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The Keswick Chronicles #2
Take It
Fame comes at a price.
Not everyone can pay it.
Are you ready for everything to change?
This is your chance.
Take it.
* * *
Your favorite band is back.
Jack, JJ and Forever Fading Echoes return in "Take It: The Keswick Chronicles Book 2". Getting the band together was the easy part. Keeping the band together when fame and success come calling? That's a whole other story...
Not everyone can pay it.
Are you ready for everything to change?
This is your chance.
Take it.
* * *
Your favorite band is back.
Jack, JJ and Forever Fading Echoes return in "Take It: The Keswick Chronicles Book 2". Getting the band together was the easy part. Keeping the band together when fame and success come calling? That's a whole other story...
- GenresM M RomanceYoung Adult
Kindle Edition
Published January 18, 2018
5 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Kinnaird
23 books100 followersVictoria Kinnaird is the pen name of Scottish writer Vicki Scott. She lives in Glasgow with her family and her three dogs. She graduated from the University of Strathclyde in 2009 with a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Journalism, Creative Writing and English Lit. Victoria has been writing since she was 15 years old. She loves rock music, and most of her tattoos are related to bands that she loves!
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 6, 2018
3.5 Stars - I enjoyed book 1 and was curious to see what happens next. This one was more emotional, but it did feel a bit repetitive, a little OTT for my taste. It is definitely a YA book and the writing felt that way to me, it had that young audience feel. I am a sucker for HS/College stories, but I like them to read as it was directed to an older reader
February 2, 2020
This one is a lot different from the first one. While in the first Jack has it all together and JJ is the one who is losing it, here Jack is tumbling down and JJ holds it all together.
The band is a success and we are witnessing how the friends are holding it.
With Jack taking the time to put himself together JJ is doing better and better.
To be real to themselves they have to be real to the outside world and come out.
With Jack back, JJ is the happiest man on earth.
This story was a lot darker. With the death of a family member, an addiction, mental illness, the story is all quite hard. This all was well woven into each other to make it an amazing story.
The fact they are steady in love with each other made the heavy things a lot bearable.
The emotions are more palpable in this story, grieve, lost, love it’s all there. And above all this, there is the beauty of instruments, mesmerizing lyrics and voices and... healing music.
The band is a success and we are witnessing how the friends are holding it.
With Jack taking the time to put himself together JJ is doing better and better.
To be real to themselves they have to be real to the outside world and come out.
With Jack back, JJ is the happiest man on earth.
This story was a lot darker. With the death of a family member, an addiction, mental illness, the story is all quite hard. This all was well woven into each other to make it an amazing story.
The fact they are steady in love with each other made the heavy things a lot bearable.
The emotions are more palpable in this story, grieve, lost, love it’s all there. And above all this, there is the beauty of instruments, mesmerizing lyrics and voices and... healing music.
December 22, 2017
A great continuation to the story of everyone's favorite up-and-coming rock band.
The pace was slower in this one compared to Fake It, but that only worked in its advantage. The book seemed more put together, somehow, in the narration and the storyline. All in all, this was a better reading experience (in my opinion) for me narration wise compared to Fake It.
Storywise, I also liked this better. All the characters have matured and have more depth now. Especially Jack undergoes a big personal development in this. I wasn't a fan of his self-pity, and he annoyed me a lot through the first half of the book. I definitely understand the choice to give him that storyline, because the satisfaction you get in the end from seeing his development is higher because of it, but that is what dragged it down for me.
JJ is a great character in this one, and he was my favorite. Imagine finding someone who loves you like JJ loves Jack......
ARC provided by the author.
The pace was slower in this one compared to Fake It, but that only worked in its advantage. The book seemed more put together, somehow, in the narration and the storyline. All in all, this was a better reading experience (in my opinion) for me narration wise compared to Fake It.
