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Lake Haven #1
Suddenly in Love
Mia Lassiter is thrilled to finally put her artistic skills to use working for her aunt’s interior design shop in her hometown of East Beach. While renovating an old mansion overlooking stunning Lake Haven, she encounters a scruffy but attractive man named Brennan—the owner’s son. She doesn’t realize this sexy recluse is actually Everett Alden, the world-famous rock star in hiding who’s nursing his own artistic and personal crises.
As their personalities clash, tension simmers between the struggling artist and jaded musician, and their time spent alone together in the gorgeous old house only serves to turn up the heat. Soon, Mia and Brennan’s creative passions boil over to inspire passions of another kind…
But reality comes crashing in when Mia’s celeb-obsessed cousin discovers Brennan’s true identity—and reveals it to the world. As paparazzi and industry execs swarm the mansion, Brennan is thrust back into his rock star lifestyle. Will Mia lose her soul mate just when she’s finally found him? Can their love survive the glaring spotlight?
As their personalities clash, tension simmers between the struggling artist and jaded musician, and their time spent alone together in the gorgeous old house only serves to turn up the heat. Soon, Mia and Brennan’s creative passions boil over to inspire passions of another kind…
But reality comes crashing in when Mia’s celeb-obsessed cousin discovers Brennan’s true identity—and reveals it to the world. As paparazzi and industry execs swarm the mansion, Brennan is thrust back into his rock star lifestyle. Will Mia lose her soul mate just when she’s finally found him? Can their love survive the glaring spotlight?
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 5, 2016
1407 people are currently reading
1910 people want to read
About the author
Julia London
190 books3,137 followersJulia London is the New York Times and USA Today best selling author of more than two dozen romantic fiction novels. She is the author of the popular historical romance series, the Cabot Sisters, including The Trouble with Honor, The Devil Takes a Bride, and The Scoundrel and the Debutante. She is also the author of several contemporary romances, including Homecoming Ranch, Return to Homecoming Ranch, and The Perfect Homecoming.
Julia is the recipient of the RT Bookclub Award for Best Historical Romance and a six-time finalist for the prestigious RITA award for excellence in romantic fiction. To keep up with all the Julia London news, please visit http://www.julialondon.com. Follow her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/julialondon
Julia is the recipient of the RT Bookclub Award for Best Historical Romance and a six-time finalist for the prestigious RITA award for excellence in romantic fiction. To keep up with all the Julia London news, please visit http://www.julialondon.com. Follow her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/julialondon
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 257 reviews
October 9, 2019
Artist meets artist.
Mia is failing at her passion. She just got told by her favorite artist that her work lacks feeling. With no job and no rent money, she is forced to move back home. Luckily, her aunt gave her a job to help flip the Yates' house. That's artsy, right? And that's where she meets Brennan.
Everett Alden, aka Brennan, is a rock star who has lost his way. His best friend just died of an overdose, and his band/career is on the rocks. He is tired of performing songs that mean nothing to him. His band, on the other hand, just wants fame and fortune. Brennan keeps shutting everyone out until he meets Mia. He thought she was just a groupie, but she has no idea who he is. To Brennan, that's refreshing. He can't keep his mind off of the strangely dressed woman - and he doesn't want too either.
This is cute, fast read. It is a tale of two frenemies that become lovers. A negative, in my opinion, is this storyline/plot has been literally beat to death. Because of that, it really takes the mystery and excitement out of reading the book as we all know what is going to happen once Mia discovers Brennan's secret. No surprise there... The characters really keep you hooked as they are hilariously witty. Sometimes it can be a bit overdone, but beggars can't be choosers. Overall, I give this book 3 stars. If you are looking for a sweet rom-com, this one should do the trick! :)
Mia is failing at her passion. She just got told by her favorite artist that her work lacks feeling. With no job and no rent money, she is forced to move back home. Luckily, her aunt gave her a job to help flip the Yates' house. That's artsy, right? And that's where she meets Brennan.
Everett Alden, aka Brennan, is a rock star who has lost his way. His best friend just died of an overdose, and his band/career is on the rocks. He is tired of performing songs that mean nothing to him. His band, on the other hand, just wants fame and fortune. Brennan keeps shutting everyone out until he meets Mia. He thought she was just a groupie, but she has no idea who he is. To Brennan, that's refreshing. He can't keep his mind off of the strangely dressed woman - and he doesn't want too either.
This is cute, fast read. It is a tale of two frenemies that become lovers. A negative, in my opinion, is this storyline/plot has been literally beat to death. Because of that, it really takes the mystery and excitement out of reading the book as we all know what is going to happen once Mia discovers Brennan's secret. No surprise there... The characters really keep you hooked as they are hilariously witty. Sometimes it can be a bit overdone, but beggars can't be choosers. Overall, I give this book 3 stars. If you are looking for a sweet rom-com, this one should do the trick! :)
Read
August 28, 2025Dnf 40 % Happy Dnf day to me! It’s not a bad book, it’s just incredibly slow. They have barely interacted and I know all about brocades. I don’t want to be this bored!😴
March 6, 2016
I picked this book out on a whim at Netgalley. It was the old incognito rock-star finds love trope, but something about it intrigued me. Even though she's been around awhile in the HR genre, Julia London is a new-to-me author; and I'm glad I gave this book a whirl. There was not a great deal of angst and drama to be found, just good, solid storytelling. It was a low-key story, very much character driven; and I really liked the leads.
A surprisingly enjoyable read; and I'll be looking for the next book in the series.
A surprisingly enjoyable read; and I'll be looking for the next book in the series.
