly cried. Okay, not "nearly".
I wish I could give this more than the three stars I'm ending up with. But romance is my jam and Presley slew me with her pain-driven cluelessness and I found it very hard to get through the parts where she was being such a nutjob that she was making things worse on poor Paul. Also, all the sex was driving me a bit nuts, too...
A note about Steamy: There were at least a half-dozen explicit sex scenes putting this on the high end of my steam tolerance. They only didn't cross it by being mostly pretty short. Still, it felt like a lot. Because it is a lot.
September 24, 2020
3.5 Stars
I knew I needed something lighter to read after a series of bad thrillers. Something fluffy, something angsty, something that gave me the good happily ever after feeling. Just a Girl has been on my Kindle since its release day, I just never reached for it. Admittedly, I only opened it this time as I was going through my To-read list and picking based on cover. I know, bad practice, but it turned out for the best here.
Just a Girl follows musician and singer, Presley Mason, as she returns home licking her wounds. Kicked from her own band by her boyfriend she's returned to her parent's music store to hide, recover, and possibly never return to music again. Of course, that's a bit hard when your parents are legendary themselves and all their friends are famous musicians too. Then walks in one of the local guitar teachers and Presley's promise to avoid musicians goes out the window. From the very first kiss these two are meant to be, the chemistry is in the air and music falls from them both like magic. Presley is too afraid to mix business and pleasure though, so when an opportunity to sing again presents itself it's him or the first love of her life.
I loved that Presley wasn't a pop star singer, because that was for sure my first thought. With a playlist full of blues, jazz, rock, and folk, the girl has a wide range of genre tastes and a voice that just so happens to be able to sing it all. Yes, I suspended belief about her small town having so many famous people in it, but man was it fun to picture her singing with a famous guitar artist from the 70s and boasting two proud folk singer parents too. She's smart, she's sassy, and her broken heart recovery was truly relatable. We all sabotage ourselves sometimes. Unfortunately, while I liked Paul a lot, I couldn't ever know him. We spend so much time in Presley's head that I think we miss the key moments that would've given us an insight into Paul. The drama between them feels surface level, but we know that there's for sure more going on there, we just don't see it. I wish we had.
A romance with just the right amount of music and secondary character plots, Just a Girl was just the read I needed.
I knew I needed something lighter to read after a series of bad thrillers. Something fluffy, something angsty, something that gave me the good happily ever after feeling. Just a Girl has been on my Kindle since its release day, I just never reached for it. Admittedly, I only opened it this time as I was going through my To-read list and picking based on cover. I know, bad practice, but it turned out for the best here.
Just a Girl follows musician and singer, Presley Mason, as she returns home licking her wounds. Kicked from her own band by her boyfriend she's returned to her parent's music store to hide, recover, and possibly never return to music again. Of course, that's a bit hard when your parents are legendary themselves and all their friends are famous musicians too. Then walks in one of the local guitar teachers and Presley's promise to avoid musicians goes out the window. From the very first kiss these two are meant to be, the chemistry is in the air and music falls from them both like magic. Presley is too afraid to mix business and pleasure though, so when an opportunity to sing again presents itself it's him or the first love of her life.
I loved that Presley wasn't a pop star singer, because that was for sure my first thought. With a playlist full of blues, jazz, rock, and folk, the girl has a wide range of genre tastes and a voice that just so happens to be able to sing it all. Yes, I suspended belief about her small town having so many famous people in it, but man was it fun to picture her singing with a famous guitar artist from the 70s and boasting two proud folk singer parents too. She's smart, she's sassy, and her broken heart recovery was truly relatable. We all sabotage ourselves sometimes. Unfortunately, while I liked Paul a lot, I couldn't ever know him. We spend so much time in Presley's head that I think we miss the key moments that would've given us an insight into Paul. The drama between them feels surface level, but we know that there's for sure more going on there, we just don't see it. I wish we had.
A romance with just the right amount of music and secondary character plots, Just a Girl was just the read I needed.
June 23, 2016
I adore books set within the music industry, and I read another one of Ellie's books recently (Call Me Maybe) which I enjoyed, so I jumped at the chance to read her latest release.
Just a Girl is a mostly-sweet read about finding your true path in life and marrying personal and professional commitments. We meet Presley as she's being dumped by Luminous 6, the band she co-founded with her boyfriend Brendan. Presley's star shines bright and they are clearly jealous. She's distraught and at a loss what to do with herself so she says goodbye to LA and heads home to live with Mom and Dad again.
Presley's parents are famous musicians in their own right and they run an iconic music emporium in town. After a period of moping, she is cajoled into returning to the store and there she bumps into Paul. Paul is one of the guitar teachers and they are instantly attracted to one another.
I adored the romance between our couple and though it moved quite quickly it was realistic. Paul is a refreshingly different male lead, and I enjoyed how he was written. Paul suffers from crippling performance anxiety, and I really felt for him. He has tried various methods to overcome it but it still devastates him. This is a sensitive subject, and to give this trait to the leading male could have been risky. But Ellie carries it off with aplomb. I never felt that Paul was weak or anything less than strong and swoon-worthy, and if anything it endeared me to him more.
Presley is a great character. She has her flaws but she is also a fun, kooky sort and she was the perfect complement to Paul.
I loved the way this book was written with playlists and twitter threads. It really fit the world and the style of writing and it added an extra special dimension. All the secondary characters were great too and the plot moved along at a great pace.
At times, it lacked a little emotional depth, and I hated the decision Presley made toward the end. I also felt the last few chapters were rushed and a little abrupt.
But overall this was a great read. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Just a Girl is a mostly-sweet read about finding your true path in life and marrying personal and professional commitments. We meet Presley as she's being dumped by Luminous 6, the band she co-founded with her boyfriend Brendan. Presley's star shines bright and they are clearly jealous. She's distraught and at a loss what to do with herself so she says goodbye to LA and heads home to live with Mom and Dad again.
Presley's parents are famous musicians in their own right and they run an iconic music emporium in town. After a period of moping, she is cajoled into returning to the store and there she bumps into Paul. Paul is one of the guitar teachers and they are instantly attracted to one another.
I adored the romance between our couple and though it moved quite quickly it was realistic. Paul is a refreshingly different male lead, and I enjoyed how he was written. Paul suffers from crippling performance anxiety, and I really felt for him. He has tried various methods to overcome it but it still devastates him. This is a sensitive subject, and to give this trait to the leading male could have been risky. But Ellie carries it off with aplomb. I never felt that Paul was weak or anything less than strong and swoon-worthy, and if anything it endeared me to him more.
Presley is a great character. She has her flaws but she is also a fun, kooky sort and she was the perfect complement to Paul.
I loved the way this book was written with playlists and twitter threads. It really fit the world and the style of writing and it added an extra special dimension. All the secondary characters were great too and the plot moved along at a great pace.
At times, it lacked a little emotional depth, and I hated the decision Presley made toward the end. I also felt the last few chapters were rushed and a little abrupt.
But overall this was a great read. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
September 8, 2016
3.5-4 stars.
Pretty cute! I liked both Presley and Paul a lot. They had great personalities and fit well together. I was happy their relationship started off so strong in the beginning and there wasn't too much drama when the inevitable break up occurred. I've enjoyed all of Ellie Cahill/Liz Czucas' books - the right amount of humor, swoon, and cuteness - and can't wait for more!
July 1, 2016
I'm really torn on my feelings on this book. As far as the story itself, I enjoyed it. I'm not really a big fan of band type romances but I really liked that aspect of this book. As for the romance, I just wasn't feeling it. I liked Paul but I had some issues with Presley I didn't necessarily dislike Presley but I thought she made a lot of mistakes. I did find some humor in this one and I loved the playlists throughout the book.
June 21, 2016
4 Reality Rock Stars
* * * * IT'S LIVE!
In so many Rock & Roll novels...the main Rock God is really famous and is so hot...they can make every panty within a square mile melt with one look. Yes, reading that is fun...but in the real world of trying to make in the music industry...it is not the case.
One of the most refreshing and appealing things of Just A Girl by Ellie Cahill is the more realistic insight of being in a band. She shows the dynamic of how bands come together as one thing and then become something else all together.
And the best...the real Rocker is a talented Woman.... This more Gwen Stefani before No Doubt became known...
We have Presley Mason part of this band she and her boyfriend put together...a folksy, rock thing. She was writing and working on a few songs...Then Brendan brought in three other guys and it segued into a metal/rock thing with the new stuff written by the metal heads.
We meet Presley right after the band finishes a gig in their home town Los Angeles... She is taking a moment to enjoy the high from performing and feeling the energy from the crowd. It is one of the best things...and as she walks into the green room, she immediately senses there is something off with the members of the band...She goes to sit by her on again off again guy and he is acting distant. She looks around and is smacked with the words no one wants to hear...
They want her out of the band.
Presley has been turning down offer after offer by labels and managers to go solo. She doesn't want to be the next Britney or Christina...she loves being part of a band... when everything jives together just so...it is like a single unit...working together and being free in the moment....She has turned every offer down and also has kept some of them on the down low... To be told she is a "distraction" and keeping the band from being recognized by these asses hurts more than she can imagine...and "her fella, Brendan" agreed! After having a bit of a hissy fit... she gathers herself together, leaves Los Angeles and goes back to her home in Wisconsin... to where the start of everything musical began.
