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The first book in Rachel Lacey's sizzling new Rock Star Duet, where the only thing brighter than the glare of the spotlight is the power of love.

Pop sensation and Hollywood star Katherine Hayes has worked hard to maintain her squeaky-clean image. But with nude photos going viral on the internet, the ensuing smear campaign threatens to ruin everything.

A chance meeting with a handsome college professor—who’s adorably clueless about her identity—is a rare break from the stress. But when shocked recognition dawns in his eyes, her survival mechanism kicks in. She can’t simply let him walk away to add grist to the rumor mill.

Josh Randall has already loved and lost his soulmate. Yet when he witnesses Kate in a vulnerable moment, he can’t deny the pull between them. Even though he believes down to his bones that true love doesn’t come twice in a lifetime.

A no-strings fling sounds like the perfect solution. But Kate never expected Josh to see the woman hiding behind the celebrity—or that the paparazzi would catch on to their sizzling passion so quickly. Making it hard to keep their tangled emotions from tearing their hearts apart when it’s time to say goodbye…

362 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2018

141 people are currently reading
658 people want to read

About the author

Rachel Lacey

37 books2,345 followers
Rachel Lacey is an award-winning contemporary romance author and semi-reformed travel junkie. She's been climbed by a monkey on a mountain in Japan, gone scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef, and camped out overnight in New York City for a chance to be an extra in a movie. These days, the majority of her adventures take place on the pages of the books she writes. She lives in the mountains of Vermont with her family and a variety of rescue pets.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
Profile Image for DJ Sakata.
3,299 reviews1,781 followers
May 1, 2018
Favorite Quote:

You blend in like a supermodel at a nun convention.

My Review:

I enjoyed this well-crafted and heart-squeezing story from beginning to end. The writing was engaging and emotive while the storyline was entertaining, active, and well-paced. Ms. Lacey is a recent find for me and I have greatly appreciated her word skills with each foray into her work. Her characters tend to be uniquely flawed yet enticing and endearing. She has my attention now as I have joined the ranks of her adoring fans.
Profile Image for Kelly.
Author 20 books1,383 followers
April 7, 2018
UNWRITTEN grabbed me by my heartstrings and never let go. I have always loved Rachel Lacey's writing, and this book is no exception. It’s emotional and gritty and real, a rock star romance that sucked me in and stayed with me for days. So, so good!
Profile Image for ⚜️XAR the Bookwyrm.
2,341 reviews17 followers
May 5, 2018
FTC DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED AN E-ARC FROM THE AUTHOR. I VOLUNTARILY OFFER MY HONEST REVIEW OF THE BOOK, THOUGH IT IS NOT EXPECTED OF ME! RECEIPT OF THIS BOOK IN THIS MANNER DOES NOT AFFECT MY OPINION OF THE BOOK OR THE CONTENT OF MY REVIEW!

Oh, my goodness, this book was amazing!! While I have mostly enjoyed the author's work, there have been a few duds for me here and there. Not so with this story! This is more of a slow burn of a romance, which was just what it needed. I really got to feel for Kate as she went through all of her trials and tribulations, something I don't think I would have been able to do if it hadn't been such a slow burning romance story. Some of the things her mom said toward the end felt more like manipulation than truth, but it didn't get the chance to resolve itself either, which felt very realistic to me as well! I loved how Josh was just this bumbling professor, but especially loved that he was a professor of something as unique as Spanish literature, instead of just history or just regular literature. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great Rock Star Romance, and I am very eager for the next book in the series!
Profile Image for Books and Spoons.
1,612 reviews32 followers
May 1, 2018
A beautiful, emotional, and realistic story about the life in limelights, troubled childhood, loss of a loved one, and mostly, about opening your heart and falling in love despite the challenges it will create.
Rachel Lacey's beautiful writing pulled me into this tale that was real, emotionally raw, and vastly entertaining.
Obviously, I know nothing about the pop star lifestyle in reality, but the world the author created was authentic and realistic to me. It was stressful yet rewarding, challenging and demanding at times, luxury and splendor in few fleeting moments.
Josh Randall was easy to like and relate to. He is a kind, sweet, caring man, a college professor who has traveled the world and worked overseas. His family is important to him, dating and romance not so much. After losing his soul mate, the one he planned to build a life with from a young age, he didn't believe there would be love in the cards for him again. Compared to Kate's life, Josh might be the 'regular guy', but there is nothing boring or regular about him. He is fun, smart, cultured and educated. He can take charge when needed, he is protective, romantic, just all around a solid and attractive, the kind of man it is nearly impossible not to like him, or fall head over heels for him.
Katherine Hayes, aka Kate, has worked hard and relentlessly to create the world of fame and success she lives in. Coming from nothing to be the pop sensation has been everything she has focused on since her early twenties. But beneath the surface, it is all about survival, secrets, and enduring the pain of rejection and betrayal by those who are supposed to love you the most.
The connection between Kate and Josh is true, sweet, and passionate. I loved how the relationship is built over time, how they are first friends before lovers even comes a possibility. It is a challenging relationship filled with drama and turbulence, because of who Kate is and what Josh has had to overcome. Neither of them is perfect but they are so perfect for each other, it took my breath away.
An entertaining story that made me smile, sigh, and even laugh out loud. It was easy to get lost in the world created with the intriguing characters, the charming romance, the adorable fans, and the fascinating world of fame and glamour, and even the ugliness that comes with jealousy and greed from people surrounding you. There were also heartwrenching moments from the pain and betrayal, from the angst and torment of the nightmarish wounds from the past.
With five parts to the book, it felt like a saga of the legacy that is Katherine Hayes, a fascinating, poignant, and engrossing tale. An exciting start for the new series, that I am looking forward to!
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
Profile Image for Under the Covers Book Blog.
2,840 reviews1,342 followers
May 10, 2018