June 20, 2016
20/6 - Meh. I didn't like Brennan very much, he was way too self-absorbed to start with and you know what they say about first impressions - they last. And my first impression of Brennan lasted through the rest of the book. This didn't really turn out to be the book I thought it was going to be. I was imagining a story that focused more on the renovations and showed Mia and Brennan stuck in the house, nearly alone together for days, weeks while she oversaw the work and he tried to work on his music in peace. Instead there was too much of Skylar and her aunt, too much of the other guy (I forget his name) and barely any renovating (I love renovation shows, so a renovating romance sounded like my kind of book).
The cover image for the book is really wrong, Mia looks nothing like the way she's described. The woman on the front cover looks like a shy, quiet librarian, not the creative artist with the unique dress sense that Mia is in the story. I hated Skylar and can't imagine why Mia put up with her, family or not. She was the most shallow, celebrity-obsessed groupie you can imagine with no thought for anyone other than herself and how she can get close to any celebrity that might be around (I got the feeling that she wouldn't have cared which celebrity it was, along as they were on the cover of a magazine). I hope London has no plans to give her a book because I can't imagine how she'll become a character worthy of a HEA. Despite how underwhelming I found this I would still pick up the next book in the series, if I saw it at the library.
The cover image for the book is really wrong, Mia looks nothing like the way she's described. The woman on the front cover looks like a shy, quiet librarian, not the creative artist with the unique dress sense that Mia is in the story. I hated Skylar and can't imagine why Mia put up with her, family or not. She was the most shallow, celebrity-obsessed groupie you can imagine with no thought for anyone other than herself and how she can get close to any celebrity that might be around (I got the feeling that she wouldn't have cared which celebrity it was, along as they were on the cover of a magazine). I hope London has no plans to give her a book because I can't imagine how she'll become a character worthy of a HEA. Despite how underwhelming I found this I would still pick up the next book in the series, if I saw it at the library.
April 22, 2018
This was an okay romance to listen to. Perhaps a little too cheesy for me, and I don't mean the cheddar kind of cheese, as I love that kind of cheese. I think the problem was that I didn't fully connect with the main characters, some of which may be due to the voice of the narrator. However, it was still reasonably enjoyable and has helped pass the time while I've been working over the weekend.
I borrowed this in audiobook format through Kindle Unlimited.
I borrowed this in audiobook format through Kindle Unlimited.
April 7, 2016
My praise goes to the author, this book reads like a movie. I'm so envious.
Really enjoyed the story, loved all the characters and geezus I cried! The only reason I rated this a 4 instead of a 5 is I found a few of the chapters dragged a bit. Again just my personal opinion
Really enjoyed the story, loved all the characters and geezus I cried! The only reason I rated this a 4 instead of a 5 is I found a few of the chapters dragged a bit. Again just my personal opinion
April 18, 2016
Suddenly In Love is Julia London at her best, and that's saying something because this is an author who just gets better and better. I honestly don't know how she manages to get into the heads of her characters the way she does, and yet time after time there she is with a new set complete with their own little foibles and personality traits. I'm pretty certain she's said something somewhere about the writing getting harder and really it's no wonder when you see the finished product. The lady is a perfectionist and it shows!
So on to Suddenly In Love and here we have two people who on paper could be polar opposites, except that they're not. Brennan is a hugely successful rock star who's reached that stage in his career where he's wondering about the point of it all. His creative spirit has fled and he just wants some time to regroup and find some direction again.
Mia has never really fitted in with the normalcy all around her. She is amazingly creative and had dreams of becoming an artist. Unfortunately that hasn't worked well for her and she's back in East Beach living with her parents and working for her Aunt Bess while she sorts out her life. Her first impressions of Brennan are hardly flattering and that's probably a good thing because for the first time in a long time he's hearing some less than delightful home truths.
Together Mia and Brennan are two halves of a whole, each drawing out the best in the other, each perfectly in sync with how the other is feeling and why. Until, that is, Mia's interfering cousin Skylar discovers Brennan and blows his cover.
There's so much to like in this book and I could rave for days. Suffice to say it's a great book and I can't recommend it highly enough.
So on to Suddenly In Love and here we have two people who on paper could be polar opposites, except that they're not. Brennan is a hugely successful rock star who's reached that stage in his career where he's wondering about the point of it all. His creative spirit has fled and he just wants some time to regroup and find some direction again.
Mia has never really fitted in with the normalcy all around her. She is amazingly creative and had dreams of becoming an artist. Unfortunately that hasn't worked well for her and she's back in East Beach living with her parents and working for her Aunt Bess while she sorts out her life. Her first impressions of Brennan are hardly flattering and that's probably a good thing because for the first time in a long time he's hearing some less than delightful home truths.
Together Mia and Brennan are two halves of a whole, each drawing out the best in the other, each perfectly in sync with how the other is feeling and why. Until, that is, Mia's interfering cousin Skylar discovers Brennan and blows his cover.
There's so much to like in this book and I could rave for days. Suffice to say it's a great book and I can't recommend it highly enough.
April 13, 2017
Review written: March 18, 2016
Star Rating: ★★½☆☆
Heat Rating: ☀☀☼☼☼
An Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book was received free via Netgalley for an honest review.
I first ran across Julia London when she was recommended to me for her historicals and I loved them! So, I figured I should give her contemporaries a try too. And what better way than picking up her newest from Netgalley. Suddenly in Love is the start of a new series for London and the back cover blurb sounded right up my alley: hot rocker and artsy, weird girl. Maybe it was the blurb that did this book in, maybe it was the interminable wait to get to the emotion of it, maybe it was the secondary characters. Probably it was a combination of all three.