For Presley is the child of musical legends. Her parents were talented, renowned and legendary Folk Singers. They did their run and then opened The Continental; a music store which has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. It has been the location of infamous back room jam sessions called After Hours only whispered about. If a band has the opportunity to play there for the locals or the elite... that is a notch few have on their career belts.
Any and all are welcome at the Continental. Children have their first experience playing an instrument in the small lesson rooms in the back. Artists come and peruse the coveted, the dreamed of guitars only available to those who have the juice and cash to afford them. Room after room presents all the different faces of music and how it speaks to us.... sheet music, strings for instruments and every different type of instrument available. Session artists, wanna be musicians/teachers and those who have never given up will teach the next generation.
This is where Presley came to be... no really- she was born on the premises. Her mom and dad raised her there and as soon as she could recognize letters and things, she was a little worker at the store. Her DNA was the treble clef and her heart beat the Bass. Presley thought all "godfathers" were famous musicians and recording artists. Standing, singing next to her mom on the Back Room Stage during those secretive After Hours sessions came as naturally for Presley as breathing. Music was love, breathing, necessary.
Now she is back... and sadly she feels like she has reverted to being 16 again...she is back to vacuuming the store at closing, filing the new sheet music and working the register. She feels lost and only the brief texting with her roommate friend back in Los Angeles feels like what her life away from the Continental feels real. Liv wants her back in LA, gives her the dirt on the old band and how they are tanking and constantly let's her know how fantastic she is and deserves better than what she had.
Things take a turn on the day Presley meets Paul, one of the guitar teachers. As they both have this awkward meet with him saying his name and Presley getting it over with that her parents are the owners, the infamous Rick and Dinah...Paul sort of stutters... You're Presley???? It is as simple as that... we see the impact Presley has had on this guy and also to those who are seriously into music. Her band had cut a record... toured a bit so she was not unknown...and it was this which was causing Presley her pain. The band made it out like she left them for "better " things...not letting the world know they kicked her out.
Paul and Presley talk a bit and then he goes onto his room to give the lessons he scheduled. Another time, Presley is doing the close up and doesn't realize Paul is still back there in the practice room. He is playing and trying to figure out a song he is writing...banter about music and Presley denying she sings or plays happens with Paul allowing her to hide her band past for the moment. There are couple of other times with friendly flirting and a bit of interest is born.
It is another evening and an After Hours session is happening... Presley is talking with Paul and he owns up to knowing she was part of her band...and no, it wasn't interest in a stalking way... he had bought the record long before she had come back. Presley is liking this guy and asks if he wants to stay for the session.... Of, course he says yes... to be asked is MASSIVE.... in order to even watch it, you must be personally invited. It is like Fight Club...no one talks about After Hours... it is a myth... no recordings, photos ... just ghosts and stories told, person to person.
One of Presley's many famous godfathers is playing and jamming... the vibe is amazing. Then another famous artist comes up and sings with Dinah...which then leads to Dinah asking Presley to join them...Presley has a bit of a breakdown saying no repeatedly and leaves the area to hide back in the sheet music room.
It is there Paul finds her. He is understanding and let's Presley talk...and cry and let out all the hurt she had from the betrayal of the band and past boyfriend... who was actually just a user. This pent up energy combined with the desires both of these two have had for each other start to take over and kissing and grinding and oh my happen....
Oh, what a start of something good....Paul is a smart sweet fella and extremely talented ....
like off the wall talented...and the major problem for him is an oxymoron...
He loves playing the guitar... it is the only thing which he truly loves and makes him feel free...yet playing in front of any audience cause crippling stage fright...like seriously anxiety attack stuff.
Oh, and the joke is he is in a really cool band....yup, great.
I may have been humorous about this stage fright thing... but actually, this is not unusual for artists having to overcome this. How it is addressed is important...critical to the story and gives us a way to see what performing can be like when troubled with this condition.
So here we have Presley falling for a guitar player AGAIN... and he is in a band....and there is the critical moment when as a spur of the moment, all of the band offer Presley a song to sing at the bar gig they are playing....She sucks it up, does it and it brings back all her love for being in a band....
She sees how much she has missed this type of music, the rush and feel and Paul takes her back to his place...and all is friggin great.
Of course, it can't always be easy....especially in the music business... not in a real world experience...Things happen, decisions are made...realizations of these decisions take place and we are there for the full ride.
It is so commendable to me, Presley may be only 21, but she understands much of who her essence is... she owns her sexuality, unapologetic in her desire to be with Paul. Of course, her parents and their upbringing has much to do with it. Where she does become confused is how to distinguish the difference between her past experience with her old band and this new band. It is something she will have to work through.
As I said earlier, part of the huge draw for me with this story, was the insightful way the Music Industry was presented. It was not all glossy and pretty. It had grit, bad reviews and on the flip side... loving friends and family.
A huge bonus while reading this was how things were paced and presented... Each chapter had a playlist which referenced back to what had happened. There were those text conversions I mentioned and also twitter feed to give a current flavor.
If you have any interest in the music scene...This is a terrific read.
A gifted copy was provided by Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via NetGalley for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
* * * * IT'S LIVE!
In so many Rock & Roll novels...the main Rock God is really famous and is so hot...they can make every panty within a square mile melt with one look. Yes, reading that is fun...but in the real world of trying to make in the music industry...it is not the case.
One of the most refreshing and appealing things of Just A Girl by Ellie Cahill is the more realistic insight of being in a band. She shows the dynamic of how bands come together as one thing and then become something else all together.
And the best...the real Rocker is a talented Woman.... This more Gwen Stefani before No Doubt became known...
We have Presley Mason part of this band she and her boyfriend put together...a folksy, rock thing. She was writing and working on a few songs...Then Brendan brought in three other guys and it segued into a metal/rock thing with the new stuff written by the metal heads.
We meet Presley right after the band finishes a gig in their home town Los Angeles... She is taking a moment to enjoy the high from performing and feeling the energy from the crowd. It is one of the best things...and as she walks into the green room, she immediately senses there is something off with the members of the band...She goes to sit by her on again off again guy and he is acting distant. She looks around and is smacked with the words no one wants to hear...
They want her out of the band.
Presley has been turning down offer after offer by labels and managers to go solo. She doesn't want to be the next Britney or Christina...she loves being part of a band... when everything jives together just so...it is like a single unit...working together and being free in the moment....She has turned every offer down and also has kept some of them on the down low... To be told she is a "distraction" and keeping the band from being recognized by these asses hurts more than she can imagine...and "her fella, Brendan" agreed! After having a bit of a hissy fit... she gathers herself together, leaves Los Angeles and goes back to her home in Wisconsin... to where the start of everything musical began.
For Presley is the child of musical legends. Her parents were talented, renowned and legendary Folk Singers. They did their run and then opened The Continental; a music store which has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. It has been the location of infamous back room jam sessions called After Hours only whispered about. If a band has the opportunity to play there for the locals or the elite... that is a notch few have on their career belts.
Any and all are welcome at the Continental. Children have their first experience playing an instrument in the small lesson rooms in the back. Artists come and peruse the coveted, the dreamed of guitars only available to those who have the juice and cash to afford them. Room after room presents all the different faces of music and how it speaks to us.... sheet music, strings for instruments and every different type of instrument available. Session artists, wanna be musicians/teachers and those who have never given up will teach the next generation.
This is where Presley came to be... no really- she was born on the premises. Her mom and dad raised her there and as soon as she could recognize letters and things, she was a little worker at the store. Her DNA was the treble clef and her heart beat the Bass. Presley thought all "godfathers" were famous musicians and recording artists. Standing, singing next to her mom on the Back Room Stage during those secretive After Hours sessions came as naturally for Presley as breathing. Music was love, breathing, necessary.
Now she is back... and sadly she feels like she has reverted to being 16 again...she is back to vacuuming the store at closing, filing the new sheet music and working the register. She feels lost and only the brief texting with her roommate friend back in Los Angeles feels like what her life away from the Continental feels real. Liv wants her back in LA, gives her the dirt on the old band and how they are tanking and constantly let's her know how fantastic she is and deserves better than what she had.
Things take a turn on the day Presley meets Paul, one of the guitar teachers. As they both have this awkward meet with him saying his name and Presley getting it over with that her parents are the owners, the infamous Rick and Dinah...Paul sort of stutters... You're Presley???? It is as simple as that... we see the impact Presley has had on this guy and also to those who are seriously into music. Her band had cut a record... toured a bit so she was not unknown...and it was this which was causing Presley her pain. The band made it out like she left them for "better " things...not letting the world know they kicked her out.
Paul and Presley talk a bit and then he goes onto his room to give the lessons he scheduled. Another time, Presley is doing the close up and doesn't realize Paul is still back there in the practice room. He is playing and trying to figure out a song he is writing...banter about music and Presley denying she sings or plays happens with Paul allowing her to hide her band past for the moment. There are couple of other times with friendly flirting and a bit of interest is born.
It is another evening and an After Hours session is happening... Presley is talking with Paul and he owns up to knowing she was part of her band...and no, it wasn't interest in a stalking way... he had bought the record long before she had come back. Presley is liking this guy and asks if he wants to stay for the session.... Of, course he says yes... to be asked is MASSIVE.... in order to even watch it, you must be personally invited. It is like Fight Club...no one talks about After Hours... it is a myth... no recordings, photos ... just ghosts and stories told, person to person.