Storywise, I also liked this better. All the characters have matured and have more depth now. Especially Jack undergoes a big personal development in this. I wasn't a fan of his self-pity, and he annoyed me a lot through the first half of the book. I definitely understand the choice to give him that storyline, because the satisfaction you get in the end from seeing his development is higher because of it, but that is what dragged it down for me.
JJ is a great character in this one, and he was my favorite. Imagine finding someone who loves you like JJ loves Jack......
ARC provided by the author.
July 20, 2022
In book 1, the story is about chasing your dreams and love. Book 2 is about how you deal with everything once you realize those dreams and about not forgetting who you are. The pressures of being on the road and in the public eye start to wear on some of the band members. While some seem to thrive in the spotlight, some are drowning, Jack especially. This time it's JJ that's trying to hold it all together. The story deeply touched me, in this book especially. I know that I will be re-reading these at some point to experience it all over again.
These books blew me away. I worry I won’t be able to do them justice with my reviews, honestly. If you love rock music, you will love these books. I'll never forget them or how they made me feel.
I am voluntarily leaving an honest review in exchange for a copy. Book 3 can’t get here soon enough!
These books blew me away. I worry I won’t be able to do them justice with my reviews, honestly. If you love rock music, you will love these books. I'll never forget them or how they made me feel.
I am voluntarily leaving an honest review in exchange for a copy. Book 3 can’t get here soon enough!
December 13, 2017
I was given an ARC of this book thanks to Victoria. I enjoyed this one as well as the last book, it just seemed a bit slower to me. I loved JJ and Jack again, in their struggles to find who they are and their place in life. This book had lots of feels, happiness, sorrow, and struggles in the crazy music world. It is a warm book how all the band mates are family first and protect and take care of one another. I am looking forward to next book in series.
February 4, 2020
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
~
Take It (The Keswick Chronicles, Book 2) by Victoria Kinnaird
★★★★★
318 Pages
POV: 1st, and 3rd person
Content Warning: deals with cancer, drug/alcohol abuse, anxiety, depression, rehab
~
Take It is an emotional rollercoaster. A bittersweet love story. It hurts. It shines. And it exposes the dark underbelly of life, love, teen fame, loss and rock and roll. Take It is the ugly truth of what is left when the mask is ripped off.
“Home was a mirror I didn't have the strength to look in to. I knew I wouldn't be able to stand what stared back out at me.”
At nearly twice the length of Book 1, Take It sees the band at the start of their career. Not the shiny, flashy one that we all see in the movies, but the hard graft and sleepless nights that go into making something work. To building a legacy. It follows them through the highs and lows of success, budding stardom, and how fame takes a toll on their personal lives and values. In the background, as ever, lurks the struggle of maintaining the right look, finding the right words, and dealing with family.
I'm not going to say a lot about the plot, because there are too many surprises and twists that I might giveaway. All I can say is that I was heartbroken, with tears in my eyes for about 80% of the book. Tears of joy, sadness, heartache, and a strange pride for these teenagers who had their s*it together and, even the ones who didn't, managed to pull through the darkness to the other side.
“He was everything. His voice, his smile, the spark in his eyes, it lit something in the corners of my heart that I didn't even know was there, the capacity to love someone so completely I couldn't imagine life without him.”
I will always love Aunt Rose, Dad Dan, and the band. I also loved Bodhi and the team that came together to support JJ in the darkest times. Eleanor was a piece of work.
The story dealt with some dark issues. It was definitely heavier and darker than the first book, but for good reason. You can't have growth if things stay the same, and you can't have success without a struggle. Jack's journey was touching, moving, devastating, and yet perfectly tallied with who the characters had always been. Roles were reversed and people stepped up who you thought would break down. JJ was a shining beacon through every moment. Things happened that shouldn't happen to kids of this age, and they made decisions they were smart enough to know better about. But that's what was so good about it. This wasn't the shining world of fiction. These were kids thrown into super-stardom before they knew what it meant, before they were ready, and the consequences were almost inevitable.