It's no spoiler to say that Mia finds out the truth about Brennan after they are together, and from her rather self-serving parasite of a cousin. After all, the blurb touts it. But that is the last part of the book. The first half to two thirds is this slow repetition of how both Brennan and Mia are stuck inside their own little bubbles. They don't even go on a date until past the midway point of this book. They just angst at each other ad nauseum. Both of them have plenty to angst about. Brennan has had several things to unsettle him. Mia's confidence as an artist has been shaken, and she was never too confident to begin with. It starts with a clash of wills and slowly, too slowly, turns into something else- something deep.
Against a backdrop of deep and painful life changes, both Mia and Brennan fight the imposition of others' desires on their lives and their needs. It's a coming together based on where they are at that time in their lives and because they each get the other in an indefinable way by virtue of the fact that both have to deal with others' expectations of them when they want the exact opposite - mostly to be who they are without apology. Both Mia and Brennan have character arcs but it feels like both ended up mostly in the same place they were before: Brennan back to touring and a new album at least partly dictated by Chance and Mia back to clothing rather than painting. While there are improvements in their lives, they are not wholesale changes.
The pace of the book is just too slow for me. The endless first two thirds just can't be completely wiped out by the strength of the final third. That part, once the reveal happens, is where the emotions pick up, the story picks up, the characters sparkle. There is conflict and choices to be made. There are other characters who have to be dealt with, notably Chance and Skylar. There are painful moments and uplifting moments. Here, both of them grow up a bit and make the hard decisions. I wish the rest of the book had had this same emotional punch.
I'll definitely read another in this series. I know London is a great writer. This one just didn't work for me.
This review is ©March 2016 by Monique N. and has been posted to Netgalley.
Star Rating: ★★½☆☆
Heat Rating: ☀☀☼☼☼
An Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book was received free via Netgalley for an honest review.
I first ran across Julia London when she was recommended to me for her historicals and I loved them! So, I figured I should give her contemporaries a try too. And what better way than picking up her newest from Netgalley. Suddenly in Love is the start of a new series for London and the back cover blurb sounded right up my alley: hot rocker and artsy, weird girl. Maybe it was the blurb that did this book in, maybe it was the interminable wait to get to the emotion of it, maybe it was the secondary characters. Probably it was a combination of all three.
It's no spoiler to say that Mia finds out the truth about Brennan after they are together, and from her rather self-serving parasite of a cousin. After all, the blurb touts it. But that is the last part of the book. The first half to two thirds is this slow repetition of how both Brennan and Mia are stuck inside their own little bubbles. They don't even go on a date until past the midway point of this book. They just angst at each other ad nauseum. Both of them have plenty to angst about. Brennan has had several things to unsettle him. Mia's confidence as an artist has been shaken, and she was never too confident to begin with. It starts with a clash of wills and slowly, too slowly, turns into something else- something deep.
Against a backdrop of deep and painful life changes, both Mia and Brennan fight the imposition of others' desires on their lives and their needs. It's a coming together based on where they are at that time in their lives and because they each get the other in an indefinable way by virtue of the fact that both have to deal with others' expectations of them when they want the exact opposite - mostly to be who they are without apology. Both Mia and Brennan have character arcs but it feels like both ended up mostly in the same place they were before: Brennan back to touring and a new album at least partly dictated by Chance and Mia back to clothing rather than painting. While there are improvements in their lives, they are not wholesale changes.
The pace of the book is just too slow for me. The endless first two thirds just can't be completely wiped out by the strength of the final third. That part, once the reveal happens, is where the emotions pick up, the story picks up, the characters sparkle. There is conflict and choices to be made. There are other characters who have to be dealt with, notably Chance and Skylar. There are painful moments and uplifting moments. Here, both of them grow up a bit and make the hard decisions. I wish the rest of the book had had this same emotional punch.
I'll definitely read another in this series. I know London is a great writer. This one just didn't work for me.
This review is ©March 2016 by Monique N. and has been posted to Netgalley.
May 2, 2016
C- I really did enjoy the story, but was extremely dissatisfied with the ending, and it brought the grade down quite a bit. There was little angst or drama (aside from the cousin from h***), but at the end I was left scratching my head.
April 30, 2016
While the whole rocker in disguise thing has been overdone, I liked the book well enough. I still prefer her HRsr though ^^
December 12, 2017
This is a cute story - a variation of the rock star falls for the nobody. But the characters here are wonderful and the banter is fantastic. I love that Julia London doesn't get overly graphic with the sex scenes and that she doesn't end things neatly. It's always happy - but kind of messy at the same time.
I would never have enjoyed this as much as I did were it not for the audio narration by Cristina Panfilio. She is seriously talented. I'll definitely be looking into other things she's narrated.
I would never have enjoyed this as much as I did were it not for the audio narration by Cristina Panfilio. She is seriously talented. I'll definitely be looking into other things she's narrated.
July 28, 2017
2.5 stars
June 3, 2016
The genre of Contemporary Romance is one of my favorites and Suddenly In Love suits this category like a dream. Ms. London has created so many interesting characters here that I found myself sinking into the story as if taking a fragrant soak in my favorite bubble bath.
Brennan Yates, aka Everett Brennan Alden, the rock star seeking anonymity, while hiding away at his mother's Lake side mansion has no idea his world is about to come crashing down on him. He can't identify what is missing in his life but down deep knows drugs, booze and womanizing are not the answers. During this private and amazingly peaceful time, after years of touring and dealing with the superficial accolades of success, he meets Mia Lassiter, a woman who has returned home after a disappointing time spent in New York City, hoping to find herself as an artist.