One of Presley's many famous godfathers is playing and jamming... the vibe is amazing. Then another famous artist comes up and sings with Dinah...which then leads to Dinah asking Presley to join them...Presley has a bit of a breakdown saying no repeatedly and leaves the area to hide back in the sheet music room.
It is there Paul finds her. He is understanding and let's Presley talk...and cry and let out all the hurt she had from the betrayal of the band and past boyfriend... who was actually just a user. This pent up energy combined with the desires both of these two have had for each other start to take over and kissing and grinding and oh my happen....
Oh, what a start of something good....Paul is a smart sweet fella and extremely talented ....
like off the wall talented...and the major problem for him is an oxymoron...
He loves playing the guitar... it is the only thing which he truly loves and makes him feel free...yet playing in front of any audience cause crippling stage fright...like seriously anxiety attack stuff.
Oh, and the joke is he is in a really cool band....yup, great.
I may have been humorous about this stage fright thing... but actually, this is not unusual for artists having to overcome this. How it is addressed is important...critical to the story and gives us a way to see what performing can be like when troubled with this condition.
So here we have Presley falling for a guitar player AGAIN... and he is in a band....and there is the critical moment when as a spur of the moment, all of the band offer Presley a song to sing at the bar gig they are playing....She sucks it up, does it and it brings back all her love for being in a band....
She sees how much she has missed this type of music, the rush and feel and Paul takes her back to his place...and all is friggin great.
Of course, it can't always be easy....especially in the music business... not in a real world experience...Things happen, decisions are made...realizations of these decisions take place and we are there for the full ride.
It is so commendable to me, Presley may be only 21, but she understands much of who her essence is... she owns her sexuality, unapologetic in her desire to be with Paul. Of course, her parents and their upbringing has much to do with it. Where she does become confused is how to distinguish the difference between her past experience with her old band and this new band. It is something she will have to work through.
As I said earlier, part of the huge draw for me with this story, was the insightful way the Music Industry was presented. It was not all glossy and pretty. It had grit, bad reviews and on the flip side... loving friends and family.
A huge bonus while reading this was how things were paced and presented... Each chapter had a playlist which referenced back to what had happened. There were those text conversions I mentioned and also twitter feed to give a current flavor.
If you have any interest in the music scene...This is a terrific read.
A gifted copy was provided by Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via NetGalley for an honest review.
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May 23, 2016
3.5 stars
I always love Ellie's books, so I don't even read the synopsis, I just request.
I liked Presley well enough. She's a bit dramatic and that got old really quick, but I did like how she wasn't afraid to go after what she wanted. Paul and the band were an interesting dynamic. The highlight of the entire story was Presley's parents and the after hours showcase they did.
This book moves pretty fast and maybe that's where it lost me. I would have liked it to be a little more fleshed out. Overall, it was a quick read with a great epilogue.
**Huge thanks to Loveswept and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review**
I always love Ellie's books, so I don't even read the synopsis, I just request.
I liked Presley well enough. She's a bit dramatic and that got old really quick, but I did like how she wasn't afraid to go after what she wanted. Paul and the band were an interesting dynamic. The highlight of the entire story was Presley's parents and the after hours showcase they did.
This book moves pretty fast and maybe that's where it lost me. I would have liked it to be a little more fleshed out. Overall, it was a quick read with a great epilogue.
**Huge thanks to Loveswept and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review**
November 1, 2021
3.5 Stars
This was really cute and way better than Call Me Maybe.
I didn’t care for the drama in the last quarter but this was really sweet. I still think Cahill has room to grow as an author but glad I finally got to these books that I’ve had for years.
This was really cute and way better than Call Me Maybe.
I didn’t care for the drama in the last quarter but this was really sweet. I still think Cahill has room to grow as an author but glad I finally got to these books that I’ve had for years.
August 27, 2016
3.5 stars
Once, there was a promising guitarist who's afraid of the cameras and crowd. Then there was a lead singer who just got sacked by her own band mates and now she never wanted to sing again. Paul & Presley met in the most unconventional way possible, frightening each other nonetheless. When they hooked up, their worlds' collided and their nights sparkled with fireworks. But all good things seemed to end. When the band lost their lead singer due to military services, Presley had to chose whether to up her game or forget everything about what she was really great at.
This had been an easy and interesting read. Very hot and erotic too, not that I'm complaining. I thought I understood where Presley's hesitance in singing was coming from. But to act like a kid who had her lollipop stolen from her when she was cornered by her mom during an Open Night performance, resulting to a walk-out, I thought she was childish. Paul on the other hand was relatable. I know how being in front of a crowd could being jitters and nerves to me. I could never overcome my stage fright. Paul's coping mechanism though was kinda extreme. I am glad I wouldn't have to resort to what Paul had done in the story. Believe me, it wasn't something I intend to do.
Overall, Ellie Cahill never fails to deliver a good reading material. Her characters are engaging and the whole vibe of the book stays on me until the end. I am pleased to recommend this as an afternoon beach read :)
P.S.
It was the highly entertaining tweets and playlist that caught my attention in this book. I loved reading those tweets and replies, even a bunch of oldies could very well use hashtags! And the songs in their varied playlist are so on-point and to die for. Ugh!
Once, there was a promising guitarist who's afraid of the cameras and crowd. Then there was a lead singer who just got sacked by her own band mates and now she never wanted to sing again. Paul & Presley met in the most unconventional way possible, frightening each other nonetheless. When they hooked up, their worlds' collided and their nights sparkled with fireworks. But all good things seemed to end. When the band lost their lead singer due to military services, Presley had to chose whether to up her game or forget everything about what she was really great at.
This had been an easy and interesting read. Very hot and erotic too, not that I'm complaining. I thought I understood where Presley's hesitance in singing was coming from. But to act like a kid who had her lollipop stolen from her when she was cornered by her mom during an Open Night performance, resulting to a walk-out, I thought she was childish. Paul on the other hand was relatable. I know how being in front of a crowd could being jitters and nerves to me. I could never overcome my stage fright. Paul's coping mechanism though was kinda extreme. I am glad I wouldn't have to resort to what Paul had done in the story. Believe me, it wasn't something I intend to do.
Overall, Ellie Cahill never fails to deliver a good reading material. Her characters are engaging and the whole vibe of the book stays on me until the end. I am pleased to recommend this as an afternoon beach read :)
P.S.
It was the highly entertaining tweets and playlist that caught my attention in this book. I loved reading those tweets and replies, even a bunch of oldies could very well use hashtags! And the songs in their varied playlist are so on-point and to die for. Ugh!
March 25, 2016
This review is based on an ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.
Ms. Cahill's book had Twitter tweets and online chats for some of it's dialogue and plot development. It was a very nice contemporary romance that showed some very painful moments of stage fright.
Ms. Cahill's book had Twitter tweets and online chats for some of it's dialogue and plot development. It was a very nice contemporary romance that showed some very painful moments of stage fright.
June 21, 2016
This was a fun book to read! I love books about musicians and music, so I was a happy camper!
I laughed a lot with this book. Presley’s parents are an absolute riot and very open and honest about everything! To the point they embarrass Presley. Her parents are renowned musicians in their own right, but have retired to run the music store. They still have a lot of famous friends coming by the music store to jam on Thursday nights. The have Presley back in the music store working.
Presley
Presley was a great character with sass, but when she was fired from her band, The Luminous 6, she came back home to regroup. She lost her will to sing and perform. Her hurt and anger were dragging her down. Then she meets the handsome guitar teacher (Paul) who works at the music store. Presley was attracted to him immediately. She had doubts about dating another guitar player, as her ex-boyfriend who she started the band with and then turned on her. They had been working with new band-mates and a heavy metal sound, which wasn’t Presley’s style. Presley had been offered a solo recording contract on numerous occasions, but she wanted to be a packaged deal with her band, but they were mediocre musicians at best. Her band felt they could do better without her.
Paul
Paul was amazing! He was sweet and caring. He was beautiful to Presley with his amber eyes and incredible tattoos. He was a very talented guitar player and a great teacher. Paul suffered from debilitating stage fright that he had to drink and smoke a joint in order to function and even that wasn’t really helping. He also played in a band called Jukebox Bleu that played locally around town. He would become physically ill before performances. Paul’s sister tried to help him work through his issues, but he would become frustrated with her treating him like a child and a head case. Paul was very hard on himself because of his stage fright and didn’t want to seek therapy, he chose to self-medicate instead. Presley tried to help him also and found a new way to help him cope with his stage fright, have sex in the bathroom right before a performance. He would have his mind on other things so he didn’t think about performing and was a little more relaxed.
Presley helped out with Jukebox Bleu when they were supposed to play for a summer event when the front man was called up for duty with the National Guard. Presley didn’t really want to do it, but she wanted to feel the joy through music again and hopefully bring Paul along with her.
There are things that are said and done between Presley and Paul to change the dynamics of their relationship. They have support from their families and friends to get them through. They find a way through the difficulties they are faced with and come out better for it, even though they were brokenhearted.