Through it all, JJ and Jack were solid. They never faltered, never wavered. Their feelings for one another were the one constant in their lives and neither second guessed them. They doubted themselves, they were afraid it was all too good to be true, they took time away from each other, but they never once thought about walking away for good, because they already knew they couldn't. They're not JJ and Jack anymore...they're Jude and Jack, and that was a whole other story to be explored in this book.
“Anything that happens to you, everything that happens to you...I feel it too. So if this is how you bow out, then it's how I go too. Mutually assured destruction. You're my bomb, baby.”
Regardless of what they went through, these kids stuck together. Friends first, band mates second. It wasn't just a fun motto for them, it was how they lived their lives. When one hurt, they all hurt. And when one of them needed them, the rest of the band was there.
The Second Doesn't Suck was a beautiful and perfect moment. With a perfect ending, a perfect Encore, and the light-hearted relief of the short story Rule 1 to end, Take It was a journey of discovery, a heartrending mass of tangled emotions, and a promise of brighter things to come in the future.
Bring on Make It!
~
Favourite Quotes
“You found me.”
“You were right where I left you.”
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
~
Take It (The Keswick Chronicles, Book 2) by Victoria Kinnaird
★★★★★
318 Pages
POV: 1st, and 3rd person
Content Warning: deals with cancer, drug/alcohol abuse, anxiety, depression, rehab
~
Take It is an emotional rollercoaster. A bittersweet love story. It hurts. It shines. And it exposes the dark underbelly of life, love, teen fame, loss and rock and roll. Take It is the ugly truth of what is left when the mask is ripped off.
“Home was a mirror I didn't have the strength to look in to. I knew I wouldn't be able to stand what stared back out at me.”
At nearly twice the length of Book 1, Take It sees the band at the start of their career. Not the shiny, flashy one that we all see in the movies, but the hard graft and sleepless nights that go into making something work. To building a legacy. It follows them through the highs and lows of success, budding stardom, and how fame takes a toll on their personal lives and values. In the background, as ever, lurks the struggle of maintaining the right look, finding the right words, and dealing with family.
I'm not going to say a lot about the plot, because there are too many surprises and twists that I might giveaway. All I can say is that I was heartbroken, with tears in my eyes for about 80% of the book. Tears of joy, sadness, heartache, and a strange pride for these teenagers who had their s*it together and, even the ones who didn't, managed to pull through the darkness to the other side.
“He was everything. His voice, his smile, the spark in his eyes, it lit something in the corners of my heart that I didn't even know was there, the capacity to love someone so completely I couldn't imagine life without him.”
I will always love Aunt Rose, Dad Dan, and the band. I also loved Bodhi and the team that came together to support JJ in the darkest times. Eleanor was a piece of work.
The story dealt with some dark issues. It was definitely heavier and darker than the first book, but for good reason. You can't have growth if things stay the same, and you can't have success without a struggle. Jack's journey was touching, moving, devastating, and yet perfectly tallied with who the characters had always been. Roles were reversed and people stepped up who you thought would break down. JJ was a shining beacon through every moment. Things happened that shouldn't happen to kids of this age, and they made decisions they were smart enough to know better about. But that's what was so good about it. This wasn't the shining world of fiction. These were kids thrown into super-stardom before they knew what it meant, before they were ready, and the consequences were almost inevitable.
Through it all, JJ and Jack were solid. They never faltered, never wavered. Their feelings for one another were the one constant in their lives and neither second guessed them. They doubted themselves, they were afraid it was all too good to be true, they took time away from each other, but they never once thought about walking away for good, because they already knew they couldn't. They're not JJ and Jack anymore...they're Jude and Jack, and that was a whole other story to be explored in this book.
“Anything that happens to you, everything that happens to you...I feel it too. So if this is how you bow out, then it's how I go too. Mutually assured destruction. You're my bomb, baby.”
Regardless of what they went through, these kids stuck together. Friends first, band mates second. It wasn't just a fun motto for them, it was how they lived their lives. When one hurt, they all hurt. And when one of them needed them, the rest of the band was there.