Now working for her aunt's Interior Design business, Mia finds herself as an assistant on a project to renovate Brennan's mansion. Mia may feel insecure about her talent as a painter, but her strength and creativity to stand firm in her belief about what is unique to her self expression sets her apart from others. Most people want what they perceive as "normal." Anything that is different makes them uncomfortable. But Mia has always colored "outside the box," calls it as she sees it and has no problem voicing her opinion. Mia thinks Brennan is rude and arrogant. Brennan isn't used to women not falling at his feet.
The dialogue flows in a beautiful, poetically fluid way and honestly, this is one of the most exquisite romances I've read in a long time. Having captured the essence of two superbly matched souls, this is a book to be cherished and read again and again. The 5 star rating is for substance, style, humor and love.
I received an advance copy of this book for an honest review.
Brennan Yates, aka Everett Brennan Alden, the rock star seeking anonymity, while hiding away at his mother's Lake side mansion has no idea his world is about to come crashing down on him. He can't identify what is missing in his life but down deep knows drugs, booze and womanizing are not the answers. During this private and amazingly peaceful time, after years of touring and dealing with the superficial accolades of success, he meets Mia Lassiter, a woman who has returned home after a disappointing time spent in New York City, hoping to find herself as an artist.
Now working for her aunt's Interior Design business, Mia finds herself as an assistant on a project to renovate Brennan's mansion. Mia may feel insecure about her talent as a painter, but her strength and creativity to stand firm in her belief about what is unique to her self expression sets her apart from others. Most people want what they perceive as "normal." Anything that is different makes them uncomfortable. But Mia has always colored "outside the box," calls it as she sees it and has no problem voicing her opinion. Mia thinks Brennan is rude and arrogant. Brennan isn't used to women not falling at his feet.
The dialogue flows in a beautiful, poetically fluid way and honestly, this is one of the most exquisite romances I've read in a long time. Having captured the essence of two superbly matched souls, this is a book to be cherished and read again and again. The 5 star rating is for substance, style, humor and love.
I received an advance copy of this book for an honest review.
December 2, 2018
This was a new author for me and I like it. It was a little simple and occasionally unbelievable, but enjoyable. I will consider more by the author in the future.
I listened to the audio with Cristina Panfilio narrating. I thought she did a good job with the story.
I listened to the audio with Cristina Panfilio narrating. I thought she did a good job with the story.
September 25, 2018
A beautifully written, feel-good romance from this wonderful author of both contemporary and Historical romance. Mia is an artist and has come home to Lake Haven after she looses her job in New York. Brennan is in seclusion, hiding at his mother's new lakeside home (which he bought) after an exhausting rock concert tour and the death of his friend. Mia is working on the house renovation for her aunt's decorating business and they slowly connect, forming a reluctant friendship at first, that eventually turns into a slow burn romance. There are lots of other characters sprinkled throughout the story (family members, work mates) although the main focus of the story is on the H/h - as it should be. There were some steamy bedroom scenes, not many however (also, they were over pretty quickly), as the focus was all on the day to day romance, their friendship, their lives, their work and Mia and Brennan's connection. I recommend this story - it ambles along gently with bits of angst thrown in along the way and is a lovely way to spend a few hours. I loved the last few chapters. 💕
November 9, 2018
Suddenly in Love (Lake Haven 1) - R
Violence: hard-core bullying
Language: fewer than 150, including deity. Fewer than 25 FBombs, some super crass phrases.
Sex: descriptive kissing, sex (easily skipped over)
Oh, this book was So Romantic!! Our h really had her head on straight and her obnoxious cousin was a perfect foil. The H was despicable at the beginning, so it was good watching him mature as a person in the h's love. I was sweating bullets about the HEA enough to constantly check the reading percentages on my Kindle. There was no way these two could be together and I felt their pain. Such a good book. I *really* could have done without the sex and language.
Returned for Content.
Violence: hard-core bullying
Language: fewer than 150, including deity. Fewer than 25 FBombs, some super crass phrases.
Sex: descriptive kissing, sex (easily skipped over)
Oh, this book was So Romantic!! Our h really had her head on straight and her obnoxious cousin was a perfect foil. The H was despicable at the beginning, so it was good watching him mature as a person in the h's love. I was sweating bullets about the HEA enough to constantly check the reading percentages on my Kindle. There was no way these two could be together and I felt their pain. Such a good book. I *really* could have done without the sex and language.
Returned for Content.
June 10, 2017
My Musings
Great read. I just loved the characters in this book. I can't wait to read the next book in this series. Happy reading!
Great read. I just loved the characters in this book. I can't wait to read the next book in this series. Happy reading!
December 28, 2017
Cheesy, but a good quick read.
January 29, 2018
Adorable
Very cute romance. Not too sappy, quirky, and just enough steam. Great take you away, before bed or vacation read.
Very cute romance. Not too sappy, quirky, and just enough steam. Great take you away, before bed or vacation read.
March 6, 2018
3,5 stars.
March 4, 2016
Great setting for a great story!
Most girls I know have all fallen for a rock star from afar. Mia fell for a rock star without even knowing that he was a rock star. Brennan had some life changes that caused him to need a break from his very public lifestyle. Mia was the antithesis of everything that had been in Brennan’s life for many years—artistic, introverted, and she had no clue that he was a lead singer and guitarist for a very popular rock band. The singer that had, for all intents and purposes, dropped off the face of the earth—she was not looking for a relationship, she was looking to find her niche.
Mia had dreams of being an artist. She loved to paint and draw, but she could never find the right inspiration to make her art really pop. She had been laid off from a job that barely paid her bills, her rent check bounced, and her favorite artist had basically told her that she was a wannabe, so she needed to pick another career choice. So, she moved back home to East Beach, and moved back in with her parents, with her tail tucked between her legs. She took a job with her aunt’s interior design company, and her aunt is trying to win a big contract with an old home that has been purchased and needs some redecorating. Mia is assigned to take photos to share with her aunt for to prepare the bid. Mia was not counting on meeting a scruffy guy that appeared to have no manners to speak of.
Brennan’s longtime friend and bandmate, Trey, died after a seemingly never ending battle with drugs and alcohol. He is known to the free world as Everett Alden, the lead singer and guitarist for Tuesday’s End, and cannot escape the celebrity he and the band had once craved. Between Trey’s death, and the constant pressure of the band, his manager, his publicist, and the ever-encroaching public, he felt like he was being squeezed. He flew home to hide at his mother’s new house in East Beach to take some time away and try to figure out what he really wanted rather than just blindly doing what was expected. Brennan initially thinks that Mia is a groupie, because that is what he has come to expect from the public. He couldn’t be more wrong.
Mia gets a bad first impression of Brennan her first day on the job, and things go from bad to worse….initially. She puts him in his place and tells him that he stinks. Literally. He looks like he hasn’t showered in weeks, is wearing clothes that look like they’ve been dragged through the dirt, and she tells him. He is not used to having women not fawn all over him and initially is totally dumbstruck. Then, he is totally insulted, but after she leaves, he realizes that she is right. When next Mia sees Brennan, he cleaned up rather nicely and his attitude appears different, as well. They both have much in common, as they want certain things in their life but, for whatever reason, it isn’t working out how they thought it would. They have gone through similar issues, and experienced several different things. Of course, they end up falling for each other.
The fly in the ointment here is Mia’s cousin Skylar. Skylar is very much a free spirit. She comes and goes as she pleases, and is oblivious to the chaos left in her wake. She doesn’t set out to intentionally hurt anyone or cause problems; she just doesn’t notice the reactions to her actions.
I really enjoyed this story and the underlying renovation work going on at Brennan’s mother’s house. I would love to do that at one point, so I loved that aspect of this story. I believe this is the beginning of a series of stories taking place in East Beach. I am hoping that Julia London will be writing about Jesse soon. He sounded interesting. I’m also hoping to learn more about Skylar. I loved Mia’s funky sense of style, and I loved Brennan’s mother. She was one of my favorite characters in the book because she had no qualms about telling Brennan what she thought—like most mother’s I know.
I can’t wait for the next installment!
Most girls I know have all fallen for a rock star from afar. Mia fell for a rock star without even knowing that he was a rock star. Brennan had some life changes that caused him to need a break from his very public lifestyle. Mia was the antithesis of everything that had been in Brennan’s life for many years—artistic, introverted, and she had no clue that he was a lead singer and guitarist for a very popular rock band. The singer that had, for all intents and purposes, dropped off the face of the earth—she was not looking for a relationship, she was looking to find her niche.
Mia had dreams of being an artist. She loved to paint and draw, but she could never find the right inspiration to make her art really pop. She had been laid off from a job that barely paid her bills, her rent check bounced, and her favorite artist had basically told her that she was a wannabe, so she needed to pick another career choice. So, she moved back home to East Beach, and moved back in with her parents, with her tail tucked between her legs. She took a job with her aunt’s interior design company, and her aunt is trying to win a big contract with an old home that has been purchased and needs some redecorating. Mia is assigned to take photos to share with her aunt for to prepare the bid. Mia was not counting on meeting a scruffy guy that appeared to have no manners to speak of.
Brennan’s longtime friend and bandmate, Trey, died after a seemingly never ending battle with drugs and alcohol. He is known to the free world as Everett Alden, the lead singer and guitarist for Tuesday’s End, and cannot escape the celebrity he and the band had once craved. Between Trey’s death, and the constant pressure of the band, his manager, his publicist, and the ever-encroaching public, he felt like he was being squeezed. He flew home to hide at his mother’s new house in East Beach to take some time away and try to figure out what he really wanted rather than just blindly doing what was expected. Brennan initially thinks that Mia is a groupie, because that is what he has come to expect from the public. He couldn’t be more wrong.
Mia gets a bad first impression of Brennan her first day on the job, and things go from bad to worse….initially. She puts him in his place and tells him that he stinks. Literally. He looks like he hasn’t showered in weeks, is wearing clothes that look like they’ve been dragged through the dirt, and she tells him. He is not used to having women not fawn all over him and initially is totally dumbstruck. Then, he is totally insulted, but after she leaves, he realizes that she is right. When next Mia sees Brennan, he cleaned up rather nicely and his attitude appears different, as well. They both have much in common, as they want certain things in their life but, for whatever reason, it isn’t working out how they thought it would. They have gone through similar issues, and experienced several different things. Of course, they end up falling for each other.
The fly in the ointment here is Mia’s cousin Skylar. Skylar is very much a free spirit. She comes and goes as she pleases, and is oblivious to the chaos left in her wake. She doesn’t set out to intentionally hurt anyone or cause problems; she just doesn’t notice the reactions to her actions.
I really enjoyed this story and the underlying renovation work going on at Brennan’s mother’s house. I would love to do that at one point, so I loved that aspect of this story. I believe this is the beginning of a series of stories taking place in East Beach. I am hoping that Julia London will be writing about Jesse soon. He sounded interesting. I’m also hoping to learn more about Skylar. I loved Mia’s funky sense of style, and I loved Brennan’s mother. She was one of my favorite characters in the book because she had no qualms about telling Brennan what she thought—like most mother’s I know.
I can’t wait for the next installment!
April 10, 2016
I've enjoyed some of Julia London's historicals in the past, particularly Devil's Love. So when I saw that she has a new contemporary romance coming out, I wasted no time in requesting this book from NetGalley.
The good news, I liked the book. The rock star in hiding trope is one of my fave rock star trope and Suddenly In Love screams "rock star in hiding" to me.
Everett Alden is the lead singer of one of the biggest rock acts in the world, Tuesday's End. They're on top of their game. Selling out world arenas for their latest world tour. But Everett Alden is done. He's tired and is seriously questioning whether or not his heart is still in the music or not. So he walked away after their tour to hide out in his mother's summer house in East Beach.
Mia Lassiter is also done. Done with her dreams of working with one of the most famous artist in the world and her dreams of becoming an artist. She's forced to go back to the home town that she hated because she had no money and no prospect whatsoever. So went back to work for her aunt who happens to own a decorating or designing business.
Mia and Everett's path crossed when Mia's aunt was tasked to restore Everett's old summerhouse. And it wasn't love at first sight. More like suspicion at first sight. Everett thinks she's a groupie while Mia thinks he's a grade A asshole. I got to admit that it was refreshing to read about a couple who wasn't instantly attracted to each other.
The romance between Everett and Mia developed gradually. They both have issues to deal with. Everett with his band and Mia with her dwindling career choice and battered self confidence. And like I said, I really enjoyed reading about them. The introduction of Mia's extended family was a particular favorite of mine. I also liked the dynamics between Everett and his mother. His mom isn't the perfect mom at all but she's a voice of reason when Everett slips up. The only person that I really didn't like was Skylar, Mia's cousin, who I felt like was written into the story just to irritate readers. I absolutely hated her. And I wanted Mia to stand up to her. But alas, it took her quite a while to finally stood up and say no to her cousin.
Skylar and a few other issues are the reasons why I only gave this a 3.5 rating. There were some plot points that were introduced that went nowhere, especially regarding Mia's past. I was a bit confused as to why it was fleshed out more since it really affected Mia's life. To me, it wasn't really resolved at all. No closure for Mia and for the readers.
Overall, this was quite enjoyable but not really the kind of epic I was hoping for. That said, I would definitely recommend this book for readers who like slow burning romances.
ARC provided by Montlake in exchange for an honest review.
The good news, I liked the book. The rock star in hiding trope is one of my fave rock star trope and Suddenly In Love screams "rock star in hiding" to me.
Everett Alden is the lead singer of one of the biggest rock acts in the world, Tuesday's End. They're on top of their game. Selling out world arenas for their latest world tour. But Everett Alden is done. He's tired and is seriously questioning whether or not his heart is still in the music or not. So he walked away after their tour to hide out in his mother's summer house in East Beach.
Mia Lassiter is also done. Done with her dreams of working with one of the most famous artist in the world and her dreams of becoming an artist. She's forced to go back to the home town that she hated because she had no money and no prospect whatsoever. So went back to work for her aunt who happens to own a decorating or designing business.
Mia and Everett's path crossed when Mia's aunt was tasked to restore Everett's old summerhouse. And it wasn't love at first sight. More like suspicion at first sight. Everett thinks she's a groupie while Mia thinks he's a grade A asshole. I got to admit that it was refreshing to read about a couple who wasn't instantly attracted to each other.
The romance between Everett and Mia developed gradually. They both have issues to deal with. Everett with his band and Mia with her dwindling career choice and battered self confidence. And like I said, I really enjoyed reading about them. The introduction of Mia's extended family was a particular favorite of mine. I also liked the dynamics between Everett and his mother. His mom isn't the perfect mom at all but she's a voice of reason when Everett slips up. The only person that I really didn't like was Skylar, Mia's cousin, who I felt like was written into the story just to irritate readers. I absolutely hated her. And I wanted Mia to stand up to her. But alas, it took her quite a while to finally stood up and say no to her cousin.
Skylar and a few other issues are the reasons why I only gave this a 3.5 rating. There were some plot points that were introduced that went nowhere, especially regarding Mia's past. I was a bit confused as to why it was fleshed out more since it really affected Mia's life. To me, it wasn't really resolved at all. No closure for Mia and for the readers.
Overall, this was quite enjoyable but not really the kind of epic I was hoping for. That said, I would definitely recommend this book for readers who like slow burning romances.
ARC provided by Montlake in exchange for an honest review.
October 21, 2017
I love Julia London. She is one of those authors that I can always trust to have an excellent story with characters I actually like 😊
This is the first in her new “Lake Haven” series/trilogy.
Mia and Everett were a very sweet couple. I loved how they just “got” each other even when no one else did. Mia was very likeable, not relatable (for me) but I did like her. The same goes for Everett to be honest. For a rock star he seemed very down to earth and I liked how he didn’t have an absolutely huge ego. Their love story was just very sweet.
My only real annoyance about this was Mia’s annoying family. I normally love the family that are secondary characters but I found most of the scenes with them tedious and annoying. They weren’t all that nice to Mia at times and it made me wonder why she hung out with any of them.
As usual I found Julia’s writing to be very good and the story drew me in and kept me there.
I found this to be a really easy light-hearted read.
This is the first in her new “Lake Haven” series/trilogy.