I received this book for free from Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.


It seems I don't get to read too many books about celebrities where the heroine is the huge star and falls for the every day regular guy.  So I was very excited to read this one!  Having read Rachel Lacey before, I was expecting a sweet story and she definitely delivers on that.

Katherine Hayes is a huge pop star with a clean image.  She meets a hot guy in a suit in Central Park while she was incognito walking her dogs while in town.  Most adorable meet cute scene!  I couldn't help but immediately like both of these characters and think they had great chemistry together.

While this book is on the light-hearted side, it also has emotional depth.  Both characters have gone through (and are going through) some tough situations.  It was nice to see the balance and how all of it affected their relationship.  It felt natural in a world that is nothing but fantasy for me.

I think my favorite thing was the fact that Katherine was so down to earth, so caring for her fans but not letting the stardom change who she was.  While I liked the hero, he was more on the beta side for me and maybe didn't stand out as much.  But I can definitely see the merit in him being the perfect counterpart to Katie.

When I saw this was a duet I thought their story would continue on book two but I was pleased to see book 2 is about Katie's assistant and her romance.  I'm so excited to read it because I adored her in this one.

*ARC provided by author
Reviewed by Francesca❤ ♡ Don't want to miss any of our posts? Subscribe to our blog by email! ♡ ❤
Profile Image for Riet De Bruin-Strijker.
212 reviews2 followers
April 28, 2018
Wow, what a wonderful five-star read. I finished this book almost an hours ago and I’m still in a daze.I loved the read, the thrill of reading it all. Couldn’t read fast enough to grasp all that’s happening in this awesome read. Slightly longer than any other books I’ve read by Rachel Lacey. The past coming back to haunt the heroine. “The public” so harsh with judgment. The dilemma of being famous is obviously clear in this book – do you give the people only the snippets of your life or do you give them all. What is life worth without gossip, the glitter and bling of being famous, is there another side? Then, the hero, a teacher who doesn’t want his life splattered in the tabloids. His past too, comes back to haunt the heroine. We need words to communicate, although traumas happening in the past are difficult to put into words. Words, unwritten, need to be said…
The story begins like this: pop sensation and Hollywood star Katherine Hayeshas worked hard to maintain her squeaky-clean image. But with nude photos going viral on the internet, the ensuing smear campaign threatens to ruin everything.

A chance meeting with a handsome college professor—who’s adorably clueless about her identity—is a rare break from the stress. But when shocked recognition dawns in his eyes, her survival mechanism kicks in. She can’t simply let him walk away to add grist to the rumour mill. When can you trust someone not to talk to the paparazzi? It is always a gamble to trust someone.

Josh Randall has already loved and lost his soulmate. Yet when he witnesses Kate in a vulnerable moment, he can’t deny the pull between them. Even though he believes down to his bones that true love doesn’t come twice in a lifetime.