The Second Doesn't Suck was a beautiful and perfect moment. With a perfect ending, a perfect Encore, and the light-hearted relief of the short story Rule 1 to end, Take It was a journey of discovery, a heartrending mass of tangled emotions, and a promise of brighter things to come in the future.
Bring on Make It!
~
Favourite Quotes
“You found me.”
“You were right where I left you.”
January 18, 2018
We pick up with Forever Fading Echoes pursuing their dream of making music and touring.
The kids are maturing and facing real success with the band. Can they keep it together as the band? Can they all survivor together or apart?
Take an emotional ride with JJ, Jack, and the rest of the band/family.
I know I felt a lot of different emotions with this one. I was happy, sad, wanted to strangle some people.
Check this one out after you read Fake It.
The kids are maturing and facing real success with the band. Can they keep it together as the band? Can they all survivor together or apart?
Take an emotional ride with JJ, Jack, and the rest of the band/family.
I know I felt a lot of different emotions with this one. I was happy, sad, wanted to strangle some people.
Check this one out after you read Fake It.
February 29, 2020
In book 1, the story is about chasing your dreams and love. Book 2 is about how you deal with everything once you realize those dreams and about not forgetting who you are. The pressures of being on the road and in the public eye start to wear on some of the band members. While some seem to thrive in the spotlight, some are drowning, Jack especially. This time it's JJ that's trying to hold it all together. The story deeply touched me, in this book especially. I know that I will be re-reading these at some point to experience it all over again.
These books blew me away. I worry I won’t be able to do them justice with my reviews, honestly. If you love rock music, you will love these books. I'll never forget them or how they made me feel.
I am voluntarily leaving an honest review in exchange for a copy. Book 3 can’t get here soon enough!
These books blew me away. I worry I won’t be able to do them justice with my reviews, honestly. If you love rock music, you will love these books. I'll never forget them or how they made me feel.
I am voluntarily leaving an honest review in exchange for a copy. Book 3 can’t get here soon enough!
May 4, 2020
I have been hooked on this series since the first book, Fake It. I absolutely love the characters. This book has challenges that our favorite characters have to figure out as their band starts to reach new heights. Over Fading Echoes isn’t a high school band anymore. And with new fame comes new growth in the characters. I love the tie in with music in this books. These books are super fast paced to read and had me on the edge of my seat.
August 10, 2019
I love where this story went. It was even better than the first. Sweet and moving and just a little heartbreaking. A new favourite.
January 18, 2018
I have waited a long time for the sequel to Fake It, and I can honestly say it was worth the wait. This book is the perfect follow-up. Beautifully written with a good plot, I was captivated from the first page till the last.
The band has become an overnight success. A welcome but surprisingly fast result, which they all have to get used to. They cope with the fame each in their own way. And Jack has the hardest struggle to fight. The author captured the lives of the boys and girls perfectly. Still, teenagers, they are growing up fast. But the motto of the band still stays the same: friends first, band second. And the love between Jack and JJ is unfailingly strong. No miscommunications or misunderstandings in this novel, but hard-fought conquering of their own (in their eyes) shortcomings. Just as it should be in YA/NA novels, the maturing and growing up are evident.
The author addresses several issues from mental illness to addiction. They delve not too deeply nor do they gloss over them. They just hit the nail on the head. It was hard to read sometimes, but the love and hope were always surfacing at the right time before it got too heavy. The emotions kept swirling through me, from laughing to crying and back again. And there might be some wishes to kick some people.The author didn’t take the easy way out as not all problems have been solved or could be solved. Realistic as life itself.
The ending is swoon-worthy. Sigh.
At the end of the book, there is a little surprise of how it all began.