I loved, loved the music selections between each chapter to sum up what Presley was thinking and going through. Here's a sample of the music:
A Playlist for Wallowing at Work
1. Welcome to the Working Week – Elvis Costello
2. Soul Suckin’ Jerk – Beck
3. This F***ing Job – Drive-By Truckers
4. I’ve Had it – Black Flag
5. Livin on a Prayer – Bon Jovi
6. Working Class Hero – John Lennon version preferred
7. Factory – Bruce Springsteen
This book is a fun fast paced New Adult read and I highly recommend it. It’s a fun summer read!
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley for an honest review.
I laughed a lot with this book. Presley’s parents are an absolute riot and very open and honest about everything! To the point they embarrass Presley. Her parents are renowned musicians in their own right, but have retired to run the music store. They still have a lot of famous friends coming by the music store to jam on Thursday nights. The have Presley back in the music store working.
Presley
Presley was a great character with sass, but when she was fired from her band, The Luminous 6, she came back home to regroup. She lost her will to sing and perform. Her hurt and anger were dragging her down. Then she meets the handsome guitar teacher (Paul) who works at the music store. Presley was attracted to him immediately. She had doubts about dating another guitar player, as her ex-boyfriend who she started the band with and then turned on her. They had been working with new band-mates and a heavy metal sound, which wasn’t Presley’s style. Presley had been offered a solo recording contract on numerous occasions, but she wanted to be a packaged deal with her band, but they were mediocre musicians at best. Her band felt they could do better without her.
Paul
Paul was amazing! He was sweet and caring. He was beautiful to Presley with his amber eyes and incredible tattoos. He was a very talented guitar player and a great teacher. Paul suffered from debilitating stage fright that he had to drink and smoke a joint in order to function and even that wasn’t really helping. He also played in a band called Jukebox Bleu that played locally around town. He would become physically ill before performances. Paul’s sister tried to help him work through his issues, but he would become frustrated with her treating him like a child and a head case. Paul was very hard on himself because of his stage fright and didn’t want to seek therapy, he chose to self-medicate instead. Presley tried to help him also and found a new way to help him cope with his stage fright, have sex in the bathroom right before a performance. He would have his mind on other things so he didn’t think about performing and was a little more relaxed.
Presley helped out with Jukebox Bleu when they were supposed to play for a summer event when the front man was called up for duty with the National Guard. Presley didn’t really want to do it, but she wanted to feel the joy through music again and hopefully bring Paul along with her.
There are things that are said and done between Presley and Paul to change the dynamics of their relationship. They have support from their families and friends to get them through. They find a way through the difficulties they are faced with and come out better for it, even though they were brokenhearted.
I loved, loved the music selections between each chapter to sum up what Presley was thinking and going through. Here's a sample of the music:
A Playlist for Wallowing at Work
1. Welcome to the Working Week – Elvis Costello
2. Soul Suckin’ Jerk – Beck
3. This F***ing Job – Drive-By Truckers
4. I’ve Had it – Black Flag
5. Livin on a Prayer – Bon Jovi
6. Working Class Hero – John Lennon version preferred
7. Factory – Bruce Springsteen
This book is a fun fast paced New Adult read and I highly recommend it. It’s a fun summer read!
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley for an honest review.
March 9, 2018
When I read the first chapter of “Just a Girl” by by Ellie Cahill I thought I made a mistake with this book. I honestly did. I hate it when a girl goes all crazy like Presley did when she had the blow out with her boyfriend.
– I get why she did it but still.
And I was really thinking about not reading further but than something happened that changed my mind. I suddenly noticed some unique traits with this book. There were those tweets for one … but it were those playlists that finally did it for me. They had me laughing so hard at times, that I have to give my respect to the author for choosing from such a variety of songs that really every reader can find something for his own taste. (Thank you for the first time finding a quote about A-ha ever in a book #the old fangirl makes the notice public that she has tickets to a concert of them this year)
But what finally did it for me was the description of events in the music shop of Presley’s parents. The author drew such a vivid picture there for the readers that I doubt there is any reader left that would not want to join in at the meetings after the closing hours.
And then there is Paul….the guitar teacher, Paul the enigma in this story…. I am not sure what my thoughts are on him. Except that I am pretty sure I really adore his sister. Paul is a character that I think every reader should have his own thoughts about.
Presley turned out not to be to bad after all, even if there were some things about her that I could not understand. Her drastic measures to prevent mixing business and pleasure being the worst of all. Again I understand it in parts but – honestly - #drama baby – much ?
Yeah sure the story needs some twists and turns but that felt like the pot calling the kettle black … - but that is only me I guess
In total I liked this story – it was refreshing and felt unique and I would love to read more by this author.
October 1, 2020
I actually enjoyed Just a Girl a lot more than I expected, which is always a nice surprise. This was a nicely written New Adult Romance that was wonderfully steamy and expectedly swoonworthy, but also managed to offer some depth.
This wasn’t entirely a fluff piece. The story had its fair share of angst and struggle. We have a great protagonist who lost her band, her boyfriend, and her dream all in one swoop, and in the aftermath of her losses, her fears began to outweigh her passion for singing and music. By the end of the day, however, Presley was a strong-willed female lead who was determined to be more than a pretty girl with a pleasing voice. She had a clear vision of the sort of artist she wanted to be, and she never strayed from that. We also have an equally compelling love interest, Paul, who suffered from anxiety and panic attacks, which resulted in him depending on medicinal marijuana and drugs to keep his nerves in check before performing on stage.
One of the things I liked the most about Just a Girl was its honest, painfully realistic portrayal of substance abuse and addiction. It emphasized on the necessity of seeking the right help, instead of feeding readers an idealistic scenario where one character ‘saves’ another character from themselves.
This was quick to read and easy to follow. I finished Just a Girl in one sitting. Ultimately, however, I wasn’t very emotionally invested in anything, and I think, in the long run, Just a Girl won’t be a story I’ll be able to vividly remember.
Quick disclosure: I received a digital copy of Just a Girl from the publisher (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.
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This wasn’t entirely a fluff piece. The story had its fair share of angst and struggle. We have a great protagonist who lost her band, her boyfriend, and her dream all in one swoop, and in the aftermath of her losses, her fears began to outweigh her passion for singing and music. By the end of the day, however, Presley was a strong-willed female lead who was determined to be more than a pretty girl with a pleasing voice. She had a clear vision of the sort of artist she wanted to be, and she never strayed from that. We also have an equally compelling love interest, Paul, who suffered from anxiety and panic attacks, which resulted in him depending on medicinal marijuana and drugs to keep his nerves in check before performing on stage.
One of the things I liked the most about Just a Girl was its honest, painfully realistic portrayal of substance abuse and addiction. It emphasized on the necessity of seeking the right help, instead of feeding readers an idealistic scenario where one character ‘saves’ another character from themselves.
This was quick to read and easy to follow. I finished Just a Girl in one sitting. Ultimately, however, I wasn’t very emotionally invested in anything, and I think, in the long run, Just a Girl won’t be a story I’ll be able to vividly remember.
Quick disclosure: I received a digital copy of Just a Girl from the publisher (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.
🌻🍃 More bookish content on Shut up, Shealea 🍃🌻
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April 18, 2021
3 stars
As a huge fan of When Joss Met Matt and Ellie Cahill's YA books (under the name Liz Czukas), I honestly couldn't resist Just a Girl. But if there's anything this book has proven, it's that not all new adult books - even by the same author - are created equal.
Sure, there are things that I like about Just A Girl. In fact, the whole music / celebrity aspect of the story would have had me picking this up even if I didn't know the author's previous works. There's something about those kinds of stories that always catches my attention. I just like characters with such a creative edge and ambition. It immediately brings their voice to life. They have a passion - that makes them that much more interesting.
And as Presley and Paul share that passion, the chemistry between them was on point right from the start. From their first meeting, I felt the flames between them and almost immediately wanted to push them together. It kind of made me think of one of my favorite TV series, Nashville, because people playing music together kind of gets them to bare their souls and then they can't help but be drawn to each other. So that part of it was really really nice and well-written, and it definitely kept me reading. The performances, the practice times, the conversations about music and what drives them, even Paul's stage fright... it was familiar territory that I basically always enjoy.
However, then there's the drama. I know I can't really expect a NA romance to play out without drama, because otherwise what's the whole point of the book? There has to be a kind of rollercoaster - a true story arc. But it was so typical. And so cliché. And so predictable. The premise already gives it all away: Presley gets kicked out of her band and simultaneously dumped by her boyfriend, the lead guitarist, so she returns home. She gets involved with Paul, who's in a band, and when they need a singer, they want Presley. Presley doesn't want to combine romance and a band, for fear of losing everything once again. So... fill in the blank. What do you think happens next? There's probably only one possible answer in your mind, and yes, that's exactly how it goes.
Sometimes that kind of predictable plot has me thinking why the hell do I keep reading new adult romances? This kind of thing happens more often than not in this genre. But there's still something inherently enjoyable about these kinds of books. Yes, the quality and story line will be painfully average, but the writing style is easily accessible, the story reads really quickly, the romance has flares of hotness, and it's definitely good enough to lose yourself in for a couple of hours. It's just that, after another couple of hours, I'll have completely forgotten about it again.