A no-strings fling sounds like the perfect solution. But Kate never expected Josh to see the woman hiding behind the celebrity—or that the paparazzi would catch on to their sizzling passion so quickly. Making it hard to keep their tangled emotions from tearing their hearts apart when it’s time to say goodbye…
Profile Image for Alima Livzletlivz.
767 reviews2 followers
April 23, 2018
Today is where their story begins…the rest is “Unwritten”.

That is the premise of Rachel Lacey’s latest in her new series, Rock Star Duet. A pop-start meets a Spanish professor, helping rescue her dogs, and the rest they say is history. The unsuspecting professor Josh Randall is thrown into the limelight as he realizes that his newfound friend is the infamous pop sensation Katherine Hayes. Despite their worlds being apart, friendship grows, sparks flare and passion ignites between the sheets.

“Unwritten” is a stunning love story of a celebrity, hungry for a normal life, battling the rumors and hounds of Hollywood and the entertainment industry, overcoming personal demons and standing strong in the midst of media frenzy, the good and the bad, she never in her dreams imagined Josh Randall becoming her sanity and support. Katherine Hayes as that persona is an outstanding character created by Rachel Lacey.

Living a normal and quite life, having suffered a personal loss and trying to move on yet not able to let his love free, Josh Randall is the epitome of a regular guy going about his job on the other end of the spectrum. A son, uncle and a friend, he never imagined his life being tied with Katherine Hayes, and for her to become a person of interest to his heart…. her dogs, her baggage and her nightmares.

I have followed Rachel Lacey since her very first foray into writing, read every book of hers, and I can say with certainty that with “Unwritten”, she had penned her best novel so far. Her development as a writer, her innate portrayal of Katherine Hayes and Josh Randall, her deep understanding of the dynamics of various relationships and her brilliant narration of the story with emotion, betrayal and love is a true mark of her penmanship and her creative best.

The cover of “Unwritten” is as stunning as the story itself!

Received an ARC from the author for an honest review.

Profile Image for Misty (Reds Romance Reviews).
3,402 reviews6 followers
April 16, 2018
When the unthinkable happens and Katherine Hayes finds herself at the center of a media disaster, she wants to lock herself away from the world and pray that it blows over soon... but that is a little easier said then done when you have star power. She has always prided herself on being a good girl, one that young girls could look up to, and aspire to be, but then someone leaks hurtful fake photos of her, and suddenly she isn't the innocent woman every thought. Then fate puts man in her path who sees the woman behind the famous facade and for the first time in her life she feels like she has met someone who understands her, and can see her as something other than the famous rock star. But her and Josh's relationship comes with an expiration date, when they first met they agreed neither were in the market for love, so they settled on an strings-free adventure. But the more time that they spend with one another the harder it is to deny the feelings that they have stirred up, and suddenly this strings-free adventure takes a more serious tone, one that can either lead to forever.... or a pair of broken hearts!

Unwritten is a uplifting and beautifully crafted tale that will leave an indelible impression on your heart and a sense of overwhelming joy in your life! With it's amazing characters, and enthralling story line you really can't go wrong with this one, the instant my eyes landed on the page, the words took over and took me on an unforgettable literary journey. For two characters that came from completely different worlds, and had little in common, they managed to make me feel like they fit together seamlessly, their chemistry was palpable throughout, and the hurdles they had to overcome had a very relatable feel to them. I really enjoyed this newest offering from Ms. Lacey, it was comparable to her other novels that I have read, but I must say that there was an emotional depth to this one that not only took me by surprise, but also left me deeply moved, definitely my favorite from her to date!! I highly recommend you get your hands on this one, it is certain to tug on your heart strings and linger with you long after the last page is swiped!!

I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and voluntarily read and reviewed.
Profile Image for Isha Coleman.
8,928 reviews172 followers
April 28, 2018
Lacey makes it easy to get lost in romance. Empathy, humor and a pinch of sentiment come together to mix a bit of classic fairytale fantasy with the realism of life. Unwritten is not that unique, but the devil is in the details. The heart is there, the yearning is evident and the hope for a happy ending is an irresistible draw. The woman that seems to have it all, comes to realize she never had a clue. The dream she found is not the one she wants. It takes a scandalous development, to lead her to where she belongs. Josh is the home that Katherine, never knew she wanted. Can she convince the man of her dreams, that he's all that she needs to be happy? Simply sweet romance.
Profile Image for Heather.
1,433 reviews24 followers
April 17, 2018
This is definitely one of the best romance books I have read in a while. I immediately loved Kate and Josh together and couldn't help feeling bad as Kate got hit with so many personal attacks right after another. Fortunately she had Josh in her corner. Maybe being famous isn't really all that it's cracked up to be!
Honestly, I was surprised to see that Rachel Lacey wrote this novel ten years ago. Even so, she managed to tie in so well with the current #MeToo movement and adeptly handled the tough topic of rape.
Definitely looking forward to Jenn's story in the next book and maybe another one that features more of Kate's new half sister?
Profile Image for Natasha εïз.
144 reviews
April 2, 2018
You thought you were having a bad week? Wait until you meet Kate and see how bad her week is going! The only highlight to that week was meeting Josh! Destiny had a big role in these two people meeting and it was fun to see how that happened! Both of the characters have had events in their past that have stunted the people they are now and it is enjoyable to watch them grow with each other! Can't wait to read the second book!

This is a story that Rachel wrote 10 years ago and is now being given it's 'due'! I first started reading Ms. Lacey's work when I stumbled upon the "Love to the Rescue series". I've been sucked in by her work including one of her latest works "Crash and Burn". I can see a difference in Ms. Lacey's writing between this book and her latest and love seeing the advancement of her characters and story development. As for my rating, if I have enjoyed a book and cannot wait to read the next, my rating will reflect that as a 4 star rating; it is on rare occasions that I will rate a book 5 stars.
Profile Image for Ann Lorz.
1,707 reviews22 followers
May 8, 2018
Reviewed for Romancing the Readers Blog: https://romancingthereaders.blogspot....

I really enjoy books by Rachel Lacey. That's one of the reasons I read Unwritten. But as much as I loved her I will admit I wasn't as excited about reading as I should have been. You see I'm not a huge fan of romances with famous singers in them.

To be honest I can't even tell you why. It's just not my cup of tea. But like I said I really like her so I pushed on and read Unwritten.

The story is very well written filled with a ton of emotions that will pull at your heartstrings. You won't be able to not feel when you read Unwritten. I also really enjoyed how fact paced the story line was. It felt like I flew through the story. One second I started it the next, I'm done. I really love that in a book.

I really enjoyed both Katherine and Josh. They are perfect together. They make you want to know more about them both and share in their story, and lets not forget I'm a animal lovers so any book with furry family members is a good book in my eyes. Even with me not a fan of the star part I really enjoyed this story and can't wait to read the next one.

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ARC received for a honest review
Profile Image for Heather andrews.
9,520 reviews162 followers
March 19, 2018
Josh is a hands on type of man, “no, I missed those symptoms entirely. I’ll have to keep closer tabs on you.” He stepped her back against the wall and braced his hands on either side of her. Then he leaned in and closed his mouth over hers." Josh is just so protective, “it’s time for you to go now, Doreen,” he said. “Kate’s been through enough today. She needs to rest.” I liked this book, this was a self-discovery book for Kate and she found a hunk along the way.
Profile Image for Sam.
75 reviews5 followers
April 7, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. Celebrity style stories are definitely another favourite of mine.
I felt it was easy to connect with the characters and it didn’t take me long to become hooked to the story whereas some books chapters go by before I get to the stage of not wanting to put it down.
The story was pretty good, the characters pretty likeable and there were also important messages in here too. I felt it hard to put down with thinking about it whenever I couldn’t read it and read through it faster than average for a book. Will definitely read the next one in this series and hope it’s a series she will continue with characters stories interlocking with each other. Read on the kindle...may look for the paper copy for my forever shelf. Really glad I read this book.
Profile Image for Rachel.
901 reviews14 followers
March 20, 2018
This one hit me right in the feels! I curled up and read this in a matter of hours I was so loathe to put it down. I actually got frustrated when my ereader's battery died with mere pages left to devour. These were two emotionally stunted; emotionally crippled people who find their way together. Never knowing what was going to hit next. Whether they could be together or if they would just end up tearing each other even further emotionally apart. Strong characters that build each other up and make each other stronger while still allowing for vulnerability. It was a beautiful love story.
Profile Image for Caro.
1,003 reviews
May 1, 2018
4.5 stars.

What a rollercoaster of a story.

We meet Kate and Josh. She’s a super mega star and he’s a professor just waiting for the school year to end so he can spend a year in Spain. They meet in Central Park and at first he doesn’t know who she is, but pretty quicly it becomes obvious.

Anyway, I loved these two so much. They come from two very different worlds and are currently living in two different worlds and are in different places in life. I could see why Josh was reluctant to start something with Kate, but the pull was too strong, and honestly, it was impossible not to be charmed by Kate.

Kate’s story was… wow. She had SO MUCH in her personal life, mostly from her past. I have no idea how she didn’t crumble before this. I wanted to hug her and beat the hell out of all her demons. She was incredible strong, but at the same time so freaking vulnerable. It didn’t help that she didn’t really deal with things.

I can’t say much without giving away key points in the plot, but I gotta say, her life was not that charming.

Which is why I LOVED Josh in her life. He gave her so much normality, just a guy and a girl dating and getting to know each other. Simple.

Loved this and that ending and epi… priceless. I can’t wait for the next in the series.

*Thank you to the author for providing a copy for which I’m giving my honest opinion*
Profile Image for Steph Nuss.
Author 10 books308 followers
April 8, 2018
Through fame and forgiveness, trials and triumphs, Unwritten is an inspiring masterpiece that encourages women to be heard. Rachel’s writing is strong, descriptive, and romantically lyrical, gripping my heart until the very end! #metoo
Profile Image for Crystal.
419 reviews
May 13, 2018
Holy. Crap. Unwritten was amazing! I love romance books that feel as if they are secretly a saga. It doesn't feel as if there is a clear-cut beginning, middle, and end. Instead, Unwritten is a beautifully flawed romance woven together from the deepest depths of Josh and Kate's hearts. The journey these two characters go through was fabulous, both as individuals and as a couple. They had to learn so much about themselves and about each other.

Kate never had someone to lean on. Sure she had Jenn and the rest of her entourage, but it's not the same as someone who loves you unconditionally. Unable to truly let her guard down has taken an imaginable toll on her heath. When she comes across Josh, there's something in him that she's immediately drawn to. Unwilling to take no for an answer, Kate peruses him until he gives in. Kate broke my heart in so many ways. The shit she went through with her mom to suddenly finding out she has a half-sister, well I'm surprised she kept it together for as long as she did. I wanted to be her friend, her confidant. Someone for her to confide in that wouldn't be tempted to sell her secrets. We all take that for granted when it's something Kate never had until now.

After losing his fiance, Josh is convinced that she was his one true love and anyone else wouldn't measure up. He goes through life not willing to open his heart to the possibility of being broken again. When he meets Kate, he's not quite sure what to think. Sure, there's an attraction neither one can deny, but to be able to keep their feelings casual doesn't seem possible. They try to keep things simple with no strings. As hard as I fell for Josh, there certainly were moments when I wanted to slap the guy. Through everything, he kept me firmly in his corner. I loved the way he was able to get Kate to lean on him while he was fixing his own emotional baggage.

I adored Unwritten. Rachel Lacey is an author that has been discovering different voices and I've loved every one of them. Unwritten is so different from her previous books, but I think that's part of the reason why I enjoyed it so much. If felt as if I was discovering a whole new side of her writing. Loved it! And next we get Jenn's story? Yay! I can't wait.

I received an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Lynn Brooks.
3,516 reviews43 followers
May 1, 2018
4 1/2 STARS!

Sweet, sensual and electrifyingly real! With the first book in her brand new Rock Star Duet, Rachel Lacey dazzles us with the story of a down-to-earth pop star facing ugly scandal and a harsh past coming back to bite her when she least expects it. As if he was sent to her at the time she was going to need him most, she meets an unbelievably kind soul of a man that she just instantly connects with. She's hesitant to trust anyone with her secrets, and he doesn't think love can strike twice, but the two of them together sparkle in a magical way that just works. It felt a little long as I was reading it, but the drama was spaced well throughout to keep our attention, and the characters were easy to become enthralled with. Detailed descriptions of settings and feelings left the picture painted in our mind as we traveled this trying path with Kate and hoped against hope that she'd get that happy ending she so richly deserved. Loved it!

Pop star Katherine Hayes has worked unbelievably hard to reach the top in her career. She adores her fans, and loves the work that put her on top, but fake nude pictures being spread across the internet are threatening to tank her career! She's anxious to set the record straight and get out from under this ugly cloud, but just when it seems things are on the right track, surprise after surprise pops out of the woodwork to derail her progress!

College professor Josh Randall has no idea who Kate is when he meets her during a walk through Central Park. They strike up a conversation and really enjoy each other's company, but once she's outed as a superstar, he backs away. Lucky for him Kate is persistent and insists that he have dinner with her to let her apologize for pulling the wool over his eyes. Josh lost the love of his life two years ago, and he knows he'll never feel that way about another person again ... but when Kate suggests a two week fling while she's in New York, how can he resist this gorgeous dynamo??
Profile Image for Emma .
2,506 reviews388 followers
May 8, 2018
Prepare yourself, Unwritten is an obstacle course of emotions; some you can tackle easily, others you wonder why you are putting your poor heart through such pain. There are a number of sensitive issues through the narrative, dealt with in a sensitive yet realistic manner, adding to the angst within the plot.

Kate is a pop star, she has worked hard to maintain her image and poured her heart and soul into her career. While on the outside Kate looks to have a fairy-tale life, no-one knows the dark secrets she keeps, the torment she suffers through in her nightmares and her desperate need to be loved. As such Kate craves the validation and adulation she gets from her fans; the impact of a smear campaign against her not only undermines her career but directly impacts Kate's confidence. 

Kate has the biggest heart and her ability to forgive probably makes her one of the best people I know. Emotionally neglected by the only parent she has known; Kate has struggled and ultimately thrived on her own since the age of 17. Although Kate has not dealt with the trauma of her past beyond the lyrics of her songs; something that is slowly eating away at her peace of mind and well-being.

Josh has had his own tragedies to deal with, struggling to move on from the loss of his first love. A chance encounter with Kate awakens Josh's long-dormant passion, although he is less than pleased to discover Kate's fame. 

As Kate and Josh embark on an ardent affair, they both struggle to control their emotions especially as Josh unwittingly crushes Kate's hopes of a future together. Watching both Kate and Josh navigate their way past their emotional scars was equally heart wrenching and hopeful. I completely adored the way in which fate connected Josh and Kate without them realising it. 

Although this is a duet, the next book, Encore, has different main characters although we have been introduced to Jenn in Unwritten. 
Profile Image for Angela M. Reed.
242 reviews2 followers
May 2, 2018
Unwritten wiil captivate from the beginning.

Unwritten (Rock Star Duet book1) by Rachel Lacey

Wow! Rachel Lacey has a way with words. She is an amazing writer. She puts everything she has into her books. I believe she writes from the heart. She really knows how to captivate her audience. Unwritten is a very powerful book. It really grabs the readers attention and leaves an amazing imprint in their heart.

In Unwritten you meet Kate and Josh. Kate is a pop star and Josh a professor. Now I bet your thinking what does a pop star and a professor have in common well that will surprise you. Kate and Josh are both dealing with struggles and heartbreak. Both Kate and Josh have suffered loss but in different ways. When Kate and Josh come together it's as if they were meant to be together and things clearly heat up. Kate and Josh are like two puzzle pieces that fit together perfectly.

Unwritten is an amazing book by an amazing and clearly very talented author. I really enjoyed reading this book. I felt my heart swoon and I laughed and I cried. I felt every emotion possible while reading Unwritten. It has a way of wrapping around your heart and staying there. Oh and I so love Ben and Jerry. Ben and Jerry just melted my heart. It was written in the stars long ago that Unwritten would become the perfect romance. Unwritten was not just about romance it was about finding yourself. I've read a lot of books and Unwritten is one of the best ever. I really felt connected to Kate and Josh. I really could understand their struggles and pain. Rachel Lacey said this was the first book she ever wrote and I must say it's fabulous. I couldn't believe it was her first. It was an honor and privilege to get to read Unwritten. Grab your copy and see why so many people including myself have fallen in love with Unwritten and Rachel Lacey.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
565 reviews8 followers
May 6, 2018
Katherine, "Kate", is out walking her dogs in Central Park when her dogs escape her grasp. One falls into a crevice, so Katherine goes head first into the crevice to rescue him. Josh happens along and offers to help in the rescue. Not recognizing her as a "star", they have a nice relaxing walk until....Katherine is recognized. Not wanting to be in the spotlight, Josh leaves the park but can't stop thinking of Kate.

Katherine can't stop thinking about the sexy professor. She locates his phone number and persuades Josh to go on a date. Even though the date was a bust, Josh can't stop thinking about Kate. They agree to a "no-strings" relationship for the remainder of her time in town--one month. During this time, her estranged mom, someone claiming to be her half sister, and a smear campaign complicate her life further. As her life falls apart around her, she finds strength in Josh. Josh, having lost his soulmate, begins to have feelings for Kate. In his denial, he says hurtful things to Kate to push her away. When she unexpectedly leaves town, he realizes he's made the biggest mistake of his life.

If rock star novels aren't your thing, this novel WILL change your mind! I'm not big on them as I don't like reading about groupies, unfaithful stars, drinking, or drugs that are usually associated with these novels. This novel isn't like that at all. It's a refreshing story of a girl, who struggles with her past to the point of it almost ruining her career and relationships. Then Rachel Lacey mixes in an educated man who has loved and lost. He's experienced so much pain that he vows to never give his heart away again. Two lost, hurting souls....I absolutely loved this novel! It's about rediscovery, forgiveness, and taking the risk to open yourself up to the chance of love. I read a gifted copy of this novel and all opinions stated are my own.
Profile Image for Jenn C Reads.
1,957 reviews48 followers
April 26, 2018
Received an ARC for an honest review.

I am liking this new series by Lacey. Kate and Josh meet in the park one day and hit it off. Unbeknownst to him, she's actually a huge music and movie star. Neither is looking for long term. She's only in New York for a few weeks and he still hasn't quite come to terms with the death of his childhood sweetheart/fiancee. And then things start going bad for Kate. While she was once a media darling that everyone looked up to, the press is getting a hold of some information, formatted to put Kate in the worst possible light.

I loved watching Josh and Kate together, especially when she was just Kate or when he was able to see how caring she was with her fans. Neither is looking for anything real, but slowly and surely, they find something. True, it's not easy and it comes a LOT at Kate's expense. (My God, could this poor girl get anything more thrown at her?)

Lacey wrote a great book with great characters. I was invested in the relationships that Kate had with everyone in her life. If anything, I wanted more closure around a few of them - although I guess we will get that in Jenn's book (great name by the way!). I did hope for a little more on Josh's side, either with Lily or Gabe or his parents...just to kind of flesh out who he was.

I did like the hint of suspense thrown in. While predictable at times, there were a few moments that kept me guessing about what was going to happen next and who, if anyone, was behind these attacks on Kate's character.

All in all, a great read that really makes you think about what celebrities have to go through, just to live their lives. Well done Rachel!
Profile Image for Kristen Johnson.
1,173 reviews48 followers
May 7, 2018
Unwritten is not at all your typical Rock Star romance, and I think that's what pulled me into the story deeper. This story has a fun, feisty, but also vulnerable heroine who just so happens to be a huge music star who finds herself wanting a little slice of normal life. Added to that is a strong, hurting hero who equal parts doesn't want to move on but also can't turn his feelings off either.

Katherine and Josh have both been through a lot in their lives, both suffering losses in different manners and those losses have painted their outlooks in some ways and affected them in others as well. For Katherine, she wants to be the Star that girls look up to, the one they think of someone they aspire to be, too bad things keep popping up that show her in a bad light and that her past is coming around to unload on her more. For Josh, he's been pretty happy with his lack of living life since his loss, but there's just something about Katherine that calls to him, he's not quite sure how to handle it or what it means.

As these two spend more time together, a deep connection grows between them, but they've said it was just a fling, a fling with a deadline at that. But when that ending looms, can they really let go? Can the bonds between them be that easily broken or will they admit, in each other they've found the perfect match?
Profile Image for Brandy Thornton.
227 reviews3 followers
March 21, 2018
I am a huge Rachel Lacey fan. And this book makes me an even bigger one. Kate and Josh totally enthralled me. First off Kate is such a strong independent women. She has been through hell in her life and yet still made something of herself. To go through what she did and become such a success and to be humble about it just amazed me. My heart broke for her. For her young self and all the stuff she is going through now. She is my hero for sure. Oh and I loved the dogs names in this book, and no I am not going to give them out. You will just have to read it to find out, lol.
Josh, Oh my Josh. He has his own baggage but he is Mr wonderful to me. There was a few things he says to Kate that I would like to slap him upside the head for, but in retrospect it was what he was feeling at the time so I guess I can forgive him. He is definitely the kind of man I would love to have by my side.
The chemistry between these two is evident right off and it is off the charts crazy. And for two people that have plenty of baggage you just cant help but root for them. And I rooted hard for them. This book gave me so many feels for sure. I highly recommend it. Cant wait to rad the second book in this duet.
Profile Image for Pam .
1,442 reviews13 followers
April 19, 2018
Unwritten is about a young girl that has worked hard to make something of herself. Her talent was recognized & she's moved her way to the top. Then a random act begins to cause everything to tumble around her. People want to pull her back down. Something from her past is causing nightmares & fear. Kate is slowly unraveling.

Josh is determined not to get involved again. His happy life didn't work out. His parents & his sister are trying to set him up with dates. They feel it's time for him to move on. A chance encounter in a park brings him into Kate's orbit. What can a professor & a pop star have in common?

Rachel Lacey managed to grab my attention from the minute this story began. The plot had twists & turns that kept me guessing. The pop star being a strong female was a change with the male being a slightly boring teacher. The message in this story was how easy it is to listen to & believe bad things rather than see the truth. It's terrible how hard some people will go to put someone else in a bad light. The characters were well developed & really likable. This was a raw, gritty look at fame & the press underneath the romantic storyline. I really enjoyed this book & cant wait for the next!
Profile Image for Juno.
189 reviews1 follower
June 1, 2023
I still can't believe i read a non sapphic romance and i really liked it.

This is not a fair review. I think i'd give it 4.5 stars if josh wasn't a man and less fucking manly. If I'm being fair this book is honestly just... good, I really hate to say it. This isn't me trying to bash straight relationships, my enjoyment of this book would've increased tremendously if it was sapphic. I recoiled from the love scenes, even skipped one, just because i don't want the mental image of a dick in my brain. They were... good though, well written and all that.

I wouldve loved this so much more if it was sapphic. truly a bummer.

This book handles very sensitive and triggering things very delicately. Both MC's have a lot of depth. Still fuck josh for not crying fucking once, i'm 90% confident about that which is fucking stupid if you take into account all that he's gone through and goes through in this book. Kate is a fucking fantastic character. Truly, one of my favourites.

I probably wont read this again, it took a toll to read non-sapphic for once. I really recommend it if you dont feel uncomfortable reading about straight relationships. If you are uncomfortable or just prefer reading queer stuff, I'd still recommend it if you like celebrity romances. It's a good book.
Profile Image for Claire Scott.
277 reviews4 followers
March 22, 2018
Review of Unwritten by Rachel Lacey

I have just finished Unwritten and I can't believe Rachel wrote it 10 years ago.

Sometimes you read a book that crawls under your skin, touches your heart and leaves an imprint....This book has done this. It was so well written, and packs an emotional punch

On the surface, you might be expecting a simple famous girl falls for a handsome man, and story revolves around them dealing with fame. It is but it is so much more. Kate and Josh each have demons they face, Kate more so, and the way Josh supports her through everything is beautifully written, with so much depth

I don't want to spoil anything for readers....I will only say that this is a fantastic story that I encourage everyone to read

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for MK.
1,620 reviews22 followers
March 22, 2018
Coming May 1st, 2018: Book 1 in the Rock Star Duet-
Amazing book and so emotional. It just grabbed my heart.
Katherine Hayes aka Kate is a Hollywood pop star music singer, and
role model to many young girls until something horrible is leaked out.
On the same day she meets a college professor Josh Randall who
treats her as a women. Until he knows who she really is.

When Josh meets Kate in the park she’s in dire need of help with her dog. Of course he helps. He’s drawn to her. After losing the love of his life he never thought he could feel love again. When he finds out who she really is he rethinks things. He does show some compassion later when she’s left exposed, and hurting.

See what happens between Josh and Kate. It’s an amazing book and you won’t be able to put down.
634 reviews11 followers
April 23, 2018
This is the first book in Rachel Lacey's new rock star duet books. In this book we meet Kate who is a famous singer but who is going through personal issues but trying to keep her chin up. She meets college professor Josh while out with her dog, and Josh has no clue who she is. Their first meeting was so cute. He is a very thoughtful guy who thinks of others & does what he can to help those who need it.

Josh had already lost his love and wasn't looking for a relationship. Kate also figured Josh would just look at her & see the public, famous persona she put on and not the woman behind that. Josh saw both & fell in love with her for who she is.

I loved this story & these characters. I am looking forward to reading the second book in this duet when it comes out.
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