The band has become an overnight success. A welcome but surprisingly fast result, which they all have to get used to. They cope with the fame each in their own way. And Jack has the hardest struggle to fight. The author captured the lives of the boys and girls perfectly. Still, teenagers, they are growing up fast. But the motto of the band still stays the same: friends first, band second. And the love between Jack and JJ is unfailingly strong. No miscommunications or misunderstandings in this novel, but hard-fought conquering of their own (in their eyes) shortcomings. Just as it should be in YA/NA novels, the maturing and growing up are evident.
The author addresses several issues from mental illness to addiction. They delve not too deeply nor do they gloss over them. They just hit the nail on the head. It was hard to read sometimes, but the love and hope were always surfacing at the right time before it got too heavy. The emotions kept swirling through me, from laughing to crying and back again. And there might be some wishes to kick some people.The author didn’t take the easy way out as not all problems have been solved or could be solved. Realistic as life itself.
The ending is swoon-worthy. Sigh.
At the end of the book, there is a little surprise of how it all began.
January 18, 2018
Friends first, band second; a concept that flawlessly carried over from the first book. As Fading Echoes pursues their dreams and reaches success they face the difficulties that come with that success. They were just teenagers graduating high school and now they’re growing as new adults.
As with the first book in the series, Fake It, you can feel the emotions that the characters are experiencing. There are times that my heart dropped, I teared up and I laughed. The detail used when describing settings put me right in the room with them. I could see it playing like a movie in my head.
JJ and Jack … those two. They are quite a pair.
I was glad to have found this series and definitely want to read more by this author.
As with the first book in the series, Fake It, you can feel the emotions that the characters are experiencing. There are times that my heart dropped, I teared up and I laughed. The detail used when describing settings put me right in the room with them. I could see it playing like a movie in my head.
JJ and Jack … those two. They are quite a pair.
I was glad to have found this series and definitely want to read more by this author.
January 19, 2018
I loved Jack & JJ!! I reread Fake It so my mind would refresh for Take It. I'm glad I did because it reminded me how much I love the main characters & their story. This story was a hard read I was nonstop crying from 40 percent until finished. My goodness, the angst & heartbreak had me losing it with the nasty ugly crying & heartache... WOW... But I made it through & finished the book with a smile on my face. Perfect ending & I So Can't Wait for book 3,Make It!
January 20, 2018
Amazing sequel! JJ and Jack switched roles, with JJ taking charge of making the band a success, as insecure Jack fell apart. I loved JJ so much here, as both cocky frontman and devoted boyfriend; and I felt so proud of him. And Jack, sweet Jack, who always looked out for his friends, was the one who needed help this time. This series is fabulous, and this couple is just lovely. Impressive work from a talented writer!
January 19, 2018
After reading the first book I was excited to get my hands on this one too! It didn’t disappoint. I love these characters even more than I did in the first book. Great story, well written, it just pulls you in.
February 3, 2020
I liked part one of this story a lot and I loved to see part 2 having a bit of a different feel, while maintaining the qualit and charm of part 1! I really liked the development of the MCs emotions and the plot!
January 13, 2024
I flew through both books this week. I loved the multiple POVs. The storyline was fantastic, and I just loved it.
February 7, 2020
So, Fake It had a beautiful ending. It was perfect, the van riding into the rising sun, the band happy and enthusiastic about their tour. They have the possibility to grasp their dream and make it bigger.
Only, it's not an easy ride for them, and their voyage to stardom is heartbreaking to witness. They're just kids, with so much to learn about themselves. Being under the spotlight and having too much attention on themselves is overwhelming. They're incredible and resilient, though. They take their motto, 'friends first, bandmates second', seriously, and it's amazing the way they circle stong around Jack when he needs their support. I'll admit I was afraid for a bit they wouldn't make it, but I should of trusted more in how durable their group's unity is, in how solid a bond they've built.
Take It is the story of their trials. They have everything they've ever dreamed of within their reach, if only they won't shatter before reaping the laurels of their efforts. Watching them admit their vulnerabilities, trying to keep strong despite them, was beautiful. I loved each and every one of them. Jack, JJ, Jess, Ash, Dylan, Brody, Dan and Rose. They made me cry and laugh, they made me believe in love, in friendship and family. I really hope that this isn't the last I'll see of Forever Fading Echoes, because I can't get enough of them.