Summing Up:
A short review for a short book that is rather unremarkable. Just a Girl is not bad per se: there's a romance there that I mostly rooted for, with characters who share one of my biggest passions, namely music. However, character growth, real new adult issues, relatability, and atypical (or just no) drama were not the order of the day. So it was fine for a couple of hours, but it was not the gem I was hoping it would be.
GIF it to me straight!
Recommended To:
Romance readers, I suppose.
*An electronic advance review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the contents of the review.
As a huge fan of When Joss Met Matt and Ellie Cahill's YA books (under the name Liz Czukas), I honestly couldn't resist Just a Girl. But if there's anything this book has proven, it's that not all new adult books - even by the same author - are created equal.
Sure, there are things that I like about Just A Girl. In fact, the whole music / celebrity aspect of the story would have had me picking this up even if I didn't know the author's previous works. There's something about those kinds of stories that always catches my attention. I just like characters with such a creative edge and ambition. It immediately brings their voice to life. They have a passion - that makes them that much more interesting.
And as Presley and Paul share that passion, the chemistry between them was on point right from the start. From their first meeting, I felt the flames between them and almost immediately wanted to push them together. It kind of made me think of one of my favorite TV series, Nashville, because people playing music together kind of gets them to bare their souls and then they can't help but be drawn to each other. So that part of it was really really nice and well-written, and it definitely kept me reading. The performances, the practice times, the conversations about music and what drives them, even Paul's stage fright... it was familiar territory that I basically always enjoy.
However, then there's the drama. I know I can't really expect a NA romance to play out without drama, because otherwise what's the whole point of the book? There has to be a kind of rollercoaster - a true story arc. But it was so typical. And so cliché. And so predictable. The premise already gives it all away: Presley gets kicked out of her band and simultaneously dumped by her boyfriend, the lead guitarist, so she returns home. She gets involved with Paul, who's in a band, and when they need a singer, they want Presley. Presley doesn't want to combine romance and a band, for fear of losing everything once again. So... fill in the blank. What do you think happens next? There's probably only one possible answer in your mind, and yes, that's exactly how it goes.
Sometimes that kind of predictable plot has me thinking why the hell do I keep reading new adult romances? This kind of thing happens more often than not in this genre. But there's still something inherently enjoyable about these kinds of books. Yes, the quality and story line will be painfully average, but the writing style is easily accessible, the story reads really quickly, the romance has flares of hotness, and it's definitely good enough to lose yourself in for a couple of hours. It's just that, after another couple of hours, I'll have completely forgotten about it again.
Summing Up:
A short review for a short book that is rather unremarkable. Just a Girl is not bad per se: there's a romance there that I mostly rooted for, with characters who share one of my biggest passions, namely music. However, character growth, real new adult issues, relatability, and atypical (or just no) drama were not the order of the day. So it was fine for a couple of hours, but it was not the gem I was hoping it would be.
GIF it to me straight!
Recommended To:
Romance readers, I suppose.
*An electronic advance review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the contents of the review.
June 14, 2016
Book Info
ebook, 224 pages
Expected publication: June 21st 2016 by Loveswept
ISBN 0425284581 (ISBN13: 9780425284582)
Other Editions (1)
Source:Netgalley EARC
Book Buy Links
Amazon
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In this pitch-perfect novel from the author of When Joss Met Matt (“One of those books that make you forget everything around you.”—Sophie Jordan), a rock ’n’ roll diva must choose between her career and her heart.
After getting kicked out of her own band—by her own boyfriend—Presley Mason finds herself back in Wisconsin, helping her parents run their renowned music store. Instead of belting out powerhouse vocals to sold-out crowds in L.A., she’s stocking shelves and inspecting rental violins. But the shop isn’t all bad: When she’s vacuuming up late one night, she bumps into the guitar teacher with the smoldering amber eyes and the killer tattoo. And that’s when things take an interesting turn.
Presley soon finds that Paul Kellerman is as good in bed as he is on guitar. So why isn’t he stoked to share his band, Jukebox Bleu, with her? Turns out Paul has crippling stage fright, which he’s been self-medicating without much success. But when Jukebox Bleu’s lead singer gets called for military service, the other members beg Presley to front them. Even though she swore never to mix men with music again, the temptation to perform is almost as intense as her chemistry with Paul. Now Presley must decide what’s more important: a second chance at love . . . or rock stardom.
Praise for Ellie Cahill’s When Joss Met Matt
“Hands down one of my favorite New Adult reads . . . Ellie Cahill is definitely one to watch!”—New York Times bestselling author Cora Carmack
“This is one of those books that make you forget everything around you. Prepare to be consumed by this story.”—New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan
“Fun, sexy, and full of amazing chemistry, When Joss Met Matt is an entertaining escape that will leave you smiling with every turn of the page.”-Cassie Mae, author of No Interest in Love
Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
At barely 21 Presley Mason is the front singer for her band Luminous 6, a band she and boyfriend Brendan created together.
She is blindsided by her band mates when they kick her out, replacing the talented blonde with a male singer.
Licking her wounds Presley comes home to her parents in Wisconsin, whom after a short period of letting her mope around the house convince her to come work in their renowned music store The Continental.
Returning to a place that defined her childhood is just what Presley needed.
It is also leads to a turning point that she never expected nor was looking for.
A charming, realistic, wholly entertaining story all from Presley's POV.
ebook, 224 pages
Expected publication: June 21st 2016 by Loveswept
ISBN 0425284581 (ISBN13: 9780425284582)
Other Editions (1)
Source:Netgalley EARC
Book Buy Links
Amazon
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BOOK SYNOPSIS
In this pitch-perfect novel from the author of When Joss Met Matt (“One of those books that make you forget everything around you.”—Sophie Jordan), a rock ’n’ roll diva must choose between her career and her heart.
After getting kicked out of her own band—by her own boyfriend—Presley Mason finds herself back in Wisconsin, helping her parents run their renowned music store. Instead of belting out powerhouse vocals to sold-out crowds in L.A., she’s stocking shelves and inspecting rental violins. But the shop isn’t all bad: When she’s vacuuming up late one night, she bumps into the guitar teacher with the smoldering amber eyes and the killer tattoo. And that’s when things take an interesting turn.
Presley soon finds that Paul Kellerman is as good in bed as he is on guitar. So why isn’t he stoked to share his band, Jukebox Bleu, with her? Turns out Paul has crippling stage fright, which he’s been self-medicating without much success. But when Jukebox Bleu’s lead singer gets called for military service, the other members beg Presley to front them. Even though she swore never to mix men with music again, the temptation to perform is almost as intense as her chemistry with Paul. Now Presley must decide what’s more important: a second chance at love . . . or rock stardom.
Praise for Ellie Cahill’s When Joss Met Matt
“Hands down one of my favorite New Adult reads . . . Ellie Cahill is definitely one to watch!”—New York Times bestselling author Cora Carmack
“This is one of those books that make you forget everything around you. Prepare to be consumed by this story.”—New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan
“Fun, sexy, and full of amazing chemistry, When Joss Met Matt is an entertaining escape that will leave you smiling with every turn of the page.”-Cassie Mae, author of No Interest in Love
Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
My Thoughts
At barely 21 Presley Mason is the front singer for her band Luminous 6, a band she and boyfriend Brendan created together.
She is blindsided by her band mates when they kick her out, replacing the talented blonde with a male singer.
Licking her wounds Presley comes home to her parents in Wisconsin, whom after a short period of letting her mope around the house convince her to come work in their renowned music store The Continental.
Returning to a place that defined her childhood is just what Presley needed.
It is also leads to a turning point that she never expected nor was looking for.
A charming, realistic, wholly entertaining story all from Presley's POV.
[EArc from Netgalley in exchange for honest review]
August 22, 2016
Title: Just a Girl
Author: Ellie Cahill
Publisher: Loveswept
Reviewer: Mollien
Release Date: June 21, 2016
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance
Page Count: 277 pages
Heat Level: 3 flames out of 5
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Blurb:
Review:
Just A Girl is a flirty romance told by a fun story teller. This is the second book that I have read by Ellie Cahill. I enjoy her writing. A mix of romance with strong female characters. The plot of this story has Presley returning back home after being kicked out of the band that she started with her boyfriend. Not only is she kicked out of the band, but her boyfriend is now an Ex. Returning home to the music store that her parents own Presley is searching to find the joy back in music. The sexy music teacher, Paul is helping on that mission until his band needs a new lead singer for their band. The chemistry between Paul and Presley fits like a perfect harmony. The pacing is steady with many humorous parts. Good ending where we got to see the characters grow and build on their relationship.
SCORES on a scale of 1-5 Stars rate each of the Following 5
Categories
PLOT: 5 Stars
CHEMISTRY: 5 Stars
PACING: 5 Stars
ENDING: 4 Stars
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 5 Stars
Review Copy of Just a Girl provided by the Loveswept for an honest review. Reviewed by Mollien from Alpha Book Club
Author: Ellie Cahill
Publisher: Loveswept
Reviewer: Mollien
Release Date: June 21, 2016
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance
Page Count: 277 pages
Heat Level: 3 flames out of 5
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Blurb:
After getting kicked out of her own band—by her own boyfriend—Presley Mason finds herself back in Wisconsin, helping her parents run their renowned music store. Instead of belting out powerhouse vocals to sold-out crowds in L.A., she’s stocking shelves and inspecting rental violins. But the shop isn’t all bad: When she’s vacuuming up late one night, she bumps into the guitar teacher with the smoldering amber eyes and the killer tattoo. And that’s when things take an interesting turn.
Presley soon finds that Paul Kellerman is as good in bed as he is on guitar. So why isn’t he stoked to share his band, Jukebox Bleu, with her? Turns out Paul has crippling stage fright, which he’s been self-medicating without much success. But when Jukebox Bleu’s lead singer gets called for military service, the other members beg Presley to front them. Even though she swore never to mix men with music again, the temptation to perform is almost as intense as her chemistry with Paul. Now Presley must decide what’s more important: a second chance at love . . . or rock stardom.
Review:
Just A Girl is a flirty romance told by a fun story teller. This is the second book that I have read by Ellie Cahill. I enjoy her writing. A mix of romance with strong female characters. The plot of this story has Presley returning back home after being kicked out of the band that she started with her boyfriend. Not only is she kicked out of the band, but her boyfriend is now an Ex. Returning home to the music store that her parents own Presley is searching to find the joy back in music. The sexy music teacher, Paul is helping on that mission until his band needs a new lead singer for their band. The chemistry between Paul and Presley fits like a perfect harmony. The pacing is steady with many humorous parts. Good ending where we got to see the characters grow and build on their relationship.
SCORES on a scale of 1-5 Stars rate each of the Following 5
Categories
PLOT: 5 Stars
CHEMISTRY: 5 Stars
PACING: 5 Stars
ENDING: 4 Stars
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 5 Stars
Review Copy of Just a Girl provided by the Loveswept for an honest review. Reviewed by Mollien from Alpha Book Club
June 21, 2016
Just a Girl is the story of 21 year old Presley who's entire life is worked around music. Her parents own a very popular music store in Wisconsin and that's allowed her to meet some of the greatest musicians. For the past couple of years, she has been living in Los Angeles and is the lead singer of a successful band she started along with her boyfriend. Presley finds herself having to move back home to Wisconsin after her boyfriend and band-mates kick her out of the band.
Presley is less than thrilled to be back in Wisconsin, but while working in her parent's music store she meets Paul who also happens to be in a band of his own, Jukebox Bleu. Life happens and Jukebox Bleu is suddenly in need of a lead singer. You'd think Presley would be perfect for the gig, but history has her dead set on not dating a band member ever again.
The Good:
Music was the central theme for this entire story and it was easily my favorite part of Just a Girl. Ellie Cahill seems to have definitely done her homework and it gave a very realistic feel to her story. The way the music store was described made me want to take a trip to Wisconsin for one of their late night private concerts! Imagine being in a room with some of music's legends while they play live and intimate performances just for fun! I also really liked the idea of different playlists of popular songs that would correspond with the different chapters. It was something different and really added to the story.
The Bad:
Unfortunately, the music theme is the only thing I really enjoyed. The conflicts were too over dramatized and parts of the story seemed to drag while others were rushed. Most importantly, I could not bring myself to care for any of these characters. Presley came off as dramatic in general, cold towards Paul, and rude to authority (police - which is a pet peeve of mine). I also didn't understand her relationship with her parents. They had a very "hippie" parenting style that I found puzzling, specifically her mom. I'm all for having open communication, but her mom would ask her things like "Is paul good?" and at some point even told Presley about how good her dad was with his fingers. Umm, wtf?!
Sadly, Just a Girl didn't seem to be the book for me, but I plan to give Ellie Cahill another shot since I've heard good things about Call me, Maybe. Check out my co-blogger Jess' review here!
*Big thanks to Loveswept and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review*
Presley is less than thrilled to be back in Wisconsin, but while working in her parent's music store she meets Paul who also happens to be in a band of his own, Jukebox Bleu. Life happens and Jukebox Bleu is suddenly in need of a lead singer. You'd think Presley would be perfect for the gig, but history has her dead set on not dating a band member ever again.
The Good:
Music was the central theme for this entire story and it was easily my favorite part of Just a Girl. Ellie Cahill seems to have definitely done her homework and it gave a very realistic feel to her story. The way the music store was described made me want to take a trip to Wisconsin for one of their late night private concerts! Imagine being in a room with some of music's legends while they play live and intimate performances just for fun! I also really liked the idea of different playlists of popular songs that would correspond with the different chapters. It was something different and really added to the story.
The Bad:
Unfortunately, the music theme is the only thing I really enjoyed. The conflicts were too over dramatized and parts of the story seemed to drag while others were rushed. Most importantly, I could not bring myself to care for any of these characters. Presley came off as dramatic in general, cold towards Paul, and rude to authority (police - which is a pet peeve of mine). I also didn't understand her relationship with her parents. They had a very "hippie" parenting style that I found puzzling, specifically her mom. I'm all for having open communication, but her mom would ask her things like "Is paul good?" and at some point even told Presley about how good her dad was with his fingers. Umm, wtf?!
Sadly, Just a Girl didn't seem to be the book for me, but I plan to give Ellie Cahill another shot since I've heard good things about Call me, Maybe. Check out my co-blogger Jess' review here!
*Big thanks to Loveswept and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review*
June 9, 2016
Original review can be found at http://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/2...
** I received an advanced readers copy from Loveswept via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!**
Presley found herself back home after her band and her boyfriend decide to drop her after a show in L.A. While dealing with her issues and getting over her loss, she helped her parents in their legendary music store. It was here that she met Paul who also worked there giving guitar lessons. When they started hanging out and getting closer she found out that he was part of a band and that he suffered from severe stage fright. While trying to help him through it she also agreed to help the band out by singing with them. Her inscurities started getting the better of her and she feared that history was repeating itself.
Ellie Cahill is not a new author to me and it is definitely safe to say that her books are easy to get through. I think that if life had not got in the way I could have easily finished Just a Girl in one sitting. Although I felt like it started a little slow, it gained momentum and then raced to the end. Anyone with a keen interest in music would certainly appreciate all of the references to songs and artists throughout this book.
This book was new adult and I have to remind myself of that as I write my thoughts. Presley was at times really immature and somewhat annoying, in my opinion. I didn't hate her but I did find her getting on my nerves at times. On the other hand, I really liked Paul and wanted a little more than I got. I did like them together but I felt that the build up to their initial "hook up" was lacking slightly and because of that their chemistry on the pages wasn't as strong as I would have liked. In other words, they got together too quick for me to really feel the chemistry and it took a while for me to catch up to where they were. In fact, they were no longer together by the time my brain decided that I really liked them together.
One more area that I wish was expanded on was Paul and his phobia and drug use. Yes it was dealt with but in a quick and glossy way. It was an important part of the plot that seemed too easily resolved where Presley's fear of rejection took the stage front and center yet wasn't as serious an issue.
I fear that perhaps I am being a bit harsh because I really liked When Joss Met Matt and this one isn't quite as good. I felt the same way about Call Me, Maybe. However, Just a Girl delivered on the entertainment, drama and heat that this genre is known for and gave me a couple hours of escape which is part of what I love about reading in the first place.
** I received an advanced readers copy from Loveswept via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!**
Presley found herself back home after her band and her boyfriend decide to drop her after a show in L.A. While dealing with her issues and getting over her loss, she helped her parents in their legendary music store. It was here that she met Paul who also worked there giving guitar lessons. When they started hanging out and getting closer she found out that he was part of a band and that he suffered from severe stage fright. While trying to help him through it she also agreed to help the band out by singing with them. Her inscurities started getting the better of her and she feared that history was repeating itself.
Ellie Cahill is not a new author to me and it is definitely safe to say that her books are easy to get through. I think that if life had not got in the way I could have easily finished Just a Girl in one sitting. Although I felt like it started a little slow, it gained momentum and then raced to the end. Anyone with a keen interest in music would certainly appreciate all of the references to songs and artists throughout this book.
This book was new adult and I have to remind myself of that as I write my thoughts. Presley was at times really immature and somewhat annoying, in my opinion. I didn't hate her but I did find her getting on my nerves at times. On the other hand, I really liked Paul and wanted a little more than I got. I did like them together but I felt that the build up to their initial "hook up" was lacking slightly and because of that their chemistry on the pages wasn't as strong as I would have liked. In other words, they got together too quick for me to really feel the chemistry and it took a while for me to catch up to where they were. In fact, they were no longer together by the time my brain decided that I really liked them together.
One more area that I wish was expanded on was Paul and his phobia and drug use. Yes it was dealt with but in a quick and glossy way. It was an important part of the plot that seemed too easily resolved where Presley's fear of rejection took the stage front and center yet wasn't as serious an issue.
I fear that perhaps I am being a bit harsh because I really liked When Joss Met Matt and this one isn't quite as good. I felt the same way about Call Me, Maybe. However, Just a Girl delivered on the entertainment, drama and heat that this genre is known for and gave me a couple hours of escape which is part of what I love about reading in the first place.
September 3, 2016
This review was originally posted here on my blog Ready, Set, Read!
To be honest, I had a really hard time trying to write a review for this book. I don't really dislike or like this book, so I initially thought I didn't have much to say. However, I did a pros and cons list and saw that there were several things I wanted to talk about.
First, let's talk about the pros. Presley has a great relationship with her best friend, Liv, and her parents. I always am so happy to see relationships that actually seem genuine in a genre that so often pits girls against each other and avoids the parents altogether. Just A Girl has a strong musical aspect, and I really loved how that played such an important role in the book. There were playlists throughout the book and I loved checking out the music that was featured. I liked experiencing how Presley fell back in love with music and performing. I felt as if I was able to connect to her more since I am a performer myself. I found myself caring about what happened to Presley's music career as I read. The book was entertaining the whole time too, and I never found myself getting bored.
Now, the cons. Though I didn't find myself getting bored, I found myself getting frustrated. The relationship between Presley and Paul seemed very one dimensional. There aren't really any deep conversations between them and their "cutesy" moments were non-existent. They all a lot of sex, but the romance just skimmed the surface and didn't go deeper. This led to me not caring that much about the relationship and how it ended. I felt as is they didn't have much chemistry and were unhealthily codependent on each other. Along with that, I felt as if there were both too angst-y. Presley and Paul are adults, not teenagers. I would expect this amount of push and pull in a YA novel, but not a NA novel. Eventually the conflicts seemed repetitive and didn't hold that much power.
Like I said before, Just a Girl did keep my interest piqued the whole time. While I had my issues, I think this is a solid NA novel. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see some of my friends loving this book. Though there are books with musical aspects that I have enjoyed more, Just a Girl is an okay read. Would I recommend it? Not to everyone, but I would to some.
With that, I give this book
3 out of 5 Stars!
To be honest, I had a really hard time trying to write a review for this book. I don't really dislike or like this book, so I initially thought I didn't have much to say. However, I did a pros and cons list and saw that there were several things I wanted to talk about.
First, let's talk about the pros. Presley has a great relationship with her best friend, Liv, and her parents. I always am so happy to see relationships that actually seem genuine in a genre that so often pits girls against each other and avoids the parents altogether. Just A Girl has a strong musical aspect, and I really loved how that played such an important role in the book. There were playlists throughout the book and I loved checking out the music that was featured. I liked experiencing how Presley fell back in love with music and performing. I felt as if I was able to connect to her more since I am a performer myself. I found myself caring about what happened to Presley's music career as I read. The book was entertaining the whole time too, and I never found myself getting bored.
Now, the cons. Though I didn't find myself getting bored, I found myself getting frustrated. The relationship between Presley and Paul seemed very one dimensional. There aren't really any deep conversations between them and their "cutesy" moments were non-existent. They all a lot of sex, but the romance just skimmed the surface and didn't go deeper. This led to me not caring that much about the relationship and how it ended. I felt as is they didn't have much chemistry and were unhealthily codependent on each other. Along with that, I felt as if there were both too angst-y. Presley and Paul are adults, not teenagers. I would expect this amount of push and pull in a YA novel, but not a NA novel. Eventually the conflicts seemed repetitive and didn't hold that much power.
Like I said before, Just a Girl did keep my interest piqued the whole time. While I had my issues, I think this is a solid NA novel. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see some of my friends loving this book. Though there are books with musical aspects that I have enjoyed more, Just a Girl is an okay read. Would I recommend it? Not to everyone, but I would to some.
With that, I give this book
3 out of 5 Stars!
April 18, 2016
This is the third book I've read by Ellie Cahill and I have to say that the writing has a great flow to it that makes it easy to read. Even with Call Me,Maybe -which I only rated 3 stars- the writing wasn't an issue.
Actually that was the primary reason I picked this story up (books featuring bands or singers just aren't my cup of tea).
So I went in open minded but honestly expecting not to love this. Ha. I'm such a tit.
For a start Presley isn't particularly famous (thankfully). She's been hurt by people she thought she could rely on and she's a bit lost. So she meets Paul. Loved him. He was a little bruised but still sexy and strong.
I also absolutely loved the network around both of them (her parents and Paul's friends). The playlist titles were funny and personally the twitter comments and texts made me feel really connected to Presley and her story.
Now normally I would moan about the sex not being very descriptive or the lack of penis size being mentioned, but I'm not going to here because I honestly don't think explicit sex scenes would suit this authors writing style. Her books just don't need it, they have just enough to satisfy (*pulls creepy pun face*).
And the ending; it had me wanting to hug random people. Even the crazy lady across the road who is convinced Elvis lives in her car. Or the bloke who works at the local shop and should really invest in some deodorant. It made me want to have a group hug with them both!
If you're after a (mostly) light hearted, funny read that focuses on family and finding what really makes you happy, with a side of hot - then pick this up.
Actually that was the primary reason I picked this story up (books featuring bands or singers just aren't my cup of tea).
So I went in open minded but honestly expecting not to love this. Ha. I'm such a tit.
For a start Presley isn't particularly famous (thankfully). She's been hurt by people she thought she could rely on and she's a bit lost. So she meets Paul. Loved him. He was a little bruised but still sexy and strong.
"Was Paul into pity orgasms? Did he see himself as some kind of superhero, swooping in to make pathetic girls come, then flying off again?"
I also absolutely loved the network around both of them (her parents and Paul's friends). The playlist titles were funny and personally the twitter comments and texts made me feel really connected to Presley and her story.
Now normally I would moan about the sex not being very descriptive or the lack of penis size being mentioned, but I'm not going to here because I honestly don't think explicit sex scenes would suit this authors writing style. Her books just don't need it, they have just enough to satisfy (*pulls creepy pun face*).
And the ending; it had me wanting to hug random people. Even the crazy lady across the road who is convinced Elvis lives in her car. Or the bloke who works at the local shop and should really invest in some deodorant. It made me want to have a group hug with them both!
If you're after a (mostly) light hearted, funny read that focuses on family and finding what really makes you happy, with a side of hot - then pick this up.
"My parents were right: You couldn't keep your heart out of music. And now that I had the other half of my heart with me, I had a feeling the music was going to be better than ever."
August 9, 2016
Nothing like being kicked out of your own band that you formed with your boyfriend. The guys were jealous that Presley was getting all of the attention. The thing was that she deserved the accolades because she was one heck of a singer. You would think being kicked out of a band that you helped form was bad but when your boyfriend was also one of the guys kicking you out you figured there was going to be some really hard feelings.
Presley went back home to live with her parents for a bit until she got her life figured out again. She really didn’t want the offers that came her way back in LA because she did not want to become of the manufactured pop princesses so she opted to work in her parents music store. Her parents were celebrities from a while ago so they had a love of music that was passed on to Presley. Paul, the guitar teacher that the store had hired caught Presley’s eye. Paul happened to also be in a band with a lead singer that was getting deployed soon so the band was looking for a short term lead singer. Presley hadn’t really sung since she left her previous band and wasn’t sure she would be up to it again. Paul also had his demons to contend with and that was his extreme issue with stage fright. Paul and Presley were there for each other trying to help the other get over the issues that they had with performing the music that the both loved.
Would these two be able to help each other make the music that was really in their souls or would their hang-ups be too much for them to overcome? Was Presley even willing to go down that road again of being in a band and having a member of the band as her boyfriend? She had gotten burned so badly before that she had made a promise to herself not to let that happen to her again. Was Paul worth the risk of putting her music and her heart out there again?
This book was provided as an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
Presley went back home to live with her parents for a bit until she got her life figured out again. She really didn’t want the offers that came her way back in LA because she did not want to become of the manufactured pop princesses so she opted to work in her parents music store. Her parents were celebrities from a while ago so they had a love of music that was passed on to Presley. Paul, the guitar teacher that the store had hired caught Presley’s eye. Paul happened to also be in a band with a lead singer that was getting deployed soon so the band was looking for a short term lead singer. Presley hadn’t really sung since she left her previous band and wasn’t sure she would be up to it again. Paul also had his demons to contend with and that was his extreme issue with stage fright. Paul and Presley were there for each other trying to help the other get over the issues that they had with performing the music that the both loved.
Would these two be able to help each other make the music that was really in their souls or would their hang-ups be too much for them to overcome? Was Presley even willing to go down that road again of being in a band and having a member of the band as her boyfriend? She had gotten burned so badly before that she had made a promise to herself not to let that happen to her again. Was Paul worth the risk of putting her music and her heart out there again?
This book was provided as an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
May 16, 2016
I wanted to love this book.. but I didn't..
The idea behind it was different so I was intrigued. The writing was fine I enjoyed the flow of the book in the beginning but towards the end the story lost me. Took me forever to finish it.
Presley is a young artist who is kick out of a band and she returns home to lick her wounds. Leaving the band also meant leaving her boyfriend of three years who treated her like crap. Once she is home she jumps into helping her parents at their shop (her parents happen to be rock legends of sorts) and she meets Paul. Paul is a great guy who has his own issues but the two of them together are cute. She gets him and he gets her and the slowly fall into this relationship thing.
She made a decision after being kicked out the band not to sing anymore but ends up on stage (shocker) then she ends up in Paul's band as the singer (double shocker). This is where the book lost me. The drama that happened after she joined the band and silly decisions she makes made no sense to me and I couldn't follow. I can't say she is weak just young minded. I found myself wanting out of her brain (book completely from her POV), I needed a break. I felt bad for Paul because of the Roller coaster she put him on. He already has his own hang ups and here she comes adding hers. I believe if we had Paul's POV the story would've had more substance. He seemed like a puppet in the story.
In the end the book wasn't a huge disappointment. Like I said the writing was great. The story itself just needed more.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
The idea behind it was different so I was intrigued. The writing was fine I enjoyed the flow of the book in the beginning but towards the end the story lost me. Took me forever to finish it.
Presley is a young artist who is kick out of a band and she returns home to lick her wounds. Leaving the band also meant leaving her boyfriend of three years who treated her like crap. Once she is home she jumps into helping her parents at their shop (her parents happen to be rock legends of sorts) and she meets Paul. Paul is a great guy who has his own issues but the two of them together are cute. She gets him and he gets her and the slowly fall into this relationship thing.
She made a decision after being kicked out the band not to sing anymore but ends up on stage (shocker) then she ends up in Paul's band as the singer (double shocker). This is where the book lost me. The drama that happened after she joined the band and silly decisions she makes made no sense to me and I couldn't follow. I can't say she is weak just young minded. I found myself wanting out of her brain (book completely from her POV), I needed a break. I felt bad for Paul because of the Roller coaster she put him on. He already has his own hang ups and here she comes adding hers. I believe if we had Paul's POV the story would've had more substance. He seemed like a puppet in the story.
In the end the book wasn't a huge disappointment. Like I said the writing was great. The story itself just needed more.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
May 31, 2016
4.5 Stars.
Having been impressed by my first book from Ellie Cahill, I was very much looking forward to reading this one and I wasn't disappointed. I loved "Just a Girl." It was an entertaining story all about love and music. I was so glad that I took the time to read it.
The story followed music loving Presley. After being made to leave the band where she was the lead singer, Presley returned home for a fresh start and met Paul who just happened to be a guitarist of another band. Presley was a brilliant character, she was warm and funny and I enjoyed getting to know her. Even though some of the choices she made drove me a little crazy, I loved that she redeemed herself in the end, making me love her even more.
I loved Paul, although he wasn't the usual kind of book boyfriend I go for. Paul was far from being the strong hero, however I liked that he was different and he was just so lovely to Presley. Paul was just a nice, chilled out guy. It was impossible not to fall for him.
I loved seeing Presley and Paul together, their relationship made me happy. With their shared love of music, they seemed to be perfect for one another and Presley's energetic personality complemented Paul's quiet nature. The couple's attraction to one another resulted in a gorgeous romance that had me grinning from ear to ear.
"Just a Girl" was brilliantly written and kept me engrossed from start to finish. I would wholeheartedly recommended one-clicking this one.
Having been impressed by my first book from Ellie Cahill, I was very much looking forward to reading this one and I wasn't disappointed. I loved "Just a Girl." It was an entertaining story all about love and music. I was so glad that I took the time to read it.
The story followed music loving Presley. After being made to leave the band where she was the lead singer, Presley returned home for a fresh start and met Paul who just happened to be a guitarist of another band. Presley was a brilliant character, she was warm and funny and I enjoyed getting to know her. Even though some of the choices she made drove me a little crazy, I loved that she redeemed herself in the end, making me love her even more.
I loved Paul, although he wasn't the usual kind of book boyfriend I go for. Paul was far from being the strong hero, however I liked that he was different and he was just so lovely to Presley. Paul was just a nice, chilled out guy. It was impossible not to fall for him.
I loved seeing Presley and Paul together, their relationship made me happy. With their shared love of music, they seemed to be perfect for one another and Presley's energetic personality complemented Paul's quiet nature. The couple's attraction to one another resulted in a gorgeous romance that had me grinning from ear to ear.
"Just a Girl" was brilliantly written and kept me engrossed from start to finish. I would wholeheartedly recommended one-clicking this one.
June 20, 2016
Just a Girl is a sweet, thought provoking romance centered around music. Ellie Cahill's characters a both flawed but it's their flaws that elevate this book from the stereotypical romance to something more. Presley Mason eats, sleeps and breathes music but when her former band and boyfriend kick her out of the band the last thing she wanted to do was go home to Wisconsin to work at her family music store. Depressed and angry the last thing Presley thought would happen is to fall for a music teacher at her family's store. Paul Kellerman loves music and even though it's a member of Jukebox Bleu, he suffers from extreme stage fright which has gotten to the point that self medicating can't solve the problem. Forced to face their demons both Presley and Paul need to ask each other which comes first the music or each other?
I really enjoyed this book and it's topic. It wasn't a fluff read and actually dealt with some mental health issues in a positive way. I really enjoyed the format of this book with social media and playlists and txt msgs between friends really grounding the book. Presley is such a talented strong character but her weakness is so damn frustrating at time too. Paul was adorable and you can't help but love him even with his issues. 4 Stars for Just a Girl by Ellie Cahill
*** Reviewed for Sweet & Spicy Reads - ARC provided for a honest review ***
I really enjoyed this book and it's topic. It wasn't a fluff read and actually dealt with some mental health issues in a positive way. I really enjoyed the format of this book with social media and playlists and txt msgs between friends really grounding the book. Presley is such a talented strong character but her weakness is so damn frustrating at time too. Paul was adorable and you can't help but love him even with his issues. 4 Stars for Just a Girl by Ellie Cahill
*** Reviewed for Sweet & Spicy Reads - ARC provided for a honest review ***
June 21, 2016
Presley Mason is pissed. Seriously pissed. How could those jerks kick her out of the band she created? And how in the world is she going to deal with moving back home with her parents in Wisconsin? Sure, they own one of the most prolific music stores in the country and that’s were her love of music developed, but she certainly didn’t see herself returning home, tail between her legs, to work there while figuring out her next steps. Next steps, which just might include gorgeous guitar instructor, Paul Kellerman...
I have a very soft spot for rock star books. A female rock star with a kick-ass attitude and massive talent—all the better! I really enjoyed this book. I loved the slow buildup of Presley and Paul’s relationship. I hated some of her choices—but she thought she was doing the right thing for herself at the time. And I really hated some of the choices Paul made to manage his stage-fright.
However, I adored Presley’s interactions with her parents and all the crazy shenanigans at the music store. And in the end, I can say that my little heart was very happy. ~ Missy, 4.5 stars
I have a very soft spot for rock star books. A female rock star with a kick-ass attitude and massive talent—all the better! I really enjoyed this book. I loved the slow buildup of Presley and Paul’s relationship. I hated some of her choices—but she thought she was doing the right thing for herself at the time. And I really hated some of the choices Paul made to manage his stage-fright.
However, I adored Presley’s interactions with her parents and all the crazy shenanigans at the music store. And in the end, I can say that my little heart was very happy. ~ Missy, 4.5 stars
July 13, 2016
3.5 stars
I really enjoyed this one! I was a little worried after not loving Cahill's last romance but this one was much better. Because even though I didn't always agree with how the MC behaved, at least I understood her motives behind them. The entire story overall felt much more put together and polished than Call Me, Maybe. So if you read that one and didn't like it, don't just write this one off! And while it still wasn't a favorite romance of mine (or even Cahill's. When Joss Met Matt is still WAY up on my favorites list!) and I'm not completely sold on Paul, I did really enjoy the story and think that if you love romances with musicians, you'll really like this one too.
I really enjoyed this one! I was a little worried after not loving Cahill's last romance but this one was much better. Because even though I didn't always agree with how the MC behaved, at least I understood her motives behind them. The entire story overall felt much more put together and polished than Call Me, Maybe. So if you read that one and didn't like it, don't just write this one off! And while it still wasn't a favorite romance of mine (or even Cahill's. When Joss Met Matt is still WAY up on my favorites list!) and I'm not completely sold on Paul, I did really enjoy the story and think that if you love romances with musicians, you'll really like this one too.
June 15, 2016
I so wanted to love this one but it really was just an ok read for me. The concept was original and intriguing but I never felt the connection to the characters. Presley just seemed to let life happen to her rather than going after what she really wanted. I did really like Paul. His struggle to overcome his stage fright had me cheering for him! However, the two together never really gave off sparks for me. The writing is good and the overall story is good but it was just a little too flat for me.
June 25, 2016
Quick Summary: Seriously intense and heartwarmingly sweet
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: New Adult
Status: Contemporary
Chemistry/Intensity: Yes
Humor/Wit: Yes
Conflict/Drama: Yes
Family Dysfunction: Yes
HEA: Yes
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: New Adult
Status: Contemporary
Chemistry/Intensity: Yes
Humor/Wit: Yes
Conflict/Drama: Yes
Family Dysfunction: Yes
HEA: Yes
Source: NetGalley
June 24, 2018
Not as good as the last two books I read of the author's but it was still entertaining. There were definitely some questionable moments (a bit insta-lusty as well as insta-orgasmy) but overall, I liked it. I liked that there was a character with stage fright, which I easily saw as severe anxiety. I wish there was a little bit more character development with some of the side characters. I enjoyed seeing Presley's home life and how she grew up around music. Every time a fictional singer was mentioned, I wanted to look them up. I also wanted to hear music from Jukebox Bleu so that's usually a sign of good writing on the author. Create a world that I want a little bit more of even if there are issues with some of the other elements. I really wanted to see Paul's tattoo because the way it was described sounded gorgeous. Kenzie was probably my favorite after the two main characters. Though Presley's mom was pretty entertaining with her openness. Overall, the book was sweet and cute.
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