Mia and Everett were a very sweet couple. I loved how they just “got” each other even when no one else did. Mia was very likeable, not relatable (for me) but I did like her. The same goes for Everett to be honest. For a rock star he seemed very down to earth and I liked how he didn’t have an absolutely huge ego. Their love story was just very sweet.
My only real annoyance about this was Mia’s annoying family. I normally love the family that are secondary characters but I found most of the scenes with them tedious and annoying. They weren’t all that nice to Mia at times and it made me wonder why she hung out with any of them.
As usual I found Julia’s writing to be very good and the story drew me in and kept me there.
I found this to be a really easy light-hearted read.
August 21, 2016
“Brennan, you made me feel like I mattered and I belonged. ”
You know, I thought I had this done and dusted, the review finished and sent off to Scandal but overnight I changed my mind. You see overnight I came to a much deeper understanding of Mia and realisations of my own and this is why I told Scandal I would revise my review. There’s something about a character’s story hitting close to home, making your relate it to your own experiences and choices.
Suddenly In Love is the first book I have read by this author and the first in a series set on the shores of Lake Haven in the little town of East Beach, a summer haven for the east coast elite. Here we are privy to the story of Mia and Brennan’s unlikely pairing. After losing her job and then the chance of following her dream of being a full time artist, she retreats to her home town to reconstruct her life. Everett (Brennan) Alden, a 20 year long band member to the wildly popular Tuesday’s End is at his mother’s house, was on break from the band and public life, deep in grief over the death of this best friend and band member. When truths are exposed, Mia’s heart is broken, her faith in love and happy ever afters is tested, and Brennan comes to some pretty harsh realisations of what his life has become and how to go about keeping the one person who can make it all worthwhile.
Read on to see why this story touched me so much
You know, I thought I had this done and dusted, the review finished and sent off to Scandal but overnight I changed my mind. You see overnight I came to a much deeper understanding of Mia and realisations of my own and this is why I told Scandal I would revise my review. There’s something about a character’s story hitting close to home, making your relate it to your own experiences and choices.
Suddenly In Love is the first book I have read by this author and the first in a series set on the shores of Lake Haven in the little town of East Beach, a summer haven for the east coast elite. Here we are privy to the story of Mia and Brennan’s unlikely pairing. After losing her job and then the chance of following her dream of being a full time artist, she retreats to her home town to reconstruct her life. Everett (Brennan) Alden, a 20 year long band member to the wildly popular Tuesday’s End is at his mother’s house, was on break from the band and public life, deep in grief over the death of this best friend and band member. When truths are exposed, Mia’s heart is broken, her faith in love and happy ever afters is tested, and Brennan comes to some pretty harsh realisations of what his life has become and how to go about keeping the one person who can make it all worthwhile.
Read on to see why this story touched me so much
April 6, 2016
I'm really not that big a fan of the Rock romances where the characters are in the music business but I will say that I really enjoyed Suddenly in Love by Julia London. The story was more about the characters then the music. Now don't get me wrong the music does play a part in the story, it just doesn't take over.
I kind of felt sorry for Mia, I know what it's like to have a dream and it not come through. Of course I liked where she went with her life better then where she started. As the book progresses you really see her grow as a person and come into herself.
Now Brennan is a mess. But as you read his story and meet his mother you start to understand why. Now don't get me wrong, his mother isn't horrible, just slightly removed from and deep emotions. Of course because of this it adds another layer to Brennan and why he is the way he is.
Like Mia, Brennan's character does grow throughout the story in a good way. You really come to like both of them. I really loved Mia's family and would have liked more with them. As a whole, this story is very good. I didn't want it to end. It's the perfect start to a new series and I can't wait to see what happens next in Lake Haven.
Reviewed for Romancing the Readers:
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I kind of felt sorry for Mia, I know what it's like to have a dream and it not come through. Of course I liked where she went with her life better then where she started. As the book progresses you really see her grow as a person and come into herself.
Now Brennan is a mess. But as you read his story and meet his mother you start to understand why. Now don't get me wrong, his mother isn't horrible, just slightly removed from and deep emotions. Of course because of this it adds another layer to Brennan and why he is the way he is.
Like Mia, Brennan's character does grow throughout the story in a good way. You really come to like both of them. I really loved Mia's family and would have liked more with them. As a whole, this story is very good. I didn't want it to end. It's the perfect start to a new series and I can't wait to see what happens next in Lake Haven.
Reviewed for Romancing the Readers:
http://romancingthereaders.blogspot.c...
Romancing the Readers Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/RomancingThe...
March 5, 2016
When down-on-her-luck misfit Mia Lassiter meets burned out and heartbroken rock star Everett Alden, she isn’t exactly impressed. She thinks he’s a crazy bum, maybe, and a little crazy and unclean and pompous, definitely. She doesn’t recognize him as a famous person when he introduces himself as Brennan Yates, the son of the owner of Ross House, the oldest and grandest historic estate around Lake Haven. When he explains to her that sees the world in a different way than most people do, something clicks within Mia. She’s exactly the same, with her funky wardrobe and lack of direction with her art. Mia’s temporarily home with her family in East Beach but still considers herself a year-rounder, while Brennan is the definition of a summer person. She knows she shouldn’t get involved with him, but he’s charming and funny and he gets her. As their friendship evolves into something more she allows herself some fun, knowing he’ll be gone before long. Things heat up quickly and Brennan finds himself opening up to Mia in ways that he’s never done before. Once his cover is blown, it takes more than a declaration of love to convince Mia they belong together.
I loved this book so much that I read it in one day. Julia London is one of my favorite contemporary romance authors, and you will not be disappointed with this read. Enjoy!
I loved this book so much that I read it in one day. Julia London is one of my favorite contemporary romance authors, and you will not be disappointed with this read. Enjoy!
March 9, 2016
This was a very enjoyable story. Brennan is a very successful rock star who's reached his limit, he's very great full for his success but right now he really needs to get away from the adoring fans and the paparazzi and just be himself. So he drops out of the public eye and hides himself away.
Mia has never seemed to fit in and has dreams of being an artist. She finds herself helping her aunts interior design shop by sketching a clients home. All goes well until she encounters a scruffy and very grumpy, man, who turns out to be the owners son, Brennan. Their first meeting doesn't turn out very well, and Mia has no idea who Brennan is, even when tempers cool, Mia still thinks he's just visiting.
They become friends and then more, but will Brennan ever come clean and admit as to his true identity, and now that Mia has found someone that understands her, how will she feel about his confession.
This was a heartwarming love story. The pressures of stardom are sometimes forgotten and Ms London gave us a little reminder and our rock star Brennan was very likeable, having no ego it seems as Mia had no idea who he was and it didn't bother him at all, that was great!
A very entertaining read and I would highly recommend it. 5/5
Mia has never seemed to fit in and has dreams of being an artist. She finds herself helping her aunts interior design shop by sketching a clients home. All goes well until she encounters a scruffy and very grumpy, man, who turns out to be the owners son, Brennan. Their first meeting doesn't turn out very well, and Mia has no idea who Brennan is, even when tempers cool, Mia still thinks he's just visiting.
They become friends and then more, but will Brennan ever come clean and admit as to his true identity, and now that Mia has found someone that understands her, how will she feel about his confession.
This was a heartwarming love story. The pressures of stardom are sometimes forgotten and Ms London gave us a little reminder and our rock star Brennan was very likeable, having no ego it seems as Mia had no idea who he was and it didn't bother him at all, that was great!
A very entertaining read and I would highly recommend it. 5/5
April 4, 2016
The first thing I need to say is that I very rarely read Contemporary Romance, I prefer Historical Romance. That said, I love Julia's Historical Romances so much I decided to try one of her Contemporary novels. I am glad I did. I already know what a wonderful writer she is, her stories are so original and her characters are strong, confident people who have their own special quirks and flaws that make them so lovable.
This story is about two people who think they have found at long last someplace they belong and can escape the life that was dragging them down. Brennan is trying to start a new life out of the limelight and Mia is finally doing what she has always wanted, use her artistic talent.
Sparks fly when they first meet, and the sexual tension is palpable. Is this relationship what they were looking for? Will it all blow up in their faces when Brennan real identity is uncovered?
Since I do not do spoilers in my reviews you will have to read this one for yourself. Believe me it is worth it.
Received complimentary copy from Netgalley for an Honest Review.
This story is about two people who think they have found at long last someplace they belong and can escape the life that was dragging them down. Brennan is trying to start a new life out of the limelight and Mia is finally doing what she has always wanted, use her artistic talent.
Sparks fly when they first meet, and the sexual tension is palpable. Is this relationship what they were looking for? Will it all blow up in their faces when Brennan real identity is uncovered?
Since I do not do spoilers in my reviews you will have to read this one for yourself. Believe me it is worth it.
Received complimentary copy from Netgalley for an Honest Review.
March 25, 2016
This is the first in a new contemporary romance series by author Julia London. While at times I had difficulty picturing just how artsy Mia was dressing, I could definitely appreciate the feeling of not fitting in to her surroundings. Or wanting to be appreciated for who she was instead of being mocked for her differences. So when Mia finally finds someone she connects with, she has no idea that he is a famous rock star. Brandon is so amazed that someone is getting to know the man and not the star he doesn't tell Mia the truth. So of course when the truth comes out you have the inevitable break-up. Even though this romance follows the predictable formula, it was an enjoyable read as both Mia and Brandon realized just who they were as individuals before they could become a couple. I did thoroughly enjoy the crazy cast of characters especially Brandon's mom. Although I definitely had the urge to slap her cousin a few times throughout the course of the book!
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
November 13, 2017
I don't know why, I love me a good celebrity love story. This book sounded interesting, so I downloaded it. I really did enjoy the story. I liked Brennan and Mia but I found it kind of hard to relate to Mia at times because she was so artsy.
It did bother me at the end about how Mia was going about everything. We didn't really get any insight from her so I found myself frustrated and constantly mentally screaming "what are you doing?!" I could kind of understand where she was coming from but also couldn't at the same time. I think it's because I was crushed like she was and all I even wanted was someone to come back and tell me I was worth it. Brennan was doing that and she was like no. But we can still be friends right? Insert eye roll emoji here.
Overall, I did enjoy this book. I got teary eyed multiple times. I was very entertained even though it took me awhile to get through this book. I don't know that I would continue with the series since the next book seems like it has NOTHING to do with this one at all. This was a good Amazon prime pick.
It did bother me at the end about how Mia was going about everything. We didn't really get any insight from her so I found myself frustrated and constantly mentally screaming "what are you doing?!" I could kind of understand where she was coming from but also couldn't at the same time. I think it's because I was crushed like she was and all I even wanted was someone to come back and tell me I was worth it. Brennan was doing that and she was like no. But we can still be friends right? Insert eye roll emoji here.
Overall, I did enjoy this book. I got teary eyed multiple times. I was very entertained even though it took me awhile to get through this book. I don't know that I would continue with the series since the next book seems like it has NOTHING to do with this one at all. This was a good Amazon prime pick.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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