Loved it.
Only, it's not an easy ride for them, and their voyage to stardom is heartbreaking to witness. They're just kids, with so much to learn about themselves. Being under the spotlight and having too much attention on themselves is overwhelming. They're incredible and resilient, though. They take their motto, 'friends first, bandmates second', seriously, and it's amazing the way they circle stong around Jack when he needs their support. I'll admit I was afraid for a bit they wouldn't make it, but I should of trusted more in how durable their group's unity is, in how solid a bond they've built.
Take It is the story of their trials. They have everything they've ever dreamed of within their reach, if only they won't shatter before reaping the laurels of their efforts. Watching them admit their vulnerabilities, trying to keep strong despite them, was beautiful. I loved each and every one of them. Jack, JJ, Jess, Ash, Dylan, Brody, Dan and Rose. They made me cry and laugh, they made me believe in love, in friendship and family. I really hope that this isn't the last I'll see of Forever Fading Echoes, because I can't get enough of them.
Loved it.
Read
January 19, 2018I found this novel to be a real surprise. I have not read book one yet, and thought I may struggle to get into this one.
I found the author has created a book that could be a standalone, but obviously reading book one, fills in the gaps and gives you a greater understanding of the characters.
Book Two starts just before the band hit the big time and are about to go on the road again.
Success is in their grasp and everything seems to be going well. JJ is lapping up being the front man of the band.
But Jack who is the brains and structure of the band is hiding a secret from his friends. He is struggling to cope with the fame and lifestyle of being in a band on the cliff of fame, his aunt Rose is diagnosed with Cancer, which brings back memories of his mother suffering and dying of the same desiese He turns to the bottle to help him cope with his increasing anxiety. The rest of the band notice but do not know how to help Jack.
Then everything comes to a stop when Jack collapses and the band talk him into going to a rehab clinic.
We see how Jack must work his way back from the darkness and learn how to cope in the future. He struggles with his self-worth, believing the band no longer needs him.
Meanwhile JJ is working his socks off as the front man, and trying to fill jack’s shoes, keeping everything moving forward.
I really love these two boys. Their love for one another is never in doubt, even at the darkest moments. JJ would do anything for Jack, but jack struggles to understand how someone as handsome and confident as JJ would stick with him.
The story is of dreams, love, struggle self honesty and most of all strength. It is another five star book from Victoria, the author of the amazing young adult paranormal series The Red Sun Rises.
I found the author has created a book that could be a standalone, but obviously reading book one, fills in the gaps and gives you a greater understanding of the characters.
Book Two starts just before the band hit the big time and are about to go on the road again.
Success is in their grasp and everything seems to be going well. JJ is lapping up being the front man of the band.
But Jack who is the brains and structure of the band is hiding a secret from his friends. He is struggling to cope with the fame and lifestyle of being in a band on the cliff of fame, his aunt Rose is diagnosed with Cancer, which brings back memories of his mother suffering and dying of the same desiese He turns to the bottle to help him cope with his increasing anxiety. The rest of the band notice but do not know how to help Jack.
Then everything comes to a stop when Jack collapses and the band talk him into going to a rehab clinic.
We see how Jack must work his way back from the darkness and learn how to cope in the future. He struggles with his self-worth, believing the band no longer needs him.
Meanwhile JJ is working his socks off as the front man, and trying to fill jack’s shoes, keeping everything moving forward.
I really love these two boys. Their love for one another is never in doubt, even at the darkest moments. JJ would do anything for Jack, but jack struggles to understand how someone as handsome and confident as JJ would stick with him.
The story is of dreams, love, struggle self honesty and most of all strength. It is another five star book from Victoria, the author of the amazing young adult paranormal series The Red Sun Rises.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews